The True Swordsman

The Top 32 had been decided. On the central Duel Platform, Zhuge Xiang and the other thirty-two stood together. After a morning of intense duels, these disciples, only at the Qi Cultivation Realm, were all heavily drained.

Once the Top 32 were determined, a man around thirty years old stepped onto the platform and announced that the morning's duels were over. The remaining battles would be held one by one, not simultaneously. It was getting late; after lunch, the Grand Tournament would continue.

Being able to rest for two hours was naturally a welcome relief for Zhuge Xiang and the others. Of course, the nearly two hundred thousand disciples below were also famished. High-quality duels were something everyone wanted to watch, especially the preparatory disciples who had just arrived at the Asura Sect and were about to undergo special training. They were full of anticipation, hoping that a year later, they too could stand out in this Grand Tournament. But with only thirty-two out of a hundred thousand—one in ten thousand—most of these people were destined for disappointment.

"Zhuge Xiang, how's your injury?" When Zhuge Xiang stepped down from the stage, Niu Geng greeted him with concern. Although there was nothing unusual about Zhuge Xiang's performance in the later fights, the sword that Ji Wuxue had thrust through his chest earlier was clearly a serious wound, not so easily healed.

"It's nothing," Zhuge Xiang said, shaking his head. He pressed a hand to his chest, a flicker of pain crossing his brow before vanishing.

Niu Geng caught that flash of pain on Zhuge Xiang's face. He grabbed hold of him. "No way. With an injury this bad, as your friend, I won't let you participate in the afternoon matches. Not a single one of the Top 32 is a pushover. Going in with a severe wound is too dangerous. Let's get your injury treated first."

"Alright, Niu Geng, trust me. I'm really fine." Pulled along by Niu Geng, Zhuge Xiang shook his head firmly, a stubborn look on his face. It was clear he was set on competing in the afternoon's Grand Tournament. The tussle between Niu Geng and Zhuge Xiang naturally drew attention. Among the Top 32, more than a few curled their lips into faint smiles. They were well aware of Zhuge Xiang's injury. No matter how much he pretended to be strong, in their eyes, a severely wounded Zhuge Xiang was far less of a threat.

While these people observed Zhuge Xiang, he, as one of the Top 32, was observing them in turn. The Top 32 were indeed no ordinary individuals. Twelve of them were at the Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer. As for the rest, even those at the Qi Cultivation Realm Second Layer had formidable combat abilities and their own special tricks.

The twelve disciples at the Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer went without saying. They were all Chosen Ones who had comprehended Qi Energy within about half a year of entering the Asura Sect. Not only was their Qi Energy abundant, but because they had comprehended it early enough, their realm of Martial Art was also very high. Most importantly, no one knew if they had any other trump cards.

"Zhuge Xiang, you've made a name for yourself today. Congratulations..." As they walked toward the Dining Hall, while Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng were still pulling at each other, a clear female voice rang out. Turning his head, it was Lu Yuling.

"Not at all. Who doesn't know of Senior Sister Lu's talent? And you're beautiful too—the ideal woman in many senior brothers' hearts." Hearing Lu Yuling's praise, Zhuge Xiang smiled and replied. With his strength improving, Zhuge Xiang now had the qualification to look Lu Yuling in the eye, even to joke with her a little.

"Oh? Does that include you?" Lu Yuling wasn't put off by Zhuge Xiang's teasing; instead, she asked back.

"I'm a normal guy too, so naturally I'm no exception. But for me right now, strength is what matters most." Zhuge Xiang's character was indeed straightforward. When it came to matters of love and romance, he showed no awkwardness at all.

Smiling, Lu Yuling was fairly satisfied with Zhuge Xiang's answer. For her, cultivation was also the top priority; matters of the heart were indeed too early. If Zhuge Xiang had declared he wanted to pursue her, Lu Yuling would have kept her distance instead. He liked her? That wasn't a strange answer. Lu Yuling was well aware of her own charm. If Zhuge Xiang had said he didn't like her, that would have been the truly hypocritical thing.

Looking into Zhuge Xiang's clear, bottomless eyes, Lu Yuling suddenly revealed a radiant smile. "If all men in this world were as straightforward and direct as you, then being liked wouldn't be such a bad thing."

Suddenly, Zhuge Xiang keenly felt several gazes full of obvious hostility land on him. He subtly turned his head to look—all of them were this year's talented disciples, also figures among the Top 32. Glancing at Lu Yuling's helpless expression, Zhuge Xiang understood. The subtext of her words was that these people's liking for her wasn't straightforward or direct enough; it only annoyed her.

"You're not doing this on purpose, are you? Stirring up their hostility toward me so you can have one less competitor? As they say, 'the most venomous is a woman's heart'—the ancients weren't wrong. You're even scheming against a wounded man like me." Looking at Lu Yuling with some exasperation, Zhuge Xiang spoke.

