Monarch Night
Chapter 214 - 172 The Sword Vows No Return [Extra - 12 for Yan Hui’s Sorrowful Decline]

Chapter 214: Chapter 172 The Sword Vows No Return [Extra Chapter 12 for Yan Hui’s Sorrowful Decline]

Cloud Weapon List, ranked in the top three.

Ningxue Sword, Rui Qianshan.

He really did come!

"No need for formalities. I’m not the Emperor."

Only Lord Jian’s calm words were heard, followed by the sudden withdrawal of overwhelming Sword Qi, his white robe as immaculate as snow, like a solitary peak towering above, eternal ice and snow.

Then he gracefully descended, landing at the center of the front row of the viewing stand and sat down.

This row of stands had a line of large chairs, but they were always empty, continuously cleaned and polished every day.

Now that Lord Jian had come, the chairs finally had someone sitting in them.

The heads and leaders of the Tianren Martial Academy, as well as those from the North Headquarters and the Heavenly Capital Guardian Hall, each took their seats.

They watched the first-year martial arts competition with full concentration.

As if this first-year competition was really worth watching, as if there was much to learn from it.

The referee also perked up.

Loudly announced: "World Martial Arts Competition, first-year match, first bout, Baiyun Martial Academy Ding Jie Ran versus Tianren Martial Academy Shen Changshan! Will both warriors please enter the arena!"

Ningxue Sword sat on the chair, furrowing his brows.

It felt like watching a play.

His heart was filled with helplessness.

Ningxue Sword now felt a deep confusion.

What is there to see in this student martial arts competition?

He truly couldn’t understand why the Ninth Lord wanted him to come and take on a registered disciple.

With such outstanding skills, could he just casually accept a registered disciple?

But there was nothing to be done about it, as he couldn’t afford to offend the Ninth Lord.

In the depths of his eyes lay a helpless weariness and lack of energy. Ah, when will I finally defeat that Xue Fuxiao bastard and be able to stand in front of the Ninth Lord?

Throughout the venue, no one dared to make a sound; it was a dead silence.

The presence of Lord Jian, with his chilling aura, intimidated everyone together.

Moreover, everyone faintly sensed that Lord Jian seemed...not very pleased.

The big shots beside him were all trying hard to cozy up to him, but Lord Jian was like a block of ice refusing to melt, giving them no face at all.

Little did they know that the aloof Lord Jian was inwardly cursing, "So annoying! A bunch of flies, buzzing endlessly..."

Under the watchful eyes of many.

Shen Changshan took a deep breath and stepped forward with his sword.

On the opposite side, Ding Jie Ran emerged with an aura of detachment and isolation from the world.

Unlike Shen Changshan, who was excited to showcase his sword skills in front of Lord Jian; Ding Jie Ran’s heart was calm.

He knew that no opportunity would be his.

He only wanted to do more for the Martial Arts Academy while he could still find happiness.

Or perhaps, one day, I would simply die.

I know my own life; it won’t be long.

Watching Shen Changshan, full of fighting spirit and completely different on the opposite side, Ding Jie Ran stood alone, isolated from the whole world.

Ningxue Sword’s gaze could not help but fix on Ding Jie Ran.

He felt something different.

This youngster, the sharpness in his bones, seemed somewhat akin to his own.

But this character...this isolation, this overwhelming sense of death, why is there so much?

He couldn’t help but be a little interested.

Shen Changshan stood tall, carrying his sword behind him with one hand, and saluted, "Brother Ding, please."

Ding Jie Ran held the sword scabbard in his left hand, slowly drew his sword with his right, placed it across his chest, and returned the gesture coldly, "Please!"

Whoosh!

Clang!

One drew the sword, and the other unsheathed it.

In an instant, the two swords lunged out simultaneously like poisonous dragons, then began to twist and clash, attracting everyone’s gaze.

Fang Che sat watching from the stands.

Still caught in the thought of the moment Ningxue Sword appeared, the myriad paths of Sword Qi shining like sunlight over the world.

Could it be a show-off?

Fang Che felt it was not the case.

Ningxue Sword, even if he liked to show off, wouldn’t stoop to such a low level. Besides, that kind of taste was something to ponder.

Fang Che closed his eyes, imagining Ningxue Sword’s entrance.

Enter, and the Sword Qi rushes in all directions.

The body blocks out the sun.

Sword Qi and sunlight merge.

This...

Clearly, it was a demonstration.

A silent transmission of a kind of Sword Intent, or perhaps a Sword Formation!

It was like a great sun emerging, illuminating all directions in a magnificent Sword Formation!

Fang Che couldn’t help but be entirely captivated.

After all, following great figures brings benefits; they’re always thinking of nurturing the next generation.

And like Ningxue Sword, it’s even more direct. His entrance itself was a teaching moment, if you understood it, you understood it, and however much you realized was your skill and opportunity.

But if you couldn’t see it, then it was simply not visible to you.

You understand it, you don’t need to thank me; you, being foolish, only seeing the show-off, is also your affair.

The actions of a master are unique indeed.

Fang Che sighed inwardly and began to slowly comprehend.

Ningxue Sword, sitting in his chair, was intently watching Ding Jie Ran’s swordplay, suddenly feeling something peculiar, as the Sword Qi within him faintly throbbed.

Seemingly some Sword Intent was triggering the energy flows?

Unbearably surprised.

Could it be that just by appearing, some sword path genius had realized something?

With an unchanging expression, his Divine Sense quietly drifted out towards the source of the sensation.

Fang Che was deeply immersed in his comprehension.

He suddenly felt a movement, as if something had been touched.

Instinctively trying to capture it, he suddenly felt a grand Sword Intent rushing towards his mind, with a boom, as if a sun had emerged in his consciousness.

