Guidance

"Clang, clang, clang..."

On the deck of the great ship, blades and swords collided, producing bursts of ringing metal.

In the arena, a young swordsman in white and a saber wielder in green were sparring on their own. As saber light and sword shadows flashed and danced, the richly dressed young masters and ladies watching around them burst into cheers.

"Excellent! Brother Ling's Swift Light Swordplay has become increasingly refined! I fear he has long since reached the Minor Accomplishment of the second level, and before long he will advance to the Great Accomplishment of the second level, breaking through to Great Accomplishment of Muscle Tendon Strengthening. In my view, Brother Ling will likely win this match."

Among the watching young masters and ladies, a young gentleman holding a white fan and wearing a smile looked at the white-clad swordsman in the arena and praised him.

"Alas! Brother Zhang, that is where you are mistaken. Though Brother Ling's Swift Light Swordplay is formidable, Brother Zhou's inherited Blazing Flame Saber is no weaker. Moreover, both are at Minor Accomplishment of Muscle Tendon Strengthening. Until the deer is dead, who will hold the prize remains unknown!"

As soon as the white-fan-wielding young master, Brother Zhang, finished speaking, another young man in purple spoke up.

"That's right! I also believe Brother Zhou's saber technique is stronger!"

"Not at all! Big Brother Ling's swordsmanship is clearly more formidable!"

Once the two spoke, the other young masters and ladies immediately began whispering among themselves and arguing in a flurry.

"County Princess, what do you think?"

When the discussion grew heated, a young master within the crowd smiled ingratiatingly and asked a pretty young woman surrounded like the moon by a host of stars. His eyes were full of reverence and admiration.

The County Princess they spoke of was named Liu Yiyi. She was the youngest daughter of the current Prince Liu of Prince Liu's Estate. Though, as a daughter, she had no right to inherit Prince Liu's position, for some reason she was deeply favored by the current Prince Liu.

Even the several powerful heir apparent candidates within Prince Liu's Estate ordinarily would not lightly offend her. This showed just how high her status was.

Moreover, aside from her extraordinary identity, Liu Yiyi possessed exceptional Martial Path Talent. At merely eighteen years old, she had already relied on her River Condensing Swordplay to break through into Great Accomplishment of Muscle Tendon Strengthening. She stood only one step away from the Blood Tempering Realm, the First-rate level of the martial world.

With such strength, she was unquestionably the foremost among them all. It was precisely because she possessed such status and talent—

—that although everyone present came from an exceptionally distinguished background, they still regarded Liu Yiyi as their leader and took pride in receiving her favor.

Thus, upon hearing that young master direct the topic toward Liu Yiyi, the young masters and ladies present all brightened and urged:

"That's right, County Princess. Who do you think has the better chance of winning?"

"County Princess, please offer a few casual remarks. It might also make it easier for Brother Ling and Brother Zhou to break through in the future!"

"That's right, Sister Liu, just say a few words!"

One voice after another echoed around Liu Yiyi's ears. Seeing the young masters and ladies in the arena all inviting her to speak, Liu Yiyi found it difficult to refuse and smiled.

"Mm... very well. Since everyone has invited me so sincerely, Yiyi will offer a few casual remarks. But let us agree beforehand that this is merely my personal opinion. Take it as entertainment, and do not take it to heart."

Liu Yiyi nodded with a smile, then turned her beautiful eyes toward the arena. After observing for a moment, she spoke.

"Actually, I have heard of both Ling Xiujing's Swift Light Swordplay and Zhou Chuan's Blazing Flame Saber. Both are highly extraordinary martial arts. Not only are they renowned in our Qinghe City, but even across the entire north, they are famous far and wide. In terms of the techniques alone, the two can be said to be evenly matched.

"But techniques have no superiority or inferiority; people do.

"Ling Xiujing has clearly been at Minor Accomplishment of the second level of Swift Light Swordplay longer than Zhou Chuan has been at the same stage of Blazing Flame Saber. Not only is his circulation of the technique more practiced, but the force and speed of his moves are also a fraction faster. Clearly, he has tempered roughly one more major tendon than Zhou Chuan.

"Therefore, in Yiyi's view, Ling Xiujing should win this match."

Liu Yiyi smiled faintly, her beautiful and moving face brimming with confidence. Clearly, she had tremendous faith in her own judgment.

However, just as Liu Yiyi finished speaking and the young masters and ladies of the noble families were about to continue flattering her, a discordant voice suddenly rang out.

"Not so. Though Ling Xiujing is slightly stronger, his mind is already in disarray. In my view, he will likely lose very soon."

Below the great ship, Gu Han arrived in a small boat and spoke leisurely.

"Bold! You dare question the County Princess's words?"

"Where did this madman come from? Are you tired of living?"

"Boy, come aboard and fight me. I would like to see what ability you possess that gives you the nerve to question the County Princess's judgment."

As soon as Gu Han finished speaking, the young masters and ladies on the ship's deck were all filled with righteous indignation, shouting angrily at the cold-faced saber wielder Gu Han was impersonating.

But in the instant after they finished berating him, another change occurred between the two men dueling in the arena.

"Clang!"

Another sharp metallic ring sounded, drawing everyone's attention. The green-clad youth holding the long saber, Zhou Chuan, suddenly erupted. He actually caught a flaw in Ling Xiujing's sword technique and, with one fierce stroke, knocked the long sword from Ling Xiujing's hand. Then his saber turned and came to rest against Ling Xiujing's neck.

Zhou Chuan won this match!

"What? Zhou Chuan actually won!"

Seeing Ling Xiujing defeated by Zhou Chuan, his face flushed crimson in unbearable shame, everyone present was stunned, their eyes full of disbelief.

Just moments ago, Ling Xiujing had clearly held the advantage and seemed on the verge of victory. Yet the moment this mysterious black-clad saber wielder appeared, the tides of attack and defense between the two abruptly reversed, even directly deciding the victor. It was truly inconceivable!

"You saber-carrying bastard, did you use some kind of sorcery to make Big Brother Ling lose and embarrass the County Princess?"

Upon seeing the white-clad swordsman defeated, a sweet-looking young lady in pink immediately shouted from the crowd.

"Qingyin, do not be rude. This gentleman is greatly talented and extraordinarily strong. Yiyi truly cannot compare to him. Please accept Yiyi's bow!"

Liu Yiyi first rebuked the pink-clad young lady upon hearing this, then actually disregarded her noble status and bowed deeply toward Gu Han beneath the ship.

She had grown up in a noble household, surrounded by experts, and had long cultivated an exceptional eye. Though the man before her was still young, appearing not yet thirty, the transcendent bearing about him was far beyond that of ordinary people. It was like—like those great Internal Qi Realm experts within her estate.

"Hehe! You little girl are at least somewhat reasonable, unlike the others under your command. Very well. Seeing that you are on the verge of breaking through to Blood Tempering, and that you and I are fated, I shall offer you a few pointers and help you break through to Blood Tempering!"

Looking at the polite and utterly sincere Liu Yiyi, Gu Han gave a soft laugh. It was as though guiding someone to break through to Blood Tempering were nothing more than a trivial matter, something he could accomplish with a mere wave of his hand!