93: Chapter 93 Swordsman Genius

As Hall Master Lie Fentian's shout of "Begin!" echoed, the atmosphere in the entire training ground tightened to the extreme.

Everyone's gaze was fixed intently on the arena.

From the viewing area of Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, a youth of medium build with sharp features and a look of arrogance in his eyes stood up before Hall Master Lie Fentian even gave the order.

He leaped, soaring like a giant bird across several yards, and landed steadily in the center of the arena, kicking up a small circle of dust.

With a disdainful gaze, he swept his eyes over the seating areas of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall and Baiyun Martial Arts Hall, his voice filled with undisguised arrogance: "Lu Jiu of Liehuo Martial Arts Hall! Who will come up to receive instruction first?!"

As his voice fell, the eyes of everyone in the arena turned in unison toward the two martial arts halls.

On the side of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, Head Disciple Zhao Tiegang stood up abruptly, Battle Intent rising in his eyes.

His fists were mostly healed, and he was currently holding back a surge of energy, eager to wash away his previous shame.

Since the opponent was sent by Liehuo Martial Arts Hall to lead the charge, his strength shouldn't be too high, making it the perfect opportunity to secure an opening victory and boost morale.

"Revered Master, this Disciple requests to fight!" Head Disciple Zhao Tiegang said, cupping his fists toward Hall Master Chen Qingfeng.

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng swept his gaze over Lu Jiu and nodded slightly: "Head Disciple Zhao Tiegang, handle this carefully. This person's movement technique is agile, and his Aura is slightly unstable, but do not underestimate him."

"This Disciple understands!" Head Disciple Zhao Tiegang nodded heavily, took a deep breath, and strode toward the arena.

After all, he was the Senior Brother of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, his Second Grade Early Stage cultivation was stable, and his experience was quite rich, so his chances of winning this match were high.

Off the stage, the Disciples of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall clenched their fists, cheering for Head Disciple Zhao Tiegang.

Senior Sister Chen Yu, Liu Yunfeng, and others also showed anticipation.

The two stood still on the arena, cupped their fists to signal each other, and then stopped wasting words.

As soon as he came up, Head Disciple Zhao Tiegang unleashed the "Willow-Brushing Palm," a legacy technique of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall.

The palm shadows were elusive, soft yet firm, like a gentle breeze brushing against willow branches, enveloping all of Lu Jiu's vital points.

Having learned from his previous defeat by Constable Lie Ming, he did not seek a quick victory, choosing instead to fight steadily and probe the opponent's true strength.

However, facing Head Disciple Zhao Tiegang's dense palm shadows, a look of disdainful, savage laughter appeared on Lu Jiu's face.

He neither dodged nor avoided, but let out a low roar.

His Qi and blood erupted, and a scorching, violent, and massive surge of Qi and blood—far exceeding what a First-Rank Martial Artist could possess—roared upward!

He stomped hard, causing the bluestone of the arena to crack, and shot forward like a cannonball.

He threw a punch straight at the center, without any frills, only pure strength and speed!

"Second Grade Middle Stage?!" Head Disciple Zhao Tiegang's expression changed drastically, and alarm bells rang in his heart.

The intensity of the opponent's Qi and blood had clearly reached the Second Grade Middle Stage!

In his haste, he withdrew his palm attack, shifted to defense, crossed his palms to protect his chest, and retreated rapidly, attempting to dissipate the force.

"Boom!" Lu Jiu's fist, red as a hot branding iron, slammed solidly into Head Disciple Zhao Tiegang's crossed palms!

The violent Qi energy exploded.

Head Disciple Zhao Tiegang felt a massive force, like a mountain collapsing, surge toward him.

His arms felt excruciating pain, as if they were about to be shattered.

He felt like he had been struck by a battering ram, let out a muffled groan, and stumbled backward seven or eight steps before barely stabilizing his stance.

His Qi and blood churned in his chest, a sweet taste rose in his throat, and he nearly vomited blood, his face turning deathly pale instantly.

