Chapter 37

"Are you sure you want to compare who has the faster sword?"

Ling Dao's readiness to agree made Xie Ling'er feel a bit embarrassed. After all, everyone knew that Xie Ling'er had relied on her fast sword to reach this point, while Ling Dao was not the same.

Even if it were people like Teng Shaofeng, they wouldn't think they could beat Xie Ling'er in a speed contest. Up to this point in the outer sect disciples' competition, no one had seen a faster sword than Xie Ling'er's. Even Ling Dao's sword, while it made Xie Ling'er feel like she had met her match, was still a bit slower than hers.

"Alright, draw your sword!"

Ling Dao's casual and relaxed attitude made Xie Ling'er pout in anger. She thought Ling Dao was clearly underestimating her. Since that was the case, she would show Ling Dao just how fast her sword could be.

"Fine, take this!"

Xie Ling'er said angrily and drew her long sword. A flash of silver, and her sword was already in front of Ling Dao. If it were any other opponent, they would have been caught off guard by this move and would have had no choice but to lose.

However, this time Xie Ling'er's opponent was Ling Dao. No one saw when Ling Dao drew his sword, but when Xie Ling'er's sword was less than three feet away from Ling Dao, his sword had already blocked hers.

"Very fast! No wonder you dared to challenge me!"

A flash of surprise crossed Xie Ling'er's big eyes. She hadn't expected Ling Dao's sword to be so fast. Such an opponent was the best kind. The previous opponents were too boring and hadn't allowed her to show her full strength.

"Since you're so skilled, I won't hold back either. Watch this!"

A sudden gust of wind swirled around Xie Ling'er. She was completely different now, as if she had transformed into a wind spirit. Her sword seemed to have turned into a gust of wind.

One could say that Xie Ling'er's sword had the essence of the wind, which was why her strikes were so fast. Moreover, with her full effort, each strike was faster than the last. In just a moment, the other outer sect disciples couldn't see her sword at all.

"If it were anyone else, their sword speed wouldn't match yours. Unfortunately, you're still not as fast as me! The wind is fast, but it's not as fast as lightning!"

No matter how fast Xie Ling'er's sword was, Ling Dao could easily block it. The other outer sect disciples could only hear the sound of metal clashing; they couldn't see Ling Dao's or Xie Ling'er's swords at all.

At this moment, Xie Ling'er drew a small sword and attacked Ling Dao. She had used this move before, and Ling Dao was well-prepared. Dealing with Xie Ling'er's fast sword was already within his capabilities.

"You lose!"

A bolt of lightning-like light suddenly appeared in the arena, as if a lightning bolt had struck. Xie Ling'er's small sword in her left hand was instantly knocked away, and even her long sword in her right hand flew out of her grip.

A long sword was placed at Xie Ling'er's neck, and her eyes widened in shock. She hadn't expected Ling Dao's sword to be so fast that she had no way to defend herself, let alone anyone else.

"Your sword is faster than mine, and I admit my defeat with no regrets!"

Ling Dao's final strike was like a bolt of lightning. Even the speed of the wind couldn't match the speed of lightning. Xie Ling'er picked up her sword and walked off the stage, feeling no injustice in her defeat.

"This kid is really hiding his true strength!"

Deputy Sect Leader Zhuang Xin looked at Ling Dao deeply. From being unknown at first to winning by luck, and now showing his true strength, it was as if he was a completely different person. Even Zhuang Xin had to look at Ling Dao with new eyes.

Everyone had thought Xie Ling'er and Li Shengxiong were the two dark horses of this competition, but now it seemed Ling Dao was the biggest dark horse. Even Teng Shaofeng and Xie Ling'er had been defeated by Ling Dao's sword.

"I didn't expect Jiang Ren to have such good luck and find such an excellent outer sect disciple. That kid is already in the top ten. Now, we need to make him lose in the next match!"

"We must arrange a strong opponent for him; otherwise, it won't be a fair fight. Since even Teng Shaofeng has been defeated, we can only let Xia Xinruo take the stage!"

The elders had their plans, but unfortunately, their plans didn't succeed. Just as they were about to arrange the next match, Deputy Sect Leader Zhuang Xin stood up and gave them a cold look.

"You are the top ten of this outer sect disciples' competition, and you all performed well! The next match will be arranged by this deputy sect leader, and it will be decided by a draw!"

If it weren't for Zhuang Xin's intervention, Ling Dao would have faced Xia Xinruo. However, Ling Dao didn't mind; to him, it didn't matter who he faced. He wanted to be the first, and no one would stop him!

"Xia Xinruo vs. Zhao Muyang!"

"Wei Jingshan vs. Tie Wei!"

"Zhong Zhenhai vs. Yang Hu!"

"Ling Dao vs. Zhou Tiangci!"

"Li Shengxiong vs. Chai Yuzhe!"

The top ten's final matches were quickly decided. Ling Dao faced Zhou Tiangci, his former seventh senior brother. The first to take the stage was Xia Xinruo, who defeated her opponent Zhao Muyang in just three rounds.

Next, Wei Jingshan defeated Tie Wei in just ten moves. Zhong Zhenhai's match against Yang Hu was also uneventful; in just a dozen rounds, Yang Hu was sent flying with his sword.

"It seems I won't be able to make it into the top five this time."

Zhou Tiangci smiled bitterly. He had planned to try for the top five, but after learning his opponent was Ling Dao, he gave up. Teng Shaofeng, the former senior brother, was much stronger than him, yet Teng Shaofeng had still been defeated by Ling Dao's sword.

"Fine, I concede!"

If it were before the competition, Zhou Tiangci would have had full confidence in facing Ling Dao. Unfortunately, now that Ling Dao had shown his true strength, Zhou Tiangci knew he wasn't a match for him and didn't bother to fight. Even Ling Dao hadn't expected it to be so easy this time.

The last match was between Li Shengxiong and Chai Yuzhe. Li Shengxiong was as fierce as ever and defeated Chai Yuzhe with his powerful sword technique. With this, the top five of the outer sect disciples' competition were determined.

"Very good, all of you are very strong. The next matches will be even more exciting! I have already arranged them: Zhong Zhenhai vs. Wei Jingshan, Ling Dao vs. Li Shengxiong. As for Xia Xinruo, she will advance directly!"

No one objected to Zhuang Xin's arrangement. After all, Xia Xinruo was the senior sister, and it was normal for her to have such privileges. Moreover, she had always been the most mysterious and unpredictable.

"I didn't expect my opponent to be you! Your strength is good, but you can only go this far!"

Li Shengxiong was as arrogant as ever. Even though Ling Dao had come this far, he still had full confidence in defeating him!

(PS: Today is reader Sishi's birthday. I'm adding an extra chapter to celebrate. Happy birthday, Sishi! May all your wishes come true! I'll continue writing and add more chapters!)

[Page Break]

[Page Break]