Chapter 35: Fighting the Number One Person of the Disciple

While everyone was still immersed in the shock of Chen Chuan defeating Shi Man,

the Deacon Elder’s sonorous voice resounded through the Martial Arts Arena once more, pulling everyone’s thoughts back.

"Fourth round of drawing lots, begin!"

The atmosphere instantly became tense again.

The remaining Disciples stepped forward one after another to draw their numbers.

Chen Chuan drew one at random and unfolded it to see the number "eleven."

According to the rules, he would participate in the second match on Duel Platform One.

And the first match on Duel Platform One instantly ignited the passion of the entire audience!

"Platform One, first match: Xiao Tianci versus Lin Feng!"

Boom!

The crowd erupted completely, the waves of sound almost flipping over the entire Martial Arts Arena!

"Senior Brother Xiao! Senior Brother Lin! They’re facing off again!"

"A battle of destiny! In the last competition, Senior Brother Lin Feng only lost by half a move!"

"It’s coming, it’s coming! The Peak duel recognized for this competition has been staged early!"

"A clash of titans! This is a true clash of titans!"

The onlookers were so excited their faces were flushed red, as if they were the ones about to go on stage.

A fat man excitedly waved his fist:

"The betting is open! Betting on Senior Brother Xiao to win is 1.1 to 1, and betting on Senior Brother Lin to win is 1.5 to 1! All bets are final!"

A thin man beside him immediately complained:

"You fat bastard, these odds clearly show you think Senior Brother Xiao has a better chance of winning!"

The fat man replied righteously:

"Nonsense! Senior Brother Xiao won last time, so this time he definitely—ahem, we have to be objective. Senior Brother Lin also has the possibility of a comeback!"

Another Disciple stroked his chin, feigning profundity: "I don’t think it’s certain. Don’t forget there’s also a dark horse!"

"Who? Chen Chuan?"

"Exactly! Since he could easily defeat Shi Man, he might be able to go toe-to-toe with Senior Brother Xiao and Senior Brother Lin!"

His words immediately drew a chorus of boos from the surroundings.

"Wake up, buddy! Chen Chuan is strong, but Senior Brother Xiao and Senior Brother Lin are established geniuses. Can their foundations be the same?"

"Exactly, it’s fine for a dark horse to pull an upset once, but he wants to stay dark all the way to the end? Do you really think Senior Brother Xiao is a pushover?"

"I admit Chen Chuan has some skill, but wanting to compete for first place? Better to just go home and sleep; it’ll be good enough if he can make it into the top five!"

"Agreed! The winner between Senior Brother Xiao and Senior Brother Lin will basically be the number one of this competition!"

Amidst the clamor of the crowd, Xiao Tianci and Lin Feng both leaped onto Duel Platform One.

Lin Feng’s gaze was as sharp as a hawk’s, and his Battle Intent had almost materialized. He stared intently at Xiao Tianci, his voice clanging with determination:

"Xiao Tianci! Last time I lost to you by half a move. Today, I will surely defeat you and reclaim the glory that belongs to me!"

Facing Lin Feng’s fire-like Battle Intent, Xiao Tianci, dressed in fine silk, had an expression as calm as a deep pool or an ancient well; even his eyes didn’t flicker in the slightest.

It was as if he didn’t view Lin Feng as an opponent at all.

This extreme indifference instead revealed a deeper kind of arrogance.

"Less talk, let’s see what you’ve got," Xiao Tianci said faintly.

"As you wish!"

Lin Feng let out a long cry, and his longsword instantly left its scabbard, the blade trembling slightly and emitting a crisp ring.

What he performed was his famous ultimate technique, the Breeze Sword Technique.

The sword momentum unfolded like a breeze brushing against one’s face, pervasive and all-encompassing, yet carrying streaks of sharp Sword Qi that instantly enveloped Xiao Tianci’s major acupoints.

The sword light flickered, making one’s eyes dazzled.

"What a fast sword!"

"Senior Brother Lin’s Breeze Sword Technique has become even more exquisite."

Facing this exquisite and swift offensive, Xiao Tianci finally moved.

He held his fingers together like a sword, and a dazzling golden sword-gang instantly condensed, while a terrifying Sword Intent that could tear the earth apart rose into the sky.

It was his ultimate technique, the Heaven-Slaying Sword Art!

He didn’t use any fancy techniques, just a simple vertical slash.

Screech!

The golden sword-gang was like the first ray of light at the creation of the world, domineering and unparalleled.

It actually tore right through that seemingly dense and endless "breeze"!

No matter how many variations you have, I shall cleave them with a single sword!

The two figures crossed paths, and their sword lights collided, producing a deafening sound of clashing metal. The stray Sword Qi carved white marks into the hard surface of the Duel Platform.

The scene was incredibly intense, making the crowd below feel their blood boil, all thinking this would be a long and arduous battle.

However, it was on the third move!

A sharp light flashed in Xiao Tianci’s eyes, and that golden sword-gang suddenly became even more terrifying.

Its speed surged, and with an almost boorish posture, it pierced through Lin Feng’s sword net, aiming straight for his chest.

"What?"

Lin Feng’s pupils shrank, and he hurriedly blocked with his sword.

Clang!

With a loud bang, Lin Feng felt an irresistible force travel through the sword blade. The webbing between his thumb and index finger instantly split, and his sword nearly flew out of his hand.

His entire body was like it had been struck by a prehistoric beast, flying backward uncontrollably and falling directly off the Duel Platform.

Silence!

A deathly silence!

Everyone’s eyes widened and their mouths gaped, as if they were being choked.

