Chapter 4

"Is it Platform 75?"

Huangfu Cheng raised his eyebrows slightly and then laughed. "What a coincidence, I’m also at Platform 75. However, to face Brother Zhang, it will be after the third round. I hope that by then, we can still meet and have a good sparring session."

How could Zhang Xin not hear the veiled sarcasm? But he didn’t pay much attention, busying himself with straightening his robe and carefully inspecting the long sword 'Qiulan' at his waist.

Xie Ling'er, however, looked conflicted. She hoped that Zhang Xin would win this time and stay to enter the Xuan Sect with her, but she also knew that this hope was extremely slim, and she worried that Zhang Xin would be sad and upset afterward, making it even harder to see him in the future.

In the end, all her words could only be condensed into one sentence: "Brother Xin, you must be careful. It’s better to lose than to hurt yourself."

Wang Feng also nodded in strong agreement. "Sister Xie’s words are reasonable! Even if you don’t pass this time, there’s still the outer sect. Our Xuan Sect selects disciples from the outer sect every ten years. There’s still a chance, Zhang Xin, you can’t destroy yourself."

Zhang Xin sighed inwardly. He was too lazy to respond and walked directly to Platform 75. When he climbed onto the platform from the left, his opponent also walked up from the opposite side.

It was a young boy around fourteen years old, with a rather handsome face, dressed in a white robe, carrying a long sword, and his sleeves fluttering, looking quite graceful. Unfortunately, the acne on his forehead somewhat marred the scene.

Seeing this, Zhang Xin’s mood instantly relaxed. He was afraid of facing an opponent in his late teens, as losing to such an opponent would mean he couldn’t even enter the loser’s group, missing the opportunity to advance.

The preparation time was about sixty breaths. The young boy on the opposite side of Zhang Xin had a proud expression. "Are you Zhang Xin? Do you know who I am?"

Zhang Xin was slightly taken aback, thinking, "How can a fourteen-year-old kid dare to call himself 'this seat'?" Then he asked in confusion, "May I ask for your name, Brother?"

"I am Fang Xinzi, the Ten Absolute Divine Sword, the first swordsman of Jiulipo!"

The young boy lifted his chin slightly. "Meeting me today is your misfortune!"

Zhang Xin almost burst out laughing, thinking his first opponent was really a bit silly. But then he was reminded of his own youth as Shangguan Xuanhao, whose personality was even more peculiar.

With this thought, Zhang Xin’s playful side was instantly aroused, and his eyes narrowed. "So you are the Ten Absolute Divine Sword? I have heard much about you!"

Then he also flicked his sleeves, adopting a wildly arrogant posture. "It’s too early to say it’s a misfortune. I am Zhang Xin, known as the Mad Saber! It’s an honor to fight the divine sword of Jiulipo today."

"Mad Saber? Never heard of it."

The young boy snorted and casually drew his sword. "No matter, I will see if you live up to the name of the Mad Saber today!"

Zhang Xin laughed heartily, suddenly sweeping his sleeve and striking the hilt of the sword. The spiritual energy oscillated, causing the long sword to fly out of the sheath, spinning in the air and flashing with cold light. After a few breaths, it landed in his hand.

"Brother Fang, be careful. The sword in my hand is a world-class weapon, three feet and nine inches long, weighing nine pounds and seven ounces, capable of cutting hair with a breeze!"

Fang Xinzi, watching Zhang Xin’s series of flashy movements, was stunned, his eyes full of envy and frustration.

But he quickly recovered and also performed a sword flourish. "This sword is made from iron mined three thousand feet underground, three feet and four inches long, weighing eight pounds and three ounces, capable of cutting through iron like butter. Please be careful, Brother Zhang!"

At this moment, Xie Ling'er, watching from twenty feet away, couldn’t help but cover her eyes, unable to bear the sight. She thought, "What’s my Brother Xin up to this time? Talking about divine swords and mad sabers, isn’t he ashamed? So many people are watching."

Huangfu Cheng watched in shock and then sneered. "This Brother Zhang seems to be quite an interesting person."

