Chapter 52

On the stage.

Wen Jueyuan said coldly, "Although your martial arts have improved greatly recently, you are still overestimating yourself if you want to challenge me."

Huang Qianjun wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, struggled to get up, and said hoarsely, "In a year, I will make you look up to me in despair."

With that, he turned and walked off the stage.

Wen Jueyuan's brows furrowed slightly, then he shook his head dismissively.

Just the empty words of a loser.

Not worth a second thought.

Huang Qianjun staggered over to Huang Yunchong, feigning a relaxed shrug, "Father, this is all I can do now, don't be disappointed."

Huang Yunchong stood up, tightly hugged Huang Qianjun's shoulder, his face full of satisfaction and pride, and said,

"I never thought you could hold on until now. In this battle, you are a worthy loser!"

Huang Qianjun grinned through the pain.

He scanned the crowd but was disappointed not to see the one person he most wanted to see at that moment.

Cheers for Wen Jueyuan continued inside and outside the banquet hall.

In Guangling City, whether it was the people watching from boats on the river or the commoners standing by the riverbank, everyone was buzzing with excitement.

A dignitary sighed, "With such momentum, the first place in the Dragon Gate Competition will surely be claimed by the Wen family."

Someone stroked his beard and smiled, "This is very normal. After all, Wen Jueyuan is an inner disciple of the Qinghe Sword Mansion, a young genius at the peak of the Blood Circulation Realm. If he doesn't win first place, it would be a joke!"

"Senior Brother Ni, what do you think of Senior Brother Wen? He has really outshone everyone today, unmatched in glory."

Nanying's eyes twinkled as she leaned close to Ni Hao's ear, speaking softly and sweetly, her breath like a fragrant breeze.

Seeing the beautiful face so close, smelling the sweet scent from her, Ni Hao felt a surge of heat in his heart.

He looked proud and disdainful, "Wen Jueyuan practices in the West Courtyard, while I am a disciple of the East Courtyard. How can you compare him to me? If I were to step onto the stage, I could easily defeat him!"

Nanying smiled and her eyes sparkled with affection, "I love the confident and disdainful look on Senior Brother Ni's face. That's the kind of demeanor a man should have."

Ni Hao felt incredibly pleased, but he sighed, "Unfortunately, we are guests this time. According to the rules, only those from Guangling City and Luoyun City can participate. Otherwise, I would show you how I can defeat Wen Jueyuan in ten moves!"

On the Luoyun City side, there was also much discussion.

"Isn't Wen Jueyuan too strong?"

"As an inner disciple of the Qinghe Sword Mansion, he still participates in the Dragon Gate Competition. Isn't that bullying?"

"Alas, will the first place in this Dragon Gate Competition be taken by Guangling City?"

... Compared to the excitement in Guangling City, there was a chorus of sighs in Luoyun City.

Many young people who had planned to participate were now hesitant and dared not step forward.

"Is there no one in Luoyun City who dares to fight? If so, the first place will belong to Wen Jueyuan of Guangling City!"

Someone from Guangling City shouted loudly.

A chorus of cheers followed.

This made the faces of the dignitaries in Luoyun City turn sour.

Only the city lord, Li Jianyu, remained calm.

However, when he saw this scene, he paused for a moment and then said to the head of the Mo family, Mo Haolong,

"Brother Mo, it's not too early. Why don't we let Fu Shan and the others open their eyes?"

Mo Haolong nodded with a smile, "As you wish, sir."

He took a deep breath and shouted, "Tianling, where are you? Why don't you come out and show your skills?"

His voice was like a thunderclap, drowning out the discussions in the hall.

Everyone was puzzled. Did Li Jianyu have another strong player in reserve?

No one understood.

No one noticed that Fu Shan's hands had clenched tightly, his eyes flashing.

Only he knew that Li Jianyu had played his true trump card to win the Spirit Bamboo Island!

"Just showing off for a competition, what a bore."

At the same time, as if sensing something, Su Yi looked toward the distant river and shook his head.

"Hmm?"

Soon, Zhou Huaiqiu, Li Tianhan, Huang Yunchong, and the other dignitaries all turned their heads, looking in the same direction.

At this moment, the others in the hall also sensed something was amiss, and the discussions quieted down.

Suddenly, a cry of surprise came from the distant river.

Amidst the myriad lights, a swift wave suddenly surged forward, moving incredibly fast, like a dragon breaking through the waves.

As it passed, countless boats were pushed aside, and the lights flickered violently, as if a fire dragon had turned over.

The commotion attracted many gazes.

People could see clearly that the wave was actually a person running on the water, moving as swiftly as if flying.

Under the glow of the lights, it seemed like a divine being stepping on the waves!

"Is... is this a person?"

Someone exclaimed in disbelief.

The dignitaries were also taken aback, their faces showing disbelief.

Walking on water, controlling the waves?

This was something only those at the Qi Gathering Realm could do!

