Chapter 239

Everyone, including Zhang Rongzhi in the center of the stage, looked around. Apart from the charming woman beside Lu Xingzhou, the Heavenly Sword Sect truly had no other external aid.

They had expected few external helpers, but not this few…

In three days, couldn't they have invited some old connections from Yongzhou?

Were they really going to challenge two third-rank sects and the second and first-rank powers behind them, all by themselves?

Were they insane?

Zhang Rongzhi even began to doubt if his favoritism was misguided, potentially harming the Heavenly Sword Sect instead. But it was too late to stop. He could only open the proceedings: "This martial arts competition is of an extremely high caliber, and it's certainly the first grand event since I took office as the East River Prefecture Governor. I have specifically invited Grand Elder Chu Zheng of the Huanhua Sword Sect to assist as an arbiter, along with General Tu of the Prefectural Garrison and Commander Wan of the Prefectural Demon Suppression Division."

"Adhering to the principle of friendly competition, this contest prohibits fatal or disabling injuries. Anyone attempting to kill will be immediately disqualified. If an artifact's power is uncontrolled, the arbiters will intervene to stop it."

"The arena has been enhanced to absorb first-rank energy without overflow, so you may perform without reservation."

Zhang Rongzhi felt uneasy as he spoke. Elder Chu Zheng of the Huanhua Sword Sect was Chu Qingchen's grand-uncle, so he should naturally side with Lu Xingzhou. However, Zhang Rongzhi was unsure how many first-rank experts the opposing side had, and he recognized very few of the numerous people currently seated in the East River Gang's section. It was questionable whether Chu Zheng could truly maintain control of the situation.

External aid should not have been permitted. He wondered what Shen Tang and Lu Xingzhou were thinking. Once external aid was allowed, too many uncontrollable factors emerged.

In truth, they hadn't given it much thought, except that with Madam Ye present, a first-rank external helper, this was the Heavenly Sword Sect's strongest moment. Madam Ye would not stay indefinitely, but Shi Chong, as Shi Tielong's uncle, could remain as long as he wished. Shi Tielong could also easily find others to suppress the Heavenly Sword Sect at any time. Prolonging the conflict would be a significant disadvantage; it was better to achieve victory in one decisive battle.

With things already set, Zhang Rongzhi could only brace himself and ask: "Do either side have any objections?"

Shen Tang and Shi Tielong stepped forward: "None."

"The order of combatants will be decided by each side. The first participant may now come onto the stage. Will the leaders of both sides begin?"

Zhang Rongzhi wished for the first match to be between Shen Tang and Shi Tielong. That way, even if they lost all subsequent matches, winning the sect leader's battle would still save some face.

However, Shi Tielong did not take the bait. He bowed and said, "My uncle will fight in the first match."

Shi Chong slowly ascended the stage.

"..." Zhang Rongzhi's smile froze slightly, and he felt disdain inwardly. Shi Tielong truly lacked the courage to face a young woman in her twenties, who was also disabled. What kind of leader of a major sect was he? Even if he won the entire competition, with such a timid leader, wouldn't people mock the East River Gang's prestige?

Shi Chong stood in the center of the stage, his gaze fixed on Shen Tang. He calmly asked, "Who will your side send out? Sect Leader Shen? Or Hall Master Zhang?"

Shi Chong clearly didn't believe that Shen Tang's casual strike that day represented her true power. He wanted to show Shen Tang on the formal arena that decades of cultivation experience were not merely for show.

The strongest cultivators in the Heavenly Sword Sect were Shen Tang and Zhang Shaoyou. If Shi Chong defeated both of them in the first two matches, he could potentially achieve a direct "one against ten" victory.

That would not only humiliate the Heavenly Sword Sect but also bring Shi Chong immense fame across the land, potentially moving him up several ranks on the Great Gan Heroes List.

Shen Tang smiled faintly: "My sect is a little different from your gang... Of course, the Sect Leader must lead from the front."

