Ling Tian Sword God

Chapter 130: Chapter 129 Chiyu Mountain Manor_1

A disciple from the Chiyu Mountain Manor walked at the front, leading the way for Ling Chen and Xiao Muyu.

”You two have arrived just in time. If you had been a moment later, you would have missed the Martial Assembly on the mountain.”

The Chiyu Mountain Manor disciple looked back at them and said with a smile.

”A Martial Assembly? Why is there a Martial Assembly on this mountain, and who is competing?” Ling Chen asked, somewhat surprised.

”It’s like this,” the disciple continued, ”it’s not an ordinary competition, but a selection for military Captains. Right now, there are ten Command Waist Cards on the training field up the mountain. They will belong to the ten individuals recognized by everyone.”

”You know how it is with the disciples from the major sects—no one is willing to submit to another. Only through a contest of strength can they be truly convinced.”

”You’re right. Then take us up the mountain quickly,” Ling Chen urged. His eyes lit up slightly. This mountain must have gathered many talents from the Five Kingdoms. Such a gathering should not be missed. More importantly, there are only ten Command Waist Cards. If we arrive late, we might leave empty-handed.

The Sect Contribution Points accumulated this time are calculated based on battle merits. There’s likely a vast difference in the battle merits a common soldier can obtain compared to those of a Captain.

Under the disciple’s guidance, the three of them quickly ascended the steps and arrived at the training field.

At this time, at least fifty or sixty people were gathered on the training field, all disciples from prominent Righteous Path sects such as the Sky Void Palace, the Myriad Dao Sect, and the Chiyu Mountain Manor.

In the center of the training field, two talented young cultivators were engaged in a martial contest.

”Hey, isn’t that Junior Sister Xu Ruoyan?” Xiao Muyu spotted Xu Ruoyan in the crowd, her own beautiful eyes lighting up in surprise as she spoke.

Hearing this name, Ling Chen’s expression flickered. He followed Xiao Muyu’s gaze and indeed saw a familiar, beautiful figure.

Why is she here? Ling Chen frowned. After saying such harsh words to Xu Ruoyan last time, he still felt incredibly guilty. Seeing her again now, Ling Chen was unsure how to face her.

Standing right beside Xu Ruoyan was a debonair young man—none other than the Tianxin Swordsman, Feng Piaoling.

”Yo, Junior Sister, your fiancé has arrived.” Feng Piaoling saw Ling Chen, and his eyes lit up as he nudged Xu Ruoyan’s shoulder with his arm.

”I’ll say it one more time: that man is not my fiancé. All ties between him and me have been severed.” Without looking at Ling Chen, Xu Ruoyan stared at Feng Piaoling, her icy gaze making him shiver.

”Alright, alright, I won’t mention it, I won’t mention it.” Feng Piaoling gave a dry laugh. After Xu Ruoyan returned to the Sky Void Palace last time, she was like a changed person, cultivating madly day and night. He knew this definitely had something to do with Ling Chen.

”So it’s this brat who’s made Junior Sister Xu so gloomy lately? Don’t worry, Junior Sister Xu. I’ll teach him a good lesson for you later,” a blue-robed young man from the Sky Void Palace beside them declared fiercely.

”Junior Brother Xie Feng, this Ling Chen is no simple character. It’s said he has fully comprehended Sword Intent, and his Swordsmanship is superb. Although your cultivation is higher than his, if you truly fight, you might not be his match,” Feng Piaoling said, shaking his head.

”Senior Brother Feng, I don’t like hearing you say that. Are you looking down on me? So what if he’s comprehended Sword Intent? A mere Third Level Martial Artist—I’m confident I can take him down easily,” Xie Feng asserted with confidence.

”Good, I admire your confidence. We’ll see your performance later and whether you can vent this anger for Junior Sister Xu.” Feng Piaoling didn’t stop him. Ling Chen had provoked Xu Ruoyan to this state, and he too was displeased. He knew full well that in the Sky Void Palace, everyone doted on this little princess; who would dare to truly provoke her?

