Chapter 134: Chapter 133: Climax of the Martial Arts Meeting_1
"Don’t misunderstand. I’m only after the Command Waist Card." Xu Ruoyan’s beautiful face was impassive as she spoke, her tone detached.
But her words were unconvincing.
There were two more Command Waist Cards available later, and Xu Ruoyan hadn’t made a move for the previous ones. Why would she contend with Ling Chen for this particular one?
If Ling Chen lost, he would be unable to obtain a Command Waist Card; that was the rule of this martial gathering.
"In that case, let us battle."
Ling Chen knew Xu Ruoyan harbored resentment. Further words were useless; only a battle held the hope of quelling her bitterness.
Even though Xu Ruoyan appeared calm, a woman’s jealousy, once ignited, was a fearsome thing.
CLANG!
The moment his words fell, Xu Ruoyan’s sword was already unsheathed. The Treasure Sword in her hand was none other than the Cloud and Water Sword. Its blade seemed veiled in a thin mist, exuding a hazy, enigmatic aura that made it unfathomable.
Wielding the Cloud and Water Sword, Xu Ruoyan resembled a celestial fairy, her temperament otherworldly and stunningly beautiful.
WHOOSH!
In the next instant, Xu Ruoyan’s aura underwent a dramatic shift. Her entire presence seemed to coalesce into a sharp sword, thrusting through the air toward Ling Chen.
Feeling this sharp aura, Ling Chen’s expression remained unchanged as he, too, released his Sword Momentum to meet hers.
The two sharp sword auras intertwined, sending sparks flying through the air.
Ling Chen’s expression turned solemn as he faced Xu Ruoyan’s formidable Sword Momentum. He knew she was no ordinary opponent. As the prodigy of Sky Void Palace, her innate talent, the environment she trained in, and the Cultivation Resources she enjoyed were far superior to those of ordinary people. Having spent time with Xu Ruoyan, he was well aware of her power.
However, they had been apart for several months. Given Xu Ruoyan’s potential, she couldn’t possibly have stagnated in her cultivation.
Gripping his Heavenly Emperor Heavy Sword, Ling Chen seemed to ponder for a moment. Then, he sheathed the heavy sword and tossed it, scabbard and all, to Xiao Muyu.
"Mu Yu, lend me your Juechen Sword," Ling Chen called out loudly, looking at a slightly dazed Xiao Muyu.
The Heavenly Mansion Sword was a heavy sword, advantageous against slow, powerful opponents. But against an opponent like Xu Ruoyan—fast and wielding her sword with nimble skill—it was a distinct disadvantage. Ling Chen planned to go all out against Xu Ruoyan, and he couldn’t afford to ignore such a significant weakness.
"Here!"
Xiao Muyu unfastened the Juechen Sword from her waist and tossed it to Ling Chen.
Ling Chen had just done her a great favor. Lending him her sword now was a perfect opportunity to repay his kindness.
Catching the Treasure Sword, Ling Chen drew the blade halfway from its scabbard.
An astonishingly sharp edge burst forth, making one’s hair stand on end.
A sword that leaves others in the dust, swift and traceless.
Compared to the Heavenly Mansion Sword, the Juechen Sword was lighter and significantly sharper. Only such a sword could contend with the Cloud and Water Sword.
"Xu Ruoyan cultivates the Sky Void Palace’s King-level Cultivation Technique, the Nine Profound Supreme Clearing Skill. Although her cultivation is only at the Warrior Master Fourth Realm, with her talent, she could likely contend even with young elites at the Martial Artist Sixth Realm."
"Ling Chen is no simple character either. Wasn’t Xie Feng, a Martial Artist Sixth Realm cultivator, unable to withstand even three of Ling Chen’s sword strikes?"
"Hehe, since it’s a clash between geniuses, does victory or defeat truly matter? Let’s just watch and enjoy the feast for our eyes."
The disciples from the major sects whispered amongst themselves, their voices buzzing with discussion.
"Fleeting Clouds and Mist!"
However, amidst their discussion, Xu Ruoyan had already struck. This sword technique, true to its name, ’Fleeting Clouds and Mist,’ was ephemeral. It seemed to sweep away the vanities of the mundane world, leaving behind only pristine sword qi to cleanse the mortal dust.