Without giving him a chance to breathe, Lu Jiu pressed his advantage, his figure following like a shadow as the second and third punches followed in quick succession!

The wind from his fists whistled, carrying scorching waves of heat—simple, direct, and ferocious!

Head Disciple Zhao Tiegang barely blocked the second punch, but his arms were already numb, and his Qi and blood were scattered.

When the third punch arrived, he was unable to parry any longer and was hit hard in the left shoulder.

His shoulder blade let out a brittle, overwhelmed crack, and his whole body was thrown backward like a broken kite, crashing heavily to the edge of the arena.

He struggled twice but ultimately failed to stand up, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Three punches! Only three punches! Head Disciple Zhao Tiegang of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall had been defeated!

"Whoa!" The whole arena was in an uproar!

"Lu Jiu is actually also at the Second Grade Middle Stage?!"

"It's only been a few days? What kind of demonic magic did Liehuo Martial Arts Hall use?!"

"Senior Brother Zhao... to be defeated so quickly..."

Exclamations and gasps of cold air rose one after another.

The people of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall were hit hard; Senior Sister Chen Yu, Liu Yunfeng, and others rushed onto the arena to help Head Disciple Zhao Tiegang down.

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng's expression was grim, his brows locked tightly.

He saw clearly that although Lu Jiu's Qi and blood had reached the Second Grade Middle Stage, there was obvious stagnation in its circulation, and his Foundation was floating, far less solid than Head Disciple Zhao Tiegang's.

But the opponent's strength and speed had truly crushed Head Disciple Zhao Tiegang!

This was clearly some extreme method that overdrawn his potential to forcibly raise his cultivation!

Furthermore, the opponent's attack was ruthless and merciless.

If not for the fact that Head Disciple Zhao Tiegang's Foundation was solid and he had protective techniques to dissipate force, it probably wouldn't have been as simple as just a shoulder injury.

"Hahaha! Trash! The Senior Brother of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall? Nothing more than this!" Lu Jiu stood in the center of the arena, laughing arrogantly and pointing at the seating area of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, provoking them: "Who else?! A bunch of good-for-nothings, and you dare to compete with my Liehuo Martial Arts Hall?!"

"You—!" The Disciples of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall were furious, their eyes splitting with rage.

Senior Sister Chen Yu gritted her teeth, her hand already on the hilt of her sword, about to rush up, but was held back by Hall Master Chen Qingfeng.

"Senior Sister Chen Yu, do not be impulsive." Hall Master Chen Qingfeng said in a deep voice, his tone carrying a hint of gravity, "Your Foundation is still shallow, and your cultivation is not yet fixed; you are not his match."

He could see that although Senior Sister Chen Yu was highly talented and had Imperial Guard resources, she hadn't been training for long, was only at the Second Grade Early Stage, and her combat experience was far less than Head Disciple Zhao Tiegang's.

Facing this Lu Jiu, who had taken medicine and had his strength explosively increased, her chances of winning were slim.

"Revered Master, let me go." The calm voice of Lin Tian sounded from the side.

He naturally could see that on the side of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall, the only one who could steadily defeat the current Lu Jiu was probably himself.

"Wait." Before Hall Master Chen Qingfeng could speak, the voice of Master Bai Song of Baiyun Martial Arts Hall rang out.

His expression was also not good; Lu Jiu's arrogance and the methods of Liehuo Martial Arts Hall made anger rise in his heart.

"Brother Chen, this villain's arrogance is rampant. Let my Baiyun Martial Arts Hall dampen his spirit first!"

He turned to a tall, thin youth behind him with a calm temperament and a long sword on his back, and said: "Tian Yun, you go."

"Yes, Revered Master." The tall, thin youth named Tian Yun nodded slightly and walked out slowly.

His steps were steady, his Aura restrained, but his gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, giving people the feeling of an unsheathed sharp sword.

He was also a Second Grade Middle Stage Martial Artist, and a Sword Genius among the younger generation of Baiyun Martial Arts Hall, second only to the Revered Master's direct Disciple.

