Ling Tian Sword God

Chapter 40: Chapter 39 Defeated by a Single Sword_1

”How could this be?” Yun Tianhe’s disciples were all stunned. Yun Tianhe, who had already advanced into the Martial Master Realm, was no match for Ling Chen?

At this moment, Yun Tianhe, who had been sent flying, flipped over and landed five meters away. His expression was unsightly. Then, he roared in a deep voice, ”You damned thing, take this!”

His Long Sword flashed, creating a white, arcing sword qi in mid-air that reverse-slashed towards Ling Chen.

As the sword qi shot out, a confident smile reappeared on Yun Tianhe’s face. This stream of sword qi was his trump card.

”Pathetically weak.” Ling Chen’s eyes fixed on the white, arcing sword qi, a mocking smile touching his lips. He then drew his Heavenly Emperor Heavy Sword and slashed.

A crescent-shaped, pale gold sword qi suddenly shot forth.

Is that... sword qi? The joy on Yun Tianhe’s face abruptly froze. This guy can also project External Sword Qi? How is that possible?

CLASH!

The two streams of sword qi collided. In an instant, Yun Tianhe’s sword qi was severed and split apart. The remaining force of Ling Chen’s attack slammed brutally into Yun Tianhe, sending him flying once more.

A mouthful of fresh blood spurted out, and Yun Tianhe fainted.

Watching this scene, all the disciples were stunned, their mouths agape in disbelief.

The field fell deathly silent. By the time they regained their senses, Ling Chen had already left.

”Damn, what did I just see? Sword qi! Ling Chen is only an Eighth Layer Martial Practitioner, yet he launched sword qi!”

”Yeah. Ling Chen defeated Yun Tianhe with just one strike, just one! Imagine how powerful he must be.”

”The gap is terrifying. He’s overwhelmingly superior.”

”Yun Tianhe will probably never be able to defeat Ling Chen in this lifetime.”

Listening to the Inner Disciples’ discussions, the few disciples loyal to Yun Tianhe exchanged glances, their faces alternating between red and white. They could only quietly carry Yun Tianhe away and sneak off in disgrace.

「···」

News of Ling Chen defeating Yun Tianhe again spread quickly among the disciples. Most were astonished. After all, Yun Tianhe wasn’t a fool; he wouldn’t have sought his own humiliation if he hadn’t been confident. This meant Yun Tianhe had challenged Ling Chen with full confidence but still lost—reportedly, he was defeated instantly.

Poor Yun Tianhe.

A small number of people felt sympathy for him. After all, he was also a genius. Now, he was repeatedly defeated by Ling Chen, a peer of similar renown. It would be difficult for him to hold his head high in the future.

However, competition between geniuses was always this cruel. One side was bound to be the loser. If one couldn’t adjust their mentality and strive to catch up, they would forever be trampled underfoot by others.

Ling Chen paid no mind to how others viewed the battle. At this moment, he was still diligently practicing his swordsmanship. Merely defeating Yun Tianhe still left a considerable gap to the Heavenly List, not to mention well-known figures like Ye Nantian.

For Ling Chen, Cultivation was a battle for every second; there was no room for slacking off.

Ling Chen focused on solidifying the newly learned Ancient Saint King Battle Technique while continuing to practice the first four forms of the Dragon Seeking Sword Technique. He strove to master the Second Style, ’White Dragon Passing the Gap’, and the Third Style, ’Seeking Dragon without Shadows’, to full completion.

While practicing new sword techniques was crucial, improving their proficiency was equally important.

After a day of rest, Ling Chen prepared to descend the mountain again early the next morning.

The year was drawing to a close. The royal hunting event agreed upon with Prince Tai was about a month away. Before that, he had to make ample preparations.

”Ling Chen!”

As soon as Ling Chen stepped out, he saw a familiar, graceful figure walking towards him.

”Your wounds have healed.” It seemed to be something he had expected. Ling Chen merely glanced at Xu Ruoyan before looking away.

”You’ve been away from the sect for so long; I thought something had happened to you.”

Xu Ruoyan felt a pang of guilt; if she hadn’t invited Ling Chen on this mission, such dangerous things wouldn’t have occurred.

But she didn’t know that Ling Chen hadn’t taken it to heart at all. When considering whether to accept the mission, Ling Chen had already prepared himself for the risks involved.

”No. Since Elder Lv Meng killed Liu Chuanxiong, I’m fine,” Ling Chen replied. He had no intention of discussing the Tomb of the Heavenly Mansion General; it was a secret he would share with no one.

”Please convey my gratitude to Elder Lv Meng. He saved my life. If he ever needs my assistance, let him know I am at his service.”

Ling Chen was a man who clearly distinguished between gratitude and resentment, always returning favors and seeking revenge unflinchingly. Indeed, without Elder Lv Meng, he would have died at the hands of Liu Chuanxiong.

