In the spacious arena, Zhang Wen, dressed in a black form-fitting combat suit and wearing a mask of a recluse, slowly stepped onto the stage gripping a longsword.
In the spacious arena, Zhang Wen, clad in a black tight combat suit and a hermit mask, slowly ascended the stage with a long sword in hand. His previous Nian Steel was destroyed during Gao Long’s assassination attempt, but the arena had plenty of spare Nian Steel, so he simply picked up a suitable piece to craft a new sword. The long sword transformed from Nian Steel was a perfect projection of his mental image, without the slightest deviation.
As Zhang Wen stepped onto the stage, an invisible aura enveloped him. It was the same presence as the female swordsman, a profound and majestic demeanor of a master. From the spectator seats, the two on the stage looked remarkably similar, not just in temperament but even in appearance—both wore masks and tight combat suits, one silver and the other black. One male, one female, both wielding long swords.
Of course, their swords had subtle differences. The female swordsman’s long sword had a beautiful hollow pattern on the hilt, and the blade was slender like a needle, somewhat resembling a Western foil. The hermit’s sword, however, was different—the blade was only two fingers wide, as thin as a cicada’s wing. Its elegant curve and straight edge, along with the simple yet classical hilt design, exuded a regal aura.
“Begin!”
Zhang Wen and the female swordsman locked eyes, and he faintly sensed a hint of familiarity in her, though he didn’t dwell on it. His sword pointed diagonally to the ground, his gaze fixed on her shoulder. From his angle, he could clearly see her alluring and sensual chest curve, but Zhang Wen’s focus was certainly not on her beauty.
Based on his own combat experience in swordsmanship and martial arts, regardless of the fighting style, to attack, one must first close the distance. Therefore, by watching the opponent’s feet, one could predict when they would launch an offensive. Similarly, the sword would always move first from the shoulder joint before thrusting, so by focusing on the shoulder, one could anticipate the opponent’s next move.
The female swordsman opposite him was equally cautious, likely sensing Zhang Wen’s uniqueness. She first raised her sword to her forehead in a gesture reminiscent of a noble’s salute, then placed one hand on her waist while pointing the sword directly at Zhang Wen’s heart. The tip of her sword flickered unpredictably, like a venomous snake ready to strike at any moment.
A faint killing intent permeated the air. The sharp glint of the sword tips and their intense gazes collided in mid-air, sparking invisible fireworks!
“Is Teacher Zhang Wen going to be okay?” Zack asked with concern. They now knew that Teacher Zhang Wen was the hermit of the arena, and their hearts were tied to the match. It was impossible not to worry, especially after the female swordsman had displayed such astonishing strength earlier.
“He should be fine…” Cloud said uncertainly, turning to ask the “authority figure,” Sephiroth, but seeing his expression, he seemed even more focused and tense than himself, his eyes narrowed, unblinkingly fixed on the two motionless figures in the arena.
“Shh! Quiet!” Aerith widened her almond-shaped eyes, placing a finger to her lips in a silencing gesture. “Teacher Zhang Wen will definitely win, for sure!” She pursed her lips, a glimmer of trust shining in her eyes.
Just as Aerith finished speaking, the previously still female swordsman suddenly moved. Her right foot lunged forward, her body swift as lightning, and her right hand flicked the foil like a venomous snake, the tip of the sword bursting into a radiant light like blooming petals!
So fast!!!
Everyone who witnessed this couldn’t help but gasp!
The female swordsman’s strike resembled a thrust from the Empire’s martial arts, but it was even more ferocious and rapid. At the same time, her foil constantly shifted, making it impossible to predict where the final strike would land!
Fast! Deceptive! Ruthless!!
After so many days in the arena, she had finally encountered an opponent worth going all out against!
…
The Black Baron sat on his golden throne, a chair both comfortable and luxurious, giving him the feeling of a noble, the taste of supreme power. It would have been even better if he could hold a glass of fine wine in his hand.
However, the news from the communicator interrupted his good mood.
“Failed?” He raised his head in surprise, looking at Gao Long’s grim expression in the Nian Energy transmission. This outcome was unexpected. With Gao Long’s strength, he could have easily dominated the Empire. Unless he encountered the King, the Empire’s fangs, or a trap, how could he have failed to kill Zhang Wen?
Shaking his head in confusion, he listened as Gao Long briefly recounted the events.
“I felt that there were at least three super-tier powerhouses in that academy, and one of them had an exceptionally powerful mental Nian Energy that tried to lock onto me, making me feel extremely threatened, so I had no choice but to retreat…” Gao Long’s cheek muscles twitched. This incident left him deeply dissatisfied. Known as the “Slaughter Machine,” he had failed to kill a mere teacher, a small ant at the Saint-tier level. It was utterly ridiculous.
“I’ll find another opportunity to strike…”
“No need,” the Black Baron shook his head to stop him. “We’ve already alerted the enemy; the chances of success are even slimmer now. It seems his luck hasn’t run out yet… Come back first. You’ll be of great use in the upcoming South Realm Overlord competition in a couple of days.”
“Hmph, it’s just too convenient for that guy…”
“Don’t worry, I’ve prepared a good game. You’ll have your fun when the time comes.”
A sinister smile appeared on the Black Baron’s handsome face, as if he were witnessing a bloody feast in hell.
Pain, despair, wailing… This was what he most looked forward to seeing.
…
The female swordsman’s sword suddenly accelerated, aiming straight for Zhang Wen’s right eye. Gasps erupted from the spectator seats.
Zhang Wen remained calm, his sword moving later but arriving first, drawing an arc in mid-air to deflect her blade. Simultaneously, his feet pivoted, and his body swiftly rotated to the left side of the female swordsman, his sword circling like rippling water, the sharp blade aiming for her neck artery.
Another wave of gasps swept through the arena. Having witnessed numerous bloody and violent battles in the arena, they had never seen such a bizarre and dangerous swordsmanship, a life-and-death struggle from the very start! It was as if they were being pushed to the limits of their psychological endurance.
“Huh!” The female swordsman’s eyes flashed with surprise as she nimbly rolled on the ground, evading Zhang Wen’s sword.
As one retreated, the other advanced. Seizing the initiative, Zhang Wen’s sword momentum surged, his blade transforming into endless ripples, one strike after another, drawing arcs, slanting lines, or dancing like silver snakes, creating increasingly dazzling sword lights.
In that instant, all the spectators seemed to witness a scene of surging waves, rising and falling. It was the manifestation of Zhang Wen’s Spring Water Technique reaching a higher level, his sword unconsciously generating illusory imagery.
This swordsmanship was not only unseen but unheard of. What was even more peculiar was that both combatants seemed to have agreed to use only swordsmanship, without infusing their combat energy into their swords.
Were they deciding the victor purely through swordsmanship?
For a moment, the noisy spectator seats fell silent. Not only that, but more and more spectators, having heard the news from other arena levels, crowded into the already packed seats.
“Hey, hey! Cloud, did you see that? Teacher Zhang Wen’s sword! I never knew a sword could be used like that!” Zack’s face showed a look of intoxication. They had struck gold by having such a great teacher. Learning even a fraction of his skills would be more than enough for them. Compared to their teacher’s swordsmanship, all the Empire’s sword techniques were garbage!
Cloud’s mouth hung open, too stunned to respond to Zack. He was almost dumbfounded. Although Teacher Zhang Wen had always been formidable, his swordsmanship had never reached this level before. Now, his sword had entered the realm of “divine mastery,” capable of generating illusory effects!
If Cloud and Zack were this amazed, it was even more so for Aerith, whose heart was entirely focused on Zhang Wen. Her crescent-shaped eyes narrowed, her gaze shimmering, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks, as if she were thinking of something delightful.
Including the arena’s own top fighters, Sephiroth, Iron Mask, and the recently revived Berserker Zell, all were captivated by this battle. They stood in the private boxes reserved for internal personnel, silently watching the match.
All their energy was devoted to analyzing and memorizing the moves of both sides, as well as deducing how they would react and counter if they were in the fight.
Just as everyone thought Zhang Wen had taken the initiative, suppressing the female swordsman to the point of being unable to fight back, she suddenly launched a counterattack!
She turned her side to Zhang Wen, not even looking at him, and thrust her sword backward. This strike came with sudden ferocity, like a scorpion’s raised tail or a wasp’s venomous sting.
Swift and unpredictable, leaving no trace!
It precisely intercepted Zhang Wen’s next sword change, disrupting his continuous sword rhythm!
The spectator seats, which had just calmed down, erupted in screams and shouts once more! It was too thrilling. No one expected the female swordsman, having been suppressed to such an extent, could still counterattack, and in such a bizarre manner!
The next moment, something even more bizarre happened. Just as Zhang Wen slightly adjusted his sword stance, retracting his blade to prepare for a new round of attacks, the female swordsman continued to face him sideways. Her long left leg hooked from behind, like a whip, “snapping” against her own sword. The downward-slanting foil let out a sharp “whoosh,” springing upward like a cobra suddenly raising its head to reveal its fangs!
“Huh!” Iron Mask’s eyes in the private box narrowed, his body instinctively leaning forward. “This is…”
The rising sword tip was aimed directly at Zhang Wen’s wrist. If his sword continued its attack, his arm would be pierced by her blade in the next second!
Zhang Wen’s heart stirred slightly. Such swordsmanship, such bizarre techniques—this was the first time he had encountered anything like it since coming to this world. Was this truly the Empire’s martial arts?
As his thoughts raced, he had no choice but to defend. His feet shifted, and his body slid several feet like a slippery fish. Seizing the moment of Zhang Wen’s retreat, the female swordsman finally found her opportunity, and her bizarre sword techniques suddenly unfolded!!
If Zhang Wen’s sword was curved, full of variations like rippling water, like a river, then the female swordsman’s sword at this moment was a venomous wasp, a venomous snake, the most ruthless flower of death—the mandrake!
Her arms, waist, and every joint in her body were filled with flexibility, soft as if boneless, her movements unpredictable and impossible to guard against.
Her foil, seemingly aimed at the eyes, suddenly twisted to strike at the groin. Her body turned sideways to Zhang Wen, and the foil abruptly thrust from under her armpit. Just as everyone thought her variations had ended, her body spun rapidly, her sword drawing a bizarre, flowing line, bursting into a cluster of sword flowers, suddenly thrusting downward at Zhang Wen’s foot.
This dangerous swordsmanship was definitely not from the Empire, at least not something any academy could teach. Zhang Wen even felt that it wasn’t the female swordsman controlling the sword, but rather that she was following the sword’s momentum, performing various strange body movements, as if she had been controlled by the sword.
“Inherited Swordsmanship!” Iron Mask’s eyes in the private box flashed with disbelief.
In the arena, Zhang Wen was forced to retreat step by step by the female swordsman’s bizarre techniques, until his back hit the arena’s wire mesh.
No retreat left!
The female swordsman quickly seized the opportunity. As Zhang Wen’s body was blocked by the wire mesh, his retreat halted, she let out a light laugh. Her right arm, holding the sword, twisted like a long whip, her waist, hips, and legs all snapping in unison. The sword’s light suddenly contracted, and in the next moment, like a stirred-up hornet’s nest, it burst into countless dazzling sword lights, raining down on Zhang Wen’s eyes, neck, chest, and abdomen.
“Inherited Swordsmanship—Extreme Speed Hell!”
Super-speed sword!!!
The spectators, already on edge from this battle, erupted in gasps!
In the private box, Iron Mask, Sephiroth, and others’ pupils constricted. Such a fierce swordsmanship! It left no room for survival! A sure kill!
“Teacher Zhang Wen!” Outside in the spectator seats, Aerith, Zack, and Cloud shouted in unison, their voices tense.
Zhang Wen, the strongest hermit pushed to the brink in the arena, what did he see at this moment?
His pupils were filled with the overwhelming sword lights. It was hard to believe that such a ferocious swordsmanship, such a deadly technique, existed in this world! This final strike was flawless!
The only chance was—
Zhang Wen let out a long roar, the power of the Spring Water Technique flowing from his wrist to his fingers, his Chinese-style long sword bursting into the strongest sword light since the battle began. His Spring Water Technique sword stance fully unfolded!
Like a torrential downpour of sword rain!
Attack against attack!
