Ling Tian Sword God

Chapter 136: Chapter 135 - Setting Off_1

Xu Ruoyan was taken aback before looking deeply into Ling Chen’s eyes. ”Whether it’s gratitude or resentment, it has all been severed by this sword, Ling Chen,” she said. ”From now on, it’s all water under the bridge between us.”

With that, she sheathed her Cloud and Water Sword and walked towards the other side of the training field.

”That woman! After injuring you so badly, doesn’t she feel any remorse at all? Just saying ’it’s all water under the bridge’ and leaving like that?” Xiao Muyu felt indignant on Ling Chen’s behalf and wanted to chase after Xu Ruoyan to confront her.

”Forget it,” Ling Chen said, waving his hand. ”I willingly took her sword strike, so there’s no need for an apology.”

Xu Ruoyan picked up two Command Waist Cards, walked over to Ling Chen, and tossed one onto the ground in front of him.

”This match is a draw.”

After saying this, Xu Ruoyan also walked off the training field.

The outcome of a draw was somewhat unexpected, but the Sect Disciples present had no objections. After all, Ling Chen’s strength had already earned their approval. His performance today could only be described as stunningly brilliant. This Command Waist Card was rightfully Ling Chen’s.

”You were too reckless! If Xu Ruoyan had been off by even a little, you could have died!” Xiao Muyu said reproachfully, supporting Ling Chen.

”That was never a possibility. Setting aside the fact that Xu Ruoyan didn’t want to kill me, even if she had harbored such an intention, I used my own body to block the sword. How could I have been unprepared?”

Ling Chen was not a reckless person. He had been fully confident in his ability to avoid any fatal injury, which was why he allowed Xu Ruoyan to stab him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so foolish. If Xu Ruoyan had truly been ruthless, he would have been a goner.

”Even so, you were still too reckless. Even if she is the apple of the Sky Void Palace’s eye, you don’t need to be afraid of her. The Ling Chen I remember isn’t one to bully the weak and fear the strong,” Xiao Muyu persisted.

”I’m not exactly afraid of her. Besides, since nothing serious happened in the end and I got the Command Waist Card, everyone’s happy. Let’s not dwell on it. My injuries will heal after a couple of days’ rest.”

Although Ling Chen said this, deep down, he was indeed somewhat wary of Xu Ruoyan. As the saying goes, one can offend anyone but a woman, especially a capable woman—that’s even more trouble.

The duel between Ling Chen and Xu Ruoyan concluded, but the Martial Arts Conference continued. The final Command Waist Card was claimed by a young talent from a second-rate sect. With this, all ten Command Waist Cards had been distributed.

Just then, a disciple from Chiyu Mountain Manor stepped into the center of the training field and announced loudly to the assembled Sect Disciples, ”Honorable martial brothers of the Righteous Martial World, our manor has prepared a lavish banquet to welcome you all and help you settle in. After dinner, please rest well. In three days, troops from the Fire Country’s Imperial Court will arrive to escort you to the battlefield. There, someone will be assigned to give you your tasks.”

Hearing this, everyone visibly relaxed, only for a wave of nervousness to wash over them. They were relieved at the prospect of enjoying a lavish dinner, a hot bath, and a good night’s rest. However, they were also anxious about heading to the battlefield in three days to face the crucible of blood and sand.

Ling Chen pondered for a moment. Most of his injuries should heal within three days. Once on the battlefield, he would just need a few more days of rest and avoid overly demanding tasks; there shouldn’t be any major issues.

「Three days passed in a flash.」

Ling Chen’s recovery progressed smoothly. Ordinarily, with a simple sword wound, his natural healing ability would have allowed him to recover within three days. However, the Cloud and Water Sword had pierced him. Although it hadn’t struck a vital point, its sharp Sword Light had still damaged his internal organs. Fortunately, Ling Chen had consumed the Black Demon Monkey Essence Blood, which made his internal organs exceptionally resilient and not easily injured.

As expected, on the third day, the Fire Country troops arrived punctually. It was only a small contingent of a hundred men, but their leader was a Grand Marshal of the Fire Country. This Grand Marshal was named Qiu Shi Hai. He himself was a Martial Artist at the Nine Heavy Realm, possessing considerable strength.

Ling Chen and the group of Sect Disciples gathered on the training field, ready to depart.

Qiu Shi Hai’s hundred-man team was already in formation, facing Ling Chen and the other Sect Disciples. Although this small contingent consisted mostly of mere warriors, their breathing and movements were perfectly synchronized, exuding an astonishingly powerful aura.

This was the difference between an army and a sect. A sect focused on maximizing an individual’s unique traits and talents, cultivating them into martial arts experts capable of defeating hundreds. In contrast, an army suppressed the individuality of its soldiers, forging them into a single entity where glory and loss were shared by all. In one-on-one combat, these soldiers would undoubtedly be no match for the highly skilled Sect Disciples. On the battlefield, however, even a Top Sky Apex Strong would be wary of a unified army.

Qiu Shi Hai stood before the group of Sect Disciples, a faint smile on his face.

”Young heroes from the major sects, I trust you already know your destination and your purpose.”

Qiu Shi Hai swept his gaze over the numerous Sect Disciples before continuing in a solemn tone, ”The conflict between the Righteous Path and the Demon Way is ancient. Currently, the Demon Way runs rampant. Supported by the Demonic Sect, the armies of the Earth Country are pillaging and slaughtering, plunging the populace into misery. All righteous heroes must act on Heaven’s behalf: eliminate these Evil Spirits, uphold justice, save the common folk of the Fire Country, and restore peace and prosperity to them.

”All of you present are elites from prestigious sects, the cream of the crop, each possessing unique skills. I believe you will all achieve great deeds on the battlefield, perhaps even etching your names into the annals of history.”

Qiu Shi Hai’s rousing speech sent a surge of fervor through the listening Sect Disciples, making their blood boil.

Slay demons, eliminate evil, act on Heaven’s behalf, uphold justice, and save the populace.

These were the aspirations of most Righteous Path Disciples. Why had they joined sects and painstakingly learned martial arts? To become stronger, certainly, but their ultimate purpose lay in those sixteen words. Qiu Shi Hai’s words had undoubtedly struck a chord deep within everyone present.

”The major Righteous Path sects have now formed a Sect Alliance to jointly resist the demonic threat. For every Demonic Sect Disciple or Earth Country soldier you kill, and whose Waist Tag you seize, you will earn battle merits. These battle merits can be converted into Contribution Points for your respective sects.

”The amount of battle merits awarded will depend on the Cultivation level and military rank of the individuals you eliminate. Of course, this is merely one method of calculation. Completing other missions issued by the Sect Alliance will also yield substantial battle merits. Therefore, this great war in the Fire Country between the Righteous Path and the Demon Way is a prime opportunity for all of you to grow stronger and make a name for yourselves!”

As his voice fell, a stir went through the crowd. A chivalrous heart was one thing, but these battle merits were tangible rewards.

A flicker of understanding crossed Ling Chen’s eyes. If battle merits could be converted into Sect Contribution Points, that meant access to more Cultivation Resources. He desperately needed Solid Reality Pills to advance his Cultivation. Only by earning abundant battle merits on the battlefield could he hope to exchange for more of them.

It seemed he would have to strive hard on the battlefield.