Chapter 596: Sword Duel

Wei Changqing was truly going mad. He had specifically instructed the Cyan Eagle Beast to behave obediently, promising various rewards if it resisted the other's taming.

But in the blink of an eye, it defected like a lapdog. Was this a joke?

Worst of all, if the other party had offered something irresistible, like a higher-grade spirit beast blood, he might have accepted it. But a slap, a harsh attitude, and utter disdain...

Where was the pride when I tamed you? Where was your self-respect?

"Qingling, what are you doing? Have you forgotten that you are my spirit beast..."

The more he thought, the angrier he got. With a roar, he rushed forward.

You, as my spirit beast, kneel to another person and grovel so obsequiously—unbearable!

Whoosh!

Before he could get close, a huge hoof appeared before him.

Bang!

Kicked, Wei Changqing flew backward with a bloody face, crashing headfirst into the ground.

"You..."

Wei Changqing was frantic. The one who struck was none other than his own pet, the Cyan Spirit Beast.

This creature had completely defected. When he went to scold it, it kicked him over...

I tamed you for two years, spent enough on you to buy a city, and this is the result...

Wei Changqing couldn't hold back any longer and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Brother, I really came to regain my dignity...

"This... tamed?"

"Tamed with a slap?"

...

Wei Changqing spat blood, and the onlookers also felt their minds reeling, as if they were going crazy.

Was this a ghost, or a ghost, or a ghost?

With a slap from Master Zhang, the Cyan Spirit Beast obediently acknowledged its master, even abandoning its original owner and kicking him away...

How did this feel like a dream?

"Is this... Master Zhang's beating taming method?"

Hall Master Kang, Master Su, and the others also twitched their mouths.

They had heard Zhao Feiwu mention Master Zhang's skill in taming beasts before, but they couldn't believe it. Seeing it with their own eyes, they realized it was even more terrifying than they had heard.

Beat a spirit beast and it becomes tamed, even disowning its original master—what principle was this?

"How embarrassing!"

Several elders of the Purple Gold Sect again covered their foreheads.

"Ahem, no need to bow. I accept you as my pet!"

Seeing the Cyan Spirit Beast kick Wei Changqing away and keep bowing, as if afraid he would refuse, Zhang Xuan nodded.

Roar!

Hearing the agreement, it stood up triumphantly, went to the side of the Yaochen Beast like a little follower, exuding indescribable excitement. It then looked at the blood-faced Wei Changqing with arrogance.

"..."

Wei Changqing clutched his chest, full of heartache.

At this moment, he finally understood why Master Zhang had repeatedly asked if he wanted to continue earlier. It wasn't fear of losing, but... fear that he would lose too badly.

If he had known this would happen, why bother seeking dignity? He should have listened to the sect elders and conceded obediently.

Now, his storage ring was taken, his only pet had defected. Before the match, he was wealthy; before it ended, he had become a pauper...

"Does this count as my win?"

While he was sulking, Master Zhang's voice continued: "If you think it's not enough, we can have another match..."

"No more matches, even if I'm beaten to death, I won't... I concede!" Wei Changqing quickly shook his head, his face pale with fear.

Another match?

After one match, he was already this miserable. Another match, and he feared he wouldn't be able to walk off alive.

"Yaochen, return his things!"

Seeing him concede, Zhang Xuan smiled slightly and waved his hand.

"Roar?"

The Yaochen Beast looked aggrieved but still tossed the jade bottle and storage ring back.

"This..."

Wei Changqing was stunned.

These items were taken by the spirit beast when he failed to tame it. Logically, it was his just deserts. Even if they weren't returned, no one could say anything. But Master Zhang didn't keep them and had the beast throw them back—he couldn't believe it.

"Yaochen was rude and offended you. It's not easy for you to gather these treasures; they should be returned to their rightful owner," Zhang Xuan said lightly.

"Master Zhang..."

His eyes reddened, Wei Changqing's face turned pale.

What is a true master? This is!

To defeat him, he had used many underhanded tactics, while the other party, knowing full well, accepted them calmly, defeated him openly and fairly, and even returned the winnings without anger...

This composure, this magnanimity, made him feel like a clown—petty and ridiculous.

"From now on, I am Master Zhang's loyal follower. Whoever speaks ill of him, even if it takes my whole life, I will make them apologize!"

Clenching his fists, Wei Changqing made a vow in his heart.

A formidable master has students and followers. These followers follow with faith, spreading his reputation and nurturing future generations.

To be renowned throughout the world, these followers are indispensable.

Zhang Xuan never expected that a casual remark would win him a follower who was a four-star master.

Wei Changqing's concession meant Zhang Xuan advanced smoothly. At this time, the other arenas also had results, and the top eight were announced.

Luo Xuan and Liao Wuzhi, the two most anticipated geniuses, were on the list. To Zhang Xuan's surprise, Song Chao was also there. It seemed that although this guy was foolish around him, he actually had real skills.