”You saved my life too. Let’s consider our debts cleared,” Xu Ruoyan said.

Hearing this, Ling Chen pondered for a moment, then nodded. ”I have things to attend to, so I must take my leave.” With that, Ling Chen moved to walk past Xu Ruoyan.

”Is there something you can’t tell me? Regardless of our other connections, we’re at least comrades who’ve been through thick and thin, aren’t we?” Xu Ruoyan’s voice came from behind him.

Hearing this, Ling Chen gave a wry smile and shook his head. It seems I can’t shake off this young lady. He turned back and said with a smile, ”I’m going to the Wucheng Black Market to buy something. If you’re interested, you can come along.”

”I’m very interested.”

A brilliant smile appeared on Xu Ruoyan’s beautiful face as she unceremoniously followed Ling Chen.

”Let’s go then.”

Sighing, Ling Chen was about to walk forward when, at that moment, another radiant figure approached him from ahead.

It was Xiao Muyu.

”Senior Sister Xiao, long time no see.”

Ling Chen greeted Xiao Muyu with a smile and a clasped fist salute. She was two years his senior and had helped him before, so calling her Senior Sister was only proper.

”I don’t deserve to be called ’Senior Sister’; just call me Muyu,” Xiao Muyu said, shaking her head. Given Ling Chen’s current prowess, even Yun Tianhe was no match for him with a single sword strike. I’m probably not his opponent either. At best, we’re equals. So, how could she accept him calling her Senior Sister?

”Alright then,” Ling Chen replied, not one to stand on ceremony. Since Xiao Muyu had said so, continuing to call her ’Senior Sister’ would indeed seem deliberate.

”Oh, isn’t this your fiancée, Junior Sister Xu Ruoyan?” Xiao Muyu’s gaze shifted to Xu Ruoyan beside him. Realization seemed to dawn in her eyes. ”My apologies, it seems I’ve come at an inopportune time and interrupted you two.”

”Not at all,” Ling Chen quickly shook his head. ”There’s nothing between us. The engagement is set to be annulled in two months.”

Seeing Ling Chen seem so eager to distance himself from her, Xu Ruoyan’s pretty face darkened. Anyone else would probably be desperate to be associated with me, but this guy just has to be the exception. Then again, if Ling Chen actually did that, he wouldn’t be himself.

”I see.” Xiao Muyu’s gaze towards Ling Chen immediately filled with sympathy, while her impression of Xu Ruoyan worsened considerably. ”Your status is different now than it was before. It’s understandable that the Sky Void Palace might want to choose a different son-in-law. But Ling Chen, you needn’t worry. A man of your astonishing talent will have no shortage of fine women in the future.”

Xu Ruoyan was rather displeased by these words, but she couldn’t deny their truth; she had, after all, been the one to suggest annulling the engagement.

”Let’s not talk about this for now,” Ling Chen said, a wry expression on his face as he quickly changed the subject. It seems Xiao Muyu has misunderstood. This topic wasn’t worth dwelling on. ”You didn’t come all this way just to tell me this, did you?”

”Oh, I almost forgot,” Xiao Muyu’s expression turned serious. ”I came to talk to you about the upcoming Imperial Autumn Hunt.”

”You’re participating in this Autumn Hunt too?” Ling Chen was slightly surprised.

”Yes. Our Xiao Family is a prestigious family in Wind Country, and we have excellent relations with the Imperial Clan,” Xiao Muyu said with a radiant smile. ”We always participate in such events.”

”That’s excellent. I was just about to ask you about this Autumn Hunt to get some information; I currently know nothing about it.” Ling Chen’s eyes lit up. Since Xiao Muyu’s family had good relations with the Imperial Clan, she would surely be well-informed about the Imperial Autumn Hunt.

”Can’t this wait until tomorrow?” Xu Ruoyan, feeling somewhat vexed as she watched them converse so happily, couldn’t help but interject, ”Ling Chen, weren’t you going to the Wucheng Black Market today?”

”The Black Market?” Xiao Muyu’s pretty eyes sparkled. ”Your reminder is timely; I also need to purchase some elixirs in preparation for the Autumn Hunt.”

”Then let’s walk and talk.”

With a broad smile, Ling Chen made an inviting gesture towards Xiao Muyu, seemingly oblivious to Xu Ruoyan’s presence.

Watching their retreating backs as they walked off together, Xu Ruoyan took a deep breath, her ample bosom heaving. That bastard! He disappears for days, probably off enjoying himself somewhere, leaving me worried sick and anxious, and now he dares to ignore my existence! Ling Chen, just you wait, there’ll come a day you’ll regret this!

She suppressed the fury burning within her. Though she initially intended to storm off, after a moment’s thought, she ultimately decided to follow them.