Chapter 121

"Hmm? Someone's coming."

"Plunder them back; it's just right to be medicine for the Leader."

When Yanqing discovered these few Mara-Struck soldiers, these few Mara-Struck soldiers also discovered Yanqing immediately.

When the gazes of those three Mara-Struck soldiers met Yanqing, tension and murderous intent seemed to condense in the air.

They didn't hesitate at all, like cheetahs discovering prey, rushing toward Yanqing quickly and fatally, aiming to capture Yanqing with lightning speed.

However, Yanqing had already prepared countermeasures for this scene.

There was no panic in his eyes, only the calm light of battle.

As the Mara-Struck soldier approached, the sword in Yanqing's hand shone brightly, and the power of The Hunt erupted at this moment.

"Clang!"

A streak of sword light swept past like a meteor, leaving only a thin, bright line in the air.

Those rushing Mara-Struck soldiers seemed to be frozen in time; their offensive had turned into a ground of afterimages and blood mist before they even touched Yanqing.

"Overestimating your capabilities."

Yanqing whispered to himself, his tone carrying a bit of indifference.

The few Mara-struck soldiers of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus were simply too weak.

However, just as Yanqing struck down the Mara-struck soldiers, a sinister aura suddenly coalesced beside Lin Mo.

A Mara-struck soldier appeared like a phantom, its sharp claws piercing the air with a shrill screech as it lunged straight for Lin Mo.

Everything happened too quickly, leaving almost no time to react.

Yet Lin Mo’s reaction was even swifter. Almost the instant the Mara-struck soldier revealed itself, Lin Mo had already gripped his sword hilt.

Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Mo’s sword struck like a thunderbolt, moving with such speed it was nearly invisible, accompanied by a howling wind.

The tip of the blade traced a perfect arc through the air, piercing the Mara-struck soldier’s vitals with absolute precision.

Under Lin Mo’s sword light, the soldier’s body shattered instantly, turning into countless black fragments that scattered.

Its attack hadn't even brushed the hem of Lin Mo’s clothes before it was defeated.

“Not bad, Lin Mo.”

Seeing this, Yanqing exclaimed in utter shock.

Lin Mo’s reaction speed had exceeded his imagination.

In just one day, had Lin Mo’s swordsmanship really reached such a high level?

【Your swordsmanship has aroused the shock of others, Influence +10】

【Your swordsmanship has attracted the attention of others, Influence +50】

At this moment, Lin Mo’s eyelids twitched as he saw the data popping up on his panel.

Unsurprisingly, this increase in Influence was due to Jingliu.

The sword technique he had instinctively used just now was the one copied from Jingliu.

It had been nothing more than a casual strike aimed at a vital point, nothing special.

“Little brother, your swordsmanship is quite good.”

At this, Jingliu evaluated Yanqing.

Although she was commenting on Yanqing, her gaze remained fixed on Lin Mo as she continued, “And this one’s swordsmanship is even more extraordinary.”

For Yanqing, it was merely a “good” evaluation.

But for Lin Mo, it was “extraordinary.”

The disparity between their swordsmanship was clear at a glance.

Yanqing, hearing Jingliu’s words, was stunned and asked in surprise, “You can see?”

How could that be?

Wasn't this woman wearing a black blindfold?

Could it be that she was wearing it on purpose?

“I can hear.”

Jingliu said softly, “The hum of a flying sword breaking the air, the sound of a sharp edge cutting through—these traces reveal the quality of one’s swordsmanship in an intangible way.”

“It is like a musician listening to a zither, or a poet listening to rhyme. In the flow of sword movements, a master swordsman will never leave behind discordant, sluggish noise. To use a sword like this in a single breath—the number of Cloud Knights with such strength should be countable on one’s fingers.”

“Am I that impressive?”

Hearing Jingliu’s words, Yanqing’s face brightened slightly.

His swordsmanship was what he took the most pride in, and receiving such praise made him feel quite good.

“However, you are all offense and lack the ability to hide your edge.”

The next second, Jingliu changed the subject. “Thus, your sword melody appears somewhat chaotic at the end.”

Yanqing, who had been happy a moment ago, was stunned.

Was she pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of his swordsmanship?

She was truly formidable to be able to hear that, which only solidified his opinion of her.

“It seems zither music and swordsmanship truly share common ground.”

Yanqing scratched his head. “The General has offered similar critiques, saying my sword is full of youthful vigor and overly sharp edges, and that I still lack a degree of maturity to claim the title of ‘Sword Champion.’”

“Sword Champion? I remember that title belongs to the one who has reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship within the Cloud Knights. It feels so distant.”

Saying this, Jingliu shook her head gently, then turned her gaze to Lin Mo and spoke slowly, “Of course, if this one were to vie for the title of ‘Sword Champion’ with his swordsmanship, he would do so with ease—provided he grows a bit stronger.”

Lin Mo: “……”

“Lin Mo?”

Hearing Jingliu’s words, Yanqing was stunned, looking at Lin Mo in surprise.

This person’s swordsmanship could vie for “Sword Champion”?

Was that for real?

One had to remember that Lin Mo hadn't joined the Cloud Knights for very long.

Although his talent for swordsmanship was strong—even capable of observing his own techniques and executing them while continuing to build upon them—that still shouldn't be enough to claim the title of “Sword Champion,” right?

Yet this mysterious woman had evaluated him as such.

However, thinking back to the swordsmanship Lin Mo had just displayed, Yanqing fell silent.

Based on what Lin Mo had shown, he himself was no match for him; therefore, there shouldn't be many people on the Luofu who could be his match either.

But thinking of the vacant “Sword Champion” position, Yanqing shook his head. “Ever since the ‘Imbibitor Lunae Rebellion,’ the position of Sword Champion on the Luofu has remained vacant. However, when the Cloud Knights return from their hunt and the Exalted Celestial Ceremony begins again, I am determined to claim that title.”

Saying this, Yanqing’s gaze toward Lin Mo was filled with fighting spirit!

Lin Mo: “……”

Watching Yanqing fixate on him, Lin Mo felt somewhat helpless.

He had no interest in the Luofu’s “Sword Champion” position, so there was no need for Yanqing to stare at him.

“The martial arts of the Cloud Knights have various lineages. Little brother, who guided your swordsmanship?”

Jingliu continued, asking casually.

“Since you are a connoisseur of the sword, I won't keep you in suspense.”

Hearing Jingliu, Yanqing replied, “It is General Jing Yuan of the Luofu.”

“Jing Yuan?”

“Even if you haven't been to the Luofu in a long time, you should have heard of General Jing Yuan’s prestige abroad, right?”

Sensing the surprise in Jingliu’s tone, Yanqing frowned. “Although the General always says he isn't skilled with the sword and that his techniques are rusty, he is always enthusiastic whenever he teaches me.”

“And what about this one?”

Jingliu looked at Lin Mo and said calmly, “The swordsmanship he just displayed is quite different from yours.”

“Lin Mo?”

Hearing Jingliu, Yanqing was stunned and shook his head. “Lin Mo is self-taught; he studied it on his own.”

“Lin Mo’s talent for the sword is immense; even I must bow to his ability.”

Thinking of Lin Mo’s talent, which even the General had praised, Yanqing couldn't help but feel a bit envious.

"Lin Mo's sword talent is very strong; even I have to bow down."

Thinking of Lin Mo's sword talent, even the General praised him, and Yanqing couldn't help but feel a bit envious in his heart.