Chen Yanwu

Hot blood always cooled eventually, and the clan competition began.

The upper-half arena was built entirely to the standards of the Great Soul Arena, a hundred meters in diameter and forged completely from refined steel rock.

On the stage, the two fighters saluted each other.

The young man on the left held a Red Butterfly Meteor Spear. He was thirteen or fourteen, with a resolute face, and a faint aura of iron-blooded slaughter emanated from him. He came from the Qin Clan's followers.

"Qin Huacheng, martial soul Red Tassel Meteor Spear, Level 28 Power Attack Type Soul Grandmaster!"

On the right stood a young girl of the same age, thirteen or fourteen. Her neat short hair only reached her shoulders, her face was no bigger than a palm, and her delicate features looked as if they had been carved. Yet there was a chill about her that perfectly matched the Seven Kill Sword in her hand, like immortal dew and a bright pearl, untouched by the mundane world.

"Chen Yanwu, martial soul Seven Kill Sword, Level 33 Spirit Type Battle Soul Venerable!"

Chen Yanwu was the daughter of Chen Xiaojun's clan uncle, Chen Chenglin. She had lost both parents when she was young and had lived in Chen Hanxin's home. Influenced by Chen Hanxin, she had chosen the path of the Spirit Type.

Spear and sword faced each other, sharp and intimidating. A wind rose from nowhere, sweeping up fine sand and dust that spun and howled outward, yet could not come within two meters of either of them.

Qin Huacheng knew his soul power could not match his opponent's, so he attacked first. He opened with the Collapsing Spear Stance, his Red Tassel Silver Spear thrusting level from above straight toward Chen Yanwu's throat with astonishing momentum.

The spear emphasized "the front hand like a tube, the rear hand like a lock." The front hand had to stay loose and lively so it could slide forward and back, while the rear hand had to grip the shaft tightly. Spear arts mainly used blocking, seizing, and thrusting, supplemented by other moves.

Chen Yanwu activated Sword Shadow Body, raising the Seven Kill Sword in her hand sideways to parry. The Qin Family Spear Arts were known for their ferocity, sharpness, and dominance. Qin Huacheng pressed the attack without pause: Overlord Nods, sidestep rising spear, forward-step chopping spear, standing rising spear... his Red Tassel Meteor Spear danced with practiced ease.

Qin Huacheng was especially skilled in the thrusting methods of the Qin Family Spear Arts. "A spear thrust travels in one line": first thrust at the brow, second at the hand, third at the shoulder, fourth at the elbow, fifth at the chest, sixth at the knee, seventh like a strange python passing through the crotch, eighth like a golden rooster pecking wildly, ninth like a silver snake stabbing the throat, tenth a turning strike that left the enemy no escape.

The thrusts linked together so quickly that they dazzled the eye, impossible to guard against!

Unfortunately, Chen Yanwu used sword steps to dodge left and right, her figure circling and turning, drifting like an immortal. Even the spear-thrusting ultimate move, "Returning Spear," was easily avoided by Chen Yanwu.

Anyone with sharp eyes could see that Chen Yanwu took very few steps while tracing out a great circular path. The Red Tassel Meteor Spear failed to land even once, leaving onlookers' eyes blurred. Only the occasional clash of sword and spear rang out when they tested strength against strength.

Qin Huacheng's offensive was elegantly evaded by Chen Yanwu one move after another. She looked radiant and jade-faced, graceful and beautiful, just as the saying went: "Dimly, like light clouds veiling the moon; drifting, like flowing wind returning snow."

Chen Jianjun said gravely, "That's Veiling Moon Returning Snow, isn't it? I didn't expect her to have already learned it."

Veiling Moon Returning Snow was one of the Eight Sword Steps, an Advanced Skill of Square Inch Lotus Sway. It required stepping through special positions in a specific order. This footwork was exquisitely profound and was mostly used by women of the Chen Clan.

In truth, this move had originally been created by a female ancestor of the Chen Clan's thirteenth generation, the Level 98 Supreme Douluo Chen Mingxiu. However, this sword step was generally only learned starting at Soul Ancestor level.

Chen Xiaojun could not help praising her too. "Bright as the sun rising through morning glow, vivid as a lotus emerging from green waves. Big Sister's practically using Lingbo Steps!"

That was right. Chen Yanwu ranked first among the younger generation, one year older than Chen Jianzun and two years older than Chen Jianjun. She was the "true" big sister. This year, she was fourteen, with Level 8.5 Innate Soul Power, another genius of the Chen Clan.

