Chapter 198: Chapter 197: Defeated with a Single Strike
The brilliant light faded, revealing the scene on the martial arts arena.
Ling Quan looked at Nie Shuang, who was down on one knee, and couldn’t help but smile. "Your Saber Technique is decent, but it’s nothing compared to the Celestial Star Fist Technique. You’re no match for me."
Nie Shuang clenched his jaw, his brow deeply furrowed. Seeing Nie Shuang’s defeat, the students of Qig Mountain Academy couldn’t help but sigh. Cheng Yu pursed her lips, saying nothing.
Nie Shuang was utterly humiliated. First, he’d been defeated by Wen Qingye, and now by Ling Quan. The back-to-back losses were a devastating blow to his confidence.
"Wen Qingye, get up here!" Ling Quan bellowed, his gaze fixed on Wen Qingye in the distance.
Wen Qingye! Get up here!
Ling Quan had infused his voice with Primordial Qi. His thundering call echoed throughout Yiyun Pavilion, the reverberations lasting for a full ten seconds before fading.
Wen Tongyu glanced at Ling Quan, who simply smiled and nodded back.
The small exchange was not the least bit subtle, and everyone present saw it.
Wen Qingye scoffed internally, but his expression remained as placid as still water. He walked toward the stage at a calm, unhurried pace.
Just then, another figure suddenly stepped forward.
Lang Feng stepped forward and said, "I’d like to face Wen Qingye first, if I may—"
Ling Quan’s brow furrowed. "And who the hell are you?" he roared. "Are you worthy of interfering in this battle? Get lost!"
Lang Feng’s mouth fell slightly open, his face flushing crimson. He couldn’t help but clench his fists. His cultivation, having only just entered the Refining Spirit First Layer Heaven, was indeed among the lowest there.
"Lang Feng, stand down!" Wen Tongyu commanded, his brow tightening.
Hearing Wen Tongyu, Lang Feng slowly lowered his head and backed away.
Ling Quan turned back to Wen Qingye and chuckled. "Your name has been ringing in my ears lately. I just wonder if your strength lives up to the legends."
Wen Qingye said nothing, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Go ahead and smile now," Ling Quan said slowly. "I’m afraid you won’t be able to in a moment."
From a distant pavilion, the group of dignitaries watched the martial arts arena below.
Liu Ying watched the two combatants and said with a confident smile, "Who do you think has the upper hand here?"
Shu Jiuyi glanced at Liu Ying, then shot a bitter look toward Nie Qinglan. "Wen Qingye defeated Nie Shuang, and so did Ling Quan. In my opinion, it’s going to be a tough fight."
Shu Jiuyi was truly bitter. He was well aware of Nie Shuang’s talent, but he never expected Qig Mountain Academy to produce such a monstrous genius this year.
At this, Shu Jiuyi couldn’t help but resent Wu Jing. ’That Wu Jing is utterly useless, more a hindrance than a help.’ To think she’d failed to recruit someone like Wen Qingye, allowing Qig Mountain Academy to scoop up such a prize. The more Shu Jiuyi thought about it, the more his heart ached.
"And you, Vice Director Nie?" Liu Ying asked, turning to Nie Qinglan.
"I believe Wen Qingye is guaranteed to win this fight!" Nie Qinglan declared.
Liu Ying chuckled. "Oh? You’re that confident, Vice Director Nie?"
"Mm," Nie Qinglan affirmed with a firm nod, her eyes fixed on Wen Qingye’s figure.
Liu Ying burst out laughing. "Hahaha, well I’m just as confident! I believe Ling Quan is guaranteed to win!"
Nie Qinglan shrugged. "Then we shall wait and see."
......
"Draw your sword!" Ling Quan said, his eyes burning with a fiery intensity as he stared at Wen Qingye.
Wen Qingye could feel the crowd’s eyes on him, and the fighting spirit radiating from Ling Quan.
’Wen Tongyu, watch closely!’
Wen Qingye glanced at the One Thought Sword in his hand, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. Instantly, a wild wind kicked up around him, howling with astonishing power.
SHIIING!
The sword shot from its scabbard. A streak of azure light, like a bolt of silk, flashed across the sky, followed by a cold glint.
Wen Qingye’s feet moved, and to the crowd, it was just a blur. A trail of afterimages flashed past, too fast for most to even register.
"Four Symbols Sword Technique Third Form! Feng Buliu!"
Wen Qingye swung his sword. It sliced through the air, through the very spectacle of the moment, moving so fast that not even a glint of cold light had time to appear.
Ling Quan was horrified. Standing before Wen Qingye, he had only just begun to react. He hastily gathered his Primordial Qi and threw a heavy punch, trying to block the incoming sword.
Ling Quan’s reaction was already incredibly fast. His plan was to use the Fist Qi to shield his vital points before launching a counterattack.
SWOOSH!
Wen Qingye’s sword swept past. He stood tall and proud, as if it were just a casual flick of his wrist.
