Chapter 2004: Look How I Beat the Crap Out of You

"Is this really... your granddaughter? She's not disguised as someone else, is she?"

A hush fell over the audience; everyone was too stunned to speak. The elder nearby could no longer contain himself and looked at Elder Bai Ye beside him. He had known about Bai Ruanqing's situation for a long time. Even if she had learned two new sword techniques, she couldn't possibly be this strong! Liu Yulian was decapitated with a single sword strike... Doesn't this imply that the girl already possesses the ability to rank among the top three core disciples? Every time someone made it into the top three... they became historically renowned throughout the Lingyun Sword Pavilion. She had fought her way up from seventeenth place in less than half an hour...

"It seems so..." Elder Bai Ye flinched, feeling a touch frantic himself. While he had suspected his granddaughter might have received instruction from "I'm Very Low-Key," it was still hard to believe she could reach the top three using only two moves. After Liu Yulian's defeat, the second-ranked core disciple willingly stepped onto the stage. His strength was comparable to Liu Yulian's, and under Zhang Xuan's guidance, he too was struck in the head with a single move and died instantly.

"The number one core disciple is He Jingxuan, the direct grandson of First Elder He Tian!""This match should determine the undisputed top core disciple!""Even if Bai Ruanqing achieved first place in the Divine Hall, her true strength might not be number one. After all, cultivation is suppressed here. In reality, He Jingxuan is reportedly at the peak of the True Immortal Realm, just one step away from the Immortal Monarch Realm!""Bai Ruanqing has also reached the True Immortal Realm. As long as her sword techniques can surpass He Jingxuan's at the same level, it shouldn't be difficult to quickly elevate her cultivation to the True Immortal Realm peak, given Elder Bai Ye's status!""Breaking through at the same level is much easier than crossing levels..."Watching He Jingxuan, who represented the core's strongest combat power, step onto the sparring platform, everyone below lowered their voices. If this person were to be defeated as well, it would mean the entire core group had been utterly devastated by a single individual.

"I'll also bet with you..." He Jingxuan looked over calmly, seemingly unaffected by the preceding defeats."Thank you, Senior Brother He!" Bai Ruanqing nodded, holding her long sword horizontally. "Let's begin!""Alright!" Taking a deep breath, He Jingxuan's sword trembled as he stepped forward. His footwork wasn't fast, and his sword moves appeared unremarkable, yet they conveyed a sense of being impenetrable, as if facing a mystical turtle that could not be pierced or severed no matter what."It's the Spirit Turtle Sword Art!" someone recognized."The Spirit Turtle Sword Art is designed for defense. It seems Senior Brother He is somewhat wary of his opponent's flying sword...""He has to be wary; it never misses. Once it strikes, it hits the head. Who could possibly block that?""That's true; if I faced it, I'd certainly be dead..."A buzz of discussion filled the air. Although the Spirit Turtle Sword Art primarily focused on defense, no one considered He Jingxuan weak; on the contrary, everyone thought he employed the move extremely well. In combat, honor and pride are secondary; dignity is only earned through victory. Attacking impulsively for the sake of appearances can easily allow an opponent to exploit weaknesses, leading only to defeat.

