Name: Ye Zhi Qiu
Bone Structure: Grade B Upper
Talent: Mid-grade Talent [Swordsmanship]
Ye Zhi Qiu possessed Mid-grade Swordplay Talent.
This allowed him to easily defeat his opponents in every match he had fought before.
Though not yet thirty, Ye Zhi Qiu's cultivation had reached the peak of Blood Tempering Fifth Level.
He had also cultivated a top-tier Blood Tempering Sword Technique to the pinnacle of perfection.
He was only one step away from condensing Sword Intent.
He had come to participate in the arena tournament for two reasons: first, to enhance his martial arts school's reputation and thereby increase its income; second, to temper his own Sword Intent.
Ye Zhi Qiu looked at Lu Changfeng across from him. Since entering the arena tournament and beginning his winning streak, this was the first Blood Tempering Sixth Level opponent he had encountered.
The tournament organizers believed his swordsmanship was outstanding and that he was already capable of fighting above his level. That was why they had arranged this match.
"Brother Lu, watch my sword!"
Seeing Ye Zhi Qiu's cautious and serious expression, Lu Changfeng shrugged. To him, this match was merely a trial run.
Lu Changfeng's aim was to make a name for himself.
Thus, Ye Zhi Qiu's fate was already sealed.
"Watch my sword! Autumn Moon Sword Technique!"
The longsword in Ye Zhi Qiu's hand spun into beautiful blooms of sword light, sending layers of sword shadows slashing toward Lu Changfeng.
Cheers rang out without pause from the audience stands!
Such gorgeous Sword Moves, honed to the pinnacle of perfection, delivered an utterly breathtaking visual spectacle to the spectators!
Facing Ye Zhi Qiu's incoming sword,
Lu Changfeng even had time to twist his neck.
Then, Lu Changfeng drew the Autumn Water Longsword.
Whoosh!
Without needing to use Sword Intent, Lu Changfeng employed one of the surprise attacks from the Storm Sword Technique. With a fast and vicious stroke, he directly knocked Ye Zhi Qiu's longsword flying.
Then he placed the tip of his sword against Ye Zhi Qiu's neck.
Feeling the chill against his throat,
Ye Zhi Qiu's face went deathly pale. "I lost."
"You fought well." Lu Changfeng sheathed his sword and walked toward the contestants' seating without looking back.
In the contestants' seating area, an arena official asked Lu Changfeng whether he wanted to continue competing.
It was still early, so Lu Changfeng naturally nodded.
On the arena, Ye Zhi Qiu dejectedly walked offstage. Being defeated so easily had made him doubt himself.
The spectators below were also utterly baffled. Lu Changfeng's movements had been too fast, and the match had ended before they could understand what had happened.
That did not stop them from cheering, though. Two words said it all: "Freaking awesome!"
Inside a private room on the second floor of the venue, several senior arena officials exchanged opinions and unanimously agreed that the might of Lu Changfeng's sword just now had been extraordinary.
He was qualified to fight the ten greatest Blood Tempering Realm swordsmen of Five Horse Street.
"Wasn't Zhao Yan in contact with us today? Notify him to come over."
"Let this Lu Changfeng have a bout with Zhao Yan," one senior elder of the arena said.
Another senior elder hesitated. "Wouldn't that be too soon? Lu Changfeng has only had one match to assess him, while Zhao Yan ranks fifth among the Blood Tempering Realm swordsmen of Five Horse Street."
"Not too soon. Don't be fooled by how quickly Ye Zhi Qiu lost. Ye Zhi Qiu actually has the strength to rank in the top fifteen."
"This Lu Changfeng is no simple person."
The conversation among the senior elders determined Lu Changfeng's next opponent.
Naturally, Lu Changfeng knew nothing about it.
A little over half an hour later,
a tall Bearded Swordsman arrived in the passageway leading to the contestants' seating.
The Bearded Swordsman searched the contestants' seats, his gaze landing on Lu Changfeng.
He came straight over and sat down beside Lu Changfeng. "I'm Zhao Yan. Are you the opponent worth making me come here today? Lu Changfeng?"
Only then did Lu Changfeng notice the swordsman. He instinctively scanned him with the interface.
