Chapter 2000: White Ruanqing Challenges the Core (Part 2)

On the Core Disciple Peak, Tang Yan was a name of immense renown. He had ranked seventh in the previous Grand Competition, and his Dustless Sword Art was particularly famous outside, inspiring awe in countless individuals.

He once single-handedly pursued a peak-level True Immortal realm master thief for 500,000 li across the land, eradicating the thief's entire sect and affiliated forces. This feat brought him widespread fame. Although fifty-one years old, his appearance remained that of a man in his twenties. His True Qi was pure and perfected, and his sword qi seemed poised to erupt from his body at any moment, exuding an intense aura of pressure. He possessed immense fame, high status, and formidable power.

At that moment, he stood in the courtyard, his longsword tracing elegant patterns in the air, much like a skilled calligrapher or painter creating a masterpiece, offering a truly aesthetic experience. The sword stopped, and he stood still, having sheathed it. The patterns he had created still lingered in the air, like wisps of green smoke.

A wild bird inadvertently flew into these lingering traces. Instantly, it was as if it had entered a meat grinder; blood splattered, and within the blink of an eye, the bird was reduced to powder, its blood pooling on the ground.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother! Your Dustless Sword Art has finally reached the Grandmaster level!"

The sound of applause broke the silence, and a young man walked over with a smile. It was Guo Yi, the disciple ranked eighth among the core disciples! Although he appeared to be around twenty years old, his true age also exceeded fifty. After reaching the Virtual Immortal realm, one's lifespan extended beyond three hundred years. While a True Immortal's lifespan didn't further increase, their power became significantly stronger and could be sustained for much longer. Thus, at fifty, he was still considered extremely young.

"After thirty years of arduous cultivation, I've finally made a breakthrough today... In the next core disciple assessment, I'll definitely be able to break into the top five!"

Tang Yan smiled, a look of pride on his face. In the last assessment, he hadn't yet perfected this sword art, which was why he only achieved seventh place. Now that it had reached the grandmaster level, securing a spot in the top five should prove no challenge! Lingyun Sword Pavilion was renowned for its combat prowess. To be among its top five core disciples meant one would likely rank among the top twenty combatants on the entire continent. Among the younger generation, they were considered true peak powerhouses!

"Every core disciple in the top five has the opportunity to become a Core Elder of Lingyun Sword Pavilion. I'd like to congratulate Senior Brother Tang in advance..." Guo Yi cupped his fists.

The Core Elders who governed Lingyun Sword Pavilion had all previously been among the top five core disciples. For instance, Elder Bai Ye, a hundred years ago, consistently ranked among the top three core disciples, only slightly behind Elder He Tian!

"If I become a Core Elder, there will certainly be benefits for you..." Tang Yan smiled faintly as he looked over. "What brings you here today? Are you free to visit?"

"Well, Senior Brother, haven't you always had a particular fondness for Bai Ruanqing?" Guo Yi asked.

"Mm..." Tang Yan didn't deny it. Although Bai Ruanqing had a difficult temper, her prestigious background and striking beauty meant that marrying her would undoubtedly be a tremendous asset to his future prospects. Perhaps he could even take charge of the Sword Pavilion earlier than expected, truly becoming one of the continent's top powerhouses.

"She's ranked seventeenth among the core disciples, and for some reason today, she suddenly challenged Wang Hao..."

"Wang Hao, who is ranked sixteenth?"

Tang Yan smiled faintly and offered his assessment: "That fellow's strength isn't particularly overwhelming, but his 'Sword Like Water' technique is exceptionally formidable. With sword intent as fluid as water, his defense is virtually impregnable; even I would need to exert considerable effort to break through it. Challenging him... she's looking for trouble!"

"Wang Hao is indeed strong... but, news just came in. Bai Ruanqing beheaded him twice in a row, using a total of... no more than three moves!" Guo Yi stated.

"Beheaded Wang Hao twice, in no more than three moves?" Tang Yan froze, unable to believe what he was hearing. He knew the strengths of both Bai Ruanqing and Wang Hao very well; ordinarily, Wang Hao would secure a clear victory. How could he have been killed twice in fewer than three moves? When did this 'Lady Tyrant' become so powerful?

"After defeating Wang Hao, Bai Ruanqing didn't stop. She continued challenging others. Before I arrived, the news was that she had also beheaded Sun Jian, ranked fifteenth, Yang Hu, ranked fourteenth, and Du Ruo, ranked thirteenth, all with a single move!" Guo Yi let out a bitter laugh and continued.

"Just one move, from sixteenth to thirteenth?"

"How is that possible?" Tang Yan asked, utterly incredulous. "Let's go and see for ourselves!"

"Alright!" Guo Yi assented.

His purpose in coming to see his senior brother was precisely this. The two men took out their Spirit Communication Jade Talismans and simultaneously entered the Spirit Communication Hall. They soon arrived at the competition chamber and saw several individuals standing outside the door, all looking utterly dejected.

"Hong Qing, why... why are you here too?"

The young man standing directly in front was Hong Qing, ranked tenth among the core disciples. Although he was at the very bottom of the top ten, simply being among them was a testament to his extraordinary skill. After all, the top ten held a distinct significance, and the competition within it was far more intense than for those ranked lower. Normally, first place constituted one tier, places two and three another, four to six another, seven to ten another, and eleven to twenty yet another. Each of these tiers represented a distinct level of strength. His seventh-place ranking, placing him in the fourth tier of core disciples, was a position that would cause countless others to despair.

Even so, he was only on the same level as Hong Qing. Hadn't they just been told that Bai Ruanqing had only defeated up to the thirteenth-ranked disciple? So why was the tenth-ranked disciple standing at the door with such an expression?

