As the bronze sword flashed with sword light, Qiong Qi immediately retreated with a gloomy expression, seeming somewhat incredulous.
He couldn't quite understand how Chen Xia could still swing his sword, given that they had exchanged equal injuries. How could Chen Xia's Mountain Moving Realm physique match his own Inversing Sea Realm Sixth Layer?
A feint?
Qiong Qi quickly thought of this possibility, but looking at Chen Xia's posture raising the sword, it didn't seem like a feint at all. He was about to slash out with another sword immediately.
Qiong Qi's pupils contracted and his expression darkened. With both hands gesturing incantations, his mouth curled into a wide grin as he scolded:
"Grasping at straws! Do you really think you can cut me down with another sword? Ridiculous! Just lie down already, and hand over the flying sword obediently. Don't stubbornly resist here - it's disgusting!"
Qiong Qi's mentality had clearly changed, becoming very impatient.
The surrounding cultivators watching this scene felt that the victor would soon be decided - this was probably the final sword strike.
Chen Xia raised the sword high, the pure sword light shining exceptionally bright. Overbearing sword intent drilled into the arm holding the sword, tearing apart the already shattered meridians, causing hot blood to flow out.
No matter the outcome today, this arm of his was crippled.
The sword hung high in the air, not yet slashing down.
Suddenly, an authoritative voice rang out from the sky: "Stop!"
Chen Xia still slashed down, completely unaffected by these words. The searing blood and sword light were an unstoppable force.
But the sword only made it halfway before a tall, slender elder with thin eyebrows and a flowery robe pinched the bronze sword between two fingers. His ancient, remarkable fingers completely suppressed the sword light and intent as he spoke in a slightly displeased tone:
"I said stop. Are you really unable to hear me?"
The observing cultivators wore shocked expressions, truly not expecting such an eminent figure to personally intervene and stop this battle. They couldn't help but cry out:
"It's the Third Elder! He actually appeared in person to halt this fight - when was the last time we saw something like this?"
Among the Blue Sky Sword Sea, there was a rule specifically for Great Emperor Seedlings.
When Great Emperor Seedlings fought each other, they could determine a victor but not take lives.
Every Great Emperor Seedling was a one in a million existence. Even if they couldn't become quasi-emperors or great emperors, they were at minimum Heaven Mending Realm masters!
In the Blue Sky Sword Sea, a Heaven Mending Realm master could already become an influential figure with great power and status. In the outer domains of the starry skies, they could directly establish their own sects and become revered patriarchs.
These were the true pillars supporting the Blue Sky Sword Sea, indispensable figures for the sect's future.
If they died before fully maturing due to internal strife, it would be an enormous loss.
In the past five thousand years, the Blue Sky Sword Sea had only recruited nine Great Emperor Seedlings. Six were formal disciples, and five were ranked in the top ten.
Qiong Qi, ranked first to fifth, was one of these five.
The sixth Great Emperor Seedling among the formal disciples had only recently become a formal disciple in the previous generation, so his cultivation time was still short. Having just entered the Inversing Sea Realm, after cultivating for a few more decades, he would likely enter the top ten.
Among the preparatory disciples this generation, there were the most Great Emperor Seedlings - three in total. Di Du and Qiu Li were evenly matched, while Chen Xia was peerless.
However, if Chen Xia was excluded, Di Du and Qiu Li would still be considered top-tier Great Emperor Seedlings, just not fully matured yet.
Especially Qiu Li, who had just broken through to the Mountain Moving Realm. His realm hadn't even stabilized yet, and his Divine Eyes and externally attached immortal physique hadn't grown at all.
These two lifebound mystic abilities would only get stronger later on, truly flourishing after reaching the Inversing Sea Realm.
In comparison, Di Du's Demonic Heart and Bones were much more balanced, strong both early and late stages. Adding his quick cultivation speed, he was currently able to suppress Qiu Li.
If not for the illogical existence of Chen Xia, Di Du should be the number one preparatory disciple.
Although it was unclear who would prevail later on. Once the nine Great Emperor Seedlings all reached the Quasi-Saint Realm, they would likely be evenly matched.
These were the valued Great Emperor Seedlings of the Blue Sky Sword Sea. Losing even one would be a heavy blow.
As such, the Blue Sky Sword Sea was extremely protective of them.
And of the nine Great Emperor Seedlings, Chen Xia was the most precious.
After all, he was someone who could be directly exchanged for a Great Emperor.
It was like trading in the youth version for the pro, max, plus version.
Who wouldn't take that trade?
For these reasons, Chen Xia could not be allowed to swing this sword. No matter if Qiong Qi or Chen Xia died, the Blue Sky Sword Sea would be unable to accept it.
The Third Elder flicked the bronze sword, scattering all of its sword light and intent. With a fluctuation of spiritual energy, he restricted Chen Xia's movements. Casually patting down his clothes, he indifferently said:
"You are too impulsive, having lost your reason. Let's end this fight here and stop this endless entanglement. Oh, and go heal your injuries."
Chen Xia frowned, pointing to Qiong Qi in the distance whose face was twisted in manic laughter as he continuously writhed about, questioning:
"If I've lost my reason, then what do you call that?"
Has rabies made him so deranged?
The Third Elder did not answer this question, merely responding impatiently with a displeased expression:
"Young man, don't be so unruly. Quit while you're ahead. You might not necessarily be able to beat Qiong Qi either - you could very well be the one to die. So stop this and consider it your loss by concession, alright?"
Chen Xia frowned, feeling that this old man really had no shame at all.
How could you utter the words 'loss by concession'?
Chen Xia raised his eyebrows and pointed at Qiong Qi again, even more puzzled as he asked:
"Can you discipline him first?"
Qiong Qi's head was tilted as his face was filled with arrogant laughter, grinning wider and wider. He kept stretching out his tongue to lick the blood on his face.
Chen Xia truly wondered if Qiong Qi would pick up garbage on the ground to eat.
The Third Elder flashed in front of Qiong Qi, his expression doting as he patted Qiong Qi's head comfortingly and consoled:
"Good disciple, your personality is so much better than this Chen Xia's. Calm, modest, steadily progressing - you truly live up to being your master's good disciple."
Qiong Qi's pupils enlarged as his smile grew even more unbridled. Looking at Chen Xia, he nodded and responded:
"Master truly understands your disciple well!"
"For now, your victory over Chen Xia can be considered an accomplishment on the emperor's path, albeit not a big one. But you can gain insights from it - take note." The Third Elder added.
It was immediately apparent to any clear-eyed observer which side the Third Elder was on.
But there was no helping it, as the Third Elder was Qiong Qi's master - the two naturally shared honor and humiliation.
Therefore, the Third Elder would never allow Chen Xia to defeat Qiong Qi, much less allow Qiong Qi to be Chen Xia's stepping stone.
"You're unhappy?" The Third Elder sized up Chen Xia and curiously asked.
"It's very difficult to accept." Chen Xia responded, then added: "Qiong Qi shouldn't boast about being a Great Emperor Seedling or ranked fifth among formal disciples either. Changing his title would be more fitting of his strength."
"My Esteemed Elder Master suits him better."