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The Sword Son of the Li Clan, Li Ran, suffered a devastating throat slash and fell in battle.

The Sword Son of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Jian Feng, opted to voluntarily concede, stepping down from the arena platform.

A profound sense of shock gripped the onlookers. They felt as if they were witnessing a surreal spectacle unfold before their eyes.

On this fateful day, the Li Clan and the Heavenly Sword Sect had struck an agreement. The ultimate showdown was meant to be a duel between Li Ran and Jian Feng. The victor of this clash would determine who gained control over the coveted sword range.

Yet, the Zong Clan, previously underestimated and brushed aside, had surprisingly unveiled a new Sword Son for this generation. This Sword Son had employed the most dominant of methods to secure victory in the third and final battle.

What's more, he had achieved this remarkable feat with just a single sword strike.

One swift move had propelled him to victory, granting the Zong Clan the coveted rights to the sword range for the next decade.

While the Li Clan, Zong Clan, and Heavenly Sword Sect each won a battle, it was the Zong Clan's victory in the Heavenly Dipper-level battle that ultimately clinched their triumph.

"After all your elaborate calculations and schemes, you neglected to account for your potential losses," Zong Yi remarked, his words drawing solemn nods of agreement from the crowd.

Had the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Li Clan not forged that prior agreement and instead engaged in a full-fledged contest, one of them might have secured two consecutive victories in the first two battles. In such a scenario, the winner would have already claimed the rights to the sword range without the need for a third bout.

However, their unwavering confidence in their Sword Sons had led them to underestimate the Zong Clan, seeking to eliminate them from the competition at the outset. In the end, their actions inadvertently paved the way for the Zong Clan to seize control of the sword range.

No one had anticipated such a dramatic turn of events.

Qin Wentian calmly sheathed his sword and began walking toward the Zong Clan's gathering. The members of the Zong Clan fixed their unwavering gazes on him, their eyes ablaze with fervent passion.

In this moment, they had completely forgotten his different surname. To them, Qin Wentian was the Sword Son of the Zong Clan who had brought glory to their name. The suppressed frustrations they had harbored for so long found release in the sweet taste of victory. Before the spectators from Sword Reverence City, this triumph felt like a resounding slap in the faces of both the Li Clan and the Heavenly Sword Sect.

In this moment, Qin Wentian remained unusually quiet, as if nothing of significance had occurred. To him, this battle presented no challenge whatsoever. Even if he emerged victorious, there would be no cause for pride. The subsequent matters could all be delegated to Zong Yi's capable hands, sparing him any further concerns. However, one advantage did arise from the Zong Clan's triumph – he now had unrestricted access to the sword range, allowing him to delve even deeper into the enigmatic sword intent of that demon blade.

His second-level insight into the Mandate of Swords had been precisely gleaned from the demon sword.

"Isn't it about time for the Heavenly Sword Sect to withdraw the guards they stationed at the sword range?" Zong Yi remarked in a composed tone. According to the rules, since the Zong Clan had emerged victorious, they were now the "owners" of the sword range for the next decade. Consequently, the Heavenly Sword Sect's presence here should come to an end.

The leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Jian Wuyou, gazed at Zong Yi with a calm expression, his lips curving into a chilly smile. Zong Yi couldn't help but furrow his brows upon seeing this. Was the Heavenly Sword Sect intending to upset the established balance?

For several years, the three major powers of Sword Reverence City had meticulously preserved a delicate equilibrium. None dared to proclaim superiority over the others, well aware that the balance hinged on their individual strengths, which were far from equal. If any two powers decided to join forces and eliminate the third, the weaker of the two would likely be the next to fall. Thus, this balance had endured over time.

"Brother Zong, allow me to remind you," Jian Wuyou interjected with a sly smile, drawing the attention of the onlookers. "In the past, when the Zong Clan won this contest, control rights would have unquestionably rested with your clan for a decade. However, today's contest was a mere formality. I advise you not to deceive yourself into thinking that you can lay claim to the sword range."

