Chapter 48: Back-to-Back Matches
Name: Ye Zhiqiu
Root Bone: B Class+
Talent: Middle Grade Talent [Swordsmanship]
Ye Zhiqiu possessed a Middle Grade Sword Technique Talent.
This was why he could always defeat his opponents with ease in his previous duels.
Not yet thirty years old, Ye Zhiqiu’s cultivation had reached the peak of the Blood Forging Fifth Layer.
Furthermore, he had cultivated a top-tier Blood Forging Sword Technique to the point of perfection.
He was only one step away from condensing his Sword Intent.
He had come to participate in the tournament for two reasons: first, to build his Martial Arts Hall’s reputation and increase its income, and second, to temper and forge his own Sword Intent.
Ye Zhiqiu looked at Lu Changfeng opposite him. This was the first Blood Forging Sixth Layer opponent he had encountered since starting his winning streak in the tournament.
This match had been arranged because the tournament organizers believed his Swordsmanship was outstanding enough to fight opponents of a higher realm!
"Brother Lu, be careful of my sword!"
Lu Changfeng looked at Ye Zhiqiu’s cautious and earnest expression and shrugged. To him, this match was just a warmup.
Lu Changfeng’s goal, however, was to make a name for himself.
As such, Ye Zhiqiu’s fate was sealed...
"Watch my sword! Autumn Moon Swordsmanship!"
Ye Zhiqiu’s long sword bloomed into a beautiful flourish, creating a flurry of afterimages as it slashed toward Lu Changfeng.
Cheers erupted from the audience!
The visual impact of such a gorgeous and perfectly executed Sword Technique was stunning to the spectators!
Lu Changfeng faced Ye Zhiqiu’s incoming attack.
He even had time to roll his neck.
Then, Lu Changfeng drew his Autumn Water Long Sword.
SWISH!
Without even needing to use Sword Intent, Lu Changfeng executed a surprise attack from the Storm Sword Technique. A single, swift, and vicious strike sent Ye Zhiqiu’s long sword flying.
Then, he placed the tip of his blade against Ye Zhiqiu’s neck.
Feeling the cold steel on his neck,
Ye Zhiqiu’s face went pale. "I... I’ve lost..."
"Thank you for the match." Lu Changfeng sheathed his sword and walked back to the contestants’ area without a backward glance.
In the contestants’ area, a staff member asked Lu Changfeng if he wanted to continue competing.
It was still early, so Lu Changfeng naturally nodded.
On the stage, a dejected Ye Zhiqiu walked down. Being defeated so easily made him start to doubt himself.
The audience was also baffled. Lu Changfeng’s movements had been so fast that the match was over before they could even understand what had happened.
But that didn’t stop them from cheering. The two words "fucking awesome" were all that was needed!
In a private room on the second floor of the venue, several of the top managers were discussing the match. They unanimously agreed that the power of Lu Changfeng’s last strike was exceptional.
He was qualified to face the top ten Blood Forging Realm Swordsmen of Five Horses Street.
"Didn’t that Zhao Yan fellow contact us today? Tell him to come over."
"Let’s have this Lu Changfeng face Zhao Yan," one of the senior managers said.
Another senior manager hesitated. "Isn’t that too soon? This Lu Changfeng has only been tested in one match. Zhao Yan is ranked fifth among the Blood Forging Realm Swordsmen in Five Horses Street."
"It’s not too soon. Don’t be fooled by how quickly Ye Zhiqiu was defeated; he’s actually skilled enough to be in the top fifteen."
"This Lu Changfeng is no simple character."
The conversation between the senior managers decided Lu Changfeng’s next opponent.
Lu Changfeng, of course, was unaware of this.
「A little under an hour passed.」
A tall, bearded Swordsman appeared in the corridor of the contestants’ area.
The bearded Swordsman scanned the contestants’ area, and his gaze landed on Lu Changfeng.
He walked straight over and sat down beside Lu Changfeng. "I’m Zhao Yan. Are you the opponent who was worth my trip here today? Lu Changfeng?"
Only then did Lu Changfeng notice the Swordsman, and he subconsciously used his interface to inspect him.
Name: Zhao Yan
Root Bone: Lower A Class
Talent: Middle Grade Talent [Heavy Sword]
’Heavy Sword?’ This was the first time Lu Changfeng had seen a Middle Grade Talent that was different from the general [Swordsmanship] category.
