Chapter 439 - 421: The Arena Tournament Begins

After she finished speaking, Chen Ling’s expression grew even more arrogant, like a swan craning its neck.

The ability to make a master like Tiemu Chuan—a man at Jiao Tendon Realm Perfection—obey with a single word proved she was no ordinary person.

She was simply unwilling to deal with Su Yu directly, as she knew she was somewhat in the wrong.

’But this kid should realize how powerful I am by now!’

However, Su Yu’s only response was a placid, "Are you done?"

Seeing his indifference, Chen Ling’s face fell, and her anger flared. "Hey! Didn’t you hear a word I said?"

"In the duel tomorrow, Tiemu Chuan is going to cripple you!"

"I heard you. So what?"

"You utter fool!"

"Please leave, Miss Chen. When you’re ready to apologize, you can come back for your bell."

Su Yu stood up, showing her the door. He had always hated being forced to do things.

As for the duel tomorrow... ’Since Tiemu Chuan plans to cripple me, he can’t blame me for being ruthless.’

He glanced at the panel that appeared before him.

[Divine Skills] Taibai Primordial Magnetism (Gold) (Tier Two) (Unlock Progress: 51%) (Taibai Primordial Magnetism Gold Qi: 1 wisp)

’With this single wisp of Taibai Primordial Magnetism Gold Qi, one strike of my saber will be enough to cripple him!’

...

「The next morning.」

Su Yu was calm and composed, peacefully completing his daily practice of the Green Wood Shadow Ape Fist.

[Green Wood Shadow Ape Fist Skill Level +12]

...

[Martial Arts]: Green Wood Shadow Ape Fist (Skilled 1250/2000)

"Ten days. That’s enough time to break through to the Tiger Tendon stage!"

"Brother Su, the carriage is ready!"

Yang Ai and Yang Zhen arrived together. The two women knew he was going to duel a master from the Inner City today, and they couldn’t help but worry.

The news revealed by the young woman who had visited yesterday made them even more anxious.

As the two women helped him dress, Su Yu changed into a martial arts uniform, which instantly made him look even more dashing.

Feeling their small hands in his, Su Yu smiled. "Don’t worry. Your Brother Su always has victory assured. I’ll go and be right back."

"Yes, we believe in you, Brother Su!"

"You can do it, Brother Su!"

Su Yu then went to the stables. Instead of taking the carriage, he mounted his Scarlet-Flame Dragon Scale Horse.

"NEIGH—"

The Scarlet-Flame Dragon Scale Horse let out a sharp neigh, as if sensing the fighting spirit radiating from its master. It transformed into a streak of red flame, galloping toward the Public Security Bureau’s training grounds.

...

「The Public Security Bureau’s Black Market Street Training Grounds.」

The grounds had been expanded after being requisitioned by the Public Security Bureau. The original Martial Examination arena had been more than doubled in size.

Today, the area below the stage was already packed with spectators.

Leading the Public Security Bureau was Mansion Master Pang, and leading the Inspection Bureau was Commander Liu. Behind each of them sat over a hundred Martial Artists.

Every single one was a Martial Artist of astonishing strength, holding a high position within Black Stone City.

In addition to personnel from the two major Government Offices, the Public Security Bureau had also invited dozens of influential figures from the Outer City, all of them masters at the Muscle Forging Realm or higher.

"Mansion Master Pang, why have so many outsiders been invited to this tournament?"

"Commander Liu, the Black Lotus Sect has a habit of causing trouble during events like this. I took the opportunity to invite masters from the Outer City to serve as a deterrent, and while we’re at it, we can all see the strength of the Inspection Bureau’s experts."

Pang Xuan stated his purpose with a smile, making no attempt to hide it.

At the mention of the Black Lotus Sect, Liu Longyu’s expression turned grim. "If those Demons dare to show up," she said coldly, "I’ll make sure none of them leave this place alive!"

The two waited a little longer. Seeing that almost everyone had arrived, they rose in unison and stepped onto the tournament stage.