”What on earth happened between you two? If it were like before, she would have come over to greet us, wouldn’t she?” Xiao Muyu looked at Ling Chen, somewhat puzzled.

The Xu Ruoyan before them now regarded them as strangers.

”It’s a long story,” Ling Chen said, not intending to elaborate. It was his fault, but he didn’t regret his actions.

「At this moment」

The confrontation in the center of the training field had already reached a conclusion.

A disciple from the Myriad Dao Sect defeated a disciple from a second-rate sect, winning a Command Waist Card.

”If we don’t make a move soon, the Command Waist Cards will all be gone.” From the Chiyu Mountain Manor side, a disciple dashed into the center of the training field. At this point, only five of the ten Waist Cards remained.

”I’ll go compete for one too.” Xiao Muyu drew the Juechen Sword. A brilliant sword light flashed like a startling rainbow, its cold aura intense.

”Purple Cloud Master actually gave you the Juechen Sword,” Ling Chen’s eyes lit up. He was, of course, extremely familiar with this Juechen Sword; it was with this very sword that he had defeated Yun Tianhe back then.

”Master said that this trip to the Fire Country is extremely perilous and worried I wouldn’t be able to handle it, so he let me bring the Juechen Sword,” Xiao Muyu explained.

”Your master is indeed thoughtful. Go on, quickly.” Ling Chen nodded. There weren’t many Command Waist Cards left on the training field. With Xiao Muyu’s current cultivation as a Fourth Realm Martial Artist, coupled with the Juechen Sword, there shouldn’t be much of a problem.

With a leap, Xiao Muyu landed lightly in the center of the training field.

”Divine Intent Sect, Xiao Muyu.” Xiao Muyu cupped her fist towards her opponent.

”Chiyu Mountain Manor, Wang Chong.” When Wang Chong saw Xiao Muyu enter, his eyes lit up. Such a beauty would be the center of attention anywhere.

”Junior Sister Xiao, you must be careful,” Wang Chong said to Xiao Muyu with a smile, giving her a heads-up. ”I sometimes don’t know my own strength. If I accidentally injure you, please don’t take offense.” He was afraid that if he injured her, he would not only offend a beauty but also incite public anger.

”Fists and feet have no eyes. It doesn’t matter. Please,” Xiao Muyu’s pretty face was serene as she extended a delicate hand, gesturing for him to begin.

Hearing this, Wang Chong wasted no more words. He drew out a green iron cudgel nearly two meters long. He flourished it around his waist and over his head in a showy display before slamming it firmly onto the ground.

”Triple Wheel Stick Fighting!” Wang Chong bellowed, lunging forward like a fierce tiger, bringing his cudgel down towards Xiao Muyu’s head.

This strike carried immense weight, a terrifying force of nearly one and a half tons.

CLANG!

Unflustered, Xiao Muyu deftly flicked her sword out, striking the inner side of Wang Chong’s iron cudgel and deflecting all its force.

Well done! Using skill to overcome brute force, a light touch to deflect a heavy blow. Seeing this, Ling Chen’s eyes couldn’t help but brighten. It seemed Xiao Muyu had also made significant progress recently, improving at a divine speed. After all, she was one of the four great talents of the Divine Intent Sect; her innate talent was incomparable to ordinary people. Aside from Yun Tianhe, both Xiao Muyu and Gu Lingfeng had progressed very rapidly. Of course, this wasn’t to say Yun Tianhe’s talent was poor. Rather, after his defeat by Ling Chen, he seemed unable to emerge from the shadow of failure, and his progress had clearly slowed.

Staggering back several steps, Wang Chong felt his arm go numb, the iron cudgel nearly slipping from his grasp. A look of shock flashed across his eyes.

