Chapter 1923: My Name Is Tianya

Actual combat is always the fastest way to improve cultivation, no matter where you are.

In normal combat, death and injury are easy to come by, but here, those issues don't apply. For this reason, the open tournaments in the Divine Jade Token are always the most popular activity among cultivators.

Before he even reached the spot, he saw countless people gathered together, staring at a huge crystal screen, each one full of excitement.

On it, two figures were locked in battle.

Both were only at the first level of the Saint Domain, but their martial techniques and moves were vastly different, fighting fiercely, displaying extremely strong control over martial skills and combat.

"Mu Fengzhe has already won five in a row—so impressive!"

"Impressive is an understatement. His mastery of martial techniques is astonishing. Every move is calculated with precision—too powerful!"

"I'm definitely no match!"

"Watching him fight lets you learn a lot of techniques and improve your own strength..."

...

Murmurs of discussion filled the air.

The reason the Divine Jade Token made everyone in the Upper Firmament flock to it was not only because it allowed people to fight without fear of injury, but also because they could observe others' battles and gain deeper insights.

Zhang Xuan didn't rush to sign up. Instead, he watched the battle for a while and nodded approvingly.

At the first level of the Saint Domain, the martial techniques one could use were limited. The battle hinged on who could seize the moment more precisely and execute moves more decisively and sharply.

After learning a fair bit, Zhang Xuan went to the registration desk and handed over his card.

"What name... an alias works too!"

The woman in charge of arranging matches, around twenty years old, asked.

"Alias?"

Zhang Xuan thought it over.

In such competitions, a name or alias was necessary; otherwise, the duelists wouldn't know who each other were, and it would lose its meaning.

"Since the Divine Jade Token can conceal identity, calling myself Zhang Xuan won't do..."

It was like picking a screen name in his past life—who would be foolish enough to use their real name?

"Yang Xuan, Sun Qiang, Xuan Zhang, Luo Tianya..."

He let the fake names he'd used before flow through his mind, then nodded after a moment: "Just call me... Tianya!"

"Tianya?" The woman nodded and quickly wrote it down in the book before her.

Before long, the match was arranged.

"Tianya, versus Moxingzhe!"

At the call, Zhang Xuan stepped onto the arena.

It was a circular area, enclosed by huge crystal screens through which the crowd outside could see the details inside.

His opponent was a thin, middle-aged man who, despite having the same power and cultivation, exuded a strong sense of pressure.

"I know this Moxingzhe. Even though it's his first open tournament with no battle experience, he's extremely strong!"

"Yeah, I chatted with him earlier and even sparred a bit. His reactions and speed are top-notch. His actual strength is probably at least the mid-stage of Shattering Void!"

"That strong? Looks like he's no nobody!"

"With such an expert, this fight will be interesting. I wonder if that Tianya is any good."

"The name sounds lame—probably weak..."

"Yeah, Tianya—what kind of name is that?"

In the Divine Jade Token, although real identities were hidden, during exchanges, one could still sense strength and status unless deliberately concealed.

Those who had seen Moxingzhe knew he was a formidable expert.

So... the guy opposite him was definitely in for trouble.

"Let's begin!"

Moxingzhe glanced coldly at the young man before him and said with a faint smile: "I won't go easy on you!"

He wanted to make a name for himself!

Like those famous experts, he aimed for two consecutive wins, three wins, or even... five wins!

Let the name 'Moxingzhe' resound in every corner of Xingyao City!

Zhang Xuan extended his hand: "Please!"

Whoosh!

Moxingzhe dashed forward, his feet moving in a special footwork, his figure flickering on the arena.

Seeing his opponent's move, Zhang Xuan nodded again.

Many professions in the Upper Firmament might not be as meticulously categorized as in the Master Teacher Continent, but cultivators here had a stronger understanding of combat and mastery of martial techniques!

Any random person far surpassed the master teachers of the Master Teacher Hall, and even... battle masters were far inferior!

This might be inextricably linked to the Divine Jade Token, since even the Battle Master Hall couldn't keep fighting without injury indefinitely.

"I can't win too quickly, or it'll be hard to find the next opponent..."

In an instant, a plan formed in his mind.

Although his opponent's techniques were profound, to him, without even using the Library, he could see at least seven or eight flaws at a glance. Winning would be a breeze.

But this was an open tournament—if he won in one move, finding a second opponent would be tough, and how could he multiply his earnings?

Without money, his injuries wouldn't heal, and his newly accepted tenth disciple might not even survive tonight.

Understanding this, Zhang Xuan swayed and met him head-on.

Bang bang bang!

