Chapter 72

"Chen Zong, are you sure you want to forfeit?"

"Yes." Chen Zong nodded.

The other party's expression was quite strange, but since forfeiting was Chen Zong's choice, he did not say anything more.

What Chen Zong was giving up was the competition for the top three places in the martial city's talent battle. If he could once again secure one of the top three spots, he would receive a reward from the Seven Radiant Martial Academy.

Under normal circumstances, Chen Zong would never give up; he would certainly do his utmost to compete. Even if he couldn't secure one of the top three spots, he could still spar with the geniuses from other martial cities, thereby improving himself.

Unfortunately, his internal injuries had not yet healed, and the recent exertion had exacerbated them. At his current rate of self-healing, it would take about ten days to recover, and even with medication, it would take several days. The competition was scheduled for the next morning, which was too rushed. Another fight would be detrimental to him, potentially worsening his injuries or even leading to his death.

Chen Zong had to make a choice that would be better for his future.

Since he had made his decision, Chen Zong no longer dwelled on it.

"Chen Chuyun must be practicing her sword skills in the Sword Radiance Hall. I wonder where she is staying?" Chen Zong thought. He wanted to find Chen Chuyun but didn't know where to start. He decided to go out and ask; perhaps someone would know.

Just as he opened the door and took a step out, he saw two figures approaching.

"Bai Yulou..." Chen Zong recognized one of them. This was the person who had recently failed to secure the medium-quality courtyard and then threatened him. The other person had a cold smile and walked alongside Bai Yulou.

Sensing the fluctuations in their qi and blood, Bai Yulou was at the peak of the sixth level of the Qi and Blood Realm, while the other person was at the seventh level.

"I've already said it; I have many family members here." Bai Yulou walked up to Chen Zong with a cold expression: "Now, kneel and kowtow to me, and transfer the ownership of this courtyard to me, and I will spare you. In the future, if you have any troubles, you can come to me, and I might show you some favor if I'm in a good mood."

"Just don't bother me." Chen Zong said calmly.

"Refusing the offer and accepting the punishment, Third Young Master, such a person should be taught a lesson, or they won't know their place." The other person sneered and took a large step toward Chen Zong.

"I don't want to fight." Chen Zong frowned slightly, speaking the truth.

"A mere fifth-level Qi and Blood Realm practitioner, you don't have the chance to fight against me, Bai Yan." The other person sneered, took a step forward like an arrow released from a bow, and clenched his right hand into a fist, striking Chen Zong's abdomen with great force.

The punch was as swift as the wind, creating a sharp sound, and the force was considerable.

Chen Zong's body seemed to be blown by the wind, and he stepped back, making the punch miss.

"Your reaction is quite fast, but how about this sword..." As he spoke, he drew his long sword, and the sound of the sword being unsheathed was piercing. The sword light was cold and sharp, like a crescent moon slicing through the air, sending a chill.

After a slash, without waiting for Chen Zong to react, he changed to a thrust, piercing through the air, and a cold point of light fell like a shooting star.

This sword was too fast.

Chen Zong stepped back and drew his sword.

The sword light sliced through the air, and the sound of the sword was melodious. First, the sword flowers danced, and then a cold point of light shot out, moving at high speed toward the opponent.

The opponent's wrist trembled, and the sword body shook, striking Chen Zong's sword tip. The two swords collided, and a terrifying force spread, causing both swords to bend. The opponent chuckled, his arm vibrated, and the long sword shook, instantly straightening, and a terrifying force erupted, striking Chen Zong's sword.

Chen Zong stepped back to dissipate the force, but the cultivation gap was too large, and the difference in strength was obvious. Chen Zong's internal injuries were exacerbated, causing intense pain, and he couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood, his face turning pale.

"Truly a waste, such a person dares to compete for a medium-quality courtyard with me." Bai Yulou was initially stunned, then his face was full of disdain.

Bai Yan, a seventh-level Qi and Blood Realm practitioner, was also surprised. The strength of that sword strike was considerable, but it shouldn't have caused Chen Zong to spit blood. Could he be injured?

However, it was none of his business.

"Again, the consequences are on you." Chen Zong wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes becoming cold and fierce. His aura was hidden, and if the opponent attacked again, he would use the Heavenly Light Cloud Shadow Sword, even if it meant killing the opponent.

The rules of the Seven Radiant Martial Academy state that disciples must not kill each other, and violators will be punished, either expelled or directly executed.

But at this moment, Chen Zong had no other choice.

Putting aside all concerns, he became resolute, a thread of killing intent condensed, and his eyes were cold and sharp, like the edge of a sword.

Bai Yan was slightly stunned, his eyes flashing with a hint of seriousness.

From the opponent, he felt a sense of danger, as if he could be injured or even killed.

"Is it possible for a mere fifth-level Qi and Blood Realm practitioner?" Bai Yan asked himself, but he didn't know the answer. He suddenly remembered that being able to enter the Seven Radiant Martial Academy at the fifth level of the Qi and Blood Realm proved that Chen Zong had exceptional qualities. However, no matter how strong he was, it was impossible for a fifth-level Qi and Blood Realm practitioner to fight a seventh-level one.

What was this sense of danger?

Bai Yan didn't dare to act rashly, his eyes fixed on Chen Zong, and his qi and blood power flowed continuously.

The pain in his body continued, and the longer this state persisted, the more disadvantageous it was for him, but Chen Zong could only endure.

"Bai Yan, why don't you attack?" Bai Yulou frowned.

"Bai Yan, daring to bully my brother, how dare you." A cold voice came, like a cold wind, making Bai Yan's scalp tingle.

