32: Chapter 32: Controlling Scores and Boosting Rankings, a Swordsmanship Genius Makes His Debut

On the high platform, Su Li was also momentarily stunned, and the look of appreciation in her eyes as she watched Mo Zixing grew a bit stronger.

Ordinary Disciples would usually think of waiting to see how things developed first. This kid, however, had the sharpness and courage to be the first to stand out.

Mo Zixing noticed the changes on Su Li's status panel.

The affection bar jumped up again; the first heart was almost filled.

Mo Zixing raised an eyebrow.

Good grief, Su Li actually falls for this?

In that case, he might as well take the opportunity to show off a bit more.

He showed no outward signs of anything unusual as he walked toward the center of the arena at an unhurried pace.

Scanning the standard weapons displayed on the nearby rack, he casually pulled out the most ordinary iron sword.

A flurry of discussion broke out below the stage.

No one expected this Genius, who had secured a landslide first place in the second round, to forgo his own weapon and instead pick such a common sword from the rack.

He had barely settled into his stance when a Disciple at Qi Refining Layer 6 leaped onto the arena.

Holding a Low Grade longsword, the Disciple respectfully cupped his fists toward Mo Zixing:

“Disciple Zhang Hao, Qi Refining Layer 6, asks for Senior Brother Mo's guidance!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the Disciple didn't dawdle.

His longsword left its scabbard, executing a set of standard Outer Sect sword moves in a textbook fashion.

His sword wind was steady; it was clear he had put in a year of solid, hard work.

Mo Zixing also raised his sword to meet the challenge.

The iron sword flipped and turned, using the same most basic sword moves.

Yet, in his hands, this introductory sword technique that everyone knew was played out with a different level of mastery.

Amidst the intersecting cold glints, he only exerted enough spiritual power to barely match his opponent.

He even integrated a significant amount of the soft force from the Hehong Clear Wind Sword he had learned from Jiang Yuwei into his moves.

Every neutralization of force was perfectly timed, always managing to evade threats by a hair's breadth before counterattacking in the same motion.

To everyone watching, it seemed like the two were evenly matched in a back-and-forth exchange.

Mo Zixing consistently maintained a four-part disadvantage and a six-part advantage.

Neither more nor less, it was just enough to keep the opponent suppressed.

He wouldn't win too easily, but he would definitely not lose.

After exchanging a full twenty moves, Mo Zixing finally took advantage of a flaw in the opponent's technique with a gentle tap.

A wave of soft force spread along the blade.

The longsword in the Disciple's hand instantly flew out of his grip.

Zhang Hao stumbled back two steps, his face full of frustration, yet also carrying a hint of sudden realization.

“I lost. Thank you, Senior Brother Mo, for showing mercy!”

“That move just now—thank you for the enlightenment, Senior Brother!”

The Disciple gave Mo Zixing a deep bow. Even as he jumped off the arena, he was still repeatedly mimicking Mo Zixing's sword moves from moments ago.

Below the stage, Jiang Yuwei covered her mouth and let out a small gasp.

The soft force neutralization move Senior Brother Mo used was exactly the part she had been practicing incorrectly a few days ago.

Not only had Senior Brother Mo mastered it to perfection, but he had also modified it to better fit his own sword style.

With the first match setting the tone,

The subsequent Disciples also plucked up their courage.

One after another, they leaped onto the arena.

From prospective newcomers at Qi Refining Layer 5 to veteran Disciples at Qi Refining Layer 6, and even a few outstanding Disciples ranked in the top twenty of the second round.

Without exception, every encounter with Mo Zixing resulted in a sixty-forty split.

He always stayed just one step ahead of the opponent.

It appeared to be a back-and-forth struggle, but in reality, he firmly controlled the rhythm of the field throughout.

Often, after a match concluded, the Disciples who were knocked off the arena did not fly into a rage from shame; instead, every one of them showed a look of sudden enlightenment.

Of course, there were also those who were unconvinced, squatting behind the crowd with dark expressions, muttering under their breath:

“What’s he posing for?”

