CHAPTER 247: CHAPTER 246 LEAVING_1

"This Swordsmanship can only be achieved when minds are in sync; it simply proves that some people say one thing and mean another."

Xu Ruoyan’s expression was cold, like a daffodil about to bloom, indescribably beautiful.

"It’s not duplicity, but rather things that are difficult to express."

Ling Chen silently shook his head. How could she understand his thoughts?

"The Yin-Yang Sword Song requires both elements to complement each other. Without one, its power will greatly diminish. To truly harness the power of this Swordsmanship in the future, I still need to find you for us to perform it with Twin Swords." Ling Chen did not wish to linger on this topic and changed the subject.

"Now that the Swordsmanship is mastered, even if we cannot combine our skills in the future, this Swordsmanship can be preserved as a memento. It’s a beautiful memory between us, isn’t it?"

Xu Ruoyan looked at Ling Chen, a faint smile appearing on her face.

Her clothes were soaked, clinging to her snow-white skin and revealing her exquisite figure.

However, the night breeze was chilly, and as the wind grew stronger, Xu Ruoyan’s face turned somewhat pale. She had apparently caught a chill.

"Tonight is a night I’m afraid I’ll never forget in my life."

Ling Chen sighed, thinking to himself. If he hadn’t already resolved to discard romantic entanglements, he would have long since stepped forward to take this ethereal woman before him into his arms. He would have draped his own clothes over her slender frame, sheltering her from the cold night wind. But he knew he couldn’t do that. If his heart were to waver even slightly, he feared the outcome would be irreversible; he would likely lose control of his emotions and be drawn into this vortex.

"It’s getting late. I should take my leave now."

Suppressing his inner impulse, Ling Chen cupped his fists towards Xu Ruoyan, preparing to leave.

"Mm, Young Master Dustless, you should rest early then."

Xu Ruoyan nodded, but a trace of disappointment lingered in her heart. In the end, Ling Chen still hadn’t revealed his true identity to her and had maintained his distance.

After bidding farewell to Ling Chen, Xu Ruoyan executed her Light Skill. Her captivating figure rose gracefully and drifted away, out of Ling Chen’s sight.

Gazing at that somewhat desolate and frail silhouette, Ling Chen felt his heart stir, a whirl of emotions rising within him.

He drew his Cloud-hidden Sword and, by the water pool, began to dance wildly with it, executing thirteen consecutive slashes. Each slash was fiercer than the last, throwing the pool water into turmoil, a scene of utter chaos.

Under the starry night, between heaven and earth, how much of martial practice is defiance against fate?

A young man’s heart, yearning for love, wields his frenzied sword for a beauty’s sake!

CRACK!

With a single slash, Ling Chen split the flowing water before him in half. Water splashed outwards, waves rolling away to both sides.

SWOOSH. Ling Chen landed back in his original spot.

This slash signified that he had severed his worries, severed his affection for Xu Ruoyan.

Accompanied by the sound of wind and rain, the Sword Intent, wild yet tinged with sorrow, gradually drifted away.

The Martial World’s Grand Assembly is not far off. I must acquire sufficient strength before it begins. As for everything else, there’s no need to dwell on it.

A sharp glint flickered in Ling Chen’s eyes. He had only one goal: to become strong enough. Only then, burdened by a Blood Sea of vengeance, would he have the capability to uncover the truth and exact his revenge. He had a premonition that his enemy was incredibly powerful, likely just not taking him seriously yet. If that enemy truly decided to kill him, he feared that would be the day of his death.

Having calmed his turbulent emotions, Ling Chen also left the place.

...

News of the Sword Contest spread throughout the Aqua Country Royal City overnight. From royal nobles to common warriors in the streets and alleys, everyone knew the results, and discussions buzzed everywhere.

No one had expected that the champion of this Sword Contest would be an unknown figure named Dustless. Even top geniuses of Aqua Country like Lin Mo, the "Eternal Saber Guest"; Luo Xibai, the "Reckless Scholar"; and Xue Jingfeng, the "Ghost Killing Sword," had all been defeated at his hands.

This Dustless had even gained Xu Ruoyan’s favor, enjoying treatment many other geniuses could only dream of.

Even though the name Dustless was formerly unknown, it had now become a household name, familiar to everyone.

Everyone knew that this name would not only become famous in Aqua Country but would also spread throughout the entire Martial World.

However, at this very moment, Ling Chen himself had already left the capital of Aqua Country. He was now more than a hundred miles out, having temporarily settled on a rather precipitous mountain peak.

For Ling Chen, the days ahead would still be a journey of one man and one sword, wandering the world.

Ling Chen’s destination was the City of Thunder, the Royal City of Thunder Country, which was also the venue for the upcoming Martial World’s Grand Assembly. However, the journey to the City of Thunder spanned thousands of miles, crossing countless towering mountains and treacherous terrains; it was not a distance that could be covered in a day or two.

Moreover, with over five months remaining until the Martial World’s Grand Assembly, there was still plenty of time.

Ling Chen skinned the wild boar he had hunted, cleaned it, and set up a campfire.

Having spent so long wandering outside, Ling Chen’s skill in roasting wild game meat had improved considerably. Before long, the wild boar leg he held was roasted to a golden brown, emanating a tempting aroma.

Bringing it to his nose for a sniff, a satisfied smile appeared on Ling Chen’s face.

However, just as Ling Chen was about to take a bite, his ears twitched slightly; he had heard movement about a hundred meters away.

Over a dozen experts were rapidly approaching, their footsteps quickening as they neared him. These individuals moved with vigorous, rhythmic steps, clearly well-coordinated and highly trained.

From this, he deduced that they were most likely experts from the military.

There was no one else nearby. Given their menacing approach, Ling Chen knew, even without thinking, that they were after him.

I wonder who could mobilize military experts to deal with me.

A brief thought was all it took for Ling Chen to arrive at an answer. The only one with the capability to mobilize military experts from Aqua Country and who desired his death so intensely was probably that Second Prince.

RUSTLE RUSTLE RUSTLE...

Over a dozen military experts quickly neared Ling Chen’s position, stealthily surrounding him and sealing off all escape routes.

In their hands, they each held a type of blowpipe, already aimed precisely at Ling Chen.

"Attack!"

A powerhouse whose cultivation had reached the Great Master level waved his hand. The next moment, the numerous blowpipe darts aimed at Ling Chen shot out, releasing chilling glints of light almost simultaneously!

These chilling glints tore through the air and, in the blink of an eye, struck Ling Chen’s back, riddling his body like a hornet’s nest.

Did we succeed?

A hint of elation flashed in the eyes of the Great Master Level Powerhouse. He hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly.

But in the next instant, the smile froze on his face. The figure riddled by the darts slowly dissipated and vanished on the spot.