Chapter 70

However, given the apparent strength of Lichen Academy at this time, Zhuang Wudao really couldn’t understand why the head of Luoshan Academy would go to such great lengths to invite a high-level expert. Could it be that he heard some rumors?

"How would I know?"

Beitang Wan'er shook her head and pondered, "It shouldn’t be Gu Yueming. If it were really the Gu family, they wouldn’t choose such a weak opponent for you. It might be the Xia or Lin families, preparing to test your true strength. After the battle in Dongchuan Alley, Shen Quan mysteriously gave up a street. If I were in your position, I’d be curious too and would try to find out what’s really going on—"

Zhuang Wudao subconsciously glanced at Xia Miao and Lin Hui, whom Beitang Wan'er had mentioned earlier. However, they showed no signs of anything unusual.

Zhuang Wudao had long experienced the depth of these elite young masters from the noble families. After a smile and a shake of his head, he paid no further attention.

Ma Yuan, with the help of the earth essence, had broken through to the Bone Marrow Refinement stage along with Lin Han over ten days ago. Whether in Lichen Academy or on Yuhua Street, they were already considered significant figures.

Unfortunately, the opponent he faced was a late-stage Bone Marrow Refinement practitioner who had cultivated a top-tier martial art, the 'Flowing Gold Whip,' which precisely countered Ma Yuan’s movement and hidden weapons. In just ten rounds, Ma Yuan was defeated.

By the third match, the Luoshan Academy contestant was already a First Level Qi Refinement practitioner.

Zhuang Wudao couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. The gap in cultivation between the two sides was simply too great, and they were not on the same level. With the first two matches lost, the chances of winning later were even slimmer.

Then, a figure leisurely walked into the arena, causing Zhuang Wudao’s eyes to narrow in surprise.

"Is it him?"

"Zhuang Tong is missing, so the strongest practitioner in the academy, Gu Yueming, is temporarily taking his place as the eighth contestant. This isn’t too surprising."

Behind him, Beitang Wan'er muttered, her eyes also filled with surprise and doubt, "What is this guy up to?"

As they spoke, Gu Yueming had already taken his stance. He held his sword, his limbs relaxed, and to Zhuang Wudao, he seemed full of vulnerabilities, showing nothing extraordinary.

However, the moment the referee’s silk handkerchief fell, a silver-white, cold arc of light suddenly appeared before everyone’s eyes, like a crescent moon, exquisitely beautiful. At that moment, it even overshadowed the brilliance of the sun, capturing everyone’s attention.

It vanished in a flash, in less than the blink of an eye. The 'crescent moon' sword arc had already disappeared.

Gu Yueming’s sword was out of the scabbard for only an instant, so fast that most of the people present were still in a daze when it was already back in the scabbard.

On the opposite side, the head of the Luoshan Academy disciple had already been severed, blood gushing out ten feet.

The entire training ground fell into a deathly silence. Even Zhuang Wudao’s breath caught, and he drew in a cold breath.

After a while, Beitang Wan'er’s voice drifted from behind him.

"Fourth Level Qi Refinement, sword as swift as the moon, unpredictable and unfathomable. What a Gu Yueming! I’ve indeed underestimated him over the years. Seeing his sword today, there’s no need to send someone to test him."

Zhuang Wudao remained silent, sensing that Gu Yueming’s sword had not actually touched the body of the Luoshan Academy disciple. At the Qi Refinement stage, there was no such thing as sword qi or sword aura.

However, the sharp air flow from the arc of the sword had already severed the head of the Luoshan Academy disciple.

From this, one could glimpse the terrifying power of Gu Yueming’s sword.

In his mind, Yun'er also praised, "This person’s sword talent is indeed exceptional. He could imitate the sword-drawing technique I demonstrated once and integrate it into his own sword skills."

Zhuang Wudao’s expression grew even colder, "You mean he understood your sword-drawing technique?"

He vividly remembered the scene when Yun'er demonstrated the sword-drawing technique.

"Just the surface! How could the pinnacle of swordsmanship be so easy to learn?"

Yun'er said calmly, "However, this person’s sword talent is undeniable. If you meet him on the battlefield, you can kill him within a hundred moves. But if you meet him on the stage, your chances of winning are less than ten percent."

As Yun'er spoke, people in the training ground were gradually reacting. Shouts of surprise echoed around, and some timid individuals fled in panic. The Luoshan Academy disciples, with red eyes, were seething with anger, glaring at Gu Yueming.

The head of Luoshan Academy, Wei Fang, also stood up with a grim face.

"Academy duels are always about stopping at the point of contact. You killed with your sword, don’t you think you owe Luoshan Academy an explanation? Lichen Sect is a great sect, and I have always respected it, but I never expected that your disciples would have such a cruel nature."

He then bowed to the central arbitrator, "I ask the arbitrator to uphold justice for my poor disciple!"