The sun bristling with swords!

Sword light and Sword Qi, illustrious and grand, casting light upon the starry universe.

Limitless reach!

Fang Che was overjoyed, realizing that Lord Jian must have sensed him and released a bit of Sword Qi, quickly focusing all his attention on the sensation, slowly becoming entranced.

A hint of a smile appeared at the corner of Ningxue Sword’s mouth.

Silently severed the make contact with that strand of Sword Qi and himself, letting it remain there.

"It should allow for a three-day insight, after which it will dissipate. Let’s see what you make of it."

Ningxue Sword suddenly felt his mood brighten up.

This gain, in coming here, was worth the trip after all.

Then he began to genuinely focus on the battle on stage.

As for the Sword Qi left behind, it no longer required his concern.

While the surrounding Cloud City experts remained unaware of the underlying changes. Yet, they noticed signs of the ice around Lord Jian might be thawing.

Perhaps Lord Jian was enjoying watching these two students’ sword fight?

Suddenly, they also got excited.

They knew that currently leading on stage was Shen Changshan. A student of the Tianren Martial Academy!

Could it be that Lord Jian took a liking to Shen Changshan?

Thinking of it made them more excited, almost jumping.

On the stage.

Shen Changshan, going all out with his sword, focused only on showcasing his most perfect swordsmanship talent, suppressing Ding Jie Ran completely.

Ding Jie Ran’s right-hand sword struck up and down, struggling to withstand the opponent’s attacks.

Enduring the Sword Bone impulse in his left hand.

The sword taking unusual paths; though on the losing end, each strike was sharp to the extreme.

"Shen Changshan’s sword, though still somewhat immature, already shows grandeur and majesty," said the head of the Tianren Martial Academy with a smile.

Facing forward, watching the duel, not knowing whom he was speaking to.

But naturally, bystanders echoed: "The Mountain Master is right; this kid is practicing the Sword of the King; the grandeur, splendid power, already shows the path."

Ningxue Sword expressed a trace of mockery, calmly saying, "I don’t understand the sword."

Once these words came out, everyone felt speechless, their expressions awkward as if slapped.

One sentence killed the conversation.

You are the universally acknowledged top swordsman, saying you don’t understand the sword?

Then what are we discussing?

Instantly, their faces turned embarrassed.

Ningxue Sword snorted and said, "In my heart, a sword is just a sword! A sword is not a gentleman, nor a king; a sword is simply a sword. Only a sword. A tool for slaughter!"

Having said that, he spoke no more.

In truth, there was something he didn’t say: If Shen Changshan’s sword was desperately imitating the air of a king, then the sword of the one opposite, Ding Jie Ran, was truly a sword.

Every sword strike carried a resolve for a form of death.

No return without blood!

It’s just a pity this kid has grasped too little of the Sword Intent.

The viewpoint hasn’t broadened yet.

The battle on stage grew increasingly intense, Ding Jie Ran had fallen completely behind.

The gap in realm, the disparity in strength and cultivation, was too evident.

He lagged an entire realm behind the opponent, and the opponent was also a prodigy with deep foundations, making it impossible for him to fight above his grade here.

Only to clash head-on.

But what even Ding Jie Ran, Mo Gan Yun, and others did not realize was... Their fighting resilience, especially in the face of an adverse situation, the fighting spirit, and the tenacity in the face of overwhelming opposition...

Was much stronger than others.

Much, much stronger!

For other martial academy students, losing at this point would have been expected, but they continued to struggle to hold on.

The people like Li Changkong and others offstage knew this well: For one, Baiyun Martial Academy focused more on practical combat honing, whereas the Tianren Martial Academy emphasized cultivation progress; this was the outcome of two different institutional policies.

In other words, one school prioritized academic performance, the other emphasized social practice.

Thus leading to Tianren Martial Academy students having high cultivation, while Baiyun Martial Academy students excelled in stress endurance.

Li Changkong had no doubt that if it was a life-and-death battle, Baiyun Martial Academy would have already won. But this being a friendly match, with weaker cultivation falling to the losing end was inevitable.

And the second reason was Fang Che’s heavy pressure training effect on Mo Gan Yun and others!

Especially Fang Che’s pressure with Evil Qi added resilience to Ding Jie Ran and others.

And... a death realm fighting power that peers could not possibly possess!

The more they thought about it, the more Li Changkong and others felt it was a pity.

Fang Che... what a pity for this talent! He didn’t come to participate in the competition; otherwise, how could the top spot in the first grade fall to someone else?

Ding Jie Ran fought with all his might, striving to hold on, with specks of blood flaring out.

He was injured in several places.

But he never conceded, his expression and gaze unchanged.

The wounds increased, and his clothes were stained with blood, with almost no space left pristine.

Yet, he still didn’t give up.

"Get down!"

Shen Changshan shouted explosively, having forced Ding Jie Ran to the edge of the platform, his long sword glinting in an overwhelming tidal wave, pressing down fiercely on Ding Jie Ran!

Crushing!

Forcing down the platform!

It was at this moment.

Ningxue Sword’s pupils suddenly shrank, focusing intensely.

On the stage, Ding Jie Ran gave a loud shout.

The left hand let loose the sword scabbard.

Simultaneously, the sword in the right magically appeared in the left hand, his body turned to the side, thrusting the sword out!

With one sword strike, his clothes fluttered, and his dark hair wildly danced!

Left-Handed Sword!

This sword’s angle was sharp, brutal!

And that naturally born Sword Bone and Sword Qi, sharply revealed.

This sword, like a streak of light flashing across the night.

A proud bone naturally formed, and with the sword drawn, there is no return!

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