Luo Changming's brow furrowed.
Beside him, the other three Huajin Grandmasters also had slight changes in their expressions.
The four of them turned their gazes in unison toward the source of the noise.
On the stage.
Ji Ning's black sword was unsheathed.
On the blade, a condensed, frost-white glow actually flickered!
His opponent was a disciple from a prominent clan in Changshui County.
His surname was Zhang, and his given name was Lingxiao.
This man's cultivation was profound, and despite his young age, he had already joined the Marquis of Zhenhai Mansion in the prefecture capital.
The Marquis of Zhenhai, Dong Fu, was a high-ranking regional official placed in Cangzhou by the Great Qi royal family specifically to keep the various sects of the Southern Sea in check.
He held immense power, and the "Sea Patrol Guard" established under his command was highly renowned, strictly divided into first-tier, second-tier, and third-tier ranks based on cultivation.
Zhang Lingxiao was a Second-Tier Sea Patrol Guard.
His cultivation was at the early stage of the Anjin Rank, and he had already opened two of his nine acupoints. He wielded a silver spear with superb skill, the wind of his spear howling like a flood dragon emerging from the sea.
Relying on his slightly superior cultivation, he had initially seemed quite at ease while fighting Ji Ning.
But when he caught sight of the moonlight-like white glow on Ji Ning's sword...
“This is...”
Zhang Lingxiao's pupils dilated wildly, cold sweat instantly drenching his back as he cried out in horror, “Sword-glow?! You actually developed sword-glow!”
Ji Ning's expression was as cold as ice. Without saying a word, he swung his black sword down directly toward his opponent's head, carrying that frost-white sword-glow!
It was frigid.
Sharp.
Awe-inspiring with killing intent.
Wherever the blade passed, the air let out a sharp, explosive shriek, as if it wanted to slice through everything in existence!
Unable to dodge in time, Zhang Lingxiao could only grit his teeth and raise his great spear horizontally with both hands, exerting every ounce of his strength in an attempt to withstand this strike and set up a counterattack.
However, although he had heard of sword-glow, he had never witnessed such a technique before. In the end, he had still underestimated its destructive power.
Crack!
A crisp snapping sound rang out.
The low-grade precious artifact, the Sky-Rending Spear, which had accompanied him for many years, was actually sliced in half at the waist as easily as if it were tofu!
The break was as smooth as a mirror, and the silver spearhead clattered to the ground.
The sword-glow's momentum remained undiminished, continuing its descent toward the top of Zhang Lingxiao's head!
Zhang Lingxiao was scared out of his wits, his soul nearly leaving his body.
In this life-or-death moment, the Anjin in his Taichong and Guanyuan acupoints erupted violently. His body shot backward like a flash of lightning.
But despite his rapid reaction, he was still half a breath too slow.
Slash!
The tip of the sword shaved past his face.
It traveled down from his Shenting acupoint, across his nose, lips, and jaw, continuing all the way down...
The frost-white sword-glow plowed a straight, bloody groove across his chest and abdomen, tearing open flesh and causing blood to gush out wildly!
“Ah!!”
Zhang Lingxiao let out a shrill scream, instinctively looking down.
Blood welled from his face, chest, and abdomen, dyeing his collar crimson.
“You win this time!”
With intense pain and fear intertwining, he no longer cared about his dignity. Without another word, he flipped over the edge of the stage and conceded defeat in a wretched state.
On the spectator stand.
Luo Changming stood up abruptly, his old eyes staring intently at Ji Ning, filled with utter disbelief.
Sword-glow...
This Ji kid actually comprehended sword-glow!
In an instant, Luo Changming's killing intent toward Shen Xiuhan shifted to Ji Ning.
“Sword-glow...”
Shen Xiuhan watched this scene, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Only by standing close could he feel it.
His own sword-glow seemed to be somewhat different from Ji Ning's.
Shen Xiuhan's sword-glow was elusive and agile, like drifting clouds rolling and stretching, carrying an ethereal, otherworldly feel.
Ji Ning's sword-glow, on the other hand, was infinitely sharp and packed with killing intent, like an ice blade tearing through the air, overbearing and fierce.
Could it be...
Because the temperaments of martial artists differ, the sword-glow nurtured through their respective swordplays also has its own unique characteristics?
Shen Xiuhan pondered, his understanding of the Sword Dao deepening by another layer.
With Ji Ning securing his victory, this storm-stirring "Longxiang Martial Feast" finally came to a complete close.