It was as if thousands of pear trees blossomed at once, both sides unleashing super-speed sword strikes. Their blades clashed in mid-air, emitting sharp metallic friction sounds, dazzling orange sparks spraying out in bursts!
Countless spectators held their breath, waiting for the final outcome. At this point, no one could guess who would be the ultimate victor. Would it be the mysterious female swordsman, or the hermit?
Their swords had transformed into indistinguishable light shadows, entangled together. Suddenly, the female swordsman let out a sharp cry, her foil “buzzing” as it burst into a cluster of purple starlight, sending Zhang Wen’s long sword flying into the air.
As Zhang Wen stepped onto the arena, an invisible aura enveloped him. It was the same aura as the female swordsman, a calm and imposing presence of a true master.
Looking down from the audience seats, the two figures on the arena actually appeared very similar—not only in temperament, but even in appearance. Both wore masks, both wore tight combat suits, the only difference being one was silver, the other black.
A man and a woman, both wielding longswords.
Of course, there were subtle differences in their swords. The female swordsman’s sword had an elegant, pierced design on the wrist guard, the blade slender and sharp like a needle—reminiscent of a foil used in Western fencing.
The recluse’s sword was different. Its blade was only two fingers wide, thin as a cicada’s wing. Its elegant curve and straight edge, combined with the simple, classical pattern on the hilt, exuded a regal air.
“Let’s begin!”
Zhang Wen locked eyes with the female swordsman. There was a vague sense of familiarity, but he didn’t dwell on it. He angled his sword toward the ground and focused his gaze on her shoulder. From his angle, he could clearly see the alluring curve of her chest, but Zhang Wen was certainly not distracted by beauty.
Based on his own summary of swordsmanship and martial arts experience, Zhang Wen knew that in any form of combat, the first step to launching an attack was closing the distance. Therefore, watching the opponent’s feet revealed when they would strike. Similarly, the sword in hand would always move the shoulder joint first before thrusting forward. By watching the shoulder, he could anticipate her next move.
Across from him, the female swordsman was equally cautious, likely sensing Zhang Wen’s uniqueness. Her sword first rose to touch her forehead in what seemed like a noble’s salute. Then, with one hand on her hip and the other pointing the sword directly at Zhang Wen’s heart, the blade trembled like a venomous snake ready to strike.
A faint killing intent filled the air. The sharp glint of the blades and the piercing gazes clashed silently in the air, sparking invisible sparks!
“Will Teacher Zhang be okay?” Zack asked with concern. They all now knew that Teacher Zhang was the recluse of the arena, and their hearts were tied to the match. After all, the female swordsman’s earlier display had been truly shocking.
“He should be fine…” Cloud said uncertainly, turning to ask Xie Luo, the “authority,” for an opinion. But the moment he looked at him, he saw that Xie Luo was even more focused and anxious, his eyes narrowed, unblinking as he stared at the two motionless figures on the arena like statues.
“Shhh! Don’t talk!” Ameilisi widened her eyes and raised a finger to her lips, signaling silence. “Teacher Zhang will definitely win, definitely!” She bit her lip, her eyes flashing with trust.
Just as Ameilisi finished speaking, the stillness shattered. The female swordsman suddenly moved, her right foot lunging forward with lightning speed. Her foil trembled like a venomous snake, and the tip bloomed with a burst of light like a flower suddenly opening!
So fast!!!
Everyone watching involuntarily gasped!
This strike resembled an imperial martial arts lunge, but was even fiercer and faster. Her foil kept changing, making it impossible to tell where the final strike would land.
Fast! Mysterious! Ruthless and merciless!!!
After so many days in the arena, she had finally found an opponent worthy of her full strength!
…
Lord Hei, seated on his luxurious golden throne, felt the indulgence of nobility. The chair was both comfortable and extravagant, giving him the taste of supreme power. It would have been even better if he were holding a glass of fine wine in his hand.
However, a message from the communicator interrupted his pleasant mood.
In the spacious arena, Zhang Wen, clad in a black tight combat suit and a hermit mask, slowly ascended the platform with a long sword in hand. His previous Nian Steel was destroyed during the assassination attempt by Gao Long, but the arena had plenty of spare Nian Steel, so he simply picked up another piece to forge a suitable long sword. The Nian Steel transformed into a perfect projection of his mental image, without the slightest deviation.
As Zhang Wen stepped onto the platform, an invisible aura enveloped him. It was the same presence as the female swordsman, a demeanor of a profound and towering master. From the spectator seats, the two on the platform looked remarkably similar, not just in temperament but even in appearance—both wore masks and tight combat suits, one in silver and the other in black. A man and a woman, both wielding long swords.
Of course, their swords had subtle differences. The female swordsman’s long sword had a beautiful openwork pattern on the hilt, and the blade was slender like a needle, somewhat resembling a Western foil. The hermit’s sword, however, was only two fingers wide, with a blade as thin as a cicada’s wing. Its elegant curve and straight edge, along with the simple yet classical hilt design, exuded a regal aura.
“Let’s begin!”
Zhang Wen and the female swordsman locked eyes, and he felt a faint sense of familiarity, though he didn’t dwell on it. His sword pointed diagonally to the ground, his gaze fixed on the female swordsman’s shoulder. From his angle, he could clearly see her alluring and sensual chest curve, but Zhang Wen’s focus was certainly not on her beauty.
Based on his own experience in swordsmanship and combat, Zhang Wen knew that to attack, one must first close the distance. Therefore, by watching the opponent’s feet, one could predict when they would launch an attack. Similarly, the sword would move first from the shoulder joint before thrusting, so by focusing on the shoulder, one could anticipate the opponent’s next move.
The female swordsman was equally cautious, perhaps sensing Zhang Wen’s uniqueness. She first raised her sword to her forehead in a noble gesture, then placed one hand on her waist while pointing the sword directly at Zhang Wen’s heart. The tip of her sword flickered unpredictably, like a venomous snake ready to strike.
A faint killing intent permeated the air. The sharp glint of the sword tips and the intense gazes of the two combatants collided in mid-air, sparking invisible flames!
“Is Teacher Zhang Wen going to be okay?” Zack asked with concern. They all knew now that Teacher Zhang Wen was the hermit of the arena, and their hearts were tied to the match. It was impossible not to worry, especially after the female swordsman had displayed such astonishing strength earlier.
“He should be fine…” Cloud replied uncertainly, turning to ask the “authority,” Sephiroth, but seeing how focused and tense he was, his eyes narrowed, unblinkingly fixed on the two motionless figures in the arena.
“Shh! Quiet!” Aerith widened her almond-shaped eyes, placing a finger to her lips in a silencing gesture. “Teacher Zhang Wen will definitely win, definitely!” She pursed her lips, her eyes flashing with trust.
Just as Aerith finished speaking, the previously motionless female swordsman suddenly moved. Her right foot lunged forward, her body swift as lightning, and her right hand flicked the foil like a venomous snake, the tip bursting into a bloom of light!
So fast!!!
Everyone who witnessed this couldn’t help but gasp!
The female swordsman’s attack resembled the Empire’s thrusting technique but was even more ferocious and rapid. Simultaneously, her foil constantly shifted, making it impossible to predict where the final strike would land!
Fast! Devious! Ruthless!!
In all her days in the arena, she had never encountered an opponent worth going all out against until now.
…
The Black Baron sat on his golden throne, a chair both comfortable and luxurious, giving him the feeling of a nobleman, the taste of supreme power. It would have been even better if he could have held a glass of fine wine in his hand.
However, the news from the communicator interrupted his good mood.
“Failed?” He looked up in surprise, seeing Gao Long’s grim expression in the Nian Energy transmission. This outcome was unexpected. With Gao Long’s strength, he should have been able to dominate the Empire. Unless he encountered the King, the Empire’s fangs, or a trap, how could he have failed to kill Zhang Wen?
Shaking his head in confusion, he listened as Gao Long briefly explained the situation.
“I felt that there were at least three super-tier experts in that academy, and one of them had an exceptionally powerful mental Nian Energy that tried to lock onto me, making me feel extremely threatened, so I had no choice but to retreat…” Gao Long’s cheek muscles twitched. This incident left him deeply dissatisfied. Known as the Slaughter Machine, he had failed to kill a mere teacher, a small ant at the Saint-tier level. It was utterly ridiculous.
“I’ll find another opportunity to strike…”
“No need,” the Black Baron shook his head to stop him. “We’ve already alerted the snake. The chance of success is even slimmer now. It seems his luck hasn’t run out yet… Come back first. You’ll be needed in the upcoming South Realm Overlord competition.”
“Hmph, it’s just too convenient for that guy…”
“Don’t worry, I’ve already prepared a good game. You’ll have your fun then.”
A devious smile appeared on the Black Baron’s handsome face, as if he could see a bloody feast unfolding in hell.
Pain, despair, wailing… that was what he most looked forward to seeing.
…
The female swordsman’s sword suddenly accelerated, aiming for Zhang Wen’s right eye. Gasps erupted from the spectator seats.
Zhang Wen remained calm. His sword, though slower to move, arrived first, drawing an arc in the air to deflect her blade. Simultaneously, his feet pivoted, and his body swiftly rotated to the left side of the female swordsman. His sword circled like rippling water, the sharp blade aiming for the female swordsman’s carotid artery.
Another wave of gasps swept through the arena. They had seen plenty of bloody and violent battles in the arena, but never had they witnessed such a bizarre and dangerous swordsmanship, a life-and-death struggle from the very start! It was as if they were being pushed to the limits of their psychological endurance.
“Tch!” The female swordsman’s eyes flashed with surprise as she nimbly rolled on the ground, evading Zhang Wen’s sword.
With the advantage shifting, Zhang Wen’s swordplay intensified. His sword transformed into endless waves of water, one stroke after another, drawing arcs, slanting lines, or dancing like silver snakes, creating increasingly dazzling sword lights.
In that moment, all the spectators seemed to see a scene of undulating waves, a picture of Zhang Wen’s Spring Water Technique reaching a higher level, where his sword unconsciously generated illusory imagery.
This swordsmanship was not only unseen but unheard of. What was even more peculiar was that both combatants seemed to have agreed to use only swordsmanship, without infusing their combat energy into their swords.
Were they planning to decide the outcome purely through swordsmanship?
For a moment, the noisy spectator seats fell silent. Not only that, but more and more spectators from other levels of the arena, having heard the news, crowded into the already packed seats.
“Hey, hey! Cloud, did you see that? Teacher Zhang Wen’s sword! I never knew a sword could be used like that!” Zack’s face was filled with admiration. They had struck gold by having such a great teacher. Learning even a fraction of his skills would be more than enough for them. Compared to their teacher’s swordsmanship, all the Empire’s sword techniques were garbage!
Cloud’s mouth hung open, too stunned to respond to Zack. He was almost dumbfounded. Although Teacher Zhang Wen had always been impressive, his swordsmanship had never reached this level. Now, his sword had entered the realm of “divine craftsmanship,” capable of generating illusions!
If Cloud and Zack were this amazed, it was even more so for Aerith, whose heart was entirely focused on Zhang Wen. Her crescent-shaped eyes narrowed, her eyes shimmering, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks, as if she was thinking of something delightful.
Even the arena’s own experts, including Sephiroth, Iron Mask, and the recently revived berserker Zell, were all captivated by the battle. They stood in the private boxes reserved for internal personnel, silently watching the match.
All their energy was devoted to analyzing and memorizing the moves of both combatants, as well as simulating how they would react and counter if they were in the same situation.
Just as everyone thought Zhang Wen had taken the initiative, suppressing the female swordsman to the point of helplessness, she suddenly counterattacked!
She turned her side to Zhang Wen, not even looking at him, and thrust her sword backward. This strike came with sudden ferocity, like a scorpion’s raised tail or a wasp’s venomous sting.
Swift and unpredictable!
It precisely intercepted Zhang Wen’s next sword change, disrupting the rhythm of his continuous swordplay!
The spectator seats, which had just calmed down, erupted in screams and shouts again! It was too thrilling. No one expected the female swordsman to counterattack despite being suppressed to such an extent, and with such a bizarre counterattack!
In the next moment, something even more bizarre happened. Just as Zhang Wen adjusted his sword stance, retracting his blade to prepare for a new round of attacks, the female swordsman continued to face sideways. Her long left leg hooked from behind like a whip, “snapping” against her own sword. The downward-slanting foil let out a sharp “whoosh,” springing upward like a cobra suddenly raising its venomous fangs!
