Host 2

In the third match, Chen Huan took the stage. With a rapid thrust, she easily dispatched her opponent before he could even bring his sword down for a vertical strike.

In the fourth match, the blond youth Sears took the stage. With a light dodge, he closed in and struck his opponent's sword-hand with his hilt, successfully disarming him.

The fifth match.

Lin Sheng stood up, picked up his sword, donned his helmet, and walked onto the stage from the right side, where he stood firm.

His opponent was a tall, burly man who stood at least half a head taller than him. Judging by his build, the man was at least twice his size.

"Little guy, with a frame as thin as yours, you're just wasting time up here. Get down; I don't want to hurt you," the big man shouted at Lin Sheng.

Lin Sheng couldn't be bothered to waste words.

Clang. The gong sounded.

The referee chopped his hands downward to signal the start, then quickly retreated.

Lin Sheng stepped forward, angling his blade.

Just then, the big man let out a roar and swung his sword down with all his might, colliding with the edge of Lin Sheng's blade.

Clang!!

Lin Sheng's sword acted as a fulcrum against the man's blade, using the massive impact force like a lever to pry it upward.

The big man's own immense strength caused the hilt of Lin Sheng's sword to rebound, slamming directly into his own face mask with a loud thud.

"Damn it." Struck by the force of his own blow, the big man felt his head spin. He staggered, turned half a circle on the stage, and collapsed to his knees with a heavy thud.

Lin Sheng casually drew his sword and executed a diagonal downward slash.

The blade landed easily on the big man's neck, knocking him to the ground.

This was the sword technique he had obtained from the Rotten Swordsman: the Glance Slash.

In truth, this move wasn't some secret art, but a common, practical sword technique specifically designed to deal with large opponents who relied solely on brute force and wild swings.

By using special leverage, one could borrow their strength to strike them with their own power. Naxi Swordsmanship also contained similar techniques.

It was just that Lin Sheng had acquired the Rotten Swordsman's memories, so he had effectively gained over a decade of hard training in an instant. He had easily bypassed the novice stage and could use it with ease.

"Steel Scale Club, Lin Sheng wins!" The referee stepped forward, confirmed the big man had no intention of getting up, and raised his hand to signal the winner.

Lin Sheng walked off the stage, feeling bored, and saw Chen Huan staring at him with gritted teeth.

Next, it was time for the winners to draw lots again.

Xiayin went up and drew once more; his opponent happened to be the blond youth, Sears.

Lin Sheng felt a slight spark of interest.

His match was the second one. The first was between Chen Huan and another tall, long-armed swordsman.

The long-armed swordsman had only managed to win his previous match by relying on his reach. This time, facing Chen Huan, his sword was knocked to the ground in a single exchange.

As the victory was announced, he walked off the stage, looking dejected. There was no spectacle to be found.

Lin Sheng guessed that because the outcomes were decided so quickly and lacked any entertainment value for the audience, this was likely why the sword competition wasn't very popular.

Unfortunately, there was no way to change that.

"Second match, Steel Scale Club's Lin Sheng versus Sears."

Lin Sheng picked up his sword and stood up. Behind him, Russell cheered him on loudly. Madilan and Xiayin also clapped with all their might.

He nodded slightly, stepped onto the stage, and looked at the blond youth opposite him.

This guy is a real combat swordsman! Lin Sheng scanned his opponent, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Sears was also staring intently at Lin Sheng.

Such a strong presence! His expression remained unchanged, but his heart was shaken.

The man opposite him was just standing there, sword not yet drawn, his face indifferent. Yet, he vaguely exuded a sharp, keen, and dangerous aura.

He had only ever seen this kind of aura on his former personal bodyguard.

It was the temperament of someone who had experienced slaughter!

Hiss.

Sears slowly drew his sword and held it vertically before his eyes, tip pointing upward. This was the standard stance he only used when facing a formidable enemy—the Crown Stance.

The blade blocked his front, but Sears kept his eyes locked on his opponent, ready to track any point of exertion.

"Begin!"

The referee's voice rang out suddenly.

Sears's taut muscles exploded with power, and he was just about to swing his sword when his vision blurred.

Where did he go!? He had completely lost his target.

Suddenly, his pupils contracted as his peripheral vision caught a figure to his rear flank.

Clang!!

The two swords collided rapidly, rebounded, and clashed again in a flurry of strikes.

Sears rolled and knelt to one side, about to counterattack, when his movements suddenly stiffened.

A silver longsword, reflecting light like a mirror, was pointed straight at his forehead.

Such speed!! He looked up at his opponent, his heart filled with shock.

Even against his former personal bodyguard, he could have lasted over a dozen rounds.

He was no mere showman; in terms of practical swordsmanship, he could easily defeat several people surrounding him.

Yet, now.

"I run a training class. If you're interested, feel free to come by and exchange pointers." Lin Sheng's expression was calm as he sheathed his sword.

"Lin Sheng of Steel Scale Club wins!" the referee announced loudly.

Lin Sheng walked off the stage slowly, his expression placid.

To him, Sears was merely someone who knew how to fight with a sword. Nothing more.

After stepping down, Russell, Xiayin, and the others looked delighted and hurried to congratulate him.

Since even the strongest, Sears, had been easily dispatched in seconds, it went without saying for Chen Huan, who had already been defeated by him. First place in this tournament was a certainty.

In the following match, Chen Huan faced the fifth contestant who had received a bye and won easily.

Then, when it came time to face Lin Sheng, she chose to forfeit.

When Lin Sheng looked at her, the woman gritted her teeth and lowered her head, her expression unreadable.

The so-called qualifying tournament came to a complete end in just one morning.

The tournament committee issued Lin Sheng a provincial competition qualification certificate, which recorded information such as his ranking in the local event.

As for the prize money and such, it would only be awarded after the grand finals concluded.

The provincial competition would take place in one week at the Greenery Stadium in the provincial capital, Yadian City.

The team would consist of the winners, Lin Sheng and Chen Huan.

It was not yet eleven o'clock when the matches concluded.

Lin Sheng had just led Russell and the others out of the stadium, blending into the crowd, when several people hurried after them from behind.

"Brother Lin Sheng!"

Sears, the blond youth, chased after them with a smile on his face, calling out to them loudly.

Lin Sheng turned around, looking at him with confusion. He didn't know why this man had run out after him.

A charming smile appeared on Sears' face.

"It's rare to encounter a master of practical swordsmanship in Huaisha City. Shall we go grab a coffee and sit for a while? My treat."

Lin Sheng pondered for a moment and nodded. He was also somewhat curious about Sears.

"You guys head back first; I'll chat with Mr. Sears," he said, turning back to whisper.

"Be careful, Master Lin. Sears' background isn't exactly clean," Xiayin leaned in to whisper a warning.

Lin Sheng felt a jolt in his heart and gave a slight nod.

"We'll wait for you at the club then. Master Lin, you really should buy a mobile phone; it's too inconvenient otherwise," Russell complained loudly.

The three of them got into the family car waiting outside and soon departed.

Lin Sheng and Sears sat down at Red Sausage Cafe, located right next to the stadium.

Sears was not accompanied by his sister; after sitting down, he had his bodyguard wait by the door.

There were not many people in the cafe, and the two sat in the innermost corner.

"What would you like to drink?" Sears had changed into a shirt and trousers, a charming smile gracing his handsome face. His short blond hair shimmered with a pure glow in the bright light.

In contrast, Lin Sheng looked quite ordinary. He appeared just like a typical high school student, with no distinguishing features other than his sharp gaze.