Bai Feng's lips twitched in disbelief. If there was a hole in the ground right now, he would have dived right into it.
The Old Master was one of the Three Grand Elders of the Ascendant Cloud Sword Pavilion, and he wielded immense authority in the Forsaken Continent. Did he lack money or resources?
Why did he have to bet with her?
More importantly, this was a duel of robbery!
"Given that she couldn't defeat Mo Xiangyun earlier, it's unlikely that she'll be able to defeat her in less than two minutes!"
"She knows that she can't win, but she still dares to make such a bet. Is Bai Ruanqing insane?"
"She's probably just trying to humiliate Mo Xiangyun in order to infuriate her …"
"That's possible. In a battle, one's mental state plays an important role as well. However, given Senior Mo Xiangyun's level of cultivation, it's unlikely that she'll lose her cool in such a duel!"
…
Unlike Elder Bai Ye and Elder Bai Feng, the others glanced at one another.
In a duel between cultivators of the same cultivation realm, one's mental state played an important role as well. However, which of the top five core disciples of the Ascendant Cloud Sword Pavilion weren't battle-hardened individuals? If they had panicked, they would have lost countless times already. They wouldn't have been able to remain in their current position forever.
Just as the crowd had guessed, Mo Xiangyun didn't get angry at all. Instead, a playful smile appeared on her face.
"Since you want to steal my money, I'll accept your offer. I'll steal yours as well. It's a fair duel!"
"Alright then …"
Bai Ruanqing's face reddened in embarrassment.
Even though she was a straightforward person, she couldn't stand such an embarrassing act.
She had only wanted to test her swordsmanship to see how powerful it was, but the moment her Senior Uncle arrived, everything changed.
It was no different from earning money through dueling!
It was fortunate that they were dueling in the Ethereal Hall, so her grandfather wasn't aware of it. Otherwise, she would have been pummeled to death when she returned.
However, there was no turning back now. She could only grit her teeth and continue.
"Let's begin then …"
Harrumphing coldly, Mo Xiangyun raised her sword and slashed it toward Bai Ruanqing once more.
It was the same move as before, and it carried the same might.
Bai Ruanqing gritted her teeth. She was just about to raise her sword to block the attack when she suddenly heard a telepathic message in her head.
"Throw your sword!"
The one who had spoken was her Senior Bai Ruanqing!
"This …"
Bai Ruanqing were to her sword.
Mo Xiangyun's huge sword was currently chopping down along with the sound of thunder in the air, and it was about to land on his head. If he didn't block the attack at this moment and threw the sword instead … he would definitely die if he missed!
After all, once the longsword left his hand, he would no longer have any defense and would be exposed to his opponent.
"Hurry up!"
Just as Zhang Xuan was in a dilemma, Zhang Xuan's voice sounded once more.
"I don't care …"
Recalling the miracles that Zhang Xuan had created in the inner disciples, killing even Grandpa Feng in a single move, Bai Ruanqing gritted her teeth and flicked her wrist, ignoring the massive sword that was about to land on her face.
Whoosh!
The long sword left his hand.
"Hmm?"
Mo Xiangyun also didn't expect that the other party wouldn't attempt to block her attack. Just as she was thinking that she would be able to cleave the other party to death, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her head. Following which, she saw a sword piercing into her head.
Whoosh!
Just as the sword in her hand was about to reach Bai Ruanqing, her body suddenly morphed into a streak of light and vanished from the spot.
Just a little bit more!
"That was close …"
Bai Ruanqing was stunned.
She had thought that she would surely die this time around, but who could have thought that her Senior Uncle's calculations would be so precise?
Even though she was unable to defeat the other party with the same two moves earlier, under the guidance of her Senior Uncle, she was able to defeat the other party in a single move. Even though she was skilled in swordsmanship, if she couldn't grasp the timing of the battle, she wouldn't be able to win the battle in a single move!
It was just like how her Senior Uncle was able to defeat her easily with the most basic of swordsmanship.
"She won?"
"Mo Xiangyun lost just like that?"
"What precise control! It might have seemed like a draw, but in truth, it was just a little bit more …"
"That little bit is the key to victory. When did Bai Ruanqing become so formidable?"
…
A commotion broke out amidst the crowd.
Everyone here was an expert, and they possessed exceptional control over their swordsmanship. However, to be able to defeat Bai Ruanqing in a single move when their cultivation was around the same level … That level of wisdom and precise control over one's strength was truly unbelievable.
"Her attacks are at their most ferocious, and that's also when her defenses are at their weakest. That's the best opportunity for us to strike! Alright, let's move on to the fourth place. Don't forget about the bet! "
Zhang Xuan said as he digested what he had just learned.
"Un!"
Bai Ruanqing replied. She quickly scanned the surroundings before turning to a young man who was watching the commotion. "Senior Hu, it's your turn!"
The fourth place core disciple, Hu Chen!
Knowing that Bai Ruanqing would definitely continue challenging him once she won, the top few core disciples decided to use their real names instead of their nicknames.
Hu Chen leaped onto the dueling ring.
Since her fist was already on his face, there was no way he could turn it down.
"Just like before, I'm willing to bet all of my Sword Pavilion Coins. May I know if Senior Hu is willing to accept the bet?"
Bai Ruanqing asked.
"As you wish!"
Hu Chen nodded.
"Let's begin!"
With a light harrumph, the two of them took their positions and drew their swords.
Bai Ruanqing was just about to launch her attack when her Senior Uncle's voice suddenly sounded in her ears.
"Take seven steps back and throw your sword to the left!"
"Take seven steps back? Throw my sword? "
Bai Ruanqing was perplexed.
Hu Chen hadn't moved at all, as if he was preparing some kind of move. Yet, you want me to take a step back and throw my sword?
