Chapter 1978: Bai Ruanqing Challenges the Core (Part 2)

Core disciple peak.

Tang Yan was well-known there, ranked seventh in the last competition. His Dustless Sword Art was famous far and wide, inspiring awe in countless people.

Once, alone with his sword, he pursued a peak True Immortal realm bandit for five hundred thousand li across the land, uprooting his sect and forces, thus shaking the world with his fame.

Now fifty-one, he looked no different from a man in his twenties. His true qi was pure and complete, sword qi ready to burst forth at any moment, exuding an intense pressure.

He had fame, status, and power in abundance.

At this moment, he stood in the courtyard, his long sword tracing graceful arcs, like a master calligrapher painting, offering a visual delight.

Whoosh!

The sword stopped; he sheathed it and stood still.

The traces still lingered in the air, like wisps of smoke.

Croak! Croak!

A wild bird accidentally flew into them.

Bang!

As if entering a meat grinder, blood splattered; in an instant, it was minced into powder, blood pooling on the ground.

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

Applause sounded as a young man walked over with a smile.

Guo Yi, the eighth-ranked core disciple!

He looked about twenty, but in reality, he was also over fifty.

After reaching the Void Immortal realm, one's lifespan exceeded three hundred years. Although the True Immortal realm did not increase lifespan, it enhanced power and sustained it longer, so fifty was considered extremely young.

"After thirty years of hard training, I've finally achieved something today... In the next core disciple assessment, I will surely break into the top five!"

Tang Yan smiled, his face full of pride.

In the last assessment, he hadn't mastered this sword technique to its peak, only achieving seventh place. Now that it had reached the Great Completion level, the top five should be easy!

Lingyun Sword Pavilion was renowned for combat; being in its core top five would likely rank among the top twenty in the entire continent.

Among the younger generation, he was truly a peak powerhouse!

"Every one of the core top five has a chance to become a core elder of Lingyun Sword Pavilion. I congratulate Senior Brother Tang in advance..."

Guo Yi clasped his hands.

The core elders who controlled Lingyun Sword Pavilion were all former top-five core disciples.

For example, Elder Bai Ye, a hundred years ago, was consistently in the top three among core disciples, only slightly weaker than Elder He Tian!

"If I become a core elder, you'll certainly benefit..."

Tang Yan smiled slightly and looked over: "So, what brings you here to see me today?"

"It's like this, Senior Brother. Haven't you always had a special fondness for Bai Ruanqing?" Guo Yi said.

"Hmm..." Tang Yan didn't deny it.

Although Bai Ruanqing had a bad temper, she came from a good background and was beautiful. Marrying her would greatly aid his future development.

Perhaps he could even take over the Sword Pavilion early and truly become one of the continent's most elite.

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

"Wang Hao, ranked sixteenth?"

Tang Yan smiled faintly and commented: "That guy isn't too strong, but his [Waterlike Sword] is extremely fearsome. His sword intent is like water, with invincible defense. Even I would need some effort to break it. Challenging him... is asking for trouble!"

"Wang Hao is strong... but news just came that he was beheaded twice by Bai Ruanqing, using no more than three moves in total..."

Guo Yi said.

"Beheading Wang Hao twice in no more than three moves?"

Tang Yan froze, unable to believe it.

He knew Bai Ruanqing and Wang Hao's strength well. Under normal circumstances, the latter would win for sure... How could he be killed twice in less than three moves?

When had this female tyrannosaurus become so powerful?

"After killing Wang Hao, Bai Ruanqing didn't stop. She continued challenging. Before I came, I heard that she killed Sun Jian, ranked fifteenth, with a single move, as well as Yang Hu, ranked fourteenth, and Du Ruo, ranked thirteenth!"

Guo Yi smiled bitterly and continued.

"From sixteenth to thirteenth with just one move each?"

"How is that possible?" Tang Yan found it hard to believe. "Let's go see together!"

"Alright!"

Guo Yi agreed.

This was the purpose of visiting his senior brother. The two took out their Divine Communication Jade Talismans and entered the Divine Communication Hall simultaneously.

Soon, they arrived at the sparring room. Outside the door, they saw several people, all looking dejected.

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

The young man directly in front was Hong Qing, ranked tenth among core disciples. Although he was the last of the top ten, making it there was no small feat.

After all, the top ten represented a different significance, and competition was fiercer than for those behind.

Normally, the first was one tier; the second and third another; the fourth, fifth, and sixth another; the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth another; and the eleventh through twentieth yet another.

These tiers each represented different levels of strength.

He was ranked seventh, equivalent to the fourth tier of the core, enough to make countless people despair.

Even so, he was only on the same level as this Hong Qing. Hadn't they just said that Bai Ruanqing had only killed up to the thirteenth?

Why was the tenth-ranked standing at the door with that expression?

"I just... had my head chopped off by Senior Sister Bai with one sword strike..."

