Li Mo to Xie Xuan

In the grand hall of the palace.

"How could Yu Yang lose? It's simply unacceptable."

Emperor Jingtai shook his head with a sigh, though the smile on his face was unmistakable. "Chu Long has become so formidable..."

As he spoke, he turned his gaze toward Empress Chuge with a faint smile.

"They are both of Your Majesty's bloodline. How can one be deemed superior to the other?"

Empress Chuge narrowed her eyes, her expression still tender, yet the curve of her lips carried a hint of coldness.

Jiang Chulong looked far too much like that woman.

Especially when she wielded a sword.

How had she managed it?

But then, Empress Chuge's brows relaxed.

After all, few in the imperial family had placed their hopes on Yu Yang to begin with. He had merely been sent to fulfill a formality.

The true focus was still Jiang Yu.

"I wonder what would happen if Jiang Chulong were to face Yu'er. What does Your Majesty... think?"

Her voice was soft, yet just loud enough for those nearby to hear.

"You wouldn't dare?"

Emperor Jingtai turned to her, his eyes gleaming with a trace of unmistakable menace.

"Your Majesty has always been so skilled at turning a blind eye."

Empress Chuge smiled pitifully. "Why can't you do the same for this humble consort?"

......

At the Heavenly Mountain Sword Manor.

"What formidable sword intent!"

"What kind of swordsmanship is that?"

"There seems to be traces of our Heavenly Mountain Sword Manor's style in it, but most of it is her own creation."

"That girl looks familiar. Have I seen her somewhere before?"

"Too similar... far too similar..."

Several disciples of the Sword Manor watched with shining eyes.

"If we were of the same realm, I might not be her match." Xie Xuan shook his head, though he showed no signs of dejection.

After all, she was the daughter of Master Shi. It was only natural for her sword talent to surpass his.

Besides, Jiang Chulong's cultivation was still relatively low—nowhere near the oppressive aura of Ying Bing.

He could only hope not to face her too soon...

Xie Xuan lifted his gaze toward the Scroll of Mountains and Rivers, where the matchups were displayed, and quickly found Ying Bing's name.

[Ying Bing vs. Jiang Chengling]

He exhaled silently, the memory of their sparring outside the Cloud-Treading Pavilion still fresh in his mind.

Who was his own first opponent?

Looking further down, Xie Xuan suddenly froze.

[Xie Xuan vs. Li Mo]

......

The host took the stage at this moment—none other than the Eunuch in Purple Robe who had previously presided over the Divine Arms Convention. This time, however, he was not alone. By his side stood Du Wufeng and Xie Yiding, two esteemed judges from the Heavenly Mountain Sword Manor.

It all seemed... remarkably professional.

Like commentators, they analyzed the battles of the rising geniuses, discussing their odds of victory.

"A stunning upset! Jiang Chulong defeated Yu Yang in a single move! What an awe-inspiring sword strike!"

The Eunuch in Purple Robe held up a voice-amplifying conch shell:

"However, the matches to come promise even greater excitement. What do our two esteemed seniors think?"

"There's little to say about Ying Bing versus Jiang Chengling. Her martial prowess is so profound that even I find it unfathomable. At the same Eighth Aperture of Insight realm, I cannot imagine anyone who could best her."

Du Wufeng shook his head.

"And what does Senior Xie think... Senior Xie?"

The Eunuch in Purple Robe noticed that Xie Yiding was still staring at Jiang Chulong, lost in thought.

A mere thirty percent resemblance was enough to leave the sect master of this sword sanctuary utterly transfixed.

"Manor Lord, your headscarf has slipped."

Du Wufeng remarked impassively.

"Hm?"

Xie Yiding snapped back to reality, instinctively touching the headscarf atop his head before shooting a glare at Old Du.

"Manor Lord, everyone is waiting for your analysis."

"Mm. As for Jiang Chengling... Never mind, there's little worth mentioning. He doesn't even have the right to make the Frost Fairy take him seriously. A lengthy discussion would be pointless."

Xie Yiding had already rendered his verdict on the match.

"What about the Young Manor Lord versus the Divine Hammer Little Tyrant?"

The Eunuch in Purple Robe pressed on.

"In my opinion, Li Mo's chances are slim—unless he doesn't use his hammer."

"How so?" the eunuch inquired further.