Three moves!

Only three moves!

Lin Feng, who could still fight Xiao Tianci for a long time and only lose by half a move in the last competition, had actually been defeated so cleanly and decisively.

The gap seemed to be much larger than imagined.

Whoosh!

After the brief silence came an even more surging uproar.

"My god! Three moves?! Am I seeing things?"

"Senior Brother Xiao is too strong! This strength is definitely far beyond the average Furnace Realm Ninth Level Peak!"

"Crushing! It’s a completely crushing victory!"

"First place! Is there any suspense left? It’s definitely Senior Brother Xiao Tianci!"

"Who was just saying Chen Chuan could compete for first? Come out and take a walk?"

"Chen Chuan? Can he even take one sword strike from Senior Brother Xiao Tianci?"

"Exactly, he’d probably be slashed off the stage in one go."

"I don’t think he’s even qualified to carry Senior Brother Xiao’s shoes. Defeating Shi Man earlier was probably just luck."

Below the stage, the defeated Lin Feng struggled to stand up, his face full of bitterness and disbelief, as he muttered:

"So, so the gap has already become this large? I was too naive."

He had originally thought that a year of hard Cultivation would be enough to close or even surpass the gap, but he hadn’t expected reality to be so cruel.

Xiao Tianci stood on the stage, his expression still calm, as if he had only done a trivial thing.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze indifferently sweeping over the crowd below. In the depths of his heart, one thought was incredibly firm:

"First place is mine. No one can change that."

Soon, the second match on Duel Platform One began.

Chen Chuan leaped onto the stage. His opponent was a Disciple of the Furnace Realm Seventh Level.

When that Disciple saw clearly that it was Chen Chuan, his face turned green, thinking of the scene where Shi Man was blasted off the stage.

He very cleanly and decisively cupped his fists and shouted: "Senior Brother Chen’s cultivation is profound, this Junior Brother admits inferiority. I concede!"

After speaking, without waiting for the referee’s response, he jumped off the stage with a whoosh, fearing that if he were a step late, he would be greeted by Chen Chuan’s terrifying fists.

Chen Chuan won without a fight.

Seeing this guy concede, many Disciples around cursed him for being spineless.

But some also thought it was the right choice. After all, Chen Chuan was at the Furnace Realm Ninth Level and possessed a powerful Bloodline.

How could someone at the Furnace Realm Seventh Level be his opponent?

The upcoming fifth round of drawing lots was also the crucial round that would determine the top five rankings and the spots for the final match.

The atmosphere became even more solemn.

Chen Chuan stepped forward and drew the number "one."

This meant he would be on Duel Platform One for the first match.

Everyone’s gaze focused over, wanting to see which Disciple would duel with this super dark horse.

Just then, a figure walked toward Duel Platform One at an unhurried pace.

He was dressed in expensive fine silk, and his aura was as steady as a mountain. Who else could it be but Xiao Tianci?

Chen Chuan versus Xiao Tianci!

Boom!

The entire Martial Arts Arena was like a red-hot iron being thrown into water; it instantly exploded and boiled over completely.

"Holy crap! Chen Chuan versus Xiao Tianci!"

"The ultimate dark horse against the invincible king!"

"It’s here, it’s here! The most exciting duel is here!"

"I just want to know exactly how dark this dark horse Chen Chuan can get!"

The onlookers were howling with excitement.

"I bet Senior Brother Xiao will get an instant kill in one move!"

"If Chen Chuan can force Senior Brother Xiao to use a second sword strike, I’ll consider it his win!"

"Hahaha, Chen Chuan’s good luck has come to an end. Senior Brother Xiao will teach him how to behave!"

"Where are those who were praising Chen Chuan just now? Why aren’t you saying anything now?"

Below the stage, when Chen Ping saw that his Elder brother’s opponent was actually Xiao Tianci, his heart instantly leaped into his throat, and he sighed inwardly:

"Xiao Tianci is too strong. Even Lin Feng couldn’t take three moves."

Although he had confidence in his Elder brother, the strength Xiao Tianci had displayed was truly too terrifying.

Contrary to Chen Ping’s worry, when Ye Linger saw this matchup, she was first stunned.

Then, an incredibly happy smile appeared on her exquisite little face, her big eyes curving into crescents.

"Heehee, Junior Brother’s opponent is Xiao Tianci!" She was overjoyed in her heart. "Xiao Tianci is so powerful, Junior Brother definitely won’t be able to beat him! Then I’ve won the bet!"

She had already begun to blissfully fantasize about the wonderful scene of Chen Chuan, her little lackey, following her around, being at her beck and call, and calling her Senior Sister Linger.

"I’ll make him pour tea and water, and make him massage my shoulders and legs. Heehee, just thinking about it makes me happy!"

Ye Linger licked the candied hawthorn in her hand, feeling that today’s snack was exceptionally sweet.

On the Duel Platform, Chen Chuan and Xiao Tianci stood facing each other.

Xiao Tianci’s expression remained calm, like an ancient well without ripples.

The way he looked at Chen Chuan carried a kind of high-and-mighty indifference, as if he were looking at an inconsequential object, or like a dragon looking down at a slightly stronger ant.

That was a confidence and pride that came from his very bones, as if Chen Chuan, this opponent, didn’t bring him the slightest pressure at all, and even barely piqued his interest.

The wind before the storm filled the tower.

Everyone’s gaze was focused here, waiting for this battle.

Could Chen Chuan, this dark horse that appeared out of nowhere, create a miracle once again?

Or would he, as everyone expected, pale in comparison under the brilliant sun that was Xiao Tianci?