The next day, early morning.
Chen Mu, along with A Huo, Mingye, and Chen Duo, arrived at the City Lord's Mansion.
Ye Yunxin, the captain of Bai Jinglong's personal guard, personally received Chen Mu Chen Mu to the training ground.
" Master Mu, all 359 cultivators who signed up to go to Broken Blade Mountain are here!"
Ye Yunxin pointed to a group of people in small groups at the training ground, making a lot of noise, and introduced them.
After Chen Mu and his group appeared, the uproar on the training ground gradually subsided, and everyone's attention turned to Chen Mu.
Chen Mu also took a closer look at the people below the stage and spotted some familiar figures among them.
For example, Zheng Fengdao was invited by Chen Mu. He was very straightforward at the time; Chen Mu only briefly mentioned his plan, and he immediately agreed.
There were some other disciples of the Heaven-Questioning Pavilion among them, but Chen Mu rarely interacted with them and was not familiar with them.
"Everyone, this is Master Mu, who devised the plan to defend Broken Blade Mountain!"
Don't underestimate Master Mu just because he's young. He's already a Spirit Talisman Master and a True Spirit Realm martial artist.
He will also be leading your operations at Broken Blade Mountain. I hope you will cooperate fully!
Ye Yunxin's introduction caused the discussion below to boil over once again.
Spirit Talisman Master? Such a young Spirit Talisman Master? You must be kidding me.
A man questioned in a low voice.
"It's unlikely to be a lie. It's said that many ancient academies have secret methods for forcibly enhancing Divine Soul realm."
However, the Solid Realm that emerge from such breakthroughs are all Red Yang Tribulation, offering no real future.
Their forced growth is solely for the sake of fame; it's truly pathetic and lamentable.
An elderly man analyzed the situation with a sigh.
"Hmph! I don't care if he's a talisman master or not. As long as he can beat me, I'll listen to him. Otherwise, there's no point in talking."
Another tall man with a powerful aura shouted.
"You reckless fool! On the battlefield, a talisman master can provide a continuous stream of support, which is far more important than a martial artist like you who only knows how to charge ahead!"
Don't cause trouble, or I'll get rough with you!
A woman stared Sha Qi at the tall, shouting man.
The crowd below the stage grew increasingly agitated, with some even showing signs of starting a fight.
Chen Mu immediately walked to the front of the platform and raised his hand to press down.
"Everyone, please be quiet!"
At his call, the noise from the audience gradually subsided.
"This trip to Broken Blade Mountain is fraught with peril!"
You are all righteous and courageous people who would be willing to respond to my plan.
As the commander of this ' Sword Guardian Battalion,' I will do my utmost to lead everyone to victory!
At this point, Chen Mu paused, turned around and glanced at A Huo, Mingye, and Chen Duo.
I know you might question our abilities.
Since that's the case, I'll give you a chance.
Me, A Huo, and Mingye —the three of us are free to challenge us.
"If you can defeat any one of us in a one-on-one situation, then I will relinquish my position as commander of the Sword Guardian Battalion, and you can vote to elect a new commander. How does that sound?"
Chen Mu's words caused a huge uproar, and immediately some people were itching to make a move.
"Brother! I..."
Chen Duo, who was standing to the side, spoke up indignantly, but Chen Mu raised his hand to interrupt her.
" Duoduo, you haven't broken through to the True Spirit Realm yet, so you shouldn't interfere!"
Although Chen Duo was angry, Chen Mu's words made sense, and she eventually gave up in a sullen mood.
" Master Mu, the city lord appointed you as the commander. Isn't this against the rules?"
Ye Yunxin couldn't help but speak up to stop her.
"Don't worry! I'll take responsibility for any problems that arise!"
Chen Mu glanced at Ye Yunxin, his expression leaving no room for argument.
"Time is precious, cultivators below the True Spirit Realm should not come up!"
