Chapter 44

On the tenth floor of the Returning Goose Tower, the air is icy cold. Most people are holding cards, either possessing absolute strength or backed by powerful patrons. Those left have no choice but to rely on fate to vie.

Translation: On the tenth floor of Return Wild Goose Tower, the atmosphere was icy. Most people held cards, either having absolute strength or backed by powerful connections. The rest could only rely on luck to compete.

Check we didn't add extra? It's fine.

The seven elders act at once, each releasing a stream of their own true qi from their fingertips; the qi coalesces into a round barrier that locks down the hall's center. This venerable Returning Goose Tower, showing its age, can hardly endure the youths' upheaval.

Translation: The seven elders struck simultaneously, each releasing a strand of their own true qi from their fingertips, forming a circular shield that sealed the central hall. This ancient Return Wild Goose Tower, aged, could not withstand the youths' turmoil.

Faced with the two opponents targeting him, Chen Yi He shows no restraint, gripping his sword hilt and raising his long blade like a golden staff! "Eh‑ah‑ah‑ah!" The sword halts, he springs upward, swinging it down; his whole body arches in midair like a reclining Buddha, the blade strikes Huang Gao Yu while his foot kicks Nan Shan.

Translation: Facing the two opponents targeting him, Chen Yi He did not hold back, gripping the sword hilt and raising his long sword like a golden hooped staff! "Eh-ah-ah-ah!" The long sword halted abruptly; he leapt high, swinging down, his body in midair assuming a reclining Buddha posture, the sword cutting Huang Gao Yu, the foot kicking Nan Shan.

Huang Gao Yu executes his "Purple Qi from the East" technique, sending a flash of violet sword energy from his blade that clashes with Chen Yi He's long sword.

Translation: Huang Gao Yu executed a move "Purple Qi Comes East"; purple sword qi flashed from his blade and collided with Chen Yi He's long sword.

Nan Shan meets Chen Yi He's kick with a left fist and right palm, then bursts forward, trying to snap both of Chen Yi He's legs.

Translation: Nan Shan blocked Chen Yi He's kick with his left fist and right palm, then exerted force, aiming to break Chen Yi He's two legs.

Fortunately Chen Yi He snaps his foot back just in time; otherwise Nan Shan would have grabbed his legs and ripped him apart from the crotch up! Meanwhile his long sword never stops—he guides its energy, avoiding a direct clash with the Purple Tempered Sword, his techniques intertwine and accelerate; the third stance of the Mountain‑River Sword Style, "All Over the Mountains and Fields," bursts forth, sending a surge of violet qi into the wide open hills, never to return! A brilliant display of meeting a move and countering it, earning applause from the entire audience!!

Translation: Fortunately Chen Yi He pulled back his foot quickly, otherwise he would surely have been seized by Nan Shan and torn in two from the crotch! Meanwhile, his long sword did not cease; drawing sword qi, he did not clash head-on with the Purple Tempered Sword, his sword moves entwined, growing faster, the third form of the Mountain River Sword Method, "All Over the Mountains and Fields," leapt from the blade, surging purple qi entered the vast mountains and fields, never to return! A fine move of countering and deflecting, drawing cheers from the full hall!!!

As Chen Yi He lands, he staggers and barely finds his footing, yet his posture of taking on two foes alone remains undiminished.

Translation: When Chen Yi He landed, though he staggered to a stand, his one-against-two stance did not diminish in the slightest.

Huang Gao Yu and Nan Shan exchange glances, astonished that someone could fend off both of their assaults at once. They nod to each other, sharing the same thought: to settle internal conflict they must first neutralize the external threat—take down Chen Yi He first, then they can determine who is superior.

Translation: Huang Gao Yu and Nan Shan stared at each other, never expecting anyone could simultaneously withstand both of their attacks. They nodded to each other, agreeing inwardly: to quell internal strife, first secure the outside—first eliminate Chen Yi He, then they would decide the winner.

Three roars from the youths reverberate through the Returning Goose Tower, and the tens of thousands gathered below can all see this massive melee unfold before their eyes.

Translation: Three roars from the youths echoed throughout Return Wild Goose Tower; tens of thousands below could personally witness this great melee.

