166: Chapter 166 Three Great Masters

On the arena, the tip of the autumn water sword rested steadily three inches in front of Liu Yidao's throat. A hint of lingering Internal Energy remained on the blade, casting a faint, cold light under the sunlight.

Liu Yidao knelt halfway beside the stone pillar at the edge of the arena, a bloody gash torn into the web between his thumb and index finger, fresh blood dripping from his fingers onto the bluestone surface.

His saber had dropped beside his feet; the golden Qi radiance on the blade had long since dissipated, leaving only a dull, wide-bladed steel saber.

His Adam's apple bobbed up and down. He could feel the chill emanating from the sword tip—not cold, but killing intent—killing intent controlled to the extreme.

If he dared to say the word "no," this sword would not pierce his throat, but that Internal Energy would leave a mark on his throat he would never forget for the rest of his life. He gritted his teeth and squeezed two words through his teeth.

"I concede."

Lin Tian withdrew the autumn water sword. The blade traced a short arc in the air before cleanly sliding back into the scabbard at his waist. He turned and walked off the arena, his pace neither fast nor slow, the same rhythm he used when patrolling the fish ponds by the lake.

Liu Yidao knelt on the spot, head bowed, his right hand still held in the posture of reaching for the saber hilt, his knuckles white from the force of his grip.

It was not until Lin Tian's footsteps had left the arena that he suddenly slammed his left hand against the ground, leaving a faint bloodstain on the bluestone surface.

The entire venue was silent. Those who had been jeering, mocking, or betting that Lin Tian wouldn't last three moves were now all silent.

The lake breeze swept across the arena, causing the cloud-pattern flags at the four corners to snap and flutter, the sound exceptionally clear in the silence. After several breaths, someone in the crowd drew a sharp breath, and then the discussion poured out like a floodgate opening.

"Liu Yidao lost? Liu Yidao actually lost? The successor of the Golden Light Blade Technique from Jinxia Peak, just like that, lost?"

"Are you blind? From start to finish, it was a head-on collision. That kid's sword technique could not only go toe-to-toe with Liu Yidao, but finally, it erupted—Seven Lights in One Sword—that is the Major Achievement Realm of the Xiaguang Sword Technique!"

"Since when did Zixia Peak produce such a fierce character?"

"How long has he been a Disciple? Less than two years, right? Less than two years after entering the sect, he has practiced the Xiaguang Sword Technique to Major Achievement?" Chen Lang was so excited off the stage that his face turned red, and he grabbed the arm of the team member next to him and shook it vigorously. "Did you see that! What did I tell you! Junior Brother Lin's sword technique is not just about archery being powerful!"

Ma Gang stood in the front row of the crowd, watching Lin Tian walk down from the arena, watching that slender back pass through the stunned crowd. The corners of his mouth curved up and then quickly tightened. He only said one thing to himself: Wind Master's judgment—if she hadn't misjudged him and then looked back, this talent would have been wasted.

The competition continued.

The remaining duels of the second round were fought one after another. Half of the twelve people were eliminated, and six advanced to the third round. Chen Yixiao used only one palm to knock his opponent off the arena, even more cleanly than in the first round.

Chen Ying was still so fast that people couldn't see him clearly; his opponent's weapon was kicked away before it could even be raised. None of those who made it to the third round were pushovers; each one was a top expert recommended by their respective peaks. Of the remaining six, only Lin Tian was not a veteran Disciple.

Third round. Lin Tian drew number three, facing number four. The fourth contestant was from Bixia Peak, using an extremely tricky Coiling Silk Sword Technique. In previous matches, his sword technique had caught several opponents off guard; the sword took an unorthodox path, and every move was unexpected. But this time, he ran into Lin Tian's sword.

Lin Tian did not test him again; he started with the Xiaguang Sword Technique at the Major Achievement Realm—Seven Lights in One Sword.

The instant the seven sword lights lit up simultaneously, the Internal Energy attached to the Bixia Peak Disciple's soft sword was crushed head-on. The blade was shaken into an arc and flew out of his hand. He staggered back seven or eight steps, stepped into the air, and flipped off the edge of the arena. One sword to defeat the enemy.

There was another uproar off the stage. "Seven Lights in One Sword! Didn't he only use it at the end against Liu Yidao? This time he started with Seven Lights in One Sword!" "He really has practiced the Xiaguang Sword Technique to the Major Achievement Realm. It wasn't a flash of inspiration; it's mastery! This new Disciple from Zixia Peak has terrifying talent for the Dao of the sword!"

The third round ended, half of the six people were eliminated, and three remained.

Chen Yixiao, one palm to blast his opponent away, no suspense. Chen Ying, after playing with his opponent for a full twenty moves with his speed, kicked his opponent off the arena with a whip kick to the waist and ribs. Lin Tian, one sword to achieve victory.

The names of the three began to be compared repeatedly and more frequently in the mouths of the audience: Strength for Chen Yixiao, speed for Chen Ying, and sword technique for Lin Tian. But only two of the three could advance, so they needed to draw lots again.

The wooden box for drawing lots was brought up again. This time only four people remained, one less spot for a bye. Lin Tian reached into the wooden box, touched the last wooden plaque, and flipped it over—this time he didn't hide the number; he held the plaque up to show everyone. The number written on it was: One.

The voice of the Referee Elder echoed over the arena: "Number one versus number two—Lin Tian, against Chen Yixiao."

The entire lake shore exploded. "Lin Tian against Chen Yixiao! Sword technique against palm technique!" "The strongest swordsman of the new generation against the monster with the most ferocious strength among the veteran Disciples. Whoever wins this match will be the biggest favorite to be the Captain!"

"Chen Yixiao's Great Strength Vajra Palm is something no one dares to take head-on at the same Realm, but no one can block Lin Tian's Xiaguang Sword Technique head-on at the same Realm either. This is the toughest battle of the day!"

Even those veteran captains who had been watching coldly from the sidelines stood up straight now. Captain Liu of Team 3 lowered the arms he had been holding across his chest, and the captain of Team 5 narrowed his eyes. Ma Gang unconsciously clenched his hands into fists.

Chen Yixiao walked onto the arena. He wore a bright red martial outfit today, which set off the fiery temperament of a Chixia Peak Disciple to the fullest.

With every step he took, the bluestone surface trembled slightly. After standing still, those copper-bell-like eyes fell on Lin Tian, without mockery, without contempt, only the sharp light that only appears when seeing a true opponent. He tightened the animal skin strips wrapped around his knuckles again.

He cupped his fists at Lin Tian, his voice low and thick, like a heavy hammer striking a cowhide drum.

"Junior Brother Lin, come. Let's decide the winner."