Sparring

April 23rd.

This was the day appointed for the duel with the Iron Sword Sect.

Parked at the entrance of the Qingshi Town branch was a black carriage. The two horses pulling it were fine steeds with glossy coats, clearly worth a small fortune.

Beside the carriage stood a groom from the Red Sun Gang, waiting respectfully for Chen Xuan and Zhao Yuanshan to board.

"Although it isn't far from Qingshi Town to Baishui Town, riding on horseback is exhausting. Taking the carriage will allow us to conserve our energy."

Zhao Yuanshan explained.

"Brother Zhao is very thoughtful."

Chen Xuan nodded without saying much, lifted the carriage curtain, and stepped inside.

The interior of the carriage was lined with soft cushions, and in the center sat a small table holding a teapot and cups.

Zhao Yuanshan sat opposite him.

"Giddy up!"

The groom flicked the reins lightly, and the two horses began to trot. The carriage rumbled forward, its wheels making a rhythmic sound as they rolled over the flagstone road.

On the way, Zhao Yuanshan gave Chen Xuan a detailed briefing on their opponents for the duel.

"The three young disciples the Iron Sword Sect has sent this time are all dispatched from Ten Thousand Sword Villa: Wan Guiyun, Wan Yifan, and Wan Shengkuang."

"Wan Shengkuang, nineteen years old, at the eighth level of Body Tempering. He practices hard-body techniques and possesses astonishing defensive capabilities."

"Wan Yifan, nineteen years old, at the eighth level of Body Tempering. He specializes in the Gale Sword Technique, a style of rapid swordplay that requires careful handling."

"As for the last one, Wan Guiyun, he only arrived in Lianshan City the day before Baishui Town was destroyed. We only know that he is a direct-line disciple of Ten Thousand Sword Villa."

At the mention of Wan Guiyun, Zhao Yuanshan's brow furrowed deeply.

"A direct-line disciple?" Chen Xuan asked, puzzled. "How would a direct-line disciple of Ten Thousand Sword Villa be dispatched to a place like Lianshan City?"

Ten Thousand Sword Villa was a family-based power, bound by blood, and they generally did not recruit outsiders.

In terms of training disciples, Ten Thousand Sword Villa was vastly different from the other two sects. Everyone was born into the collateral branch, even the sect master's own son. Only by demonstrating exceptional martial talent and passing rigorous assessments could one be promoted to a direct-line disciple.

To draw a comparison, collateral disciples were equivalent to the outer sect disciples of the Guiyuan Sect, while direct-line disciples were equivalent to inner sect disciples.

However, while Guiyuan Sect inner disciples were required to break through to the Zhuqi Realm, Ten Thousand Sword Villa had no such requirement. If one was detected to have superior aptitude, or possessed extraordinary insight into sword techniques, they could be promoted directly to a direct-line disciple.

Above the direct-line disciples of Ten Thousand Sword Villa were the "Sword Children." Only by becoming a Sword Child was one eligible to compete for the position of Villa Master.

Compared to the Guiyuan Sect and the Blood Fiend Devil Sect, Ten Thousand Sword Villa had far fewer direct-line disciples. Under normal circumstances, these disciples were stationed in the core territories of the prefectures under the Villa's jurisdiction; they would never come to a chaotic place like Tiannan Prefecture, let alone a small city like Lianshan City.

"That, I don't know." Zhao Yuanshan shook his head. "But this direct-line disciple, Wan Guiyun, is likely the strongest of the three sent by the Iron Sword Sect. I suspect he is the source of Master Wan's confidence in proposing this duel between the younger generation. You must be extremely careful when facing him."

"I understand."

Chen Xuan nodded.

Baishui Town.

Baishui Town was much livelier today than usual.

The forces of the Red Sun Gang and the Iron Sword Sect had both arrived, and the area around the arena was packed with people.

Beyond the members of both sides, there were many scouts from various factions in Lianshan City, all eager to see the outcome of this duel.

To the north of the arena, two rows of tables and chairs had been set up.

On the left sat the Red Sun Gang, led by Sun Tianxing.

He wore a deep purple brocade robe today, his hair combed meticulously, and he appeared to be in high spirits.

On the right sat the Iron Sword Sect, led by Wan Zhenshan.

He wore a black brocade robe with silver sword patterns embroidered on the cuffs. His expression was stern, and his gaze was as sharp as a hawk's.

Behind Wan Zhenshan stood three young men.

Wan Shengkuang stood on the left. He was burly and broad-shouldered, his skin possessing a bronze luster—clearly a practitioner of hard-body techniques.