"Wounded? Are you really injured? Back when I said we were going to deal with the Fox Demon, you insisted on knowing exactly how strong the Fox Demon and I were before you'd agree. Someone who values his life as much as you do—would you really be impulsive enough to join the Top 32 battles with a severe injury?"

Hearing Zhuge Xiang's words, Lu Yuling shook her head, clearly unconvinced. Her meaning was obvious: the act you're putting on with Niu Geng might fool others, but it won't fool me.

"Too smart a woman—no one will marry her, you know?" Zhuge Xiang wasn't surprised that Lu Yuling could see through his act. Over the past half month of getting along, Lu Yuling had come to understand his personality somewhat, and vice versa. In Lu Yuling's heart, Zhuge Xiang was a formidable competitor. In Zhuge Xiang's heart, wasn't it the same?

The two chatted casually, back and forth, while Niu Geng was a bit reserved in front of Lu Yuling. The three of them arrived at the Dining Hall, got some food, and sat down in a secluded spot. Because of the reputations of Lu Yuling and Zhuge Xiang, the others didn't come to disturb them.

In front of Zhuge Xiang, Lu Yuling felt she didn't need to maintain the same vigilance she did with other male disciples. When other male disciples got close to her, they always harbored improper thoughts, leading to romantic entanglements that wasted cultivation time. But with Zhuge Xiang's honest and direct personality, whether interacting or talking, Lu Yuling felt at ease. Perhaps because they were both focused on cultivation as their primary goal, Lu Yuling wasn't afraid that Zhuge Xiang's so-called improper thoughts would hinder his cultivation.

In everyone's eyes, Lu Yuling was like a lone moon in the sky—proud, distant, and not to be profaned. In people's minds, she was always that cold and aloof figure. Especially for those who, relying on their talent, thought themselves qualified to pursue Lu Yuling, they had often hit a wall. But today, Lu Yuling was laughing and chatting with Zhuge Xiang, which filled many who had designs on her with hostility toward him.

Feeling the hostility around him, Zhuge Xiang wasn't afraid; instead, he was secretly pleased. With the Super Game System, Zhuge Xiang feared nothing more than a lack of conflict. Others bearing hostility toward him was a good thing. After fighting and winning, his strength would grow. As for losing? Zhuge Xiang had never considered it.

Although many bore hostility toward Zhuge Xiang, no one specifically stepped forward to provoke him. After all, Zhuge Xiang's strength was not weak, and the Grand Tournament was imminent—they couldn't waste their Qi Energy. But just then, a familiar male voice suddenly sounded behind Zhuge Xiang, calling his name.

"What? Not convinced? Want to fight me again?" Looking at the person standing behind him, Zhuge Xiang narrowed his eyes slightly. Niu Geng stood up nervously, clearly not wanting this person to disturb Zhuge Xiang.

Standing behind Zhuge Xiang was none other than Ji Wuxue. After being carried off by the staff for treatment, although his face was still pale and he hadn't fully recovered, his injuries seemed to have stabilized.

"I lost today. I'll come back to settle the score another day, but not now." Shaking his head, Ji Wuxue flipped his hand and produced a blood-red pill. "This is a Blood Ginseng Pill, a healing medicine from the sect. The wound from my sword earlier must be pretty bad, right? This pill should heal your injury."

"Huh?" Staring at the pill Ji Wuxue offered, Zhuge Xiang's eyes widened slightly. He never expected that Ji Wuxue had come to him not for revenge, but to help heal his wounds. Judging by the look of it, this pill was probably given to Ji Wuxue by the sect for his own recovery, but he had kept it to give to Zhuge Xiang.

Seeing the shock in Zhuge Xiang's eyes, Ji Wuxue understood what it meant and said frankly, "I may have lost to you, but I hope you'll achieve a better ranking in the Grand Tournament, so that others will know it wasn't unjust for me to lose to you. If you're defeated by someone else right away, it would only disgrace my reputation."

Shaking his head, Zhuge Xiang declined Ji Wuxue's goodwill. "I can promise you that I will definitely win first place in this Grand Tournament. As for the pill, there's no need. My injury is nothing serious."

Pausing here, Zhuge Xiang continued, "Also, what I want to say is that someone like you isn't really suited for a demonic sect like the Asura Sect."

Since Zhuge Xiang was confident, Ji Wuxue said no more and turned to leave. He made no comment on Zhuge Xiang's assessment of him.

Sitting back down, Niu Geng spoke up. "That Ji Wuxue, though ruthless in his attacks, is actually an upright person. Worth befriending."

"He's a true swordsman, but with that personality, he doesn't fit in a demonic sect." Niu Geng's words made Zhuge Xiang shake his head. Then he looked at Niu Geng—actually, someone with his personality didn't fit either. He was too open and trusting with friends.

The incident at the Dining Hall was just a small interlude. After lunch, meditating for a while to restore his peak condition, Zhuge Xiang and the others arrived at the Duel Platform. The rest had already gathered. The afternoon battles—the Top 32 Championship—officially began.