“If you have the strength, just win. Dragging it out to toy with people—does he really think he's that amazing?”

“Exactly. Just wait until Brother Zhou takes the stage. Let's see if he can keep posing then!”

Mo Zixing fought fifteen matches. The iron sword in his hand was nearly notched all over, yet he remained as relaxed and composed as ever.

No one noticed that a very faint layer of Lightning Spiritual Power was constantly wrapped around his blade.

It helped him fine-tune the trajectory of his sword moves while using match after match to polish the finer details of his lightning control.

Aside from the several Elders on the high platform, no one could detect this level of control over spiritual power.

The Elders on the platform could also see the skill involved and couldn't help but click their tongues in praise.

Great Elder Qin Cangyue's eyes crinkled with a smile as he whispered:

“Look at his sword moves; his foundation is very solid.”

“Since he got that score in the second round, he definitely has more strength than this. He could clearly crush the entire field, yet he's willing to hold back his power to spar with his Junior Brothers.”

Su Li also couldn't help but nod in agreement:

“It is indeed rare.”

“No matter which peak he enters, he's good material.”

Despite having the strength to dominate the field, he didn't just focus on padding his own score. Instead, he used the matches to guide his fellow Disciples, helping the Outer Sect Disciples polish their foundations.

She greatly appreciated this Heart-Nature, this willingness to contribute to the Sect's Legacy.

To produce such an outstanding Disciple was truly a blessing for the Sect.

Liu Qingyan stood beside Su Li, a smile still fixed on her face, but a very faint shadow flickered in the depths of her eyes.

She had originally thought this Mo Zixing was just an Outer Sect Disciple with a bit of talent who wouldn't be able to stir up much trouble.

She hadn't expected him to be able to win her Senior Sister's favor, and even Grand Elder Qin looked upon him with such preference.

If he really were to become a Disciple under her Senior Sister, her own schemes might face an extra, unexpected variable.

As Mo Zixing continued fighting, he suddenly caught a glimpse of the affection bar on Su Li's panel changing again.

The first heart had completely lit up.

The corners of his mouth curled upward slightly.

As expected, this line of thinking was correct.

Since Su Li had the [Sect] tag, his showing of help toward other Disciples was equivalent to indirectly helping the Sect's development.

This really was an effective way to earn affection.

While he was planning in his mind, the crowd suddenly erupted into a burst of gasps.

A figure leaped onto the arena.

The young man held a shortsword that looked clearly extraordinary, his gaze sharp.

His cultivation at Qi Refining Layer 7 was released without reservation, sweeping across the entire field.

The area below the stage instantly boiled over!

“It's Lin Zhou! Lin Zhou has taken the stage!”

“He got the second-highest score in the second round; he's a very strong competitor!”

“Lin Zhou is also said to be the number one in sword techniques for our Outer Sect. He broke through to Qi Refining Layer 7 a month ago!”

“Finally! A duel between experts—this is the match I've been waiting for!”

Mo Zixing raised an eyebrow. Looking at the young man across from him, he clicked his tongue inwardly.

A tough nut has finally arrived.

The gauntlet had been all Qi Refining Layer 5 and 6 Disciples until now; he thought it was going to end like that.

As expected, there were still guys with higher cultivation hiding in the crowd.

The opposing Lin Zhou took a step forward and spoke in a deep, forceful voice, each word ringing out:

“Outer Sect's Lin Zhou asks for Senior Brother Mo's guidance.”

“I know Senior Brother has been holding back. I ask that Senior Brother shows his full strength this time.”

“Otherwise, I'm afraid you'll have to yield this position of arena defender to me today.”

Mo Zixing weighed the broken iron sword in his hand, a smile playing on his lips.

Qi Refining Layer 7.

The Outer Sect's number one in sword techniques.

And yet, he still waited until the situation was halfway through before thinking of coming up to pick up the pieces.

Fine. Using this opportunity, he should also show a bit of his hand.

And while he was at it, see just how much weight this publicly recognized sword technique Genius of the Outer Sect actually carried.