Jian Wuyou's words hinted at a breach of the rules, and this audacious move by the Heavenly Sword Sect provoked the Zong Clan.

"Does Sect Leader Jian believe that the Heavenly Sword Sect has grown so mighty that it can afford to disregard my Zong Clan?" Zong Yi's voice bore a chilling edge, yet Jian Wuyou remained unperturbed. He responded with a cold laugh, "It's not my Heavenly Sword Sect, but others who wish to gain control of this sword range. These individuals are now esteemed guests of my Heavenly Sword Sect, and I am offering you a friendly suggestion. In fact, I'm doing this for Brother Zong's benefit."

"Oh? Then please, Zong, do enlighten me as to who precisely desires to control this demonic sword range," Zong Yi intently inquired, his gaze unwaveringly locked onto Jian Wuyou.

"It's me."

At that moment, a voice emanated from behind Jian Wuyou. Previously, this individual had stood discreetly at the rear, meditating with closed eyes, remaining inconspicuous as the crowd before him obscured his view. Now, observers realized he was adorned in robes markedly different from those of the Heavenly Sword Sect. Clad in a sumptuous golden robe, an air of pronounced pride enveloped him, while his entire being exuded an aura of unwavering determination.

Stepping forward, he slowly raised his head and fixed an unyielding gaze upon Zong Yi. He proclaimed, "The preceding battle was superfluous. I only permitted it because Wuyou wished to uphold past customs. Regardless of the outcome, control over the sword range for the next ten years will remain with the Heavenly Sword Sect. No other party shall be permitted to intervene."

The middle-aged man's tone oozed imperiousness. Neither the Zong Clan nor the Li Clan possessed the authority to challenge his decree.

"In that case, why did you bother feigning adherence to the previous rules? How absurd," Zong Yi retorted coldly. "And may I inquire as to who you are?"

"You have no need to know," the middle-aged man replied with indifference. "As for the earlier contest, Jian Wuyou was determined to have his disciples from the Heavenly Sword Sect participate. If a disciple from my clan had been sent instead, your Sword Son would have stood no chance."

"Oh?" Zong Yi raised an intrigued eyebrow. "Since you put it that way, I, Zong, am genuinely curious to witness how any first-level Heavenly Dipper Sovereign from your clan could defeat my Zong Clan's Sword Son. If my representative is vanquished, we'll depart right away without a word of protest. Furthermore, my Zong Clan will compensate you with ten thousand fourth-layer Yuan Meteor Stones. How does that sound?"

"Mhm?" Zong Yi's words elicited a slight freeze in the expressions of the crowd. His confidence was resounding. Without even bothering to inquire about the middle-aged man's identity, he boldly challenged the man's assertions. Zong Yi seemed to assume that the middle-aged man hailed from a significant background, perhaps a major power. Nonetheless, without verification, he countered the middle-aged man's words, daring him to prove them wrong. He genuinely wished to see whom the middle-aged man would select and whether they could defeat the Sword Son of the Zong Clan.

The Zong Clan members were equally astounded by their leader's audacity. Zong Yi's overwhelming confidence in their Sword Son, Qin Wen, was palpable. Had they known that their clan's Sword Son was the pinnacle of the Heavenly Fate Ranking, surpassing all demon-level talents in Grand Xia when he was at the ninth level of Yuanfu, their confidence would mirror Zong Yi's. Having proven his unrivaled strength among cultivators at the same level during the Heavenly Fate Rankings, now that he was in the first level of Heavenly Dipper, who could possibly challenge him?

The middle-aged man furrowed his brows. He had issued the statement, and now Zong Yi was turning his own words against him, issuing a challenge while proposing such substantial stakes. Declining the offer would amount to a self-inflicted humiliation.

"Ten thousand Yuan Meteor Stones? How generous," the middle-aged man retorted with a cold laugh. "Since you're so confident, I accept your wager."

