216: Nineteen consecutive wins

“Su Mengyao, allow me to learn from you.”

“Feng Xingsheng, greetings.”

Feng Xingsheng hadn't expected the first person to compete against him in a sword match would be such a pure and lovely girl, and his mind immediately began to wander.

Before he could regain his focus, Su Mengyao's famous blade was already drawn.

“Fellow Daoist Feng, watch my move!”

As soon as she spoke, Su Mengyao thrust her sword straight out.

Feng Xingsheng instantly snapped back to attention and decisively transformed his movement into a counterattack.

Shen Lian, watching from below the platform, couldn't help but sneer, “This is a flower grown in a greenhouse. Since she's already drawn her sword, why bother warning others?

Does this ant think she has victory secured and can look down upon another ant? How naive!”

Shen Chuyun shook her head, “This precisely shows that Mengyao is kind-hearted and pure.”

“Kindness is reserved for gentlemen. Since this is a sword competition, one should focus entirely on how to win, not on these empty gestures.

The Jianghu is too perilous. With such a mindset, even if she achieves success in the Dao of the Sword, she is destined not to reach the Peak.”

Shen Chuyun smiled faintly, “It seems you care deeply about this disciple.”

Shen Lian snorted coldly, “She's just a tool to pass the time when I'm bored. Don't expect me to have any other intentions.”

Just as the two were speaking, Feng Xingsheng let out a miserable cry and fell directly from the sword platform.

“Fellow Daoist Feng, are you alright?”

Su Mengyao stood at the edge of the sword platform, shouting loudly toward the ground below.

Feng Xingsheng struggled to stand up, and feeling the gazes surrounding him, his face immediately flushed crimson.

Since the start of the competition, he had failed against Su Mengyao in less than ten moves, a severe blow to him, who had always considered himself a genius in the Dao of the Sword.

“Fellow Daoist Su's sword technique has reached a divine level of mastery. I, Feng, willingly concede defeat.”

Leaving that sentence behind, Feng Xingsheng sheepishly pushed through the crowd and departed.

As soon as he left, another swordsman stepped forward: “I am Jian Qi, and I specifically came to learn your brilliant moves, Fellow Daoist.”

After speaking, he leaped and flew toward the Hundred-Zhang Sword Platform.

“Another fool.”

Seeing this scene, Shen Lian couldn't help but complain.

“His movement technique and speed are both inferior, and his arms are weak and unsteady. He's not even as good as that Feng Xingsheng. Does he challenge Su Mengyao like this because he thinks he hasn't embarrassed himself enough?”

Sure enough, just as Shen Lian finished his complaint, Jian Qi also fell off the sword platform with a howl.

All told, he had only lasted three moves against Su Mengyao.

“Su Yuanshan accepts the challenge!”

“Zhao Ritian accepts the challenge!”

“Cai Jingkun accepts the challenge!”

Soon, swordsman after swordsman flew up to challenge Su Mengyao.

But without exception, these people were merely experience packages for Su Mengyao; no one could withstand more than three moves before failing.

Xie Xiaofeng, on the Arbitration Platform, couldn't help but nod, “Su Mengyao's sword momentum is steady, and her Sword Qi is released and retracted with precision. She is indeed a promising talent in the Dao of the Sword.”

Yue Jingfeng said, “I share Fellow Daoist Xie's view. This woman's talent is extraordinary. To possess this level of cultivation and mastery at such a young age is truly rare.”

But Gu Xichao countered, “Fellow Daoists, although Miss Su's sword technique is unique, it still appears too immature. In contrast, Xiao An's sword moves are mature and seasoned—truly worthy of being a high disciple of the White-Browed Daoist of the Jade Void Palace.”

Xie Xiaofeng shook his head, “Although Xiao An's sword moves possess a maturity and stability that are unusual for his age, they lack flexibility. Look, every move he makes strictly follows the original sequence of the sword technique.

It is fortunate that the opponents he has encountered generally lack strength. If he were to face a swordsman like Miss Su, I fear he would suffer a great loss.”