With his help, Ruohuan Gongzi also secured a spot. However, Zhang Xuan knew it would be difficult to win further, so he stopped worrying.

"Alright, now for the quarterfinals. The top eight masters, please enter your respective arenas. Arena A: Jun Ruohuan of the Ten Thousand Kingdoms Alliance vs. Luo Xuan of Flowing Cloud Sect. Arena B: Bi Jianghai of Wangjiang Sect vs. Song Chao of Hanqing Sect... Arena D: Zhang Xuan of the Ten Thousand Kingdoms Alliance vs. Liao Wuzhi of Cold Qi Sect!"

Master Hong announced the next round.

"Liao Wuzhi?"

Hearing his opponent, Zhang Xuan was startled.

He had heard this name before. He was a super genius second only to Luo Xuan, a former favorite to win.

Unexpectedly, he encountered him in the quarterfinals.

"Master Zhang, be careful with this Liao Wuzhi. I've watched his previous matches; they were almost all pure sword fights, and he crushed his opponents every time!"

Master Su came over: "For example, in his last match against another contestant from Baiyang Sect, he split the opponent's arm with three sword strikes, forcing him to concede!"

"Three strikes?"

"Yes, three strikes was the most he used in a match. In his first match, he didn't even draw his sword; he knocked out his opponent with the scabbard..."

Master Su's expression was grave.

When Liao Wuzhi was competing, Zhang Xuan was usually also in his own match, so he hadn't seen much of Liao's fights.

"If I'm not mistaken... although he is only at the peak of Turbid Clarity, his true strength is no less than a half-step Harmony Realm cultivator!"

Master Su continued.

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Having strength at the peak of Turbid Clarity that rivals a half-step Harmony Realm—this Liao Wuzhi was indeed formidable.

After all, a master is already invincible at the same level. To defeat a higher-level master while being a level lower—his combat prowess was evident.

"It's starting!"

After exchanging a few more words, seeing the opponent step onto the arena, Zhang Xuan didn't hesitate and walked up.

At this moment, Liao Wuzhi's aura was burning at its peak, his whole body like a sharp sword ready to be unsheathed.

"Master Zhang, I challenge you to a sword duel. Please enlighten me!"

Seeing him arrive, Liao Wuzhi's gaze swept over.

"Alright. I happened to learn a sword technique recently and have never tried it."

Zhang Xuan smiled lightly.

He said he hadn't tried it, not out of modesty, but as a fact. Not only had he never fought with it, he hadn't even practiced it.

That is, this sword technique, from learning it to now, had only been deduced in his mind, never put into practice. Even he didn't know its actual power.

It was the enhanced version of the Heavenly Dao Sword Technique he had cultivated in his mind on the way to the Icefield Palace.

The Heavenly Dao Sword Technique and Spear Technique he initially learned were moves; what he later organized were mostly artistic conceptions. Different conceptions made the same moves vastly different in power.

That was why he could cultivate it in his mind without even holding a sword to practice the moves.

Learned a sword technique but never practiced it, not even knowing its power... Throughout history, such an oddity was probably only him.

"Master Hong, I have a request."

Seeing him agree, Liao Wuzhi smiled lightly and looked at Master Hong nearby.

"Please speak." Master Hong nodded.

"I wish for my duel with Master Zhang not to be seen by others. May I ask for this favor?"

Liao Wuzhi said.

"Not seen? That's fine." Master Hong nodded.

Every master has their own secrets, especially in martial combat. When evenly matched, they don't want others to watch, as no one wants to expose their trump cards to everyone.

Thus, his request was reasonable.

As for victory or defeat, if he truly lost, even without spectators, he wouldn't dare deny it.

Whoosh!

Master Hong flicked his finger, and the mist over Arena C rose again, disappearing from everyone's sight as before, invisible even to Harmony Realm experts.

"What a pity. We can't watch this clash of titans."

"Indeed. Master Liao's swordsmanship is profound, and Master Zhang is even more unfathomable. We waited so long, hoping to be captivated and learn something, but now we can't see it... So frustrating!"

"So, who do you think will win?"

"I think it's Master Zhang. Along the way, almost no one has been a match for him. Although Master Liao is strong, I think he's no match."

"I disagree. Master Liao's swordsmanship is unmatched at the same level. You've seen his previous matches; almost no one could withstand him. I'm afraid Master Zhang, though skilled in fist and palm techniques, might be lacking in swordsmanship."

...

Seeing that the most anticipated match was not to be watched, everyone looked dejected.

"Quiet. Their duel... has probably already begun!"

Amid the discussion, someone shouted. Then, the guards and soldiers holding longswords felt their swords hum involuntarily, as if about to fly into the air.

"It's... the unison of ten thousand swords, the dragon's roar to the sky! Which of them... has reached the Sword Heart Realm?"