CHAPTER 204: CHAPTER 192: ABRUPTLY ENDED

The entire audience fell silent as Wang Ziru dejectedly exited the stage.

His tall silhouette appeared so lonely and desolate, carrying a hint of sorrow.

The spectators felt uncomfortable as well. Their prideful home team had shockingly lost four matches in a row, each defeat being a one-hit kill by Gao Xuan.

The fame of the Taihua Sword Immortal was immense, maintaining an undefeated record. However, he had never been this dominant in past competitions.

When facing formidable swordsmen, the combatants would engage in at least a few exchanges.

But now, even the Little Celestial King, Wang Ziru, was defeated in one strike by Gao Xuan, leaving the audience unable to accept it.

This overwhelming blow plunged the audience’s emotions into a low.

Under normal circumstances, they would offer polite applause to a strong figure like Gao Xuan.

Respecting the opponent’s master is basic courtesy. Acknowledging their strength allows one to accept their own defeat.

Yet, no one was willing to applaud Gao Xuan, not even the female fans who admired his looks.

The Middle Heaven Sword Dojo was the pride of Zhongjing City, and as Zhongjing people, they felt a strong sense of honor.

Now, this sense of honor was trampled under Gao Xuan’s feet, making it impossible for anyone to be happy.

The broadcast naturally shifted its focus to Yuan Hao. As the last to appear, Yuan Hao had become everyone’s hope.

Outwardly solemn, Yuan Hao was internally beaming. Gao Xuan’s cooperation was just too great.

Once he defeated Gao Xuan, he would immediately become the top swordsman of the young generation.

Han Peng whispered to Yuan Hao, "Don’t be careless. Winning is enough; it doesn’t matter if you can’t kill Gao Xuan."

He advised, "Never reveal your intent to kill prematurely, or Gao Xuan will become alert."

Confident, Yuan Hao replied, "I know what to do, Coach, rest assured..."

The broadcast was playing the footage of Han Peng and Yuan Hao’s conversation.

The host added commentary: "The outstanding performance of the Taihua Sword Immortal has put significant pressure on the Middle Heaven Sword Team. Now only the Heaven-Reaching Sword Yuan Hao remains. Coach Han Peng is giving direct instructions..."

The technical commentator stated, "Gao Xuan is truly strong. This time, the Middle Heaven Sword Team faces the most severe challenge. It all depends on whether Yuan Hao can withstand the pressure."

"What are Yuan Hao’s chances of winning?" the host asked, feigning curiosity.

The expert pondered and replied, "Yuan Hao’s Heaven-Reaching Sword is grand and fierce, and the family-secret Heaven-Reaching Thirteen Techniques is a top-tier secret technique. Yuan Hao has never gone all out. This time, he should unleash his deadly moves."

The expert, prompted by the Yuan Family, began to fervently promote Yuan Hao.

The host, with an exaggerated expression, said, "The Heaven-Reaching Thirteen Techniques, a Yuan Family ancient secret technique? Truly a millennium-old noble family with profound heritage."

He exaggeratedly added, "I can’t wait to watch the battle between the two sides now."

The host said, "Even if Yuan Hao can defeat Gao Xuan, the Mingjing Sword Team still has four swordsmen, presenting a daunting challenge. If he can achieve a one-versus-five victory, this battle will become legendary..."

The host skillfully stirred the audience’s emotions with his words.

Indeed, if Yuan Hao could counterattack from a desperate situation, this match would be exceptionally entertaining.

All the spectators were filled with anticipation, hoping for Yuan Hao’s comeback and awaiting the arrival of a miracle.

The members of the Mingjing Sword Team all wore disgruntled expressions.

Xu Lingyun, for one, directly cursed, "What a bunch of bullies, boasting like that..."

"What a disgrace, and it’s supposed to be the Middle Heaven Sword Team. Shameless!"

Elder Jiang was visibly tense, advising Gao Xuan, "Gao Xuan, you have great ambitions. There’s no need to contend with such individuals. Sit this one out, just concede."

