Devour

Chapter 442 Invitation to Battle

Mr. Xiao said slowly, “The sword techniques you use are rigorous and have a certain righteous spirit. However, they are too straightforward and lack variation in combat, making them appear stiff and restrained. For first-time users, this is not a major problem. But if you encounter a master, they will be able to find flaws in your moves. Therefore, you need to practice more until your moves are fluid and natural.”

Zhu Bin and Zhuge Jing bowed and said in unison, "Thank you for your guidance, teacher." After saying that, they returned to the spectator stands.

Cheng Bai thought to himself, "Mr. Xiao San's evaluation is appropriate, fair but not sharp. It seems that the two from the Eastern Soul Dynasty have put in the effort and have managed to grasp the basics of swordsmanship."

Mr. Xiao San scanned the many students present and said in a loud voice, "Who else is willing to come down and practice sword moves in pairs?"

One person stood up. The atmosphere instantly changed, becoming subtle and tense.

The one who stood up was Lin Zhengyuan.

Judging from his physique, he was much shorter than an average adult, but his imposing presence was as majestic as a mountain standing tall in the abyss.

Lin Zhengyuan's gaze swept across the entire room, his words like hammer blows: "This student wishes to make friends through martial arts and practice what I have learned. May I ask which fellow Daoist is willing to offer guidance?"

The students present remained silent, their gazes meeting, conveying complex emotions.

Cheng Bai pondered, "Although Lin Zhengyuan is ranked last on the Sage List, he has managed to join the ranks of cultivation giants as a young junior. Such terrifying potential has indeed made all the major sects take notice."

Lin Zhengyuan glanced at Chu Kangzhi, seemingly unintentionally, and suddenly smiled slightly, inviting him, "Young Master Chu, we've known each other for a long time, why don't we go up and practice together?"

Chu Kangzhi's face stiffened, and he quickly waved his hand to refuse: "Pavilion Master Lin, please don't make fun of me! Everyone knows that your cultivation has reached the perfection of the Five Boundless Mysteries Realm, and your strength is nearly a hundred times higher than mine. If I, Chu, dare to challenge you, wouldn't I be asking for trouble? I hope you will consider our shared Zhourao clan relationship and not force me!"

Lin Zhengyuan, having been subtly countered and attacked by Chu Kangzhi's words, could no longer press the matter. He immediately swayed slightly, flashing like a ghost, and suddenly stood in the center of the arena.

His speed and skill earned him a chorus of murmured admiration.

Lin Zhengyuan suddenly turned around, his eyes flashing like cold lightning, and raised his voice: "I have recently heard of the White Emperor Saint Lord's illustrious reputation. His achievements in challenging the Heavenly Ladder, forging soul weapons, venturing into secret realms, and dominating the battlefield are all remarkable. I admire him greatly. Would you be so kind as to step down and offer your guidance?"

Upon hearing this challenge, Cheng Bai remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he felt a chill: "So Lin Zhengyuan's target is me."

Before he could respond, Bei Tingjun rose gracefully, her robes fluttering like a fairy descending to earth, her voice soft yet clear: "This humble servant is willing to fight on behalf of Your Majesty and learn from Pavilion Master Lin's superior skills."

Lin Zhengyuan blushed deeply, realizing the vast difference between himself and a Nirvana Realm expert. He quickly masked his embarrassment with anger and shouted, "White Emperor, in a duel between fellow practitioners, sincerity is paramount. How dare you order a maid to do it for you? Aren't you afraid of being ridiculed by all the heroes of the world!"

Upon hearing this forceful argument, Cheng Bai was stunned, as if he had encountered something utterly absurd. He retorted, "Why is Pavilion Master Lin speaking so presumptuously? I have never practiced swordsmanship, nor have I ever agreed to discuss swordsmanship with you. If you wish to discuss swordsmanship, you have indeed chosen the wrong person. I am not at liberty to make a fool of myself. I hope you will find someone more skilled."

As soon as he finished speaking, Cheng Bai waved his hand gently, gesturing for Bei Tingjun to sit down. He thought to himself, "It's not that I'm afraid of Lin Zhengyuan. It's truly rare for this guy to have reached the perfect state of the Five Elements Profound Mystery! If I want to defeat him without using any magic weapons, I'd have to transform into a tyrant. In unfamiliar territory, I should avoid meaningless battles to prevent those with ulterior motives from seeing through my secrets."

"You...you..." Lin Zhengyuan realized that he had misspoke about "sword debate". His attempt to test the waters had failed, and he was instead rebuked, leaving him pale and then red-faced. He stood alone in the arena, looking desolate, and was unable to back down for a moment.

An Yiren chuckled and smoothed things over, saying, "It's the same if Pavilion Master Lin spars with other classmates."

Despite the words, the room fell silent for a moment, with no one willing to step forward.

Xu Buwei, mindful that he and Lin Zhengyuan both came from the same renowned sword sect in Zhongyuan Ruizhou and had a long-standing friendly relationship, kindly reminded him, "Sect Master Lin, it's not that we're unwilling to participate in the competition, but rather that your cultivation level is far superior to ours. If we were to lower ourselves to the early stage of the Wuzhu Realm, perhaps some fellow students would be willing to spar with you."