In their tangled fight, Chen Yi He, taking on two adversaries single‑handedly, blocked over seventy sword techniques and more than three hundred fist and palm strikes in a short span.

Translation: In the three-way entanglement, Chen Yi He, one against two, in a short time blocked over seventy sword moves and more than three hundred fist and palm strikes!

Each sword thrust is deadly, each punch lands solidly on flesh. It was a thrilling, blood‑pumping fight that earned cheers from countless spectators above and below; the seven elders, as if just roused from sleep, watched the action intently.

Translation: Sword after sword took lives, fist after fist struck flesh. What a splendid, exhilarating battle, drawing cheers from upstairs and downstairs crowds; the seven elders, as if just awakened, paid attention to the battlefield dynamics.

God Sword Mountain Villa has been renowned for ages; every few years it produces a God Sword that astonishes the world, and two-thirds of all God Swords under heaven come from it, making it a mainstay of the martial world.

The Southern Heaven Gate was appointed by the Great Zhou Dynasty; back then, the lineage of Southern Loyalty and Righteousness, famed as the 'Gate God,' single-handedly held off hundreds of thousands of foreign troops, keeping Bei Du safe, earning praise from all under heaven.

Both Huang Gao Yu and Nan Shan were elite talents carefully selected by their families, hoping only to temper themselves for ten years at the Thousand Layer Gate before returning home to inherit the great undertaking!

Who is Chen Yi He? Nobody has ever heard of such a person. On the contrary, someone from Qing Shui City, with a vague memory, said, 'Isn't that the person who was wanted in Qing Shui City a few months ago?'

Xiao Xiao Yu had no idea in her heart; half a year ago, when she saw Chen Yi He, he was still a petty thug being chased by a bald-headed thug—how could he suddenly become a youthful expert in the blink of an eye? Looking at the specks of white light around Chen Yi He, it was obviously the true qi produced by her Xiao family's 'Withering and Flourishing Heart Sutra,' identical to her own true qi! 'Father clearly crippled his martial arts, yet in just a moment he's stronger than before—this is a bit troublesome.'

Chen Yi He gripped the sword with his right hand and thrust a palm with his left, resisting with his life. The pressure from Huang Gao Yu and Nan Shan was immense; even in a normal one-on-one, he might not be able to defeat either of them, let alone today's two-on-one situation.

Chen Yi He gradually couldn't hold on, faintly showing a trend of falling into a disadvantage. He grit his teeth, refusing to let the opponents lead him into their rhythm, otherwise the consequences would be unthinkable! After that, he could never turn the tide again.

Dongfang Xing clenched her fists nervously, but in such a situation she couldn't intervene.

The Dragon King was no different; watching his brother in such a passive state...

Someone protested, clearly it was a three-way melee, yet the other two were targeting Chen Yi He so specifically—obviously not the conduct of a major sect.

Others gloated at his misfortune, saying that since Chen Yi He brought it upon himself, he had to endure it, otherwise it would be a slap to the face.

"Enough playing, it's time to end!" Huang Gao Yu exclaimed excitedly, the Purple Tempered Sword in his hand moving faster and faster! The sword body like a flower, the tip like a spirit among petals, constantly dancing; Huang Gao Yu moved with the sword, as if he were dancing with it, his posture growing more beautiful, the sword technique more beautiful.

Just like countless falling flowers descending with the sword! Even in autumn, there actually blooms such a flower!

The swords of God Sword Mountain Villa possess souls! The soul guides the sword's dance, the soul guides the person's dance.

"Flying Flower Sword Dance!" the Dragon King recognized it at a glance! That is the signature sword technique of God Sword Mountain Villa!

Who would have thought Huang Gao Yu had already inherited the mantle of the Huang Sect! The 'Flying Flower Sword Dance' demands an extremely high level of familiarity and mastery of the sword, and one must possess abundant internal energy to sustain this set of sword techniques.

Chen Yi He's gaze followed the movements of the Purple Tempered Sword, gradually becoming dazzled. He was forced back step by step; aside from dodging, he had no strength to counterattack.