"Everyone, today the Public Security Bureau and the Inspection Bureau will hold a sparring tournament. Each side will send forth three combatants to determine the victor. The rules are simple: no poison or other treacherous tactics. Aside from that, there are no restrictions!"

"However, if one side surrenders, the other must cease their attack. We all work for Black Stone City and are comrades-in-arms. That said, blades have no eyes. Injuries are unavoidable in a duel, so let’s not allow it to damage our friendly relations!"

After explaining the rules, Pang Xuan looked to Liu Longyu.

"Commander Liu, is there anything you’d like to add?"

"Nothing. Let’s begin."

"Very well. Let the tournament begin!"

With their announcement, the tournament between the Public Security Bureau and the Inspection Bureau officially began!

"The Inspection Bureau will send out the first combatant for this round."

Liu Longyu glanced toward her faction. A moment later, a slender young man in white robes emerged from the back of the group and walked slowly onto the stage.

He looked to be in his early twenties, with a simple, ancient longsword on his back and a calm, steady demeanor. He ascended the stage one step at a time.

"Li Jingfeng of the Inspection Bureau. I await your instruction."

On the Public Security Bureau’s side, the expressions of several Great Commanders turned grim upon seeing him.

They shot resentful looks at Li Jingxuan.

Li Jingxuan looked helpless and said with a pained expression, "The Inspection Bureau is being deceitful. Li Jingfeng wasn’t with them when we met earlier."

Li Jingfeng was one of the most outstanding members of the Li Family’s "Jing" generation. At only twenty-two, he was already an expert at Jiao Tendon Realm Perfection.

His combat prowess was even more astounding; during the Inner City’s Martial Examination, he fought his way into the top ten, placing ninth. He was a true, top-tier genius!

"My cousin, Li Jingfeng, cultivates our Li Family’s ultimate technique, the Dragon-slaying Nine Swords. It’s rumored he can already execute the sixth sword... You all need to be careful."

At these words, the Great Commanders from the Inner City were left speechless.

The Dragon-slaying Nine Swords was one of the Li Family’s most famous ultimate techniques, a peak Profound Tier martial art of astonishing power.

It was an incredibly difficult art to master. For Li Jingfeng to have reached the sixth sword at his age made him a true prodigy.

"I’ll take this fight. I will not let the Public Security Bureau’s reputation be tarnished!"

Ye Xiaohong stepped forward, his expression solemn.

Seeing Ye Xiaohong take the stage, Li Jingxuan and the others breathed a small sigh of relief.

Commander Ye had earned his rank through merit in the Black Stone Army, fighting his way up step-by-step. Among their group, he was the strongest.

With him fighting, they might have a chance. Even if he lost, he wouldn’t bring shame to the Public Security Bureau.

"Ye Xiaohong of the Public Security Bureau. Let us begin!"

The match began, and the two men clashed instantly.

Ye Xiaohong wielded a thousand-forged Profound Iron Battle Saber, his technique exquisite and his strikes shockingly powerful.

He took the offensive, immediately unleashing a torrential assault on Li Jingfeng.

Li Jingfeng, in contrast, remained perfectly composed. His treasured sword moved with fluid grace, effortlessly deflecting the attacks.

Their exchange was stunning. The Gang Force radiating from their clashes carved a web of cracks into the stone stage.

And this was merely the aftershock. A direct hit from either of them would likely shatter the stage itself.

The crowd watched with bated breath, their hearts pounding in their chests.

"There’s an opening! Commander Ye cultivates the Hundred Slashes Saber Force—the power of each consecutive strike grows!"

"And Li Jingfeng is just letting him build up his momentum! He’s being too careless!"

On the Public Security Bureau’s side, many of the sharp-eyed masters were earnestly analyzing the situation.

The members of the Inspection Bureau, however, merely watched with disdain, completely unworried.

Sure enough, just as Ye Xiaohong executed his fiftieth strike, Li Jingfeng stopped defending passively and made his move!