Tian Yun stepped onto the arena and stood opposite Lu Jiu.

Without wasting words, he slowly drew the long sword from his back; the blade was like a pool of autumn water, with a cold, piercing glint.

"Baiyun Martial Arts Hall, Tian Yun." Tian Yun's voice was flat.

"I don't care what kind of 'Tian' you are! Lie down for me!" Lu Jiu sneered, repeating his old trick.

His Qi and blood erupted again, and he charged forward like a wild bull, throwing a punch at Tian Yun's face, with a scorching wind from the fist hitting his face.

Tian Yun's eyes narrowed.

Instead of retreating, he advanced.

His footwork was mysterious, his figure drifting to the side like a white cloud, dodging the fierce punch.

At the same time, the long sword in his hand had already turned into a cold, chilling bolt, silently and without sound, pointing toward the open spot under Lu Jiu's ribs!

It was exactly the "Cloud Emerges Without Intention" Move from the "Baiyun Sword Technique," the ultimate skill of Baiyun Martial Arts Hall—fast, accurate, and ruthless!

Lu Jiu punched into empty air, feeling a chill in his heart, and in his haste, withdrew his arm to block.

"Ssh!" The tip of the sword grazed his arm, drawing a spray of blood.

Before he could react, Tian Yun's second and third swords had already been thrust out in succession!

The sword light was like silk, continuous and unending, like unfolding white clouds, yet hidden with murderous intent.

Although Lu Jiu's strength was great, his Moves were crude and his footwork clumsy.

Before Tian Yun's exquisite and swift sword technique, he was full of flaws.

"Puff! Puff!" Two more swords struck, piercing Lu Jiu's left shoulder and right leg respectively.

Although they did not hit vital points, the soft, hidden force attached to the sword had invaded his Meridians, causing his movements to stagnate.

"Get down!" Tian Yun gave a low shout, shook his long sword, and the blade slapped against the Danzhong acupoint on Lu Jiu's chest.

"Bang!" Lu Jiu let out a muffled groan; his chest felt as if it had been struck by a heavy hammer.

His Qi and blood surged in reverse, and his whole body flew backward, crashing heavily off the arena.

He struggled a few times but couldn't get up for a moment, his face flushed red, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth—he had clearly suffered not-insignificant internal injuries.

Three swords! Also three swords, but the result was completely different!

Tian Yun had cleanly and neatly defeated Lu Jiu!

"Good!"

"Tian Yun is amazing!"

"This is the true style of our Baiyun Martial Arts Hall!"

The Disciples of Baiyun Martial Arts Hall burst into cheers.

The onlookers also exclaimed in admiration, their gazes filled with respect as they looked at Tian Yun.

This was the real, solid strength gained through one's own hard training!

"Hmph, your Foundation is floating, with only strength but no substance; you are vulnerable to a single blow." Tian Yun stood with his sword sheathed, sweeping his gaze over the seating area of Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, his tone carrying a hint of disdain.

He did not provoke them arrogantly like Lu Jiu, but the contempt in his calm words made the faces of the people from Liehuo Martial Arts Hall turn livid.

A fierce light flashed in Hall Master Lie Fentian's eyes, and he waved his hand to send another person up.

As a result, the person was defeated by Tian Yun's exquisite sword technique within a few Moves as well.

Immediately after, two more people went up, both newly promoted Second Grade Martial Artists from Liehuo Martial Arts Hall, but the result was without exception; they all drank the cup of regret under Tian Yun's sword, with the longest one only lasting ten Moves.

Defeating four people in a row!

Tian Yun stood on the arena holding his sword, his Aura still steady, only a slight sweat visible on his forehead.

He had fought four consecutive matches; although he won all of them, the consumption was not small.

The whole arena was shaken!

The gazes directed at Tian Yun were not only filled with respect but also astonishment.

This unassuming Sword Genius from Baiyun Martial Arts Hall was actually so powerful!

Those newly promoted Second Grade Martial Artists from Liehuo Martial Arts Hall who were propped up by Medicinal Pills were simply like paper in front of him!

