Chapter 397: Ruins Realm Battlefield
Martial techniques are divided into four realms:
Beginner, Minor Success, Major Success, and Perfected Realm.
Previously, those genius disciples had all displayed sword techniques at the Major Success level. Whether it was three sword strikes or ten, none had reached the Perfected Realm.
In truth, very few people could cultivate a complete set of sword techniques to the Perfected Realm. Only those martial artists who had immersed themselves in a single set of sword techniques for decades could achieve this.
Who would spend that much time polishing one set of sword techniques?
With that much time, they would have long since moved on to cultivate higher-level sword techniques.
Of course, if one could cultivate a set of sword techniques to the Perfected Realm, the sword techniques would undergo earth-shattering changes, greatly increasing in power, revealing their exquisite nature, and rising to an entirely new height.
Take this set of Soul-Chasing Thirteen Swords, for example. Originally, it was a peak Spirit-grade superior sword technique. But when cultivated to the Perfected Realm, its power surpassed even some Ghost-grade inferior sword techniques.
"Breaking Soul, Listening to the Wind."
Zhang Ruochen executed the second sword technique at an extremely slow pace, even slower than the first move.
"What is Zhang Ruochen doing? Can he do it or not?"
Huang Yanchen widened her almond-shaped eyes, somewhat annoyed. She felt that Zhang Ruochen wasn't seriously demonstrating the sword technique but was just fooling around.
Even with her cultivation level, she couldn't see through the mystery of it.
Some other disciples were even starting to doze off from watching.
"Suppressing Soul, Standing Shadow."
Zhang Ruochen still executed the third sword technique at a very slow pace.
After finishing, Zhang Ruochen stopped and did not continue the demonstration.
"Why did he stop? Did he only cultivate three sword techniques?"
From below, a large wave of questioning voices arose.
"So-called Sword Heart Illumination, and he only cultivated three sword techniques? And they were that slow? He really doesn't live up to his reputation."
"He must have just been lucky, obtaining the Buddha Emperor's inheritance, which allowed him to achieve Sword Heart Illumination."
Those disciples who were jealous of Zhang Ruochen deliberately spoke sarcastic words, as if to say that Zhang Ruochen was only luckier than them. If they had obtained the Buddha Emperor's inheritance, they too could have achieved Sword Heart Illumination.
Zhang Ruochen had indeed only cultivated the first three sword techniques to the Perfected Realm. The remaining ten were all at the Major Success level.
Since they hadn't reached the most perfect state, there was no need to demonstrate them.
"In just three days, he was able to cultivate a sword technique to the Perfected Realm. This child truly deserves the title of Sword Heart Illumination." Lingyuan Half-Saint praised.
Lingshu Half-Saint nodded and said, "Successfully cultivating three sword techniques to the Perfected Realm is even more impressive than cultivating the entire set to Major Success. His talent surpasses mine."
The first place in the second round of assessment was definitely Zhang Ruochen.
The second round of assessment continued.
After finishing their sword technique demonstrations, the disciples left the Saint Academy one after another and returned to the Martial Market Inn, waiting for the results of the second round while also awaiting the content of the third round.
Si Xingkong, Chang Qiqi, Luo Shuihan, and Chen Xi'er had also finished their second round assessments. So, the group gathered together and went to the largest restaurant in the Seventh City District, the Saint Music Pavilion, to hold a celebration banquet.
The consumption at the Saint Music Pavilion was extremely high. Only heirs of Half-Saint families and Saint clans could afford such a luxurious restaurant.
Chen Xi'er claimed to be the host, so she treated everyone.
During the celebration banquet, Luo Shuihan revealed a piece of news to the group: "The third round of assessment might be a bit different from previous years. It probably won't be held at the Saint Academy, or even in the Kunlun Realm."
The ancestor of the Luo Saint Clan was the Saint Luo Xu. Since Luo Shuihan had revealed this information, it certainly wasn't baseless.
Chang Qiqi sobered up a bit and quickly asked, "If it's not in the Kunlun Realm, where will it be held?"
Luo Shuihan pursed her lips and smiled lightly but remained silent.
Zhang Ruochen showed a thoughtful expression and said, "The Ruins Realm Battlefield."
Hearing this, everyone's expressions changed.
"Impossible! The Ruins Realm Battlefield is so dangerous. Only Fish-Dragon Realm cultivators and Half-Saint-level beings are the main force. Martial artists at the Heavenly Extreme Realm going there are no different from cannon fodder." Huang Yanchen said solemnly.
Luo Shuihan said, "I also heard some news passed down from my ancestor. The higher-ups of the Saint Academy haven't fully decided yet whether to actually go to the Ruins Realm Battlefield. It's best for everyone to prepare in advance. It won't hurt."
Everyone nodded.
After the celebration banquet, they all went to buy healing pills, True Martial Treasures, protective items, and prepared a large amount of resources and treasures. Since they were going to the Ruins Realm Battlefield, they naturally had to arm themselves fully.
In the Saint Academy, a deep cave dwelling.
This cave dwelling was very close to the Saint Academy's Saint Vein, and the spiritual energy was quite dense. Even the surface of the stones on the rock walls seemed to have spiritual energy seeping out.
"Tap, tap!"
Clear footsteps echoed through the cave dwelling.
Xu Hai arrived at the bottom of the cave dwelling, knelt on one knee, bowed, and said, "Ancestor, during the second round of assessment, Zhang Ruochen actually cultivated his sword technique to the Perfected Realm. This child not only has exceptional talent but also terrifying comprehension. Coupled with the fact that he refined the Golden Dragon's Dragon Pearl, his future achievements are unpredictable. If we don't kill him now, he will surely become a great disaster in the future."