Qin Huacheng thought, This won't do. Her footwork is marvelous. If this continues, my soul power will be consumed far faster than Big Sister Head's. I can only use absolute speed to make it impossible for her to dodge.

"First Soul Skill—Spear Like a Dragon!"

The tip of the Red Tassel Meteor Spear trembled, like a heaven-shaking flying dragon, shooting straight forward at incredible speed.

This move was very simple: fast, accurate, ruthless, and highly explosive.

"First Soul Skill—Embrace the One, Guard the Origin."

An extremely cold and stunning female voice rang out. The Seven Kill Sword extended, drawing a circle. Within that circle, soul power moved with mysterious fluctuations, easily blocking the opponent's attack.

"Second Soul Skill—Layered Spear Shadows!"

Qin Huacheng's offensive was checked, but he did not lose heart. The long spear in his hand suddenly trembled, and the spear tip instantly split into dozens. The Red Tassel Meteor Spear once again stabbed out around Chen Yanwu.

Chen Yanwu turned freely, using the motion to draw out a second circle. The spear shadows that had filled the sky were gathered and led away by her, vanishing without a trace.

The long spear flew from his hand, spinning several times before landing a few meters away and burying itself heavily in the ground, leaving only the bunch of red tassels on the spear fluttering in the wind, a very pleasing sight.

This soul skill of Chen Yanwu's carried offense within defense, using defense as offense, combining attack and defense.

Qin Huacheng's expression changed. He charged straight over, his right fist whistling through the air. Chen Yanwu, however, did not take it seriously at all. With a light flick of the Seven Kill Sword, she struck Qin Huacheng's fist.

Qin Huacheng felt a burst of intense pain, and his right hand instantly went numb and powerless. At the same time, Chen Yanwu's Seven Kill Sword was already resting against his neck.

"You lost, Huacheng. Your Red Tassel Meteor Spear attacks fiercely, but it isn't steady enough," Chen Yanwu said lightly in her cool voice.

"I lost, Big Sister Head." Qin Huacheng gave a bitter smile.

The upper-half referee, Chen Wu, quickly stepped onto the Soul Duel Stage and announced loudly, "Number 2, Chen Yanwu, wins."

Chen Wu had taught the children practical combat for years. These children had all been students under his guidance, and he made sure each of them could make the most of their talents.

He continued shouting, "Next is the second match!"

On one side of the Player Area, After Qin Huacheng came down, he walked among several people, and voices of comfort rang out from the crowd:

"Huacheng, you may have lost, but that was Big Sister Head. You already showed everything you've learned and all your soul power. That's enough."

"Yeah. Anyone who runs into Big Sister Head would probably lose."

"In that final clash of soul skills, the gap in soul power was a bit much. If you break through to Soul Venerable, things will be much better."

Qin Huacheng smiled gently and said, "I'm fine. Defeat was within my expectations. Next, it's up to you."

At this moment, atop the main pavilion, "Brother Meng Lin, Yanwu is so young, yet she already has such insight and swordsmanship, and she has even mastered Veiling Moon Returning Snow. After a dozen or so exchanges, Qin Huacheng almost never touched the corner of Yanwu's clothes, and then she took down that Qin Clan boy in just a few moves. We have worthy successors," Chen Wenchao could not help praising.

"I was away from home for years before this, and Yanwu was practically raised by Hanxin," Chen Menglin said, looking rather pleased.

Chen Menglin was three years older than Chen Yu, a Level 88 Soul Douluo who had long held the fort for the Chen Clan in Soul Fighting City, and was one of the vice deans of Soul Fighting Academy.

Back then, at the Council of Elders that punished the Magic Sheep Sect, he had also attended on behalf of the Chen Clan, put forward the proposal, and cast the vote.

Although Chen Zhang was also in Soul Fighting City, with his strength as a Soul Sage, he could only handle some administrative matters.

Chen Menglin's wife had died early, and his son and daughter-in-law had passed away for certain reasons a few years before. Since he himself was not in the village, he could only entrust his Granddaughter, Chen Yanwu, to Chen Hanxin.

The year before last, Chen Yanwu had wanted to go to Soul Fighting Academy because of him so that grandfather and granddaughter could be reunited. Chen Menglin had not agreed, but Chen Yanwu had been very opinionated since she was little, and he could not win against her stubbornness.

Generally speaking, children of the Chen Clan rarely went to Soul Fighting Academy to study. Soul Fighting City had countless people, good and bad mixed together, and it was also a place closely watched by all the major forces on the continent.