This sword strike, incredibly nimble and elegant, also seemed to convey to Ling Chen that their past entanglements were like passing clouds, already dispersed and gone.
A hint of solemnity touched Ling Chen’s face. This was his first true exchange of blows with Xu Ruoyan. Previously, she had always been by his side as a teammate. He hadn’t anticipated that Xu Ruoyan’s swordsmanship would possess such spirituality and profound grace.
"Seeing Dragon in the Field!"
Ling Chen executed a frontal slash. Dragon-shaped sword qi swept out ferociously, unleashing an overbearing power that shattered Xu Ruoyan’s sword qi, completely neutralizing her Sword Momentum.
"Mountain Mist Overlapping Peaks!"
Having broken Xu Ruoyan’s sword technique, Ling Chen swiftly counterattacked. He unleashed the first move of his Landscape Swordsmanship. The True Qi that swept out with it resembled layers of mountain mist, pressing down on his opponent wave after wave.
"Rivers and Mountains Amidst Misty Rain!"
Xu Ruoyan tapped her feet lightly on the ground, her body soaring upwards like a swan. Her swordsmanship seemed to conjure a dreamlike, illusory landscape, embodying a powerful artistic conception.
The sword qi unleashed by the two clashed violently, like two towering mountains colliding.
WHOOSH!
Ling Chen employed the Wind Shadow Step, his speed surging abruptly. He broke through Xu Ruoyan’s artistic conception and thrust his sword into her chest.
SHINK!
The Juechen Sword, like a breathtaking rainbow piercing the sun and moon, its sharp edge pierced Xu Ruoyan’s form, which then dispersed like smoke.
Xu Ruoyan’s true body reappeared four zhang away, launching a sword strike at Ling Chen from mid-air.
Lower-grade Heaven Level Light Skill, Shape-shifting!
Ling Chen’s pupils contracted. A faint white light seemed to condense in his eyes—a sign that his Mental Power was being pushed to its limit. His window for judgment was minuscule, yet he instantly countered with a sword thrust, precisely deflecting the blade onto Xu Ruoyan’s sword and neutralizing the force of her strike.
The two exchanged blows back and forth. In a mere twenty to thirty seconds, they had already traded over ten moves.
For a time, their figures blurred across the training ground, battling from the center to the edge, from the air to the ground. Sword qi crisscrossed, and the resulting energy blasts easily pulverized the stone bricks of the training ground.
The spectators felt their mouths go dry, not daring to blink, afraid of missing the most thrilling moments.
"Are they evenly matched?" Feng Piaoliu was somewhat surprised. By his estimation, Ling Chen shouldn’t be Ling Qianxue’s match, yet the intensity of the current battle far exceeded his expectations.
WHOOSH!
Suddenly, a blue light emanated from Xu Ruoyan’s body. Her aura surged, briefly breaking through the bottleneck of the Warrior Master Fourth Realm and instantly reaching the Martial Artist Fivefold Realm.
Ice Heart Divine Soul!
A trace of shock flashed across Ling Chen’s eyes. He had seen Xu Ruoyan use this Secret Method before. At that time, she had been able to elevate her cultivation by two minor realms at once. Now, she had only advanced by one realm. It seems she’s holding back.
Xu Ruoyan’s power-up shattered the deadlock. Ling Chen felt the pressure on him intensify. Without hesitation, he immediately activated the Ancient Saint King Battle Technique, forcefully raising his cultivation by one realm, reaching the Warrior Master Fourth Realm.
Around the periphery of the training ground, many of the young talents watched, dumbfounded.
What were these two doing? Their strength had visibly surged by a whole tier.
What is a genius? This is it. You can never predict how their clash will unfold or what will happen next on the field.
"This is a duel between the geniuses of the Martial World! It’s simply too exciting!"
The eyes of many young experts gleamed, their spirits soaring. Witnessing such a battle made this trip truly worthwhile for them.
Compared to these two, cultivators like Xie Feng and Tong Chuan were like sparrows to swans, or common steeds to a Kirin—utterly incomparable.