Chapter 439 - 229: Jianzhen Lake, The Spoiler

Chapter 439: Chapter 229: Jianzhen Lake, The Spoiler

He had already committed to his strike, his Long Sword still moving forward, when Ning Zi retracted and then thrust her own blade. Seizing the opening, she tapped the point of her sword against his chest.

Shao Wensheng’s momentum carried him stumbling forward, but Ning Zi simply sidestepped to avoid him.

He then touched his chest. His long robe was torn, revealing a tiny bead of blood on the muscle beneath. It was merely a scratch, not an injury that would affect his ability to fight.

But Shao Wensheng’s expression flickered with a complex mix of emotions. With a long sigh, he turned, bowed to Ning Zi, and said,

"Miss Ning, your Swordsmanship is sublime. I wholeheartedly concede defeat."

If Ning Zi hadn’t pulled back her sword just now, his own momentum would have driven the blade deep into his chest without resistance. The outcome would have been decided then and there.

The fact that she could pull back her sword with such ease made Shao Wensheng realize the vast gulf in skill between them. But that wasn’t all—

Withdrawing her blade was one thing, but to have its Sword Edge only tap his chest... It had technically "wounded" him, yet it couldn’t even be called an injury.

To break the skin just so... he knew without a doubt it wasn’t a coincidence. ’Has Ning Zi’s Swordsmanship already reached such an exquisite level?’

Realizing all this in an instant, Shao Wensheng knew he had lost. Even if the match wasn’t technically over, he no longer had the heart to continue fighting.

He stepped off the stage without hesitation, leaving the audience below a little stunned.

’It’s over already?’

Cloud Mountain Sword Sect versus Quning Academy. Everyone had expected a fierce battle between titans, but it was over in just a few moves.

Besides, the cultivation of most spectators was far too low compared to the fighters on stage. Many hadn’t seen what happened at all and couldn’t grasp the finer points of the exchange. All they knew was that the stunning, fiery female Swordsman from the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect had launched a quick offensive, and her opponent had been unable to defend against it.

’It feels like... aside from the fighters being attractive, the duel itself wasn’t very exciting, was it?’

"The winner is Ning Zi of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect!"

Following the referee’s loud announcement, the crowd erupted in thunderous applause.

Whether they understood the exchange or could even see the sword moves clearly didn’t matter. There were other... sights... worthy of celebration.

Ning Zi stepped down from the stage to rest, and the next match with other experts began.

Xie Yuan nodded slightly. ’The quality of today’s contestants is indeed much higher than yesterday’s, and not just in terms of their cultivation.’

’Their Cultivation Techniques are exquisite and their moves are sharp. Most of today’s fighters are elites, primarily disciples from noble families and other major Sects.’

For instance, the young woman from the Langya Wang family. She looked extremely young, yet her Cultivation Technique was nearly peerless. She knocked a strong opponent off the stage in under three moves, showing an efficiency comparable to Ning Zi’s.

Xie Yuan and his companions grew slightly more serious. This girl from the Wang family would be a formidable rival for Ning Zi. Fortunately, it seemed she hadn’t broken through to her current realm long ago, so her cultivation wasn’t exceptionally high. Ning Zi held the advantage there.

After the first round, everyone, both on and off the stage, had formed their own impressions and judgments about the contestants of this junior Hidden Dragon List competition.

The two strongest were clearly Ning Zi and the young woman from the Wang family. Both of them ended their fights within a few exchanges, making their opponents seem utterly powerless to resist.

And none of today’s contestants were considered weak.

Seeing two women stealing the show—one brilliant and fiery, the other a refined young lady—both of them beautiful swordswomen, was quite a sight.

While many enjoyed the spectacle with gleaming eyes, others felt it was a case of the "yin flourishing while the yang waned" and started booing the male Martial Artists on stage.

"You can’t even beat a woman? Useless trash!"

Despite not being qualified to even get on the stage themselves, it didn’t stop them from spouting insults from the crowd, causing the faces of several Martial Artists on the stage to darken.

From his spot on the upper floor, Xie Yuan’s gaze swept over the experts on the stage. ’They are indeed all skilled,’ he thought.

’None of them are common fighters. Sparring with them would be a good way to hone my own martial skills.’

’Each person on stage has their own unique heritage; I’d surely learn something different from fighting each one.’

’But in truth, only Ning Zi and the girl from the Wang family have reached the threshold of a true Hidden Dragon List expert.’

’My own cultivation level may not exceed many of these people, but my combat prowess is greater than my cultivation suggests. If I were to go on stage, I’d have to take that second spot for Jianzhen Lake for myself.’

"Junior Sister Ning has a great chance," Qin Zhenyang said, nodding repeatedly and looking expectant. "That disciple from the Langya Wang family is exceptionally talented with a profound foundation, but she looks like this is her first time traveling far from home. She has far less combat experience than Junior Sister Ning. Add in the difference in their cultivation, and I don’t think she’ll be a match for her."

’If Junior Sister Ning takes first place this time, our Cloud Mountain Sword Sect will be the biggest winner of this junior Hidden Dragon List competition. Then I could lead my junior brother and sister into Jianzhen Lake together. One Sect taking three spots... that would be an unprecedented achievement.’

’The Sect is truly prospering under Master’s leadership!’

Xie Yuan also nodded.

"Senior Brother Qin has a point."

’Assuming no one else interferes...’

「On the stage.」

The referee was just about to have the remaining contestants draw lots for the second round when a clear voice suddenly rang out from the side.

"Excuse me, Referee. I’d like to register for the competition. Is that still possible?"

SWISH! Countless gazes shot to the side of the stage, landing on the young man who had spoken.

The young man had sharp, handsome features and bright, spirited eyes, exuding a heroic aura. He seemed to burn with enthusiasm for martial arts, which made his azure Daoist robes look somewhat out of place. He looked like he should be wearing the practical garb of a Martial Artist instead.

The referee, taken aback for a moment, frowned.

"Young Daoist, may I ask which group you represent? Registration has long since closed. If you wish to participate, please have your master contact the Yao family in advance next year."

"It’s not possible? Why not?"

The Daoist sighed.

"But wasn’t there someone who registered on the spot yesterday? I thought I’d be able to do the same today."

The referee, already annoyed that the competition had been interrupted, grew impatient with the young Daoist’s persistence.