CHAPTER 236: CHAPTER 235 - ONE MOVE_1

At this moment, a white-clad young swordsman suddenly emerged from the elegant seats. He executed a body technique, treading upon the pond’s surface before landing on the dueling platform.

This white-clad young swordsman gazed at Ling Chen from afar, a trace of mockery in his eyes. "So you’re Dustless, the World’s Number One Swordsman?" he sneered. "I am Tang Feng, the Free Swordsman. I hereby announce my challenge for your title!"

His words had barely fallen when they provoked a burst of loud laughter.

The Second Prince smirked at Ling Chen, his expression seeming to say, This is the consequence of angering this prince. Not only will this prince teach you a lesson, but I will also see your reputation shattered.

On the dueling platform, Tang Feng spoke again, "Brother Dustless, are you perhaps looking down on me? Will you not even deign to offer a few pointers?"

Ling Chen’s hesitation only reinforced Tang Feng’s belief that Ling Chen was all style and no substance, fundamentally lacking any genuine skill.

He was eager to expose this fraudulent pretender.

"Brother Dustless, according to the rules of the Sword Duel Tournament, one cannot refuse a challenge unless there is a vast disparity in strength," the Second Prince chimed in from the side, a malicious smile spreading across his face.

"The disparity in our strength is indeed significant. Therefore, according to the rules, I am not required to accept the challenge," Ling Chen replied calmly.

Hearing this, the Second Prince’s expression subtly changed. What thick skin! he inwardly cursed Ling Chen. Outwardly, however, he maintained his smile. "The extent of the disparity isn’t for one person to decide; it requires the consensus of the majority. From what we can see, there appears to be no such disparity. Therefore, you must accept the fight."

"Indeed. Brother Dustless is the World’s Number One Swordsman, after all. Defeating this Tang Feng should be as simple as lifting a finger for him, shouldn’t it?" Gongsun Zhi added with a malicious grin.

"Exactly! Refusing to fight means you’re a coward! You’ll have to kneel and apologize before all these young talents, admitting you’re nothing but a worthless craven!"

"Well said! How can any Tom, Dick, or Harry dare to claim the title of World’s Number One Swordsman? To tarnish such a title is a disgrace and indeed calls for severe punishment!"

"His martial arts should be crippled, making him unable to ever hold his head high again!"

A cacophony of piercing voices rose and fell like a tide, most filled with malice. Some even clamored to cripple Ling Chen’s martial arts.

It seems I have no choice but to make a move, Ling Chen thought.

Ling Chen hadn’t intended to reveal his capabilities so early. There were only a select few he considered worthy opponents for a spar. The gap between him and the others was too vast, rendering any engagement with them pointless.

However, given the crowd’s current agitation, if he didn’t act, he might very well be driven away.

"Since you are so eager for a martial contest, Your Excellency, then I shall indulge Brother Tang with a few moves," Ling Chen said, rising from his seat. With a flicker of movement, he glided across the pond’s surface, landing gracefully opposite Tang Feng.

Tang Feng was taken aback that Ling Chen actually dared to accept the challenge. He had only intended to humiliate Ling Chen and hadn’t expected the latter to possess the audacity to face him on the platform.

"In a duel of swordsmanship, True Qi is forbidden. Let us compete using only our sword skills," Tang Feng declared.

Tang Feng sized Ling Chen up, clearly underestimating him. "I won’t take advantage of you. If you can withstand ten of my moves, I will concede defeat."

Ten moves. That was his most generous estimation for Ling Chen. He had initially thought of five, but then decided to add a few more as a precaution. It would be humiliating if he failed to live up to his own boast.

Hearing this, Ling Chen merely shook his head. "That won’t be necessary. If you can withstand a single move from me, I’ll consider it your victory."

WHAT?!

His words struck like a boulder cast into a calm pond, sending ripples of shock through the assembled young talents, who stared at Ling Chen in utter disbelief.

One move?

Is he really looking down on Tang Feng that much? they wondered. No matter his faults, Tang Feng is ranked twenty-ninth on the Heavenly List! Just how strong can Ling Chen possibly be to claim Tang Feng wouldn’t withstand even one of his moves?

"Hah! What arrogance!"

Tang Feng froze for a moment, then burst into furious laughter. It was the first time he had been so blatantly disdained, especially by some nameless upstart. The sheer absurdity of it was laughable, yet infuriating.