Without turning around, he knew who it was, and his body couldn't help but tremble slightly.

"Chen Chuyun." Chen Zong turned his head and smiled.

"Brother Zong, are you injured?" Chen Chuyun's brows furrowed, anger filling her eyes. She took a quick step forward, as if riding the wind, and her precious iron sword was unsheathed. The sword light rippled like water, and a sharp force pierced the air, swift as the wind, striking Bai Yan.

"Chen Chuyun, his injury has nothing to do with me." Bai Yan's face changed, and he quickly retreated, his sword moving so fast that it was impenetrable. However, it was directly knocked away, and the sword light shattered like glass, the sword stopping at Bai Yan's neck. The cold edge of the sword made Bai Yan's neck break out in goosebumps, and he was filled with fear and regret.

"He was already injured before I came. If you don't believe me, ask him." Bai Yan, seeing Chen Chuyun's cold face and icy eyes, involuntarily shivered and quickly explained.

Chen Chuyun looked at Chen Zong, her eyes softening.

"Brother Zong, my injury has little to do with him." Chen Zong said calmly.

"Get out." Chen Chuyun sheathed her sword, her voice icy.

Bai Yan didn't dare to say anything and quickly ran to Bai Yulou, who looked unhappy: "Third Young Master, let's leave here."

Bai Yulou, though angry, knew the situation was beyond his control, so he followed Bai Yan away.

"Who is she?" Bai Yulou asked coldly as they left.

"She is Chen Chuyun, who entered the academy last year from the Chen family of Wind Martial City. She is a sword genius." Bai Yan answered truthfully.

"A mere martial practitioner from a small family in a martial city, how talented can she be? Can she compare to my brother Yushan?" Bai Yulou's face grew colder.

"In terms of cultivation, Chen Chuyun is indeed inferior to Young Master Yushan, but in terms of sword skills, she is no less than Young Master Yushan. Her sword strikes are ruthless, and she never shows mercy to her enemies. She once killed thirteen eighth-level Qi and Blood Realm bandits in a row, each strike taking a life, earning her the title of 'Raksha Sword.' In the Sword Radiance Hall, she is considered the best eighth-level Qi and Blood Realm practitioner and can even fight a ninth-level one without losing." Bai Yan seemed to recall something, his face turning pale, and his body trembling involuntarily.

"Waste." Bai Yulou glanced at Bai Yan coldly: "No matter how strong she is, can she be stronger than my brother Yushan?"

"That's impossible. Young Master Yushan is at the ninth level of the Qi and Blood Realm and is the chief disciple of the Sword Radiance Hall." Bai Yan quickly said: "But Young Master Yushan is not currently in the hall."

...

"Brother Zong, how serious is your injury?" Chen Chuyun, after examining Chen Zong, her cold eyes softened, and she asked with concern.

"It's an internal injury, and it will take about ten days to heal." Chen Zong answered truthfully. Chen Chuyun was both a sword mentor and a sister, and he felt close to her.

"How did you get injured?" Chen Chuyun's brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of anger flashed in her eyes.

Chen Zong briefly explained the situation and his suspicions.

"Fine Rain Gang, they deserve to die." Chen Chuyun said, and Chen Zong noticed that her killing intent seemed stronger than before, and her aura was colder.

"Chen Chuyun, I will handle the Fine Rain Gang myself." Chen Zong said.

"Alright." Chen Chuyun nodded, reached into her hidden pocket, and pulled out a small porcelain bottle. She opened it and poured out a white pill with green patterns, which had a fragrant smell: "This is the Grass Return Pill, which is very effective for internal injuries. Take it, and your internal injuries will heal within three days."

In fact, there are pills that are even more effective for treating internal injuries, capable of healing them in a few hours, but they are extremely expensive, starting at 100,000 white jade coins.

Even the Grass Return Pill costs thousands of white jade coins per pill.

Chen Zong naturally didn't refuse, took the pill, and swallowed it. The Grass Return Pill dissolved, and a cool sensation quickly spread, enveloping the injured areas. It felt like invisible hands with high skill were massaging the injuries, making Chen Zong feel very comfortable.

"I thought you would come to the Seven Radiant Martial Academy in two years, but I didn't expect you to come in just one year." Chen Chuyun sighed with relief as she watched Chen Zong take the pill.

"I found that my strength could enter the top hundred in the talent battle, so I decided to come." Chen Zong smiled.

"Coming earlier is the right choice." Chen Chuyun nodded: "The Seven Radiant Martial Academy has more geniuses, greater competition, and a better cultivation environment. When I came here a year ago, I was at the peak of the sixth level of the Qi and Blood Realm. Now, after a year, I have reached the eighth level. If I had stayed in Wind Martial City, it would have taken at least two years or even longer to reach this level."

"Since you can enter the top hundred in the talent battle of Wind Martial City at the fifth level of the Qi and Blood Realm, your sword skills must be quite good. Once your internal injuries heal, spar with me, and let me see." Chen Chuyun said.

"Alright." Chen Zong was also curious about how far Chen Chuyun's sword skills had progressed.

The two of them sat at a stone table in a corner of the courtyard, chatting casually. When Chen Chuyun learned that Chen Zong was the first place in the talent battle of Wind Martial City this time, she was very surprised. When she found out that Chen Zong had to forfeit the competition for the top three due to his internal injuries, she felt a bit regretful.

Last year, she herself had won second place in the talent battle of Wind Martial City. On her way to the Seven Radiant Martial Academy, her sword skills improved, and she won third place in the competition, using the reward to quickly advance to the seventh level of the Qi and Blood Realm.