“Eh!” Iron Mask in the private box’s eyes changed, and he instinctively leaned forward. “This is…”
The rising sword tip was aimed directly at Zhang Wen’s wrist. If his sword continued to thrust, it would be pierced through the arm bone by her blade in the next second!
Zhang Wen’s heart stirred slightly. Such swordsmanship, such a bizarre move—it was the first time he had encountered it since coming to this world. Was this truly the Empire’s martial arts?
While his thoughts raced, he had no choice but to defend. His feet shifted, and his body slid several feet like a slippery fish. Seizing the moment Zhang Wen retreated, the female swordsman finally seized her opportunity, and her bizarre swordplay unfolded!!
If Zhang Wen’s sword was curved, full of changes like water waves, a river, then the female swordsman’s sword at this moment was a venomous wasp, a venomous snake, the most ruthless death mandrake!
Her arms, waist, and all her joints were filled with flexibility, soft as if boneless, and her changes were so bizarre they were impossible to guard against.
Her foil, seemingly aimed at the eyes, suddenly twisted to thrust at the groin. Her body turned sideways to Zhang Wen, and the foil suddenly thrust from under her arm. Just when everyone thought her changes were limited to this, her body spun rapidly, the sword drawing a bizarrely long arc, bursting into a bloom of sword flowers, and suddenly thrust downward at Zhang Wen’s foot.
This dangerous swordsmanship was definitely not from the Empire, at least not something any academy could teach. Zhang Wen even felt that it wasn’t the female swordsman controlling the sword, but rather that she was following the sword’s movements, making various strange body gestures, as if she had been reversed and was being controlled by the sword.
“Inherited Swordsmanship!” In the private box, Iron Mask’s eyes flashed with disbelief.
In the arena, Zhang Wen was forced to retreat step by step by the female swordsman’s bizarre swordsmanship. Finally, his body hit the arena’s wire mesh.
No retreat left!
The female swordsman quickly seized the opportunity. As Zhang Wen’s body was momentarily blocked by the wire mesh, and his retreat was halted, she chuckled. Her right arm, holding the sword, twisted like a long whip, driving her waist, hips, and legs to snap together. The sword’s light suddenly contracted, and in the next moment, like a disturbed hornet’s nest, “buzzed” and burst into countless dazzling sword lights, raining down on Zhang Wen’s eyes, neck, chest, and abdomen.
“Inherited Swordsmanship—Extreme Speed Hell!”
Super God-Speed Sword!!!
The spectators, already on edge from the battle, erupted in gasps!
In the private box, Iron Mask, Sephiroth, and others’ pupils constricted. Such a fierce swordsmanship! It left no room for survival! A sure kill!
“Teacher Zhang Wen!” Outside in the spectator seats, Aerith, Zack, and Cloud shouted in unison!
Zhang Wen, the strongest hermit pushed to the brink of no retreat in the arena, what did he see at this moment?
His pupils were filled with the overwhelming sword lights. It was hard to believe that such a ferocious swordsmanship, such a deadly swordsmanship, existed in this world! This final strike seemed flawless!
The only chance was—
Zhang Wen let out a long roar. The power of the Spring Water Technique transmitted from his wrist to his fingers, and the Chinese-style long sword in his hand burst into the strongest sword light since the battle began. His Spring Water Technique swordplay fully unfolded!
Like quicksilver pouring down, a torrential downpour of sword rain!
Attack against attack!
It was as if thousands of pear trees blossomed, both sides unleashing super god-speed sword strikes. In mid-air, their swords clashed with ear-piercing metallic friction, dazzling orange sparks erupting in bursts!
Countless spectators held their breath, waiting for the final outcome. At this point, no one could guess who would be the ultimate victor. Was it the mysterious female swordsman, or the hermit?
Both swords transformed into indistinguishable light shadows, entangled together. Suddenly, they heard the female swordsman’s sharp cry, and her foil “buzzed” with a burst of purple starlight, sending Zhang Wen’s long sword flying into the air.
He shook his head in confusion, listening as Gao Long briefly recounted the events.
In the spacious arena, Zhang Wen, clad in a black tight combat suit and wearing a hermit mask, slowly ascended the platform with a long sword in hand. His previous Nian Steel was destroyed during the assassination attempt by Gao Long, but the arena had plenty of spare Nian Steel, so he simply picked up a suitable piece to craft a new sword. The long sword transformed from Nian Steel was a perfect projection of his mental image, without the slightest deviation.
As Zhang Wen stepped into the arena, an invisible aura enveloped the space. It was the same aura as that of the female swordsman, a profound and majestic presence of a master. From the spectator seats, the two figures on the platform appeared remarkably similar, not just in demeanor but even in appearance—both wore masks and tight combat suits, one silver and the other black. A man and a woman, both wielding long swords.
Of course, there were subtle differences in their swords. The female swordsman’s sword had a beautiful hollowed-out pattern on the hilt, with a slender blade resembling a needle, somewhat akin to a Western foil. In contrast, the hermit’s sword was only two fingers wide, with a blade as thin as a cicada’s wing. Its elegant curve and straight edge, combined with the simple yet classical hilt design, exuded a regal aura.
“Let’s begin!”
Zhang Wen’s eyes met the female swordsman’s, and he felt a faint sense of familiarity, though he didn’t dwell on it. His sword pointed diagonally at the ground, his gaze fixed on her shoulder. From his angle, he could clearly see her alluring and sensual chest curve, but Zhang Wen’s focus was not on her beauty.
Based on his own combat experience in swordsmanship and martial arts, Zhang Wen knew that to attack, one must first close the distance. Therefore, by observing the opponent’s feet, one could predict when they would launch an attack. Similarly, the sword would always move first from the shoulder joint before striking, so by focusing on the shoulder, he could anticipate her next move.
The female swordsman was equally cautious, likely sensing Zhang Wen’s uniqueness. She first raised her sword to her forehead in a gesture reminiscent of a noble’s salute, then placed one hand on her waist while pointing the sword directly at Zhang Wen’s heart. The tip of her sword flickered unpredictably, like a venomous snake ready to strike at any moment.
A faint killing intent permeated the air. The sharp glint of the sword tips and their intense gazes collided in mid-air, sparking invisible flames!
“Is Zhang Wen going to be okay?” Zack asked with concern. They now knew that Zhang Wen was the hermit of the arena, and their hearts were tied to the match. It was impossible not to worry, especially after the female swordsman had displayed such astonishing strength earlier.
“He should be fine…” Cloud replied uncertainly, turning to ask the “authority figure,” Sephiroth, for his opinion. However, Sephiroth seemed even more focused and tense, his eyes narrowed, unblinkingly fixed on the two motionless figures in the arena.
“Shh! Quiet!” Aerith widened her almond-shaped eyes, placing a finger to her lips in a gesture for silence. “Zhang Wen will definitely win, he will!” She pursed her lips, her eyes flashing with trust.
Just as Aerith finished speaking, the previously still female swordsman suddenly moved. Her right foot lunged forward, her body as swift as lightning, and her sword trembled like a venomous snake, the tip bursting into a radiant bloom of light!
So fast!!!
Everyone who witnessed this couldn’t help but gasp in shock!
The female swordsman’s strike resembled the thrust of an imperial martial art, but it was even more ferocious and rapid. At the same time, her sword continuously shifted, making it impossible to predict where the final strike would land!
Fast! Deceptive! Ruthless!!
After so many days in the arena, she had finally encountered an opponent worthy of her full strength!
…
Baron Black sat on his luxurious golden throne, a chair so comfortable and opulent that it gave him the feeling of a nobleman, the taste of supreme power. It would have been even better if he could hold a glass of fine wine in his hand.
However, the news coming through his communicator disrupted his good mood.
“Failed?” He looked up in surprise, seeing Gao Long’s grim expression through the psychic transmission. This outcome was unexpected. With Gao Long’s strength, he should have been able to dominate the empire. Unless he encountered the Emperor, the Empire’s fangs, or a trap, how could he have failed to kill Zhang Wen?
Shaking his head in confusion, he listened as Gao Long briefly recounted the events.
“I sensed at least three super-tier powerhouses in that academy, one of whom had an exceptionally powerful psychic energy that tried to lock onto me, making me feel extremely threatened, so I had no choice but to retreat…” Gao Long’s cheek muscles twitched. This incident left him deeply dissatisfied. Known as the Slaughter Machine, he had failed to kill a mere teacher, a small ant at the saint-tier level. It was utterly ridiculous.
“I’ll find another opportunity to strike…”
“No need,” Baron Black interrupted, shaking his head. “You’ve already alerted them. The chances of success are even slimmer now. It seems his luck hasn’t run out yet… Come back first. You’ll be of great use in the upcoming South Realm Overlord competition.”
“Hmph, it’s just too convenient for that guy…”
“Don’t worry, I’ve prepared a grand scheme. You’ll have your fun when the time comes.”
A sinister smile spread across Baron Black’s handsome face, as if he were envisioning a bloody feast in hell.
Pain, despair, wailing… That was what he most looked forward to seeing.
…
The female swordsman’s sword suddenly accelerated, aiming straight for Zhang Wen’s right eye. Gasps erupted from the spectator seats.
Zhang Wen remained calm. His sword, though slower to move, arrived first, drawing an arc in the air to deflect her blade. Simultaneously, his feet pivoted, and his body swiftly rotated to the left side of the female swordsman. His sword circled like rippling water, the sharp blade aiming for her carotid artery.
Another wave of gasps swept through the arena. Though they had witnessed many bloody and violent battles in the arena, such a bizarre and perilous swordsmanship duel, where life and death hung in the balance from the very start, was unprecedented! It was as if they were being pushed to the limits of their psychological endurance.
“Tsk!” The female swordsman’s eyes flashed with surprise as she nimbly rolled on the ground, evading Zhang Wen’s sword.
With the shift in momentum, Zhang Wen seized the initiative, his sword movements expanding like endless waves. One strike followed another, sometimes arcing, sometimes slanting, sometimes whirling like silver snakes, creating increasingly dazzling sword lights.
In that moment, all the spectators seemed to witness a scene of surging waves, rising and falling in a dramatic display. It was the manifestation of Zhang Wen’s Spring Water Technique reaching a higher level, where his sword unconsciously projected an illusionary image.
This swordsmanship was not only unseen but also unheard of. What was even more peculiar was that both combatants seemed to have agreed to use only swordsmanship, without infusing their combat energy into their swords.
Were they planning to determine the victor purely through swordsmanship?
For a moment, the noisy spectator seats fell silent. Moreover, more and more spectators from other levels of the arena, having heard the news, crowded into the stands, packing them to the brim.
“Hey, hey! Cloud, did you see that? Zhang Wen’s sword! I never knew a sword could be used like that!” Zack’s face was filled with admiration. They had struck gold by having such a teacher. Learning even a fraction of his skills would be more than enough for them. Compared to their teacher’s swordsmanship, all the empire’s sword techniques were garbage!
Cloud’s mouth hung open, too stunned to respond to Zack. He was completely mesmerized. Although Zhang Wen had always been formidable, his swordsmanship had never reached this level before. Now, his sword had entered the realm of “divine mastery,” capable of producing illusionary effects!
If Cloud and Zack were this amazed, it was even more so for Aerith, whose heart was entirely devoted to Zhang Wen. Her crescent-shaped eyes narrowed, her gaze shimmering, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks, as if she were thinking of something delightful.
Even the arena’s own elite fighters, including Sephiroth, Iron Mask, and the recently revived berserker Zell, were captivated by the battle. They stood in the private boxes reserved for internal personnel, silently watching the match.
All their energy was devoted to analyzing and memorizing the techniques of both combatants, as well as simulating how they would react and counter if they were in the same situation.
Just as everyone thought Zhang Wen had gained the upper hand, suppressing the female swordsman to the point of being unable to fight back, she suddenly launched a counterattack!
She turned her side to Zhang Wen, not even looking at him, and thrust her sword backward. This strike came with sudden ferocity, like a scorpion’s raised tail or a wasp’s venomous sting.
Swift and unpredictable!
It precisely intercepted Zhang Wen’s next sword movement, disrupting the rhythm of his continuous strikes!
The previously calm spectator seats erupted into screams and shouts once more! It was too thrilling. No one expected the female swordsman to counterattack despite being suppressed to such an extent. What a bizarre counterattack!