In the banquet hall, only Zhou Huaiqiu had such an ability.

Could it be a late-stage Qi Gathering Realm dignitary?

Under the surprised gazes of everyone, the man who seemed like a divine being stepped onto the Dragon Gate Bridge with a graceful leap.

Seeing the shock on everyone's faces, the man laughed, finding it amusing, and said,

"Don't overthink it. I just rode a wooden board, I'm not at the Qi Gathering Realm."

He had a bronze complexion, wore black military attire, and carried a sheathed war saber on his back. His figure was lean, and he had a long scar between his eyebrows, exuding a fierce and bloodthirsty aura.

Only then did everyone notice a wooden board floating on the river.

Clearly, the man had been running on the water using the board, not truly controlling the waves.

This made people sigh in relief but also marvel.

Even running on a board on the water required significant cultivation.

For someone at the Blood Circulation Realm to do this, it was evident how formidable his foundation was!

"So, it's this rogue disciple!"

At the table, Zhou Huaiqiu frowned, his face darkening.

Ni Hao and Nanying also recognized the man, both showing surprise.

Mo Tianling!

Originally a disciple of the Qinghe Sword Mansion, he was expelled for his wild and fierce nature, having severed a fellow disciple's arm during a sparring match, which enraged the senior figures of the sect.

Later, he left Yunhe County and joined the Chilin Army under Yun Guang Hou, fighting on the front lines.

No one expected him to appear here.

"So, it's him, the 'Fierce Madman' of the Mo family in Luoyun City!"

"Didn't they say he was serving in the Chilin Army? Why did he suddenly return?"

At the same time, discussions about Mo Tianling spread throughout the hall.

"This boy is filled with killing intent. It seems he has killed many in the Chilin Army..."

Fu Shan frowned.

At this moment, even the dignitaries from Guangling City realized the situation had become delicate.

Originally, the first place in the Dragon Gate Competition was to belong to Wen Jueyuan.

But Mo Tianling's arrival had clearly changed the game!

"Tianling, don't waste time, go and participate!"

From the Luoyun City side, the head of the Mo family, Mo Haolong, spoke sternly.

"Although the Dragon Gate Competition is boring, since you've asked, how can I refuse?"

Mo Tianling smiled and walked onto the stage.

All eyes followed him.

"Come, I'll give you a chance to draw your sword. If I go first, you might not even get the chance to draw it."

Mo Tianling glanced at Wen Jueyuan and spoke with a grin.

He stood lazily, his eyes playful, looking utterly arrogant.

Wen Jueyuan's brows furrowed, but he was not provoked. Instead, he sensed the terrifying aura of his opponent, which only fueled his fighting spirit.

Clang!

Wen Jueyuan drew his sword, the blade sharp and intimidating.

"Draw your saber."

Wen Jueyuan's expression was solemn as he spoke coldly.

"You're not worthy of me drawing my saber."

Mo Tianling shook his head, his words casual, as if stating a fact.

Wen Jueyuan felt a surge of anger.

Without hesitation, he charged forward, his figure like an arrow, incredibly fast.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

In an instant, he thrust his sword twelve times, each thrust faster than the last, fierce and dazzling, soul-piercing.

The Twelve Light Chasing Swords.

This was Wen Jueyuan's ultimate sword technique, already at the "Mastery" level, just a step away from perfection!

"Not bad."

Mo Tianling's lips curled slightly.

He did not dodge or evade, standing calmly. When Wen Jueyuan's sword strikes came, he suddenly shouted,

"Defeating you, one punch is enough!"

His aura changed dramatically, his previously lazy figure now exuding a fierce and terrifying presence.

With the shout, he clenched his right hand and punched.

In the eyes of many, Mo Tianling seemed to transform into a fierce beast, opening a mouth to devour, the intense and bloody aura making people shudder.

A sharp metallic clang echoed on the stage.

Fist and sword met, and Wen Jueyuan's sword was first knocked out of his hand, followed by his body being forced back.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

After retreating five steps, Wen Jueyuan's face turned pale, and with a rapid rise and fall of his chest, he could not hold back a cough of blood.

Pfft!

Blood stained his clothes, hot and glaring.

One punch!

Wen Jueyuan, who was favored by everyone in Guangling City to win the first place, was defeated!

His sword flew out of his hand, his figure retreated five steps, and he coughed up blood!

The entire hall fell silent, not a sound to be heard.

In the banquet hall, the dignitaries were stunned, and the spectators were speechless.

The power of that one punch was too visually shocking!

Almost no one could believe it.

On the stage, Mo Tianling shook his head and said, "Too weak. Are the descendants of the Qinghe Sword Mansion still so unimproved?"

Finishing, he turned and looked around, deliberately lingering on Zhou Huaiqiu, Ni Hao, and Nanying, his lips curling with undisguised sarcasm.

---

PS: Tomorrow is the climax of the early part, the scene everyone loves to see, the classic "showing off" moment.

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