Chapter 295: Clash of the Sword Path, Who is Number One!

"Elder Yan single-handedly took down the Clear Sky. His strength can be said to be abundant. As all parties are gathered today, why not let us witness it for ourselves?" The one who spoke first was Emperor Xue Ye. This was the result of a secret discussion between him, the other two sects, and the Star Luo Empire. Since Spirit Hall was stepping on Tang Hao’s reputation, then they would step on this Yan Chixia’s reputation. All in all, they had to forcibly take a piece of the pie. Otherwise, with Spirit Hall’s fame soaring to the heavens and the Clear Sky Sect in seclusion, as one waned and the other waxed, the hearts of the continent’s people would only be eroded by Spirit Hall bit by bit. And to direct the fuse to Yan Chixia was the best overt conspiracy. If Spirit Hall accepted the challenge, they would have Sword Douluo Chen Xin use a sword path spar as an excuse to dampen Yan Chixia’s sharp spirit. If Spirit Hall was afraid and did not accept the challenge, that would be even better. This news would spread throughout the entire continent the next day. Why didn’t Spirit Hall accept the challenge? Could it be that they were scared? This was to achieve the goal of striking a blow to Spirit Hall’s reputation. Facing Emperor Xue Ye’s "provocation," Shen An kept his eyes on his nose, his nose on his mouth, his mouth on his heart. This kind of matter was best left to Bibi Dong to handle. It was not suitable for him to overstep his role as a guest. At the same time, Shen An couldn’t help but complain in his heart. Watching Emperor Xue Ye and the others jump around in front of him, he felt it was somewhat comical. The might of that one sword strike from the Great Priest in Spirit Hall—Shen An had seen it clearly. If that Great Priest were to come out of the mountains, to level the three upper sects with one man and one sword, Shen An wouldn’t even have a doubt. It was just, why didn’t the other party make a move? Shen An couldn’t figure it out. Was his morality too high, or was he uninterested in worldly affairs, or was there another hidden story? Here, Shen An couldn’t help but lament why he hadn’t carefully read Douluo Dalu from beginning to end before he had transmigrated. Bibi Dong’s gaze condensed. The other party had made a move, and she had to receive it. A fight was unavoidable. It was just a question of who to fight, and how to fight. "Since you are all interested, then Tenth Elder, are you willing?" Bibi Dong said. "I will respectfully obey the Pope’s decree. Naturally, I have no objections." "Then please~" "In that case, how about we have the Supreme Elder of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Chen Xin, fight him? As fellow people of the sword path, perhaps we can benefit from this battle." Ning Fengzhi spoke before Bibi Dong could, lest this Pope pick a soft persimmon. This battle must be won, not lost. Naturally, it was most appropriate for the strongest, Chen Xin, to come. That old fellow Yu Yuanzhen was still a little bit inferior. Bibi Dong said without a change in expression, "I’m afraid this is not appropriate. The Sword Douluo has the great name of the continent’s number one attack. The title of Sword Dao Chen Xin is enough to make people shrink back in fear." As she spoke, Bibi Dong cursed endlessly in her heart. If the other party had sent Yu Yuanzhen up, she would have thought Shen An had a chance of a draw. Only Chen Xin was different. This one, in the last great war, had fought one against three and had not been at a disadvantage. Now, two years had passed, and he was even more unfathomable. To have him come, isn’t that bullying? "As fellow sword practitioners, seeing the sword intent and sword qi on the Tenth Elder, my heart truly itches unbearably. I know that I am much older, and my soul power realm is still superior. To show fairness, let’s not use soul skills. How about we only compete on the sword?" Chen Xin took a step forward. He was an upright person. Although he understood that this battle had to be won, he was also unwilling to take too much of an advantage. Ning Fengzhi sighed slightly in his heart. According to his thinking, with Chen Xin’s level ninety-seven soul power realm, plus his transcendent sword techniques, he would surely be able to win. This was also the most stable method. But his Uncle Jian had already said so, so it could only be this way. Fortunately, Ning Fengzhi believed in Chen Xin’s sword path cultivation. After all, the title of the number one peak of the sword path on the continent was not for nothing. And this number one peak had even comprehended a lot at the hands of Shen An’s cat. Thinking of this, the image of that stunningly talented figure also appeared in Ning Fengzhi’s mind. After hearing this, Bibi Dong looked at Shen An. If Shen An had no confidence, she would surely have to find a way to change the person. Hearing Chen Xin’s proposal, Shen An was greatly moved. He really wanted to see, with his current sword path cultivation and the current Chen Xin, who was stronger and who was weaker. To be honest, Shen An was about to spit blood from competing with Tom in swordplay. That was a f*cking complete Alpha Cat. No matter to what extent Shen An’s sword path improved, Tom was always just a little bit, just a tiny bit stronger than him. This feeling was maddening. An Alpha Cat was not easy to fight. It was better to fight a real person to test his own level. Shen An cast a confident look, as if to say, leave it to him, no problem. Receiving the reply, Bibi Dong’s heart was still a little unsure. She didn’t want to have just gained face, only to lose it. After a little contemplation, she said, "In that case, then let’s limit it to a hundred sword strokes. Otherwise, if you two start fighting and it’s endless, that wouldn’t be good." Ning Fengzhi hadn’t nodded