Seeing her opponent's sword technique, which was as impenetrable as a turtle's shell, Bai Ruanqing's face filled with anxiety. How could she attack? How could she possibly win? As she struggled with this dilemma, her Uncle-Master's voice once again echoed in her ear: "Have you ever killed a turtle?""This..." Bai Ruanqing didn't reply. Though she had never killed a turtle, she had heard others describe the process."You need to use food to lure it out, expose it, and then find a way to act quickly and decisively..." Her Uncle-Master's voice continued, "The situation before you is similar! If your opponent wants to defeat you, they will have to attack proactively. Therefore, you must use yourself to draw them out. Once they attack, that will be your best moment to strike... I have taught you the principle; whether you can win now depends entirely on you!""Yes..." Bai Ruanqing had an epiphany, her eyes gleaming with gratitude. She knew this was a crucial test from her Uncle-Master. He had explained how to win; if she still couldn't achieve it, even if she secured first place, it would eventually be reclaimed by others! However, if she succeeded, both her sword skill and her mental fortitude would undergo a qualitative leap, truly making her an unassailable force among the core disciples! It was akin to Ximen Chuixue's sword technique, which, though powerful, wasn't initially considered superior to Ye Gucheng's. But after defeating Ye Gucheng, his mindset transformed, and with time, he genuinely became a generation's Sword God, invincible in the world. She was facing a similar pivotal moment. Her Uncle-Master had provided constant guidance, leading to a subtle reliance within her, making her feel that her victories weren't entirely her own. She desperately needed a personal triumph to affirm her inner strength. To affirm her own sword technique! Understanding her "Uncle-Master's" profound intentions, Bai Ruanqing wasted no more words and charged directly towards He Jingxuan.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!As the two elders conversed, the scene on the stage shifted. He Jingxuan, seemingly aware of his opponent's objective, still did not attack, choosing instead to slowly retreat. It appeared he, too, knew his opponent was seeking an opportunity and thus offered no chance for a sneak attack."This response is good..." Observing this, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but nod. Truthfully, Bai Ruanqing was performing well, and her opponent, He Jingxuan, was also formidable. It was no wonder he had become the top disciple; his mental fortitude was indeed extraordinary. At this moment, he resembled a patient hunter, quietly waiting in the tall grass for the optimal moment to deliver a fatal blow. If Zhang Xuan were facing him, he would certainly employ forceful tactics to compel a weakness from the opponent and then strike. However, Bai Ruanqing lacked sufficient offensive power, so she could only, like her opponent, wait patiently. The contest was no longer about sword techniques, but about whose patience would endure longer.After more than a dozen probing moves, the opponent still refused to initiate an attack, and Bai Ruanqing's anxiety began to mount. She wasn't particularly patient to begin with, and now, with so many eyes on her, she found the situation somewhat overwhelming."Just then..." He Jingxuan, observing her growing emotional agitation, his eyes gleamed. He suddenly moved, and his long sword shot out. Like a cheetah attacking, he was still until he moved, then so fast that he was almost a blur."Here it comes!" Bai Ruanqing gritted her teeth, and her long sword shot forth. She felt the urgency, yet she remembered her Uncle-Master's words, waiting for her opponent to make a mistake.*Pfft!* Her opponent's long sword pierced her chest, while her own sword landed directly on He Jingxuan's head, impaling him.*Thud!*He Jingxuan: Deceased.Bai Ruanqing: Deceased.It was a mutual destruction, both dying together!"Still too lacking..." Zhang Xuan shook his head. He had explained the fighting method, and he had expected the woman to win, but unexpectedly... it was merely a draw. How embarrassing! Fortunately, she wasn't his student; otherwise, he truly would have wanted to slap her to death. What a pity... he could have cleaned out the top disciple's funds, but now, that opportunity was clearly lost.

In contrast to his gloom, a stunned silence descended upon the onlookers below. Everyone present was too shocked to speak. Clearly, Bai Ruanqing's ability to draw with He Jingxuan was something they found hard to believe."Congratulations, you have an excellent granddaughter!" Watching the figures of the combatants on stage vanish into specks of light, the elder nearby couldn't help but cup his fists in salute."Haha, she's had some recent enlightenment..." Elder Bai Ye's face was beaming with joy. His own granddaughter drawing with the core's top disciple filled him with pride."She is indeed formidable, but... making people lose all their Sword Pavilion coins through gambling isn't a good look! If word gets out, it will harm your reputation!" the elder stated. A straightforward competition would suffice; why involve gambling for money? How undignified! You're one of the three Great Elders of the Lingyun Sword Pavilion. You could simply provide for your granddaughter. If this behavior spreads, it won't reflect well on you!"This... I'll give her a thorough lecture when I get back!" Elder Bai Ye nodded.

"Master, it might already be too late for a lecture when we return..." Bai Feng, who was standing nearby, remarked.Elder Bai Ye froze for a moment. Indeed, if he were to wait to lecture her, the matter would undoubtedly have spread by then. By that point, even if his granddaughter had drawn with the top disciple, she would certainly face criticism."I'll handle this now!" With this thought, he no longer hesitated, stepping forward and declaring, "Everyone..." His voice was clear and resonant, and everyone's gaze immediately converged on him."The wager Bai Ruanqing made with you earlier, where the winner would take all of the opponent's Sword Pavilion coins, was merely a jest," Elder Bai Ye said with a faint smile. "Its true purpose was to encourage everyone to use their full strength and display their strongest techniques, thereby ensuring the fairness of the competition! Since it was a joke, the wager is hereby nullified. Everyone, there's no need to be concerned...""Nullified?" Before he could finish, a displeased voice rang out, "You say 'nullified' and it's nullified? Who do you think you are?"Frowning, Elder Bai Ye turned to see a young man approaching."I am... merely an ordinary disciple who thought Bai Ruanqing shared this sentiment. May I ask, who are you?" Seeing the young man's lack of deference and his evident fury, Elder Bai Ye was about to reveal his identity but paused, then stopped himself, asking with a hint of suspicion. As an elder, it was best not to expose his identity; otherwise, his reputation could be severely damaged."I am 'I'm Very Handsome'! I am Bai Ruanqing's best friend, and my words represent her intentions." Zhang Xuan nodded. "Since a bet was made, the money must be paid. If you refuse to pay, that's fine, but then you'll have to see if my sword agrees!"Give up money earned with such effort? What kind of joke is that?! Who dares to make me give up? I'll beat you black and blue!