Glancing at the heavy sword, over two meters long, on Zhao Yan’s back, Lu Changfeng understood.
"I’m not sure," Lu Changfeng replied.
Zhao Yan, however, was quite enthusiastic and began to explain.
Apparently, after achieving a certain winning streak and ranking at the venue, the difficulty of arranging opponents increased.
It was hard to find a suitable match.
Therefore, these ranked contestants received special treatment. They could normally cultivate at home and would only be notified to come and compete when an opponent was found for them.
"My current record is sixteen wins and one loss. I am the fifth-ranked Blood Forging Realm Swordsman in the Five Horses Street Martial Arts Hall tournament," Zhao Yan said with a hint of pride.
A thought stirred in Lu Changfeng’s mind. "Does that mean if I defeat you, I’ll be ranked as the fifth Blood Forging Realm Swordsman of Five Horses Street?"
Zhao Yan laughed heartily. "Of course."
As soon as he finished speaking, the announcer called for Lu Changfeng and Zhao Yan to take the stage.
By now, it was nearly midnight.
The number of spectators in the Martial Arts Hall had reached its peak.
The match between Lu Changfeng and Zhao Yan was a main event that had been added at the last minute.
Both were at the Blood Forging Sixth Layer, and their status as Swordsmanship Masters made the match a highly anticipated spectacle.
Especially since the two had to determine a winner within five minutes.
This had even the senior managers in the second-floor private box looking forward to the match with great interest.
The two rose and walked onto the stage.
Each took their position.
The announcer began to introduce the two contestants.
"Our first contestant, Zhao Yan, is a True Disciple of the Great Sword Martial Arts Hall! He is at the Blood Forging Sixth Layer, with a record of sixteen wins and one loss!"
The Great Sword Martial Arts Hall was one of the most famous Sword Dao Martial Arts Halls on Five Horses Street.
Its master was a Sword Dao Master at the Tendon Transformation Realm.
"Our second contestant, Lu Changfeng, is the master of the Changle Martial Arts Hall! He is at the Blood Forging Sixth Layer, with a record of one win and zero losses!!"
By being able to face Zhao Yan, the four words "Changle Martial Arts Hall" were, for the first time, faintly imprinted in the audience’s minds.
With the introductions complete, the match timer began.
Zhao Yan was the first to act, taking the two-meter-long heavy sword from his back.
"The main material of this sword is Profound Iron, supplemented with Extraterrestrial Meteorite. Its total weight is 226 jin."
Zhao Yan held the 226-jin heavy sword in one hand, looking remarkably steady.
This opening, where Zhao Yan introduced his heavy sword, seemed on the surface to be a matter of etiquette.
In reality, it was a psychological tactic. Most opponents, upon hearing his sword weighed over two hundred jin, would gasp in their hearts, feeling the pressure mount.
This time, however, Zhao Yan could detect no emotional fluctuation on Lu Changfeng’s face.
Of course, Lu Changfeng wasn’t shocked. When he practiced the [Fengtian Forging Body Saber Skill], he used a 200-jin pig iron long saber.
Furthermore, unlike Zhao Yan, who used techniques to wield his heavy sword, Lu Changfeng practiced by holding the 200-jin long saber using pure physical strength.
Seeing Zhao Yan’s heavy sword, Lu Changfeng even felt a strange sense of kinship.
Since Zhao Yan had introduced his weapon, Lu Changfeng naturally followed suit and gave a courteous introduction of his own sword.
"Ahem. The Autumn Water Long Sword. Three feet, six inches long. It has been with me for many years and is a superior-grade Treasure Artifact."
Zhao Yan nodded in appreciation. "Then watch this!"
Zhao Yan raised his heavy sword and, with a wide, sweeping motion, unleashed a heavy slash at Lu Changfeng!
For this move, he used his Heavy Sword Battle Art; the Sword Stance was incredibly fierce! It was also a setup for his next attack!
Everyone thought Lu Changfeng would dodge this strike!
But Lu Changfeng’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he raised his comparatively slender Autumn Water Long Sword to meet the blow!
CLANG!
With a tremendous noise, Lu Changfeng, holding his sword with two hands, used unbelievable strength to block Zhao Yan’s mighty heavy sword slash!