Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

Seeing Zhou Xinhong’s formidable and valiant aura, the members of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect were just about to cheer when their vision suddenly went dark, followed by a blinding flash of light.

The audience felt as if they were witnessing a meteor crashing down upon the fighting ring, tearing through the darkness.

The next moment, everyone’s vision returned to normal. They saw Zhou Xinhong frozen on the spot, his Long Sword halted in mid-air, while Yao Tianchuan’s sword was already at his throat.

Yao Tianchuan sheathed his sword and shook his head in disappointment.

"You’re even worse than the last guy."

Zhou Xinhong’s face flushed a deep crimson before quickly turning ashen. Without a word, he gave a slight cupped-fist salute and dejectedly left the ring.

This time, you could truly hear a pin drop around the fighting ring. Even the disciples of the Sword Storage Pavilion had the sense not to cheer.

This was supposed to be a friendly exchange of pointers, but in front of such a large crowd, Yao Tianchuan wasn’t giving any face at all. It no longer felt like a spar, or even a demonstration of skill. It felt like he was here to tear down their school out of revenge.

The expressions of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect members were no longer dejected; they had turned grim.

Everyone could feel that the atmosphere in the ring had changed.

The Sword Storage Pavilion elder’s expression grew complicated. He cleared his throat, about to call Yao Tianchuan back, but saw that the young man still wasn’t leaving. Instead, his gaze swept across the crowd.

’This kid... He’d better not cause any more trouble...’

Just as the elder was thinking this, he heard Yao Tianchuan speak again.

"If the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect has truly run out of people, I don’t mind a substitute."

Xie Yuan saw Yao Tianchuan’s head snap around, his piercing gaze fixed right on him...

’No, wait. He isn’t looking at me.’

Situ Qin tilted her head, completely baffled, as Yao Tianchuan glared at her with an aggressive, shining intensity in his eyes.

Yao Tianchuan spoke coldly.

"I don’t know why your Cloud Mountain Sword Sect would allow the daughter of the Demon Sect’s Demoness to come up the mountain and observe the ceremony. But since you consider her a friend, why not let her come up here and fight me?"

At these words, many in the audience looked toward Situ Qin, utterly confused and exchanging bewildered glances.

Not everyone was privy to the identity of this peerlessly beautiful girl with such an extraordinary air, who was seated at the edge of the grounds. Many disciples had been sneaking glances at her for a while, secretly trying to find out who she was, but to no avail.

But hearing what Yao Tianchuan said, the quicker-witted among them instantly connected the dots, their expressions shifting to shock and uncertainty.

Situ Qin’s small, innocent face stiffened. The relaxed expression of someone just enjoying the show slowly vanished, her face growing grim. She remained silent.

Xie Yuan’s fists clenched. He, too, suddenly felt irritated.

Seeing this, Yao Tianchuan let out a heavy snort.

"Why don’t you answer? Or are you just like that crazy mother of yours, only daring to hide and skulk in the shadows, committing evil in secret? Too afraid to show your face in public? And you still dare to bear the surname Xue..."

He hadn’t finished speaking when he suddenly felt the sunlight dim. The words caught in his throat.

An imposing figure stood before him, blocking out all the sunlight.

There were more than ten Grandmasters present, yet only a scant few saw how Li Tai appeared on the ring.

Xie Yuan wasn’t far from Li Tai. He faintly saw Li Tai start to rise from his seat, and in the very next instant, he was already in front of Yao Tianchuan. It was as if the moment he stood, he was transported to the ring. The technique was simply incomprehensible. ’So this is the Cloud Dragon Step at the level of Great Completion?’

Li Tai was expressionless as he looked down at Yao Tianchuan.

"Do not insult Her Majesty or the Young Miss. Otherwise, you die!"

An aura surged skyward, like a sandstorm erupting right in front of Yao Tianchuan, instantly engulfing him.

It felt as if his mouth was full of sand. He struggled to breathe, his mouth agape, as he slowly began to suffocate.

"Hmph."

A soft snort shattered the oppressive aura, and Yao Tianchuan could finally breathe again. He took several deep, gasping breaths.

There was a blur, and another figure appeared on the ring, dressed in robes whiter than snow.

Countless women in the audience immediately brightened.

