57: Chapter 57, Match 5: Su Hongxi vs. Ji Wuming!

A lavishly decorated carriage slowly approached.

A woman dressed in Snow Moon City attire jumped down from the carriage.

"Greetings, Senior. This carriage was specially dispatched by Lord Sikong to escort you to the Jingwu Platform to observe the ceremonies!"

Su Rui glanced at the carriage and did not decline.

The carriage compartment was spacious, likely considering Su Rui's sizable entourage.

Only after everyone boarded did the surrounding onlookers snap back to reality.

"Among this Lord's Disciples, who do you think will emerge victorious?"

"Who else could it be? Of course, it's the Alluring Sword Immortal, Li Hanyi!"

Indeed. Although her Realm had not yet reached that level, the Ten Thousand Swords Art she displayed earlier had stunned the entire audience.

The title 'Alluring Sword Immortal' naturally began to circulate.

Of course, some favored others.

Such as the Plain-Clothed Sword Immortal, the Snow Moon Sword Immortal, and so on.

However, these titles did not spread as widely as 'Alluring Sword Immortal'.

After all, Li Hanyi was not only breathtakingly beautiful, but her swordsmanship was also peerlessly stunning.

"Strange. Aside from Fairy Luoxia, doesn't this Lord only have five Disciples?"

"That's right. What's so odd about that?"

"But just now, two more people appeared. Didn't you notice? A woman in white, her beauty not inferior to the Alluring Sword Immortal!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd finally grasped the implication.

Previously, everyone's attention had been focused on Su Rui.

Given his status and strength, his appearance naturally became the center of attention.

Only now, reminded by the comment, did they recall the two unfamiliar women.

"That woman in white... she seems to be carrying the peerless sword casket on her back!"

Someone whispered.

"Could it be that the one who performed the Sword Control Art earlier wasn't that Lord, but that woman in white? What is her background?"

"I'm not sure, but I feel like I've seen her somewhere before."

Someone frowned and shook their head, their expression full of confusion.

Not far from the inn, Murong Fu's eyes held a trace of gloom.

Last night, when A'Bi told him that A'Zhu and the Miss were missing, he had suspected the Demon Sect was behind it.

Now it seemed his dear cousin had already taken a master at the martial arts school.

Anger surged in Murong Fu's heart.

He had humbled himself to plead, only to be publicly humiliated.

A cousin who didn't even know martial arts could enter the school? Why?

Thinking of her stunning beauty, and then of the exceptionally beautiful women in the martial arts school...

Murong Fu's expression darkened as he turned and left.

Sword in hand, with only the remaining A'Bi, he headed straight for the Jingwu Platform.

Su Rui's arrival at the viewing platform once again drew everyone's attention.

Even more surprising, two more women now followed behind him.

The woman in red was one thing; she seemed like a maidservant.

But the woman dressed in white was unmistakably carrying the peerless sword casket on her back!

"Something's off. Those look like the two women who were following Murong Fu yesterday. How have they become his Disciples now?"

Someone recognized Wang Yuyan, their expression instantly turning complicated.

"Could she have actually succeeded in becoming a Disciple?"

Many wore looks of incomprehension.

This woman appeared delicate and refined. Was she truly a peerless Genius?

The crowd scrutinized her for a moment. Aside from her outstanding beauty, they couldn't discern any extraordinary qualities.

She didn't look like she had practiced martial arts either.

Yet the peerless sword casket on her back was undeniably real.

It was said the peerless sword casket was crafted from ironwood and refined steel, extremely heavy, and contained thirteen sharp swords inside. It was definitely not something a delicate, untrained woman could carry.

"Brother Xie, what do you make of this woman?" The Head of the Wen Family gazed at Wang Yuyan, who carried the massive sword casket, his eyes full of curiosity.

He had some impression of this woman.

Yesterday, when Murong Fu walked past the main viewing stand with her, many had noticed her.

Such striking beauty naturally drew attention.

However, everyone sensed she hadn't cultivated any martial arts. While impressed by her looks, they hadn't paid her much mind.

Yet, after just one night, she was now following behind Su Rui, carrying the legendary peerless sword casket on her shoulder.

...

This change caused many to turn their gaze back to Wang Yuyan.

After all, the women previously by Su Rui's side had all displayed remarkable strength and potential.

Especially Li Hanyi, who had made a stunning debut.

What abilities did this newly joined woman possess?

Looking at that sword casket on her back, could it be she had already mastered the Sword Control Art?

This was a sword casket even Wushuang City couldn't control.

Many hearts were now filled with curiosity, eager to see if she could truly unleash the power of the sword casket.

Unfortunately, she wasn't participating in the grand competition. Seeing her in action would likely be difficult.

Su Rui led Li Hanyi and the others back to their previous seats. With a slight turn of his head, he spotted Murong Fu in the distance.

Murong Fu was currently looking their way. Seeing Su Rui's gaze fall upon him, he instinctively turned his head away.

Wang Yuyan and A'Zhu naturally noticed Murong Fu as well, but showed no intention of approaching him.

As for Ximen Chuixue and Ji Wuming, who were waiting for their match, ever since Su Rui's group took their seats, their eyes had been fixed in this direction.

The peerless sword casket on Wang Yuyan's back especially drew their attention.

Their gazes swept over Murong Fu several times.

This young girl carrying the sword casket seemed to be Murong Fu's cousin from Gusu.

Could it be they went to the martial arts school together, but Murong failed to gain entry, while she became that Lord's Disciple?

That would be truly embarrassing.

Murong Fu naturally sensed the gazes from all around, his heart growing even gloomier.