Beside him, Jiang Xuejun and Qingyi Fei Niao were both angry and upset. This was no longer a swordsmanship competition; it was about power struggle between the factions.

The side of Yuan Hao was simply bullying with their power. What could they do?

Gao Xuan, however, was not angry; he comforted Jiang Yuan, saying, "Coach, rest assured, I will cooperate with them."

Jiang Yuan sighed deeply, "It’s my inability, and the school has done its best. But the noble families in Zhongjing are too powerful, and the waters run too deep. This is the harshness of life..."

Having lived for seven to eight decades, Jiang Yuan had seen all sorts of darkness and harsh realities. Precisely because of this, he understood the immense power of the noble families.

Even the top swordsmen couldn’t contend against these historical noble families.

In a highly efficient and orderly world, noble families controlled numerous resources and public power. Even if the lower classes united, they couldn’t win against the noble families.

This is reality.

Jiang Yuan could quickly accept reality, but he was afraid Gao Xuan wouldn’t. Seeing Gao Xuan’s calm demeanor put him more at ease.

He believed Gao Xuan was smart and had a bright future ahead, with no need for petty disputes.

In the VIP section, Wei Zhenzhen was pleading with her mother, "Mom, please help Gao Xuan. Those bullies are so hateful."

Wei Yue lightly shook her head, "I can’t advise Gao Xuan on this matter. It depends on him."

She added, "But if someone truly makes things difficult for him, I won’t stand idly by."

Yan Qingge sighed internally. If Wei Yue stood up, she couldn’t ignore it either. This seemed troublesome.

Now, she just hoped Gao Xuan would be wise and concede to Yuan Hao, sparing everyone the trouble.

In terms of Sword Dao, this competition was indeed unfair.

However, the Sword Dao League has never been purely about swordsmanship. In this world, anything involving enormous interests is bound to be complex.

The break time ended, and the golden gong sounded at the venue.

Gao Xuan and Yuan Hao took to the stage. The referee signaled for the start, striking the golden gong once more. The match officially began.

Yuan Hao’s sapphire armor was custom-made, appearing grander and offering stronger protection. Even a tenth-level swordsman might not pierce through it with a single strike.

Wearing such advanced armor completely avoided any possible accidental injuries.

Yuan Hao also possessed a marvel that greatly enhanced speed and power.

According to the tournament rules, high-spec armor is not allowed. Neither is the use of equipment like Marvels that enhance power.

Except the referee doesn’t care, who knows Yuan Hao brought powerful Marvels with him.

The Breaking Blade in Yuan Hao’s hand is a top-grade Sword Artifact. Its specialty lies in its extraordinary sharpness.

Even exoskeleton armor can be broken with one strike. Such extraordinary items are naturally not permitted in use.

The Middle Heaven Sword Team has too much home advantage. Including the referee, they are all part of the Middle Heaven Sword Team.

If it weren’t for Gao Xuan being too strong, Han Peng wouldn’t need to step in; Yuan Hao would win just with those Marvels as external aids.

Yuan Hao pointed the Breaking Blade at Gao Xuan and said in a low voice, "Supreme Profound Duck King, just surrender to your fate."

The live broadcast wouldn’t air the exchange, Yuan Hao said this without any pressure.

Gao Xuan instead laughed, "Kill me, do you have the skill? A wastrel relying on family heritage."

"You dare insult me?"

Yuan Hao, stunned, was extremely furious, "Kid, don’t court death. If I’m unhappy, you and your woman and friends will have to die."

"What kind of breed are you? Your barking is truly awful."

Gao Xuan shook his head slightly, "For trash like you to stand on the field is truly an insult to swordsmen."

Yuan Hao was furious to the extreme, his eyes almost spitting fire. His hand holding the sword was slightly trembling.

From the coach’s seat, Han Peng sensed something amiss, he stood up and pointed coldly at Gao Xuan.

He used Spiritual Power to murmur to Gao Xuan, "Gao Xuan, don’t be foolish. If you dare to win this round, you absolutely cannot bear the consequences!"

Han Peng’s Spiritual Power wasn’t particularly strong, but it was sufficient to relay a message.