yet, but Chen Xin had already agreed first. He had enough confidence in himself. His sword had been tempered from countless battles, large and small. And this Yan Chixia had appeared out of nowhere. Observing his body of sword intent, he was surely a sword path genius. But was he, Chen Xin, not one? "Tenth Elder, please!" A sharp sword light flashed from Chen Xin’s two eyes. The next moment, a sword had already appeared before him. A longsword, the color of clear blue, as if carved from crystal. On the sword were nine stars, which were transformed from his nine soul rings. "The sword is four chi and three cun long, three cun wide, the hilt is one chi and two cun long. Its name is: Seven Kill!" The Sword Douluo said, holding the sword with reverence. Shen An also showed a smile. He was also full of anticipation. The Nine-Leaf Sword Grass appeared in his hand. The six real and three fake soul rings first appeared, then immediately went into hiding. "Form is but a vessel for the sword. The Sword Path exists in the heart. My sword values its intent more. Sword Douluo, please!" ’The Sword Path exists in the heart.’ Chen Xin chewed on this sentence in his heart, his gaze bright as if he had some enlightenment. "Interesting. This old one is much older. In that case, you may make the first move!" "Come!" Shen An shouted loudly, the sword momentum on his body continuously climbing. The longsword in his hand let out a clear sword cry. The one-grass sword intent that could cut down the sun, moon, and stars crazily poured out. Sword qi, sword momentum, and sword intent were all integrated into this one heaven-shaking sword strike! In an instant, the longsword arrived before Chen Xin. Behind the sword’s edge followed tens of thousands of magnificent sword shadows. Its sharp momentum was as if there was nothing before it that could not be resisted. "A good move!" An aura that could not be described with words burst out from Chen Xin’s body. A black sword light suddenly arrived, blocking the sword in Shen An’s hand, and even forcing him to retreat rapidly to dissipate the force. This sword light, emitted from the Seven Kill Sword, was not the color of Chen Xin’s own soul power, but because this one sword was too fast and too strong, it had actually broken open space, revealing another dimension. Both of them, seeing a worthy opponent, did not hesitate to engage in a life-and-death battle with their swords together. Tens of thousands of sword shadows, a brilliant sword light, clashed together, making all the spectators feel a chill in their hearts. The more Chen Xin fought, the more frightened he became. Besides that cat and the Great Priest of Spirit Hall, this was the first time he had met someone who could be on par with him in the sword path. In the first fifty sword strokes, he saw the shadows of countless sword path grandmasters in Shen An’s sword. He was not afraid. He was not inferior to any sword path grandmaster. In terms of the sword path alone, even against that Great Priest, he might not necessarily be afraid. The sword light was like a net, like weaving, like light, like a sword, with endless changes. The two continued to exchange blows. After the eightieth sword stroke, Chen Xin had already sensed the danger, as if seeing his weak self from the past facing one after another of strong enemies with superb techniques. He wasn’t afraid either. He had defeated them. Chen Xin calmly delivered one sword after another. He would grow rapidly in battle and win this fight. It wasn’t until after the one hundred and twentieth sword stroke that the two were still fighting. Like a great river, like a great mountain, every sword was filled with infinite killing intent. A slight mistake and one would lose their life. Everyone was watching as if intoxicated. Such a battle could be called the pinnacle of skill. They had completely forgotten that the two had already passed a hundred sword strokes. Even Qian Daoliu was watching with a grave expression from the mountain peak. If there was anyone present who didn’t care, it would be a cat and a mouse wearing dog-head masks. Tom took a bite of roasted fish, glanced over nonchalantly a few times. Passable. All I can say is he still needs more practice. The sword qi around the two fighting individuals erupted. From every pore, an endless sword qi poured out, like clouds, like mist, intertwining together. In the clash of sword against sword, Chen Xin vaguely saw his own shadow in Shen An’s sword. No, it was even superior! He was both surprised at Shen An’s spirituality in the sword path and also felt a trace of fear born in the depths of his heart. If there was anyone who could not be defeated in the sword path, it must be the number one in the current world, himself. Every sword Chen Xin delivered at this time became more and more difficult, his mental energy being greatly consumed. Suddenly, a gleam of sword light shot out from Chen Xin’s eyes. Shen An was growing too fast. He was simply like a piece of peerless beautiful jade, blooming with an incomparable brilliance under his sword qi. ’I can’t drag this on any longer. I have to put all my effort into one sword. Otherwise, if this drags on, I will surely lose,’ Chen Xin thought to himself. He didn’t necessarily obsess over winning or losing, but this battle was of great importance and absolutely could not be lost. Chen Xin faced the vast sword light, weaving and shuttling within it. He suddenly thrust out his sword, and the dimension broke open. This one sword condensed all his essence, qi, and spirit. The surrounding space was torn apart. The sword qi was as vast as a great river turning back, and as if heaven and earth were being overturned. Facing this stunning sword strike, Shen An suddenly discovered that after fighting the Alpha Cat for so long, and then completely turning his entire sword path foundation