Chapter 153 - 142: Sword Sect, Xiao Ruoching, Pleased to Meet You!_1

Hearing Xu Unbeatable's voice, the elders from various sects in the guest seating area turned to Su Bei nearby, their expressions knowing. With handsome brows and bright eyes, Su Bei exuded a serene aura, like a gentle breeze rippling through light clouds, simply by standing there. Mo Xingjian, the Third Elder of Sword Sect, stroked his beard with a smile. This disciple truly makes me proud! Although Mo Xingjian had some slight reservations about his own direct disciple, Xu Unbeatable, holding Su Bei in such high esteem, it wasn't a major issue. As one of the Four Junior Sword Monarchs of Sword Sect, Xu Unbeatable was undoubtedly among the top three disciples of his generation within the sect. Lin Jinyu narrowed his eyes, looking deeply at Su Bei, silently repeating the phrase in his heart: All matters under heaven are trivial, save for those of the sword! This man is far more complex than he appears on the surface. Capable of uttering such a phrase filled with chilling murderous intent, he is certainly no simple man! No wonder Ji Nanjue is so fixated on him! This Su Bei... he's got something... Suddenly, in the guest seating area, Luo Ritian clapped his hands and then jeered sardonically, "Oh? Elder Su sure has a lot of pretty things to say, doesn't he?" "Does Elder Su mean to say that he looks down upon everyone in the world? TSK, TSK, TSK. It certainly takes courage for Elder Su, a Divinity Transformation cultivator, to utter such words..." "..." Seeing this, Wenren Pingxin maintained an expressionless face, his eyebrows furrowed like distant mountain peaks. Turning his head to look at Yu Hongxiu, who was sitting beside him and giggling, he frowned and asked, "What are you laughing at?" Yu Hongxiu gently shook her head without a word, merely sighing inwardly: If Luo Ritian knew Su Bei's true strength was at the Peak of Dao Integration, what would he think then? The elders from the various sects exchanged glances, their expressions turning somewhat peculiar. Everyone understood clearly; it was said that in Mo City, Su Bei had caused Luo Ritian a great humiliation, and it was likely that a rift had already formed between them. Luo Ritian gave a subtle glance to a member of Wuhua Palace below the stands. Immediately afterward, a Disciple of Wuhua Palace rushed onto the arena stage, his voice cold as he declared, "Ignorant and arrogant!" "I'd like to see if the sword in your hand is worthy of your words!" "Ling Ying of Wuhua Palace, Mid-Stage Golden Elixir Realm! I've come to request your instruction!" Xu Unbeatable coldly regarded the man before him. Wasting no more words, his sword thrust straight for the man's throat. "Zhong Ping Sword! A stab to the throat!" Ling Ying glanced indifferently at the sword stabbing towards his throat, waved the horsetail whisk in his hand gently, and in the next instant, a burst of flame appeared, shielding him. "Fire Mirror!" Spiritual Energy instantly condensed, transforming into a wall of fire that surged towards Xu Unbeatable. Xu Unbeatable hastily retracted his sword and dodged the oncoming wall of clinging flames. Then came a loud explosion. BOOM! Sparks and dust scattered. Panting heavily, Xu Unbeatable fixed his eyes on the man before him. Ling Ying's lips curled into a cold sneer as he spoke, "That's it? I thought you had some strength." "You think you're fit to talk big?" "Didn't your Elder Su teach you to be humble?" Xu Unbeatable curled his lips, his gaze turning icy as he looked toward Ling Ying, then he lightly caressed the blade of his sword. In the next instant, Spiritual Energy enveloped it. Transforming into a shadow, he, along with his sword, charged at Ling Ying in a flash. "Zhong Ping Sword, Steel Flash!" The sword's radiance was piercing, instantly bursting forth! Seeing this, the eyes of the elders in the guest seats lit up, and they began to discuss animatedly, "Hmm, this young man is clever! Knowing the disparity in their cultivation realms, he concentrated all his power into a single point. This allows him to briefly possess the strength to contend with a Mid-Stage Golden Elixir cultivator!" "Let's see how Ling Ying responds to Xu Unbeatable's attack!" "This Xu Unbeatable is indeed one of the top disciples in Sword Sect's current generation!" "..." Luo Ritian, however, didn't even bother to lift his head. Staring down at the cup of hot tea in his hands, he said with a faint smile, "Xu Unbeatable can't win." The gathered elders looked at each other but said nothing. The moment Ling Ying saw Xu Unbeatable charge at him, his entire body transformed into flames and floated into the sky. Then, clouds of fire filled the heavens above. The next moment, a massive palm print appeared overhead. "Empty Fire Cloud Palm!" With a ROAR, accompanied by howling, fierce sparks, the giant palm print slammed towards Xu Unbeatable! A sword against a palm! Both currents of Spiritual Energy roared tumultuously. Then, a shocking scene unfolded instantly before everyone's eyes. Xu Unbeatable's sword actually pierced through the Fire Cloud Palm, but Ling Ying's body remained completely unharmed. Then, the fiery palm fiercely struck Xu Unbeatable's chest! BOOM! The terrifying fiery Spiritual Energy kicked up a cloud of dust. In the next moment, a figure was sent flying out of it, landing heavily on the ground, blood flowing uncontrollably. Everyone stared dumbly at the scene, at the fallen Xu Unbeatable! Then, they took a sharp, collective intake of breath. HISS! "I didn't expect Ling Ying to be able to become ethereal!" "Indeed, Xu Unbeatable's sword definitely had the power of a Mid-Stage Golden Elixir cultivator, but who could have guessed Ling Ying would be untargetable..." "Against him, it's like Ling Ying is using cheats!" "Senior Brother Xu Unbeatable is already one of the strongest among this generation of Sword Sect disciples, isn't he..." "He didn't even last