33: Chapter 33 It's a pity, you're only born with innate talent.

[ After the opening ceremony concluded, the competition officially began. ]

[ Fifty participants, a knockout tournament format, with opponents decided by drawing lots. ]

[ Your first opponent was a Xiantian Late Stage saber user from Yong Prefecture, twenty-eight years old, wielding a thick-backed saber. ]

[ After he stepped onto the stage and struck a pose, before he could even say the words "Please enlighten me," your sword was already pressed against his neck. ]

[ One strike. ]

[ The entire venue fell silent for a moment, then erupted into an uproar. ]

[ "Another one-strike victory!" ]

[ "It's that 'One-Sword Immortal' from Cheng Prefecture!" ]

[ You sheathed your sword and stepped off the stage, your expression unchanged. ]

[ In the second round, your opponent was a pugilist from Qing Prefecture, at Xiantian Peak. He was harder to deal with than the first; his punches were fierce and powerful, and his footwork was solid. ]

[ But that was all. ]

[ Three moves: the first move of the Frost Moon Sword Technique, "Moon Rise," broke his defense; the second move, "Frost Trace," blocked his path; and the third move, "Frost Fall," finished it. ]

[ His fist stopped in mid-air, with your sword tip already pressed against his throat. ]

[ "I concede." He was straightforward and decisive. ]

[ The third round, the fourth round, the fifth round. ]

[ Your opponents grew stronger, but none of them could last more than five moves. ]

[ The title of "One-Sword Immortal" spread from Cheng Prefecture to the entire Martial Arts Peak, and everyone was talking about the cold-faced woman who brought a white tiger. ]

[ On the VIP platform, the gazes of several Sect Heads began to fall upon you frequently. ]

[ The sixth round. ]

[ You stood on the competition stage, and a person walked up opposite you. ]

[ He wore white brocade robes, a jade belt around his waist, and had a face as handsome as jade, with an Innate noble Aura between his brows. His pace was neither rushed nor slow, and every step fell with the same rhythm, as if measured. ]

[ Crown Prince Xiao Chengyuan. ]

[ The Crown Prince of Great Qing. ]

[ The atmosphere of the entire venue changed instantly. ]

[ The discussions in the spectator stands suddenly grew louder, and everyone craned their necks. ]

[ Crown Prince Xiao Chengyuan walked to a spot three zhang away from you, stood still, cupped his hands in a salute, and smiled slightly. ]

[ "Miss Lin's sword technique, I have watched five of your matches these past few days; it is truly exquisite." His voice was gentle, unhurried. "To be able to spar with you today is something I, Xiao, have looked forward to for a long time." ]

[ You drew your sword without wasting words. ]

[ "Please." ]

[ Crown Prince Xiao Chengyuan's smile did not fade; he kept his hands behind his back and did not draw a weapon. ]

[ The referee lowered the flag: "Begin!" ]

[ You moved. ]

[ Frost Moon Sword Technique, the fourth move — "Frost Splitting." ]

[ This was the first time you had used the fourth move during this tournament. Your Sword Qi was like cracking ice; three sword beams slashed out simultaneously, sealing off Crown Prince Xiao Chengyuan's left, right, and upper directions. ]

[ Crown Prince Xiao Chengyuan finally moved. ]

[ He raised his right hand, palm facing forward, and pushed gently. ]

[ A surge of True Qi, thick and suffocating, poured from his palm like an invisible wall, blocking all three of your sword beams at once. ]

[ The Sword Qi struck that wall of Qi, emitting a sharp hiss, and then — shattered. ]

[ Your pupils constricted. ]

[ The quality of a Grandmaster's True Qi was on an entirely different level from that of a Xiantian. ]

[ But you did not retreat. ]

[ Frost Moon Sword Technique, the fifth move — "Moon Sinking." ]

[ This was a finishing move you had created yourself, a Fusion of the sharpness of the Golden Light Sword Technique, the unpredictability of the Snake Step, and the dominance of the Wind-Splitting Saber Technique; a single strike contained three distinct changes in force. ]

[ The sword light suddenly flared; you became like a streak of light, thrusting straight at Crown Prince Xiao Chengyuan's face. ]

[ A flash of admiration crossed Crown Prince Xiao Chengyuan's eyes. ]

[ He sidestepped, and your sword grazed his sleeve, cutting off three threads. ]

[ Then, he raised his left hand, and the edge of his palm lightly touched the middle of your sword blade. ]

[ A gentle yet irresistible force traveled along the blade, numbing the web between your thumb and index finger, and your sword almost slipped from your grasp. ]

[ You gritted your teeth, channeled your True Qi with all your might, and held on. ]

[ But Crown Prince Xiao Chengyuan's second palm strike had already arrived. ]

[ Dragon Elephant Art. ]

[ He pushed out his right palm, and in the wind of his palm, there was a faint sound of a dragon roaring and an elephant trumpeting. That force was not sharp; it could even be called gentle, but the thickness of the True Qi contained within it pressed down like a mountain. ]

[ You crossed your arms to block, retreating seven steps, each step leaving a deep mark on the stone stage. ]

[ By the seventh step, your back was already at the edge of the stage. ]

[ Crown Prince Xiao Chengyuan withdrew his palm, stood in place, and did not pursue. ]

[ "Miss Lin's sword technique is rare in this world." He said, his tone sincere. "If you were also a Grandmaster, the outcome of today's match would be uncertain." ]

[ You steadied yourself and exhaled a breath of stale air. ]

[ Your arm was numb, and the skin on the web of your hand had split, with beads of blood seeping out. ]

[ Xiantian Peak against Grandmaster Early Stage. ]

[ You had done your best. ]

[ "I lost." You sheathed your sword, straightforward and decisive. ]

[ Crown Prince Xiao Chengyuan was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting you to concede so readily. ]

[ "Miss Lin, will you not try again?" ]

[ "There is no need." You jumped off the stage. "The gap in Realm is right there; fighting a few more moves would still result in a loss." ]

[ Crown Prince Xiao Chengyuan watched your back, was silent for a moment, and then smiled. ]

[ "Interesting," he said in a low voice. ]

[ You did not look back. ]

[ Losing to a Grandmaster is not shameful. You are only twenty-five, and he is twenty-seven. Give yourself two years, and you might not be unable to catch up. ]

[ In the following matches, you won three more rounds; your opponents were all Xiantian Peak, but none could last more than five moves against you. ]

[ Then, you encountered Shen Yushuang. ]

[ When she walked onto the stage, she was still that cold and arrogant figure, her moon-white martial robe unstained, a soft sword hanging at her waist, her gait composed. ]

[ "Senior Sister Lin Shuang." She spoke, her voice as clear as a spring. "I have been observing you for a long time." ]

[ You did not speak; you drew your sword. ]

[ The corners of her mouth curled up slightly, carrying a hint of condescending amusement. ]

[ "Your sword technique is indeed exquisite, but unfortunately — " ]

[ She drew her sword. ]

[ The moment her sword left its scabbard, her Aura suddenly surged. ]

[ True Qi poured out like a tide, vast, deep, and far exceeding the scope of Xiantian Peak. ]

[ Grandmaster. ]

[ She was also a Grandmaster. ]

[ Your pupils constricted sharply. ]

[ The entire venue was in an uproar. ]

[ "Shen Yushuang is a Grandmaster?! She has been hiding her cultivation all this time!" ]

[ "Three Grandmasters! There are actually three Grandmasters in this tournament!" ]

[ Shen Yushuang looked at your expression, and her smile deepened. ]

[ "Unfortunately, you are only Xiantian." ]