"The Dragon God? The one he wants to defeat is actually the Dragon God, ranked second among the Seven Great Powers?"
"This brat... how does he even dare?!"
"Doesn't he worry about choking on those big words? He's boasting to high heaven!"
"He wants to defeat the Dragon God? Ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous."
In an instant, the entire hall erupted, countless voices of doubt surging like a tide.
Everyone thought the boy had lost his mind.
Sword God Gal did not speak immediately.
He simply sat there in silence, his expression gradually growing serious. Then he slowly spoke, his voice quiet but carrying an unquestionable authority:
"Hey! Is that so funny?"
The hall instantly fell silent.
As though a bucket of cold water had been dumped over their heads, everyone lowered their heads, not daring to make another sound.
Gal's gaze returned to Luo Ge, and his lips slowly spread into a grin. Then he slapped the floor and clutched his stomach, rocking back and forth with laughter until tears nearly spilled from his eyes. "Bwahahaha... it really is funny!"
"Interesting... so damn interesting! I never thought anyone besides me would want to defeat someone like that."
"Compared to that monster... you're right, absolutely right! I've still got a long way to go."
Suddenly, Sword God Gal slowly rose to his feet and looked down at Luo Ge. "If you want to defeat the Dragon God, you'll have to become stronger than him."
"But..."
He paused, his gaze sharpening. "Do you think you can do it?"
"Yes!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Luo Ge swiftly raised his head and met the Sword God's piercing gaze, showing no intention of backing down.
Gal rubbed his chin with one hand, as though carefully savoring those words.
A moment later, Sword God Gal asked curiously, "Oh, right. I'm still curious, though. Why would a brat like you, who isn't even an adult yet, want to defeat the Dragon God?"
Not only Sword God Gal, but everyone around him fell silent as well, all turning to look at Luo Ge.
After all, the reason was absurd and strange. Most people aimed no higher than joining the Seven Great Powers, setting their sights on defeating the Sword God to claim a place among them.
But no one ever thought of defeating the Dragon God...
Under everyone's gaze, Luo Ge slowly explained, "Because I encountered the Dragon God on my way to the Sword Sanctum."
At those words.
The Dragon God was instantly startled, and the scene erupted into an uproar.
The Dragon God?
This brat actually claimed to have met the Dragon God of the Seven Great Powers?
Others might have doubted him, but Sword God Gal wore an expression that said he had expected as much.
Because Luo Ge had mentioned something none of the others knew: the Dragon God's name, Orsted.
"Ahahaha!"
"You still have the courage to draw your sword after seeing that guy? I'm starting to admire you." Gal could not help regarding Luo Ge a little more highly. He could not say he liked him all that much, but the feeling was pretty good.
"But you still haven't given me a straight answer. Tell me... why do you want to defeat the Dragon God?"
"It couldn't be for some boring sense of justice, could it? After all, that guy looks evil no matter how you look at him!"
At Sword God Gal's renewed questioning, everyone once again turned to Luo Ge.
Clearly, whether it was true or not...
The subject of the Dragon God still held considerable interest for these swordsmen.
Taking a deep breath, Luo Ge said with a solemn gaze, "He wanted to kill me. It's that simple."
At those words.
Sword God Gal's pupils abruptly contracted.
"What did you say?"
"Wait... you mean you encountered the Dragon God on the road, he wanted to kill you... and you escaped from him?"
"That's right..."
Luo Ge nodded noncommittally.
Sword God Gal fell silent, utterly silent. For a moment, he simply could not judge whether it was true or false.
He had experienced the Dragon God's terrifying power firsthand. If he wanted to kill someone... could anyone really escape from someone like that?
"Hahahaha, escaped from the Dragon God? Are you kidding?"
"Is this brat telling some kind of joke to entertain us?"
"That's complete bullshit. Who would believe a lie like that?"
This was a lie.
Everyone scoffed at it. Not one of them was willing to believe him, and they all regarded Luo Ge as an attention-seeking clown.
Even Sword God Gal was somewhat doubtful.
"Enough."
"Quiet!"
Sword God Gal waved a hand, and the surroundings immediately fell silent.
He stared straight at Luo Ge, then spoke contemptuously.
"Anyone can run their mouth and talk big. I'll pick an opponent for you and see whether a brat like you really has what it takes."
With that.
Sword God Gal shifted his gaze away from Luo Ge and slowly swept it over the disciples in the training hall.
The many Sword God Style disciples instantly straightened their backs, eager to try.
Many were annoyed with this boy who did not know his own limits, but could not bring themselves to volunteer to take on a child.
Thus, no one spoke, but everyone's eyes held a secret hope that the Sword God would choose them to step forward and teach that fellow a harsh lesson.
After looking around, Gal finally settled his gaze on the two whose ages were most suitable.
They were Nina and Gino.
One was his biological daughter, and the other was his disciple. Although neither was the strongest swordsman in the Sword Sanctum, they were certainly no weaklings.
Nina was eleven this year, an Advanced Swordsman.
Gino was four years younger than Nina, seven this year, and currently an Intermediate Swordsman.
They were not considered strong in the Sword Sanctum, but outside it, they would qualify as local experts.
In short, in terms of age, the two of them really were the most suitable people here to face Luo Ge.
Sword God Gal considered briefly before finally speaking. "Gino!"
"Huh?! H-here!"
Gino seemed not to have expected his name to be called. He had always been unremarkable and inconspicuous.
He scrambled to his feet, his face still wearing a little innocent bewilderment, as though he had not quite caught up.
Hmm?
Only when someone handed him a wooden sword did he instinctively react, tightening his grip on it and trying hard to make his young face look serious.
Gal smiled at Luo Ge. "See? This fellow is the youngest swordsman here. He's still young, but his talent for swordsmanship is pretty decent."
"Boy! Are you confident you can beat him?"
Luo Ge glanced at Gino, his gaze lingering for only half a second. "I think... it shouldn't be a problem."
His answer was crisp and straightforward, as though he were saying that one plus one equaled two.
An eight-year-old against a seven-year-old, and in reality, a Sword Saint against an Intermediate Swordsman.
I've got every advantage here.
Luo Ge was not the least bit nervous.
Someone handed him a wooden sword. After taking it, Luo Ge casually hefted it, then stood in place and waited.
Gino also took his position nearby and assumed an offensive stance, an extremely standard opening stance of the Sword God Style.
Since both of them followed the rules, neither was so uncivilized as to suddenly launch a sneak attack. Instead, they each held their sword and looked at the other.
"Gino Britts."
"Rog Greyrat."
Before two swordsmen formally sparred, they would usually give their names, observing the proper etiquette.
"Begin!"
Then, at the command of a referee standing between them.
Gino launched the first attack, running swiftly to seize the initiative.
However, Luo Ge was faster.
Gino had only just swung his sword, not yet having time to bring it down in a slash, when Luo Ge had already dashed right in front of him in an instant.
So fast!
Gino's pupils abruptly contracted.
At the instant they passed each other, Luo Ge suddenly narrowed his eyes slightly. "This ends here."
PS: Please send free gifts and update requests, my adoptive fathers. I'm going to write extra updates until I reach a million words.