The top three of the Mingjin Group were Shen Xiuhan, Luo Tangyin, and Lin Sheng of the Kaibei Martial Arts Hall in Changshui County.
The top three of the Anjin Group were Xiao Wu, Ji Ning, and Wang Xuanyang.
The clamor gradually subsided.
On the spectator stand.
Draped in a white robe, with a lean face and a presence as deep and steady as an abyss or a mountain, Wang Zhidao slowly stood up. His voice resounded like a great bronze bell, echoing across the entire lakeside.
“Everyone!”
Wang Zhidao looked around, cupped his hands in a salute, and smiled. “Over the past few days of the Longxiang Martial Feast, we have received the full support of our fellow martial artists and neighbors. I, Wang, express my deepest gratitude here.”
He paused, then waved his wide sleeve with a grand and generous air.
“The path of martial arts is a struggle for blood qi, but it is also about human relationships.”
“Today, the young elites of our two counties have been decided. To celebrate this grand occasion, I have already ordered a flowing banquet to be set up along the shores of Cloudwater Lake and across the four main streets of the city for three consecutive days!”
“Anyone who came to watch the arena—whether wandering martial artists or common folk—is welcome to join the feast. Consider this the Wang family's way of thanking all of our fellow martial artists and neighbors for bearing witness today!”
As soon as these words were spoken, after a brief moment of stunned silence, the entire lakeside erupted into cheers that pierced the clouds!
“Excellent! Master Wang is truly generous!”
“Not only were the battles in the arena thrilling, but we even get a free feast!”
“Haha, hurry, let's go grab a good seat! We usually never get to eat the meat and wine of such a great family!”
Countless commoners and low-level martial artists beamed with joy, shouting their praises one after another.
The bloody cruelty of the arena was instantly washed away.
By the side of the stage, the crowd whispered among themselves, discussing the flowing banquet.
“Young Master Shen.”
A Wang family manager dressed in a blue short coat approached him, bowing and cupping his hands with a respectful posture.
“The head of the family and the Colonel invite you to the mansion for a discussion.”
The main event is finally here...
Shen Xiuhan took a deep breath. He was also rather curious about what kind of place this so-called "Dragon Blood Essence-Infusing Pool" actually was.
He immediately turned around, cupping his hands to bid farewell to his fellow disciples, including Jiang Qinghong and Xu Chuan.
“Senior brothers and sisters, I shall take my leave first.”
“Go on ahead, Junior Brother. You can leave things here to us.”
Jiang Qinghong's face was slightly pale. Her previous battle had consumed too much of her blood qi, making her voice sound a bit softer.
Xu Chuan heavily patted Shen Xiuhan on the shoulder. Although there was a trace of envy in his eyes, his tone was full of blessings.
“Junior Brother, go see what that Dragon Blood Essence-Infusing Pool is all about, and make sure to tell us all the details when you get back.”
“I will!”
Shen Xiuhan nodded in agreement, his gaze sweeping over his fellow disciples.
He then looked at the Wang family manager and raised his hand. “Lead the way, please.”
The manager chuckled, his posture very humble. “You flatter me, Young Master. It is only my duty... Young Master, this way, please.”
Watching the figure gradually recede into the distance.
Xu Chuan stared blankly for a moment before letting out a deep sigh, his voice carrying a hint of complexity. “Junior Brother's cultivation progress is simply too fast... It has only been a few months, yet he has already left us far behind.”
“Second Senior Brother, do not overthink it.”
Xiang Yunting shook his head. His martial heart had always been resolute. A look of determination appeared on his face, his eyes shining brightly. “Junior Brother has his opportunities, and we have ours. Now that the Longxiang Martial Feast has ended... it won't be long before Colonel Zhenyue returns to camp!”
Hearing this, Xu Chuan's spirits instantly lifted, and a look of anticipation appeared on his face.
He, Xiang Yunting, and Shen Huai had already met with Senior Sister Ding Ning in private.
The latter had also promised to pull some strings for them, bringing the three of them into the Longxiang Army to seek their fortunes!
It was only a pity for Shen Huai...
He had suffered severe injuries, and his bones and tendons had not yet healed. Whether he would be able to go was still up in the air.
Beside them, although Jiang Qinghong listened silently without saying a word, a fire ignited in her eyes as she stared in the direction where Shen Xiuhan had disappeared.
I have to work hard. Otherwise... I'm afraid it won't be long before my little junior brother catches up to me!
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