Ling Tian Sword God

Chapter 570: Chapter 568 Challenge_1

Atop a hill, the Young Master of Myriad Dao and Feng Piaoliu stood side by side, overlooking the situation on Nine Dragons Lake.

”This sword duel is likely the most influential one in the past two decades,” remarked the Young Master of Myriad Dao with emotion.

Feng Piaoliu nodded in agreement. ”Three years ago, the sword duel at Nine Dragons Lake was not this grand. Only one or two previous-generation masters showed up symbolically. I didn’t expect that this time, all Four Grand Masters would come; it’s truly an unprecedented level of attention.”

”This sword duel will determine the new Four Outstanding Talents. Even Leng Jue from the Black Market Shadow Tower and Long Zaiyuan from the Dragon Hidden Clan have come. The selection for the Four Outstanding Talents might indeed change this time,” said the Young Master of Myriad Dao.

”That’s a possibility. But those four are frighteningly strong; it won’t be easy to shake their positions. Unfortunately, no one truly outstanding has emerged from the younger generation capable of challenging the Four Outstanding Talents,” said Feng Piaoliu.

”Who said no one? If Ling Chen were here, I believe he could definitely challenge the Four Outstanding Talents.”

The Young Master of Myriad Dao shook his head. ”Half a year ago, he was already capable of defeating the Gentleman of the Wind, who was seventh on the Young Master List. More than half a year has passed since then; I refuse to believe his strength hasn’t progressed at all.”

”Ling Chen?”

Mentioning Ling Chen, Feng Piaoliu’s expression turned a little grim. Half a year ago, Ling Chen had caused a huge disturbance at the Sky Void Palace, leaving it utterly humiliated. But after that, Ling Chen vanished without a trace, and there had been no news of him since.

”Even without Ling Chen, that junior sister of yours should also be capable of challenging the Four Outstanding Talents. Yet, it seems she hasn’t come this time.”

As he spoke, the Young Master of Myriad Dao’s gaze swept towards the area designated for the Sky Void Palace; Xu Ruoyan was nowhere to be seen there.

”My junior sister? She’s lost interest in such grand events. It’s impossible for her to come now.”

Feng Piaoliu shook his head with a bitter smile. The incident at the Sky Void Palace last time had made Xu Ruoyan blame herself deeply. However, considering the latter’s strength, it was indeed highly probable that she could rank among the Four Outstanding Talents.

”Enough idle chatter. It’s this ongoing grand event that we should focus on.”

The Young Master of Myriad Dao waved his hand, shifting the topic. ”Among the Four Outstanding Talents, Yun Qinghong, known as the ’White Xuanjun’, is the strongest. This time, the foremost figure of the younger generation will likely be him.”

Yun Qinghong ranked fifth on the World Masters List. However, he had never actually fought against the top four previous-generation masters. Therefore, many Jianghu people speculated that Yun Qinghong already possessed the strength to challenge those four great previous-generation masters. That’s why this Nine Dragons Lake gathering has caused such a huge sensation and become such a grand spectacle.

”The Four Outstanding Talents and all four great previous-generation masters are here. This will definitely be a fierce competition, a true clash of titans!”

”Judging from current battle records, Yun Qinghong seems to have a slight edge. The other three have been rather quiet lately.”

”It’s true they’ve been quiet, but some people are striving hard to catch up. They might already possess the strength to contend with them—for example, Dustless from the Cyan Robe Association, Leng Jue from the Black Market, and Long Zaiyuan from the Dragon Hidden Clan.”

”Indeed. I wonder if the Four Outstanding Talents will spar with each other?”

”Probably not yet. After all, it’s just begun. Those four... if they don’t make a move, it’s one thing; but once they do, it will shake the entire world.”

The crowd buzzed with discussion.

After all, the Four Outstanding Talents were the foremost figures of the younger generation. Even if they were to spar, they wouldn’t do so right at the beginning; they would surely wait until this sword duel event had progressed to a certain stage.