His cultivation was at the Fifth Level Martial Artist, one level higher than Xiao Muyu’s. He had originally thought it would be easy to gain the upper hand, but he hadn’t expected to suffer a setback at her hands right at the beginning.

His gaze hardening, Wang Chong once again brandished his cudgel, the heavy iron weapon sweeping towards Xiao Muyu. This time, the cudgel’s trajectory was erratic and unpredictable, enveloping Xiao Muyu’s figure in a dense net of strikes.

Facing such a fierce assault, Xiao Muyu advanced instead of retreating. Her footwork was extremely nimble, leaving a flurry of afterimages as she moved like the wind to appear before Wang Chong.

It was the peak Earth-grade Light Skill, Mysterious Trace Steps.

Ling Chen’s eyes lit up. Mysterious Trace Steps, also a Light Skill martial art. Although its grade wasn’t as high as Wind Shadow Step, their effects differed. The footwork of Mysterious Trace Steps was more deceptive, its steps weaving like a bewildering maze. The Wind Shadow Step, in contrast, emphasized absolute speed, aiming to overwhelm the opponent with sheer velocity.

CLANG!

Another crisp sound echoed. The next moment, Wang Chong’s iron cudgel flew from his hand, spun a dozen or so times in the air, and landed outside the training field.

Xiao Muyu took a light step, the Juechen Sword already resting against Wang Chong’s neck.

The victor was decided.

”I’ve lost,” Wang Chong said, his face downcast and dejected. He had been confident that his iron cudgel would allow him to shine here, yet he had been so easily defeated by Xiao Muyu.

”You let me win.” Xiao Muyu retracted the Juechen Sword and cupped her fist to Wang Chong, her manners impeccable.

”Excellent!”

From the edge of the training field, a wave of cheers erupted. Many young talents were very interested in Xiao Muyu and wanted to know her name.

Young, beautiful, with superb Swordsmanship—such disciples were extremely rare in any major sect and were highly sought after.

”Tong Chuan of the Tai Chi Gate! I wish to experience Junior Sister Xiao’s esteemed techniques!”

Xiao Muyu had just won when a figure leaped into the center of the training field. It was a man in a black Daoist robe, embroidered with a Taiji diagram.

The Tai Chi Gate was a second-rate sect in the Thunder Country, but it was powerful. Although it hadn’t reached the standard of a first-rate sect, it had a long history and a profound foundation, boasting many Grand Master level powerhouses within its ranks.

This Tong Chuan was clearly much stronger than the previous Wang Chong. His cultivation was already at the peak of a Fifth Level Martial Artist. Moreover, the True Qi he exuded was far more condensed and pure than Wang Chong’s.

Ling Chen’s expression grew thoughtful. This Tong Chuan posed a considerable threat to Xiao Muyu.

As soon as Tong Chuan stepped onto the stage, a wave of jeers rose from the crowd below.

But this didn’t affect Tong Chuan’s composure in the slightest. Each Command Waist Card claimed meant one less available. The later one acted, the smaller the chance of obtaining one.

”Please provide your guidance.” A slight smile touched Xiao Muyu’s lips as she cupped her fists, her bearing still graceful and composed.

”Heaven and Earth, Naturally!” Tong Chuan was bare-handed; he specialized in palm techniques. After a low shout, he launched a palm strike. It appeared slow but was deceptively fast; it looked soft and yielding, but in reality, it contained fierce, unyielding power.

”Water Seeking Heart.” Xiao Muyu thrust her sword. At the tip of the Juechen Sword, a bead that resembled a water droplet materialized. It was condensed sword qi, not an actual drop of water.

The sword tip pierced the weakest point of the Palm Power, shattering the formidable incoming force and splitting it cleanly in two.

Seeing this, Tong Chuan’s expression also darkened slightly. Xiao Muyu, though strikingly beautiful, was clearly no mere decorative vase. Her seemingly casual sword strike concealed extraordinary power.