A Clever Ploy

As Chu Xisheng stepped onto the platform, a buzz swept through the more than four thousand disciples on the training grounds, who leaned toward one another and whispered.

Hu Kan stood in the crowd, staring incredulously at Chu Xisheng on the platform. "This guy really fought his way into the finals."

Hu Lai's expression was rather complicated. "The cow really did fly into the sky."

Hasn't it just? Hu Kan thought.

If Chu Xisheng really took first place in this assessment, things would get very entertaining indeed.

The rumors about Chu Xisheng circulating in the martial academy were wildly exaggerated.

Some of those spreading them had been saved by Chu Xisheng and did so out of admiration; some had ulterior motives; others were simply making fun.

As for the listeners, most simply treated them as jokes, something to amuse themselves with. Few truly believed them.

Yet this fellow really had taken first place in the inner sect-

He shook his head, finding the thought absurd. "Which of the two do you think has the better chance?"

"He Chao, of course."

Hu Lai stroked his chin and answered without hesitation, "His Nine-Palace Sword and Origin-Nourishing Art have both reached the third level, and his Light-Cloud Movement has reached the second. He's also said to have the 'Unassailable Hand' talent. Paired with the defensive Nine-Palace Sword, it's a match made in heaven.

"He Chao is only a shade weaker than Liu Xingruo, the West Court's chief disciple. He's strong enough to rank in the inner sect's top five. Chu Xisheng's chances are vanishingly small-"

Chu Yunyun stood beside them, watching the platform with her hands behind her back and an unusual look in her eyes.

She had not expected Chu Xisheng to awaken the first stage of the Body of Light-Speed Shadow on the eve of battle, then "fight" his way all the way into the finals.

By now, even Chu Yunyun could not help growing hopeful, wishing Chu Xisheng would win in the end and claim that Secret Move Totem.

But He Chao really was very strong. His fighting strength was already approaching the eighth grade.

Had she been in Chu Xisheng's place, she would have had at least a thousand ways to overcome the stronger opponent and defeat He Chao, but she could not take Chu Xisheng's place.

On the platform, Chu Xisheng gripped his saber and studied his opponent intently.

Third-level Nine-Palace Sword, third-level Origin-Nourishing Art, second-level Light-Cloud Movement-in theory, even with first-level Light-Cloud Movement, he could not possibly be He Chao's match.

But-

Chu Xisheng lowered his gaze to He Chao's belt.

The fellow clearly came from a wealthy family, and his clothes and accessories were all ostentatious.

Around his waist was actually a jade-studded cowhide belt, with a jade pendant hanging from its left side.

The jade pendant was very long, hanging all the way down to the hem of his fitted outfit. Its cord was woven from silk and gold thread, making it extremely sturdy.

An unusual glint involuntarily flashed through Chu Xisheng's eyes.

Here lay his chance of victory, but he would have only one opportunity.

Just then, the copper coin tossed by the referee finally landed with a crisp clink.

Chu Xisheng struck before his opponent, but He Chao was no slow hand at drawing his sword either and blocked by the narrowest of margins.

"What a fast saber, Junior Brother Chu!"

He Chao was still shaken. Had he drawn his sword a little slower, he would already have lost to Chu Xisheng.

He fought extremely cautiously after that, blocking several attacks by the book before taking the measure of Chu Xisheng's abilities.

The fellow before him had only three swings of the axe to offer, with just a handful of saber moves practiced to exceptional speed and ferocity.

He Chao then shifted from defense to offense. After exchanging several moves, he grew still more confident and bold.

The sword in his hand swept through broad, powerful strokes.

He Chao had seen through Chu Xisheng's capabilities. His saber was fast, but because of his Origin-Nourishing Art, his strength was slightly inferior to He Chao's.

If I overpower him, I can settle this quickly.

A hint of a smile even appeared on his face. "On closer inspection, you're nothing special-"

A sharp gleam flashed through Chu Xisheng's eyes.

At that moment, He Chao's turning leap attack sent the jade pendant at his left hip swinging high.

In that same instant, Chu Xisheng stamped hard, his figure abruptly accelerating as he moved.

While avoiding He Chao's sword strike, he flashed to He Chao's left and swept his saber diagonally toward his waist.

At the sight, He Chao could not help raising his brows slightly.