Name: Zhao Yan
Bone Structure: Grade A Lower
Talent: Mid-grade Talent [Heavy Sword]
Heavy Sword? This was the first time Lu Changfeng had seen a Mid-grade Talent belonging to a category other than Swordsmanship.
He glanced at the Heavy Sword more than two meters long behind Zhao Yan, and understanding dawned in his heart.
"I'm not entirely sure," Lu Changfeng replied.
Zhao Yan was quite enthusiastic and began explaining.
It turned out that once a contestant had accumulated a certain winning streak and ranking at the arena, the difficulty of the arranged opponents would increase.
It became very difficult to find suitable opponents.
Therefore, ranked contestants received special treatment. They could usually cultivate at home and would only be notified to come compete when an opponent appeared.
"My current record is sixteen wins and one loss. I'm the fifth Blood Tempering Realm swordsman in the Five Horse Street martial arts school arena tournament," Zhao Yan said with a trace of pride.
Lu Changfeng's heart stirred. "Then if I defeat you, can I rank as the fifth Blood Tempering Realm swordsman of Five Horse Street?"
Zhao Yan laughed heartily. "Naturally."
As soon as he finished speaking, the announcer declared that Lu Changfeng and Zhao Yan should take the stage.
It was already close to midnight.
The audience inside the martial arts school had reached its peak.
Lu Changfeng and Zhao Yan's match had been added as a main event at the last minute.
Both were Blood Tempering Sixth Level cultivators, and both held the status of swordplay masters, making this match highly anticipated.
Especially since the two had to determine the victor within five minutes.
This also caused the arena elders in the second-floor private rooms to watch the match with rapt attention.
The two rose and walked onto the arena.
They each took their assigned positions.
The announcer began introducing their identities.
"Participant A: Zhao Yan, a True Disciple of Great Sword Martial Arts School! Blood Tempering Sixth Level! Record: sixteen wins and one loss!"
Great Sword Martial Arts School was one of the most renowned sword arts schools on Five Horse Street.
Its master was a sword arts master in the Muscle Tendon Realm.
"Participant B: Lu Changfeng, master of Changle Martial Arts School! Blood Tempering Sixth Level, with a record of one win and zero losses!"
Because he was about to fight Zhao Yan, the name Changle Martial Arts School also made its first faint impression on the spectators.
After the introductions ended, the match timer began.
Zhao Yan first removed the two-meter Heavy Sword from his back.
"The main material of this sword is black iron, with Extraterrestrial Meteorite added. Its total weight is two hundred and twenty-six pounds."
Zhao Yan held the two-hundred-and-twenty-six-pound Heavy Sword in one hand, steady as a mountain.
Zhao Yan's introduction of his weapon at the start appeared, on the surface, to show great concern for etiquette.
In reality, it was his psychological tactic. Most opponents would gasp inwardly upon hearing that his Heavy Sword weighed over two hundred pounds, feeling pressure build in their hearts.
But this time, Zhao Yan could not see the slightest emotional ripple on Lu Changfeng's face.
Lu Changfeng was naturally not shocked. He usually practiced the Heavenly Body Tempering Blade Technique with a two-hundred-pound raw-iron broadsword.
Moreover, unlike Zhao Yan's technique for wielding a Heavy Sword, Lu Changfeng relied entirely on his physical strength to hold and practice with that two-hundred-pound broadsword.
Seeing Zhao Yan's Heavy Sword, Lu Changfeng even felt a strange sense of familiarity.
Since Zhao Yan had introduced his weapon,
Lu Changfeng naturally followed local customs and gave a polite introduction to his own sword as well.
"Ahem. The Autumn Water Longsword is three feet six inches long. It has been with me for many years and is an excellent treasure-grade weapon."
Zhao Yan nodded appreciatively. "Then take this!"
Zhao Yan raised his Heavy Sword and brought it down at Lu Changfeng in a broad, powerful Heavy Sword slash!
He had used Heavy Sword Decisive Strike in this move. Its Sword Momentum was ferocious beyond compare, and it also laid the groundwork for his next attack!
Everyone believed that Lu Changfeng would evade this sword!
But Lu Changfeng narrowed his eyes slightly and raised the relatively slender Autumn Water Longsword, meeting the strike head-on!
Clang!
With a thunderous crash, Lu Changfeng gripped his sword with both hands and blocked Zhao Yan's mighty Heavy Sword slash with unbelievable strength.
Before you continue