"I was just... beheaded by Senior Sister Bai with a single sword stroke..." Hong Qing gave a bitter smile. It was a long-standing rule that in both the core and inner sects, those of lower strength addressed those of higher strength as 'Senior Brother' or 'Senior Sister.'

"She challenged you, and won?" Guo Yi's eyebrows shot up.

"Yes, she challenged everyone consecutively. I was beheaded with a single move!"

"Me too..." Several young men in front spoke simultaneously. Tang Yan looked over and saw that the twelfth- and eleventh-ranked disciples were also among them, their faces etched with helplessness. Evidently, they too had been unable to withstand Bai Ruanqing's sword art.

"In the Core Disciple Spirit Communication Hall, everyone's cultivation is standardized to the early Virtual Immortal realm... She, alone with her sword, went from sixteenth to tenth place... That means she killed seven people consecutively and still has strength left?" Tang Yan was incredulous. Within the Spirit Communication Hall, everyone was at the early Virtual Immortal realm with limited power. To have consecutively defeated seven opponents who were previously stronger than her in sword art, and still be able to continue... How, after only a few days, has Bai Ruanqing's sword art become so profound?

"You're all waiting here; could it be that she's..." Unlike Tang Yan's shock, a thought crossed Guo Yi's mind, making him feel like weeping.

"Yes, she's currently challenging Lu Yue, who's ranked ninth! Once she succeeds, it should be your turn..." Hong Qing nodded, but before he could finish speaking, the chamber door creaked open. A woman poked her head out, glanced outside, and said, "Guo Yi, you've arrived at just the right time. It's your turn..."

"..." Guo Yi. From her tone, it felt as though she was treating a challenge like a game. This was a challenge to core disciples, not a meal for which it was 'his turn'... Did she not need any rest after continuous challenges?

"Don't go in, let's just compete here!" Tang Yan suddenly spoke.

"Exactly. Regardless of win or loss, let's compete openly. That way, everyone can witness it. There are only a few of us here, and nothing to hide anyway!" another person added.

With one person directly challenging everyone in a straight line, what was there left to hide? Rather than a private match, it was better for everyone to witness it, so they could be prepared.

"You mean, a public match?" Bai Ruanqing looked over.

"Senior Brother Tang's words are my own; I also advocate for a public match!" Gritting his teeth, Guo Yi nodded.

"Very well then!" Seeing him agree, Bai Ruanqing said nothing further, lifted her longsword, and walked out.

Guo Yi said, "Let's go to the competition platform..."

"No need for such trouble..." With her longsword raised, Bai Ruanqing lightly swept it horizontally, instantly appearing before him.

"Fighting here?" Guo Yi was startled, not expecting her to attack directly without regard for a formal arena. His face darkened, and he raised his longsword. However, before his sword could even reach her, a sharp pain shot through his throat.

Thud! His head hit the ground, eyes wide and unblinking in death. Even in death, he couldn't believe what had happened.

"Alright, it's your turn now..." After instantly defeating Guo Yi with a single sword stroke, Bai Ruanqing looked towards Tang Yan, who stood not far away. Initially, she had been somewhat unfamiliar with the Horizontal Sword technique taught by Martial Uncle Zhang and unsure of its true power. However, after consecutively defeating several higher-ranked core disciples, all of whom were instantly dispatched, her confidence surged dramatically! Martial Uncle only advised her for a few minutes, and she's this strong... No wonder she couldn't defeat Shan Xiaotian... To think what level she could reach if she received guidance for over two hours, it was unimaginable!

"Me... here too?" Tang Yan's expression darkened.

"Right here... saves trouble!" Bai Ruanqing said.

"Don't be too arrogant..." Tang Yan's eyebrows twitched. Previously, even if he had been stronger than Guo Yi, the difference wouldn't have been significant. But now, having cultivated his Dustless Sword Art to the grandmaster level, he was no longer the novice he once was.

"I'm in a hurry; I still need to challenge the top five, so let's not waste any time..." Bai Ruanqing waved her hand dismissively.

Tang Yan's face flushed crimson, and his eyebrows shot up. "Since you insist, don't blame me for being impolite!" His longsword trembled in his palm, and streaks of sword energy instantly materialized before everyone present.

"Dustless Sword Art, Grandmaster level?"

"So powerful..."

"This kind of sword art, it probably ranks in the top five now!"

"Indeed..."

All present were well-versed in swordsmanship, and upon seeing this move, they were filled with excitement. They hadn't expected that not only had Bai Ruanqing made such progress, but Tang Yan had also improved immensely.

"Impressive!" Upon seeing this sword art, Bai Ruanqing paused. The Dustless Sword Art created sword traces everywhere; charging in would certainly result in injury. While her Horizontal Sword technique was good, it simply didn't counter this style, rendering it utterly useless in this situation.

"I didn't expect you to have cultivated the Dustless Sword Art to this extent... Don't worry, just wait a moment. I need to step out for a bit, but I'll return to continue our match!" With that, her lithe figure swayed, transforming into a streak of light, and she vanished from her spot.

"This..." Everyone exchanged bewildered glances, utterly confused.

Tang Yan was also dumbfounded. He had expected his opponent to charge forward, intent on beheading him. If that had happened, he was confident he could have countered and defeated her; it would have simply come down to who was faster and more agile. Instead, he had never in his wildest dreams anticipated that she would completely disregard convention, turn around, and simply leave! And told him to wait...

"Senior Brother..." Guo Yi, who had re-entered the hall using another Spirit Communication Jade Talisman, also wore a bewildered expression.

"Just wait here. I don't believe she can simply wait a moment and then win..." Tang Yan gritted his teeth.