Chapter 12: Am I That Kind of Coward?

No one could treat the words of Zuo Lengchan as mere wind passing by their ears.

The disciples' competition today would also influence the future dominance of the Five Mountains Sword Sects.

If the disciples of the Songshan Sect were to take the lead, the subsequent oppression from Zuo Lengchan would be even more terrifying.

Everyone knew the gravity of the situation, and no one among the four sects wanted to be the first to step forward.

But if the atmosphere were to cool down like this, the arrogance of the Songshan Sect would only grow more intense.

Tianmen Daoren of the Taishan Sect had a fiery temperament; how could he ever endure this? Our Daoist Master Tianmen, is he that kind of coward? He immediately shouted: "Chi Baicheng, go and test this senior brother from the Songshan Sect."

"Yes."

This Chi Baicheng was a prized disciple under Tianmen and ranked third among the younger generation of the Taishan Sect.

A man with thick eyebrows and large eyes walked out; using a running start, he leaped fiercely, crossed several meters of air, and jumped onto the martial arts ring of the Fengchan Platform.

The two exchanged a salute and began to fight.

One could see that Di Xiu's seventeen-style Songshan Sword Art was imposing and stern, like long spears and great halberds sweeping in all directions; between his moves, it felt as if a thousand troops and horses were charging, possessing the arrogance of ten thousand mountains bowing to their ancestor.

The moves of the Taishan Sword Technique, however, were rich in ancient charm, like a great bell; they appeared simple, yet their patterns were complex, concealing ten thousand variations within.

Yet, while sword arts each have their strengths, people have their differences in skill.

Suddenly, Di Xiu thrust his sword out, carrying a hint of wind and thunder.

This sword thrust was not only unexpected but also utilized the power of his waist and elbows; it was extremely fast, creating a piercing sound in the air.

The power of just this one sword made everyone off the stage turn serious.

Although Chi Baicheng was a top-three disciple of the Taishan Sect, he was still no match when facing such swordsmanship.

He could only struggle to hold on, hoping for a flaw to appear in his opponent's moves so he could find a chance to counterattack.

Zuo Lengchan took the opportunity to mock: "Di Xiu's martial arts are already not weak among my Songshan Sect disciples, but compared to those in the Demonic Cult, his methods are still somewhat lacking."

"If there were disciples with martial arts inferior to his, I fear they wouldn't even be able to protect themselves against the Demonic Cult!"

"Junior Brother Tianmen, I am very worried about your Taishan Sect."

The people off the stage had solemn expressions.

Especially Tianmen Daoren, whose face was ashen; he only hoped his disciple Chi Baicheng could defeat Di Xiu and win some dignity for the Taishan Sect.

The other four sects shared a common hatred for the enemy, and many young disciples were cheering and encouraging Chi Baicheng.

However, Lu Li saw it clearly: in a long defense, one is bound to lose; he feared Chi Baicheng was about to be defeated.

Sure enough, after three more moves, Di Xiu slashed down fiercely; Chi Baicheng could not parry in time, and his long sword was actually shattered.

He was then kicked off the ring by Di Xiu!

Taishan had lost!

And lost miserably.

Di Xiu stood on the stage with an arrogant expression.

"I accept the win!"

"Which other senior brother would like to come up and spar?"

He did not leave the stage, intending to defeat a few more people by his own strength.

Everyone knew that this Di Xiu was a master among Zuo Lengchan's disciples, but he could not yet be considered the best!

After finishing him, there was still 'Thousand-Foot Pine' Shi Dengda; if Shi Dengda were to strike, it would likely be even more formidable!

Disciples from various sects took turns entering the arena, but after the time it takes to eat a meal, Di Xiu was still standing on the stage!

He had defeated another disciple of Taishan, defeated the sword formation composed of two disciples from the Northern Mount Hengshan Sect, and repelled two disciples of Master Mo Da.

He had actually defeated disciples from three sects by his own strength, enjoying unparalleled glory for a time.

Perhaps intentionally, the last Hengshan disciple he fought had his arm shattered by a palm strike from Di Xiu!

"Senior Brother Zuo, this is merely a martial arts exchange; why is Nephew Di's strike so ruthless?"

There was anger in Mo Da's voice.

Di Xiu cupped his hands and said: "Uncle, it was this junior who lost his sense of proportion."

"It is just that I am used to fighting the Demonic Cult, and I did not expect this junior brother to be so gentle."

"A-Xiu, stop talking nonsense; why haven't you apologized to Uncle Mo Da yet?"

"Yes."

Zuo Lengchan appeared to be reprimanding Di Xiu,

but in reality, he was very satisfied, and the arrogance in his eyes grew even stronger.

People in the pugilistic world respect martial power; now that the Hengshan Sect had suffered a setback, they could only endure it.