In the next moment, something even more bizarre occurred. Just as Zhang Wen adjusted his sword stance, retracting his blade to prepare for a new round of attacks, the female swordsman continued to face sideways. Her long left leg hooked from behind like a whip, “snapping” against her own sword. The downward-slanting sword emitted a sharp “whoosh,” springing upward like a cobra suddenly raising its venomous fangs!
“Eh!” Iron Mask in the private box reacted, his body instinctively leaning forward. “This is…”
The rising sword tip was now aimed at Zhang Wen’s wrist. If he continued his attack, his arm would be pierced by her sword in the next second!
Zhang Wen’s heart stirred slightly. Such a sword technique, such a bizarre move—it was the first time he had encountered anything like it since coming to this world. Was this truly an imperial martial art?
As his thoughts raced, he had no choice but to defend. His feet shifted, and his body slid several feet like a slippery fish. Seizing the moment of Zhang Wen’s retreat, the female swordsman finally found her opportunity, and her bizarre sword techniques unfolded in full force!!
If Zhang Wen’s sword was curved, full of variations like water waves, like a river, then the female swordsman’s sword at this moment was a venomous wasp, a venomous snake, the most ruthless flower of death—the deadly datura!
Her arms, waist, and joints were all incredibly flexible, as if boneless, her movements unpredictable and impossible to guard against.
Her sword, seemingly aimed at the eyes, suddenly shifted to strike at the groin. As her body turned sideways, the sword abruptly thrust from under her arm. Just as everyone thought her movements had ended, her body spun rapidly, her sword drawing a bizarre arc, bursting into a cluster of sword flowers, and then suddenly thrusting downward at Zhang Wen’s foot.
This dangerous sword technique was definitely not from the empire, at least not something any academy could teach. Zhang Wen even felt as if it wasn’t the female swordsman controlling the sword, but rather the sword controlling her, as if she had become a puppet to the blade.
“Inherited Swordsmanship!” Iron Mask’s eyes flashed with disbelief in the private box.
In the arena, Zhang Wen was forced to retreat step by step under the female swordsman’s bizarre sword techniques, until his back finally hit the arena’s wire mesh.
No retreat left!
The female swordsman quickly seized the opportunity. As Zhang Wen’s body was momentarily hindered by the wire mesh, his retreat halted, she chuckled softly. Her sword-wielding right arm twisted like a long whip, her waist, hips, and legs all snapping in unison. The sword’s light suddenly contracted, and in the next moment, like a disturbed hornet’s nest, it burst into countless dazzling sword lights, raining down on Zhang Wen’s eyes, neck, chest, and abdomen.
“Inherited Swordsmanship—Extreme Speed Hell!”
A sword of godlike speed!!!
The spectators, already on edge from the battle, erupted into gasps of astonishment!
In the private box, Iron Mask, Sephiroth, and others’ pupils constricted sharply. Such a fierce sword technique! It left no room for survival! A sure kill!
“Zhang Wen!” From the spectator stands, Aerith, Zack, and Cloud shouted in unison, their voices filled with tension.
In the arena, Zhang Wen, the strongest hermit pushed to the brink of no retreat, what did he see at this moment?
His pupils were filled with the overwhelming sword lights. It was hard to believe that such a ferocious, such a deadly sword technique existed in this world! This final strike seemed flawless!
The only chance was—
Zhang Wen let out a long roar, the power of the Spring Water Technique flowing from his wrist to his fingers, and the Chinese-style long sword in his hand erupted with the strongest sword light since the battle began. His Spring Water Technique was fully unleashed!
Like a torrential downpour of mercury, the sword rain poured down!
Attack against attack!
It was as if thousands of pear trees were blossoming, both sides striking at godlike speeds. The clash of metal in mid-air produced ear-piercing friction, and dazzling orange sparks burst forth in clusters!
The countless spectators held their breath, waiting for the final outcome. At this point, no one could predict who would emerge victorious. Would it be the mysterious female swordsman, or the hermit?
The swords of both combatants had transformed into indistinguishable blurs of light, entangled together. Suddenly, the female swordsman let out a sharp cry, and her sword burst into a cluster of purple starlight, sending Zhang Wen’s sword flying into the air.
“I’ll try again when the opportunity arises…”
“No need,” Lord Hei interrupted with a shake of his head. “We’ve already alerted him. Another attempt will have even less chance of success. It seems his luck hasn’t run out yet… Return first. You still have an important role to play in the upcoming contest for dominance in the Southern Region.”
“Hmph, that guy was just too lucky…”
“Rest assured. I’ve already prepared a brilliant game. You’ll get to play it to your heart’s content soon enough.”
A sinister smile curled on Lord Hei’s handsome face, as if he were already witnessing a bloody feast rising from hell.
Pain, despair, cries of agony… These were the things he longed to see most.
…
The female swordsman’s blade accelerated suddenly, seemingly aimed directly at Zhang Wen’s right eye. Gasps echoed from the audience.
Zhang Wen remained calm. His sword moved after hers but arrived first, tracing an arc in midair to deflect her strike. At the same time, his footwork spun, and his body shifted swiftly to the left opening beside the female swordsman. His blade circled like rippling water, its sharp edge aiming for her neck artery.
Another wave of gasps and exclamations erupted. The arena had seen many bloody and violent battles, but such a strange and deadly sword technique, such a life-or-death confrontation right from the start, was unprecedented! It was like a psychological thrill ride.
“Eh!” The female swordsman’s eyes flickered with surprise as she rolled gracefully along the ground to evade Zhang Wen’s strike.
Taking the initiative, Zhang Wen’s sword pressure surged. His blade transformed into an endless ripple of water, each strike an arc, a diagonal, or a writhing silver serpent, forming wave after wave of dazzling sword light.
In the spacious arena, Zhang Wen, clad in a black tight combat suit and a hermit mask, slowly walked onto the stage holding a long sword. His previous Nian Steel was destroyed during Gao Long’s assassination attempt, but the arena had plenty of spare Nian Steel, so he easily found a suitable long sword. The sword transformed from Nian Steel was a perfect projection of his mental image, without the slightest deviation.
As Zhang Wen entered the arena, an invisible aura enveloped the space. It was the same aura as the female swordsman, the imposing presence of a master. From the audience’s perspective, the two on the stage were remarkably similar. Not only in temperament but even in appearance… both wore masks, both were in tight combat suits, the only difference being one was silver and the other black. One man, one woman, both wielding long swords.
Of course, there were subtle differences in their swords. The female swordsman’s long sword had a beautiful镂空 pattern on the hilt, the blade slender like a needle, somewhat resembling a Western foil. The hermit’s sword, however, was different, the blade only two fingers wide, as thin as a cicada’s wing. The elegant curve and straight blade, combined with the simple classical hilt pattern, exuded a regal aura.
“Begin!”
Zhang Wen and the female swordsman locked eyes, and he faintly felt a sense of familiarity, but he didn’t dwell on it. His sword pointed diagonally at the ground, his gaze fixed on the female swordsman’s shoulder. From his angle, he could directly see her alluring and sexy chest curve, but Zhang Wen’s focus was certainly not on her beauty.
Based on Zhang Wen’s own summarized combat experience in swordsmanship and martial arts, regardless of the type of fighting, to attack, one must first close the distance. Therefore, by watching the opponent’s feet, one can predict when they will launch an attack. The same goes for the sword in hand; to thrust, the shoulder joint must move first, so by focusing on the shoulder, one can anticipate the opponent’s next move.
The female swordsman opposite was equally cautious, perhaps sensing Zhang Wen’s uniqueness. She first raised her sword to her forehead in a gesture resembling a noble’s salute, then placed one hand on her waist, the other holding the sword pointed directly at Zhang Wen’s heart. The tip of the sword flickered uncertainly, like a venomous snake ready to strike at any moment.
A faint killing intent permeated the air. The sharp glint of the sword tip, the intense and focused gaze, all collided in mid-air, sparking invisible flames!
“Is Teacher Zhang Wen going to be okay?” Zack asked worriedly. They all now knew that Teacher Zhang Wen was the hermit of the arena, and their hearts were tied to the match. It was impossible not to worry, especially after the female swordsman’s displayed strength was truly astonishing.
“He should be fine…” Cloud said uncertainly, turning to ask the “authority” Shura, but seeing his current state, he seemed even more focused and tense, his eyes slightly narrowed, his gaze fixed on the two in the arena who stood as still as statues.
“Shh! Quiet!” Aerith widened her almond-shaped eyes, placing a finger to her lips in a gesture for silence. “Teacher Zhang Wen will definitely win, definitely!” She pursed her lips, a glimmer of trust in her eyes.
Just as Aerith finished speaking, the previously motionless female swordsman suddenly moved. Her right foot shot forward, her body as fast as lightning, her right hand’s foil trembling like a venomous snake, the tip of the sword bursting into a bloom of light like a flower petal!
So fast!!!
Everyone who witnessed this couldn’t help but gasp!
The female swordsman’s strike resembled a thrust from the Empire’s martial arts, but it was even more ferocious and swift. Simultaneously, her foil constantly changed, making it impossible to discern the final point of impact!
Fast! Devious! Ruthless!!
After so many days in the arena, she had finally encountered an opponent worth going all out against!
…
The Black Baron sat on his golden throne, a chair both comfortable and luxurious, giving him the feeling of a noble, the taste of supreme power. It would have been even better if he could hold a glass of fine wine in his hand.
However, the news from the communicator interrupted his good mood.
“Failed?” He raised his head in surprise, looking at Gao Long’s grim face in the psychic transmission. This outcome was unexpected. With Gao Long’s strength, he should have been able to dominate the Empire. Unless he encountered the King, the Empire’s fangs, or a trap, how could he fail to kill Zhang Wen?
Shaking his head in confusion, he listened as Gao Long briefly explained the situation.
“I felt that there were at least three super-tier powerhouses in that academy, one of whom had an exceptionally strong psychic energy that tried to lock onto me, making me feel extremely threatened, so I had to retreat…” Gao Long’s cheek muscles twitched. This incident left him very dissatisfied. Known as the Slaughter Machine, he had failed to kill a mere teacher, a small ant at the Saint-tier level. It was simply outrageous.
“I’ll find another opportunity to strike…”
“No need.” The Black Baron shook his head to stop him. “We’ve already alerted the snake. The chance of success is even slimmer now. It seems his luck hasn’t run out yet… Come back first. In a couple of days, you’ll be of great use in the South Realm’s霸主争夺赛.”
“Hmph, it’s just too convenient for that guy…”
“Don’t worry, I’ve prepared a good game. You’ll have your fun then.”
A devious smile appeared on the Black Baron’s handsome face, as if he were witnessing a bloody feast in hell.
Pain, despair, wailing… that’s what he most looked forward to seeing.
…
The female swordsman’s sword suddenly accelerated, seemingly about to pierce Zhang Wen’s right eye. The audience gasped in unison.
Zhang Wen remained calm, his sword arriving first, drawing an arc in mid-air to deflect her blade. Simultaneously, his feet pivoted, his body swiftly rotating to the left side of the female swordsman, his sword circling like rippling water, the sharp blade aiming for her neck artery.
Another wave of gasps erupted from the audience. They had seen plenty of bloody and violent fights in the arena, but never such a bizarre and dangerous swordsmanship, a life-and-death duel from the very start! It was as if they were testing the audience’s psychological limits.
“Ah!” The female swordsman’s eyes flashed with surprise as she nimbly rolled on the ground, evading Zhang Wen’s sword.
With the advantage shifting, Zhang Wen’s sword momentum surged, his blade transforming into endless waves of water, one stroke after another, drawing arcs, moving diagonally, or dancing like silver snakes, creating increasingly dazzling sword lights.
In that instant, all the spectators seemed to witness a scene of overlapping waves, rising and falling. It was the manifestation of Zhang Wen’s Spring Water Technique reaching a higher level, his sword unconsciously generating an illusionary image.
This kind of swordsmanship was not only unseen but unheard of. And the strangest thing was that both combatants seemed to have agreed to use only swordsmanship, without attaching any of their combat energy to their swords.
Were they trying to decide the outcome purely through swordsmanship?
For a moment, the noisy audience fell silent. Not only that, but more and more spectators from other levels of the arena, having heard the news, crowded into the stands, making it packed to the brim.