"I’d like to see you try to defeat me in one move!"

Tang Feng’s eyes turned cold. Done with words, he drew his five-foot-long, green-steel Treasure Sword with a SWISH.

He surged forward, taking eight rapid steps in succession. Each step followed a profound pattern, intricate and mystifying, making it exceedingly difficult to predict the angle of his attack.

His footwork alone was a testament to Tang Feng’s considerable martial arts proficiency.

Ling Chen remained rooted to the spot, perfectly still.

"Plum Blossom Triple Strike!"

Tang Feng shifted left and thrust his sword. Though he used no True Qi, the blade’s edge shimmered, forming three distinct, plum blossom-like Sword Flowers—a display of highly skilled Sword Technique.

"Excellent! Tang Feng’s swordsmanship has clearly improved!"

Seeing Tang Feng’s sharp attack, the Second Prince’s face lit up with delight. He’s improved! Three months ago, I witnessed Tang Feng’s sword techniques. This same move now seems twice as powerful as it was then!

Now we just have to wait and see Ling Chen make a fool of himself. He dared to make such a boast; let’s see how he gets out of this one! the Second Prince mused.

On the platform, in a flash, the green blade was less than a foot from Ling Chen’s chest.

CLANG!

At that very moment, Ling Chen finally drew his sword. His Cloud-hidden Sword moved with an almost preternatural swiftness—launched later, yet arriving first.

Just as Tang Feng’s sword was about to pierce Ling Chen’s heart, Ling Chen’s blade was already resting against Tang Feng’s neck.

Tang Feng felt an icy chill at his throat, as if it were encased in cold ice. His entire body went rigid, petrified; he dared not move a muscle.

His sword was still three inches from Ling Chen, but the tip of Ling Chen’s blade had already pricked the skin of his throat, drawing a tiny bead of red.

If he dared to make the slightest movement, Ling Chen’s sword would pierce his throat and claim his life.

Tang Feng’s legs trembled slightly, a cold sweat breaking out over his body. "You... you win!" he stammered.

WHOOSH!

Only then did Ling Chen sheathe his sword, uttering a single word: "Conceded."

Seeing Ling Chen sheathe his sword, Tang Feng let out a long sigh of relief, his entire body slumping as if drained of all strength.

All the young talents present were struck dumb with astonishment.

One strike. Clean and decisive.

One of the young prodigies who had previously mocked Ling Chen exclaimed in shock, "He defeated Tang Feng with a single sword strike! His swordsmanship is terrifyingly powerful!"

Only those who had actually crossed swords with Tang Feng could truly appreciate his strength. Yet, despite Tang Feng’s formidable skill, Ling Chen had defeated him with such ease, with a single stroke of his sword.

The Second Prince’s face also registered surprise. He ground his teeth, his expression flickering indeterminately. "That bastard... he actually possesses some genuine skill!" he muttered.

In another private seating area, the "Eternal Saber Guest," Lin Mo, stared intently at Ling Chen on the platform, his eyes gleaming with appreciation. "Magnificent swordsmanship!" he declared. "Simple yet ingenious, with profound Sword Intent. He can distill complexity into simplicity, utterly fluid and without wasted motion. I’d very much like to test my skills against him!"

Lin Mo was ranked fourteenth on the Heavenly List. Among the young prodigies of Aqua Country, he was a prominent figure. His words immediately drew the attention of many other young talents. If even Lin Mo praised Ling Chen so highly, it suggested that Ling Chen truly possessed the caliber to stand above the rest.

Just as Lin Mo rose, intending to go up and challenge Ling Chen, a man adorned in a Golden Silk Purple Robe emerged from the crowd. Moving like a shadow, he landed on the platform a step ahead of Lin Mo.

This man was none other than the Second Prince of Aqua Country.

"Lin Mo," the Second Prince called out, having already secured his spot on the platform. "I’ve been eager to spar with Brother Dustless for a while now! Indulge this Prince and let me go first!" He had been anxious that Lin Mo might beat him to it, snatching away the chance to defeat Ling Chen.

"Very well," Lin Mo nodded, reseating himself. "If you can defeat him, it will only prove he is not worth my attention."

An unmistakable arrogance laced his tone. However, for a genius, such pride was natural; indeed, it was often said that pride and talent were directly proportional—the greater the genius, the more pronounced the arrogance.