All eyes were fixed on the False God.
"You are far too arrogant," Ancestor Zhao said coldly.
He lifted his gnarled staff, and in an instant, it transformed—wood dissolving into radiant steel as it reshaped into an ancient sword. Immortal light surged along the blade, its edge humming with terrifying power.
Without hesitation, Ancestor Zhao struck. He unleashed his full strength, intent on ending the battle in a single blow. The sword slash tore through the air like a falling star, carrying a force meant to obliterate the enemy completely.
Liu Xin and Sect Master Xingjin's expressions changed instantly.
The moment Ancestor Zhao unleashed his power, an overwhelming pressure swept across the ruins like a tidal wave. Liu Xin felt his breathing grow heavy, his blood surging as if his body might collapse under the sheer might contained within that single strike.
Sect Master Xingjin's pupils contracted sharply. Even he could feel it clearly—this attack was beyond ordinary comprehension. If it were aimed at him, he knew he wouldn't last more than a breath.
Both of them stared at the False God, hearts pounding, fully aware that this was Ancestor Zhao's all-out strike, a blow meant to decide victory or defeat in an instant.
As the overwhelming pressure lingered in the air, Liu Xin and Sect Master Xingjin couldn't help but exchange glances.
"Where did such an old monster come from? " Liu Xin wondered silently. A cultivator of this level… why would he remain hidden in Phoenix Crest City of all places?
Sect Master Xingjin's expression was equally grave. His thoughts raced. "A half-step Immortal… staying quietly in a mortal city?" Such an existence should have shaken the entire region long ago, yet not a single rumor had surfaced.
Ancestor Zhao's sword strike finally landed.
The world seemed to fall silent for a brief instant—then a deafening explosion erupted. Blinding light engulfed the ruins as sword intent tore through the heavens, smashing into the False God with overwhelming force. The ground split apart, dust and debris billowing skyward like a raging storm, completely swallowing his figure from view.
For a moment, nothing could be seen but swirling dust and shattered earth.
Slowly, as the dust began to settle, a silhouette emerged.
The False God stood there—completely still.
Not a single step had been taken back. Not a trace of injury marred his body. Only the hem of his robe fluttered slightly, a thin, shallow tear visible along its edge, as though the attack had done no more than brush past him.
The sight sent a chill through everyone watching.
An attack meant to end the battle in one blow… had only managed to scratch his clothes.
Ancestor Zhao's heart sank.
"Even though his cultivation has been suppressed to the Body Integration Realm… he withstood that attack?"
A trace of unease finally surfaced in his ancient eyes. That strike had carried his full power, meant to decide life and death in an instant. Yet the result before him shattered his expectations.
Liu Xin's mind went blank. How could he survive that? His throat felt dry as disbelief washed over him. That attack should have erased everything in its path—yet the False God still stood there, unmoved.
Sect Master Xingjin clenched his fist, his expression darkening. Even that didn't work… A cold realization settled in his heart.
The False God glanced down at the tear in his robe, then looked back up, a faint chuckle escaping him.
"So weak," he said calmly. "Was that truly your best? I almost mistook it for a breeze. Still… you managed to scratch my clothes."
***
Should I say more? Lin Xuan thought, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. Just enough to make them angrier… especially Liu Xin. That look on his face when he thinks he's been outdone—it's priceless.
He could almost feel the anticipation building, savoring the tension in the air. Every word could be a spark, and he wasn't about to let the moment pass wasted. Yes… just a little more. Let them stew in their frustration.
Lin Xuan slowly raised a finger, pointing directly at Liu Xin. His eyes gleamed with cold amusement.
"You…" he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "I heard your name—Liu Xin. A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator… standing here, facing me?"
He let out a faint, incredulous laugh, shaking his head slowly. "Are you insane… or is your master insane? Does he truly teach you to confront an opponent far stronger than yourself? How… adorable."
The words cut through the ruins like a blade, each syllable designed to sting, to humiliate, and to ignite the flames of frustration in Liu Xin's chest.
While Lin Xuan continued to mock Liu Xin, Sect Master Xingjin and Ancestor Zhao silently moved, their auras surging as they prepared to strike together. The air grew tense, like a bowstring pulled to its limit.
