49: Chapter 49 Take it back myself

In Tianshui City's Tianxin Square, the ring was already set up. Young Master Lin Yanyi sat cross-legged in the center of the ring, eyes slightly closed. He lacked the arrogance of a young Genius, but possessed an invincible belief.

Over the past year or so, he had challenged ten cities, and his Aura had reached its peak. This time, he would easily crush this so-called Genius, and his Breakthrough to become an Innate Martial Artist was right before his eyes.

Standing at each corner of the ring was a man in black, tough attire. They were guards from the Family, and their bodies exuded a murderous intent. Onlookers consciously kept their distance from these few.

As the leader of the guards, Lin Han was currently quite relaxed.

Before leaving to issue challenges this time, the head of the Family had held a private talk with him to ensure the success of the Young Master's trial. Therefore, every time they arrived in a city, before Young Master Lin Yanyi prepared to set up the ring, he would evaluate the local martial arts experts.

Those opponents who might pose a threat to the Young Master would be reported to the Family. The Family would then send an Innate Martial Artist to force those people away in advance.

In truth, Young Master Lin Yanyi's martial arts cultivation could be considered the number one under the Innate realm. However, the current Family was in desperate need of an Innate Martial Artist who could Cultivate the Sacred Heart Art. They could not afford the slightest mistake, so this was the only way.

As for this opponent, Lin Han had inquired about him long ago; he was merely a Second-grade Martial Artist. With the Family's resources, they quickly learned the truth: that City Lord Guan Lin was not actually injured by Su Jiuchuan; that was merely a tactic used by certain people.

Given the Young Master's cultivation and his achievements in Sword Intent, he was almost certain to win this duel.

In the crowd, countless Martial Artists were watching. Many were spies from various major factions; everyone wanted to evaluate the strength of this Family Genius. Once he stepped into the Innate realm, it would have a huge impact on all the major factions.

...

Suddenly, the crowded mass of people ahead stirred, and then the onlookers automatically made way to form a path.

Young Master Lin Yanyi opened his eyes abruptly, just in time to see Su Jiuchuan walking out of the crowd holding a broadsword, followed by Cai Rujin and the hunchbacked Aunt Li.

Su Jiuchuan stopped. He also locked eyes with Young Master Lin Yanyi on the ring. His Aura began to climb steadily as well. The onlookers, pressured by this Aura, retreated a few steps one after another.

Young Master Lin Yanyi's eyes lit up instantly, and he said: "First Grade, not bad indeed."

He could tell that Su Jiuchuan had become a First-grade Martial Artist within just three days. Looking at it this way, today's contest would be interesting.

Lin Han waved his hand, and several servants carried out two boxes and placed them at the edge of the ring. He stepped forward and opened the boxes; they were glittering with gold—they were actually full of gold ingots.

The surrounding crowd erupted in an uproar again. Many people had never seen so much gold in their entire lives.

Su Jiuchuan nodded.

Boom!

In an instant, the ground seemed to shake, and the small stalls selling food around the area were toppled over.

Su Jiuchuan stomped his right foot hard, and his entire body shot out like a cannonball. His eyes flashed with excited sparks as he crashed toward the ring.

There, Young Master Lin Yanyi had already stood up, drawing his long sword as his sword stance began to condense.

Watching Su Jiuchuan shooting toward him at high speed, a fiery Battle Intent leaked from the depths of his eyes.

Clang!

On the ring, the two collided fiercely.

The sound of continuous clashes between blade and sword echoed throughout the square.

Bang!

With another muffled sound, the two exchanged a palm strike and retreated a dozen steps each.

"Good, good, good! You did not disappoint me. Only an expert like you is worthy of letting me step into the Innate realm."

Young Master Lin Yanyi slowly raised his long sword, his Sword Intent condensing. That power, which despised everything, firmly locked onto his opponent.

"Satisfying!" Su Jiuchuan grinned, holding his black blade high as well. The two stood facing each other from afar like this.

After a long while, Young Master Lin Yanyi suddenly moved. He thrust his long sword out, and a peerless will crushed over.

On Su Jiuchuan's side, the broadsword had also been swung. A matching Saber Intent flew out, transforming into a black blade that flew away.

"Ah!"

"This... this... how is this possible..."

"The legendary Blade Intent Manifestation?"

There was no lack of knowledgeable people in the crowd. They recognized it instantly and couldn't help but exclaim.

Lin Han's heart under the ring kept sinking. It was actually Blade Intent Manifestation. This... this... in those legends, only a few Innate Martial Artists had ever mastered this.

How old was this Su Jiuchuan? How was it possible?

Cai Rujin had been tugging at Aunt Li's sleeve since the two started fighting, feeling uneasy in her heart. Now, seeing the scene before her, she couldn't help but open her cherry mouth wide. After a long while, she asked: "So strong, he... he is actually this strong... A few days ago, was he... was he just playing with us?"

Bang!

The situation on the ring had already changed. Young Master Lin Yanyi had flown backward and fallen off the ring.

Lin Han's heart tightened, and he ran over quickly. He only saw Young Master Lin Yanyi lying quietly on the ground, his sword shattered, his eyes staring blankly at the sky.

He knew that this meant his Sword Intent had been destroyed. Although the Young Master did not die this time, his state of mind was ruined. If he could not reshape his Sword Intent, his path in martial arts would be considered severed.

Several Family guards rushed over to protect Young Master Lin Yanyi. Lin Han looked deeply at Su Jiuchuan before turning around and waving his hand. The guards carried the Young Master away quickly.

The entire square remained silent; everyone was shocked by that last strike.

Su Jiuchuan let out a long breath. After countless simulations over these three days, he had finally won.

He walked to the two boxes of gold, closed the lids, and carried the boxes back. Cai Rujin didn't dare to speak, just silently following behind him.

At this moment, the crowd began to stir. Countless spies retreated from the crowd, rushing back to report today's duel.

It was too shocking. The Family Young Master had actually lost. One could only wonder how many noble families would be laughing heartily.

...

"Su Jiuchuan, you hide things quite deeply!" Back at the inn, Cai Rujin finally recovered from the shock and said with dissatisfaction: "You made me worry for nothing for days."

"That day, when I pulled you to run away, you must have been secretly laughing at me!" She became angrier the more she thought about it, feeling like a clown.

Su Jiuchuan found it somewhat amusing and said helplessly: "That's not it. It was just a temporary Breakthrough, pure luck."

"That's more like it." Although she didn't quite believe it, she felt a little better than before.

"Hey! It's a pity I can't be your Senior Sister now."

Cai Rujin said leisurely: "After all, even my father hasn't mastered Blade Intent Manifestation. I suppose he won't have the face to accept you as his disciple."

Su Jiuchuan was left dumbfounded by her non-sequitur thinking.

...

Young Master Lin Yanyi had been back from the ring for more than half a day, lying on the bed motionless, just staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Young Master, I will notify the Family right now and find someone to finish him off." Lin Han said through gritted teeth: "This brat dared to ruin the Family's grand plan; he must be smashed to pieces."

"No!" Young Master Lin Yanyi replied leisurely after a long while, "It was I who underestimated the people of the world before."

"This Su Jiuchuan is my whetstone." Young Master Lin Yanyi sat up abruptly, his eyes flashing with fiery fighting spirit.

"What I lost today, I will take back myself!"