“Hey hey! Cloud, did you see that! Teacher Zhang Wen’s sword! Who knew a sword could be used like that!” Zack’s face showed a look of intoxication. They had struck gold, having such a great teacher. Just learning a tenth or two of his skills would be enough for a lifetime. Compared to the teacher’s swordsmanship, all the Empire’s sword techniques were garbage!
Cloud’s mouth hung open, too stunned to respond to Zack. He was almost dumbfounded. Previously, Teacher Zhang Wen was impressive, but his swordsmanship hadn’t reached this level. Now his sword had entered the realm of “divine quality,” capable of generating illusions!
Both Cloud and Zack were amazed, let alone Aerith, whose heart was entirely on Zhang Wen. Her crescent-shaped eyes narrowed, her eyes shimmering, a faint blush on her cheeks, as if she had thought of something delightful.
Including the arena’s own top fighters, Shura, Iron Mask, and the recently awakened barbarian warrior Zheluo, all were captivated by this battle, standing in the private boxes reserved for internal personnel, silently watching the match.
All their energy was devoted to analyzing and memorizing the moves of both sides, as well as deducing their own possible reactions and counterattacks if they were in the fight.
Just as everyone thought Zhang Wen had taken the initiative, suppressing the female swordsman to the point of no return, she suddenly struck back!
Side-facing Zhang Wen without even looking, she thrust her sword backward. This strike came with sudden ferocity, like a scorpion raising its tail or a wasp shooting its stinger.
Swift and unpredictable, leaving no trace!
It precisely intercepted Zhang Wen’s next sword change, disrupting his continuous sword rhythm!
The audience, which had just calmed down, immediately erupted into screams and shouts! It was too thrilling. Who would have thought the female swordsman, suppressed to such an extent, could still counterattack, and with such a bizarre move!
The next moment, something even more bizarre happened. Just as Zhang Wen slightly adjusted his sword stance, retracting his blade to prepare for a new round of attacks, the female swordsman continued to side-face him, her long left leg hooking from behind like a whip, “snapping” against her own sword. The downward-slanting foil emitted a sharp “whoosh,” springing upward like a cobra suddenly raising its head to reveal its fangs!
“Ah!” Iron Mask in the box had a sudden change in expression, his body instinctively leaning forward. “This is…”
The springing sword tip was aimed directly at Zhang Wen’s wrist. If his sword continued its attack, it would be pierced through the arm bone by her blade in the next second!
Zhang Wen’s heart stirred slightly. Such a sword technique, such a bizarre move, was something he had never encountered since coming to this world. Was this truly the Empire’s martial arts?
While his thoughts raced, he had no choice but to defend, his feet shifting, his body sliding like a fish several feet away. Seizing the moment Zhang Wen retreated, the female swordsman finally found her opportunity, her bizarre sword technique suddenly unfolding!!
If Zhang Wen’s sword was curved, full of changes like water waves, a river, then the female swordsman’s sword at this moment was a wasp, a venomous snake, the most ruthless death mandrake!
Her arms, waist, and all her joints were filled with flexibility, soft as if boneless, her changes bizarre and unpredictable.
Her foil, seemingly aimed at the eyes, suddenly bent to strike at the groin. Her body turned sideways to Zhang Wen, and the foil suddenly thrust from under her arm. Just as everyone thought her changes ended there, her body spun rapidly, the sword drawing a bizarre flow, bursting into a cluster of sword flowers, suddenly thrusting downward at Zhang Wen’s foot.
This dangerous sword technique was definitely not from the Empire, at least not something any academy could teach. Zhang Wen even felt that it wasn’t the female swordsman controlling the sword, but rather that she was being controlled by the sword, her body making various strange movements as if she had been reversed by the sword.
“Inherited Swordsmanship!” In the box, Iron Man’s eyes flashed with disbelief.
In the arena, Zhang Wen was forced to retreat step by step by the female swordsman’s bizarre sword technique, until his body hit the arena’s wire mesh.
No more retreat!
The female swordsman quickly seized the opportunity. Taking advantage of the moment Zhang Wen’s body was blocked by the wire mesh and his retreat was halted, she chuckled, her right arm holding the sword twisting like a whip, her waist, hips, and legs all springing into action. The sword’s light suddenly contracted, and the next moment, like a disturbed hornet’s nest, “buzzing,” it burst into countless dazzling sword lights, raining down on Zhang Wen’s eyes, neck, chest, and abdomen.
“Inherited Swordsmanship—Extreme Speed Hell!”
Super-speed sword!!!
The audience, already captivated by this battle, erupted into screams!
In the box, Iron Man, Shura, and others’ pupils constricted. What a sharp sword technique! It left no room for survival! A sure kill!
“Teacher Zhang Wen!” Outside in the stands, Aerith, Zack, and Cloud shouted in unison!
Zhang Wen, the strongest hermit pushed to the brink of no retreat in the arena, what did he see at this moment?
His pupils were filled with the overwhelming sword lights. It was hard to believe this world had such a ferocious sword technique, such a deadly one! This final strike was flawless!
The only chance was—
Zhang Wen let out a long roar, the power of the Spring Water Technique transmitting from his wrist to his fingers, his Chinese-style long sword also bursting into the strongest sword light since the battle began. His Spring Water Technique sword style fully unfolded!
Like a torrential downpour of mercury, the sword rain poured down!
Attack against attack!
Like thousands of pear trees blossoming, both sides unleashed super-speed sword strikes. In mid-air, they clashed with a piercing metallic friction, dazzling orange sparks spraying out in bursts!
Countless spectators held their breath, waiting for the final outcome. At this point, no one could guess who would be the ultimate victor. Was it the mysterious female swordsman, or the hermit?
Both swords transformed into indistinguishable light shadows, entangled together. Suddenly, the female swordsman let out a sharp cry, her foil “buzzing” as it burst into a cluster of purple star-like battle light, sending Zhang Wen’s long sword flying into the air.
Such swordsmanship was not only unheard of, but even the concept was new. What was even more peculiar was that both fighters seemed to have agreed beforehand to use only sword techniques, never channeling their battle energy into the blades.
Were they trying to determine the winner purely through swordsmanship?
The once noisy audience fell silent. Not only that, more and more spectators from other levels of the arena, having heard the news, crowded into the stands until there was not an empty seat left.
“Hey hey! Cloud, are you seeing this? Teacher Zhang’s sword! Who knew a sword could be used like this!” Zack’s face lit up with admiration. He had struck gold by becoming this teacher’s disciple. Learning even a tenth of his skills would be enough for a lifetime. Compared to Teacher Zhang’s swordsmanship, all the sword techniques in the empire were garbage!
Cloud opened his mouth wide, too stunned to respond. Previously, Teacher Zhang had been impressive, but never had his swordsmanship reached such a level. Now, his swordplay had entered the realm of “divine mastery,” even generating illusory effects!
If Cloud and Zack were this amazed, it was even more so for Ameilisi, who had placed her heart on Zhang Wen. Her eyes sparkled like crescent moons, her face flushed slightly red as she thought of something pleasant.
In the spacious arena, Zhang Wen, clad in a black tight combat suit and a hermit mask, slowly walked onto the stage, holding a long sword. His previous Nian Steel was destroyed during Gao Long’s assassination attempt, but the arena had plenty of spare Nian Steel, so he simply picked up another piece to forge a suitable long sword. The sword transformed from Nian Steel was a perfect projection of his mental image, without the slightest deviation. As Zhang Wen stepped into the arena, an invisible aura enveloped the space. It was the same aura as the female swordsman’s—a profound and imposing presence of a master.
From the spectator seats, the two figures on the stage looked remarkably similar. Not only in temperament but even in appearance—both wore masks and tight combat suits, one silver and the other black. One male, one female, both wielding long swords. Of course, there were subtle differences in their swords. The female swordsman’s sword had a beautiful镂空 pattern on the hilt, and the blade was slender like a needle, somewhat resembling a Western foil. The hermit’s sword, on the other hand, was only two fingers wide, with a blade as thin as a cicada’s wing. Its elegant curve and straight blade, combined with the simple yet classical hilt design, exuded a regal aura.
“Let’s begin!”
Zhang Wen and the female swordsman locked eyes, and he faintly sensed a hint of familiarity in her gaze. However, he didn’t dwell on it. His sword pointed diagonally at the ground, and his focus was fixed on the female swordsman’s shoulder. From his angle, he could clearly see her alluring and seductive chest curve, but Zhang Wen’s attention was certainly not on her beauty. Based on his own experience in swordsmanship and combat, he knew that to attack, one must first close the distance. Therefore, by watching her feet, he could predict when she would launch her attack. Similarly, the movement of her shoulder joint would indicate her next move, as the sword would naturally follow.
The female swordsman was equally cautious, likely sensing Zhang Wen’s uniqueness. She first raised her sword to her forehead in what seemed like a noble gesture, then placed one hand on her waist while pointing the sword directly at Zhang Wen’s heart. The tip of her sword flickered unpredictably, like a venomous snake ready to strike at any moment.
A faint killing intent permeated the air. The sharp glint of the sword tips and their intense gazes collided in mid-air, sparking invisible flames!
“Is Mr. Zhang Wen going to be okay?” Zack asked with concern. They all now knew that Mr. Zhang Wen was the hermit of the arena, and their hearts were tied to the match. It was impossible not to worry, especially after witnessing the female swordsman’s astonishing strength.
“He should be fine…” Cloud replied uncertainly, turning to ask the “authority figure,” Shura, for reassurance. However, Shura seemed even more focused and tense than Cloud himself, his eyes narrowed and unblinking as he watched the two motionless figures in the arena.
“Shh! Quiet!” Aerith widened her almond-shaped eyes and raised a finger to her lips, signaling for silence. “Mr. Zhang Wen will definitely win, he will!” She pursed her lips, her eyes flashing with trust.
Just as Aerith finished speaking, the previously motionless female swordsman suddenly moved. Her right foot shot forward, her body moving like lightning. Her right hand, holding the foil, trembled slightly, and the tip of the sword burst into a dazzling light, like blooming petals.
So fast!!!
Everyone who witnessed this couldn’t help but gasp in shock!
The female swordsman’s attack resembled the thrust from the Empire’s combat techniques, but it was even more ferocious and swift. At the same time, her foil constantly shifted, making it impossible to predict where the final strike would land.
Fast! Deceptive! Ruthless!!
After so many days in the arena, she had finally encountered an opponent worth going all out against!
…
The Black Baron sat on his luxurious golden throne, a chair so comfortable and opulent that it gave him the feeling of a nobleman, a taste of supreme power. It would have been even better if he could hold a glass of fine wine in his hand.
However, the news coming through his communicator disrupted his good mood.
“Failed?” He raised his head in surprise, looking at Gao Long’s grim face in the Nian Energy transmission. This outcome was unexpected. With Gao Long’s strength, he should have been able to dominate the Empire. Unless he encountered the King, the Empire’s fangs, or a trap, how could he have failed to kill Zhang Wen?
Shaking his head in confusion, he listened as Gao Long briefly explained what had happened.
“I sensed at least three super-tier powerhouses in that academy, and one of them had an exceptionally powerful mental Nian Energy that tried to lock onto me. It felt extremely dangerous, so I had no choice but to retreat…” Gao Long’s cheek muscles twitched. This incident left him deeply dissatisfied. Known as the “Slaughter Machine,” he had failed to kill a mere teacher, a small ant at the Saint-tier level. It was simply outrageous.
“I’ll find another opportunity to strike…”
“No need,” the Black Baron interrupted, shaking his head. “We’ve already alerted them. The chances of success are even slimmer now. It seems his luck hasn’t run out yet… Come back first. You’ll have a big role to play in the upcoming South Realm Overlord competition in a couple of days.”
“Hmph, it’s just too convenient for that guy…”
“Don’t worry, I’ve prepared a good game. You’ll have your fun when the time comes.”
A sinister smile appeared on the Black Baron’s handsome face, as if he were envisioning a bloody feast in hell.
Pain, despair, wailing… That was what he most looked forward to seeing.
…
The female swordsman’s sword suddenly accelerated, aiming straight for Zhang Wen’s right eye. The spectators gasped in unison.
Zhang Wen remained calm. His sword, though slower to move, arrived first, drawing an arc in the air to deflect her blade. Simultaneously, his feet pivoted, and his body swiftly rotated to the left side of the female swordsman. His sword circled like rippling water, the sharp blade aiming for her neck artery.
