Chapter 441 - 229: Jianzhen Lake, The Disruptor

Chapter 441: Chapter 229: Jianzhen Lake, The Disruptor

Hearing his words, the expressions of those on the stage softened somewhat.

Ning Zi snorted softly, lifted her chin, and was the first to step forward.

"Then let me be the one to face you. Ning Zi of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect!"

The others gave her peculiar looks for jumping ahead.

Since Zhang Junyi had willingly proposed a gauntlet, those who fought later would have a clear advantage. They might even have a chance to defeat this top disciple of the Xuanzhen Sect and earn instant fame.

For Ning Zi to volunteer to go first meant facing Zhang Junyi at his peak. Her chances of victory were likely slim to none—a remarkably foolish move.

The others’ eyes flickered with calculation, but Miss Wang, who had already started to move, could only step back with resignation after seeing Ning Zi beat her to it.

Upstairs, Qin Zhenyang said with a faint smile,

"Junior Sister Ning is as competitive as ever."

Lin Zhen chimed in,

"Of course Senior Sister Ning wouldn’t want to take advantage of anyone. She’s probably thrilled to have the chance to face a disciple of the Xuanzhen Sect."

"The Sword Sect always strives to be first. That is the way of a Martial Artist."

Qin Zhenyang nodded with a smile.

Nearby, Xie Yuan watched in silence. He saw the other challengers on the stage subconsciously take half a step back, leaving only the two strongest women to vie for the opportunity. He nodded slightly in profound agreement.

’Gender doesn’t matter. The strong never let others get ahead.’

Zhang Junyi looked at the stunning, alluring woman across from him and performed a formal Daoist salute.

"Zhang Junyi of the Xuanzhen Sect."

The others quickly cleared the stage, leaving the two to face each other.

The referee’s expression was grave. ’I’m rooting for the Sword Sect disciple,’ he thought silently. He then retreated to the edge of the stage, raised his hand high, and chopped it down.

"Begin!"

Zhang Junyi drew his Peach Wood Sword. As Ning Zi charged toward him, his eyes flashed, and he swung his sword horizontally in an arc of dense, clear light.

Seeing this, Ning Zi felt a chill. Her probing strike suddenly quickened, her blade flaring with a white light as it clashed heavily against Zhang Junyi’s Peach Wood Sword.

BANG! The two bursts of brilliance exploded like fireworks, scattering in every direction and forcing the audience below to instinctively shut their eyes.

Sword Aura!

Gasps of shock erupted from the crowd. They hadn’t expected the two to use Sword Aura right from the start!

’This is the real deal,’ they thought. They watched the stage excitedly as the two Long Swords, gleaming with light and radiating power, blurred into two phantoms that clashed countless times in the blink of an eye.

The arena, even in broad daylight, became blindingly bright, making it almost impossible to see the fighters clearly. All that could be heard was an endless series of thunderous clashes.

The audience was thrilled. It was the first time in two days they had witnessed a battle of such a high caliber.

The audience felt a thrill watching her graceful figure spin around her opponent, the white light flowing from her sword blade was terrifying even from a distance. ’So Ning Zi hadn’t been using her full strength before! This is her true power!’

However, even with her displaying such power, Zhang Junyi remained rooted to the spot. He wielded his Peach Wood Sword, shrouded in Clear Qi, in an impenetrable defense, giving no ground whatsoever.

’Just by looking at this, it’s clear there’s still a gap in their strength.’

The fight seemed to be at a stalemate for a long moment. Just as the crowd thought they’d be able to watch a while longer, Zhang Junyi suddenly took a step.

His Peach Wood Sword found an opening in Ning Zi’s Swordsmanship, a flaw that appeared after her prolonged, fruitless assault. In an instant, he transformed the Clear Qi into a long dragon that shattered the expanse of white light and sent it rolling back toward her.

As the light faded, both stood motionless, swords in hand.

Ning Zi’s face flushed then paled. She took a light breath.

"Thank you for the lesson."

With that, she turned and walked away without a moment’s hesitation.

On the third floor, the members of the Sword Sect sighed regretfully.

’Ning Zi at her full strength is incredibly formidable,’ Xie Yuan thought, ’even a little stronger than I’d imagined. She’s definitely at the level to enter the Hidden Dragon List.’

’But it’s a shame she ran into Zhang Junyi; she had absolutely no chance. The top disciple of the Xuanzhen Sect has practically no weaknesses, in either Cultivation Technique or cultivation level. The power of his techniques is astounding. The might he unleashes with a mere Peach Wood Sword is overwhelming. Once he sees an opening, a single move is impossible to defend against.’

Everyone gathered to console Ning Zi upon her return, but she just shook her head, her eyes sparkling.

"I’m fine. I feel like I have a clearer idea of what I need to work on now."

They exchanged glances and smiled. It seemed facing a master had given Ning Zi new inspiration. A true Martial Artist doesn’t necessarily need secret treasures or ancient ruins to achieve a breakthrough; they can grow stronger by seizing every opportunity.

After Ning Zi left the stage, Miss Wang leaped up and began her duel with Zhang Junyi.

Zhang Junyi was completely serious. He fought with Miss Wang for a long time before finally defeating her with a single sword strike.

Seeing the two strongest challengers defeated, a sense of awe fell over the crowd. As expected of the Xuanzhen Sect, this disciple who had come down from the mountain was truly unfathomable.

’But then again, without this level of strength, he couldn’t have defeated a Grandmaster.’

The subsequent opponents were not as strong as the first two. Zhang Junyi seemed completely unfatigued, and the fights became easier and easier for him. The last two battles ended in a single move; it was clear he didn’t even consider them worthy opponents.

In the end, Zhang Junyi had defeated eight opponents in a row. The only person left standing on the stage besides him was the referee.

Seeing Zhang Junyi turn his gaze toward him, the referee fell silent.

After a long moment, his voice laced with complex emotions, he announced,

"The champion of this Little Hidden Dragon Meet is... Zhang Junyi of the Xuanzhen Sect!"

Xie Yuan watched the smiling Daoist on the stage, momentarily speechless.

’What on earth did this guy come here for? Just to spite the Yao family? Or did he just want to experience some arena sparring? Or maybe both...’

He shook his head slightly. He knew this was Zhang Junyi’s first time down from the mountain; it was likely just youthful whimsy.

’What a waste of an entry spot to Jianzhen Lake. If he really wanted to go, the Xuanzhen Sect could have just offered the Yao family a few pills or treasures, and they probably would have let him in at a discount, or even at a loss... Poor Senior Sister Ning, just a bit of bad luck.’

Seeing Yao Qinglai rush through his closing remarks next to Zhang Junyi, while people both on and off the stage exchanged knowing looks, Xie Yuan knew this Little Hidden Dragon Meet was truly different from the previous ones. This, along with the earlier battle where three teamed up against a Grandmaster, would surely be retold for a long time to come.

The Little Hidden Dragon Meet came to a close and the crowd dispersed, but the matter was not yet entirely finished.

「Ten days later.」

Jianzhen Lake would open, and Xie Yuan was looking forward to it.

The members of the Sword Sect, who had not attended the celebratory banquet, returned to their private courtyard. Xie Yuan went back to his room, still replaying the day’s battles in his mind, when his gaze suddenly froze.

’When did this letter get on my table?’