Chapter 151 : 《Demon Subjugation Saber Technique》
Chapter 151: 《Demon Subjugation Saber Technique》
At the location of the Baiyu Sect, a middle-aged man suddenly asked a disciple behind him, “Zhang’er, what do you think of this Chen Ming’s strength?”
Zhang’er was the highest in cultivation among the disciples who had come along, already a Fifth Grade Expert. He pondered for a moment and said, “This person must have concealed his strength yesterday. That battle just now should reflect his true strength. His swordsmanship is experienced, and he’s extremely skilled at seizing opportunities. That Zhu Qi’s loss is not unjust.”
The middle-aged man stroked his beard and smiled, pleased as he said, “Zhang’er, your judgment has improved during this tempering journey.”
Zhang’er replied modestly, “Martial Uncle flatters me. I still have much to learn.”
Standing at the rear, Li Jinchuan heard the evaluation of Big Brother Chen from his Martial Uncle and Senior Brother. His chest surged with hot blood, and a pride he couldn’t describe rose within him.
Suddenly, a familiar senior brother turned and asked him, “By the way, Junior Brother, you lived in Qingfeng City before. Do you know this Chen Ming?”
Li Jinchuan noticed his Martial Uncle also looking over and quickly replied, “Disciple does indeed know him—”
Before he could finish his sentence, the third round of matches began, drawing everyone’s attention. He fell silent.
Li Jinchuan looked toward Big Brother Chen in the distance and clenched his fists tightly. A strong desire grew in his heart—a desire to shine as brilliantly as Big Brother Chen in front of everyone one day.
…
After the first round ended, there was the usual half-an-hour break.
The people of the Baiyu Sect were discussing those most likely to ascend the Azure Cloud Ranking.
So far, only six remained undefeated in six matches. Li Jinchuan listened quietly from the side, not joining in. When he noticed that they mentioned only five people and completely ignored Big Brother Chen, he felt a bit indignant.
However, he was never good at arguing. Besides, he understood logically that Big Brother Chen had broken through to Fifth Grade too recently. Compared to those renowned young talents who had made a name for themselves over the years, there might still be a gap.
Until later, someone finally mentioned, “Don’t forget, that Chen Ming from Qingfeng County is also undefeated in six matches.”
Another person said, “He’s just been lucky and hasn’t run into any real experts. But his luck ends here. His next opponent is Luo Xu.”
Luo Xu, the young expert who had suddenly emerged, was arrogant and unruly. From the moment he appeared, he became a sensation. The strength he displayed was widely recognized as most likely to contend with those seven for a spot on the Azure Cloud Ranking.
In everyone’s eyes, if Chen Ming faced this person, defeat was inevitable.
…
Soon, the second round began.
The seven seeded contestants were finally staggered, and the battles concluded quickly.
At this stage of the arena, no one cared about decorum anymore. Everyone attacked without holding back. Especially those who had previously lost, they sought to prove their strength by defeating their opponents as swiftly as possible.
If you took ten moves to beat someone last round, I’ll use eight to show I’m stronger.
That was the mindset of nearly everyone.
In the second group, it was Chen Ming’s turn again. He stepped onto the arena and locked eyes with the man named Luo Xu. He could feel the malice in the other’s gaze.
A wide grin spread across Luo Xu’s face. “I don’t know why, but the moment I saw you, I found you especially annoying. Now I finally get to beat you up.”
Chen Ming understood. In this world, those who didn’t attract jealousy were mediocre. He had the System—making other heaven-blessed geniuses envious was perfectly normal.
Of course, in the entire Great Jin Dynasty, this Luo Xu didn’t even qualify as a heaven-blessed genius.
He smiled and said, “Then let’s see if you have what it takes.”
“Begin!”
As the elder acting as referee shouted the command, in the next instant, Luo Xu’s figure vanished from the spot.
Without thinking, Chen Ming drew his sword in a sweeping arc.
Clang!
Luo Xu reappeared, holding a broadsaber—neither long nor short, wide at the front and narrow at the back, shaped like a machete. It was rather unique.
He looked slightly surprised. “Pretty quick reaction.”
He had originally planned to take this brat out in one strike, but unexpectedly, the saber was blocked.
“Take another strike from me!”
Luo Xu attacked again. Each saber strike was faster than the last, cleaving toward Chen Ming’s head. His speed was so fast that others couldn’t even follow with their eyes.
It was precisely with this lightning-fast saber technique that he had consecutively defeated six opponents. So far, no one had withstood three strikes from him.