Lin Zhengyuan accepted this opportunity, laughed loudly, and his voice reverberated throughout the martial arts arena: "Haha! Why didn't you fellow Daoists say so earlier? It's fair to seal your cultivation and lower your realm. What difficulty is there for me?"

After saying that, he quickly pressed his fingers on the major acupoints all over his body, causing his muscles and bones to shift slightly, producing a soft "clucking" sound.

Lin Zhengyuan suppressed his imposing aura, gradually returning to calm. He surveyed the spectator stands and announced loudly, "I have sealed ninety percent of my power. My current strength is only equivalent to the early stage of the Wuzhu Realm. Are there any students here who are willing to engage in a sword duel? Or would you like to further lower your cultivation level?"

Even in his position, he remained like a sharp sword sheathed, its edge concealed yet brimming with danger.

Chu Kangzhi leaned closer to Cheng Bai and chuckled, "Pavilion Master Lin, as a 'Golden Fiend Spirit Body,' is one of the best among the Five Elements Spirit Bodies. Such geniuses are known as 'Masters of War,' skilled in offense and combat. Even if they only use one-tenth of their power, they are hard to match among those of the same level!"

Cheng Bai had witnessed Lin Zhengyuan's prowess during the battle in the Death Ship Secret Realm and knew how formidable he was. He thought to himself, "I will bide my time and wait until I break through to a higher realm before I settle things with him during the imperial examination."

After this little incident, the atmosphere became much livelier. The opportunity to compete against top players on the Sage Ranking within safe rules and gain valuable practical experience finally began to stir among some.

Huang Yunzi, who had remained silent, slowly stood up. His voice was not loud, but everyone present could hear him clearly: "A prodigy with the Golden Fiend Spirit Body is no different from a 'human-shaped divine weapon.' According to ancient records, such a physique either makes one a ruthless sword saint or a killing god who leaves his mark on history. I am itching to learn from Pavilion Master Lin."

Suddenly, he appeared, his yellow Taoist robe fluttering as he danced, his figure swaying as he fell into the arena like a withered yellow leaf.

From the stands, Cheng Bai asked in confusion, "Why does Huang Yunzi want to make a move?"

Chu Kangzhi, standing nearby, was unaware of the intricate details and, preoccupied with showing off his knowledge, said, "Brother Bai, you may not know this. This Huang Yunzi is renowned on the Heavenly Ladder Ranking, ranking 178th. It is rumored that he possesses the 'Blazing Fire Spirit Body,' which is on par with the Golden Fiend Spirit Body. For two unparalleled geniuses to compete on the same stage, especially since the metal and fire attributes are mutually exclusive, is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Facing Huang Yunzi, Lin Zhengyuan spoke with high fighting spirit: "I have long admired the reputation of Holy Master Huang, but unfortunately we have never met, let alone experienced the high skills of the Lieyan Sect. Today, by chance, you and I are truly evenly matched."

Huang Yunzi remained expressionless, his sharp, hawk-like eyes fixed on him as if examining a rare object. He said coldly, "I am quite interested in how capable you are, Pavilion Master Lin. I just want to test your mettle."

"Skin? Weight?" Lin Zhengyuan thought to himself as he heard the strange way the man spoke: "How can this fake Taoist priest spout such arrogant words and act so strangely? If it weren't for the fact that the Lieyan Sect is a major sect in weapon forging, would I have any respect for you? Just for these arrogant words, you should be taught a lesson."

The Sword Qi Pavilion Master's aura blazed forth, his unparalleled sword intent soaring into the sky, gathering and surging like a dragon emerging from the abyss. The sound of metal clashing could be heard within the arena, the air solidified, heavy enough to suffocate anyone who looked away.

Huang Yunzi's eyes opened and closed, as if flickering with dark flames. He drew his sword incantation, unleashing the "Flowing Light Sword Technique" of the Blazing Flame Sect, spitting out crimson sword energy that shot through the air like swarms of fireflies.

Cheng Bai was slightly surprised: "Huh? Huang Yunzi didn't use the 'Essence of the Vast Sword'." After a moment's thought, he immediately understood: "A sword technique that has just been learned is of course far less useful than one that is familiar. This guy really wants to settle things with someone."

Lin Zhengyuan pointed his fingers like a sword and shot out a condensed and heavy bright white sword aura, which steadily blocked the incoming fire like a pillar in the middle of a stream.

"Hmph! Who in the Nine Gates and Ten Sects doesn't know how powerful I am?" Lin Zhengyuan questioned with a puzzled look. "The Righteous Sword Qi is five ranks higher than the Flowing Light Sword Technique. Surely the Holy Master Huang doesn't think he can easily defeat me with such a trivial skill?"

Huang Yunzi seemed not to hear, his hands forming sword incantations, the changes as shimmering as light. The flowing sword energy not only did not diminish, but each move became faster than the last, as he was completely immersed in the mysteries of his own sword technique.

"Well done!" Lin Zhengyuan laughed heartily, no longer thinking about the so-called "essence," and unleashed his authentic Haoran sword energy, which suddenly surged with power.