Rise of the Sword Son-in-Law

Chapter 495: Is This the Strength of a Seventh Rank?

"Brother Xu, do you recognize this elder?"

Seeing Xu Ping’an’s solemn gaze following the departing old man, Situ Xingfeng asked curiously.

"No, I was just wondering about the strength of an immortal and why I can’t feel any powerful aura coming from him," Xu Ping’an found an excuse to say.

Upon hearing this, Situ Xingfeng laughed in realization and explained, "Actually, this is quite normal. Ninth Rank Experts have the strongest aura, emitting a powerful Emperor’s Might all around them. But upon reaching the Immortal Realm, that aura becomes more restrained, and their cultivation is primarily aligned with the Dao Laws of heaven and earth. Therefore, you cannot discern any aura from their appearance alone."

Xu Ping’an pretended to suddenly understand.

He then followed up with curiosity, "Are there many people from the Heavenly Spirit Realm descending this time?"

"Not many, but not a few either. Since the Great Flame Immortal Dynasty is a subordinate power of the Heavenly Spirit Realm’s Immortal Hall, many forces from the Heavenly Spirit Realm will still come to offer congratulations and to observe the ceremony," said Situ Xingfeng.

Xu Ping’an slightly furrowed his brows.

So, it seems there will be quite a few people coming from the Heavenly Spirit Realm.

I wonder if I will encounter any other familiar faces.

"Alright, Brother Xu, I’ll take you to see my father. Qianqian, you take your master to the Qingya Courtyard to rest," Situ Xingfeng said.

"Okay," Situ Qianqian nodded, then smiled at Xu Ping’an before leading Cao Yuqing to the side hall.

Xu Ping’an followed Situ Xingfeng to a very secluded courtyard.

Inside the courtyard stood a middle-aged man dressed in brown, ornate clothing, studying something at a desk with furrowed brows as if he hadn’t noticed their arrival.

Xu Ping’an observed the middle-aged man, his face resolute with sharp, well-defined features and sharp, piercing eyes like a hawk hunting its prey.

The man seemed to be deeply engrossed in a problem.

However, Xu Ping’an could feel an incredibly powerful aura emanating from the middle-aged man.

Ninth Rank Peak.

That’s right, the Ninth Rank Peak.

Incredibly strong, his entire Emperor’s Body had been refined to perfection; it could be said to be immensely powerful.

"He must be close to stepping into the Tenth Rank. I’m afraid that once he comprehends the Dao Principles, he’ll be able to directly step into the Tenth Rank," Xu Ping’an muttered to himself.

He was somewhat surprised by King Lie’s strength.

He had originally thought that King Lie was just an average Ninth Rank, perhaps slightly stronger than other Ninth Rank Experts.

But he never expected him to be at the Ninth Rank Peak, and not just any Ninth Rank Peak.

"Father, this is Xu Ping’an, whom I’ve mentioned in my messages to you," said Situ Xingfeng.

"I have the honor of meeting Senior King Lie," Xu Ping’an greeted, reverting to his original appearance.

The middle-aged man finally looked up upon hearing this, sizing up Xu Ping’an.

Xu Ping’an was suddenly startled; at this moment, he felt as if someone could see right through his soul.

Even when facing the old man earlier, he did not have this feeling.

Facing a Ninth Rank Peak, he actually felt as if he were stripped bare.

"Young friend Xu, truly extraordinary. Despite only having the Seventh Rank, Eighth Layer Realm cultivation, the True Yuan inside you is vast like the ocean of mist, and is not the slightest bit inferior to someone in the mid-stage of the Ninth Rank. Moreover, the quality of your True Yuan is extremely astonishing—sword-shaped True Yuan; just one glance makes me feel as if I have been sliced. Such strength, young friend, is truly unprecedented," said Situ Lie with a smile.

Situ Xingfeng stood aside, slightly astonished.

His father had such a high evaluation of Xu Ping’an?

Xu Ping’an was also surprised; Situ Lie was truly powerful, able to see through the intricacies of his True Yuan at a glance.