Many spectators chuckled. With tens of thousands present, even a few chuckles resonated loudly. Shi Tielong's old face turned beet red, but he maintained a stoic expression, pretending not to hear.

Shi Chong lowered his gaze slightly: "A martial arts arena contest is different from a casual exchange of palms. I hope Sect Leader Shen's strength is as high as her confidence."

Lu Xingzhou pushed Shen Tang's wheelchair onto the stage, then leaned in and whispered in her ear: "Be careful."

Shen Tang softly replied, "I know."

Lu Xingzhou pursed his lips and turned to descend the stage.

The surrounding sounds gradually diminished.

It was a windless summer day, with the blazing sun overhead. On the stage, the two stood and sat facing each other, yet their robes subtly billowed without a breeze, and their hair gently swayed.

That was the spiritual energy in their bodies already beginning to surge.

Shi Chong calmly said, "Considering Sect Leader Shen's disability, please make the first move."

Shen Tang smiled, her flying sword unsheathed and plunging into the ground with a soft *whoosh*: "I've made my move. Your turn, sir."

Shi Chong's eyes sharpened. With a *clang*, his flying sword hovered before him.

The spectators suddenly felt as if a tsunami was rising, as if furious waves were gathering on the stage, threatening to unleash devastating power.

"The Fury of the Vast Ocean, to this extent." Shen Tang calmly remarked, "A first-rank strong sect indeed has some skills."

As she spoke, the flying sword that had been plunged into the ground leaped up, also hovering before her.

It was silent, without even the characteristic purple aura, like a small boat facing a raging storm, seemingly on the verge of capsizing.

In unison, both flying swords simultaneously shot towards their respective opponents.

The onlookers heard the roar of colossal waves, as if they were caught in a bursting river dike, feeling utterly insignificant.

Yet, Shen Tang's wisp of sword light remained unaffected, piercing directly through, like a small boat steadily navigating through immense waves, unwavering despite the surging fury.

As heaven maintains its vigor through movement, so should a gentleman constantly strive for self-perfection.

Even without using the Emperor's Ultimate World-Shaking Sutra, the Heavenly Sword Art was still a first-rank sword technique.

The two swords clashed, and energy surged violently. The ferocious power swept outwards but was contained and absorbed by the arena's formations, preventing it from affecting the surrounding crowd.

With just one sword strike, they were evenly matched.

The crowd was astonished, and even Zhang Rongzhi and the other arbiters on stage were moved. Shen Tang, a middle-stage third-rank cultivator, could truly contend with a lower-stage second-rank opponent without any disadvantage!

Furthermore, at their level, was disability no longer relevant, given they barely needed to move?

Just as they thought this, they saw Shi Chong's sword light, after being struck by Shen Tang, break apart like a wave, scattering countless "splashes" that each formed a sword, flying from all directions to pierce Shen Tang.

The best strategy against such an assault was to retreat, avoid the center of the sword energy encirclement, and find a weak point to break through.

It was indeed difficult to maneuver and retreat in a wheelchair.

Yet, Shen Tang's wheelchair actually slid backward with a *whoosh*, causing all the sword energy from the front and sides to miss.

Everyone: "..."

The next moment, sword light erupted, and in the instant the opponent's sword energy missed and weakened, it pierced through clouds and moon, aiming directly for Shi Chong's throat!

Shi Chong dodged with a *whoosh*, then closed in on Shen Tang's wheelchair, delivering a diagonal slash.

He figured it out: long-range "wave-exchanges" were more advantageous for Shen Tang, while close combat would hinder her wheelchair's effectiveness. With her flying sword elsewhere and her seemingly unarmed, it was most expedient to close in and exploit her disability.

It also meant that a formidable second-rank cultivator no longer had the confidence to overpower a third-rank opponent solely through the application of power...

As she watched Shi Chong approach, a hint of mockery appeared in Shen Tang's eyes.