This fellow's footwork is quite good too!

Though his Light-Cloud Movement was only at the first level, his movement speed alone surpassed even He Chao's second-level Light-Cloud Movement.

Had his opponent adopted a mobile, skirmishing approach, He Chao would have found it troublesome now.

But the man was ill and had very poor stamina, so there was no need to worry about that.

Skirmishing would only exhaust Chu Xisheng's stamina in an extremely short time.

He Chao had been guarding against his opponent's footwork all along.

Anyone who could win the first round could not have particularly poor footwork.

Chu Xisheng was fast, but not fast enough to decide the outcome.

With a push of his toes, He Chao abruptly shifted right, moving just far enough to evade Chu Xisheng's blade.

But what followed left him momentarily stunned. Chu Xisheng's attack had not been aimed at him at all, but at the jade pendant at his waist.

As He Chao dodged, the Hundred-Forged Light Steel Saber swept into his pendant cord, then caught and wound it around the blade.

He Chao heard a loud snap as the cord forcibly tore his jade-studded belt apart.

At the same time, a mischievous grin appeared on Chu Xisheng's face.

He Chao was filled with bewilderment. What exactly is this fellow trying to do?

At the same time, the more than four thousand disciples below burst into an uproar again.

It was not because of He Chao's broken belt, but because of the footwork Chu Xisheng had suddenly revealed.

He Chao had not seen Chu Xisheng cutting the bamboo leaves, so he did not know the full story.

But the more than four thousand people here all vividly remembered Chu Xisheng's clumsy footwork back then.

Chu Yunyun blinked, looking astonished.

When did Chu Xisheng's Light-Cloud Movement reach the first level? Another breakthrough in battle?

Liu Xingruo, the West Court's chief disciple, stamped hard on the ground, his expression turning exceedingly ugly.

Chu Xisheng actually concealed his abilities to this extent!

Combined with his talent, his Light-Cloud Movement was already approaching the third level in both agility and speed!

Xiang Kui of the academy's South Court felt the corner of his mouth twitch, thinking that this fellow really knew how to bide his time.

In other words, Chu Xisheng was still holding back in the final stage of the first round? How devious!

But then the scene on the platform drew their attention.

Chu Xisheng's saber strokes had also grown broad and sweeping. Switching to a two-handed grip, he delivered a heavy slash at He Chao.

He Chao thought the fellow was probably getting desperate. This was nothing short of pitting his own weakness against his enemy's strength.

He laughed heartily and casually blocked. Their weapons collided with a heavy clang.

"Watch closely, Junior Brother Chu. I'll defeat you within five exchanges-"

He Chao could not finish, because he discovered that his trousers were falling.

Their saber and sword clashed once more, and as their strength collided, He Chao's trousers slipped even farther down.

He Chao hurriedly reached down and grabbed the crotch of his trousers.

These trousers mustn't fall. More than four thousand people are watching!

If my trousers fall under all these watching eyes, how could I have the face to go on living?

But now He Chao could only pit one hand against two, and his footwork was severely restricted as well.

Understanding immediately dawned in his mind.

Was this the purpose of Chu Xisheng's earlier strike?

He Chao could not help letting out an anguished cry. "Junior Brother Chu, you're despicable!"

Chu Xisheng chuckled at that and struck even harder with his third slash.

"You're mistaken, Senior Brother He. When we Martial Cultivators fight, naturally we use every means at our disposal!"

He Chao's one-handed strength fell far short of Chu Xisheng's two-handed strength, and the heavy saber blows sent him staggering off balance.

He turned a pleading gaze toward the two referees on the platform. "Instructors, my belt has broken. I request a pause so I can change my belt!"

The two instructors exchanged a glance, but both turned a deaf ear.

What rule allowed a pause to change belts during a martial contest?

Besides, he had chosen to show off with such a long jade pendant. Who could he blame?

The corners of Chu Xisheng's mouth rose. He swung his saber again, ready to put a hundred and twenty percent of his strength into it.

But just then, He Chao roared, tossed his sword aside, and jumped backward while clutching his trousers with both hands.

"I yield! I yield, all right? Chu Xisheng, you're the very height of shameless depravity!"

Chu Xisheng brightened at those words. He felt as though the Secret Move Totem was already beckoning to him.