Xie Yiding shook his head.

"First, Li Mo is at the Seventh Aperture of Insight. He's already at a disadvantage in terms of cultivation."

"Moreover, while the Divine Hammer Little Tyrant's talent in swordsmanship is passable—enough to enter our Sword Manor—it is far from exceptional. His style is too rigid... No, it's entirely rigid, devoid of any spark of ingenuity."

To put it in perspective, if he were a painter, Li Mo would spend his whole life merely copying others. No matter how flawless his imitations, they would never be his own. His future would not lie in becoming a master artist, but rather an expert forger.

If someone could just supply him with acid-free paper and color-changing ink...

Ahem. That was merely an analogy. In simpler terms, Li Mo's sword was lifeless—no matter how closely it resembled another's, it remained dead.

"In terms of weapons, the Heaven-Man Divine Sword is no weaker than the Ancestral Master's Sword. However, Li Mo likely cannot unleash its true power, whereas Xie Xuan has spent years in close companionship with the Ancestral Master's Sword."

Du Wufeng pondered for a moment before also shaking his head. "Young Li's odds of victory are indeed low."

Most of the spectators and onlookers were laymen, yet even they could grasp the obvious implication.

In short, the advantage lay with Xie Xuan.

"The Divine Hammer Little Tyrant versus Xie Xuan—we're about to witness the first clash of divine weapons!"

"Xie Xuan has taken the stage. Why is Li Mo just standing there?"

"Over at the Frost Fairy's side, it looks like the match is already ending..."

......

Jiang Yu took a sip of tea. He had thought Jiang Chengling might at least test Ying Bing's techniques.

Never had he imagined the defeat would come so swiftly.

How long had it been since a peer had made him feel such a sense of threat?

Emotional fluctuations—what a wondrous thing they were. Even if they were born of danger, fury, or... fear.

On the platform, Xie Xuan held a wooden sword, looking down in confusion.

"Brother Li, what are you doing?"

"Just wait a little longer. It won't take much time."

Li Mo shook his head, showing no signs of nervousness, his gaze entirely fixed elsewhere rather than on Xie Xuan.

"Wait for what?"

Xie Xuan was utterly baffled.

Then, he heard shouts from the adjacent platform: "The Frost Fairy has won!"

Ying Bing, who had only just stepped onto the stage, descended less than a minute later.

She walked down with an air of icy detachment, the remnants of her sword intent still lingering—the aura of someone who, despite the presence of nobles and royals, seemed the most regal of all, her dignity untouchable.

Stopping before Li Mo, she tilted her head slightly.

"Why haven't you gone up yet?"

"Waiting to recharge."

"......"

Ying Bing noticed the many eyes fixed on them. Her expression swiftly turned aloof, though her fingers curled slightly in discomfort.

Nevertheless, she wrapped her arms around Li Mo's waist, holding him tightly.

"Do your best..."

"Mm. I'll definitely make it to the top three!"

As all knew, the stronger the fighting spirit of the Heaven-Defying Battle Will, the greater the combat prowess.

Young Li's morale instantly soared.

"???"

"What are you doing, Li Mo? What is this?"

"You're supposed to fight Xie Xuan, not us!"

Amidst the uproar, Li Mo ascended the platform.

Xie Xuan stood frozen, feeling as though he had already lost before the fight even began.

After some thought, Li Mo refrained from saying, "She doesn't love you at all." Old Xie wasn't a bad guy—no need for that.

Besides, he wanted to win fairly with the sword this time.

For the sake of his dream, he would hold back from using the ultimate technique of the Brawler King.

"The hall is drunk with blossoms, enchanting three thousand guests; a single sword gleams, chilling fourteen provinces!"

"Sword, come!"

The Celestial Divine Sword flew backward from below the stage into his hand. If it had a face, it would probably look utterly exasperated right now.

The young swordsman, Li Mo, struck a dashing pose, exuding effortless elegance:

"Brother Xie, after you!"

"So... impeccably composed," Xie Xuan muttered to himself.

Why did this guy seem more like the legendary swordsman than he did?

Somehow, the pressure was mounting inexplicably, as if he were the one seeking guidance here.

Wait a damn minute—you’re a hammer-wielder! What kind of "sword chills fourteen provinces" nonsense is this, huh?