Aren't you asking for a loss?
Bai Ruanqing was perplexed, but she dared not disobey her Senior Uncle's orders. Thus, she quickly retreated backward.
Hu!
In the instant that she made her move, Hu Chen suddenly used some kind of move to vanish from sight.
"That's … the Steps of the Phantom Sword!"
Beneath the dueling ring, Elder Bai Ye remarked grimly.
"Steps of the Phantom Sword? Is that the Phantom Sword Art created by the genius of the Phantom Sword eight hundred years ago? " The elder exclaimed in astonishment. "That move is renowned throughout the world, but no one has been able to master it for the past several hundred years. Could it be that Hu Chen has actually succeeded in mastering it?"
"That's probably the case. Otherwise, it's impossible for him to move so quickly. Even I can't see where he disappeared from and reappeared from!"
Elder Bai Ye said.
"The Phantom Sword Art is known for its stealth and assassination techniques. While it's despised by many experts, it's still a powerful move," the elder remarked. "Your granddaughter is probably going to lose this duel …"
"Un."
Elder Bai Ye nodded.
Bai Ruanqing had noticed the prowess of Hu Chen's move and retreated in advance, but the most powerful aspect of the Steps of the Phantom Sword was its elusive nature. If one could not even see the other party's movements, how could one possibly win against them?
By the time one noticed the other party, they would already be dead!
This move was practically invincible among those of the same cultivation realm!
Back then, the reason why the top three were able to emerge victorious was because they had executed their sword art in advance to suppress the other party.
On the other hand, the two sword arts that his granddaughter had just learned — the horizontal push and the sword throw — did not seem to be of much use at all.
Amidst the discussions, Bai Ruanqing retreated seven steps, but she still could not see Hu Chen's figure. However, there was no time for her to be concerned anymore. Gritting her teeth, she did as her Senior Uncle had instructed and threw her sword to the left.
Hu!
Her sword shot forward like a shooting star.
"…"
Elder Bai Ye's eyebrows shot up.
He knew that his granddaughter's chances of winning were very slim, but to throw her sword away without even seeing the other party … Wasn't this too much of a joke?
Just as he thought that Hu Chen was going to lose this duel, the air before him suddenly warped, and a figure suddenly appeared in the path of the sword.
"Die!"
Hu Chen bellowed furiously as he thrust his sword forward. However, before he could finish his words, his vision suddenly darkened, and a sword appeared right above his head.
"The heck …"
With a cry of agony, Hu Chen's corpse collapsed to the ground, disintegrating into specks of light.
"…"
The crowd fell silent.
Another insta-kill!
That was Hu Chen, who was ranked fourth in the ranking. His Phantom Sword Steps was so fearsome that even the top three would have trouble facing him …
Did he have to be so ruthless?
"I won?"
Bai Ruanqing was clearly taken aback as well.
She had thought that she would surely die, but who could have thought that she would win so easily just as her Senior Uncle had instructed?
It was as if her Senior Uncle, who was even younger than her, was able to predict Hu Chen's moves in advance, thus resulting in a decisive victory!
"Big Sister Liu Shi! It's your turn! "
After winning two consecutive rounds, Bai Ruanqing's confidence surged. She turned to a young lady and said.
It was the third ranked core disciple, Liu Yulian!
Liu Yulian's beauty was on par with even Bai Ruanqing's. She carried a classical charm that made her look delicate and bashful.
Despite her looks, those who had crossed blows with her knew how powerful her swordsmanship was.
Her sword was impenetrable, and it could be said that her defense was invincible. Back then, Hu Chen had used the Phantom Sword Steps to break through her defense several times, and eventually, he found an opportunity to defeat her.
Liu Yulian leaped onto the dueling ring.
"Senior Sister's Lotus Leaf Swordsmanship is impervious to water. I have been wanting to experience it for a long time now!"
Bai Ruanqing chuckled softly.
Lotus leaves were born from water, but they did not come into contact with water. Liu Yulian's ultimate move, the Lotus Leaf Swordsmanship, originated from this very concept.
"There's no need to stand on ceremony. Junior Sister, if you can overcome my swordsmanship, I'll admit defeat and give you all of my Sword Pavilion Coins!"
Liu Yulian nodded.
She knew that Bai Ruanqing would make a bet with her, so she might as well say it out loud.
"Thank you, Senior Sister!"
Bai Ruanqing nodded with a reddened face.
Sigh. Her reputation was probably going to be ruined after this duel.
She had only intended to challenge the core disciples so as to achieve a higher ranking. But now … in the eyes of others, she had become a robber!
It was indeed difficult to maintain one's reputation.
It would take less than a minute to ruin it.
"Let's begin!"
Liu Yulian said. With a flick of her wrist, countless sword petals appeared around her. They slowly bloomed one after another, reminiscent of lotus blooming in the mud.
Lotus Leaf Swordsmanship!
Upon reaching Major Accomplishment in the Lotus Leaf Swordsmanship, one would be able to manifest lotus petals from their sword qi.
Looking at the swordsmanship before her, Bai Ruanqing felt goosebumps rising all over her body. She had no idea how she should fight this battle.
Her opponent's sword qi was so dense that it was impossible to see the end to it. If she made a mistake in her attack, she could very well be trapped within it, unable to escape.
"Throw your sword!"
Just as Bai Ruanqing was at a loss as to how she should deal with this swordsmanship, her Senior Uncle's voice sounded in her ears once more.
This time, without any hesitation, the sword in his hand shot out in a straight line.
Pu!
The lotus petals and lotus petals vanished simultaneously, revealing a sword impaled on Liu Yulian's head. Her eyes widened in disbelief as her corpse fell heavily to the ground.
The third core disciple had been defeated!
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