two moves?" "..." Listening to the murmurs, Ling Ying's lips curled into a smug smile as he walked step by step toward the fallen Xu Unbeatable. He then grabbed Xu Unbeatable by the throat and lifted him, his voice cold, "Is this all one of Sword Sect's Junior Sword Monarchs amounts to?" "You're too weak. I can barely be bothered to bully you." "Surely Sword Sect isn't entirely made up of your kind... hm?" "Boring!" "..." Xu Unbeatable stared resentfully at the man before him, his hands desperately clawing at Ling Ying's hand that tightly gripped his neck. He struggled with all his might, but having taken Ling Ying's palm strike directly, his body was already grievously injured. "Your kind is a dime a dozen in Wuhua Palace." "In my eyes, you're just an ant! And just like you, Elder Su is nothing but an ant in my Master's eyes!" "..." As soon as Ling Ying's words fell, the entire arena went silent. Then, with a sudden ROAR, the crowd erupted. "Damn! You can't say things like that..." "A disciple publicly critiquing an elder? And looking down on an elder?" "That's way too arrogant! This... this is utterly outrageous!" "Someone must have put him up to it! Definitely!" "...Who else could it be, if not Elder Luo? Who doesn't know that Elder Luo was humiliated by Elder Su in Mo City?" "..." The Spiritual Energy around Xu Unbeatable condensed rapidly. His eyes, wide and bloodshot, stared fixedly at the man before him. He could insult me, that's one thing, but how dare he insult Elder Su! "You're just like Elder Su, indeed worthy of being a disciple who admires Elder Su," Ling Ying sneered. "TSK, TSK, TSK, the same penchant for pretty words!" "All matters under heaven resolved by a single sword? Go on then, show me what that sword can do!" "One more pretentious than the other!" "..." On the surface, Su Bei appeared emotionless. But inside, he was utterly baffled by the scene unfolding before him. Feeling countless, faint glances sweeping over him, he felt every hair on his body stand on end. What's this called, being caught in the crossfire? Did I even say anything? Why is every single phrase about me? If you want to fight, then fight! Why drag me into this mess? Do I look that easy to bully? But he didn't notice the icy fury in the eyes of his prodigal disciple beside him. She was staring coldly at Ling Ying on the platform, her small hands clenched so tightly that the veins stood out on them. With a casual toss, Ling Ying threw Xu Unbeatable, who was still struggling in his grip, off the stage. His eyes were full of pride, and he didn't deign to glance at him again. Mo Xingjian sighed at this scene. I never expected my direct disciple, the one I had such high hopes for, to fall so easily. But there was nothing to be done. His disciple was outclassed; a loss was a loss... And now, with Xu Unbeatable defeated, this generation of Sword Sect disciples no longer had anyone who could truly hold the fort. Wenren Pingxin's face was also grim as he glanced at Luo Ritian, who was smiling smugly beside him, and let out a cold huff. Ling Ying smiled at Elder Luo in the elders' seats, then stretched out his arms and laughed boisterously, "HAHAHA!" "Is there anyone else?" "I, Ling Ying of Wuhua Palace, shall take on ten at once!" "Who will challenge—" "..." Before he could finish speaking, a sudden UPROAR swept through the crowd! In the next moment, a graceful figure glided with the wind. CLANG! Only the clear cry of a sword was heard! CLICK—CLICK— Shoes with sword-patterned heels stepped onto the arena stage, making a soft sound. Step by step. Then, the entire arena erupted with discussion. The Sword Sect disciples looked at the woman in shock. She held a slender silver sword, three thousand strands of her black hair scattering in the wind. With cold, indifferent eyes, she looked at the man before her. Her face was expressionless, her lips like moist jade, her nose like a freshly picked lotus root. A jade-like hand gently tucked away a strand of wind-blown hair. Even Wenren Pingxin on the viewing platform trembled, looking at the scene in disbelief. Half-Step Golden Core? How long has she been at Sword Sect? Half-Step Golden Core?! "Damn! It's... it's Xiao Ruoching!" "Isn't that Elder Su's direct disciple? What is she doing on the stage?" "Am I seeing this right? Half-Step Golden Core?? She... she's only been at Sword Sect a short time, how could she be Half-Step Golden Core already!!!" "How is that possible! Half-Step Golden Core!!!" "..." Su Bei was just as baffled, sweat beading on his brow as he watched his prodigal disciple, her expression as frosty as ever. What the hell? Didn't I tell her to keep a low profile? Why is she out here seeking the spotlight? Just a moment ago, she shot out like a startled mouse. After a heavy cough, he stood up and said, "Disciple, where are you going? Come back!" "How long have you been training? This place is not for you!" Unexpectedly, he met Xiao Ruoching's gaze—it was chilling, frosty, and stern! The setting sun dyed the sky crimson, the clouds like blazing fire. Against this backdrop of blood-red clouds, Xiao Ruoching's flushed face created a breathtakingly beautiful, almost heart-stopping, scene. "Wuhua Palace?" she began. "When in Mo City, you were suppressed by a single sword from my Master, cowering like defeated dogs, covered in dust and too scared to take even half a step forward." "And now, in just a few short days, you dare to be so shameless in front of all the sects of the Twenty-One Provinces, claiming my Master is but an ant, only capable of empty words?" "As the only direct disciple of my Master!" "..." Her voice, neither loud nor soft, was exceedingly cold. Though delivered calmly, her words resounded like a clap of thunder across the entire arena. Everyone held their breath, watching the scene in disbelief, their gazes fixed on the stunning woman. "Xiao Ruoching of Sword Sect, Half-Step Golden Core Realm! I await your instruction!"