Chapter 16: The Sinking Moon Over Dongyue

Song Zian’s face darkened, for this was not just a challenge, but an insult. Qian Ye had not even placed him, the top heir, in his eyes.

He stood up abruptly, let out a heavy snort, and said coldly, “A tiny mayfly dares to cross the river!”

Qian Ye replied indifferently, “I am not a patient person, and I do not like to drag out my grievances. Since you foiled my advancement a few days ago, it is fitting that we settle our feud today. Your ranking in the martial exam ends here!”

“Arrogant!!” Song Zian raged. He was filled with hatred, believing that he had managed to quell the situation on that day, making Song Zining suffer a silent defeat. But he never expected the other party to set him up in such a public setting. Even if he could win this match, the accusation would have already been heard by the elders.

Next to him, Song Tu frowned and shouted, “Enough! Next!”

After Qian Ye, it was Song Zining’s turn. He chose the young Miss of the Song family without any pretense of chivalry. However, Song Xinran was relieved; Song Zining’s fighting style in previous rounds had been relatively gentle. Even if she lost, as long as she wasn’t injured or only slightly wounded, it wouldn’t affect her later evaluations.

The remaining six people also chose their opponents one by one, and there were no more surprises. The two at the bottom of the ranking faced off against Song Zicheng and Song Ziqi, clearly indicating they would be eliminated.

At this moment, Lady An Guogong suddenly opened her eyes and instructed for a new batch of tea and pastries to be brought in. This indicated that the ancestor was no longer going to rest her eyes, but instead, she would carefully watch the match.

On the high platform, a flurry of activity ensued. Once everything requested by Lady An Guogong was arranged, the seating of the elders also changed slightly. Elder Lu was called to sit next to Lady An Guogong, and on her other side was the Song Family Patriarch, Song Zhongnian.

Among the elders, the Grand Elder, Song Zhongcheng, had a face as dark as storm clouds. He was Song Zian’s paternal grandfather and the elder brother of Patriarch Song Zhongnian. Qian Ye’s challenge to Song Zian was one thing, but he had also openly accused Song Zian of secretly harming him before the match.

The Song Family’s decennial examination was a matter of utmost importance. Secretly harming an opponent before a match was a grave taboo. Moreover, all the guests were at Level Nine, while Qian Ye was the only one at Level Eight, yet he was the most powerful. He then revealed that his failure to advance was due to Song Zian’s secret harm—how serious was this matter!

Regardless of the truth, Song Zhongcheng already felt that the elders were looking at him with strange eyes. And although the ancestor’s expression did not change, given her favoritism towards Song Zining, she might have developed some resentment.

The third generation of the Song Family generally lacked strength, and the succession of the patriarch was almost certain to skip a generation, likely to be resolved in the coming years. Song Zhongcheng had pinned his hopes on Song Zian securing the inheritance and taking back the patriarch’s position from the Zhongnian line. Now, with Qian Ye disrupting his plans, he was furious, wishing he could strike down this bold youngster with a single blow. He was determined to eliminate this root of trouble after the exam.

With the sound of a bell, the first match of the final eight began, pitting Song Zian against Qian Ye.

This should have been a semi-final, or even a final, lineup, but it was happening earlier due to Qian Ye’s unexpected choice.

As Qian Ye stepped into the arena with Dong Yue, Elder Lu straightened up, as if anticipating something.

Song Zian then entered, standing before Qian Ye. Before the battle began, he lowered his voice and asked, “Your injury from the other day has healed? You recovered quite quickly.”

Disturbances during cultivation often left hidden injuries, and they were difficult to heal completely. Furthermore, Qian Ye had said he was attempting to advance, which made the consequences even more severe. By bringing up the old matter now, Song Zian clearly intended to provoke Qian Ye.

But Qian Ye remained unperturbed. He simply looked at him and said, “Indeed, it was deliberate. It seems better to send you out now.”

Song Zian drew his longsword, the corners of his mouth curling up in a contemptuous arc. “A servant mirrors his master, ignorant of life and death.”

A deep blue light flashed in Qian Ye’s eyes, revealing a murderous intent.

Song Zian’s sword was slightly longer than an ordinary sword and narrower by a third, obviously designed for speed and sharpness. The longsword emitted a pale blue glow, and when infused with original force, it shone brightly, occasionally revealing the image of a night sky and a full moon—a clear sign of a Level Six weapon.

This was one of the Song Family’s renowned swords, “Moon Pursuer,” an extraordinary weapon even among Level Six swords. With this sword, Song Zian had a significant advantage. Not only did Level Six original force weapons come with various powerful attributes, but the “Divine Edge” alone could potentially cut through a common Level Five weapon.

The two began to move, but instead of attacking, Song Zian retreated to the side, drawing a short gun and firing several shots at Qian Ye.

Qian Ye moved like a willow in the wind, his steps fluid and graceful, easily dodging all the blasts. Such evasion skills could only be honed in the rain of bullets on the battlefield.

Seeing this, Song Zian knew his gun was ineffective against Qian Ye. He grunted, put away the gun, and shook his longsword, his pace quickening. In a flash, he circled around Qian Ye several times, his sword strikes like a fierce storm.