He stared at the temporarily repaired dueling platform, quietly awaiting the start of the match.

"Just wait. Once the Demon Sect's plan is set in motion, let's see if you'll still have the leisure to mock me!"

He thought to himself.

Sikong Changfeng and Baili Dongjun arrived side by side.

Yin Luoxia also made her way through the viewing stands to Su Rui's side.

Looking at the peerless sword casket on Wang Yuyan, her face showed surprise.

This was the woman she had rescued last night. She knew her background all too well.

But what was the meaning of her current appearance?

Could it be the teacher secretly passed on a Cultivation Technique to her?

Suspicion swirled in Yin Luoxia's mind. She just wanted to know what kind of Mind-Cultivation Technique it was.

And she herself had only just learned the Ascending Immortal Steps of Unrestrained Will. Should she find an opportunity to curry favor with the teacher?

This time, Sikong Changfeng did not pause for long.

Seeing the contestants had all arrived, he spoke, his Internal Energy amplifying his voice to reach the entire arena.

"The fifth match: Su Hongxi versus Ji Wuming!"

As soon as the words fell, a young man dressed in black, with a ribbon tied around his head, leaped into the arena.

An iron sword hung diagonally at his waist. Strangely, it was sheathed on his right side.

"Go. He is accustomed to using a left-handed sword, with extreme speed.

His previous victories came later because he Cultivates a sword of slaughter."

Su Rui said calmly.

"Understood. Please rest assured, Teacher!" Su Hongxi chuckled softly.

She too cultivated a sword of slaughter. She wanted to see whose sword was fiercer and sharper.

With a light leap, she also jumped down from the viewing stand into the dueling arena.

Many in the viewing stands had not witnessed the earlier fierce battles.

Seeing Ji Wuming's face full of Evil Qi and fierce demeanor, they couldn't help but worry for Su Hongxi.

Such a lovely, charming woman would be a pity if injured by this fiend.

Those who knew Su Hongxi's identity, however, watched with keen interest.

Ji Wuming's Killing Intent was palpable, clearly a ruthless and vicious individual, likely a top-tier assassin.

As for Su Hongxi's identity, many had a vague guess—

The Su Family of the Dark River!

This was an assassin family, and Su Hongxi had even become Su Rui's Disciple.

What kind of sparks would fly when these two met?

Seeing Su Hongxi leap into the arena, Ji Wuming did not draw his sword immediately.

"You should just admit defeat. If it were Li Hanyi who came, there might be a fight. But you? Not a chance!"

Ji Wuming's tone was arrogant.

Su Hongxi couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this, though her laughter held a trace of anger.

"Quite the boastful mouth. If you want to challenge my Senior Sister, you'll have to beat me first!"

Before her words fully faded, she reached into her robes, retrieving three six-petal flying blossoms, holding them between her fingers.

"These flowers... they suit you quite well."

Ji Wuming snorted coldly, his left hand gripping the hilt, slowly drawing the iron sword.

Speaking without thinking really makes enemies easily.

One sentence managed to offend every woman in the arena with extraordinary hearing.

Who among those able to hear his voice at this distance wasn't a master among masters?

One icy gaze after another fell upon Ji Wuming.

Yet he seemed utterly unaware, a cold smirk curling his lips, his expression carrying a hint of cruelty.

For anyone else, such pressure would likely be suffocating.

But Su Hongxi had grown up among assassins. What kind of vicious characters hadn't she seen?

Ji Wuming drew his sword. The platform beneath his feet exploded as he shot forward like an arrow from a bowstring. His sword was so fast it seemed to tear through the very air.

His sword was meant for killing.

It carried a terrifying, chilling Killing Intent.

Though different from Sword Intent, it shared a similar essence.

If he could walk this path further, his Killing Intent might not be inferior to Sword Intent.

Provided he could control this Killing Intent and not be consumed by it.

Unfortunately, Ji Wuming was clearly already being affected by the Killing Intent, his mind somewhat disordered.

Sword strike followed sword strike. Only then did some spectators exclaim in surprise, realizing their earlier assessment had been wrong.

This Ji Wuming's strength was like a completely different person compared to his performance in the earlier melee.

Though his cultivation was only at the Vajra Mortal Realm, his lightning-fast swordplay, combined with the intense Killing Intent palpable even to the spectators...

He probably stood a chance even against a Zizai Realm expert.

What was even rarer was his utter lack of mercy towards a beauty like Su Hongxi.

His strikes were vicious, each move aimed at vital points.

Su Hongxi weaved and dodged within the impenetrable web of sword shadows, her figure elusive, seeming as if she might fall beneath the sword at any moment.

Many watched with bated breath, their own breathing becoming cautious.

Among the crowd on the viewing stands...

Su Muyu's expression was relaxed.

He actually felt a certain appreciation for Ji Wuming's pure Killing Intent.

It was just a pity no one guided him, helped him temper this Killing Intent.

After this grand competition ended, he might consider making contact. If he could bring him into the Su Family, he might become a valuable asset in the future.

The battle on the platform was intense, the audience holding their breath.

But gradually, some sensed something amiss.

Su Hongxi seemed to be desperately evading within the rain of swords, yet in reality, she was completely at ease.

Over a hundred exchanges had passed, and Ji Wuming's iron sword hadn't even touched the hem of her clothes.

This level of movement technique was simply unbelievable.

Even Ji Wuming, asslow as he was, realized he had become like a chess piece in Su Hongxi's hands. Instantly, rage burned within him, his eyes tinged with blood.

The Killing Intent grew even moreviolent.