The young man in yellow staggered back, his eyes wide with disbelief. "He used the Ten-Step Scale technique and instantly carved these words onto my face?"1

This little display painted a clear picture.2

If Yun Xiao's intent had been lethal, that young man would've been on the other side of eternity eleven times over. Each word, an artist's stroke, was meticulously etched onto his face.0

The youth's skin crawled. "This can't be right..." he whispered, voice quivering. Not being killed was one thing, but being branded? It was like wearing a badge of shame.0

"You wanted to give me the first swing, didn't you? Seems you're not much of a challenge after all," Yun Xiao quipped, fingers casually dancing around his Sword Soul.0

The youth's face turned a shade redder. "Off with you!" the Sword Lord boomed, sending the lad tumbling off the platform in a most undignified manner.0

Ning Yan, eyes sparkling with admiration, chimed in, "Yun Xiao isn't just skilled with the Sword Soul, Brother Feng. His talent with the blade is unparalleled. Perhaps he's worthy of Sword Heaven's exclusive Star grade technique?" It was clear Yun Xiao had impressed her.1

The Sword Lord, his face...0