41: Chapter 41, Match 1: Li Hanyi from Snow Moon City Martial Arts School versus Song Yanhui from Peerless City!

The Jingwu Platform had completely changed by this time.

The sixteen small platforms that were originally separate had now merged into one large piece.

It seemed there must be some mechanism underneath.

As Sikong Qianluo explained, it was exactly as Su Rui had anticipated.

It was a large mechanical formation utilizing the Cang Mountain Dark River.

"Sir, this city is quite interesting. There are many caves hidden underground, with surging Dark Rivers inside, and even ground fire. Many sword-casting artisans use them to forge swords!"

Sikong Qianluo suddenly thought of something and spoke up.

"After the Grand Competition ends, I will take you down to take a look!"

"No need. I'm not interested in sword casting!"

Su Rui refused directly.

"Oh..."

"However, Hanyi might be interested."

As soon as Su Rui finished speaking, Li Hanyi paused, then noticed Sikong Qianluo's gaze directed at her.

"Well, my maternal grandfather is King Li Su of the Sword Tomb."

Sikong Qianluo was stunned, her eyes widening.

"Doesn't that mean, Senior Sister, you can get a good sword anytime?"

"You're thinking too much. Good swords aren't like vegetables; you can't just have them whenever you want!"

Yin Luoxia couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Sikong Qianluo pondered it and felt that made sense.

However, the sword-casting techniques of the Sword Tomb were famous throughout the entire Northern Li, so naturally, she was curious.

She began calculating how to find an opportunity to have Li Hanyi take her to see it.

Su Rui's group arrived relatively early this time.

The other eleven winners had also arrived early.

The crowd in the viewing stands today was clearly much larger than three days ago.

Next, Sikong Changfeng announced the start of the draw to determine the match order.

"Go. Just do your best!"

Su Rui did not want his Disciple to fight desperately just to win, nor did he want them to get hurt.

"Yes, Sir!"

After Li Hanyi saluted, she took Sikong Qianluo and the others to the drawing area.

As the group walked, they attracted many gazes.

After all, they were considered the favorites to win this Grand Competition.

On Su Rui's side, several Seniors had already come to offer congratulations.

But his expression was calm, neither warm nor cold. After a few pleasantries, those people tactfully stopped disturbing him.

"Sir, who do you think might pose a challenge to Senior Sister Hanyi this time?"

Su Rui gently shook his head.

"With Hanyi's current strength, these people cannot trouble her.

It's Qianluo who is still young; a few people might cause her trouble.

As for Mu Liangyue and the others, if it truly came down to a fight for life and death, their chances of winning are not small."

He said no more, but Yin Luoxia already understood.

The drawing ended quickly.

As the results came out, Song Yanhui's face darkened.

His first opponent in the fight was Li Hanyi.

After Sikong Changfeng announced the result, everyone's eyes fell on Song Yanhui.

Their gazes were varied, their meanings hard to discern.

Feeling uncomfortable under their scrutiny, he snorted coldly and leaped onto the wide, tall martial stage.

Li Hanyi followed, lightly descending onto the stage.

The audience facing the stands had complex expressions upon seeing this scene.

Previously, in intelligence reports regarding Su Rui and Li Hanyi,

the 'Ten Thousand Swords Art' capable of conjuring myriad sword shadows was mentioned the most.

Many had even begun comparing it to Wushuang City's 'Sword Control Technique'.

Debate naturally followed.

Some strongly supported the Ten Thousand Swords Art, while others praised the Sword Control Technique,

both sides holding firm to their opinions and refusing to yield.

Now, the two ultimate skills were about to clash head-on.

"This is quite interesting."

Yin Luoxia knew this argument had been ongoing for a long time, and a hint of amused interest was in her eyes.

"Unlikely. Song Yanhui's current strength still has a gap compared to Hanyi; it's improbable he can force her to use the Ten Thousand Swords Art."

Su Rui shook his head lightly.

"Is the Sword Control Technique not strong then?"

Yin Luoxia felt a bit doubtful.

"If it has such a reputation, it naturally has its unique merits, but even the most powerful Cultivation Technique depends on who is using it."

Su Rui's lips curved slightly.

"Sir speaks rightly.", Yin Luoxia nodded.

She had heard this sentence many times and naturally understood its meaning.

No matter how profound the Cultivation Technique, it depended on the person's Comprehension Ability.

Those with outstanding talent could unleash its ultimate power;

those with mediocre Aptitude, even if they obtained the teaching, could only imitate clumsily and rarely achieve mastery.

Before the match even began, Sikong Qianluo and the others returned.

"Sir, the Sword Control Technique is truly formidable. My father says Wushuang City was once called 'Peerless City Under Heaven,' and its swordsmanship shocked the Jianghu!"

"Are you worried about your Senior Sister?"

Su Rui asked with a smile.

"No, I mean, Sir, when will you teach me too? Floating on a sword is so cool!"

"..."

Su Rui looked at the light flickering in her eyes and was momentarily speechless.

"You don't even have a sword."

"I can ask my father to help me find a good sword! You will teach me, right?"

"So in the future, every time you go out, besides carrying the silver moon spear, you also have to bring a sword?"

Su Rui imagined the scene in his mind and felt it was somewhat incongruous.

Sikong Qianluo looked dazed, clearly picturing the same scene in her mind.

"Whether controlling a sword or controlling a spear, the essence is the same.

I will teach you when your cultivation reaches that level. Whether you can grasp it then will depend on yourself!"

The image of herself flying through the sky while stepping on the silver moon spear immediately flashed through Sikong Qianluo's mind, and she couldn't help but shudder.

