Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The elder began to present a multitude of reasons to Gu Yuze. In short, this year's Three Factions Sword Debate was to be held at Shuanglong Villa.
Although Gu Yuze had many doubts, he felt that the Pool Water Sect was, on the surface, on good terms with the Nanyue Sect. The Nanyue Sect would likely target the Wuhua Sect first and would not turn their attention to the Pool Water Sect just yet. He instructed his disciples to be cautious and sent someone back to the Pool Water Sect to report the situation and gather information.
A few days passed without any news from the Pool Water Sect, and soon a large group from the Wuhua Sect arrived at Shuanglong Villa. Gu Yuze hurried out to greet them and meet with several old acquaintances. Upon seeing them, Gu Yuze immediately understood why the Nanyue Sect had changed the location of the Three Factions Sword Debate.
He chuckled inwardly, thinking that the Wuhua Sect really did not give face to the Nanyue Sect by bringing their prized Seven Star Sword Formation right to their doorstep. Regardless of whether there was animosity between the two sects, they wouldn’t dare bring their Seven Star Sword Formation up a mountain.
However, knowing the reason behind the Nanyue Sect's sudden change of venue brought Gu Yuze some relief. He quickly wrote a letter to inform the Pool Water Sect about the developments here and then waited with a smirk to see how things would unfold between the two factions.
The Wuhua Sect had anticipated that the Nanyue Sect might hold the Three Factions Sword Debate outside their mountain gate. Therefore, as soon as they entered Shuanglong Villa, they organized their personnel and occupied a large courtyard, ensuring they could provide for their own food and supplies.
One after another, the leaders, elders, and Hall Masters of the Nanyue Sect descended from the mountain and gathered at Shuanglong Villa. Tuoba Buer also made an appearance, hosting a banquet for the elders of both factions and providing explanations.
The members of Wuhua Sect felt exhilarated at having overshadowed the Nanyue Sect. The Pool Water Sect was more than happy to watch the spectacle and secretly laughed at it all. During this meeting of elders from all three factions, they also set a date and order for the competition before returning home to prepare.
Before long, the day of the competition arrived, starting with matches among the younger disciples. Thirty disciples from all three factions drew lots to face off against each other.
The first match of the first round featured a Duan Disciple from Wuhua Sect against a second-generation disciple from Nanyue Sect. This Duan Disciple was one of the most outstanding from Divine Blade Hall, having mastered his swordsmanship to an extraordinary level. He usually practiced with a replica of Killing Blade but had brought out the real Killing Blade a month in advance to familiarize himself with it for this once-in-a-decade Three Factions Sword Debate. The Duan Disciple came with full confidence.
When Xunuo saw the disciple from Nanyue Sect take the stage, he was secretly startled. This opponent also wielded a blade but was significantly larger in height and build than Wuhua Sect's Duan Disciple. Especially when this giant lifted his thick-backed mountain-splitting knife onto the arena—four feet long, half a foot wide, and an inch thick—Xunuo felt his heart race with fear. He worried not only about his fellow disciple being unable to defeat his opponent but primarily feared that this giant would damage Killing Blade.
However, this Duan Disciple showed no signs of fear; after clasping his fists in respect, he assumed his stance. The giant wasted no time and swung his large knife first. The Duan Disciple moved agilely, dodging several strikes before closing in for an overhead chop. To Xunuo's surprise, when the giant blocked with his thick-backed knife, something unexpected happened.
The blade, less than two feet long, known as the Killing Blade, sliced through the thick mountain cleaver as if it were tofu, making not a sound. With a single, uninterrupted stroke, it cleaved the giant in half.
The three factions' disciples watching from the Arena fell silent after a single scream. The first match had already witnessed death, leaving the young disciples feeling a chill. However, the older members of the factions were accustomed to such sights. Especially those who had brought the Killing Blade to compete knew that this was a fight to the death; there would be no return without bloodshed.
Once the outcome of the first match was determined, disciples from the Nanyue Sect came forward to remove the corpse and quickly clean the ground before continuing with the next matches.
The subsequent matches seemed to be influenced by the first, with bloodshed occurring in every round. Some even resulted in severed limbs and fatalities on the arena floor, deeply impressing upon the young disciples the brutality of the martial world.
Soon it was Xunuo's turn to take the stage. Although little was known about his mastery of the Xunuo, his selfless act of drawing away mutated beasts during the last expedition in the Great Ten Thousand Mountains was well-known. Thus, when Xunuo stepped onto the platform, he was met with a round of applause.