"It's not that Tian Yun is too strong, but that they... are too weak." Master Bai Song of Baiyun Martial Arts Hall shook his head slightly and whispered to Hall Master Chen Qingfeng, his eyes containing no great joy but rather deep worry.

"Their Foundation is floating, their Moves are crude, and they rely entirely on brute force.

Liehuo Martial Arts Hall is forcing growth like this; they are simply ruining the martial path future of these Disciples!"

Hall Master Chen Qingfeng deeply agreed and nodded: "Indeed. This method is definitely not of the Righteous Path.

It seems that what Liehuo Martial Arts Hall is plotting is far greater, and... more sinister, than we imagined."

The suspicion of the Demonic Sect in his heart had risen to the peak.

On the arena, Tian Yun slightly adjusted his breathing, his gaze looking toward the direction of Liehuo Martial Arts Hall again.

Although his consumption was not small, his Battle Intent had not diminished.

Hall Master Lie Fentian's expression was so grim it was almost dripping water.

He hadn't expected that he would send four people in a row, and all of them were defeated by one person from the other side, causing him to lose face completely!

He swept his gaze over the newly promoted Second Grade Martial Artists beside him, seeing them either avoiding his eyes or having unstable Auras, clearly intimidated by Tian Yun's Aura, and having no heart to fight again.

"A bunch of trash!" Hall Master Lie Fentian cursed inwardly.

Then, he cast his gaze toward Constable Lie Ming, who had been sitting silently on the side, and said in a deep voice: "Constable Lie Ming, you go!"

Constable Lie Ming slowly opened his slightly closed eyes, a flash of crimson light passing through them and vanishing.

He slowly stood up, and an Aura far more condensed than that of Lu Jiu and the others, yet also more violent and scorching, rose slowly from his body like a suppressed volcano.

He took a step out, and the ground under his feet seemed to tremble slightly.

With a flash of his figure, he appeared on the arena, standing opposite Tian Yun.

"It's Constable Lie Ming!"

"He's going to make a Move too!"

"Now there's a good show to watch! Constable Lie Ming is a Genius who broke through long ago, not someone comparable to those propped up by medicine!"

"I heard he also broke through; is he now at the Second Grade Late Stage? Tian Yun is in danger!"

Constable Lie Ming's appearance instantly ignited discussions throughout the whole arena.

Everyone's gaze was focused on him, filled with anticipation and tension.

This was the true, evenly matched battle between a dragon and a tiger!

Tian Yun felt the powerful sense of oppression coming from Constable Lie Ming, his expression instantly turning grave to the extreme, and his hand gripping the sword tightened.

He could feel that the opponent before him was completely different from the previous few; his Aura was condensed and powerful, and he carried a heart-palpitating, ferocious air.

Constable Lie Ming looked at the wary Tian Yun, the corners of his mouth slowly curling into a cold and cruel arc.

He extended his left index finger, shook it gently at Tian Yun, and his voice, though not loud, clearly spread throughout the entire arena, carrying a sense of extreme contempt and arrogance: "One Move. To defeat you, I only need one Move."

Once these words were spoken, the whole arena fell into dead silence, and then erupted in an uproar!

"One Move?!"

"That's too arrogant!"

"Tian Yun has defeated four Second Grade experts in a row!"

"Is Constable Lie Ming crazy?"

Even the Disciples of Baiyun Martial Arts Hall and Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall showed expressions of disbelief and anger.

Tian Yun's face flushed red instantly, the anger in his eyes almost erupting!

He had fought four consecutive matches, his momentum was at its peak, and the opponent dared to look down on him like this?!

"You're courting death!" Tian Yun gave a furious shout, no longer waiting.

His figure darted out, the long sword in his hand turning into a startling flash of light.

He pushed the "White Cloud Chases the Moon" Move—the sharpest and fastest Move in the "Baiyun Sword Technique"—to the extreme.

The sword light was like lightning, thrusting straight at Constable Lie Ming's throat!

He wanted to make this arrogant fellow pay the price for his arrogance!