Hong Qing smiled bitterly.

Whether core or inner sect, those of lower strength had to address those of higher strength as senior brother or senior sister—this had long been the rule.

"She challenged you and won?" Guo Yi's brows jumped.

"Yes, she challenged all the way here. I was beheaded with one move."

"Me too..."

The several young men in front spoke simultaneously. Tang Yan looked over and saw that those ranked twelfth and eleventh were also among them, their faces full of helplessness.

Clearly, they too had failed to withstand Bai Ruanqing's sword technique.

"The core disciples all gather in the Divine Connection Hall, and everyone's cultivation is the same—early stage of the Void Immortal realm... She, alone with her sword, fought her way from the sixteenth to the tenth place... That means she killed seven people in a row, and she still has the strength?"

Tang Yan found it hard to believe.

Inside the Divine Connection Hall, everyone was at the early stage of the Void Immortal realm, with limited power. To have killed seven people who were previously better swordsmen than her, and still be able to continue...

How could Bai Ruanyun's swordsmanship have reached such a level in just a few days?

"You're all waiting here—could she be..."

Unlike his shock, Guo Yi, thinking of something, felt like crying.

"Yes, she's challenging Lu Yue, who ranks ninth! Once she succeeds, it should be your turn..."

Hong Qing nodded, but before he could finish, they heard the door creak open. A woman poked her head out and looked around: "Guo Yi, perfect timing. It's your turn..."

"..." Guo Yi.

From her tone, how could it feel like the challenge was just a game?

You're challenging a core disciple, not cooking a meal. 'It's your turn'... Do you not even need to rest between consecutive challenges?

"Don't go in. Let's have the match right here."

Tang Yan suddenly spoke.

"Right, win or lose, let's do it openly so everyone can see. After all, it's just us—nothing to hide!"

Another person said.

When one person is taking on everyone in a straight line, what's there to hide?

Better to have an open match where everyone can see, so at least we can be prepared.

"You mean, an open match?"

Bai Ruanyun looked over.

"I agree with Brother Tang. I also advocate for an open match!"

Gritting his teeth, Guo Yi nodded.

"Alright then."

Seeing him agree, Bai Ruanyun said no more and walked out with her longsword in hand.

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

"No need for such trouble..."

Raising her longsword, Bai Ruanyun held it horizontally, and in an instant, she was already in front of him.

"Fighting here?"

Not expecting her to strike directly without caring about the platform or anything, Guo Yi was startled. His face darkened as he raised his sword.

But before his sword could reach her, a sharp pain struck his throat.

Thud!

His head fell to the ground, eyes wide open, dying with regret.

Even as he was killed, he couldn't believe it was real.

"Alright, it's your turn..."

Having slain Guo Yi with one sword stroke, Bai Ruanyun looked at Tang Yan not far away.

At first, she was unfamiliar with the Horizontal Sword technique passed down by Uncle Zhang and didn't know its power. But after consecutively killing several top-ranked core disciples, all with one strike, her confidence soared!

Just a few minutes of guidance from Uncle Zhang, and she was this strong...

No wonder she couldn't defeat Shan Xiaotian...

After receiving guidance for over two hours, what level would she reach? Unimaginable!

"Me... here too?"

Tang Yan's face darkened.

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

"Don't be too arrogant..." Tang Yan's eyebrows twitched.

In the past, even if he was stronger than Guo Yi, it wasn't by much. But now, having mastered the Dustless Sword Technique to perfection, he was no longer the same old Tang Yan.

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

"..."

His face flushed red, Tang Yan raised his eyebrows: "Since that's the case, don't blame me for being rude!"

With a flick of his longsword, sword marks appeared before everyone.

"Dustless Sword at perfection?"

"Impressive..."

"This sword technique might even rank in the top five!"

"Indeed..."

Everyone present knew swords. Seeing this move, they were all excited.

Not only had Bai Ruanyun improved, but Tang Yan had also made great progress.

"Impressive!"

Seeing this sword technique, Bai Ruanyun stopped.

The Dustless Sword left sword marks everywhere. Rushing in would get her injured. Her Horizontal Sword, though good, was not suited to counter it and was completely useless.

"I didn't expect you to have mastered the Dustless Sword Technique to this level... Don't rush. Wait a moment. I'll step out and come back to continue our match!"

With that, her delicate figure flickered like a shadow and vanished from the spot.

"This..."

Everyone looked at each other, utterly confused.

Tang Yan was also stunned.

He had expected her to charge at him and try to cut off his head. If she did, he could kill her too—it would just be a matter of who was faster and more agile...

He never dreamed that she would not play by the rules and simply turn and leave!

And telling him to wait...

"Brother..."

Guo Yi, who had re-entered using another Divine Connection Jade Token, was also bewildered.

"Let's wait here. I don't believe she can win just by stepping out for a moment..."

Tang Yan gritted his teeth.