The man on the ring had features as perfect as a painting. He possessed an androgynous beauty, yet he radiated an imposing, heroic air. His deep-set eyes conveyed both a masculine spirit and a mature charm. His temples were frosted white, with two strands of white hair hanging down, adding a trace of world-weariness that stirred tenderness in the hearts of many female Martial Artists.

Xie Yuan saw him and silently praised, ’What a fine set of looks. He’s almost as handsome as me.’

Needless to say, this was none other than the Sword Storage Pavilion’s most famous beauty, the Sword God, the Autumn Water Divine Sword—Song Qingping.

After stepping onto the ring, he pulled Yao Tianchuan behind him and said lazily,

"The great Flying General, bullying a junior like this?"

Li Tai’s expression didn’t change, unbothered by the accusation.

"I come from the military. I know only orders and enemies. In my eyes, there is no distinction between man or woman, old or young."

Song Qingping rolled his eyes and scoffed.

"All that fighting has driven you mad."

Li Tai ignored him, merely looking at him and saying,

"However, I wouldn’t stoop to killing a wet-behind-the-ears brat. That’s why I waited for his elder to come on stage. Since that’s the case, let us begin."

His hand moved toward his Long Sword. It seemed he hadn’t even fully gripped it, yet in the next instant, a flash of blood-red light was already slashing down at Song Qingping’s head.

Song Qingping’s eyes flew wide as he cursed out loud.

"Are you insane?!"

He drew his sword in a reverse grip, its light instantly flowing across the ring like a stream of autumn water. The motion was exquisitely graceful, every detail perfectly clear, as if he were performing a sword dance for the crowd. And yet, though he moved second, his blade arrived first, blocking the attack aimed at his head.

CLANG! The Long Swords met, and neither man budged. They were perfectly matched.

Song Qingping saw Li Tai about to retract his sword for another slash. Shielding Yao Tianchuan, he fell back a step and frowned.

"You’re actually serious about this, aren’t you?"

"When the lord is insulted, the vassal dies. The words have been spoken, and they carry weight. To say nothing of the fact that a disciple of the Yao family dared to speak so presumptuously of Her Majesty... If you won’t discipline your disciples, then you will suffer in their stead."

Li Tai said grimly.

Song Qingping knew they were in the wrong, but given his personality, an apology was out of the question.

With a wave of his hand, he sent Yao Tianchuan off the ring with a gentle pulse of energy. He raised his Long Sword, clicking his tongue.

"Fine, fine, fine. I’ve been itching for a fight with you ever since I saw you were ranked above me. Today, we’ll borrow Cloud Mountain’s ring and switch our rankings around."

He drew his Long Sword back slightly, then suddenly thrust it forward. It traced a graceful arc, singing with a sound like a beautiful melody as it flew toward Li Tai.

Li Tai’s hand moved, ready to meet the attack, but he suddenly stopped.

Li Xingtuo had appeared abruptly on the ring. He sighed.

"Gentlemen, please, stop. This is the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect’s ring. I ask you both to watch the competition first. Let us value peace."

Song Qingping’s hand trembled as he guided his Long Sword in an arc and back into its sheath. He hissed,

"Appearing so suddenly—weren’t you afraid I wouldn’t be able to stop my attack?"

Li Xingtuo smiled faintly.

"I have faith in the Autumn Water Divine Sword."

Song Qingping stared at him, snorted, and shook his head.

"Hypocrite! You clearly just have faith in yourself."

He tilted his head, looking past Li Xingtuo to address Li Tai.

"You just wait! After my match tomorrow, I’ll fight you for three hundred rounds. We’ll have ourselves a proper duel!"

Li Tai replied calmly,

"I will be waiting."

Since Li Xingtuo had personally stepped in, the two Grandmasters, sensing the gap in power, had the good sense to stand down.

Once the storm had passed, Li Xingtuo glanced at the sky and shook his head with a sigh.

"That will be all for today. The remaining two matches will be held tomorrow."

His expression showed little change; he was perhaps the only person in the entire Cloud Mountain Sword Sect who wasn’t angered by Yao Tianchuan’s attitude.

Hearing this, the crowd began to disperse.

However, after the crowd dispersed, disciples from the two sects found various places for private duels. Resentment ran high, and many were injured. They were lucky no one died, as their masters and senior disciples were present to supervise.

「Flower Valley Guest Courtyard」

"Tai Bo, Aunt Hong, why are you stopping me? Today, I’m going to make sure that brat from the Yao family can never open his stinking mouth again!"

A charming, girlish voice cried out.