Two young martial prodigies of the Martial Artist Seventh Realm stepped onto the dueling platform in the middle of the pool to begin their sword-fight.

They were comparing their sword techniques, not using their True Qi.

In other words, this sword duel was a measure of whose swordsmanship was superior. It didn't have much to do with the level of their cultivation.

These two young prodigies were very strong, possessing the strength to rank on the Heavenly List. They always managed to demonstrate dazzling sword skills.

One was named Baili Yue, and the other was Du Shaoqiu.

On the dueling platform, the two challengers had already made their first moves.

Du Shaoqiu wielded a Heavy Sword. His area of movement was small, largely confined to a circular range from which he never strayed. Nevertheless, his defense was exceedingly formidable. Every sword strike emanated tremendous force; his sword style was fierce and robust.

Opposite him, Baili Yue's long hair billowed. His Azure Treasure Sword seemed to dance with a swirl of wind. The wind aided his Sword Momentum, making his blade exceedingly fast and formidable.

"The strengths of these two are quite similar. It's hard to tell who will gain the upper hand. Brother Dustless, do you have any thoughts on this battle?" Xu Ruoyan asked with a smile, looking at Ling Chen.

"Hard to say."

Ling Chen showed a hint of contemplation, then said, "Baili Yue's swordsmanship is elegant and fierce, like a storm. Generally speaking, in the Martial World, speed is paramount. So, technically, he has the advantage."

"However, Du Shaoqiu's swordsmanship is very stable. Although it doesn't seem to have any particular highlights, there are no flaws to exploit. If they can't determine a winner quickly, the duel will come down to stamina. In this regard, Du Shaoqiu has the advantage. His chances of winning should be slightly higher."

Hearing this, Xu Ruoyan turned her gaze to the arena. However, she couldn't discern anything significant no matter how closely she watched. It was difficult for martial artists of the same level to analyze such duels. Only those with true insight and a profound understanding of swordsmanship could offer such a well-reasoned and detailed analysis.

"Nonsense."

At this moment, the Second Prince's voice suddenly interjected from the side.

He was shaking his head, clearly scornful of Ling Chen's analysis.

"What insights do you have, Your Highness?" Xu Ruoyan asked, her lips curving into a slight smile.

"What Brother Dustless just said is utterly shortsighted."

With an expression that suggested he had seen through everything, the Second Prince gestured towards the duel on the platform, offering his critique, "It's true that both of them are of comparable strength. However, you failed to realize that Du Shaoqiu is wielding a Heavy Sword. Exerting himself for a long time, his stamina will definitely give out first. Therefore, the ultimate victor must be Baili Yue."

"The Second Prince makes a lot of sense! Truly insightful!" As soon as the Second Prince finished speaking, Gongsun Zhi eagerly chimed in with praise.

At this, Ling Chen simply chuckled to himself. This Second Prince clearly knows little about the Sword Way, yet he insists on pretending to be an expert. Little does he realize that for Du Shaoqiu, there's hardly any difference between using a Heavy Sword and a regular Treasure Sword. He wields it as if it were light as a feather, completely unburdened by its weight.

On the dueling platform, the two battling young prodigies were on the verge of determining a victor.

"Du Shaoqiu, accept your defeat!" Baili Yue shouted, and in an instant, dozens of illusory figures surrounded Du Shaoqiu, all striking simultaneously. The fierce sword light seemed intent on riddling Du Shaoqiu with wounds.

This was his final offensive flurry before his stamina was exhausted.

"The one who will be defeated is you!"

Du Shaoqiu, previously motionless, suddenly sprang into action. His Heavy Sword pierced through the multitude of illusory figures, striking Baili Yue.

BOOM!

Baili Yue had assumed he was suppressing his opponent, unaware that Du Shaoqiu was also looking for an opening. At that crucial instant, Baili Yue's old force was spent, and new strength had yet to surge. This momentary lapse caused his movements to slow by a fraction. Unable to dodge in time, he was sent flying backward through the air, blood spraying from the corner of his mouth.