Another wave of gasps erupted from the audience. They had seen plenty of bloody and violent battles in the arena, but never had they witnessed such a bizarre and dangerous sword fight, where life and death hung in the balance from the very first move. It was as if the match was testing the limits of their psychological endurance.
“Huh?” The female swordsman’s eyes flashed with surprise as she nimbly rolled on the ground, evading Zhang Wen’s sword.
As one retreated, the other advanced. Seizing the initiative, Zhang Wen’s swordplay intensified. His sword transformed into endless waves of water, one strike after another—drawing arcs, slanting lines, or dancing like silver snakes—creating increasingly dazzling sword lights.
For a moment, all the spectators seemed to witness a scene of overlapping waves, rising and falling. It was the manifestation of Zhang Wen’s Spring Water Technique reaching a higher level, where his sword unconsciously created illusory imagery.
This kind of swordsmanship was not only unheard of but also unimaginable. What was even more peculiar was that both combatants seemed to have agreed to use only sword techniques, without infusing their combat energy into their blades.
Were they planning to decide the outcome purely through swordsmanship?
For a moment, the noisy spectator seats fell silent. Moreover, more and more spectators from other levels of the arena, having heard the news, crowded into the already packed stands.
“Hey, hey! Cloud, did you see that? Mr. Zhang Wen’s sword! I never knew swords could be used like that!” Zack’s face was filled with admiration. He had struck gold by becoming this teacher’s student. Learning even a tenth of his skills would be enough to sustain him for a lifetime. Compared to his teacher’s swordsmanship, all the Empire’s sword techniques were garbage!
Cloud’s mouth hung open, too stunned to respond to Zack. He was completely mesmerized. Although Mr. Zhang Wen had always been formidable, his swordsmanship had never reached this level before. Now, his sword had entered the realm of “divine craftsmanship,” capable of creating illusions!
If Cloud and Zack were this amazed, it was even more so for Aerith, whose heart was entirely focused on Zhang Wen. Her crescent-shaped eyes narrowed, her eyes shimmering with emotion, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks, as if she were thinking of something delightful.
Even the arena’s own experts, including Shura, Iron Mask, and the recently revived barbarian warrior Zheluo, were captivated by the battle. They stood in the private boxes reserved for internal personnel, silently watching the match.
All their energy was devoted to analyzing and memorizing the moves of both combatants, as well as simulating how they would react and counter if they were in the same situation.
Just as everyone thought Zhang Wen had taken the upper hand, suppressing the female swordsman to the point of being unable to fight back, she suddenly launched a counterattack!
She turned her side to Zhang Wen without even looking at him and thrust her sword backward. This strike came with sudden ferocity, like a scorpion’s raised tail or a wasp’s venomous sting.
Swift and unpredictable!
It perfectly intercepted Zhang Wen’s next sword change, disrupting the rhythm of his continuous swordplay.
The previously calm spectator seats erupted in screams and shouts once again! It was too thrilling. No one expected the female swordsman to counterattack after being suppressed to such an extent. What a bizarre counterattack!
In the next moment, something even more bizarre happened. Just as Zhang Wen adjusted his sword stance, retracting his blade to prepare for a new wave of attacks, the female swordsman continued to face sideways. Her long left leg hooked from behind like a whip, “snapping” against her own sword. The downward-slanting foil emitted a sharp “whoosh,” springing upward like a cobra suddenly raising its venomous fangs!
“Huh?” Iron Mask in the private box narrowed his eyes, instinctively leaning forward. “This is…”
The rising sword tip was aimed directly at Zhang Wen’s wrist. If he continued his attack, his arm would be pierced by her blade in the next second!
Zhang Wen’s heart stirred slightly. Such swordplay, such bizarre techniques—he had never encountered anything like this since coming to this world. Was this truly the Empire’s martial arts?
As his thoughts raced, he had no choice but to defend. His feet shifted, and his body slid several feet like a slippery fish. Taking advantage of Zhang Wen’s retreat, the female swordsman finally seized her opportunity, unleashing her bizarre sword techniques!!
If Zhang Wen’s sword was curved, filled with the ever-changing waves of water, like a river, then the female swordsman’s sword at this moment was a venomous wasp, a snake, the most ruthless flower of death—the deadly datura!
Her arms, waist, and joints were all incredibly flexible, as if boneless, making her movements unpredictable and impossible to guard against.
Her foil, seemingly aimed at the eyes, suddenly twisted to strike at the groin. Her body turned sideways, and the sword abruptly thrust from under her arm. Just when everyone thought her changes were limited to this, her body spun rapidly, her sword drawing a bizarre, flowing line, bursting into a flurry of sword flowers, and then suddenly thrusting downward at Zhang Wen’s foot.
This dangerous sword technique was definitely not from the Empire, nor could it have been taught by any academy. Zhang Wen even felt that it wasn’t the female swordsman controlling the sword, but rather that she was being controlled by the sword, as if her body was being manipulated by the blade.
“Legacy Sword Technique!” Iron Mask’s eyes blazed with disbelief in the private box.
In the arena, Zhang Wen was forced to retreat step by step under the female swordsman’s bizarre swordplay. Finally, his back hit the arena’s wire mesh.
No retreat left!
The female swordsman quickly seized the opportunity. As Zhang Wen’s body was momentarily blocked by the wire mesh and his retreat was halted, she chuckled softly. Her right arm, holding the sword, twisted like a whip, her waist, hips, and legs all snapping in unison. The sword’s light suddenly contracted, and in the next moment, like a stirred hornet’s nest, it erupted with countless dazzling sword lights, raining down on Zhang Wen’s eyes, neck, chest, and abdomen.
“Legacy Sword Technique—Extreme Speed Hell!”
A sword of godlike speed!!!
The spectators, already on edge from the match, erupted in a chorus of gasps!
In the private box, Iron Mask, Shura, and others’ pupils constricted sharply. Such a fierce sword technique! It left no room for survival! A sure kill!
“Mr. Zhang Wen!” Aerith, Zack, and Cloud shouted in unison from the spectator seats.
Zhang Wen, the strongest hermit pushed to the brink of no retreat in the arena, what did he see at this moment?
His pupils were completely filled with the overwhelming sword lights. It was hard to believe that such a ferocious, deadly sword technique existed in this world! This final strike seemed flawless!
The only chance was—
Zhang Wen let out a long roar. The power of the Spring Water Technique flowed from his wrist to his fingers, and the Chinese-style long sword in his hand erupted with the strongest sword light since the battle began. His Spring Water Technique was fully unleashed!
Like a torrential downpour of mercury, the sword rain poured down!
Attack against attack!
It was as if thousands of pear trees blossomed at once, both sides unleashing swords of godlike speed. The blades clashed in mid-air, emitting ear-piercing metallic screeches, and dazzling orange sparks burst forth in clusters!
The countless spectators held their breath, waiting for the final outcome. At this point, no one could guess who would emerge victorious. Would it be the mysterious female swordsman, or the hermit?
Both swords had transformed into indistinguishable blurs of light, entangled together. Suddenly, the female swordsman let out a sharp cry, and her foil burst with a purple starlight, sending Zhang Wen’s sword flying into the air.
Their full attention was devoted to analyzing and memorizing each move, as well as imagining how they would react and counter if they were in the fight.
Just when everyone thought Zhang Wen had seized the initiative and was suppressing the female swordsman without giving her a chance to retaliate, she struck!
Without even looking, she sidestepped and slashed backward with her foil. The strike was sudden and fierce, like a scorpion’s tail or a wasp’s sting.
Unpredictable and elusive!
It precisely intercepted Zhang Wen’s next move, disrupting the rhythm of his continuous swordplay.
The audience, which had just calmed down slightly, instantly erupted into screams and shouts again! It was so thrilling. No one expected the female swordsman, so thoroughly suppressed, to counterattack so mysteriously.
But the next moment brought an even more bizarre occurrence. Just as Zhang Wen slightly adjusted his sword stance, retracting his blade to prepare for another assault, the female swordsman kept her side to him. Her long left leg suddenly swept from behind, like a whip striking the blade. With a sharp “crack,” the foil, previously angled downward, emitted a piercing “whoosh” and sprang upward like a cobra rearing to strike!
“Ah!” Tie Mian’s eyes widened from the VIP room, and his body instinctively leaned forward. “This is…”
The rising blade aimed directly at Zhang Wen’s wrist. If his sword continued its attack, the next second would see his arm pierced through!
Zhang Wen’s heart stirred slightly. Such swordplay, so strange and unconventional, was something he had never encountered since arriving in this world. Could this really be an imperial martial technique?
Even as his thoughts raced, he had no choice but to defend. His feet shifted, and his body slid sideways like a fish, moving several feet away. Seizing the moment Zhang Wen retreated, the female swordsman finally had her chance, and her bizarre swordplay erupted!
In the spacious arena, Zhang Wen, clad in a black tight combat suit and a hermit mask, slowly ascended the platform with a long sword in hand. His previous Nian Steel was destroyed during Gao Long’s assassination attempt, but the arena had plenty of spare Nian Steel, so he simply picked up a suitable piece to form a new sword. The long sword transformed from Nian Steel was a perfect projection of his mental image, without the slightest deviation.
As Zhang Wen stepped onto the platform, an intangible aura enveloped him. It was the same aura as that of the female swordsman, a majestic presence of a master. From the spectator seats, the two on the platform looked remarkably similar, not just in demeanor but even in appearance—both wore masks and tight combat suits, one in silver and the other in black. A man and a woman, both wielding long swords.
Of course, there were subtle differences in their swords. The female swordsman’s sword had a beautiful hollow pattern on the hilt, with a slender blade resembling a needle, somewhat akin to a Western foil. The hermit’s sword, however, was only two fingers wide, with a blade as thin as a cicada’s wing. Its elegant curve and straight edge, along with the simple yet classical hilt design, exuded a regal aura.
“Let’s begin!”
Zhang Wen’s eyes met the female swordsman’s, and he felt a faint sense of familiarity, though he didn’t dwell on it. His sword pointed diagonally at the ground, his gaze fixed on her shoulder. From his angle, he could clearly see her alluring and seductive chest curve, but Zhang Wen’s focus was certainly not on her beauty.
Based on his own experience in swordsmanship and combat, Zhang Wen knew that any attack required closing the distance first. By observing the opponent’s feet, one could predict when they would strike. Similarly, the sword’s movement would always start with the shoulder joint, so by focusing on the shoulder, he could anticipate the opponent’s next move.
The female swordsman was equally cautious, likely sensing Zhang Wen’s uniqueness. She first raised her sword to her forehead in a noble gesture, then placed one hand on her waist while pointing the sword directly at Zhang Wen’s heart. The tip of her sword flickered unpredictably, like a venomous snake ready to strike.
A faint killing intent permeated the air. The sharp glint of the sword tips and the intense gazes of both combatants collided in mid-air, sparking invisible fireworks!
“Is Mr. Zhang Wen going to be okay?” Zack asked with concern. They all now knew that Mr. Zhang Wen was the hermit of the arena, and their hearts were tied to the match. It was impossible not to worry, especially after the female swordsman’s astonishing display of skill earlier.
“He should be fine…” Cloud said uncertainly, turning to ask the “authority,” Shura, but seeing his expression, he seemed even more focused and tense, his eyes narrowed and fixed on the two motionless figures in the arena.
“Shh! Quiet!” Aerith widened her almond-shaped eyes, placing a finger to her lips in a silencing gesture. “Mr. Zhang Wen will definitely win, he will!” She pursed her lips, her eyes flashing with trust.
Just as Aerith finished speaking, the previously still female swordsman suddenly moved. Her right foot lunged forward, her body as swift as lightning, and her right hand flicked the sword like a venomous snake. The tip of her sword burst into a dazzling light, resembling blooming petals!
So fast!!!
Everyone who witnessed this couldn’t help but gasp!
The female swordsman’s strike resembled the Empire’s thrusting technique but was even more ferocious and rapid. Her sword constantly shifted, making it impossible to predict where the final strike would land!
Fast! Deceptive! Ruthless!!!
After so many days in the arena, she had finally encountered an opponent worthy of her full strength!