"Now, those who wish to take on the challenge, please jump onto the high platform."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a bald, golden-armored youth leaped up with a whoosh.
" Yin Zhan?"
Chen Mu was somewhat surprised; in the chaos of the crowd, he hadn't even noticed Yin Zhan below.
During the freshman assessment at the Heaven-Questioning Pavilion back then, he single-handedly suppressed Chen Mu and the other three, making them extremely uncomfortable. He was a formidable opponent.
However, Chen Mu could sense that Yin Zhan was still only at the Early Stage of the True Spirit Realm, so he was still confident.
"Tsk tsk, I didn't expect you guys to be doing so well after more than a year!"
Yin Zhan laughed heartily.
Although Chen Mu and the others had some conflicts with him during the freshman assessment, it was a competition, and they couldn't expect him to go easy on them.
Therefore, there was no real grudge between them, and Chen Mu didn't take the incident to heart.
Haha, same to you!
So, which one of us would you like to challenge?
"He!"
Yin Zhan's finger landed on A Huo.
Chen Mu smiled. Although A Huo had only broken through to the True Spirit Realm a few days ago, his true strength was far beyond that of the Early Stage of the True Spirit Realm.
"Okay! Let's go down!"
Chen Mu waved, and everyone else came down from the platform, leaving only A Huo and Yin Zhan.
Do you know why I challenged you?
Yin Zhan took out his spear and slashed it through the air like a silver dragon soaring through the sky.
"Fine, let's fight then! I don't care!"
A Huo gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist, his expression calm.
Yin Zhan smiled, a surge of battle intent rising from his body.
"Because I can sense that you are very strong, stronger than all of them!"
"That's because you underestimate them!"
A Huo didn't want to discuss this topic anymore and took the initiative.
With a soft "poof".
A sword light cleaved upwards, splitting the aura emanating from Yin Zhan in two, heading straight for the center gate.
Ding! Ding ding!
Yin Zhan twirled his spear like a windmill, deflecting A Huo's slashes.
"Take this! Primordial One Qi Spear!"
A sphere formed from condensed Spiritual Qi appeared at the tip of the spear, emanating an aura that could annihilate everything, and thrust towards A Huo.
Buzz...! The Upholding Righteousness Sword Cry!
An invisible wave of sword energy struck Yin Zhan's mind. He was momentarily distracted, and his spear struck empty air.
boom!
The ball of Spiritual Power at the tip of the spear flew to the ground, blasting a huge crater.
Chen Mu clicked his tongue in amazement. The power of this shot was no less than that of a full-force strike from the Middle Stage of the True Spirit Realm martial artist. It seemed that the inheritance behind Yin Zhan was not simple either.
After some probing, both men found the other to be a formidable opponent, and a protracted battle ensued.
Clang! Ding ding ding!
Yin Zhan's spear technique was fierce and domineering, while A Huo's sword technique was vast and continuous.
The shadows of spears and the light of swords clashed incessantly, the power of which was completely unlike that of a battle at the Early Stage of the True Spirit Realm. Even many at the Middle Stage of the True Spirit Realm could not unleash such power.
"Hahaha! You are indeed very strong! You deserve my full strength!"
Suddenly, the golden armor on Yin Zhan's body shone brightly, and a half-meter-long blade of light shot out from the tip of his spear.
His aura changed instantly, as if he were a reincarnation of a tyrant, unparalleled in bravery.
Peerless Hegemon Spear!
Clang!
A Huo's longsword was knocked out of his hand by Yin Zhan's domineering strike.
A Huo's body flipped twice in mid-air and retreated to the edge of the platform.
" A Huo!"
Chen Mu couldn't help but exclaim in shock. For a swordsman, the sword is life itself. Now that even the sword has flown away, how can they possibly win this battle?
Chen Duo stared intently at A Huo on the stage, her fists clenched, extremely nervous.
Just when everyone thought the battle was over, they didn't see the longsword that was spinning and flying through the air suddenly stop.