In the end, it had still been Chen Hanxin who stepped in, patiently and earnestly persuading her until she gave up the idea and went to Heaven Dou Empire's Moonlight Academy instead, which suited her better. It was also the first-choice academy for the women of the Chen Clan.

"Yanwu's own talent is outstanding. Youngest Sister doesn't deserve such praise. Besides, during those years, with Yanwu keeping us company, the house was much livelier. It was my good fortune," Chen Hanxin replied modestly.

Chen Chen had also only been transferred back not long ago, and Ling Xinghe was away as well. The household had indeed been rather quiet in the previous years.

"Old Meng, with your standard of education, you can forget it. Heh, Yanwu's guidance after graduation will still have to depend on Sister Hanxin," said his own younger cousin, Chen Qiujun.

A Level 85 Soul Douluo, eighty-three years old, one year older than Chen Yu, and the dean of Sword Rain Academy.

Just as Chen Yu and Chen Hong would glare at each other with eyes wide, these two were also a pair of old rivals.

The year before last, he had also wanted to pull Chen Yanwu over to Sword Rain Academy, but Chen Yanwu wanted to go to Soul Fighting Academy. Although she had failed to go in the end, he had been full of resentment, feeling that Chen Menglin usually led the young astray.

This time, Chen Yanwu had nearly been put in danger again, and it was only after Chen Jianzun went to Sword Rain Academy last year that his anger eased a little.

"Mm." This time, Chen Menglin uncharacteristically did not argue back.

In the Chen Clan disciples' rest area, as they were speaking, Chen Yanwu drifted over and slowly sat down in the resting seats.

"Big Sister!" Chen Feng hurriedly called out.

"Big Sister Head, awesome! As expected of my idol!" This was Chen Mu speaking. Since childhood, he had admired Chen Yanwu immensely, revering her completely, because Chen Yanwu could beat the younger generation into obedience.

"Yanwu, nicely done!" Chen Jianzun revealed a sunny smile.

As for Chen Jianjun... he said nothing, only greeted her with a heavy nod.

Chen Jianjun loved challenges, but whenever he ran into Chen Yanwu, he was usually thrashed. When they were young, they had been two years apart, which meant a huge gap in Soul Power, and his swordsmanship was also countered fiercely by Chen Yanwu.

Most importantly, Chen Yanwu was Spirit Type, and her spiritual attacks often left his head splitting for days.

"Big Sister is mighty, domineering, and not ba... ld..." Seeing Chen Yanwu's sword-like gaze shoot over, Chen Xiaojun's catchphrase grew slower and slower, and he hurriedly changed his words. "Big Sister is naturally beautiful beyond compare, fair-skinned, gorgeous, with long legs!"

Everyone looked at him teasingly, and Chen Mu even shouted, "Well, well, Sixth Child, so this is the kind of Sixth Child you are! Damn, that's seriously 666."

"Little Six, two years apart and you've even learned how to coax girls," Chen Yanwu slowly said.

"Big Sister, you don't know this, but Little Six already has a little girlfriend. He picked up a girl some time ago, and she's super adorable," Chen Mu cried strangely from the side.

"Green waters knew no sorrow, till wind wrinkled their face; green mountains were never old, till snow whitened their head." Chen Feng expressed that he possessed the ability to use poetry to set the mood.

"You two, one single and one dog, how old are you anyway? Why do you look so starved?"

"You're the dog!"

"You're the starved one!"

"Big Sister, it's been two whole years. All because of that 'take care' when we parted the year before last, you still haven't lost any weight," Chen Xiaojun said to Chen Yanwu with a grin.

Everyone's eyes widened. He was courting death...

Ever since that flag-raising scene just now, Chen Xiaojun's state of mind had gone a little wild.

Chen Mu even poked Chen Feng and whispered, "Do we need to light a candle for him?"

"Little Six, not bad. If we run into each other later, I'll check your homework from these past two years," Chen Yanwu said expressionlessly.

Then Chen Yanwu turned to Chen Jianzun and Chen Jianjun and said solemnly, "You did very well raising the flag just now, but the battle declaration has already been issued. Little Four, Little Five, and Little Six are still young, so I won't say more about them.

"Big Bitch, Little Bitch, this is the last clan competition for us.

"We were still young in the previous one, and the clan competition championship fell to a side branch. This time, we must win the championship, and we must win with an advantage, to prove the name of Seven Kills!"