…
The Black Baron sat on his golden throne, a chair both comfortable and luxurious, giving him the feeling of a nobleman, the taste of supreme power. It would have been perfect if he could hold a glass of fine wine in his hand.
However, the news from the communicator interrupted his good mood.
“Failed?” He raised his head in surprise, looking at Gao Long’s grim face in the Nian Energy transmission. This outcome was unexpected. With Gao Long’s strength, he should have been able to dominate the Empire. Unless he encountered the King, the Empire’s fangs, or a trap, how could he fail to kill Zhang Wen?
Puzzled, he shook his head as Gao Long briefly explained the situation.
“I felt that there were at least three super-tier experts in that academy, and one of them had an exceptionally powerful mental Nian Energy that tried to lock onto me, making me feel extremely threatened, so I had to retreat…” Gao Long’s cheek muscles twitched. This incident left him deeply dissatisfied. Known as the Slaughter Machine, he had failed to kill a mere teacher, a small ant at the Saint-tier level. It was simply outrageous.
“I’ll find another opportunity to strike…”
“No need,” the Black Baron shook his head to stop him. “We’ve already alerted them. The chance of success is even slimmer now. It seems his luck hasn’t run out yet… You come back first. You’ll be of great use in the upcoming South Realm Overlord competition in a couple of days.”
“Hmph, it’s just too convenient for that guy…”
“Don’t worry, I’ve prepared a good game. You’ll have your fun then.”
A sinister smile appeared on the Black Baron’s handsome face, as if he were envisioning a bloody feast in hell.
Pain, despair, wails… That was what he most looked forward to seeing.
…
The female swordsman’s sword suddenly accelerated, aiming straight for Zhang Wen’s right eye. Gasps erupted from the spectator seats.
Zhang Wen remained calm. His sword, though slower to move, arrived first, drawing an arc in mid-air to deflect her blade. Simultaneously, his feet pivoted, and his body swiftly rotated to the left side of the female swordsman. His sword circled like rippling water, the sharp blade aiming for her neck artery.
Another wave of gasps and exclamations swept through the arena. Though they had witnessed many bloody and violent battles in the arena, such a bizarre and dangerous swordsmanship duel, where life and death hung in the balance from the very beginning, was unprecedented! It was as if they were testing the audience’s psychological limits.
“Huh!” The female swordsman’s eyes flashed with surprise as she nimbly rolled on the ground, evading Zhang Wen’s sword.
With the advantage shifting, Zhang Wen’s sword momentum surged. His sword transformed into endless waves of water, one strike after another, drawing arcs, diagonals, or chaotic silver snakes, creating increasingly dazzling sword lights.
In that moment, all the spectators seemed to witness a scene of overlapping waves, rising and falling. It was the manifestation of Zhang Wen’s Spring Water Technique reaching a higher level, where his sword unconsciously created illusory imagery.
This swordsmanship was not only unseen but unheard of. What was even more peculiar was that both combatants seemed to have agreed to use only swordsmanship, without infusing their combat energy into their swords.
Were they deciding the outcome purely through swordsmanship?
For a moment, the noisy spectator seats fell silent. Moreover, more and more spectators, having heard the news from other arena levels, crowded into the already packed seats.
“Hey hey! Cloud, did you see that? Mr. Zhang Wen’s sword! I never knew a sword could be used like that!” Zack’s face showed a look of intoxication. They had struck gold by having such a great teacher. Learning even a fraction of his skills would be more than enough for them. Compared to their teacher’s swordsmanship, all the Empire’s sword techniques were garbage!
Cloud’s mouth hung open, too stunned to respond to Zack. He was completely mesmerized. Although Mr. Zhang Wen had always been impressive, his swordsmanship had never reached this level. Now, his sword had entered the realm of “divine craftsmanship,” capable of creating illusions!
If Cloud and Zack were this amazed, imagine how Aerith, whose heart was entirely on Zhang Wen, felt. Her crescent-shaped eyes narrowed, her eyes shimmering, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks, as if she were thinking of something delightful.
Even the arena’s own experts, including Shura, Iron Mask, and the recently revived berserker Zoro, were all captivated by the battle. They stood in the private boxes reserved for internal personnel, silently watching the match.
All their energy was devoted to analyzing and memorizing the moves of both combatants, as well as simulating how they would react and counter if they were in the same situation.
Just as everyone thought Zhang Wen had taken the initiative, suppressing the female swordsman to the point of helplessness, she suddenly counterattacked!
She turned her side to Zhang Wen without looking at him and thrust her sword backward. This strike came with sudden ferocity, like a scorpion’s raised tail or a wasp’s venomous sting.
Swift and unpredictable!
It precisely intercepted Zhang Wen’s next sword change, disrupting the rhythm of his continuous swordplay!
The spectator seats, which had just calmed down, erupted in screams and shouts again! It was too thrilling. Who would have thought the female swordsman could counterattack even when suppressed to such an extent? Such a bizarre counterattack!
In the next moment, something even more bizarre happened. Just as Zhang Wen adjusted his sword stance, retracting his sword to prepare for a new round of attacks, the female swordsman continued to face sideways. Her long left leg hooked from behind like a whip, “snapping” against her own sword. The downward-slanting sword let out a sharp “whoosh,” springing upward like a cobra suddenly raising its venomous fangs!
“Huh!” Iron Mask in the private box’s eyes changed, and he instinctively leaned forward. “This is…”
The rising sword tip was aimed directly at Zhang Wen’s wrist. If his sword continued to strike, his arm would be pierced by her blade in the next second!
Zhang Wen’s heart stirred slightly. Such swordplay, such bizarre techniques—this was the first time he had encountered them since coming to this world. Was this truly the Empire’s martial arts?
As his thoughts raced, he had no choice but to defend. His feet shifted, and his body slid several feet like a slippery fish. Seizing the moment of Zhang Wen’s retreat, the female swordsman finally found her opportunity, and her bizarre swordplay unfolded!!
If Zhang Wen’s sword was curved, full of changing water waves, like a river, then the female swordsman’s sword at this moment was a venomous bee, a snake, the most ruthless flower of death—the deadly datura!
Her arms, waist, and joints were all incredibly flexible, soft as if boneless, with changes so bizarre they were impossible to guard against.
Her sword, seemingly aimed at the eyes, suddenly twisted to strike at the groin. Her body turned sideways, and the sword abruptly thrust from under her ribs. Just as everyone thought her changes ended there, her body spun rapidly, the sword drawing a bizarre, flowing arc, bursting into a cluster of sword flowers, and suddenly thrusting downward at Zhang Wen’s foot.
This dangerous swordsmanship was definitely not from the Empire, at least not something any academy could teach. Zhang Wen even felt that it wasn’t the female swordsman controlling the sword, but rather that she was following the sword’s momentum, making various strange body movements, as if she had been controlled by the sword.
“Inherited Swordsmanship!” Iron Mask’s eyes in the private box flashed with disbelief.
In the arena, Zhang Wen was forced to retreat step by step by the female swordsman’s bizarre swordplay, until his back hit the arena’s wire mesh.
No more retreat!
The female swordsman quickly seized the opportunity. As Zhang Wen’s body was blocked by the wire mesh and his retreat ended, she chuckled softly. Her right arm, holding the sword, twisted like a long whip, her waist, hips, and legs all snapping in unison. The sword’s light suddenly contracted, and in the next moment, like a disturbed hornet’s nest, it burst into countless dazzling sword lights, raining down on Zhang Wen’s eyes, neck, chest, and abdomen.
“Inherited Swordsmanship—Extreme Speed Hell!”
Super God-Speed Sword!!!
The spectators, already on edge from the battle, erupted in gasps!
In the private box, Iron Mask, Shura, and others’ pupils constricted. Such a fierce swordsmanship! It left no room for survival! A sure kill!
“Mr. Zhang Wen!” Outside the spectator stands, Aerith, Zack, and Cloud shouted in unison, their voices tense.
In the arena, Zhang Wen, the strongest hermit pushed to the brink of no retreat, what did he see at this moment?
His pupils were filled with the overwhelming sword lights. It was hard to believe that such a ferocious, such a deadly swordsmanship existed in this world! This final strike was flawless!
The only chance was—
Zhang Wen let out a long roar. The power of the Spring Water Technique flowed from his wrist to his fingers, and the Chinese-style long sword in his hand erupted with the strongest sword light since the battle began. His Spring Water Technique was fully unleashed!
Like quicksilver pouring onto the ground, a torrential rain of sword strikes!
Attack against attack!
It was as if thousands of pear trees blossomed at once, both sides unleashing super god-speed sword strikes. In mid-air, their swords clashed with ear-piercing metallic friction, and dazzling orange sparks erupted in bursts!
Countless spectators held their breath, waiting for the final outcome. At this point, no one could guess who would be the ultimate victor. Would it be the mysterious female swordsman, or the hermit?
Both swords transformed into indistinguishable light shadows, entangled together. Suddenly, the female swordsman let out a sharp cry, and her sword burst into a cluster of purple starlight, sending Zhang Wen’s sword flying into the air.
Her arms, waist, and every joint were incredibly flexible, boneless and unpredictable, making her movements impossible to anticipate.
Her foil seemed to aim for his eyes, then suddenly shifted to his lower body. Her body twisted sideways, and the foil suddenly slashed from under her arm. Just as everyone thought that was the extent of her changes, her body spun rapidly, the blade carving a strange arc, bursting into a flurry of sword lights, and suddenly aiming downward at Zhang Wen’s feet.
This dangerous swordplay was definitely not something from the empire, at least not taught by any academy. Zhang Wen even felt as if the female swordsman wasn’t controlling the sword, but rather her body was moving in strange ways in response to the sword’s momentum, as if she had been taken over by the blade itself.
“Hereditary Sword Art!” Tie Nan exclaimed in disbelief from the VIP room.
Inside the arena, Zhang Wen was forced to retreat step by step by the female swordsman’s bizarre swordplay. Finally, he took one last step, his body colliding with the arena’s iron net.
No more room to retreat!
The female swordsman seized the opportunity instantly. As Zhang Wen’s retreat was halted by the net, she let out a light laugh. Her right arm twisted like a whip, her waist, hips, and legs all snapping into motion together. Her sword light suddenly shrank, then in the next moment, like a disturbed hornet’s nest, it “buzzed” and erupted into countless dazzling sword beams, sweeping toward Zhang Wen’s eyes, neck, chest, and abdomen—all vital spots.
“Hereditary Sword Art—Hell’s Velocity!”
The ultimate speed sword!!!
The spectators, already emotionally invested in the match, erupted into a chorus of gasps!
In the VIP room, Tie Nan, Xie Luo, and the others’ pupils contracted sharply. What a ruthless sword technique! It left no room for survival! An absolute killing blow!
“Teacher Zhang!” From the stands, Ameilisi, Zack, and Cloud shouted in unison, their voices filled with tension.
At this moment, Zhang Wen, the ultimate recluse backed into a corner on the arena, what did he see in his eyes?
His pupils were completely filled with the overwhelming sword lights. It was hard to believe that such a fierce and deadly sword technique could exist in this world! This final strike was flawless!
The only chance was—
With a loud roar, Zhang Wen channeled the power of the Spring Water Art from his wrist to his fingers. His Chinese-style longsword erupted with the strongest sword light since the battle began. His Spring Water Sword Art was fully unleashed!
A torrent of sword rain, like mercury spilling to the ground!
An attack against an attack!
It was as if thousands of pear blossoms bloomed in unison. Both combatants struck with superhuman speed. Their swords clashed midair, emitting piercing metallic screeches, and bursts of dazzling orange-red sparks rained down in wave after wave!
The countless spectators held their breath, waiting for the final outcome. At this point, no one could predict who would emerge victorious—the mysterious female swordsman or the recluse?
Their swords blurred into indistinguishable shadows, entwined in a dazzling dance. Suddenly, the female swordsman let out a sharp cry, and her foil emitted a burst of purple starlight, sending Zhang Wen’s sword flying into the air with a resounding “twang.”
The female swordsman could no longer resist and finally unleashed her battle energy!
In the next moment, the foil in her hand transformed from one into hundreds, hundreds into tens, and tens back into one, before condensing once again into a single longsword aimed directly at Zhang Wen’s right chest in a sudden lunge!
This thrust was swift and ruthless! Even the air screamed as it was torn apart with a sharp, piercing whistle.