Wan Yifan stood on the right. He was thin, with a cold expression and long, slender fingers with prominent knuckles—a sure sign of a skilled swordsman.

The one in the middle was the most eye-catching.

He was seventeen or eighteen years old, tall and slender, with refined features. He wore a white robe and had a long sword hanging at his waist.

His eyes were calm, but upon closer inspection, one could see a sharp glint hidden deep within, like a blade that had yet to be unsheathed.

Wan Guiyun, a direct-line disciple of Ten Thousand Sword Villa.

On the Red Sun Gang's side.

Besides Chen Xuan, the other two young men participating were Shen Yi and Xia Shan. Both were nineteen years old and at the eighth level of Body Tempering.

"Since both sides have arrived, let us begin!"

Wan Zhenshan waved his hand.

An elder of the Iron Sword Sect stepped onto the ring and loudly announced the rules: "Both sides shall send three people each, best of three rounds. Each round may feature different participants, or one person may fight all three rounds. Intentional killing is forbidden. Those knocked off the ring or who concede are defeated. Now, please have the first disciples step forward."

"Gang Leader, let me take the first round."

Just as Sun Tianxing was about to speak, Chen Xuan had already stepped out.

If he wanted to earn merit, he would have to fight eventually, so he might as well go first and get the competition over with sooner.

"Very well, be careful."

Sun Tianxing nodded.

Chen Xuan walked onto the ring, stood in the center, and looked calmly toward the Iron Sword Sect.

Wan Zhenshan looked back at the three people behind him: "Wan Shengkuang, you go."

"Yes, Sect Master!"

Wan Shengkuang strode out, each step causing the ground to tremble slightly.

He was burly with a powerful build, his bare arms covered in bulging veins, and his skin possessed a bronze luster, as if cast from copper and iron.

He leaped onto the ring, stood opposite Chen Xuan, and grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.

"So you're the one who killed Liu Lie; you seem to have some skill." Wan Shengkuang looked Chen Xuan up and down and said in a muffled voice: "However, I advise you to concede quickly. If I land this punch, you might die."

Chen Xuan did not speak, simply watching him quietly.

"Begin!"

The Iron Sword Sect elder gave the order.

Wan Shengkuang let out a roar, clenching his fists like two iron hammers, and smashed them toward Chen Xuan.

His footsteps were heavy, leaving shallow footprints on the ring with every stride; he was like a charging bull, unstoppable.

Chen Xuan did not retreat or dodge; he raised his right hand, fingers spread, and met Wan Shengkuang's iron fist.

"You're courting death!"

A flash of cruelty crossed Wan Shengkuang's eyes, and he added three parts more force to his punch, vowing to break Chen Xuan's arm in one blow.

Fist met palm.

"Bang!"

A dull, thunderous sound rang out.

The scene of broken bones and torn tendons that everyone expected did not occur.

Wan Shengkuang's fist was caught firmly by Chen Xuan's palm, not moving an inch, as if it had slammed into an iron mountain.

"What?"

Wan Shengkuang's expression changed drastically.

He tried to pull his fist back, only to find it held as if by iron pincers; no matter how hard he struggled, he could not move.

"Not bad strength," Chen Xuan said indifferently. "Unfortunately, it's not enough."

As his voice fell, he applied a slight force with his palm.

"Crack—"

A crisp sound of bone fracturing came from Wan Shengkuang's fist.

"Ah—!"

Wan Shengkuang let out a miserable shriek, his face turning deathly pale instantly as beads of sweat the size of beans rolled down his forehead.

Chen Xuan released his hand, and Wan Shengkuang stumbled back several steps. Looking down, he saw his right fist was swollen and deformed, with at least three of his five finger bones broken.

"You... you..."

Wan Shengkuang looked up, his eyes filled with horror.

He had reached the eighth level of Body Tempering and practiced hard-body cultivation; how could the opponent's strength be even more terrifying than his own?

"Do you still want to fight?"

Chen Xuan asked.

Wan Shengkuang gritted his teeth, looked at his ruined right fist, then at Chen Xuan's calm face, and finally lowered his head.

"I concede."

"Red Sun Gang, victory!"

The Iron Sword Sect elder announced, his expression looking somewhat unsightly.

The area around the ring erupted in an uproar.

One move.

It took only a single move.

To cripple Wan Shengkuang, who was at the eighth level of Body Tempering?

What exactly was this Chen Xuan's cultivation level?

Sun Tianxing sat upright in his chair, a smile appearing on his face as he picked up his teacup and took a sip, unable to hide the pride in his eyes.