The sword slashed directly at her side neck, reaching her instantly. Shen Tang struck like lightning, actually gripping the blade with her bare hand!

Purple energy shimmered around her palm, and the blade, as if absorbed into the myriad forms of mountains and rivers, could not penetrate even an inch.

The spectators gasped in astonishment. Shi Chong's heart also leaped; he tried to retract his sword but found he couldn't pull it back right away!

Shen Tang's seemingly empty right hand slapped the armrest of her wheelchair. The armrest opened with a *bang*, releasing a "thousand trees, ten thousand pear blossoms"—a volley of projectiles that showered down directly on Shi Chong's old face.

At the same time, the flying sword Shi Chong had just dodged circled back, striking directly at his back.

Attacked from front and back, and with his sword held fast, Shi Chong felt an intense sense of crisis, his scalp tingling. His protective aura burst forth, forcefully deflecting the "Pear Blossom Needles in a Rainstorm" that assailed his face. He decisively abandoned his sword and twisted his body. The flying sword that had been behind him returned to Shen Tang's hand, and she pursued with another slash.

Her control over the flying sword was so exquisite, her movements fluid and perfectly integrated.

In terms of this precise control over her flying sword, as if it were an extension of her arm, Shen Tang already displayed the demeanor of a true master. Even the old Sect Leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect from back then might not have reached this level.

"Boom!" The sword light struck the ground to his side. Shi Chong awkwardly dodged the attack, staring at the deep gouge in the ground, his forehead covered in cold sweat, still shaken.

Shen Tang held Shi Chong's abandoned sword in her left hand, tossing it up and down: "Still want to fight?"

Shi Chong's old face turned a deep purple.

In a deathmatch, he certainly had many more trump cards to play. But in a formal arena contest, with his flying sword confiscated by his opponent, he had clearly lost. Why would he continue to fight? To force the match to continue under everyone's gaze would be a complete loss of face.

The tens of thousands in the arena fell silent.

No one had expected a third-rank cultivator to so effortlessly defeat a second-rank one... From the look of it, Shen Tang hadn't even expended much energy; it was a pure victory!

A second-rank cultivator wasn't some common vegetable!

On the Great Gan Heroes List, they could already rank in the top hundred! Even including those reclusive cultivators not officially counted, they would still be in the top two to three hundred.

This meant Shen Tang's strength was publicly recognized to be among the top hundred! Was this the same disabled girl who, just half a year ago, had fled for her life like a stray dog?

On stage, Zhang Rongzhi finally revealed a relieved smile: "By the rules of this arena contest, victory has been determined. There will be no further contention. Gang Leader Shi, your gang may send out its second combatant. Will Gang Leader Shi take the stage personally this time?"

Shi Tielong stared blankly at his uncle on the stage.

Originally, the white-haired Shi Chong had appeared at least energetic and robust, but now his expression was pallid and dejected, his eyes downcast, his white hair somewhat disheveled. He seemed to have aged decades in an instant.

He had originally dreamed of a "one against ten" victory, hoping to achieve widespread renown. Now, he had lost to a girl young enough to be his great-granddaughter, and she was even disabled!

He had utterly lost face, and the psychological blow to the old man was undeniably significant.

His second-rank uncle had lost; was Shi Tielong supposed to go up and court death?

Beside him, another long-bearded middle-aged man slowly rose: "The Heavenly Sword Art truly lives up to its reputation as a first-rank sword technique; its strength is truly eye-opening. I find myself eager to test my skills and seek guidance from Sect Leader Shen."

Zhang Rongzhi asked, "Who are you, sir? Please state your name first."

The man smiled faintly: "Gu Xuyang of the Spring Mountain Pavilion. My humble disciple is a former classmate of Mr. Lu from the Heavenly Sword Sect."

The crowd erupted in an uproar.

Gu Xuyang, Grand Elder of Spring Mountain Pavilion, a first-rank Daoist cultivator!