Chapter 33: Drawing the Sword

Bai Chengliang pointed ahead and said, "Brother-in-law, do you see that high platform in the middle? That is called the Divine Sword Platform."

Yang Yu looked over; next to Ximen Kun, there was indeed a circular high platform.

It was about calf-height, entirely black, and its surface was extremely smooth.

Looking closely, there was a sword hilt on it.

It seemed as if the entire sword had been submerged beneath the surface of the platform.

Bai Chengliang continued:

"A thousand years ago, a supreme powerhouse fell in Ning City. Before dying, he left his precious sword here, which transformed into this Divine Sword Platform."

"No one knows the name of this sword; it has remained buried deep here ever since. Countless martial artists have wanted to pull the Divine Sword out, but not one has succeeded. Even today, people come here every so often, drawn by its reputation, to try and pull the sword."

"This Ximen Kun is very keen on pulling the sword. He even claims that he has dreamed of the Divine Sword's owner and will be the Heaven-chosen new Sword Master. But after pulling so many times, there hasn't been a damn reaction."

As Bai Chengliang explained, Ximen Kun lost face and became even more furious:

"Presumptuous! Today I will successfully pull the sword and make your jaw drop!"

Bai Chengliang said impatiently, "Pull it if you want to, just tell your people to move aside and stop blocking the way."

Ximen Kun said, "Don't even think about it! I have already set up an Array here to assist in pulling the sword. If you dare to pass through and affect the Array's effect, your life won't be enough to pay for it!"

"You even set up an Array? That's really like taking off your pants to fart," Bai Chengliang scoffed.

The Divine Sword has a spirit; whether one can successfully pull the sword depends on destiny.

When it is clearly one's own incompetence, what is the use of resorting to these external objects?

Ximen Kun said proudly, "You don't know a damn thing; this is called strategy! If it can increase the success rate by even a fraction, that is a good thing. Today, you being able to witness the emergence of the Divine Sword is your good fortune."

"Stop the nonsense, move aside, or I'll just drive the carriage straight through," Bai Chengliang rolled his eyes.

"You dare!" Ximen Kun's expression turned cold.

Chen Qiming's gaze also became solemn: "Young Master Bai, our Young Master has prepared for this sword-pulling for a long time. If you insist on sabotaging it, we will have no choice but to offend you."

Having said that, dozens of Ximen Family martial artists immediately revealed fierce expressions.

Bai Chengliang gritted his teeth.

The other side had many people; forcing their way through probably wasn't realistic.

"Chengliang, since he is so confident, let's just watch. As it happens, I haven't seen a sword-pulling scene before."

Yang Yu patted Bai Chengliang on the shoulder and said.

"Brother-in-law, if we back down, we'll lose so much face," Bai Chengliang said.

Yang Yu smiled and said, "We'll just watch from here. If he fails to pull it out, he's the one who will lose face."

"That's true," Bai Chengliang felt relieved, "Then let's watch."

"Hmph, you know what's good for you. Just wait honestly on the side and prepare to witness the Divine Sword reappear in the world!"

Only then did Ximen Kun close his eyes again to find his state.

After another while, he suddenly stood up, a sharp light flashing in his eyes: "I've found the feeling... this time, I will definitely succeed! Lao Chen, prepare!"

Chen Qiming and the other martial artists immediately focused their full attention, their palms striking the ground beneath their feet simultaneously.

Instantly, cyan lines appeared beneath everyone's feet, eventually connecting and converging onto Ximen Kun.

"This kind of Array seems to allow Ximen Kun to borrow the profound Qi of others," Li Wei said in surprise.

"This kid really has prepared quite a lot," Bai Chengliang frowned, "He won't actually succeed, will he?"

Yang Yu said, "He cannot succeed."

"Brother-in-law is so certain?" Bai Chengliang was puzzled.

Yang Yu nodded and said, "Yes. Even if he prepares more flashy things, it is meaningless."