Ling Chen and Liu Feiyue sat on the chairs that had been arranged. He glanced at the sky. It’s about time. Most people have arrived by now, so this sword duel should be starting.

”Since no one else is starting, let us begin!”

As no one seemed inclined to make the first move, two figures suddenly shot out and landed in the open space.

Of the two men, one wielded a sword and the other a halberd. Both were renowned talents listed on the Young Master List: one named Duanmu Ci, the other Cao Zhengying.

They were ranked twelfth and fourteenth, respectively, on the Young Master List.

Even on the ”World Masters List”, they would be considered notable figures.

The fight between the two was intense. After more than thirty rounds, Duanmu Ci narrowly defeated Cao Zhengying.

Once the match concluded, a flurry of discussion immediately erupted among the crowd.

”Duanmu Ci’s strength has increased considerably compared to before! He probably has the strength of a top-ten ranker now.”

”Yes, his swordsmanship is indeed more refined than before. He’s shed many flashy, impractical moves, achieving a quality of returning to true simplicity.”

”He defeated Cao Zhengying but hasn’t left the stage. It looks like he wants to press his advantage and issue another challenge. I wonder who he intends to challenge?”

Some people discerned Duanmu Ci’s intention: he wanted to issue further challenges and already had a target in mind.

Duanmu Ci scanned his surroundings, his gaze finally landing on the mountain peak where Ling Chen was situated. A sharp glint suddenly flashed in his eyes as he declared in a clear, loud voice, ”The person I wish to challenge is the Master of the Cyan Robe Association, Dustless!”

The moment his words fell, an immediate uproar swept through the crowd.

”Challenge me?”

Ling Chen was slightly taken aback; he hadn’t expected to be challenged by name so soon.

”That’s right. I am indeed challenging Your Excellency.”

Duanmu Ci’s eyes narrowed slightly. His decision to challenge Ling Chen was naturally not a random, aimless choice but one he had planned long ago. This was because Ling Chen had defeated three individuals from the top ten of the Young Master List: the Gentleman of the Wind, Yin Zongli, and Meng Qi. In the eyes of the public, Ling Chen was now in the second tier, just below the Four Outstanding Talents. His status was comparable to that of Leng Jue and Long Zaiyuan. Furthermore, as the Master of the Cyan Robe Association, his standing in the Jianghu was extraordinary, akin to a regional magnate. If I, Duanmu Ci, could defeat Ling Chen, I would soar to prominence overnight.

As for why I chose Ling Chen, there was a hint of jealousy in my heart. Ling Chen was too young yet had achieved so much. This made me, a veteran on the Young Master List, feel an irresistible urge to take him down a notch.

Most importantly, for challengers like myself, merely ensuring we aren’t defeated is equivalent to a victory. For Ling Chen, however, unless he’s facing one of the Four Outstanding Talents, defeat is not an option. If he loses, he won’t be able to maintain his position. A draw would be no different from defeat; he still wouldn’t be able to secure his standing.

”Huh? Duanmu Ci wants to challenge Dustless?”

”This fellow certainly comes with ill intent, targeting Dustless like this.”

”To be honest, though, Dustless might not necessarily win! I’ve never seen him fight before. Most of his acclaimed battle records are just rumors. I, for one, trust what I’ve seen with my own eyes, and Duanmu Ci’s strength is definitely not weak.”

Everyone voiced their own opinions.

Ling Chen was somewhat surprised. To be honest, based on Duanmu Ci’s combat record, forget about the present—even the Ling Chen from half a year ago could have finished him in an instant. They simply weren’t in the same league, with a gap of two or three entire tiers between them. Ling Chen truly hadn’t expected to be challenged by him.

After a moment of reflection, Ling Chen smiled faintly. Indeed, over the past year, his few battles had been quite discreet, known to very few. It was perfectly normal that most people were unaware of his current strength. Very well then, he would make his move this one time; it would also serve to intimidate anyone else thinking of targeting him.