Chapter 189

Ding~

With the sound of the two swords clashing.

Ye Gucheng's Flying Rainbow Sword quietly settled on Ximen Chuixue's shoulder.

The arena instantly sank into deathly silence.

At this moment.

Whether wandering cultivators or the sect leaders and elders of the Orthodox Sects.

All had their mouths gaping wide, stunned expressions on their faces.

Deep within their pupils lay even shock.

It wasn't that they were astonished by Ye Gucheng's one-strike victory.

On the contrary.

What shocked them was.

That the duel between the two had appeared so plain and unadorned!

Not a trace of sword flashes, flashy attacks, or powerful residual waves.

The commotion was even less than that of two street thugs slashing at each other!!

If not for knowing they were truly Ye Gucheng and Ximen Chuixue themselves.

They would never believe this scene could be real—even if beaten to death!!

"Why?"

Ximen Chuixue spoke coldly.

Even though the blade rested on his shoulder, less than three centimeters from his neck.

His expression showed not the slightest change.

"Your heart is burdened. Such a victory, I do not value!"

Ye Gucheng sheathed his sword.

His gaze was utterly serious.

"Fine! I owe you my life!"

"Next time we duel, I will spare you too!"

Ximen Chuixue nodded.

His words dripped with confidence.

"Good!"

Ye Gucheng smiled in agreement.

There was no disdain or mockery.

As a mutual admirer and rival.

He understood him!

Seeing this.

Ximen Chuixue gave a faint smile.

Before he could speak again.

Dozens of figures instantly appeared around them.

At the same time.

Two sharp whistling sounds rang out from the void.

The arrivals were none other than.

Zhuge Zhengwo and Wei Qingqingqing.

"Looks like our troubles have arrived."

Ye Gucheng chuckled lightly, his eyes tinged with amusement.

A faint curve curled at the corner of his mouth.

Ximen Chuixue gave a slight nod.

"Ye Gucheng, Ximen Chuixue!"

"You two have disregarded the authority of Great Ming by dueling atop the Forbidden Peak, treating Great Ming as if it were nothing—come with us!"

No sooner had they appeared.

Zhuge Zhengwo bellowed with righteous indignation.

As he spoke, he locked onto them with unyielding Xin Qiji.

At these words.

The martial artists, who had just assumed the spectacle was over, all perked up instantly.

Their faces lit up with eager anticipation as they stared at the scene.

Their gazes held faint hope.

Clearly, they wished for a fight to break out!

There was no help for it.

The long-awaited duel between the Sword God and Sword Saint had been utterly incomprehensible.

It left a feeling of anticlimax—as if they'd come all this way for nothing.

Now.

If a conflict erupted between them.

Wouldn't they finally witness the true strength of the Sword God and Sword Saint?

"Wait!!"

Watching the atmosphere gradually grow taut as drawn bows and bared swords.

Lu Xiaofeng drifted into view.

He cupped his fists toward Zhuge Zhengwo and spoke.

"Greetings, Divine Marquis."

"Ye Gucheng and Ximen Chuixue are both men of the jianghu."

"And both are swordsmen who single-mindedly pursue the Way of the Sword."

"This duel carries no intention of provoking the might of Great Ming."

"I beg the Divine Marquis to see clearly and let them off this once."

As he spoke, he did not forget to wink at Ye Gucheng and Ximen Chuixue.

Signaling them not to speak rashly.

"This matter, this Marquis naturally understands."

"As for whether to pursue it, that depends on His Majesty's wishes — this Marquis cannot decide!"

"Therefore, I ask the two of you to come along with this Marquis."

Zhuge Zhengwo shook his head without hesitation.

Although he did rather admire the two of them.

But, he who eats the sovereign's rice must serve the sovereign's affairs.

He would not shield them merely out of admiration.

Let alone the fact that this matter was personally named and ordered by Your Majesty!

If he truly were to shield them, he feared that in the end even he himself would not escape unscathed!

Hearing this.

Lu Xiaofeng's smile stiffened.

Just as he was about to speak again.

Ximen Chuixue spoke first, one step ahead of him.

"There is only a Ximen Chuixue who dies in battle, never a Ximen Chuixue who binds his hands!"

"The duel's location was set by Ximen; whatever the matter, Ximen will bear it alone!"

Once these words were spoken.

The atmosphere in the field instantly grew tense.

Even the surrounding temperature.

Dropped considerably along with it.