This kind of secret spiritual exchange wouldn’t be detected by onsite equipment monitors.

Gao Xuan turned his head slightly and smiled at Han Peng, "Don’t worry, I know what to do."

He then clasped his hands towards Yuan Hao, "Please."

Yuan Hao did not return the courtesy. His nature was proud and arrogant, and having been cursed at by Gao Xuan, he was already about to burst in anger.

Han Peng’s expression became grave. He always felt something wasn’t right. But he didn’t believe Gao Xuan would dare oppose him, dare not listen to Xiao Hanshan!

The audience present could not hear the exchange between the two and could only see that Yuan Hao’s expression was somewhat off and incredibly rude.

The commentator continued, "The exchange seems unpleasant, not sure what offensive words Gao Xuan has said..."

Experts chimed in, "Yuan Hao seems to be enraged. Gao Xuan is handsome, but everyone says his words are sharp, capable of infuriating others. It looks like Gao Xuan indeed lacks discipline..."

These two, wielding control over the scene’s narrative, fanned the flames, provoking the audience’s anger further.

Initially, Gao Xuan’s continuous victories accumulated quite the resentment.

Now, all their emotions were led out, with 300,000 people shouting in unison, "Heaven-Reaching Sword, Heaven-Reaching Sword!"

They were using this method to create pressure on Gao Xuan.

Tens of thousands shouted in unison, the momentum as grand as the Yangtze River.

Even Yuan Hao, receiving this kind of treatment for the first time.

The frenzied mood of tens of thousands also put Yuan Hao into some wondrous state.

Yuan Hao, already a Seventh-level Swordsman, broke through the stagnant Source Power acupoints under the psychic stimulus, raising his Source Power to the next level.

The surge in Source Power also bolstered Yuan Hao’s confidence immensely.

With a long whistle, Yuan Hao advanced with his sword. Under the surge of Source Power, the Breaking Blade provoked extraordinary phenomena.

The silver blade burgeoned with silver flames, Yuan Hao’s entire aura increased tenfold.

The extraordinarily stimulated spirit and Source Power in Yuan Hao aroused the Breaking Blade’s Sword Qi, typically a strength mastered only by Tenth-level Swordsmen.

In the coaching seats, Han Peng was full of excitement; Yuan Hao suddenly broke through mid-battle and unleashed Sword Qi.

Even if Gao Xuan didn’t cooperate, he couldn’t withstand a hit from the Sword Qi.

Mind you, Sword Qi isn’t merely a complex form of energy; it’s not just the mere release of Source Power for long-distance attacks. Sword Qi can also enhance the speed and strength of swordsmen.

In the Sword Qi activation state, Yuan Hao now had the qualifications to fight frontally with Tenth-level Swordsmen.

Yuan Ansheng and other Yuan Family people observing also revealed joyous expressions. Yuan Hao sure is promising!

The entire Mingjing Sword Team was in utter shock.

Even Jiang Xuejun, not understanding much, could see Yuan Hao’s state was distinctively formidable. They all started to worry for Gao Xuan.

In the VIP box, Yan Qingge heaved a sigh of relief; Yuan Hao brandishing a Divine Weapon and stimulating Sword Qi meant a surefire victory. At least no need to fear Gao Xuan provoking trouble.

Everyone on the scene, regardless of level, could now see Yuan Hao had an absolute edge, sure to win.

The cheers across the venue reached their pinnacle.

Just then, Gao Xuan unsheathed his sword and advanced directly against the momentum, breaking through the silver Sword Qi with water-like shimmering Sword Light, piercing straight into Yuan Hao’s brow.

The expensive helmet, under the Hongyi Sword, was penetrated as simply as paper.

The water-like blade pierced right through Yuan Hao’s back of the skull, instantly ending all of Yuan Hao’s actions.

The earth-shattering cheers ceased abruptly.

From extreme clamor to extreme silence, there was no transitional phase between.

Gao Xuan’s elegant and nimble strike, as if piercing the throats of all viewers present, silenced all sounds.

The Middle Heaven Sword Dojo plunged into a deathly silence.

(Third update coming~ Please support~)