Chapter 432 - 228: Champion Zhang Mountain

Chapter 432: Chapter 228: Champion Zhang Mountain

"Junior Brother Zhang, be careful!"

"Junior Brother Zhang, the Sect has always valued its people above all else. If you’re outmatched, just admit defeat. That Yao Tianchuan is ruthless and vicious, don’t try to force it."

Xie Yuan nodded. "Alright, senior brothers and sisters. Leave it to me."

He spoke so calmly and composedly that Ning Zi and the other two wondered if he had even listened.

But then they remembered Zhang Mountain’s usual simple and honest demeanor, so they didn’t overthink it.

By now, Qin Zhenyang had already spoken with a nearby disciple from the Yao family. The disciple scurried upstairs, then came back down a moment later to say there was no problem.

So, Xie Yuan stood up, gave a slight nod to his fellow sect members, and headed downstairs.

Yao Tianchuan had long been growing impatient waiting in the arena, but he didn’t let it show.

’Let them look grave. Let them discuss their strategy. The end result will be the same...’

’If I don’t return the pain and struggle I’ve experienced to the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect, then this past year of bitter training will have been for nothing!’

However, when he saw that the one entering the ring wasn’t either of the previous two, Yao Tianchuan paused for a moment, then narrowed his eyes.

’Another one?’

’Even better!’

The audience was surprised. They hadn’t expected the disciple sent out by the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect to be someone other than the two young Swordsmen from before, who had looked quite skilled.

"Who’s this? Is he the Sword Sect’s third contestant? I thought I only saw two."

"A last-minute addition... Could it be that they saw how powerful Yao Tianchuan is and decided to send in their strongest fighter after all?"

"But if he were the strongest among their First Transformation Realm disciples, he would have definitely registered to compete, right? Why didn’t he sign up before?"

"Maybe... he was just here to observe?"

"Observe? You mean his skills are even worse than the other two? Then why is he going up there?"

"He’s probably just a pawn for the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect... meant to wear down Yao Tianchuan. I didn’t think the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect would stoop to such tactics."

"Tch, this is boring. He won’t even be able to take one hit. What’s there to watch? Bring on the main event!"

The crowd buzzed with discussion, and after reaching their conclusion, some even started to boo.

「On the fifth floor of Wangjiang Building.」

The gray-haired Duke Ning watched the arena and shook his head, saying, "What is the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect thinking?"

A dignified elder beside him said faintly, "When my disciple came for instructions just now, he told me the Sword Sect members were discussing strategy. They want to use a weaker fighter to probe Tian Chuan’s abilities."

Duke Ning smiled. "It seems the Sword Sect can’t quite swallow its pride. It must be that nephew Tian Chuan is simply too outstanding, putting immense pressure on them."

"Tian Chuan is young and proud. He was humiliated at Cloud Mountain, so naturally, he wants to pay it back."

The elder’s expression was indifferent. "Besides, the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect only lost a mere steward, yet they dare to be so aggressive towards us. They seem to have forgotten their place."

Duke Ning maintained his smile, but inwardly, he thought otherwise.

’When it comes to true Martial Dao strength, the current Cloud Mountain Sword Sect is leagues beyond what your Yao family can compare to...’

’But that’s probably why the Yao family is reacting so strongly, and why Yao Tianchuan’s performance is likely sanctioned by his elders.’

’The weaker the tiger, the more it must act like it can’t be bullied.’

Still, Yao Tianchuan was undeniably skilled. He had been deliberately suppressing his realm and holding back from a breakthrough for a long time.

Never mind a one-on-one fight in the First Transformation Realm; even if those two young men from the Sword Sect attacked together, they likely wouldn’t be his match.

Duke Ning shook his head slightly. Although he disapproved of the Yao family’s methods, he didn’t let it show.

The fifth floor was the viewing platform for the two Grandmasters, while the fourth floor was for the major families.

Aside from the Yao family of Jinling, the Qian family of Yongyang—who were currently closest to the Yaos—the Wang family of Langya, and the Lu family of Fan Yang had also sent their young disciples.

Seeing Yao Tianchuan riding high, the morale of the Yao family’s younger generation naturally soared:

"Fourth Cousin is mighty! You’ll definitely defeat all those Cloud Mountain Sword Sect members in one go!"

"With Fourth Cousin’s strength, how could this last-minute fill-in possibly be a match for him? I just asked around; this guy was sent by the Sword Sect just to drain Fourth Cousin’s energy. Heh, even if he were as strong as a disciple from Qu Ning Academy, it would still only take a single strike. This person probably can’t even make Fourth Cousin break a sweat!"

The disciples from the other families weren’t as fanatical in their praise for Yao Tianchuan, but they watched him with considerable gravity.

The Yao family had truly produced an incredible genius.

As for the obscure young disciple from the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect, once they heard the story behind his appearance, they couldn’t even be bothered to pay him any attention.

「In the arena.」

Xie Yuan and Yao Tianchuan stood facing each other.

"Cloud Mountain Sword Sect, Zhang Mountain."

Xie Yuan announced his name formally.

Yao Tianchuan looked at him and said coldly, "Sword Storage Pavilion, Yao family of Jinling, Yao Tianchuan."

He paused, then suddenly added, as if speaking to himself, "You don’t need to be afraid of my fast sword."

Xie Yuan was completely bewildered. Then he heard him continue, "When dealing with disciples from your Sword Sect, I’ll go a little slower. You can use whatever skills you have."

Yao Tianchuan’s eyes were dark, and his tone seemed calm, but Xie Yuan understood the hidden meaning perfectly well.

’What’s with the deep-seated hatred? Why so extreme?’

’It seems it’s because of me... Oh, well, never mind then.’

Xie Yuan’s gaze flickered slightly. ’Since this started because of me, then it might as well end with me.’

He placed his hand on his sword and said earnestly, "Then you should be careful of my fast sword."

Yao Tianchuan froze for a second, then a disdainful smile appeared on his face. "Be careful? Of you?"

Forget the fact that the person before him had no notable achievements; even if he were a powerful opponent, Yao Tianchuan didn’t believe anyone in the First Transformation Realm could be his match.

He could have already broken through before, but he had suppressed his power until now, all for this day.

If he broke through to the Second Transformation Realm, Yao Tianchuan feared he wouldn’t be strong enough to seek revenge against the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect’s disciples of that same realm. But in the First Transformation Realm, he was certain of victory.