Li Xiangnan remained silent, as if he hadn’t heard. Gu Yueming was the eldest grandson of the Gu family, and his current cultivation was already superior to his. He couldn’t afford to offend the Gu family over a dead disciple from Luoshan Academy.

The arbitrator also looked awkward, several times wanting to speak but holding back.

However, before he could say anything, Gu Yueming spoke, "My sword was honed on the battlefield, for killing, not for these duels. Accidents happen. I only used three-tenths of my strength just now. If he couldn’t block it, it was his fault. If you’re not satisfied, you can challenge me."

As he spoke, his eyes were fixed on Zhuang Wudao in the audience, with an unfathomable smile.

Zhuang Wudao couldn’t help but frown, feeling a faint but intense pressure from the man, making him shiver.

Yun'er exclaimed again, "This person’s sword has already grasped the essence of 'momentum.' He is trying to shake your spirit with this sword."

Zhuang Wudao had guessed as much, but seeing Gu Yueming’s sword, even though he knew the man’s intentions, his confidence, which had been high, suddenly plummeted.

"Should I need your help, Yun'er, for the battle with this person in two months?"

Yun'er’s voice carried a hint of eagerness. Zhuang Wudao shook his head, recalling Yun'er’s previous mention of 'slaying the three corpses.' He had a vague understanding that he must defeat this opponent with his own hands.

Relying entirely on the sword spirit, his mental state and martial path would never progress.

"Fine!"

Yun'er seemed both disappointed and relieved, "However, this person’s sword skills are formidable, and he has at least opened two pseudo spirit orifices. The danger of this battle will even surpass the time you faced a hundred opponents. If you want to defeat him, try to extract the fire seed from that Daoist and break through to the Fourth Level Qi Refinement within two months."

Zhuang Wudao was stunned, finding it hard to believe, "Fourth Level Qi Refinement?"

In recent days, with the solid foundation he had built before the Qi Refinement stage, he had been practicing diligently and was already showing signs of breaking through to the Second Level Qi Refinement.

However, he also felt the difficulty of cultivation. Once the foundation before the Qi Refinement stage was fully tapped, the progress would inevitably slow down.

Limited by his innate talent and without a suitable spiritual land for cultivation, if not for the 'Light Cloud Sword' gathering spirit, Zhuang Wudao would almost have lost confidence in his future cultivation path.

"Fourth Level is the minimum! If you have good luck, enough elixirs and treasures, and the help of the Stone Ming Essence Flame, breaking through to the Fifth Level Qi Refinement in two months is not impossible."

Yun'er’s voice remained calm, speaking lightly, "Even with the best innate talent, it takes at least thirty thousand years to reach the Immortal King realm. Since I said I can make you an unparalleled Immortal King within ten thousand years, I won’t let you stay in the Qi Refinement stage for too long. Although it’s risky, the Stone Ming Essence Flame is a rare opportunity that cannot be missed."

Zhuang Wudao was deeply moved, but at this moment, it wasn’t convenient to ask for details. He could only suppress his curiosity and excitement and continue to focus on the scene before him.

The arbitrator, afraid to challenge Gu Yueming, harshly reprimanded the referee on the stage, said a few formal words, and let Gu Yueming leave. Even the head of Luoshan Academy, Wei Fang, could only swallow his anger.

Cleaning up the body and the blood took some time. When the matches resumed, it was already half an hour later.

However, by this time, the matches had changed in nature. The Luoshan Academy people were all seething with anger. Unable to seek justice from Gu Yueming, they could only take it out on the Lichen Academy disciples. Their attacks were particularly vicious, and the referee and arbitrator, possibly to maintain balance, turned a blind eye.

Except for Lin Han, who recognized the danger and surrendered early to avoid injury, the other Lichen Academy disciples were all injured and left the stage in a sorry state. No one could last more than three rounds.

"This Gu Yueming is truly harmful!"

Ma Yuan couldn’t help but mutter in Zhuang Wudao’s ear. It wasn’t just him; even many of the Lichen Academy disciples were now dissatisfied with Gu Yueming.

By killing the opponent, he had put the other disciples in a difficult position. All those who went on stage suffered, and the Lichen Academy lost face.

However, they all knew Gu Yueming’s status, and even though they were dissatisfied, they dared not speak out.

Zhuang Wudao could feel Gu Yueming’s gaze on him and could only silently prepare.

The first seven matches had already ended, and it was almost his turn.

The challenge from Luoshan Academy had finally entered the main event. However, the final few matches were not decided by a best-of-three. Instead, it was a challenge match where both sides sent three people, and the side that could stand on the stage until the last moment would win.

So over the years, even though Zhuang Wudao had a good win rate, he couldn’t significantly improve Lichen Academy’s ranking, only maintaining its original position.

At this time, the third seat of Lichen Academy was held by a disciple named Xuan He, whose strength was far inferior to Wang Fang and Zhuang Tong but not too weak.

However, before this person could go on stage, a tall and imposing figure had already walked onto the stage.