Three-Sword Half-Saint sat cross-legged on a stone chair above, casting a huge human-shaped shadow and exuding an awe-inspiring aura. He snorted coldly and said, "He is Lei Jing's disciple, so he is already an enemy of our Xu Holy Clan. Today, on the Holy Ascension Heavenly Staircase, he made our Xu Holy Clan lose all face. If we don't kill him, won't the whole world laugh at us?"
Back then, Lei Jing had offended the Xu Holy Clan and was forced to leave the Saint Academy and go to the Demon Ridge.
Now that Lei Jing had returned to the Saint Academy with a group of genius disciples, it naturally made the Xu Holy Clan feel threatened, and they regarded Lei Jing's disciples as potential enemies.
Xu Hai said, "In that case, I will make arrangements now. Before Zhang Ruochen grows up, I will eliminate him."
"Wait."
Three-Sword Half-Saint stopped Xu Hai and said, "Today, Zhang Ruochen's performance was too dazzling. Some figures at the level of Academy Master have already taken notice of him and are preparing to take him as a disciple. If we make a move in the Eastern Region Holy City, how could we possibly hide it from an Academy Master?"
Xu Hai was a bit puzzled and asked, "Ancestor, what do you mean?"
Three-Sword Half-Saint said slowly, "The location for the third round of assessment has basically been decided. All the disciples participating in the assessment will be sent to the Ruins Realm Battlefield."
"What? The Ruins Realm Battlefield." Xu Hai was greatly shocked.
Three-Sword Half-Saint smiled and said, "Why are you so surprised? The Ruins Realm Battlefield is also divided into different levels. They should be sent to a lower-level Ruins Realm. Although a lower-level Ruins Realm is still very dangerous, with a Heavenly Extreme Realm cultivation, surviving is not difficult."
Xu Hai asked, "Does the Ancestor know which lower-level Ruins Realm it is?"
"The Five Elements Ruins Realm, a newly discovered Ruins Realm."
Three-Sword Half-Saint said, "Go find a few reliable top experts below the Fish-Dragon Realm and bring them to me. I can contact the people on the Ruins Realm Battlefield side and have them sent to the Five Elements Ruins Realm in advance. When Zhang Ruochen enters the Five Elements Ruins Realm for the third round of assessment, they can eliminate him there without anyone knowing."
Xu Hai was overjoyed: "The Ancestor is truly wise to have thought of such a good plan. In the Saint Academy, there is a Saint Disciple loyal to our Xu Holy Clan named Nie Wenlong. He is an expert on the 'Heavenly List.' If he makes a move, he will surely be able to kill Zhang Ruochen."
"The 'Heavenly List' expert? Good, very good! He is a top expert below the Fish-Dragon Realm. Moreover, even if a Saint from the Saint Academy discovers him in the Five Elements Ruins Realm, it can be explained away as him going there to complete a training mission on the 'Heavenly List.' Haha!"
Three-Sword Half-Saint said, "Go now and bring Nie Wenlong to my cave dwelling. Xu Hai, serve your ancestor well. If you can eliminate Zhang Ruochen this time, I will reward you with a Sword Heart Pill to help you break through to the Sword Heart Illumination realm."
"Thank you, Ancestor."
Xu Hai was overjoyed in his heart. He quickly bowed and retreated from the cave dwelling to find Nie Wenlong.
...
Returning to the Martial Market Inn, it was already dark.
Si Xingkong and Chang Qiqi each returned to their rooms to continue refining the Dragon Blood.
Zhang Ruochen stood alone in the courtyard. Rays of smooth moonlight, like strands of silver gauze, fell upon him, casting a long shadow on the ground.
"Whoosh——"
He touched his Space Ring with his finger. With a flash of light, he took out a purple longsword and held it in his hand. The sword body felt slightly cold, about four feet long and half a palm wide.
On the surface of the sword was carved the mark of an ancient divine beast, resembling a Thunder Eagle Beast.
The Purple Thunder Sword was a tenth-rank True Martial Treasure. It had seventy-two basic inscriptions carved into it, along with three intermediate inscriptions. Among them, the seventy-two basic inscriptions were all "Lightning" type inscriptions.
The three intermediate inscriptions were one "Lightning" type inscription, one "Force" type inscription, and one "Fire" type inscription.
This Purple Thunder Sword was purchased by Zhang Ruochen earlier at the Martial Market in the Seventh City District, costing him 370,000 Spirit Crystals.
The Abyssal Ancient Sword was temporarily placed at the Divine Sword Sacred Land, and it would probably take some time to repair.
If the third round of assessment really was going to the Ruins Realm Battlefield, Zhang Ruochen naturally needed a suitable and powerful war sword.
Even though he had already reached the Sword Heart Illumination realm and everything could be used as a sword, wielding a true divine sword would undoubtedly unleash even greater combat power.
A tenth-rank True Martial Treasure was indeed much more expensive than a ninth-rank one.
370,000 Spirit Crystals.
For an ordinary Heavenly Extreme Realm martial artist, this was definitely a huge fortune.
"Whoosh!"
Zhang Ruochen held the sword hilt. Without circulating his true qi, he simply and gently swung it, and immediately a "crackling" sound of lightning erupted.
Threads of fine electric sparks surged out from the sword body, completely enveloping Zhang Ruochen's right arm.
"Good sword."
Zhang Ruochen mobilized all the true qi in his body, channeling it into the meridians of his right arm and injecting it into the Purple Thunder Sword, thereby fully activating the seventy-two basic "Lightning" type inscriptions within the sword.
"Boom!"
The sound of heavenly thunder and beastly roars erupted from the sword body.
A purple electric light shot out from the sword tip, forming dozens of wine-cup-thick lightning bolts that flew out in all directions. The entire courtyard seemed to be completely covered by electric light, making Zhang Ruochen's figure invisible.