"By the way, Young Master Yang is an expert in appraising treasures... could it be that you have seen the secret of the Divine Sword?" Li Wei's eyes lit up.

Yang Yu smiled lightly, which was taken as an admission.

The reason he didn't leave wasn't just to stay and watch a joke.

It was to pull the sword himself...

Such a Divine Weapon is rare; he couldn't miss it.

"Whoosh..."

On the other side, Ximen Kun grabbed the hilt with both palms, his eyes full of confidence.

For this sword-pulling, he had taken many supplements in advance to keep his body and mental state at their peak.

He had also studied many sword techniques in depth, striving to find resonance with the Divine Sword.

The Array constructed by his clansmen in unison could give him even greater assistance.

With such thorough preparation, plus his own talent, he would definitely succeed!

The surrounding clansmen were also full of anticipation.

If the Young Master could successfully pull the sword, he would not only obtain the Divine Sword and become even more formidable, but he would also become famous throughout the world.

By then, the entire Ximen Family would benefit as a result.

"Hah... hup!"

Finally, Ximen Kun's gaze fixed, and he used all his strength with both hands, pulling upward violently.

However...

The sword hilt did not budge.

No matter how hard he exerted himself, the hilt seemed to have merged with the high platform, completely unable to be shaken in the slightest.

"Damn it!"

Ximen Kun gritted his teeth, frantically circulating his cultivation technique, and the profound Qi in his whole body exploded instantly.

Yet the result remained the same; the Divine Sword still sat quietly in the Divine Sword Platform, as if mocking his arrogance and overestimation of his own capabilities.

The martial artists of the clan had expressions that were somewhat off:

"This... it can't be, right?"

"How could it be like this? At least move a little."

"We've done this much, is it still not enough?"

"Could it be that the Young Master is truly not fated with the Divine Sword?"

Ximen Kun was ashamed and angry, roaring: "Shut your mouths!"

Then he once again exerted all his strength, blue veins bulging on his head, pulling at the Divine Sword like a madman.

On the lines of the Array, streams of the clansmen's Profound Qi also gathered rapidly, becoming his support.

Unfortunately, it had no effect at all.

Dozens of clan martial artists soon had somewhat pale faces:

"Young Master, put in more effort. The consumption of this Array is too great; we cannot hold on for much longer."

Ximen Kun said with dissatisfaction: "A bunch of useless trash, it's only been this long and you're already failing? Ahhh, tsk tsk tsk..."

Ximen Kun used every ounce of strength he had.

Time passed rapidly.

The others on the Array were becoming less and less able to hold on.

Maintaining this kind of Array with human power is not only highly draining, but also extremely difficult, allowing for not even the slightest mistake.

Finally...

One of the martial artists trembled, spat out a mouthful of blood, and collapsed onto the Earth.

Thud!

After the first person fell, the Array instantly went out of control.

Bang!

A sound of Profound Qi exploding came, the cyan lines collapsed on the spot, and dozens of martial artists were sent flying by the shock.

Ximen Kun, positioned at the center of the Array, also suffered the backlash, directly spraying out a large mouthful of blood, his remaining Profound Qi nearly dissipated.

His face turned extremely pale, and he propped himself up on the Divine Sword Platform with one hand, gasping for air.

Looking at his scattered clansmen, Ximen Kun was resentful and angry, saying: "Useless things! It was just a little bit more, just a little bit more and I would have succeeded!"

The crowd gave a dry laugh, not daring to speak, only able to complain in their hearts: You call that a little bit? You didn't even pull it out by the width of a single hair.

"Hahaha, is that it? You made such a big fuss, and in the end, it was all for nothing." Seeing this, Bai Chengliang laughed unceremoniously.

"You!!!" Ximen Kun was so stifled his face turned livid, yet he could not refute.

"Brother-in-law, why don't we give it a try too? Since we're already here." Bai Chengliang looked toward Yang Yu.