Almost all of the spectators let out a sigh; although they had anticipated the outcome, they still felt a sense of regret. If the female swordsman hadn’t suddenly unleashed her battle energy, it would have been hard to say who would win. Now, however… without even a sword in her hand, it would be lucky for the hermit to survive against that fierce girl’s blade.
Amelis shouted anxiously, wishing she could transform into a sword and fly into Zhang Wen’s hand.
Just as the opponent’s sharp foil was about to pierce Zhang Wen’s body, his figure suddenly shot straight up along the wire mesh behind him like an arrow.
Although it seems slow when described, this all happened in an instant.
As he reached the top of the wire mesh, his right hand shot out and grabbed his disarmed sword. Then, his body flipped upside down, headfirst, and his sword slashed downward like a bolt of lightning from the sky toward the female swordsman below, as if splitting the air with thunder!
Instinctively, the female swordsman raised her blade to block. With a sharp metallic screech of friction, a sticky force surged from Zhang Wen’s sword, twisting and entangling her foil before knocking it flying away.
Zhang Wen continued his descent, flipped midair, landed steadily, and thrust his sword forward. The tip came to rest precisely under the female swordsman’s chin.
These moves happened so fast—like a hare springing or a falcon diving—that even the female swordsman barely had time to react before the battle had turned completely.
Everyone inside and outside the arena thought the hermit had already lost. They sat in stunned silence for several seconds before erupting into thunderous cheers and applause.
“Hermit! Hermit! Hermit!! Hermit!!!”
Louder and louder, the cries rose and fell across the stands, their passion so intense it could have blown the roof off.
Seeing the arena display confirm his victory, Zhang Wen casually sheathed his sword and turned to walk off the stage. Although he had won, what mattered more was that he had witnessed a new and unusual sword technique. It seemed his previous belief that the Empire’s martial arts and swordsmanship were inferior might not have been entirely accurate. At the very least, the sword style used by the female swordsman today was quite impressive.
Of course, Zhang Wen’s judgment of “impressive” was only relative to the level of swordsmanship in this world. If it were a life-or-death duel, without considering battle energy, Zhang Wen would definitely combine his swordplay with the inner techniques of the Spring Water Manual. His blade would then embody both form and spirit, applying techniques like sticking, deflecting, dissolving, and entangling, increasing the sword’s power many times over.
Swordsmanship in this world still remained at the level of form; he therefore had no need to be overly concerned.
As Zhang Wen was about to leave the arena, the female swordsman suddenly called out to him: “Hey!”
Zhang Wen turned in confusion. He saw the female swordsman pick up her foil and wave it slightly, then speak in a voice low enough that only the two of them could hear: “You’re the Hermit, right? I recognize you! Last time… uh, I hope we can spar again and experience your extraordinary swordsmanship!”
The female swordsman finally couldn’t hold back any longer and unleashed her combat energy!
In the next moment, the flower sword in her hand transformed from a thousand into a hundred, from a hundred into ten, from ten into one, and finally condensed back into a single long sword, thrusting sharply towards Zhang Wen’s right chest!
This thrust was both swift and fierce! Even the air emitted a piercing screech as if it were being torn apart.
Almost all the spectators let out a sigh. Although they had anticipated the outcome, they still felt a bit of regret. If the female swordsman hadn’t suddenly unleashed her combat energy, it would have been hard to say who would have emerged victorious. But now… without even a sword in hand, the Hermit would be lucky to escape with his life from the fierce girl’s blade.
Amelie was screaming anxiously, wishing she could turn into a sword and fly into Zhang Wen’s hand.
Just as the opponent’s sharp flower sword was about to pierce Zhang Wen’s body, his body suddenly shot straight up along the wire mesh behind him.
Although this seems slow in the telling, it actually happened in an instant.
He rose to the top of the wire mesh, his right hand reaching out just in time to grab his own long sword that had been knocked away. Then, with a flip, he turned upside down, and the long sword in his hand struck down like a bolt of lightning towards the female swordsman below!
The female swordsman instinctively raised her sword to block, only to hear a sharp “clang!” as the metal screeched against metal. A sticky force emanated from Zhang Wen’s sword, twisting and entangling, immediately knocking her flower sword out of her hand.
Zhang Wen’s body continued to descend, flipping and landing steadily, his long sword thrust forward, the tip just touching the female swordsman’s chin.
These moves were so swift that even the female swordsman couldn’t react in time, and the tide of battle had already turned.
Everyone inside and outside the arena thought the Hermit was surely defeated, but after a few seconds of stunned silence, they erupted into enthusiastic cheers and applause.
“Hermit! Hermit Hermit!! Hermit!!!”
The shouts grew louder and louder, echoing through the stands. The crowd’s enthusiasm was so intense it could have blown the roof off.
Seeing that the arena displayed his victory, Zhang Wen casually sheathed his sword and turned to walk off the stage. Although he had won, what was more important was that he had witnessed a novel sword technique. It seemed his previous belief that the empire’s martial arts and swordsmanship were inferior was not entirely accurate. At least the sword technique the female swordsman used today was quite impressive.
Of course, in Zhang Wen’s eyes, “impressive” was only relative to the standards of this world. If it were a life-and-death sword duel, disregarding combat energy, Zhang Wen would certainly combine his swordplay with the inner techniques of the Spring Water Art. At that point, his sword would be both form and spirit, employing techniques of stickiness, deflection, transformation, and entanglement, making the power of his swordplay at least several times stronger.
The sword techniques of this world were still only at the level of form, so Zhang Wen didn’t need to worry too much.
As Zhang Wen was about to step off the stage, the female swordsman suddenly called out to him, “Hey!”
Zhang Wen turned around in confusion. He saw the female swordsman pick up her flower sword and wave it, saying in a voice only the two of them could hear, “You’re the Hermit, right? I recognize you! Last time… cough, I hope I can learn from your exceptional swordplay again next time!”
With that, the female swordsman twisted her waist even more gracefully than Zhang Wen, her silver hair flying as she jumped off the stage from the opposite direction. Zhang Wen saw several maidservants dressed as attendants rush up to catch her, surrounding her as they left together.
“What last time, next time? Are we that familiar?”
Zhang Wen shook his head, unable to figure out who this woman was. But as long as it didn’t affect him, he didn’t need to bother.
As usual, under the cover of Iron Man, Asura, and the other brothers, the Hermit squeezed through the enthusiastic crowd into the locker room and was never seen again. A few minutes later, Zhang Wen emerged from a hidden private room on the other side. He waved his hand and made a “you owe me one” gesture to Asura.
The guy naturally knew what it meant and nodded with a wry smile.
Having settled matters at the arena, Zhang Wen didn’t linger. He took the excited little beauty Amelie and Claude with him as they left.
…
“Hey, Iron Face, you must know who that woman is, right?”
Asura watched Zhang Wen leave and nudged Iron Face with his elbow, “Tell me, what’s her background? With such formidable sword skills, I don’t think anyone but Zhang Wen could surpass her in that aspect.”
“She’s…” Iron Face hesitated for a moment, then shook his head firmly, “No, I can’t say. Her identity is a secret, and neither of us can bear the consequences.”
“Hey, come on, you can tell me in secret…”
“Asura, curb your curiosity if you want to live a long life,” Iron Face said, striding away without looking back, ignoring Asura’s calls from behind.
“So mysterious… but that woman… what exactly is the inherited sword technique? It feels like I’ve heard of it somewhere.” Asura patted his head, frustrated that Iron Face was keeping secrets from him, almost driving him crazy.
…
The silver-haired female swordsman, surrounded by her maidservants, passed through several alleys and finally entered a luxurious carriage that had been waiting for her. The interior of the carriage was surprisingly spacious, with tables, chairs, cushions, incense burners, chandeliers, wardrobes, and other exquisite furnishings making efficient use of every inch of space, creating a sense of orderly comfort.
Upon closer inspection, one would notice that every item in the carriage, from the lamps to the tables and chairs, even the incense burner in the corner, exuded an air of opulence, refined and elegant—something far beyond the reach of ordinary people.
“Your Highness!” A personal maid followed the female swordsman into the carriage, about to say something, but was stopped by a wave of the female swordsman’s hand.
She gently removed the thin, silvery mask from her face and touched her cheek. It was a face as fresh and beautiful as a flower, looking no older than eighteen or nineteen.
Anyone seeing this face would find it hard to believe that she could wield such a fierce sword technique!
Casually placing the silver mask on the table, the female swordsman tapped lightly on the carriage wall a few times. The carriage began to move slowly.
Although various mind-driven flying vehicles had long been popular in the empire, the upper echelons still preferred to travel by carriage. It was not just a matter of style and composure but also a symbol of noble status.
The girl leaned back on the soft, comfortable snow-white cushion, her eyes slightly closed. Despite her young age, she exuded an awe-inspiring sense of authority.
“Interesting, the planet Cassares is indeed a place where dragons and tigers hide…” the silver-haired girl murmured in a voice only she could hear, “Even the empire’s strongest combat technique, the inherited sword technique passed down through generations, lost to him. Zhang Wen, what an interesting fellow.” A mysterious smile curled at the corner of her lips, but it vanished in an instant, as if it had never been there.
The carriage rumbled on, heading towards the Governor’s mansion.
“What ‘last time’ and ‘next time’? Do I even know her well?”
Shaking his head, Zhang Wen couldn’t figure out the woman’s identity. But as long as it didn’t interfere with him, he didn’t want to waste brainpower over it.
As usual, under the protection of Iron Man, Shura, and the other brothers, the Hermit disappeared into the locker room through the enthusiastic crowd and never reappeared. A few minutes later, Zhang Wen emerged from a secret VIP room on the other side. He waved his hand and made a gesture to Shura: “You owe me one.”
The other naturally understood what it meant and nodded with a bitter smile.
After settling matters at the arena, Zhang Wen didn’t linger. He left with the excited young beauty Amelis and Klaus.
“Hey, Iron Mask, you must know that woman’s identity, right?”
Shura watched Zhang Wen leave and nudged Iron Mask with his elbow. “Tell me, who is she? Such incredible swordsmanship—I think no one except Zhang Wen could beat her in that aspect.”
“She is…” Iron Mask hesitated slightly before shaking his head firmly. “No, I can’t say. Her identity is a secret—one that neither of us could afford to reveal.”
“C’mon, not seriously? Just tell me secretly…”
“Shura, rein in your curiosity if you want to live longer.” Iron Mask said, then walked off without looking back, ignoring Shura’s calls from behind.
“Such secrecy… but that woman’s sword style—what was it called again? It sounds familiar.” Shura slapped his head, frustrated that Iron Mask was keeping secrets from him, practically driving him mad with curiosity.
The silver-haired female swordsman, surrounded by her female guards, passed through several alleys before finally climbing into an ornate carriage that had been waiting for her. The interior of the carriage was surprisingly spacious. Tables, chairs, cushions, incense burners, hanging lamps, wardrobes, and other elegant furnishings were arranged to make full use of every inch of space, creating a comfortable and tasteful atmosphere.
Upon closer inspection, one would notice that every item—from the lamps and furniture to the corner incense burners—exuded an air of nobility and refinement, clearly not something ordinary people could afford.
“Your Highness!” A personal maid followed the swordsman into the carriage, about to speak but silenced by a wave of the latter’s hand.
She gently lifted the thin, silver mask from her face, as delicate as a cicada’s wing, and touched her cheek. It was a youthful, blooming face, barely eighteen or nineteen years old.
No one would believe that someone capable of such fierce swordsmanship could possess such a delicate, innocent beauty.
Placing the silver mask casually on the table, the female swordsman lightly tapped the wall of the carriage a few times. The carriage began to move forward slowly.
Although hovercars powered by psychic energy were already common in the Empire, the upper echelons still preferred traditional carriages. It wasn’t just a matter of taste or poise—it was a symbol of aristocratic status.
Leaning back against the soft, snowy white cushions, the girl closed her eyes slightly. Though young, she exuded an aura of awe-inspiring authority.
“Interesting… indeed, Kasares is a place full of hidden talents,” the silver-haired girl murmured softly to herself. “Even the Empire’s strongest martial art, the hereditary sword style passed down through generations, lost to him. Zhang Wen, you really are an intriguing person.” A faint, mysterious smile curved her lips, but it vanished in an instant, as if it had never existed.
The carriage rolled forward, heading toward the Governor’s Mansion.
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