Gu Xichao replied, “Fellow Daoist Xie, I disagree. While the Dao of the Sword does require flexibility, as the saying goes, 'a hundred changes are not as good as one steady foundation.' Look at Xiao An's sword momentum.

It appears rigid, but it actually contains the most fundamental Profound Truths of the Dao of the Sword. His offense and defense are orderly, making it difficult for outsiders to find a flaw.”

Yue Jingfeng said, “Both of your statements have merit, but setting aside the sword paths and focusing solely on strategy, Miss Su is clearly superior.

I believe we have forgotten one point: there are eight sword platforms, and whoever falls loses. Defending a sword platform tests not only one's mastery of the Dao of the Sword,

but also their stamina and Spiritual Qi. The longer the battle drags on, the more disadvantageous it is for the defender. No matter how magnificent or exquisite the sword art, it cannot be perfectly executed once stamina is depleted.

Miss Su adopts a quick-victory strategy, repelling challengers as fast as possible. As for Xiao An, while his defense is good, it consumes too much mental energy.”

After the three finished speaking, they continued to silently observe the figures on the sword platforms.

At this moment, Su Mengyao had already consecutively defeated thirteen people, and was beginning her battle with the thirteenth person.

“Mistaken Sword, Army Breaker.”

Amidst the crisscrossing Sword Qi, yet another challenging swordsman was forced off the sword platform.

“Is this set of the Mistaken Sword Art the sword technique you comprehended in your youth?” Shen Chuyun couldn't help but ask. “Su Mengyao is the person I've seen execute it second only to you.”

Shen Lian was expressionless: “She is far from reaching the Realm I achieved back then with this sword technique. Anyone who thoroughly grasps this set of sword arts,

will find cultivating any subsequent sword technique yields twice the result with half the effort. As for how much she can comprehend, that is not my concern. After all, I have taught everything I should.”

Shen Chuyun said, “In that case, are you truly very concerned about her?”

Shen Lian replied, “Since I decided to teach, I naturally must do it wholeheartedly. Even if she is just a tool for amusement, I will Cultivate her into a talent.

That way, even if we turn against each other later, I won't just suppress and kill her with a flick of my finger—that would be utterly boring.”

“I don't think Su Mengyao is the kind of person who lacks conscience.” Shen Chuyun sighed. “Shen Lian, you shouldn't always view human nature as so despicable.

In fact, if you try to experience it sometimes, you will find that even in the darkest and most desolate places, there will ultimately be sunshine and warmth.”

Shen Lian scoffed, “For me, bloody conflicts are the destination, and schemes and calculations are the daily routine. Our experiences are different, so we can never truly resonate.

Shen Chuyun, you will never know the destiny I must face.”

Shen Chuyun grasped his hand tightly, “If you don't tell me, how can I know? Shen Lian, can't you just openly tell me what is on your mind?”

Shen Lian countered, “If I tell you, what problem would it solve?”

“At least I can bear it with you.”

Shen Lian immediately shook off Shen Chuyun's hand. “I don't need anyone to bear this for me, because this burden is not something anyone can carry. I do not wish to discuss this topic anymore.”

Having said that, he continued gently waving his Folding Fan and looked toward the high platform.

By this time, Su Mengyao had consecutively defeated nineteen swordsmen, firmly guarding her Peak Platform.

Seeing how powerful Su Mengyao was, the remaining swordsmen naturally dared not seek trouble there anymore and began shifting their battles to the other seven Peaks.

Seeing that no one was challenging her, Su Mengyao immediately let out a breath of stale Qi and began seizing the time to recover her physical strength.

Her Spiritual Qi consumption was not significant, but her mental energy and physical strength were greatly depleted after nineteen consecutive exchanges.

Now that she finally had a moment to breathe, she concentrated her mind and gathered her Qi, entering a state of rest and meditation to diligently restore her essence, Qi, and spirit.

Shen Lian nodded almost imperceptibly, “She has some experience; she knows to seize every moment to rest.

This is only an Elementary test. In Peak battles, staying awake for ten days and ten nights straight is a normal phenomenon.”

Hearing this, Shen Chuyun's jade cheeks flushed crimson, perhaps thinking of something else.