Moreover, he must have also seen through the vastness of the Niwan Palace.

"Senior is too kind. I have merely been fortunate to come upon some opportunities," Xu Ping’an humbly replied.

"Luck is also a type of strength. Young friend Xu, would you be willing to spar with me?" Situ Lie asked with a laugh.

This time, Situ Xingfeng was truly shocked.

His father wanted to spar with Xu Ping’an?

With his father’s strength, wouldn’t it be easy to defeat the Seventh Rank Xu Ping’an?

Why would his father suggest a spar—was he planning to mentor Xu Ping’an?

Xu Ping’an was also taken aback, but his eyes soon sparkled with excitement, "I would be more than happy to."

"This place is too cramped for a proper match—let’s head to the trial arena in the backyard," Situ Lie suggested with a laugh.

Xu Ping’an nodded in agreement.

He then followed Situ Lie and others to the backyard sparring ground.

The sparring ground was vast, fully adequate for the two to display their skills.

Situ Qianqian, upon learning that her father intended to spar with Xu Ping’an, immediately came to the sparring ground with Cao Yuqing.

Seeing her father and Xu Ping’an standing opposite each other, Situ Qianqian was greatly surprised.

"Brother, why does Father want to spar with Xu Ping’an? He wouldn’t be trying to take this opportunity to teach Xu Ping’an a lesson, would he? After all, Xu Ping’an is my lifesaver," Situ Qianqian immediately said.

"Don’t worry, Father isn’t that kind of person," Situ Xingfeng said.

As for why his father wanted to spar with Xu Ping’an, he did not know either.

Situ Qianqian nodded slightly at these words, her surprise evident as she watched the two men on the field.

Cao Yuqing stood by the side, also astonished beyond measure.

...

On the sparring ground, Xu Ping’an and Situ Lie stood opposite each other.

Both were brimming with imposing auras.

Their robes rustled loudly, their presences overwhelming.

Xu Ping’an, facing the man before him, also became very serious.

Just standing there, Situ Lie was like an insurmountable mountain, exerting a great pressure.

This was momentum...

Xu Ping’an knew it very clearly in his heart.

Situ Lie’s comprehension of the grand movements of heaven and earth had probably reached a very high realm as well.

Xu Ping’an knew, it probably wasn’t that Situ Lie couldn’t step into the Dao Principle Realm, but that he chose not to.

If he were willing, he could probably do so at any time.

"Senior, it’s time for me to make a move. Please enlighten me," Xu Ping’an said respectfully.

"Hmm, go ahead, show me your true strength," Situ Lie said.

Xu Ping’an nodded.

Immediately, his gaze sharpened, and a fierce light burst from his eyes.

The next moment, Xu Ping’an’s momentum erupted, like an avalanche off a snowy mountain.

With one step forward, he unleashed a great force.

At this moment, Xu Ping’an held nothing back.

He knew that facing Situ Lie, a Ninth Rank Expert at the Ninth Layer Realm’s peak, it was simply impossible for him to inflict any harm on him.

Therefore, Xu Ping’an unleashed his punch without any reservation.

The True Yuan within his body was compressed to the extreme, and at the moment of release, it exploded with a terrifying boom.

Like thunder breaking the silence, the power was astonishingly great.

Since his recovery, Xu Ping’an’s physical strength had also improved.

There were faint signs of his physical cultivation making a breakthrough to the Eighth Rank.

Now, unleashing his full strength, the power of his physical body fused with the True Elemental Power and erupted with terrifying ferocity.

The very void seemed like it was about to shatter.

"This..." Situ Xingfeng was agape with shock.

He had originally thought that Xu Ping’an’s strength was inferior to his own.

But seeing this punch, he knew that he was far from Xu Ping’an’s league.

Just this punch alone would be enough to kill him.

A casual punch possessed such power?

Situ Qianqian was equally shocked. Although she didn’t know how strong this punch truly was, she understood that Xu Ping’an’s strength had already surpassed her older brother’s.

Cao Yuqing was even more astounded. Was this the strength of a Seventh Rank?

You’re joking, right?