Li Xingyun's combat performance left Wu Tian deeply impressed.
Battles often unfold in this manner.
Even with a difference in strength, victory is not always guaranteed.
Combat awareness is also an incredibly important factor.
And Li Xingyun's combat awareness was clearly on point.
As the dust settled on the fighting stage, Li Xingyun had regained his footing.
His long sword was planted firmly in the ground, having blasted a crater into it.
On the other side, Zhang Qi finally managed to stand up from the ground.
His face was etched with shock, clearly having been startled by Li Xingyun's previous attack.
Although he had successfully dodged Li Xingyun's attack before it landed, the sheer force of the impact had sent him flying.
While this level of impact hadn't caused him any physical injuries, the psychological trauma was something he found most unbearable.
He was a high-grade Immortal!
Yet, in this first exchange, he had been at a disadvantage. How could he face this?
Seeing Zhang Qi's mouth twitching with anger, Li Xingyun smiled faintly and said, "The King's Sword Arc, a mid-grade immortal technique. Its advantage is its power, but its drawback is its slow speed and inability to deviate from a straight line."
"When facing this move, a direct confrontation is not ideal; evasion is the best course of action."
"Senior Brother Zhang Qi, am I correct?"
Hearing this, Zhang Qi was stunned for a moment, and then a surge of anger erupted within him.
He understood Li Xingyun's meaning perfectly.
This fellow was clearly mocking him!
He was so enraged that his teeth were almost grinding to dust, and he said, "How could you, a low-grade Immortal, know the characteristics of the King's Sword Arc?"
Li Xingyun shrugged, "Because I happened to see it once."
"When you were practicing this move, wasn't I right there?"
"So, I'm quite familiar with this move."
"You're spouting nonsense!" Zhang Qi did not believe him.
"You only saw me use it once, and you could discern its characteristics?"
"Do you really think you're some kind of genius?"
"I think you must have stolen a look at this move from somewhere, which is why you know it!"
But in reality, Li Xingyun was not lying.
He had indeed recognized the characteristics of this move at a glance.
Furthermore, his skills in swordsmanship were generally discernible at a glance.
Things that others struggled to master through diligent study, he could understand clearly without even needing to think.
This was talent, a height that ordinary people could never reach even in a lifetime.
However, he had no interest in arguing with Zhang Qi.
He simply said lazily, "Alright, alright, believe it if you want, or don't believe it if you don't."
"The moves you know, I've basically seen you practice."
"So, you'd better be prepared, these moves might not be very effective against me."
"Are you trying to show off?" Li Xingyun's words caused Zhang Qi to explode.
His face contorted as he said, "You're really talking through your hat, spewing such nonsense."
"Fine, then show me how you're going to break my moves!"
With that, Zhang Qi circulated his immortal energy, and a clear hum resonated from his sword.
Then, he suddenly charged towards Li Xingyun, with countless sword shadows appearing around him!
"Is that... Phantom Sword Technique?" someone among the disciples immediately recognized it.
The sharp sword shadows swirled around Zhang Qi, making it impossible to determine where his attack was hidden.
Yet, even facing such a bizarre move, Li Xingyun's expression remained completely unfazed.
Not only that, he actually closed his eyes!
No one could understand what he was doing.
Had he resigned himself to fate, knowing he had no other option?
However, just as Zhang Qi reached him and prepared to attack, his eyes suddenly snapped open!
In that instant, a sharp aura erupted from his eyes!
Without a second thought, he swung his sword towards a specific point within the sword shadows.
Seeing this, Zhang Qi's expression changed drastically!
This was because the spot Li Xingyun was attacking was precisely where he held his sword in his right hand!
Such a turn of events startled him, causing him to hastily halt his attack and slam on the brakes.
This action caused his body to lose its balance.
Seizing this opening, Li Xingyun kicked him directly in the stomach.
Sending him flying away!
"This!"
The people of the Heavenly Sword Divine Sect, including the elders, were all greatly startled.
The Phantom Sword Technique was renowned for its deceptiveness.
Its greatest characteristic was allowing the user's sword to be hidden amidst a multitude of phantom images.
If one relied solely on sight, unless there was a significant difference in strength, it would be impossible to discern.
But Li Xingyun had managed to break Zhang Qi's move; this was truly extraordinary!
At this moment, even Ling Jianxiao smiled slightly, revealing an expression of admiration.
Clearly, Li Xingyun's performance was such that even he, a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, couldn't help but praise it.
"My heavens, he's so strong!" Lei Qianjiao exclaimed from the audience.
The Phantom Sword Technique might not have been much for her now.
But when she was still a high-grade Immortal, facing such a move would have been difficult to handle in a short period.
Yet, Li Xingyun had dealt with it so effortlessly.
This could only be described as incredible.
Wu Tian's smile grew even more pronounced as he said, "This fellow is even more outstanding than I imagined."
"The Heavenly Sword Divine Sect is truly fortunate to have such a disciple; they've struck gold."
On the fighting stage, after being repelled by Li Xingyun, Zhang Qi retreated several steps before stopping.
His face was filled with disbelief, and he couldn't help but shout, "How could this be, how could this be!"
"Did you cheat! Otherwise, how could you possibly see through my Phantom Sword Technique!"
Li Xingyun smiled and said, "No, don't make baseless accusations."
"The Phantom Sword Technique is inherently a deceptive sword art. If you rely on your eyes to see, wouldn't you fall into the trap?"
"The best way to counter the Phantom Sword Technique is to sense the killing intent."
"Because while the phantoms are all fake, the sword in your hand is real."
"As long as I can detect the aura emanating from your sword, it shouldn't be too difficult to discern it, right?"
Zhang Qi was immediately rendered speechless.
He knew that Li Xingyun's words made perfect sense.
But he still found it hard to accept.
After all, such a method required extremely keen perception.
But Li Xingyun had managed to achieve it.
Had this fellow's perception already reached such a level?