Ancestor Zhao glanced at Liu Xin, his aged eyes sharp yet steady. "Boy, don't listen to him," he said calmly, his voice carrying the weight of experience.
But it was already too late.
"You damn False God!"
An enraged roar shattered the silence. Liu Xin's eyes burned with fury, his killing intent erupting uncontrollably. The insults aimed at him were one thing—but insulting his master was something he would never tolerate.
Without hesitation, Liu Xin stepped forward, gripping his sword tightly. Spiritual qi surged violently through his meridians as he raised the blade high.
"Heaven-Piercing Void Slash!"
The sword came down.
A terrifying slash tore through the air, space itself trembling as if it were about to collapse. Void-like cracks spread along the path of the blade, carrying an overwhelming sword intent that seemed capable of cleaving the heavens apart. This was a technique passed down by Lin Xuan himself—a strike born from defiance rather than strength.
Sect Master Xingjin and Ancestor Zhao's eyes widened in shock.
He actually dared…
The sword slash tore through the air with blinding speed, hurtling straight toward Lin Xuan.
"So this is happening…" Lin Xuan thought, his eyes narrowing slightly. He had intended this all along—to let the attack strike him, to make it appear as though Liu Xin had landed a devastating blow.
The slash connected. Dust and debris exploded in a chaotic storm, obscuring everything in a swirling haze. When the particles began to settle, Lin Xuan's body was hit—but he remained upright.
Now… how should I make this look like a dramatic defeat? he pondered, a faint, mischievous smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Perhaps a stumble, a groan, and then—collapse at just the right moment. Yes… perfect."
Even under the storm of dust, his mind was already calculating, plotting, and preparing to turn this moment into the ultimate stage for Liu Xin, making the young cultivator look far stronger than he really was.
As the dust began to settle, Lin Xuan staggered backward, his body swaying as if the full force of the Heaven-Piercing Void Slash had nearly shattered him.
"Ugh…" he groaned, letting out a strained breath that echoed through the ruined arena. His hand clutched his chest, and he tilted his head as though the world itself pressed down on him.
Liu Xin's heart leapt. His eyes widened, disbelief and shock mingling with a sudden surge of pride. "I… I actually hit him?"
Sect Master Xingjin's gaze sharpened, suspicion flickering across his expression. Something's not right…
Lin Xuan stumbled once more, then dropped to one knee, letting his body slouch as if utterly defeated. His long robe fluttered in the wind, torn slightly from the previous attack, and dust clung to his hair and shoulders. Every movement was slow, heavy, and convincing—designed to look like the final, humbling impact of a devastating blow.
He tilted his head, letting out a weak, ragged sigh. "Haa… so… strong…"
The words were barely audible, but they carried just enough to make Liu Xin feel that his strike had shattered the False God—or at least, that's exactly what Lin Xuan wanted everyone to think.
A faint, mischievous smirk ghosted across Lin Xuan's lips beneath the dust. Perfect… let him enjoy this moment. Let him feel like a hero.
Lin Xuan looked toward Sect Master Xingjin and Ancestor Zhao, his eyes widening beneath the dust.
"Why… why do they look unconvinced? " he thought, panic bubbling in his chest. He had expected at least a flicker of awe or fear, yet their expressions remained sharp, critical, almost… skeptical.
He hurriedly spoke, his voice tinged with confusion. "W-what was that technique? Where did you learn it?"
Liu Xin blinked, frowning in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"
"That technique," Lin Xuan said, swallowing nervously, "it's… it's used to slay an immortal."
The words hung in the air. Sect Master Xingjin and Ancestor Zhao's eyes widened, a flash of understanding crossing their faces.
Of course…
The realization struck them both at once: the technique Liu Xin had just used—the Heaven-Piercing Void Slash—was not ordinary. Its power and structure clearly marked it as from the Upper Realm, far beyond what even Peak Mahayana cultivators could normally wield.
Sect Master Xingjin and Ancestor Zhao exchanged a glance, the suspicion in their eyes replaced by a measured awe. "No wonder he managed to land even a scratch on the False God… it all makes sense now."