novelraw Chapter 131: A Sword That Freezes the Soul
Chapter 131: A Sword That Freezes the Soul
A Sword That Freezes the Soul
Cultivator Tobias glanced at Shera, who sat there with visible satisfaction, then shifted his gaze toward the arena where the second Secret Sword Summit student had fully unleashed his sword intent.
The air itself felt heavier.
Sharp.
As if invisible blades were brushing against the skin.
"Fellow Cultivator Shera," Tobias said with a faint smile, his tone calm but probing, "your student’s attainments in the Sword Path are quite impressive."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"He must have inherited your true teachings, hm?"
Shera let out a low chuckle, clearly pleased.
"That’s right."
He leaned back slightly, his posture relaxed, but his eyes remained fixed on the arena.
"This one is my second student. His talent is exceptional—especially his comprehension of the Sword Path."
There was no attempt to hide the pride in his voice.
"At such a young age, he has already reached three stars of the Astral Realm."
He paused deliberately, glancing at Tobias.
"Of course, he cannot compare to your beloved student... but even so—"
A faint smirk formed.
"He can already be considered a one-in-a-million genius."
Tobias simply smiled.
"Haha..."
But behind that light laughter, he could clearly hear the smugness woven into Shera’s words.
His gaze shifted, unconsciously, toward Leon.
And then—
He frowned slightly.
Leon hadn’t reacted at all.
Not even a flicker of concern.
Not even interest.
He sat there calmly, like a man watching children play.
That quiet indifference made Tobias pause.
What exactly is he thinking...?
Unable to read him, Tobias turned his attention back to the arena.
Let’s see... how will Selena respond to this?
-------
On the stage—
The second Secret Sword Summit student’s aura surged violently.
His robes fluttered wildly under the pressure of his own power.
Sword intent coiled around him like a storm ready to burst.
His eyes burned with intensity.
"Mana Enhanced Slice!"
His shout tore through the air.
In the next instant—
The sword descended.
A blazing arc of condensed mana tore forward, slicing through space itself, the pressure so intense it made the ground crack beneath its path.
The air screamed.
The crowd held its breath.
Selena didn’t move.
Not a single step.
Her expression remained as calm as still water.
As if what was coming toward her... didn’t exist.
Slowly—
She raised her right hand.
No rush.
No tension.
The Amethyst Mist Sword remained sheathed at her side.
That alone made the spectators’ eyes widen.
"What is she doing...?"
"She’s not even drawing her sword under this kind of attack?"
"Isn’t that too arrogant?"
Voices rose across the arena, disbelief spreading like wildfire.
Then—
Selena moved.
Just slightly.
A subtle shift of her wrist.
A faint tremor.
And in that single, almost imperceptible motion—
Something changed.
A presence.
Cold.
Absolute.
A sword intent erupted.
Not explosive.
Not violent.
But suffocating.
Like ice spreading silently across a frozen lake.
The Amethyst Mist Sword, still sheathed, suddenly emitted a terrifying sword intent.
It didn’t roar.
It didn’t blaze.
It simply existed.
And that existence alone—
Was enough.
Crack.
The incoming sword energy shattered.
No explosion.
No resistance.
It simply collapsed, like fragile glass breaking under invisible pressure.
Gone.
Just like that.
"This...!"
The entire arena froze.
Eyes widened.
Breaths caught.
A heavy silence swallowed everything.
Even those with sharp perception felt their scalps tingle.
They could all sense it—
That sword intent.
Pure.
Cold.
Absolute.
Even combined, the second Secret Sword Summit student’s attack couldn’t compare.
"How is this possible...?"
Shera shot to his feet.
His chair scraped loudly against the ground.
His eyes were wide with disbelief.
His fingers trembled slightly, gripping the edge of his sleeve.
She didn’t even draw her sword...
And she broke it?
Behind Tobias, Rex Vine’s gaze sharpened.
For the first time, true interest appeared in his eyes.
"This girl..."
He murmured under his breath.
"She’s stronger than I thought."
His eyes locked onto Selena.
"That sword intent..."
"It pierces straight through the soul."
He paused.
Thinking.
"If it were me..."
A rare hesitation crossed his mind.
Could I disperse that attack so effortlessly?
-----
On the arena—
Selena finally moved her gaze.
Her cold, emotionless expression softened ever so slightly.
A faint smile appeared.
Not warm.
Not kind.
But calm.
"That’s enough."
Her voice was quiet.
Yet it cut through the silence clearly.
"I don’t think you have much ability."
She tilted her head slightly.
"Then... you should go down."
"You—!"
The second Secret Sword Summit student’s pupils shrank.
The moment she spoke—
She moved.
And everything changed.
He couldn’t see her.
Not her steps.
Not her movement.
Not even a shadow.
It was as if she had disappeared from existence.
A chill ran down his spine.
Where—?!
Before he could react—
She was already in front of him.
So close he could see the calm in her blue eyes.
No killing intent.
No anger.
Just... inevitability.
A soft step.
A shift of her hips.
Her slender leg moved.
Graceful.
Precise.
And then—
Impact.
Bang.
Her foot struck his chest.
Not violently.
Not wildly.
But with perfect control.
A clean, overwhelming force.
The second Secret Sword Summit student’s body lifted off the ground instantly.
His eyes widened in shock.
All the mana he had gathered—
All the sword intent he had built—
Collapsed in that single moment.
He couldn’t resist.
He couldn’t react.
He couldn’t even understand what had just happened.
He flew out of the arena.
Straight.
Clean.
Like a discarded piece of paper.
Silence.
Time seemed to pause.
Then—
A soft rustle of cloth.
Selena stood there alone.
Her white robe swayed gently in the wind.
Her silver hair flowed behind her like threads of moonlight.
Her breathing was calm.
Unchanged.
As if nothing had happened at all.
Below the stage—
The second Secret Sword Summit student lay on the ground, staring blankly at the sky.
His mind was empty.
How... did I lose...?
He didn’t know.
He truly didn’t know.
On the arena—
Selena turned her gaze slightly.
"Referee Elder."
Her voice returned to its usual cold calmness.
The Referee Elder sighed softly.
He glanced at the defeated student below the stage.
Then raised his voice.
"In the second match of the Martial Meeting..."
"Amethyst Summit Division’s Selena..."
"versus Secret Sword Summit’s second Secret Sword Summit student..."
He paused.
Then announced clearly—
"Selena wins."
"Pfft—!"
Below the stage—
Shera’s face turned pale.
His chest tightened violently.
A mouthful of blood burst from his lips.
His body swayed slightly.
"Teacher—"