Chapter 136

Even clay figures have three parts of temper, let alone Chen Mu.

Ranked 108th on the Dragon's Ascent List, his strength is not low.

If he never strikes, Tang Yiming will surely keep pestering.

Good, let's use Tang Yiming as an example.

Kill a chicken to warn the monkeys!

Thinking this, Chen Mu's gaze turned cold as he looked at Tang Yiming, who pranced like a proud rooster, and spoke slowly, "You really want to fight?"

Tang Yiming, seeing Chen Mu seem to relent, flashed a look of excitement and contempt, "Of course! I just fear you're too cowardly!"

No one knows how bitter Tang Yiming felt after the New Issue/Phase Dragon's Ascent List came out.

Last place!

That ranking is worse than not being listed at all!

"Huh~"

Chen Mu took a deep breath, suppressing his slight impatience, his tone becoming calm yet unmistakably final.

"Fine. Since you insist on seeking defeat, I'll grant it to you. One strike. If you can withstand my one strike without retreating, you win."

At these words, not only did Tang Yiming freeze, but even Shen Ge, Pang Yunrui, and Qin Liangjing beside him were taken aback.

Tang Yiming turned crimson with rage, feeling deeply insulted, "Arrogant! One strike? Who are you looking down on? Fine! One strike! I'll see how you defeat me with just one!"

"You'll see it soon."

Chen Mu replied calmly, then bowed to Shen Ge, Pang Yunrui, and Qin Liangjing, "Forgive me, brothers, but please wait a moment. Let me deal with this nuisance."

"No problem."

Qin Liangjing waved his hand, "Chen Brother, go ahead without restraint. We'll cheer you on."

"Indeed," Pang Yunrui nodded.

"Hah!"

Tang Yiming sneered and stepped toward the outer door.

"Chen Mu, come outside to fight!"

"After you," Chen Mu followed him out of the inn.

……

"The Dragon's Ascent List prodigies are about to clash!"

"107th versus 108th! Just one rank apart! This is a rare spectacle!"

"Hurry and watch! At the Yue Lai Inn's entrance!"

The news spread like wings.

Lu County was never large, and martial cultivators gathered here; hearing that young geniuses from the Dragon's Ascent List would duel, the town erupted like a boiling pot.

Countless martialists surged from all directions, cramming the street before the Yue Lai Inn until not a single gap remained, heads bobbing, voices of chatter, cheers, and even betting stalls blending into a lively din.

"Betting's open! Chen Mu wins at 1 to 1.2, Tang Yiming wins at 1 to 3! Place your bets now!"

"I bet on Chen Mu! Higher rank must mean something!"

"Heh, I bet on Tang Yiming! Young men burn hot—daring to challenge means he's got backing! A surprise win means profit!"

"I bet on Tang Yiming too! Heard Chen Mu just finished a brutal battle—maybe his condition's poor!"

Most favored Chen Mu, ranked slightly higher, but many gamblers, hoping for an upset, placed bets on the fierce Tang Yiming.

In the cleared space at the street's center, Chen Mu and Tang Yiming stood facing each other.

Tang Yiming's face brimmed with unrestrained excitement and battle lust; he spun his longsword in a flourish, its blade gleaming brilliantly under the sun, unleashing his Third Stage Innate true qi without restraint, his aura roaring and drawing cheers from the crowd.

In contrast, Chen Mu's expression remained calm, even raising his hand to sheath his Killing Demon Blade into the weapon case on his back.

This gesture stunned the onlookers.

"He's not using his usual weapon?"

"Isn't this overconfident?"

Amid the crowd's puzzled stares, Chen Mu slowly drew another sword—

A mid-grade treasure sword, Star-Single, its blade flowing with starlight, radiating chilling frost.

Seeing this, Tang Yiming felt slighted and roared, "Chen Mu! You dare look down on me! Don't regret it when you lose! Watch my sword!"

Before his words ended, he launched his assault!

Body following the sword, his blade spilled like water, forming a sharp net of light that engulfed Chen Mu, swift and dazzling, drawing fresh gasps from the crowd.

Facing this fierce onslaught, Chen Mu's eyes narrowed—but he advanced, not retreated!

His Star-Single Sword let out a clear, resonant hum; a mighty sword aura, daring to challenge heaven itself, erupted instantly.

The First Form of the "Strive-Heaven Sword"—

Star River Flash!

No complex maneuvers, no dazzling lights—only a single, utterly condensed, lightning-fast blade of brilliance, brimming with an invincible will.

Reacting later, arriving first!

Chen Mu's sword seemed to have foreseen every variation of Tang Yiming's strikes, piercing with impossible precision into the weakest point of that dazzling sword net!

"Clang—"

A piercing clang of metal on metal.

Tang Yiming felt searing pain in his wrist; an unstoppable, colossal force surged up his blade, shattering his carefully woven net instantly!

His longsword flew from his grip, soaring into the air.

And that cold sword tip, after knocking his blade away, did not stop—it gently touched the point of his Zhongtan acupoint, the center of his chest.

A refined sword qi pierced through his body!

"Puh—"

Tang Yiming was struck as if by a heavy hammer; his face turned instantly pale, and a gush of blood spurted from his mouth. He flew backward like a severed kite and crashed heavily to the ground several zhang away, struggling for a moment but unable to rise.

The entire street plunged into instant silence.

So quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone stared wide-eyed, mouths agape, unable to believe what they saw.

One… one strike?

Ranked just one spot lower, also a Potential Dragon prodigy—could he really have done it in just one strike?!

After a brief silence, a roar erupted like a volcanic explosion!

"One… one strike?! Did I see that right?"

"My heavens! Is this the strength of the Potential Dragon List's 107th?!"

"Too fast! I didn't even see how he drew his sword!"

"Terrifying! No wonder his rank surpassed him—this gap is enormous!"

"Hahahaha! I won! I told you betting on Chen Mu was a sure thing!"

Shouts of shock, exclamations, regrets, and excited cries intertwined. Everyone's gaze toward the young figure standing there with sword in hand was filled with awe and reverence.

Chen Mu's expression remained calm, as if he had merely done something trivial.

He flicked his wrist, spun a flourish with the Solitary Star Sword, and sheathed it with a clear chime. He didn't even glance at Tang Yiming, who lay bleeding on the ground, and turned to walk toward Shen Ge and the others.

"Chen Brother, that was an astonishingly fast sword!" Shen Ge praised.

"Hah! That was satisfying! See if that brat dares to be arrogant again!" Pang Yunrui laughed loudly.

Qin Liangjing also clapped and marveled, "The younger generation is formidable—truly formidable!"

Tang Yiming struggled to his feet, his chest churning with turbulent qi, consumed by shame and fury. His face burned as if every gaze around him mocked his overconfidence.

He glared fiercely at Chen Mu's back, his eyes filled with venom and resentment, and forced out a vicious threat through clenched teeth.

"Chen Mu! You… you wait! I, Tang Yiming, will repay this humiliation a hundredfold!"

After uttering the threat, he could no longer bear to stay. He picked up his fallen sword, clutched his chest, and shoved through the crowd under the weight of countless stares, stumbling away in disgrace.