"I concede." Du Shaoqiu retracted his Heavy Sword and gave Baili Yue a fist-and-palm salute.

Many people were caught off guard by this outcome. In their opinion, Baili Yue should have been the victor.

"How is that possible!" The Second Prince's face turned ashen. He hadn't expected to guess wrong, nor that Ling Chen would predict it correctly.

"Brother Dustless indeed has a sharp eye." Xu Ruoyan felt a measure of admiration for Ling Chen. She recalled how Ling Chen had given Xiao Muyu on-the-spot advice during a critical confrontation at the Chiyu Mountain Manor, helping Xiao Muyu defeat a powerful enemy. It seemed Ling Chen's martial arts attainment was truly astonishing.

"Haha, Brother Dustless is quite lucky. You even managed to guess this outcome correctly." The Second Prince laughed, but his words were laced with malice. Ling Chen's analysis, in his eyes, was merely a lucky guess.

Hearing this, Ling Chen's lips curled slightly. "The outcome of this contest could be determined with a little analysis. Why would I need to guess? Or could it be that Your Highness, the Second Prince, relies on guessing?"

"You!" Publicly mocked by Ling Chen, the Second Prince's expression turned even uglier, but he couldn't retaliate directly here.

"Second Prince, please calm yourself." Xu Ruoyan said, looking at the Second Prince. "I fear that no one present can surpass Brother Dustless in Swordsmanship Attainment. Even looking across the entire Martial World, he is among the best. Naturally, you would only lose if you competed against him."

Upon hearing this, Ling Chen couldn't help but frown. It sounds like Xu Ruoyan is deliberately trying to provoke a conflict between me and this Second Prince. The more she praises me, the more animosity I'm likely to attract.

"No one here can surpass him, and he's one of the best in the Martial World? Are you suggesting that among our younger generation, Brother Dustless's swordsmanship is the finest in the entire Martial World?" The Second Prince scoffed. This Ling Chen is such a braggart. These words must be what he fed Xu Ruoyan. That kid really isn't afraid of his boasts blowing up in his face, to utter such arrogant claims!

"So the World's Number One Swordsman is right before our eyes! We are truly unworthy! In that case, today's martial competition champion must surely be Brother Dustless, then!" Gongsun Zhi also deliberately exclaimed loudly, ensuring everyone could hear him.

At these words, the entire aerocourtyard erupted in an uproar.

Every young warrior who could enter the aerocourtyard was exceptional; they were all top-tier young talents from Aqua Country.

Dustless, a mere nobody, dares to claim the title of World's Number One Swordsman? He's simply ignorant of his own limitations!

All the young talents present were infuriated, each itching to personally defeat Ling Chen and then humiliate him severely.

"This madman is so arrogant!"

"Even the 'Tianxin Swordsman' Feng Piaoliu wouldn't dare claim the title of World's Number One Swordsman! Doesn't he know there's always a heaven beyond heaven, and someone better out there? How can this person utter such arrogant words?"

"He's probably just some frog at the bottom of a well from the countryside, who's never seen the true breadth of the world and thinks the sky is only as wide as the top of his well..."

Countless verbal attacks were aimed at Ling Chen, causing him to frown slightly. These two are truly skilled at stirring up the crowd. Xu Ruoyan only said that among those present, no one could surpass my Swordsmanship Attainment. But in their mouths, it became me being the World's Number One Swordsman.

At this moment, Ling Chen found himself in a very precarious situation. The young talents in the courtyard stared at him with cold smiles. Meanwhile, the Princesses and Young Ladies of Prominent Families, seated in the lofts, also let out derisive hisses, eagerly waiting to see Ling Chen make a fool of himself.

Meanwhile, Xu Ruoyan watched with keen interest. She was waiting to see how Ling Chen would handle this situation. The subsequent informal sword discussion, she mused, promised to be very interesting indeed.