In the blink of an eye, they were locked in combat.

"Hmm? This Tianya doesn't seem weak either!"

"Was that the Sky-Shattering Kick Moxingzhe just used? Can someone at the first level of the Saint Domain execute a technique of that level?"

"Is that... the Drifting Willow Palm? How does it have that effect?"

"Those two moves were perfectly timed, yet Tianya dodged them both. Is it luck or... real skill?"

...

As the battle began, what everyone thought would be a one-sided match took a turn. All eyes widened in disbelief.

Moxingzhe was as formidable as expected, every move carrying unique power, but the Tianya opposite him, though his techniques seemed ordinary, dodged every attack and even found time to counter!

That was terrifying!

If it were luck, it couldn't happen every time by a hair's breadth. But if it were skill... how strong would one have to be to handle it so effortlessly?

"Look, Tianya is about to counter!"

Suddenly, someone shouted.

For over ten moves, Moxingzhe had been on the offensive, with Tianya forced to defend. Now, the tide had turned.

After repeated failed attacks, the former grew impatient, while the latter gradually took control of the entire fight.

Zhang Xuan feinted left, then suddenly thrust his right hand forward.

Moxingzhe seemed to read his move and didn't fall for it, raising his left hand to meet it.

Just as their palms were about to touch, Zhang Xuan lightly brushed his right hand, and his left hand emerged from his sleeve, reaching his opponent's chest before he knew it.

The previous move had been a feint all along!

"Turning feints into real strikes... Even the lord of Xingyao City couldn't do that, could he?"

"He could. A few years ago, I watched the city lord's open tournament, and he used this move... Clearly a feint, but if you don't guard against it, it becomes real; if you do, it remains a feint... The line between feint and real is a single thought... Countless people have tried to learn this move but failed. I practiced for three years with no success... And this Tianya just pulled it off?"

"Too terrifying. I take back what I said—this Tianya is definitely an expert!"

"He's so skilled at turning feints into real strikes. Could he be the city lord in disguise?"

"Impossible. I know the city lord's alias in the open tournament, and it's not this. Besides, the city lord has won countless matches; he wouldn't pretend to be a nobody who's never participated before!"

...

The technique of turning feints into real strikes, though it sounded simple, was mastered by few in Xingyao City. That someone unheard of could pull it off was shocking.

Bang!

Stumbling back, Moxingzhe had blood at the corner of his mouth.

Although people in the Divine Jade Token couldn't truly die, getting injured still caused pain, made them spit blood, and dealt a heavy blow to their confidence.

"I concede..."

Knowing that continuing would only lead to a worse defeat, Moxingzhe admitted defeat outright.

He had hoped to make a name for himself, but instead lost his first match.

Zhang Xuan nodded, then heard the woman's voice from outside: "Continue fighting, or challenge next time?"

After a win, one could continue or forfeit.

Zhang Xuan smiled slightly: "I'll proceed with the second match!"

Though the fight had cost him some energy, it wasn't much. He had come specifically for challenge matches to earn money, so naturally, he wouldn't leave just yet.

Soon, a second opponent was arranged. This time, it wasn't a newcomer but a young man who had fought many matches with a roughly even record.

Seeming to know how formidable his opponent was, the young man charged in from the start, unleashing a flurry of techniques.

Zhang Xuan dodged repeatedly.

"It's the Hairbreadth Step!"

Seeing his evasive moves, the crowd below gasped again.

"The Hairbreadth Step involves dodging attacks by a hair's breadth each time. It saves energy and allows for better counterattacks... but it's also extremely dangerous. One slip and you're severely injured! This guy not only used the feint-to-real technique but also pulled off this move?"

"That takes decades of hard practice, doesn't it?"

"Not just that—it's practically impossible to master!"

"I have a cousin who worships the Hairbreadth Step. He's practiced it for thirty years, but still doesn't dare use it in battle. It requires not only precise control of power but also an incredibly steady mind, the ability to stay calm even if the sky falls. Otherwise, it's impossible!"

Many were left speechless.

With the feint-to-real technique and the Hairbreadth Step alone, this Tianya was undoubtedly a super expert.

Unaware of the shock below, Zhang Xuan defeated his second opponent just as quickly, within ten moves, with ease.

After his opponent withdrew, he proceeded to the third match, then finally let out a breath, satisfied with his performance.

"I should have disguised myself well enough. No one should have seen through my true strength. That'll make the next matches easier... Suppressing my power to less than one-twentieth—honestly, it's quite exhausting..."

Shaking his head, he looked at the third opponent stepping up—a woman in green robes.