Chapter 56 – Prove oneself

"Defeated?"

"Defeated just like that?"

"With just one move, a single sword strike?"

The audience, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, was left in shock, unable to find words to describe what they had just witnessed.

Even though it was known beforehand that the outcome of this battle was predictable.

Situ Yu was no match for Su Xin, even if Situ Yu had hidden some of his strength.

But no one expected Situ Yu to be defeated so quickly, so absurdly.

Just one sword strike.

And Su Xin had charged straight in, delivering a frontal slash.

Situ Yu wielded a heavy sword, his forte was power collisions.

Yet in a direct confrontation, playing to Situ Yu's strengths, he still lost so miserably.

"The gap is too wide!"

"In terms of power and sword intent comprehension, they are on completely different levels."

"Situ Yu, even with some hidden strength and good luck, might have a chance to break into the top ten of the hunt, but Su Xin, even before his breakthrough, had top ten combat strength. With this breakthrough, he can definitely rank in the top three of this hunt. Besides the strongest Xia Mang, I don't think there's anyone else who can match him among the geniuses in this hunt!"

"So powerful."

Countless people marveled.

Countless people were in awe of the absolute strength Su Xin displayed.

And now, recalling the battle he missed three years ago...

"Fleeing without fighting? Hmph, with such terrifying strength, it should have been Situ Yu who fled without fighting!"

"I heard Su Xin was imprisoned in the Magic-Sealing Prison for three years, which means he was delayed for three years. Yet even so, he can easily defeat Situ Yu. How could such a strong person flee without fighting?"

"There must have been another reason for missing the battle three years ago."

"Yes, before witnessing Su Xin's strength, I might have believed he was afraid to fight, but now, I wouldn't believe it even if you beat me to death. There's no way Su Xin would fear fighting Situ Yu."

The audience was abuzz with discussion.

Su Xin still stood at the center of the battlefield, hearing the surrounding discussions, and couldn't help but clench his fists.

Three years ago, he was imprisoned in the Magic-Sealing Prison with a tarnished reputation.

Due to the uniqueness of his bloodline, he couldn't argue or explain.

But today...

He didn't argue, he didn't explain.

He didn't need to explain!

With just one sword strike, he proved himself.

This single strike completely washed away his tarnished reputation.

From now on, no one would mention his 'fleeing without fighting' from three years ago. Even if they did, they would only say there must have been a special reason for him to miss the battle.

His strength was absolutely and completely above that of Situ Yu.

...

The opening battle of the final hunt ended with just one move, as Su Xin delivered a single sword strike.

The purple-haired elder presiding over the hunt stepped forward to check on Situ Yu's injuries. Although Situ Yu was severely injured, his life was not in danger, and Su Xin naturally did not violate the hunting rules.

After announcing Su Xin's victory, Su Xin retreated from the battlefield.

The hunt continued.

On the high platform at the front of the venue, the two Palace Masters of Heavenflame Palace sat side by side, having witnessed the entire battle.

"Qingyang, did you see the sword technique Su Xin just used?" Palace Master Diyue asked.

"Yes." Palace Master Qingyang nodded, "The Thunderfire Volume of the Northern Azure Sword Art, although he didn't use any secret techniques, just from the sword momentum, it's clear he has mastered the Thunderfire Volume to perfection."

As he said this, Palace Master Qingyang's expression turned somewhat grim.

The battle between Su Xin and Situ Yu was so brief, just one exchange, and Situ Yu was defeated and sent flying. Most of the people present, including some powerful figures from various sects and factions, didn't have time to see the intricacies. But as the Palace Masters of Heavenflame Palace...

As top experts in the Nirvana Realm, they could see it at a glance.

"Mastering the Thunderfire Volume, and it's clear he's been at this level for some time. Unlike the Mountain-Sea Volume, which he only recently broke through to mastery during the second stage of the hunt." Palace Master Diyue smiled.

"Qingyang, you should know what this means."

Palace Master Diyue looked at Palace Master Qingyang.

"This is the Northern Azure Sword Art, and you know its origins."

"Mastering any one of the three volumes of the Northern Azure Sword Art to perfection is extremely difficult. Many swordmasters spend their entire lives unable to master even one volume."

"But Su Xin has mastered both the Thunderfire Volume and the Mountain-Sea Volume to perfection, and he's only in the Sea Transformation Realm..."

"Without a doubt, Su Xin is a true sword genius. His talent in swordsmanship far exceeds our imagination. In the long history of Heavenflame Palace within the Heavenflame Dynasty, having absorbed countless talents, purely in terms of sword talent, he can definitely rank in the top three!"

Palace Master Qingyang's expression was also very serious.

Heavenflame Palace has existed since the founding of the Heavenflame Dynasty, for over a thousand years, absorbing countless talents.

Every five years, the Imperial Capital Hunt would absorb ten talents, plus some exceptionally outstanding ones who received special invitations... Over a thousand years, there have been many.

Among so many talents, some incredibly exceptional ones have emerged.

Yet Palace Master Diyue said that Su Xin's talent in swordsmanship, even among the countless talents absorbed by Heavenflame Palace, can rank in the top three!

What a high evaluation!

And this evaluation, Palace Master Qingyang couldn't refute.

