CHAPTER 199: CHAPTER 157: SHANG JUNMING, COME TO BATTLE

What a pity. In the stands, Jiang Shu shook his head. Compared to Xuanxing Martial Arts, the Martial Arts of the Da Jing Dynasty are more mature and systematic. It is precisely because of this that the mindset of martial artists is fixed: Body Refinement, Qi Refinement, Spirit Refinement. No martial artist would think to directly attempt the integration of all three immediately after the Refining Internal Realm.

Zhang Yunsu had not drawn her sword, yet she stood there, her sword presence completely dominating the arena. With such Sword Dao talent, in Xuanxing, she could have followed the same path as the Sword God of Fusang—human-sword fusion, merging Sword Intent with Spirit to achieve a higher level of life transition. By then, some Blood Exchange Realm martial artists with unstable realms might not even be her match. But now... Zhang Yunsu is still following the Martial Arts path of the Da Jing Dynasty. Not yet at the Blood Exchange Realm, her genuine energy cannot be externalized, nor can it permeate the marrow. Compared to Blood Exchange Realm martial artists, her sword presence amounts to nothing.

"Miss Zhang, if you please."

Thoughts flashed through Jiang Shu’s mind. In his line of sight, from the Wang Family’s seats, a Blood Exchange Realm genius was the first to stand. He had a handsome face and a tall, slender figure. If he were to appear in Xuanxing, he wouldn’t need any acting skills; just standing there would be enough for him to become a top-tier idol. Upon reaching the Blood Exchange Realm, Martial Artists undergo a profound change, cleansing their bodies to the point where few, if any, remain unattractive.

With a casual leap, he landed on the stage. A Longsword hung at his waist, yet he showed no intention of drawing it. With one hand clasped behind his back, his other arm rotated, drawing a circle in the air. Instantly, his genuine energy externalized, forming a huge shield of genuine energy.

"Miss Zhang is still in the Refining Internal Realm. I shall allow you the first ten moves." The man’s words landed.

Compared to the Martial Arts culture of Black Mountain County, where duels to the death were commonplace, Martial Artists from Yongning County were clearly more temperate. Especially among the great clans, clashes between Martial Artists were mostly controlled exchanges.

In the stands, some guests had already recognized him, sparking a new round of discussion.

"Is that... Young Master Wang Liancheng? The last I heard, he was still in the Refining Internal Realm and was said to be heading to the state city for training. I never expected him to return as a Blood Exchange Realm genius!"

"Speaking of going to the state city for training, Young Master Zhao Chengxuan went too, didn’t he? He must have also broken through to the Blood Exchange Realm. I just wonder if he’ll make it onto the Little Dragon Tiger List. If he does, the Zhao Family will truly have two geniuses on the Little Dragon Tiger List!"

"For Young Master Wang to be the first to step up, he must be extremely confident. After all, the Zhang Family has invested heavily this time. The first-place winner not only receives a top-grade Qi Boosting Pill but also a mysterious grand prize. The Qi Boosting Pill alone is enough to make one’s mouth water."

"Indeed! A single Qi Boosting Pill is worth as much as ten Qi Gathering Pills. Qi Gathering Pills only allow Blood Exchange Realm Martial Artists to attempt to sense the Yuan Qi between heaven and earth, but Qi Boosting Pills can purify the Yuan Qi that enters the body. Even for Acupoint Passage Realm experts, the effects of a Qi Boosting Pill are tremendous."

The guests currently engaged in conversation were, without exception, all existences at the Refining Internal Realm.

Zhang Ruo listened intently, straining her ears. Although she was also part of the Zhang Family, she was merely from a collateral branch and hailed from a small county town. Information about realms above the Refining Internal Realm was something she normally had no access to.

"Brother Shang, is the Blood Exchange Realm really that powerful? Can Young Master Wang truly block ten of Miss Yunsu’s sword forms just by drawing a circle?" Zhang Ruo cautiously asked, glancing at Jiang Shu beside her. She noted that everyone’s attention was on the arena, and no one was paying her any mind. "I’ve never seen a Blood Exchange Realm Martial Artist in action," she continued, her voice low. "However, I’ve personally witnessed Miss Yunsu’s strength. On one mission, she, alone with her sword, directly slew three or four robbers of the same realm. Even at the genius assembly in the county seat, Miss Yunsu repelled all the Refining Internal Realm geniuses on the stage using only a long ribbon. With such Talent and such a Realm, is she really so insignificant before the Blood Exchange Realm? Can a mere shield of genuine energy block all of Miss Yunsu’s sword techniques?"

"Just watch." Jiang Shu didn’t explain further. For Zhang Ruo, the Blood Exchange Realm was still too distant a concept.

Sure enough, the moment his words fell, on the arena stage, Zhang Yunsu’s eyes narrowed. With a low cry, her entire body shot forward like a striking serpent. The Soft Sword in her hand flashed, creating three or four afterimages in mid-air. Zhang Family’s Middle Grade Martial Arts: Purple Light Sword Technique. When the sword moved, light stirred.

However, this sword strike, capable of easily decapitating a Refining Internal Realm Martial Artist, merely emitted a light CLANG when it struck the shield of genuine energy. The shield of genuine energy showed no sign of shattering.

"Again!" Zhang Yunsu attacked relentlessly. On her tenth strike, she even flipped in mid-air, swooping down for a slash like a nimble swallow gliding through clouds. The force of this sword strike reached tens of meters! It was like a strong gale parting the waves, tearing through the air.

BOOM!

Her sword shattered the shield of genuine energy. Amidst a cloud of dust, Zhang Yunsu leaped down, dozens of streaks of purple light erupting around her.

"That should be the eleventh move, I believe." Amidst such a ferocious assault, Wang Liancheng’s voice remained as calm as an undisturbed lake.

As the dust settled, his two fingers were clamped firmly around the Soft Sword in Zhang Yunsu’s hand. He said, "You fought well."

"Brother Wang, your skill is formidable. However, the Qi Boosting Pill is something I am determined to obtain, so..."

The outcome of the match on the arena stage had been within everyone’s expectations.