"What if you're the one who loses?" Zong Yi inquired coolly, displaying no sign of irritation.

"Lose?" The notion hadn't even crossed the middle-aged man's mind. In Sword Reverence City, among first-level Heavenly Dipper cultivators, how could anyone defeat Wang Jue, the pride of the Wang Clan? Though Wang Jue's Heavenly Fate Ranking had not been particularly high, there was no doubting his strength. Following his breakthrough to Heavenly Dipper, he became a significant figure within the clan, benefiting from their best resources. Could he truly be vanquished by someone from a relatively obscure place like Sword Reverence City?

If the middle-aged man had witnessed the battles during the Heavenly Fate Rankings, he might not have been so self-assured.

In the current state of chaos within Grand Xia, the Wang Clan had to ensure their preparations were meticulous, especially after the Venerate Heavens Sect's revelation about the shifting fate of Grand Xia. Hence, they ventured to the nearby Sword Reverence City, seeking control of the demonic sword range and aiming to unearth the unique demon sword for their own purposes.

"If the individual I nominate is defeated, we shall abandon our plans for the sword range and depart immediately. Additionally, I will gift you a total of ten thousand Yuan Meteor Stones as well," the middle-aged man coldly declared. Ten thousand Yuan Meteor Stones were undoubtedly a staggering sum. Since the Zong Clan had offered it, there was no reason for him to decline.

Furthermore, the middle-aged man clarified that these ten thousand Yuan Meteor Stones didn't need to be contributed to his clan's treasury. Consequently, he readily accepted Zong Yi's proposal. Otherwise, he wouldn't have even bothered with Zong Yi.

"Return to the Heavenly Sword Sect immediately and inform my Wang Clan's members to come here. We will expedite the plan to take control of the sword range," the middle-aged man commanded. Jian Wuyou nodded in agreement and promptly assigned a cultivator to execute the middle-aged man's instructions.

Observing this scene, the spectators chose to stay rather than depart, curious to uncover the background of the middle-aged man in luxurious robes. Even the Heavenly Sword Sect seemed submissive in their presence.

Members of the Zong Clan were tense. Ten thousand fourth-layer Yuan Meteor Stones—a staggering sum. Clan Lord Zong Yi had staked it all on their Sword Son. The magnitude of the bet alone was enough to leave them breathless.

But for the sake of honor and the sword range, Clan Lord Zong Yi felt compelled to make this decision. Their prestige and reputation were on the line.

Now, they had to rely on Qin Wentian.

After a brief wait, a resonating whistle pierced the air, and a formidable group of cultivators descended from the precipice's edge. Not all of them rode on swords; they controlled various innate techniques, hovering in mid-air with piercing gazes directed below. The intensity of their gazes sent shivers down the spines of onlookers.

"Those youths possess gazes as sharp as blades and sabers. They must be extraordinary individuals, radiating a menacing aura that discourages any notion of challenging them. As for those elders, just a single glance from them could penetrate the minds of weaker cultivators."

The crowd's hearts raced as these newcomers descended. The middle-aged man in opulent attire wore a cold, disdainful expression. "Daring to bet against my Wang Clan? The Zong Clan of Sword Reverence City, your courage is truly commendable."

"Wang Clan?" The spectators' expressions turned pensive. Suddenly, a glint of fear crossed their eyes.

Sword Reverence City, located in Grand Xia's central region, was closest to the War Continent.

Could this self-proclaimed Wang Clan indeed be the War Continent's Wang Clan?

"A transcendent power, and not just any, one of the nine strongest," the crowd gasped in awe. Their arrogance now made sense.

The Zong Clan versus the Wang Clan? The odds were undeniably stacked against them.

The members of the Zong Clan wore expressions of shock and pallor. They had assumed the newcomers belonged to a powerful clan from another region, but they never fathomed that it would be the Wang Clan from the War Continent!