Facing Xunuo was a second-generation disciple from Nanyue Sect, also wielding a sword. This disciple took the initiative and launched an attack with a Sword Flower technique, thrusting forward with four blossoms. Xunuo took half a step back and lightly shook his Azure Edge to meet it, revealing his own Sword Flower technique with four blossoms as well. They exchanged blows for seven or eight rounds, appearing evenly matched. However, Tian Feiyu below understood that this disciple was feigning weakness and likely planned to strike hard.
As expected, the Nanyue Sect disciple began to falter. His execution of the Sword Flower became less precise. Sensing an opportunity, Xunuo suddenly exerted himself and unleashed a rounded One Sword, Five Flowers Sword Flower technique, sending a flurry of sword light toward his opponent.
The Nanyue Sect disciple turned pale with fright. Desperately shaking his sword to block and sidestepping to retreat, he managed to evade what could have been a fatal blow. Yet despite his quick reflexes, Xunuo still managed to sever one of his arms.
Clutching his severed arm, the Nanyue Sect disciple was assisted off by his fellow sect members. Xunuo sheathed his Azure Edge without expression and jumped down from the Arena.
Having lost interest in watching further matches—viewing them as trivial—Xunuo bid farewell to Tian Feiyu and left. Tian Feiyu remained behind to oversee the remaining matches and prepare for the draw for the second round.
By afternoon, all first-round matches concluded. When Tian Feiyu returned, he had already received the list for the second round of matches and called together those who had won in order to arrange for what was next.
After the first round ended, four disciples from Wuhua Sect advanced. However, Xunuo knew that for most others, this was as far as they would go. Duan Shixiong from Divine Blade Hall might advance further due to the might of his Killing Blade. As for the other two who survived to return to Wuhua Sect, their fate would depend on luck.
After observing the first round of matches, Tian Feiyu had no high expectations for the three disciples and did not issue a command for certain victory.
In the second round, Xunuo faced a disciple from the Pool Water Sect. The swordsmanship of this opponent was inferior to that of Xunuo's first-round challenger. Although he could execute a Four Flowers technique, his Sword Flower was much less refined. After exchanging blows for just three to five rounds, the disciple from the Pool Water Sect stumbled and fell off the Arena. Rising to his feet, he cupped his hands towards Xunuo and said, "Lu Shao Xia's swordsmanship is exceptional; I admit defeat."
Seeing that his opponent was gracious, Xunuo returned the gesture and replied, "Thank you for your kindness."
Meanwhile, Duan Shixiong from the Divine Blade Hall also encountered a disciple from the Pool Water Sect in this round. This opponent displayed significantly superior swordsmanship, weaving intricate patterns with his blade that left Duan Shixiong drenched in sweat. His Killing Blade barely grazed the opponent's Iron Sword. Had it not been for the opponent's caution regarding the power of his Killing Blade, Duan Shixiong would have been defeated long ago. Nevertheless, he managed to hold on for just over ten exchanges before being forced off the Arena.
The other two disciples from Wuhua Sect were not as fortunate. They both faced disciples from Nanyue Sect, resulting in one death and one injury.
At this point, only Xunuo remained from Wuhua Sect. As soon as the second round concluded, a draw was held on-site to commence the third round.
Only six participants remained for this round, divided into three pairs. Xunuo was scheduled to enter last, facing none other than Yue Tianyou, known as the top second-generation disciple of Nanyue Sect.
As Xunuo stepped onto the stage, he recognized Yue Tianyou as the one who had slain a Wuhua Sect disciple earlier that morning in the second round. He thought to himself: indeed, retribution is swift. He resolved to eliminate this foe.
Yue Tianyou lived up to his reputation as Nanyue Sect's top second-generation disciple. He immediately unleashed the One Sword, Five Flowers technique with remarkable fluidity.
Xunuo sneered inwardly and met him with his own swordplay. After exchanging blows for over ten rounds, Yue Tianyou changed his technique and suddenly unleashed a massive Sword Flower—One Sword Six Flowers. Anticipating this move, Xunuo exerted force and countered with his own One Sword Six Flowers. The sound of clashing swords echoed as they passed each other; Xunuo quickly followed up with another Sword Flower from One Sword Six Flowers. Yue Tianyou found himself at a disadvantage.
Comment 0 Comment Count