In that moment, Chen Ming was completely shrouded in saber light, and many onlookers couldn’t help but sweat for him.
Yet he remained calm, his long sword countering speed with speed. Only the sounds of clashing rang out—ding ding ding…
A series of dense weapon clashes rang out.
He had actually blocked all of Luo Xu’s fast saber strikes.
The Baiyu Sect’s eldest disciple, Wu Zhang, said in astonishment, “So this is his true strength!”
Not only him, but many others were also shocked by the strength Chen Ming now displayed, able to fight Luo Xu to a standstill.
Especially the six who had previously fought Chen Ming—initially still resentful about losing to a country bumpkin from Qingfeng City—were now dumbfounded.
So he had been holding back all along, sparing their pride.
...
“Good swordsmanship!”
Luo Xu had finally encountered a rare worthy opponent. Rather than anger, he was delighted. Laughing loudly, he finally used his true skills. “Try this saber strike!”
He was airborne, and the momentum of his saber shifted.
Those present felt a burst of sharpness explode forth. Many of their expressions changed drastically, exclaiming, “Saber Intent? How is this possible?”
A mere Fifth Grade Expert, and he had comprehended Saber Intent?
This saber strike stunned the entire audience.
Suddenly, a deep voice rang out, “No, that’s not Saber Intent. It’s a rare form of True Qi.”
Everyone looked—speaking was a senior from the Wushan Sect, a Third Grade Expert.
With someone of such stature speaking, the crowd naturally accepted it, though their hearts were full of questions. What kind of True Qi could replicate the effect of Saber Intent?
On the Baiyu Sect’s side, the middle-aged man seemed to recall something, and a flash of realization appeared in his eyes.
Wu Zhang noticed his expression and asked, “Martial Uncle, have you guessed his origins?”
The middle-aged man nodded, then shook his head, motioning for him to continue watching the battle.
On the arena, the flow of the duel changed entirely. When Luo Xu unleashed that peerlessly sharp saber strike, Chen Ming’s swordsmanship shifted in response. A single sword move—like a phoenix spreading its wings—forcefully blocked the saber’s momentum.
Thereafter, both sides began displaying their ultimate skills, remaining evenly matched.
The audience was dazzled, unable to tear their eyes away.
The saber and sword techniques of these two were unlike anything they had ever seen. Every move felt novel, every form was profoundly mysterious.
“Tower Lord Chu, you’re well-traveled. Do you recognize the origins of their saber and sword techniques?”
A high-ranking member of Jin Yutang standing beside Tower Lord Chu asked with curiosity.
The short and stout Tower Lord Chu said, “Though the sword and saber techniques of these two are indeed excellent, what’s rarer is that they’ve achieved this level of mastery at such a young age. Given time, they are destined for greatness.”
He deflected the question, avoiding the subject of their techniques. The others understood and did not press further.
The nearby onlookers were all stirred by his praise. These two youths were indeed extraordinarily talented—especially Chen Ming. His background was clean, not affiliated with any sect or faction. He might be worth trying to recruit...
As for Luo Xu, many had already guessed his origins. Moreover, he was unruly by nature and would never willingly serve beneath others. Thus, no one harbored such intentions toward him.
...
On the arena, saber energy split the air while sword energy swept across.
Those close by could feel the searing heat of True Qi and the skin-splitting sharpness of the saber wind.
The other four matches had already concluded, but these two were still locked in a fierce stalemate.
In a flash, over seventy moves had passed.
Unable to break through, Luo Xu suddenly withdrew from the clash. His face had turned the color of gold paper, and a flicker of golden light glowed in his eyes. He stared at Chen Ming. “I truly underestimated you. Being able to withstand this many strikes of my 《Demon Subjugation Saber Technique》, you’ve earned the right to be proud. I have one more strike. Do you dare take it?”
Chen Ming held his longsword, staring at Luo Xu not far away, completely unafraid. “Come on.”
Hah!
Luo Xu’s True Qi burst forth violently. From the uniquely shaped saber in his hand, a blade aura so sharp it made one’s heart clench radiated outward.
Everyone could see it—if this saber landed, it would shake the heavens and earth.
Just as his momentum peaked, a flush rose to his face. With a loud gag, he vomited a mouthful of blood and collapsed stiffly to the ground.
This sudden development left everyone present utterly stunned.
【You defeated an LV60 enemy. Gained 23,000 experience points】
Seeing the prompt before him, Chen Ming realized that in that final moment, the man had forcibly tried to break through his realm and was struck by backlash—defeated in complete confusion.