A Sea Transformation Realm cultivator mastering both the Thunderfire Volume and the Mountain-Sea Volume to perfection, this sword talent is monstrous.

"Diyue, what are you trying to say?" Palace Master Qingyang looked over.

"I just want to tell you that a super genius in swordsmanship like Su Xin, Heavenflame Palace will undoubtedly spare no effort to cultivate him. His future achievements will not be low. Previously, you opposed Su Xin entering Heavenflame Palace, and I won't question your reasons, but in the future, I hope you will fulfill your duties." Palace Master Diyue said.

Her words carried a warning.

Before Su Xin officially joined Heavenflame Palace, she could ignore it.

But now, having witnessed Su Xin's strength, especially his terrifying talent in swordsmanship, she was convinced Su Xin would become one of the most outstanding disciples of Heavenflame Palace, with limitless potential.

Naturally, she wouldn't allow Palace Master Qingyang to act recklessly.

"Hmph, how I conduct myself is not for you to lecture." Palace Master Qingyang snorted coldly.

Palace Master Diyue said no more.

On the battlefield, one genius after another stepped up for one-on-one battles.

Winners advanced to the next round, while losers were directly eliminated.

Soon, thirty-six geniuses had completed most of their battles.

"Duan Yunfeng, not bad, quite clean and decisive." Su Xin smiled as he watched Duan Yunfeng walk down from the battlefield.

Duan Yunfeng had just faced off against another genius.

That genius was previously considered capable of breaking into the top twenty, but in front of Duan Yunfeng, he only lasted a moment before being cleanly and decisively defeated.

Duan Yunfeng hadn't even used his ultimate move.

"My opponent wasn't particularly strong, and he had no hidden tricks, so defeating him was easy. If you want to talk about clean and decisive, your defeat of Situ Yu earlier was the real deal." Duan Yunfeng said.

Su Xin couldn't help but smile.

"By the way, that monk Wu Chao should be up next." Duan Yunfeng said.

"Yes, he's next." Su Xin nodded, his expression becoming serious.

Wu Chao was definitely one of the opponents he was most concerned about in this hunt.

So far, including during the second stage of the hunt, Wu Chao hadn't revealed his true strength. Naturally, Su Xin wanted to see if he would reveal any trump cards or techniques when facing other geniuses.

Su Xin and Duan Yunfeng watched intently.

On the battlefield, the monk Wu Chao, with prayer beads around his neck and bare feet, stood there with a cheerful smile.

As for his opponent, he was also a genius recognized by the Crimson Dragon Tower as having the potential to break into the top twenty, and his strength wasn't weak.

But unless he had hidden extremely strong abilities or techniques, this genius wouldn't last a few moves against Wu Chao.

However, to everyone's surprise...

Just as the purple-haired elder announced the start of the match, the monk Wu Chao immediately spoke, "I concede!"

Without any warning, Wu Chao conceded directly.

This scene left not only his opponent stunned but also everyone present.

Without even fighting, he conceded?

"What's going on?" Su Xin frowned.

Beside him, Duan Yunfeng wore an equally shocked expression.

This terrifying monster in his eyes, who had made him anxious about facing him in the next round, had actually conceded directly?

On the high platform above, the Heavenflame Emperor's brow furrowed slightly.

"Investigate." The Heavenflame Emperor said.

Immediately, someone went to investigate.

And soon, an internal official hurriedly delivered a report to the Heavenflame Emperor.

The Heavenflame Emperor glanced over the contents of the report.

"A genius from the Eastern Territories?"

"This is nonsense."

The Heavenflame Emperor said discontentedly, then waved his hand, no longer pursuing the matter.

Outside the battlefield, many geniuses gathered, looking at Wu Chao, who had walked down from the battlefield, with strange expressions.

But Wu Chao's face still carried a gentle and kind smile, not caring about the astonishment of those present. At the same time, he felt quite content.

"I thought I would have to spend more time and energy, but it turns out Situ Yu has already been defeated by Su Xin, and in such a miserable way, so there's no need for me to act."

"This troublesome task is finally over."

Wu Chao muttered to himself, and when he saw Su Xin, he paused and gave a slight smile, "Thank you, benefactor."

"Thank me?" Su Xin was taken aback.

Thank him for what?

Thank him for defeating Situ Yu?

In any case, Wu Chao conceding meant one less formidable opponent for Su Xin in this hunt.

Soon, all thirty-six geniuses had each completed a battle, and the eighteen winners would proceed to the second round, also one-on-one battles.

This time, winning meant breaking into the top ten of the hunt, earning the qualification to enter Heavenflame Palace for training.

...

On the high platform.

"Your Majesty, this is the battle order for the eighteen geniuses, as determined by the Crimson Dragon Tower. Please have a look." An internal official presented a battle list to the Heavenflame Emperor.

In the past, the Heavenflame Emperor would casually glance at it and proceed with the battles according to the list.

But this time, the Heavenflame Emperor pointed to two names on the list.

"Switch these two names." The Heavenflame Emperor instructed.

"Yes." The internal official nodded.

Soon, the battle order for the eighteen geniuses was finalized.

"First match: Duan Yunfeng vs. Luo Bingyun."

"Second match: Xia Mang vs. Chu Tao."

"Third match..."

A total of nine matches, the first eight were quite normal.

But the ninth match...

"Su Xin vs. Tu San!"