Sword Saint and Susan, with Jian Fanchen, flew towards the Creation Pagoda. Before they arrived, they saw the densely packed crowds in front of the Creation Pagoda's giant screen.
"Look quickly, Sword Saint is here, Jian Fanchen is also here."
Someone shouted, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
"Greetings, Sword Saint, greetings, Elder Su."
Over a million people bowed in unison.
"Alright, alright, you all know I don't like this formality. Don't be nervous. Today, I'm the same as you, here to spectate, hahahaha."
Wan Jianyi laughed heartily, calming the crowd.
Meanwhile, Jian Fanchen honestly went to the entrance of the Creation Pagoda, waiting to enter.
Their demeanor immediately stirred the crowd.
It was evident that Jian Fanchen intended to personally enter the arena to accept Wan Lei's challenge.
This was a spectacle. Jian Fanchen was known for his aloof personality, caring about nothing beyond the way of the sword. For him to personally defend his position, was Wan Lei pressuring him so much that he felt he had to appear in person to retain his number one spot?
After all, just yesterday, people had analyzed that Jian Fanchen would most likely not appear to meet the challenge in person.
What was even more astonishing was that such a match had attracted the personal observation of a Saint.
Did Sword Saint perhaps wish to see his disciple Jian Fanchen display his might?
It couldn't possibly be to watch Wan Lei.
Lei Xin and Lei Ting gritted their teeth secretly upon seeing Sword Saint's arrival.
Damn it, Saint Lei was still on the Bitter Sea battlefield and hadn't returned. If Wan Lei performed too well, what if Sword Saint forcibly recruited him into their Sword Hall? Who could stop that then?
After all, while other elemental halls couldn't recruit Wan Lei, the Sword Hall was different. Regardless of element, anyone who practiced swordsmanship could join the Sword Hall.
The predawn sky grew brighter, and the news of Sword Saint and Jian Fanchen's arrival at the Creation Pagoda spread throughout the sect, attracting even more disciples.
Xing Chen, who was severely injured but had awakened, was specifically helped to come and watch.
Amidst the growing anticipation of everyone, the first ray of light from the east finally illuminated the Creation Pagoda.
Wan Lei stepped forward, entering the void gate.
Jian Fanchen stepped forward, entering the Creation Pagoda.
At this moment, Wan Lei's heart was pounding. This was because he was about to face the strongest disciple of the Five Elements Hall, Jian Fanchen, who could defeat other disciples with a single sword strike.
And Jian Fanchen's heart pounded even harder, because he was about to face Wan Lei, whom his master had said that even he might not be able to defeat if Wan Lei didn't hold back.
The two were like a couple meeting for the first time, with butterflies in their stomachs.
"You've arrived."
Wan Lei spoke casually, as if he were very familiar with Jian Fanchen. In truth, he wanted to test if the silent figure before him was real or a projection.
"I have arrived."
Jian Fanchen nodded, his expression indifferent.
Although others didn't understand the meaning of their words, they felt it possessed an imposing aura. Coupled with their renowned status and striking appearances, their proud stance facing each other, exuding exceptional charm, caused countless female disciples to shriek and male disciples to feel envy, jealousy, and hatred.
Sword Saint stroked his chin, wondering if he should change his style in the future.
"You shouldn't have come."
Wan Lei replied casually. He didn't know what he meant either, but he couldn't lose in terms of aura.
If he didn't know what he meant, then Jian Fanchen knew even less.
What do you mean I shouldn't have come? Aren't you going to challenge me whether I come or not? What, if I come, you're going to kill me? And I'll regret coming?
"Then shall I leave?"
Jian Fanchen, after a long pause, finally found a response that wouldn't lose in terms of aura.
Wan Lei was startled. Don't leave, he thought. If you leave without fighting, it'll be embarrassing for both of us.
Damn it, how am I supposed to respond to this?
Got it.
"You can't leave."
Well, he still won in terms of aura.
Jian Fanchen was shocked. This person was actually so powerful that he could keep him here. He had to be careful.
Outside, the onlookers listened to their domineering words, becoming uncontrollably excited, experiencing orgasms in their minds, with screams erupting one after another.
The two great powerhouses, about to duel at the pinnacle of power today, were truly awe-inspiring!
How cool they were!
After a long period of contemplation, Jian Fanchen, who was not eloquent to begin with, ultimately remained silent, having lost this battle of words.
He drew his sword, signifying the start of the match.
The sword was covered in scale-like dots, flashing with cold light, as if twinkling stars.
Undoubtedly, it was a peerless sword.
Whether the person wielding it was a good person remained to be seen.
To show respect to his opponent, Wan Lei took out the Thunder Emperor Hammer, which he hadn't used since arriving at the Five Elements Hall.
"Holy cow, he has a weapon!"
"What a huge hammer! I didn't realize he was a strength-type fighter."
"Why do all the thunder-attribute cultivators like using hammers? Are hammers more berserk? But it has a powerful feel. This will definitely be an exciting clash of titans."
"Is that the point? The point is that when he fought Xing Chen and Lei Ting, he didn't use any weapons at all, defeating them with just his fists."
"He never went all out before. None of the people he fought were worthy of him drawing his weapon."
"It seems Jian Fanchen has put immense pressure on him, to the point of him even taking out his weapon."
The crowd's clamor was particularly grating to Xing Chen and Lei Ting.
When did whether Wan Lei used a weapon or not become a measure of an opponent's strength?
This was too insulting.
High in the sky, Sword Saint, watching the proceedings, revealed a hint of amused interest on his lips.
"Are you ready?"
Jian Fanchen held his sword with both hands, looking very solemn as he faced Wan Lei in the distance.
Wan Lei remained silent, and thunder began to swirl around the Thunder Emperor Hammer.
"Sword Art: Starfall Sunset."
Jian Fanchen raised his sword high with both hands. A beam of starlight descended from the sky and entered the sword, which instantly transformed into a colossal phantom hundreds of feet tall.
Meanwhile, wisps of black energy appeared outside Wan Lei's body. The black energy quickly condensed, forming the appearance of a vengeful spirit, holding a massive heavy hammer in its hand.
The vengeful spirit was entwined with abyssal dark lightning. The dark lightning, coupled with the vengeful spirit filled with resentment, would cause ordinary people to lose three parts of their courage just by seeing it.
Wan Lei and Jian Fanchen, at the outset, did not engage in excessive chatter or probing. They directly unleashed their divine abilities, intending to gauge each other's strength.
The thunderous vengeful spirit and the colossal starlight sword met in mid-air with a piercing shriek, crashing into each other.
Boom!!!
After a deafening explosion, Wan Lei's vengeful spirit manifestation shattered inch by inch under the starlight sword. The starlight sword dimmed considerably but did not disappear.
After the vengeful spirit manifestation was broken, Wan Lei's hammer once again condensed with fiery lightning, striking and shattering the weakened starlight sword.
In the first round, Wan Lei had actually lost.