Chapter 12 Ninth Grade True Martial Realm

"The Sword Token will be yours? You are not worthy to take it!" The sudden voice caused the entire training ground to fall silent. All eyes turned toward a young man standing near the center of the field, holding a sword. "Owen Su?" "Owen?" Most people on the field were visibly shocked. Owen, who had also passed the first round of the Droplet Flurry, was one of the ten to enter the second round. However, Owen was only at the Ninth Grade True Martial Realm, and despite making it to the second round, the Su family had not held high expectations for him. When Jackson declared his intention to challenge everyone alone, Charles and the others did not include Owen in their group, believing a Ninth Grade True Martial Realm cultivator wouldn't be of much help. Now, even after seeing Charles and the others easily defeated by Jackson, Owen dared to step forward. "Is he looking for trouble?" some murmured. At the edge of the training ground, Vic's eyes gleamed with a hint of satisfaction. He hoped Owen's attempt would end in failure, giving his brother a chance for revenge. "Owen, you can't match him. Step down now," Pace called out, her voice filled with concern. As Owen's cousin and once close friend, she did not want to see him make a reckless move, even though their relationship had soured three years ago. "Owen?" Jackson sneered, shaking his head. "Three years ago, you might have been a decent opponent, but now..." Ignoring the murmurs around him, Owen stepped forward, not even glancing at Jackson. His cold eyes fixed on four people gathered behind Jackson—disciples who had withdrawn from the competition. They were all at the Tenth Grade True Martial Realm. "What is Owen thinking?" the four wondered, puzzled by his focus on them. "I'm going to face you four alone," Owen declared. In the next moment... Clang! Owen unsheathed his sword, his figure blurring as he crossed the distance to the four disciples in an instant. His sword flashed, a dazzling light slicing through the air. "Is he crazy?!" one of the disciples exclaimed as they realized Owen was attacking them, even though they had withdrawn from the competition. "This strike...!" another disciple warned, but it was too late. Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! The sound of the sword slicing through flesh echoed as Owen appeared behind the four, their faces twisted in pain and shock. Blood spurted from their wounds, and they were sent flying. Their auras significantly weakened. In a single stroke, Owen had heavily injured four Tenth Grade True Martial Realm cultivators. Turning around, Owen's cold eyes locked onto Jackson. "Jackson, draw your blade! Show your swordsmanship! Use all your strength, because after this battle, you will lose!" ... Silence enveloped the training ground, once filled with over a thousand people. They stared in disbelief at Owen. One sword stroke had defeated four Tenth Grade True Martial Realm cultivators. Jackson had faced four opponents and defeated Charles and the others with a single move, but Owen's attack seemed even more decisive. Owen's declaration resonated with the crowd, "Draw your blade! Show me your strength!" The Su family members, who had felt despair after Jackson's earlier display of strength, now felt a flicker of hope reignite. "Owen!" All eyes were on him, including those of Henry, Lester, and Hogan from the Chilong Building. Owen had become the center of attention. Jackson frowned, realizing that the four Tenth Grade True Martial Realm cultivators were no pushovers. Yet Owen had managed to heavily wound them with one stroke. "It seems I've underestimated you," Jackson finally admitted, his expression more serious. Owen's demonstration had proven his strength. "Now this is getting interesting," Jackson said, drawing his battle blade. "He's drawing his blade!" the crowd murmured. "Of course, Owen's strength shown in that sword stroke isn't inferior to his, so he has to draw his blade!" The crowd fell silent, everyone holding their breath. In the center of the training ground, Owen and Jackson faced each other, one holding a sword, the other a blade. They stood dozens of meters apart, their gazes locked in fierce determination. Whoosh! A breeze passed, and in the next moment... Swish! Swish! Both moved simultaneously, their figures blurring as they clashed like meteors colliding. Bang! A loud crash reverberated, sending tremors through the ground. Owen and Jackson stood in the center of the training ground, locked in combat. Their weapons clashed with incredible force, creating shockwaves that shook the air. The ground beneath their feet cracked, and stones were lifted into the air by the sheer force of their battle. In an instant, they were pushed back, only to clash again moments later. Boom! Boom! Boom! A series of fierce clashes followed, each more powerful than the last. The onlookers watched in awe, marveling at the speed and strength on display. The sheer power of their blows seemed beyond the limits of the True Martial Realm. "Owen!" shouted his maid, Sherry, her voice filled with excitement at her Master's display of power. "Owen!" "Owen!" the younger generation of the Su family cheered, momentarily forgetting the past and rallying behind Owen as he stood as their family's champion. In this world, strength was respected, and Owen was showing his in spades. "So strong!" "Their power is incredible!" "This doesn't seem like the True Martial Realm!" Charles, Pace, and the others, who had been defeated by Jackson, watched in shock. They now realized the true extent of Jackson's strength and Owen's surprising prowess. "A Ninth Grade True Martial Realm cultivator, able to clash head-on with Jackson without falling behind?" Charles was stunned. He hadn't realized that Owen, at the peak of the ninth grade, had cultivated his spiritual power to be comparable to the tenth grade, aided by a unique Blood Power that enhanced his strength. Bang! Another clash, and the two fighters paused. Separated by dozens of meters, they stood facing each other, still radiating a powerful spiritual energy. "A Ninth Grade True Martial Realm cultivator, able to clash head-on with me... Owen, you indeed have some skill!" Jackson admitted, his voice echoing through the training ground. Initially dismissive, Jackson now recognized Owen as a true adversary. The fact that Owen could match him in battle meant he was a worthy opponent. "Owen! Next, I will use my swordsmanship. A Ninth Grade cultivator forcing me to use my swordsmanship, you should be proud," Jackson declared. The Su family members felt a chill. Jackson's swordsmanship, honed by passing the eleventh floor of the True Martial Attic, was reputed to be formidable. Could Owen still hold his own? "Swordsmanship? Let's see it," Owen replied coldly, pointing his sword at Jackson. With a swift motion, Jackson drew his blade.