Wang Feng, however, shook his head slightly. "It seems we will have to send Brother Zhang down the mountain soon. I’ve heard of Fang Xinzi, the first swordsman of Jiulipo, and he’s not just a name. In the Sun and Moon Martial Hall of Jiulipo, he is nearly invincible. This guy also has excellent spiritual master talent and has been recommended to the Spirit Gathering Class to study the ways of the spiritual master in advance. Even if he doesn’t go to your side, his entry into the inner sect is almost certain."

The so-called Sun and Moon Martial Hall is a place run by the Sun and Moon Xuan Sect in the towns at the foot of the mountain, used to teach children from various regions martial arts and physical fitness. On one hand, it helps the people become capable of dealing with low-level evil spirits when they grow up, and on the other hand, it cultivates successors for the sect and lays the foundation for the spiritual masters of the children from various regions.

Among them, those with the talent of a spiritual master also have the hope of entering the Spirit Gathering Class for cultivation.

The spiritual master serving as the referee on the platform clearly couldn’t stand it anymore. As soon as the sixty breaths were over, he immediately waved the flag. "Begin!"

Fang Xinzi’s eyes instantly flashed with a sharp light. "Be careful, Brother Zhang!"

His first strike was a direct thrust, a long rainbow of light piercing straight at Zhang Xin’s chest and abdomen. The sword light was incredibly fast, making it hard to follow.

Zhang Xin only needed one glance, and his eyes flashed with admiration. This guy, who boasted of being the Ten Absolute Divine Sword, indeed had solid sword skills.

Then he stepped back, withdrew, and swung his saber. When the saber light stabilized, it was already in front of Fang Xinzi’s nose, just an inch away, not a hair’s breadth off!

"Huh?"

Fang Xinzi maintained his thrusting posture, blinking his eyes, unable to believe it. After a while, he confirmed that the saber could have easily cut into his face with just a forward slash.

After a moment of thought, Fang Xinzi realized he had lost, and his face showed frustration. But he was a straightforward person. He immediately sheathed his sword and said in a low voice, "I, Fang Xinzi, have lost. Today, the Ten Absolute Divine Sword is no match for the Mad Saber!"

Zhang Xin also sheathed his saber. Seeing Fang Xinzi’s dejected look, he felt a bit guilty, feeling like he was bullying a child.

But after a moment’s thought, he abandoned the idea of comforting him and instead laughed heartily. "Your sword skills are good, but you are too rigid and conventional, not my match! On the path of the spiritual master, I, the Mad Saber, will take the lead. In six years, at the Sun and Moon Mountain competition, I hope to face the Ten Absolute Divine Sword again!"

Fang Xinzi’s expression brightened, his eyes shining. "Brother Zhang’s saber skills have convinced me. However, on the path of the spiritual master, I will not lose to you. I also look forward to seeing the Mad Saber again in six years!"

The referee, who was originally going to dismiss them, saw the mutual respect between the two and his stern face softened, allowing them to 'exchange' for a moment.

Wang Feng, however, was stunned and found it hard to believe, staring at the two on the platform. He thought, "No way, did he lose that quickly?"

Zhang Xin actually won! This guy had a nearly three-year gap and only resumed cultivation two months ago.

And that Fang Xinzi, wasn’t he invincible in Jiulipo? Why did he lose with just one saber strike?

—No, it must be that this guy’s saber skills are too powerful. Could he have reached that level?

Huangfu Cheng was also somewhat surprised, his brows furrowed, seemingly extremely puzzled.

Xie Ling'er, however, looked relieved and enlightened. She thought, "That’s right. Three years ago, it was Brother Xin who saved me from that dire situation. Although she didn’t know what happened then, it must have been difficult. Later, when Zhang Xin occasionally woke up, he also guided her in sword skills, benefiting her greatly. It was during that time that her sword skills improved rapidly, allowing her to be recommended to the Spirit Gathering Class. Even now, Brother Xin’s advice is still beneficial to her, even surpassing many teachers in the Spirit Gathering Class."

Given this, how could such a Zhang Xin be a weakling?

Thinking about it, before the collapse of Guangling Mountain three years ago, Brother Xin must have been very outstanding in the martial hall. But due to an incident, he was delayed for three years.

PS: Someone is complaining about my book title again. I originally named it "Laughing with the Mad Saber to Conquer the Sun and Moon," but the boss cut it. I think my title is still pretty good.