The Sword Qi sliced horizontally—a clean cut, a thousand miles without a trace.
BANG!
A sound, not overly loud, echoed in everyone’s ears, yet it seemed to strike at their very hearts.
THUD!
Ling Quan’s body slammed heavily onto the ground, landing right at Wen Tongyu’s feet.
The crowd was stunned, staring motionlessly at Ling Quan.
Defeated with a single strike!
Wen Qingye defeated Ling Quan with just one strike of his sword!?
Sweat beaded on Shu Nan’s forehead. "Such a fast sword... I couldn’t even react."
Wang Jie was speechless, his eyes wide with disbelief. "That... that level of power... Wen Qingye is just too terrifying."
Cheng Yu murmured, "One strike... was that really just one strike?"
The crowd erupted, staring dumbfounded at Wen Qingye.
Only one person looked at Wen Qingye with a hint of bewilderment, but after a moment, their gaze became resolute.
Wen Qingye sheathed his sword without so much as a glance at the fallen Ling Quan. "Your strength is decent," he said with a smile.
With that, Wen Qingye slowly walked off the stage.
Ling Quan’s face was beet red. He glared at Wen Qingye and roared, "Was that a sneak attack? If you have any guts, let’s have a real fight!"
Wen Qingye acted as if he hadn’t heard a word, continuing to walk forward at the same unhurried pace.
"Wait!"
A sharp command suddenly rang out.
Wen Tongyu rose to his feet and stepped forward. "What? Planning on leaving?"
Wen Qingye turned his head, looked at Wen Tongyu, and chuckled. "Don’t tell me you want to fight me too?"
At his words, a thrill of excitement ran through the crowd. ’Is Wen Tongyu going to make a move?’
"Alright, alright, that’s enough sparring for today. We’re mainly here for a friendly exchange. Your true test will be the Thousand Rivers Secret Land."
Just then, a group of people approached from the distance—it was Liu Ying, Shu Jiuyi, Situ Haoming, Nie Qinglan, and the others. Liu Ying was the one who had spoken.
Liu Ying glanced at Wen Qingye and nodded, then turned to Wen Tongyu with a smile. "Alright, that’s enough for today. Let’s head back."
Wen Tongyu frowned slightly, but ultimately nodded in agreement.
THUD!
Just then, Lang Feng walked up to Nie Qinglan and, under the astonished gazes of the crowd, dropped to his knees.
Everyone from Purple Sun Prefecture frowned, while the others were simply stunned, wondering what was happening.
"I was wrong," Lang Feng said, his head bowed and his voice trembling. "I wish to return to Qig Mountain Academy... I don’t know if the academy will take me back?"
With his head bowed, no one could see his expression.
A man’s knees are precious as gold; how can he casually kneel before another?
At that moment, Lang Feng had abandoned everything—even his dignity—for a single chance to go back. A chance to return to Qig Mountain Academy, to that land nestled deep in the serene mountains, to return to the "well" he had once derided.
A terrifying glint flashed in Liu Ying’s eyes as he stared at Lang Feng.
"Lang Feng, what are you doing?" Liu Ying’s voice was low and dangerous. "Get up. We can discuss whatever this is when we get back."
As he spoke, Liu Ying walked to Lang Feng’s side and reached out to pull him up.
Suddenly, another hand shot out, blocking Liu Ying’s.
The crowd gasped, their eyes drawn to the owner of that hand.
Wen Qingye smiled gently. "He has made his choice. It’s not good to force things."
A faint smile played on Wen Qingye’s lips. His calm, carefree eyes were disarming, like a gentle spring breeze, giving him the air of a refined, jade-like scholar.
THUD!
Lang Feng prostrated himself fully, his forehead striking the ground with a heavy sound.
"I beg the Vice Director to accept me!" Lang Feng pleaded, his voice trembling.
"Alright, alright. Get up, please get up," Nie Qinglan said, rushing forward to help Lang Feng to his feet.
Lang Feng looked up at Nie Qinglan, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Liu Ying ignored Lang Feng, his gaze locking onto Wen Qingye. A faint smile touched his lips. "Good. Very good."
It was impossible to discern any joy or anger from Liu Ying’s words, but Wen Qingye saw the cold light in his eyes.
"We’re leaving!" Liu Ying said to the members of Purple Sun Prefecture, then turned and stormed away.
Wen Tongyu and the others fell in line behind Liu Ying, and together they all walked out of Yiyun Pavilion.
After the contingent from Purple Sun Prefecture had left, Shu Jiuyi walked over to Wen Qingye, clapped him on the shoulder, and roared with laughter. "Well done! Beautifully done! I’ve never seen the Mansion Master of Purple Sun Prefecture look so utterly defeated! Excellent! Hahahaha!"
Even though Liu Ying had tried his best to control his expression, Shu Jiuyi had still seen the moment his face fell. Qig Mountain Academy had long been suppressed by Purple Sun Prefecture, and he had been holding in his resentment for a long time.
