"Such arrogance, boy. You’ve got courage," Deng Jiuxian said, momentarily stunned by Wen Qingye’s words. He continued, "But for someone of your strength, you’re far too conceited. It’s an unlikable trait."
As soon as Deng Jiuxian spoke, he charged at Wen Qingye, his saber a blur. A flash of light, as swift as lightning, streaked through the air like a phantom.
CLANG!
Wen Qingye drew his One Thought Sword as well. As their weapons clashed, a brilliant shower of sparks erupted.
Instead of retreating, Deng Jiuxian advanced. The great saber in his hands moved with an almost magical grace. With a flick of his wrist, a blade of light flashed through the air, the edge instantly slashing toward Wen Qingye’s chest.
DING!
A sword parried the attack—it was Wen Qingye’s. Few had seen how he drew his blade; they only knew that just as Deng Jiuxian’s saber appeared, Wen Qingye’s sword was already waiting for it.
’What terrifying Swordsmanship!’
Deng Jiuxian’s brow furrowed. He wanted to retreat and avoid the brunt of the assault.
But Wen Qingye gave him no such chance. One strike was immediately followed by a second, knocking aside the Long Saber in Deng Jiuxian’s hands. A third strike then pierced his opponent’s Protective Primordial Qi, forcing Deng Jiuxian to shudder and hastily leap back.
*Hiss!*
Staring at the bloody gash on his arm, Deng Jiuxian couldn’t help but gasp. ’Just a fraction closer, and Wen Qingye’s sword would have slit my throat.’
CRACK!
Only then did shallow cuts appear on the surface of the dueling platform. They were the marks left by Deng Jiuxian’s attack, which had been delayed because Wen Qingye’s counter-attack was simply too fast.
A monk walked up to the Qinglan Hall Vice Hall Master. Watching Wen Qingye, he couldn’t help but frown. "This is a bit tricky. That Wen Qingye’s sword speed is incredible."
This was Jieming, the very same monk who had fought Luu Fangliang to a draw. He was one of the hidden masters supporting Qinglan Hall.
The Qinglan Hall Vice Hall Master said calmly, "Mm, his swordsmanship is certainly impressive, but as long as you don’t let him get into close quarters, he’s no match for you."
"Even if he tries to get close, I won’t be afraid. Don’t forget, the Martial Arts of my Baoling Temple are exceptionally formidable as well."
...
’I have to defeat him. I must defeat him!’ Deng Jiuxian thought, staring at Wen Qingye. An obsession began to take root in his heart.
"AHH!"
Deng Jiuxian leaped high into the air. The saber in his hand generated rings of ripples and waves, absorbing the turbulent Primordial Qi from the surroundings. A sharp Sword Aura emanated from it, emitting a blinding light.
"Mountains and Rivers Shatter! That’s the Mountain River Saber Technique, a High-Level King Grade Martial Art from the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty’s Deng Family!" someone in the crowd recognized Deng Jiuxian’s technique and couldn’t help but exclaim.
The crowd was shocked to hear this, and the faces of many in the audience changed.
A majestic sword pressure burst forth from Wen Qingye’s body, instantly pressing down on Deng Jiuxian. His movements froze, and even the saber in his hand seemed to halt in mid-air.
A single point of cold light appeared, and the air shimmered with a golden glare. Wen Qingye stood tall amidst the dazzling radiance, looking like an Emperor from a bygone era. His majestic aura overwhelmed the area. With a soft *shing*, his sword moved!
"First Form of the Sword Emperor Technique! Proud Sword!"
The blade of the One Thought Sword unleashed a golden Sword Aura.
Sharp!
So sharp it defied belief!
It felt as though the onlookers’ very hearts were about to be torn asunder. The faces of those with lower cultivation levels turned deathly pale, and they stumbled back repeatedly, teeth chattering uncontrollably.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The saber and sword rang out in unison, and the very sky seemed to dim.
The explosive sound from the epicenter of the clash was deafening, shaking the onlookers’ very Heart Spirits. No one dared to even blink as they awaited the outcome.
Deng Jiuxian felt his body jolt to a stop. Then, a heaven-shattering force surged from his saber, up his arm, and through every inch of his body.
"Gah!"
He spat out a mouthful of dark, clotted blood. A flush returned to Deng Jiuxian’s face, and only then did he feel some relief.
"I have lost."
Deng Jiuxian looked at Wen Qingye. Although a flicker of resentment flashed in his eyes, he knew he was no match for him. He had been utterly and completely defeated. He hadn’t even been able to gauge his opponent’s true cultivation.
Wen Qingye glanced at the Qinglan Hall Vice Hall Master, whose expression had soured. Sheathing his One Thought Sword, he declared loudly, "On to the eighth platform."
Hearing Wen Qingye’s words, Zhang Guanshi trembled, his knees threatening to buckle. Wen Qingye’s wager had been three Emperor-Grade Martial Arts manuals. If he reached the eighth platform, the payout would be astronomical, and Qinglan Hall would have to foot the bill. Since Zhang Guanshi had been the one to rashly accept the wager, he would surely face the wrath of the Qinglan Hall Master.
The Vice Hall Master of Qinglan Hall frowned. "Move him to the eighth platform," he ordered. "Send a few more masters at the Ninth Heaven of the Yin-Yang Realm. Even if they can’t defeat him, they must at least wear down his Primordial Qi."
Zhang Guanshi nodded quickly and hurried off to make the arrangements.
The eighth platform. First match.
Wen Qingye watched as a woman walked toward him. She regarded him with an indifferent expression, the sword in her hand shimmering in the sunlight.
After a moment, the woman’s lips parted slightly. "You’re quite good," she said.
"Enough talk. Let’s begin." Wen Qingye smiled faintly. ’I’m challenging all of Qinglan Hall’s masters now,’ he thought. ’This woman is no exception. Her cultivation is at the Ninth Heaven of the Yin-Yang Realm, but it’s highly unstable. She must have broken through recently.’
"As you wish!" the woman cried, leaping forward. Her sword struck like a sinister viper, sharp and fierce, aiming straight for Wen Qingye’s throat.
Wen Qingye knew the battles to come would be the most brutal yet. ’I’ll have to endure a relentless series of challenges,’ he thought, ’and there will be many true masters among them.’
As the woman’s sword neared his throat, Wen Qingye dodged it with a slight twist of his neck. But in that same instant, the blade abruptly changed course, slashing toward his waist.
Wen Qingye was now off-balance, and his waist was a vital point. The woman’s strike was nothing short of ruthless and venomous.
CLANG!
An unprecedentedly grave expression appeared in the woman’s eyes. She stared in shock as she saw Wen Qingye had blocked her sword. The next instant, she rapidly retreated.
"Trying to run? Too late!" A slight smile touched Wen Qingye’s lips. With a fierce swing of his sword, a massive golden Sword Aura materialized from the void, looking as if it would cleave the very air in two.
As the woman flew backward through the air, an intense feeling of danger welled up from deep within her. On instinct, she gripped her sword with both hands and brought it up to shield her vital points.
CRASH!
It was another violent collision.
"Puh... Ugh..."
With a pained cry, the woman sprayed a mouthful of blood. The sword in her hand went dim as she was sent flying backward.
Wen Qingye’s figure flickered, and he slowly descended back to the platform.
Everyone present was utterly aghast.
This woman was a famous expert on the Qinglan Platform, a master in her own right. Yet Wen Qingye had defeated her in an instant. ’This Wen Qingye is too strong.’ The thought began to grow, amplified in the minds of everyone watching.
"Next!"
Wen Qingye did not sheathe his sword as he called out in a clear voice.
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