Song Zian had seen Qian Ye’s previous battles and knew that, despite his seemingly frail appearance, his strength was extraordinarily great. Thus, he attacked with a barrage of fast strikes, aiming to defeat Qian Ye with speed and technique.

Song Zian’s strategy was correct in every way, except for one: he should not have used it against Qian Ye.

Qian Ye swung Dong Yue, and the ordinary-looking blade seemed to lose its weight, touching “Moon Pursuer” and then swirling in the air, nearly disarming Song Zian.

These moves, so light and deft, stunned Song Zian. Faced with an unexpected battle, he paused. Qian Ye seized the opportunity, countering with a thrust. Dong Yue vibrated, emitting a low hum, appearing and disappearing in the air like a fish swimming upstream.

Song Zian reacted quickly, immediately regaining his composure. His “Moon Pursuer” moved gracefully, drawing arcs of original force. But Qian Ye advanced and retreated at will, and the heavy sword, witnessed by many, now seemed as light as a feather, breaking and shattering the original force halos.

The exchange turned into a close, evenly matched struggle!

Everyone on the high platform was astonished, and many elders’ expressions changed. Even Elder Lu watched intently, eyes wide. The ancestor slowly peeled a lychee and popped it into her mouth.

Song Zian felt as if his heart was on fire. Every chop, slash, and sweep of Qian Ye’s sword was a simple, basic move, yet the timing was perfect, allowing him to slip through the sword’s gaps and strike the weakest point, shredding his original force.

With a misstep, Song Zian caught a glimpse of the elders’ faces and inwardly grimaced. He was close to reaching Level Twelve, and among his peers, he was the highest. If defeating a Level Eight warrior was so difficult, even if he won, his standing in the ancestor’s eyes would plummet.

This fight had to be both a victory and a splendid one!

With no way to retreat, Song Zian gritted his teeth, his sword blazing, and slashed at Dong Yue.

Qian Ye’s brows rose, knowing Song Zian intended to use the advantage of a Level Six sword and his higher level of original force to overpower his heavy sword. If he could break Dong Yue, he would surely win.

Qian Ye flipped his wrist, turning Dong Yue, and instead of dodging, he countered, slashing at “Moon Pursuer.”

As the two swords clashed, Qian Ye roared, and his original force surged, as if a fierce crimson flame rose from him, with golden spots shining brightly.

In an instant, Qian Ye’s power reached its peak, resonating with the natural original force within a few meters. A thread of dark original force wrapped around Dong Yue, and together, they struck “Moon Pursuer!”

Qian Ye’s true vision showed that “Moon Pursuer” was also surrounded by original force, fluctuating with the sword’s movements. But under the full power of both, the difference was clear. Song Zian’s original force resonance was far weaker than Qian Ye’s.

The swords clashed, and Song Zian’s whole body trembled, nearly losing his grip on the hilt. Qian Ye’s face also paled, and his hands shook.

The two staggered apart, the strike a draw.

This result shocked all the onlookers.

Song Zian was near a breakthrough, but Qian Ye was only a Level Eight warrior. The gap between them was not just three levels, but also the chasm between warrior and general. Under such a disparity, the fact that Song Zian hadn’t instantly knocked Qian Ye out was a poor showing. How could they have ended in a draw?

Song Zian, horrified, stared at Qian Ye, exclaiming, “You hid your strength, you’re not a warrior…”

He stopped mid-sentence, realizing he had lost his composure. How could a mere general hide his level under the ancestor’s watchful eye? This statement only made him lose more points.

The ancestor, munching on sunflower seeds, observed them. Though she said nothing, her keen eyes missed nothing.

Song Zian forced himself to calm down, staring at Qian Ye, and said coldly, “To be able to fight me to this extent is surprising. But that’s all. The last strike must have hurt you badly, right?”

Qian Ye gave a mocking smile. After a few deep breaths, he lifted Dong Yue, his aura rising like a surging sea, unwavering.

Song Zian could hardly believe it; how was Qian Ye almost unscathed?

In reality, the last clash was a draw. Qian Ye was already close to Level Nine, and his strength and physical resilience far exceeded Song Zian’s. In terms of physique, Qian Ye was comparable to a vampire viscount, far beyond ordinary humans.

In contrast, Song Zian only had an advantage in the total amount of original force. Even in weaponry, he gained no advantage, leading to the draw.

Unaware of this, Song Zian looked at Dong Yue, his eyes narrowing. The plain, unremarkable blade showed no damage, indicating that, in terms of material, the heavy sword was no worse than the Level Six “Moon Pursuer.”

Song Zian took a deep breath, and a bright moon appeared above his head, illuminating the sky. His longsword shimmered, releasing a myriad of water-like glows, attacking Qian Ye.

This was the High Ridge Song Family’s secret sword technique: “Moonlit Heart.” He no longer cared about keeping his trump card for later. If he failed here, there would be no future.

But Qian Ye’s momentum was already set. With a roar, he slashed Dong Yue down!