Chen Yi He was like a rat crossing the street, being chased and hacked at by Huang Gao Yu, hiding everywhere.

Nan Shan was even more exaggerated, standing right in the center of the hall and bombarding Chen Yi He with his palms; wherever Chen Yi He ran, Nan Shan's blows followed.

Poor Chen Yi He, attacked from front and rear, eventually in his panic his footwork faltered and he tripped himself!

"Die!" Huang Gao Yu seized the opportunity and brought down his sword!

Chen Yi He raised his sword to block!

"Clang!" Chen Yi He's long sword was split apart; before the Purple Tempered Sword it was nothing but a pile of scrap copper and iron.

The Purple Tempered Sword pointed at Chen Yi He's neck, only an inch away; if he pushed forward just a little, the tip would pierce his throat.

Chen Yi He gritted his teeth, but could only await death.

"Heh. To die beneath the Purple Tempered Sword is considered your fortune." Huang Gao Yu sneered; in his eyes, Chen Yi He was like a lamb awaiting slaughter.

"Clang!" Another sound! The Purple Tempered Sword was flicked away. The unprepared Huang Gao Yu retreated three steps, his wrist burning with pain! The Azure Dragon Blade lay at his side; if not for the Dragon King holding back, his body would surely have been cut in half.

Nobody expected someone to suddenly strike, launching a sneak attack!

The Dragon King stepped in front of Chen Yi He, "Two against one—what kind of skill is that? Come, let's have a go!" When a brother is in trouble, how could another brother stand by and do nothing?

Dongfang Xing also stepped forward, standing before Chen Yi He; although she said nothing, her powerful aura was enough to overwhelm everything! A small body, immense strength—it made people look at her anew.

The Grand Elder and the Second Elder pointed at Dongfang Xing, whispering to each other; no one knew what they were muttering.

"Oh? You three?" Huang Gao Yu stared for a moment, then arrogantly raised his sword, aiming at the three before him, "You lot, are you worthy to lift a sword before me?" The people of God Sword Mountain Villa are justified in their pride, for their standing in the martial world is topmost; even the Five Absolutes Palace and the Southern Heaven Gate might not give them face, let alone the minor Dragon Tiger Gate.

Moreover, Huang Gao Yu also possessed strength worthy of pride—what did he have to fear?

The Dragon King was furious beyond restraint! He opened his right palm, the blade returning to his hand! Just as he was about to unleash it, he heard Chen Yi He from behind say, "Dragon King, don't interfere, let me handle this." The Dragon King had never heard Chen Yi He speak with such firmness; neither had Dongfang Xing.

"You have always taken care of me, protected me; I am deeply grateful, but there will come a day when I must stand alone." Chen Yi He's words rang out; he slowly rose to his feet and asked those watching behind him, "I wonder which brother could lend me a sword?" He then added, "It needs to be a sufficiently good sword."

Indeed someone threw out a sword; Chen Yi He caught it steadily. Turning his head, he saw it was the sword sent by that Hua Shan sect person just now, who clasped his hands from a distance and said, "Thank you."

"Hua Shan Sword!" someone exclaimed upon seeing the sword clearly.

"Who would have thought this person, so young, has already taken the position of sect leader of the Hua Shan School!"

"I recall his name should be Zhang Bei Hai, right? The younger generation is formidable, the younger generation is formidable!"

A good sword is nothing ordinary; when held in hand it gives a tingling sensation, a sign that the sword and swordsman's intentions are in tune. Chen Yi He felt regret—why didn't he have such a fine sword?

"Dragon King, Dongfang, step aside; I'll handle this myself."

"You..." Dongfang Xing worried about Chen Yi He.

"Believe me, if I lack strength, entering the Thousand Layer Gate would be meaningless."

The Dragon King and Dongfang Xing had no choice but to retreat.

Who would have thought Chen Yi He would point his sword tip at Nan Shan and say again, "Come at me together." He added two more words: "trash."

The battlefield was once again given to Chen Yi He and Huang Gao Yu alone. Nan Shan on the side made no move to intervene, evidently thinking Chen Yi He wasn't even enough for Huang Gao Yu to drink a pot of tea.