CHAPTER 244: CHAPTER 243: DAWN_1

"Never!"

Xue Jingfeng was no fool; he realized Ling Chen’s intent the moment he saw him climbing the Guantian Pavilion.

The latter sought to hold the high ground, control the battlefield, and stand invincible.

If Ling Chen were to succeed, Xue Jingfeng’s advantage would be lost.

Decisively, he immediately sprang into action, soaring upwards, deploying the Surprising Cloud Step in pursuit of the top of the Guantian Pavilion.

Upon taking the sixteenth step of his Wind Shadow Step, Ling Chen reached the top of the Guantian Pavilion. Standing on the glazed tiles, he looked like a young Sword Immortal descending from the heavens.

Within the Guantian Pavilion, young ladies from prominent families and noblewomen finally got a clear look at Ling Chen. Although a mask concealed half his face, his ethereal and transcendent grace, which was exceptionally captivating to these young maidens, couldn’t be hidden.

Ignoring the onlookers, Ling Chen concentrated all his attention on Xue Jingfeng.

SWOOSH!

Xue Jingfeng was only a fraction of a moment slower than Ling Chen, just about to land on the top of the Guantian Pavilion. Suddenly, Ling Chen swung his arm, sending a three-meter-long sword qi slashing towards Xue Jingfeng’s abdomen.

Xue Jingfeng knew that Ling Chen wouldn’t let him ascend to the top easily. Instead of clashing directly, he dropped to the fifth level.

A moment later, a loud crash resounded from the top of the Guantian Pavilion. Xue Jingfeng shattered the glazed tiles and soared upwards, reaching a height of over ten meters. Gripping his sword with both hands, he unleashed four successive slashes at Ling Chen.

Standing firmly at the highest point of the Guantian Pavilion, Ling Chen also unleashed four successive slashes, completely shattering Xue Jingfeng’s sword qi.

The two stood atop the hundred-meter-high Guantian Pavilion, their figures a blur as their swordsmanship clashed relentlessly, producing piercing metallic screeches.

"These two, they still haven’t determined the winner."

A talented young man rubbed his eyes. They were so tired he felt his eyelids might droop shut, but he knew he couldn’t rest now, or he would miss this extraordinary duel.

"What a duel for the ages! Coming to this little sword-fighting event today was so worth it."

The young prodigies below all craned their necks, gazing upwards at the spectacle.

It wasn’t just them; nearly all pedestrians near the tavern could see Xue Jingfeng and Ling Chen battling atop the Guantian Pavilion. The fight caused quite a stir throughout the Aqua Country Royal City.

"We shouldn’t have let them use the entire courtyard as their battleground. Who knows what they’ll reduce this place to."

The old man presiding over the sword-fighting competition shook his head, looking at the glazed tiles being trampled to pieces with a pained expression. Who knew what state this place would be in after their battle?

CLANG!

Their swords clashed once again, sending sparks flying.

But the next moment, Xue Jingfeng swiftly swung his sword towards Ling Chen’s throat.

CRACK!

Ling Chen nimbly sidestepped, evading Xue Jingfeng’s sword. However, the strike sliced off a section of the eaves, sending large chunks of stone crashing down, causing the floor below to collapse.

AH!

Screams erupted. On the Guantian Pavilion, a noble young lady was struck by the shockwave of the sword qi and was about to be thrown off.

If she fell from such a height, she would undoubtedly meet a gruesome death.

Ling Chen’s figure flashed as he leaped down from the Guantian Pavilion. His silhouette moved like a roaming dragon as, at that critical moment, he caught the noble young lady and pulled her back to safety.

"Thank you!"

The noble young lady gazed at Ling Chen with infatuation, thoroughly captivated. In her eyes, Ling Chen’s mask didn’t detract from his appeal at all; on the contrary, it added an air of mystery, making him seem like an enigmatic figure.

However, she had barely spoken when Ling Chen pushed her away. Just where she had been standing, a sharp sword strike landed, cleaving a crack into the ground.

"Dustless, you dare to play the hero saving the damsel while fighting me? Prepare for defeat!"

Seizing the opportunity, Xue Jingfeng attacked Ling Chen relentlessly.

Under the ferocious onslaught, Ling Chen was forced to descend from the Guantian Pavilion.

"He won’t be alright, will he?"

The noble young lady Ling Chen had saved looked on with great concern, worried that he might have gotten into trouble for saving her.

"He’ll be fine. At worst, he’ll just lose the match," a strikingly beautiful Golden Branches and Jade Leaves on the Guantian Pavilion remarked. "Even if Xue Jingfeng wins the match, he’s lost in terms of character. He prioritizes victory over human life. Dustless, on the other hand, prioritized saving someone, placing victory second. The difference between them is stark."

Nearby, another Golden Branches and Jade Leaves shook her head. "I don’t think Dustless will necessarily lose. Until the very last moment, no one can predict the outcome."

At this moment, Ling Chen had been forced down from the Guantian Pavilion. Just as Xue Jingfeng’s sword edge was about to pierce Ling Chen, the latter suddenly stamped a foot on a tree trunk behind him, abruptly changing direction and launching himself upwards.

"Winding Mountain Path!"

Ling Chen slashed out with his sword—a stroke of genius, a marvelous counter-attack.

"What?"

Both men were now at the end of their ropes. Xue Jingfeng had never imagined Ling Chen could execute such a brilliant counter-strike under such dire circumstances. He hastily raised his Ghost Killing Sword to block. As their swords met, brilliant sparks erupted before his eyes.

Although this strike didn’t wound Xue Jingfeng, it caught him by surprise, successfully turning the tables.

"Dragon Revealing Touch!"

Ling Chen’s body seemed to split into two, attacking from both left and right. Each of the two figures executed a distinct sword technique as they charged Xue Jingfeng.

Not good!

Seeing Ling Chen charge forward, Xue Jingfeng’s expression changed. Left with no other choice, he had to use his full energy output. He hastily brandished the Ghost Killing Sword with his right hand while his left clenched into a fist, launching a punch.

CLANG!

BOOM!

The attacks collided, and dust billowed into the air.

Ling Chen had executed Dragon Revealing Touch, the ninth technique of the Dragon Seeking Sword Technique. Xue Jingfeng, having only attacked in haste, was no match for it. Whether it was his sword or his fist, Xue Jingfeng’s attacks crumbled.

Under the impact of the powerful force, Xue Jingfeng spat out a mouthful of blood. His body was sent flying backward, smashing against the wall of the Guantian Pavilion before falling to the ground.

As Xue Jingfeng struggled to get up, the tip of Ling Chen’s Cloud-hidden Sword was already pressed against his throat.

A look of dejection filled Xue Jingfeng’s eyes. He lowered his head and sighed, "I have lost."

The words "I have lost," though spoken softly, quickly spread throughout the entire Sky Garden.

THUD.

The Second Prince, who had craned his neck, ready to witness Ling Chen’s defeat, slumped heavily into his seat, his face ashen.

No one had anticipated such a turn of events. This match had been absolutely thrilling, yet in the end, Ling Chen was still the victor.

At this moment, everyone in the courtyard was still reeling with excitement. Their hearts pounded, especially recalling Ling Chen’s final, stunning move—attacking with two minds as one.