into sword path cultivation under Chen Xin’s offensive... The peak of the sword path that was originally in his eyes had now been surpassed by him. He was the new peak of the sword path (excluding that Alpha Cat). In an instant, Shen An found the weakest point among the tens of thousands of sword lights and met it with the edge of his own sword! "Zheng!" After one sword strike, Shen An was the first to retreat rapidly. Chen Xin’s figure then also retreated rapidly. The two were both panting heavily, as if the consumption was extremely great. "Sword Douluo, the hundred-sword agreement has passed. How about we call this a draw?" Shen An cupped his fists and said. Chen Xin had guided him before. He naturally had to give him a way out, not to let his late-stage integrity be compromised. What’s more, taking a Tang Hao as a merit to sell to Spirit Hall was already enough. Why was there a need to defeat Chen Xin to boost Spirit Hall’s momentum? Chen Xin silently nodded. He always felt that Shen An had not just barely broken his sword strike. This Tenth Elder definitely still had strength to spare. It was just that he didn’t know why he had deliberately said it was a draw. Bibi Dong’s gaze was joyful. Shen An had truly given him a surprise. To kill Tang Hao and fight the Sword Douluo to a draw, and at the same time to understand gratitude. In contrast were Emperor Xue Ye and the others. Their faces were as gloomy as water as they looked at Yan Chixia with apprehension. Damn it, he managed to show off. One can imagine that the voices of those who had originally questioned that it was because Tang Hao’s arm was severed and he was injured that this Tenth Elder was able to capture him, after this battle, would absolutely disappear completely. That was Chen Xin, a level ninety-seven Titled Douluo. And on the day the Soul Master Tournament ended, he had fought one against three, not being at a disadvantage, and even having the upper hand. Even if Chen Xin had not used his soul skills, and the two had purely competed in the sword path, to be able to be on par with such an existence, how terrifying was this Yan Chixia? What’s more, they also had spies in Spirit City. This Tenth Elder was only in his early fifties this year. In the long age of a Titled Douluo, he could be called young. His future development was absolutely limitless. With apprehension for the future, the four great factions left Spirit City with heavy hearts. "Uncle Jian, was it because the hundred-sword agreement was over that you agreed to a draw in the end?" Ning Fengzhi suddenly asked. Chen Xin slowly shook his head. Only he knew what he had experienced. "This Tenth Elder’s sword path, if he were to use it with all his might, he could definitely suppress me." In Chen Xin’s tone, there was both defeat and also battle intent. His one sword heart had not been worn away by a temporary setback. On the contrary, he was very happy, happy that the road ahead for the sword path was endless. "However, this Tenth Elder is really strange. He has never been famous on the continent before, which means this person has been living in seclusion. But just this unpolished sword can actually defeat me." Chen Xin said strangely. A true expert was tempered in battle. But Yan Chixia, he really couldn’t see through him. After all, how could Chen Xin have ever imagined that Yan Chixia was Shen An, and although Shen An had been crushing his way through all his fights, he had an Alpha Cat who had been his sparring partner all along? Ning Fengzhi also sighed with emotion. "I hope we can hold on for a few more days. If Shen An can grow and return, perhaps he will have the ability to turn the situation around with his own strength." Chen Xin nodded. In their view, Shen An was too stunningly talented. The news from the Star Luo side could not be hidden from them. A Soul Emperor could kill a Soul Douluo. One can imagine that once Shen An reached the realm of a Titled Douluo, he could definitely immediately become a supreme expert among them. Ning Fengzhi slowly shook his head again. "This boy hasn’t been seen recently, and no new news has come out. Rongrong talks about him all day now." The moment these words came out, Chen Xin was also filled with worry. "This boy is too good at attracting trouble. It’s not just Rongrong. Even the disciple that old bone took in, Zhu Zhuqing, talks about him all day. And that cat-girl, Shen Yu." "Sigh!" This one who doted on his granddaughter, and one who doted on his daughter, sighed at the same time. Ning Rongrong had deep feelings for Shen An, but they were not very optimistic that Shen An would be devoted to only Ning Rongrong in the future. --- In the Pope’s Hall, in the great discussion hall, there were only Bibi Dong and Shen An. Bibi Dong laughed heartily. She tapped her scepter on the ground, and a silent soul power barrier was laid down. Note, she was about to start drawing a pancake. She had to give the employee who had performed a great merit some hope. "Yan Chixia, oh Yan Chixia, you have truly given me another great surprise." "You are my confidant. I will absolutely not treat you unfairly in the future. In terms of power, you are already one of the strongest on the continent." "In terms of honor and authority, you are now the Tenth Elder of Spirit Hall. The only ones above you are the sect masters of the three upper sects, and the two imperial thrones." "Now the time is still early. I promise that within the next three years, even if you want to become the sect master of one of the three upper sects, I will help you achieve it." Shen An’s eyelids jumped. He could taste the flavor of war. And Bibi Dong’s appearance, it was clear she wanted him to participate in some important events. ’Why don’t I take this opportunity to ask about Xue Qinghe’s whereabouts?’ A thought moved in Shen An’s mind, and he prepared to ask.