Shi Lang bravely accepted the challenge that Wen Lengxue threw at him. However, he asked for the advice of Mie Lengyao in this matter, which surprised the people, and they all gazed at the lady.
The Elder stood up behind Wen Lengxue and asked in a low voice, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Wen Lengxue nodded. She had sensed the disappointment of her master years ago. It did not matter to her what the others thought. She just wanted to shine at the cost of humiliating others.
Shi Lang was one such person. If she had her way, she would fight every junior in the sect to vent her anger, but how unbecoming would that be? So, she wished to defeat this guy who had just jumped a level and defeated the star of the outer court.
Mei Lingyao gazed at Shi Lang and said, "Since you have asked for my agreement, I will not be unfair to you. Both of you will showcase the way of the sword."
Wen Lengxue was surprised, but she saw the elders nodding to what her master had just said.
Mei Lingyao continued, "We are the sword peak. We do not need anything else as long as we have a sword. The use of spiritual energy is forbidden. If you violate this rule, you will be put in the cold prison for six months."
Shi Lang did not know what the cold prison was, but from the collective gasp in the surrounding, he understood it was not a good place. Zhou Lieyang asked, "Brother, anything you need?"
Shi Lang smiled and shook his head before turning around and walking to the platform's center. He took out the spirit sword he bought from Shi Yua's cousin and gazed calmly at Wen Lengxue.
The lady raised her brow, and Shi Lang said, "Senior Sister, it is already late, and I think everyone is hungry as well. How about you come down, and we settle this quickly?"
This was a bout of provocation, and Wen Lengxue, the volatile substance she was at the moment, took it.
Instead of descending the stairs, Wen Lengxue jumped into the void, and using her spirit energy, she arrived at the platform with five steps. It was as if a fairy had descended upon the world of mortals.
Shi Lang shook his head, and Wen Lengxue asked, "Why shaking your head, Junior Brother? Do you think that Senior Sister loves vanity?"
The terran chuckled and said, "No, you think too highly of yourself, Senior Sister. Your actions do not need me to develop an opinion. I only thought if I overestimated you."
Wen Lengxue was enraged, and the crowd fell silent. However, in the next movement, Shi Lang put the spirit sword back in his space ring and asked, "Brother Zhou, do you have a wooden sword?"
The crowd gasped while Wen Lengxue was enraged. She asked, "Aren't you looking down on a core disciple too much?"
Shi Lang shook his head and replied, "I respected your status. That's why I accepted the challenge, but the knot in your heart and the disbalance in your thoughts is not something I can overlook. I will not raise my weapon against someone who is already injured."
Wen Lengxue froze.
…
Mei Lingyao looked at the platform with sheer disbelief in her eyes. She looked at Elder Ji, who said, "I told him something a few months ago but did not expect him to say it out loud. I will call this match off right away."
The peak master shook her head and said, "I want to see what this guy is up to. Let's watch patiently. I hope for his sake, and he knows what he is doing."
…
Shi Lang held a wooden sword, standing against the lady, who was fuming in rage. The deacon hesitated, but Peak Master Mei Lingyao said, "Begin."
The two parties vanished from their spots. The attack was high speed, but it was because of their physical prowess and not spiritual boost.
Wen Lengxue used a spirit sword and would not let Shi Lang get away after insulting her.
She slashed at Shi Lang diagonally, but what happened surprised everyone. Shi Lang smirked, held his sword with both hands and used the side of his wooden sword to tap the side of Wen Lengxue's sword.
The action was quick and made concerning the enemy's sword momentum. Wen Lengxue's attack was simple, but a wooden sword threw it off. Shi Lang created a room in her technique and smacked the side of her face.
The impact made Wen Lengxue step back two paces. The people gasped. Even Disciple Yan gulped and said, "This Junior Brother is cruel. Hitting the face is too much, no?"
None of the people commented. They were surprised to see such a technique. Shi Lang clicked his tongue and said, "Do you understand why I did not use a spirit sword?"
Wen Lengxue slowly turned her gaze to him. Her eyes were red, and her breathing was ragged too. Mei Lingyao stood up and was ready to act if something unbecoming was about to happen.
Shi Lang sighed and said, shaking his head, "You have such a great skill, yet you are destroying yourself in the name of penance. You shame yourself and the talented warriors you have defeated over the years. If this was the limit of your resolve, then why pick up the sword?"
Wen Lengxue shivered, and Shi Lang continued, "Tell me, what is a sword?"
The girl was surprised and did not expect Shi Lang to ask her such things. She could not help but look at the sword in her hand, and Shi Lang said, "It may look like a weapon, but it allows you to communicate with other people. The clanging metal resonates with your soul, and the edge represents your emotions. The sword is you, and you are the sword. Close your eyes and look inside you. What does your sword look like?"
Wen Lengxue was calmer now, and Shi Lang's voice was akin to a gentle whisper. She had fallen under the charming technique and closed her eyes. In her mind appeared a sword full of chinks and cracks.
The terran said, "The knots and burdens you carry on your shoulders are meaningless. If you wish to honor those you have defeated, let go, and move forward. Release these binds and climb to a level your opponents wish to reach.
The decision to hold a sword is made by ourselves. The consequences are faced by ourselves too. Senior Brother died fighting a demon protecting the innocents. He did not hesitate, and he did not falter. Then how can you? The one who defeated him turned into what you are now?"
Wen Lengxue finally could not hold things back and shouted, "You don't know anything about it."
She opened her eyes, and Shi Lang smiled. He raised his sword and said, "Tell me about it then."
The battle began once again, and Shi Lang was leading.
…
The crowd was mesmerized. They were all thinking about what Shi Lang said, while the elders were shocked. Mei Lingyao mumbled, "The wisdom of a sword saint."
Elder Jian nodded faintly and said, "Xiao Yao, you have picked us a treasure this time."
Mei Lingyao shook her head and said, "Senior Brother, it was the grace of his excellency, Immortal Sovereign Tian Long."
The communication was made with spiritual consciousness. The latter was shocked but did not show it on his face. The core disciples were also shocked, and they could see how brash Wen Lengxue had become over the passing years.
Now, on the battle platform. She was attacking Shi Lang constantly as if venting her vexation. They watched how easily Shi Lang made it look, and one of the most calm-looking disciples said, "He is holding back."
The fourth elder nodded and said, "Xiao Ping, you can discern this means you have advanced in your knowledge of sword."
Disciple Ping nodded and said, "It was just now when Junior Brother Shi was talking. I followed the steps and realized what was missing from my sword."
The fourth elder nodded and said, "Good. This means I have to pay back this favor to him."
The Elders nodded and asked their disciples if they realized anything from earlier. However, not everyone was bestowed with the same level of comprehension.
…
Shi Lang deflected attack after attack on the platform with his wooden sword. It seemed as if the young man was moving around a lot, but someone with a keen pair of eyes said, "Huh? He is fending off all the attacks without moving a single step. How is this possible?"
His voice was calm, but it turned the disciples mute. A new outer court disciple deflected a core disciple with a wooden sword, and he had yet to take a step away. This fact made them feel weak in their knees. Shi Lang was not a sword cultivator in their eyes anymore. He was a god.
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