Chapter 24

"There's an open space ahead, let's go there," said a disciple of the Divine Might Group.

The group gathered around Lin Xuan and walked to the open space, where curious disciples gathered around, looking on as if they were watching a show.

"What's going on? Wasn't it resolved yesterday? Why is it happening again today?" a disciple asked in confusion.

"I don't know, but it seems that a member of the Divine Might Group has come to challenge Lin Xuan. This is outright bullying!"

"Damn! Lin Xuan actually accepted. Is he out of his mind? They are from the Divine Might Group, doesn't he know that only the elite can join the Divine Might Group?"

"He will probably lose badly, and might even end up severely injured or disabled!" Everyone was pessimistic about Lin Xuan's chances because they knew all too well the strength of the Divine Might Group members. They were absolute powerhouses at their level, or they wouldn't have made it into the Divine Might Group.

"Thirty contribution points for each challenge, do you dare?" Lin Xuan said with a smile.

"Boy, do you understand the rules of the challenge?"

"Of course, anything goes except killing, right?" Lin Xuan shrugged.

"I hope you can still smile after a while!" the Divine Might Group disciple sneered.

"Enough talk, who's first?" Lin Xuan's eyes gleamed with excitement.

"I'll go!" A lean disciple spoke up, drawing his sword and stepping forward.

The opponent was a Fourth Rank Condensation Pulse disciple, tall and slender with an ordinary appearance, carrying a golden curved sword at his waist.

The Divine Might Group disciple took out a palm-sized jade array disk, infused it with spiritual energy, and it grew larger in the wind. A blood-red banner appeared in the air.

With a loud thud, the blood-red banner was planted on the ground, forming a three-meter enclosed space that enveloped Lin Xuan and the Divine Might Group disciple.

This was a specialized array flag used for sparring, creating an independent small space to facilitate sparring and prevent outsiders from getting hurt.

The disciple facing Lin Xuan was named Su Xing, a Fourth Rank Condensation Pulse peak cultivator, just one step away from the Fifth Rank. He was a rare match at his level.

He sneered, drew his golden curved sword, and his cold eyes instantly locked onto Lin Xuan.

"Roar!" Su Xing roared and leaped up. His curved sword transformed into a golden light, slashing diagonally, the blade's glow aiming straight for Lin Xuan's chest.

Lin Xuan thrust his sword, his speed astonishingly fast.

Clang!

The long sword, like a dragon, struck the golden sword, the immense force making Su Xing's arm numb. He couldn't believe how strong Lin Xuan was.

"Damn, he's only a Fourth Rank Condensation Pulse, how can he have such strength!" Su Xing was shocked.

"I have to use my full strength!" Su Xing had initially planned to play around, but now he had to use his true skills.

"Golden Flame Sword Technique!"

Su Xing roared, and a layer of golden light enveloped his sword, like a burning golden flame.

"Who would have thought Su Xing would use his true skills from the start? It looks like Lin Xuan is in trouble!"

"Right, it's an Intermediate Yellow Rank martial technique, combined with Su Xing's Fourth Rank Condensation Pulse peak cultivation. Lin Xuan will probably lose in three moves." The onlookers whispered, not optimistic about Lin Xuan's chances.

Su Xing slashed his flaming sword, creating a wave of heat that enveloped Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan maintained a faint smile, his sword technique unchanged. Each strike was like a bolt of lightning, the cold blade slicing through the air, striking Su Xing's right shoulder.

"Poof!" Su Xing was hit as if by lightning, flying backward and landing on the ground.

"Whoa—"

Everyone's eyes widened. They couldn't believe that Lin Xuan had defeated Su Xing with a single strike, especially since Lin Xuan's cultivation was lower than Su Xing's.

Even the Divine Might Group members were stunned. They knew Su Xing's strength, and they had expected him to easily defeat Lin Xuan. They never thought Su Xing would lose so decisively.

Cough! Su Xing coughed up blood, standing up in a daze, his eyes full of shock.

"You lost, don't forget the thirty contribution points you owe me." Lin Xuan sheathed his sword.

Poof! Su Xing trembled with anger, spitting out more blood. He couldn't accept this outcome.

"Su Xing, come back!" a Divine Might Group member said.

Su Xing reluctantly stepped off the arena, and the Divine Might Group members began to discuss quietly.

"This boy is strange, his sword technique is very fast."

"Right, we can't lose again, or the Divine Might Group will lose face."

"Let Liang Hong go," said Xing Lifeng, the leader of the mission.

"Alright, I'll show him what true speed is." Liang Hong smirked.

He walked into the arena with his arms crossed, looking at Lin Xuan with disdain.

"Damn, it's Liang Hong!" someone in the crowd exclaimed.

"The Divine Might Group is really ruthless, sending a Fifth Rank Condensation Pulse expert, and a sword master at that!"

"I wonder if Lin Xuan can hold up?" Many were filled with anticipation.

"That last strike was good, but you'll definitely lose against me!" Liang Hong said confidently, "Don't worry, I won't kill you, but you'll be bedridden for two months!"

Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow, sensing a dangerous aura from Liang Hong. However, he wasn't afraid; the stronger the opponent, the more excited he became. Su Xing had been too weak, giving him no chance to practice his sword technique.

"I hope you can help me practice my Thunder Movement Sword Technique!" Lin Xuan thought.

"Are the thirty contribution points ready?" Lin Xuan asked calmly.

Liang Hong was taken aback, then sneered, "What a foolish and ignorant fool!"

He suddenly drew his sword, his body shooting forward. The sword glowed red, carrying a bone-chilling coldness, aiming straight for Lin Xuan.

A red glow flashed in the air, reaching Lin Xuan in an instant, its speed causing a chorus of gasps.

Lin Xuan's pupils constricted. Liang Hong indeed had the skills to be confident. Besides his Fifth Rank Condensation Pulse cultivation, his sword technique was exceptional. With just one strike, Lin Xuan could tell that Liang Hong was no ordinary opponent.

He took a deep breath and suddenly unleashed the Thunder Movement Sword Technique, thrusting his sword with equal speed.

Clang!

The two swords clashed, leaving a trail of sparks in the air. They moved quickly, each strike as fast as lightning. The crowd couldn't see their movements, only the red and green flashes of light in the intense battle.

"Blood Soaked Cold Mountain!" After the hard clash, Liang Hong's sword technique changed, an endless red glow spreading out. The sword seemed to be stained with blood, looking eerily beautiful.

"It's a sword skill! Liang Hong is using his true strength!" the Divine Might Group members exclaimed. They hadn't expected Lin Xuan to force Liang Hong to use a sword skill, given the difference in their ranks.

"Boy, you asked for it, and I'll grant your wish!" Liang Hong's eyes turned blood red, like a bloodthirsty demon.

He transformed into a blood-red light, charging at Lin Xuan. The space seemed to split in two, leaving only a trail of blood-red light.

"A sword skill?" Lin Xuan's eyes gleamed, his aura suddenly surging. His black iron sword instantly transformed into a bolt of lightning.