A Single Move to Defeat Zou Lintian

A single stone stirred up a thousand-layered wave. The news that Su Yu and Zou Lintian would face off spread through the outer sect like wildfire.

By the time the two arrived at the arena, it was already surrounded by disciples eager to watch the spectacle.

Although Su Yu was little known as a newly inducted disciple, Zou Lintian had been in the sect for over two years and was fairly well-known in the outer sect.

He hadn't made the top ten, but he wasn't far off.

"I missed Senior Brother Zou teaching that newbie Lin Tian a lesson last time. At least I made it this time!" A sharp-faced disciple rubbed his hands excitedly.

The round-faced disciple beside him scoffed. "What's there to watch? It'll just be an older disciple crushing a newbie one-sidedly."

"I heard that Lin Tian is still bedridden," someone added in a lowered voice.

The spectators chattered among themselves. One disciple looked uneasy. "Senior Brother Zou is always challenging newcomers. Isn't that a bit like bullying the young?"

An older disciple in a blue robe sneered.

"These newcomers don't know the immensity of heaven and earth. Someone ought to teach them the rules!"

"That Su Yu is pretty handsome, but he'll have a swollen, bruised face before long," someone said sympathetically.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out in the crowd.

"Look! Aren't those Senior Brothers Wang Long and Zhao Jun?"

Everyone's gaze turned toward the right side of the arena.

Two imposing young men stood with their hands behind their backs. They were Wang Long, ranked ninth in the outer sect, and Zhao Jun, ranked tenth.

Zhao Jun toyed with the jade fan in his hand and asked nonchalantly, "Senior Brother Wang, how many moves do you think Zou Lintian will need to take down this Su Yu?"

Wang Long narrowed his eyes as he sized up the arena. "That Lin Tian lasted eight moves last time. This one looks a little stronger... Ten, maybe."

Zhao Jun smiled contemptuously.

"Zou Lintian really lowers the standard for us older disciples. If it were us, one move would be enough."

On the other side of the arena, two young women were talking quietly.

The younger of the two looked about fourteen, with delicate features and lively, charming almond-shaped eyes. "Sister Yunxi, who do you think will win?"

The girl she called Yunxi looked about fifteen or sixteen. Dressed in white as pure as snow, she had exquisitely sculpted features and a cool, aloof air that made people hesitate to approach her.

Her gaze settled on the handsome, composed young man in the arena. "Xuan'er, I think... it might be Su Yu."

"Really?"

Ye Xuan's eyes widened with delight.

"That's wonderful! Those arrogant older disciples ought to learn that we newcomers have what it takes!"

Though Yunxi had been in the sect for a year, she had always disdained the older disciples who held their chins so high. Instead, she preferred the company of newly inducted junior brothers and sisters.

Su Yu paid no attention to the chatter around him, quietly weighing which martial art to use.

The Lone Peak Sword Art was his strongest trump card, but it was too early to reveal it.

His Thunderclap Fist had only just reached Lesser Accomplishment. Against Zou Lintian, who had beaten Lin Tian in ten moves, it would likely fall short.

After considering it carefully, he decided the Wind-Swept Flowing Cloud Sword Art was the best choice.

"Newbies really don't know the immensity of heaven and earth!" Zou Lintian stood opposite him, his face full of mockery.

"The last one's still lying in bed, and you're already lining up to die?"

Su Yu remained calm. "Perhaps you'll be the next one lying down."

"You're asking for death!" Zou Lintian flew into a rage, and the surrounding disciples all drew sharp breaths.

This newbie actually dared to provoke him like that!

Zou Lintian lunged forward, his fist cutting through the air with a roar.

He could already picture Su Yu's bones breaking and tendons snapping, but his opponent merely slipped lightly to the left. The lightning-fast strike missed completely!

Though Su Yu hadn't deliberately trained the Human-grade High-tier movement art Fleeting Light Shadow, his extraordinary comprehension had brought it to Lesser Accomplishment half a month ago.

Now that he used it, he was more than twice as fast as when he had first reached Initial Accomplishment.

Before Zou Lintian could recover, Su Yu had already struck.

With Fleeting Light Shadow paired with the Wind-Swept Flowing Cloud Sword Art, Su Yu's form flickered like a ghost.

"Cloud Scatter!"

With a sharp cry, his sword flashed like a shooting star. Zou Lintian felt a sharp pain in his chest as he was sent flying, crashing heavily outside the arena. For a moment, he couldn't even get back up.

He stared at Su Yu in terror, as if he were looking at a monster.

Su Yu's understanding of the Wind-Swept Flowing Cloud Sword had reached the pinnacle. The final move in particular, tempered through countless repetitions, had long since reached the point where a single thought brought the sword's momentum to life.

In his hands, the move needed almost no preparation. The instant the sword flashed, it was like clouds scattering across the sky—so swift that no one could defend against it.

The entire arena fell silent. Everyone was stunned by the unexpected result—a newbie had defeated an older disciple with a single move!

Wang Long and Zhao Jun exchanged glances, their faces ghastly.

Zou Lintian might not measure up to them, but it would still take dozens of moves to beat him.

If Su Yu could defeat Zou Lintian in a single move, didn't that mean he could just as easily beat them too?

"Su Yu is amazing!"

Ye Xuan grabbed Yunxi's sleeve excitedly.

A flicker of surprise crossed the white-robed girl's eyes.

With her keen eye, she could tell Su Yu had handled the fight with ease. He probably hadn't even used half his strength.

Su Yu paid no mind to the astonishment around him and walked straight toward Su Yan and Su Mei.

Unlike the others, the siblings' faces showed nothing but unreserved admiration.

"Brother Yu, you were incredible!" Su Yan said, his face flushed with excitement.

Su Mei said nothing, but her sparkling eyes said it all.

Su Yu patted them both on the shoulder and said warmly, "Keep working hard at your cultivation, and you'll be able to do it too."

With that, the three turned and left, leaving behind an arena full of spectators who still hadn't recovered—and Zou Lintian, still slumped on the ground, his face ashen.