She always felt the image was a bit strange.

Yin Luoxia and Mu Liangyue, along with the other two, lightly covered their mouths and chuckled from the side.

"First match, Snow Moon City Martial Hall's Li Hanyi, versus Wushuang City's Song Yanhui!"

A voice rang out; it was called out by an Elder of Snow Moon City.

As his voice, amplified by Internal Energy, spread, the entire venue instantly fell silent.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for the result of the first match.

Song Yanhui looked at Li Hanyi not far away and took a deep breath.

"Song Yanhui of Wushuang City, I ask for your guidance!"

"No need for guidance. Just surrender directly!"

Li Hanyi said lightly, almost causing Song Yanhui to choke.

"I heard you have mastered the Ten Thousand Swords Art. It happens that my Wushuang City is also proficient in the Sword Control Technique. I hope you can demonstrate it!"

"You are not worthy yet!"

Li Hanyi shook her head.

Song Yanhui finally couldn't hold back!

The anger in his heart could no longer be suppressed!

Rage surged in his eyes, True Qi surged within his body, and the sword hanging at his waist automatically unsheathed, transforming into a streak of light that shot straight toward Li Hanyi.

The sword speed was extremely fast, almost impossible to capture with the naked eye.

One could only see a streak of light leaving a long afterimage as it cut through the air.

A gasp rose from the viewing stands.

Although this sword was not one of the famous swords from Wushuang City's sword case, it was still a rare Sharp Weapon.

Moreover, it had accompanied him for many years, and he had long been adept at using the Sword Control Technique.

He hadn't used this Move in the battle three days ago.

This time, he specifically wanted to force out Li Hanyi's Ten Thousand Swords Art.

The sword light circled around Li Hanyi in the air, drawing streaks of afterimages.

But Li Hanyi still showed no intention of drawing her sword, as if none of this concerned her.

Seeing this, Song Yanhui's anger intensified.

The circling sword light suddenly changed direction and lunged directly at Li Hanyi.

The sound of air breaking sounded continuously, and in an instant, it reached behind her.

Many people in the stands couldn't help but become nervous.

They all felt Li Hanyi was being too careless.

Although her strength indeed far surpassed ordinary people.

Facing an opponent who had defeated hundreds of Masters, being so unconcerned—what was that if not underestimating the enemy?

This was not about instructing a junior.

Many gazes unconsciously turned towards Su Rui's side, wanting to see how this Master of Li Hanyi would react.

To their surprise, they saw Su Rui's expression was calm, as if everything was within his expectations.

Just as everyone was astonished, Li Hanyi casually waved her left hand holding the Cheng Ying Sword backward, and the attacking Flying Sword was instantly deflected.

Song Yanhui's face sank, and he immediately circulated his True Qi to control the Flying Sword, preventing it from flying off the stage.

"..."

He found it hard to accept for a moment.

Following that, he successively controlled the Flying Sword to attack from different angles, but it was still useless.

It didn't even shake Li Hanyi's posture in the slightest.

"Your sword Moves are too rigid, and the flight trajectory is too easy to predict."

"You don't know how to adapt to changing circumstances and lack flexible variation!"

Li Hanyi's tone was calm, yet it directly targeted Song Yanhui's weakness.

Song Yanhui's face grew gloomy.

By what right did she speak in that tone?

He was the strongest of the younger generation in Wushuang City; how could he be defeated so easily here?

At least... at least he had to force her to take one step!

He set a goal for himself with fierce resolve.

He must make Li Hanyi Move a step.

But Li Hanyi was truly not instructing him at the moment; she was recalling what Su Rui had said three days prior—that Song Yanhui had decent Aptitude, but was too constrained by Moves, his mind having been taught too rigidly.

Her action today was only to verify if what her Master said was correct.

After another Flying Sword was deflected, Song Yanhui stopped using long-range attacks with the Flying Sword and instead recalled it to his hand.

Since the Sword Control Technique was ineffective, he could only engage in close combat.

His gaze sharpened, he gripped his long sword, and charged onto the stage.

This time, Li Hanyi held the hilt of the Cheng Ying Sword with her right hand, but the sword remained sheathed.

No matter how fierce Song Yanhui's offensive was, Li Hanyi simply blocked it lightly, dissolving the entire sword momentum.

"Master was right, you are too constrained by the spirit of a sword craftsman!"

One person attacked desperately, while the other responded calmly.

The gap in strength between the two was clear at a glance.

"This Wushuang City has finally declined."

Watching Song Yanhui exert his full strength while Li Hanyi remained composed, the people in the front viewing stands couldn't help but shake their heads.

How glorious Wushuang City was in the past.

Its Sword Control Technique was enough to awe the entire Jianghu.

The characters 'Under Heaven' were the best testament to that.

But each generation was inferior to the last.

The current Wushuang City seemed only destined for further decline.

Those who truly understood the current state of Wushuang City couldn't help but sigh.

Although the City Lord was in position, real power was firmly held by the Elder Council.

The older generation clinging to old rules had made the Disciples of Wushuang City extremely rigid.

If no one could break this deadlock, it was likely that before long, Wushuang City would have to relinquish even the name 'Wushuang'.

Baili Dongjun and Sikong Changfeng almost simultaneously let out a sigh.

They exchanged glances, revealing wry smiles.

Although Wushuang City had always regarded Snow Moon City as an adversary,

Snow Moon City no longer considered Wushuang City a true rival.

Not to mention the City Lord himself.

Just looking at the number of experts in the city, they were no longer on the same level.

Furthermore, Song Yanhui was the pride of Wushuang City's younger generation, the successor personally chosen by the former City Lord.