By this time, the disciples of the Hengshan, Taishan, and Mount Heng (Hunan) sects had all been defeated, leaving only the Huashan side.

If Huashan were to lose as well, Zuo Lengchan's threat would likely become even greater.

Everyone's gaze turned over; Liang Fa, Lu Dayou, and the others stood off the stage, feeling very nervous in their hearts.

Although they had been taught by Lu Li and their martial arts had improved rapidly, their foundation was ultimately insufficient, and they were not yet Di Xiu's match.

Unexpectedly, Di Xiu did not even put them in his eyes, directly saying toward the Huashan side: "I have heard of the fame of the Jade-Faced Asura; I wonder if I might request a few pointers?"

Hearing this, Lu Li could not help but laugh.

Di Xiu wanted to challenge him? What was his status, and what was Di Xiu's position? Lu Li had no interest in Di Xiu's challenge.

The opponent Lu Li truly wanted to spar with was his master, Zuo Lengchan!

However, Lu Li did not say much and still walked onto the ring.

The obsession he held after transmigrating into this world was to revive the Huashan Sect, so the first step was to prevent the merger of the Five Mountains.

Having practiced martial arts on Huashan for so long, it was time to strike!

He bowed to Yue Buqun and then walked up the steps onto the ring, step by step.

Most people present had heard of Lu Li's reputation, but this was their first time seeing him.

Rumor had it that Lu Li was usually like a refined gentleman, as gentle and elegant as jade.

Yet once he struck, it was with the force of thunder, extremely fierce, which was why he earned the title of Jade-Faced Asura.

Lu Li stood still and spread his hands, saying, "Draw your sword."

"You aren't drawing your sword?"

Lu Li smiled and said, "To deal with you, there is no need to unsheathe it."

"I hope you bring out your strongest sword strike, because you only have the chance to strike once."

Lu Li's words were very arrogant.

He had planned this long ago; there was no need to hide or hold back.

He was going to beat the Songshan Sect disciple to a pulp!

If Zuo Lengchan could not keep his cool and dared to make a move against him today, he would dare to fight!

If Zuo Lengchan was calculating enough to send people to ambush him and settle scores later, he would dare to kill!

As for Di Xiu, Lu Li did not even take him seriously.

Dingxian Shitai looked at Yue Buqun and thought to herself, "He truly is the Jade-Faced Asura; just a moment ago he was smiling like a refined gentleman, but the moment he stepped onto the arena, he became arrogant and fierce.

Brother Yue is a refined gentleman, yet he has raised one Shura and one drunkard; it is truly strange."

Zuo Lengchan narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Lu Li, wondering what he was thinking.

Yue Buqun's heart was pounding; he knew Lu Li would cause a scene when he brought him to Songshan, but he had not expected Lu Li to be so arrogant as to fear nothing under heaven.

If it were any other disciple, he would have lost his temper and scolded them, and punished them by making them face the wall at Siguo Cliff upon returning to the mountain.

But for Lu Li, he was somewhat reluctant to do so, and even felt a mix of anticipation and trepidation.

As for the younger generation of the Five Mountains disciples, they only felt that this Lu Li was truly too arrogant.

How dared he, slandering Di Xiu right in front of Zuo Lengchan!

However, arrogant as he was.

It was so satisfying!

Especially in the eyes of the other three sects, why should the Songshan Sect hold themselves above us? This Di Xiu even wounded our senior brothers; I really wish I could become Lu Li and go up there to beat Di Xiu to a pulp!

It was just unclear whether this Lu Li could actually win the duel. Lu Li's words had almost made Di Xiu die of anger.

Di Xiu suppressed his rage and thrust his sword out violently; the surrounding air suddenly turned cold, and a flash of sword light descended like a deluge!

This strike incorporated his current fury, and the already grand and open Songshan Sword Art now surged toward Lu Li like a thousand armies and ten thousand horses.

Tianmen Daoren gave a soft exclamation: "Di Xiu's strike is not easy to block!

Even I would have to handle it with care."

Di Xiu was a top-ranked disciple under Zuo Lengchan, and his ability to defeat all the disciples of the other three sects single-handedly showed his strength.

Now this strike was even more powerful, causing the Masters of each sect to secretly marvel; the strength of the Songshan Sect was indeed not to be underestimated.

Everyone under the stage changed color; this strike was even more savage than the one Di Xiu had just used!

Yet Lu Li's expression remained as usual, with a look of disappointment on his face.

"Is that it?"

The next moment.

Lu Li was seen holding his sword sheath, smashing it down with a violent strike, his body charging into Di Xiu's sword light along with it.

Thwack!

A muffled sound rang out.

Di Xiu's body flew backward directly.

Lu Li, winner!