Chapter 1307 - 1306: Challenger
"Miss Xu’s situation, you needn’t worry too much."
Xia Yunxin reached out her fair jade hand and patted Ling Chen’s shoulder, "This situation is but temporary, once her memory returns, she will know all you’ve done for her."
"Let it be."
Ling Chen shook his head, "Haste makes waste, she is constrained by her circumstances now, helpless, I shouldn’t be too hasty."
He still firmly believed that as long as the person was there, everything would work out.
Besides, he had already successfully achieved the first step, at least he was now considered a friend by Xuannv and was no longer rejected by her, which was undoubtedly much better than when they first met.
"Next, you should take a good rest on Lingyue Island."
Dropping the subject of Xuannv, Ling Chen’s gaze toward Xia Yunxin softened a bit, cherishing this woman who had risked her life for him time and again.
Xia Yunxin shook her head, "Though Lingyue Island is good, it’s not an ideal sanctuary for me. In a few days, I shall return to the Witch Gate; within the Witch Mountain Blood Sea, I can recover faster."
"Very well."
Ling Chen nodded, indeed, the Witch Mountain Blood Sea was more suited for Xia Yunxin’s recovery, with her special constitution, he couldn’t really help, nor did she need his help.
Just as Ling Chen was about to speak again, they heard a sound of rushing wind, and a figure appeared atop the cliff.
The newcomer was young, dressed in water-blue robes, and was notably a core disciple of Lingyue Island.
"Junior Brother Ling Chen, Miss Xia."
The core disciple, upon landing, gave a slight bow to Ling Chen and Xia Yunxin.
Ling Chen’s status among the Lingyue Island disciples was mythic, and they had also heard of Xia Yunxin’s strength, and with rumors abound of her close relationship with Ling Chen, it was natural for many disciples to treat Xia Yunxin specially.
There was a hint that this person was the woman of Senior Brother King of Ten Thousand Swords.
"Is there something the matter?"
Ling Chen’s gaze fell on the newcomer; from his somewhat anxious look, it was clear there was something pressing.
"There’s a man claiming to be the World’s Number One Swordsman at the front hall, he says he’s here to challenge Senior Brother Ling Chen specifically."
The core disciple, seeing Ling Chen present, let out a sigh of relief, and then spoke.
"World’s Number One Swordsman?"
Ling Chen raised an eyebrow, "Who exactly is he? If he’s just a madman, can’t you drive him away?"
"This person is arrogant, yet he’s got some true skill."
The core disciple bowed his head slightly, "Quite a few senior brothers and sisters tried to stop him but were all defeated by a single sword strike. Now this person is incredibly arrogant, claiming to seize your title as King of Ten Thousand Swords, and to replace you at the Six Kings Assembly."
As he spoke, the core disciple’s anger was palpable. The Six Youth Kings Assembly at Mount Kunlun was a renowned event. As one of the six youth kings, Ling Chen was an idol to the young generation of Nine Provinces, sacred and untouchable. For this madman to claim he’d take Ling Chen’s title was outrageous and unforgivable.
"Take my title as King of Ten Thousand Swords?"
Ling Chen was momentarily stunned, then chuckled, "If he truly has the skill, what’s wrong in giving him a name?"
"How can that be?"
Seeing Ling Chen’s nonchalant attitude, the core disciple became anxious and quickly said, "That man is nothing more than a madman; how could he be compared to you, Senior Brother Ling Chen?"
"Within the Jianghu, there are naturally Jianghu rules."
At this point, Xia Yunxin spoke, smiling lightly at Ling Chen, "Since someone personally challenges you, you should either accept or refuse. There’s no reason to hand over the title without a fight."
"Then let’s go and see."
Ling Chen’s lips curled into a smile, his eyes showed a hint of sharp light, "Let’s see who this person really is."
With that, Ling Chen did not delay, rose to his feet, waved to the core disciple, and along with Xia Yunxin, their figures moved swiftly towards the direction of the front hall.
The expanse of Lingyue Island was vast, and the front hall was used specifically for receiving visitors from various factions. Typically, few Lingyue Island disciples came here, but now it was crowded, far more than usual.
Behind the front hall, there was an expansive square, and most of the disciples came here now, a volatile mix of noise and anger was faintly heard.
Bam!
Suddenly, a loud explosion resounded, and a figure was shot out from the square, spewing blood, but as the figure fell back, several Lingyue Island disciples rushed forward to support him.
The figure was clad in a black robe, with a stern face and eyes like daggers—it was Leng Qianshang.
"Damn it, where did this lunatic come from, so strong that I couldn’t even withstand a single move?"
Leng Qianshang’s face was filled with disbelief, with his skills unable to withstand a single move from his opponent, it was utterly unacceptable.
"Hmph, I told you, you’re no match for me, bring Ling Chen out, only he among the Lingyue Island disciples is worthy of a fight with me."
The one who defeated Leng Qianshang was an extremely robust man, standing over two meters tall, built like a fortress of muscles.
This man had striking blue eyes, a pronounced nose, all suggesting that he was not a man from the Nine Provinces but indeed from the Wildlands.
In his strong hand, he wielded a massive gray heavy sword, its weight apparent, with a black sheen flowing across its surface, like black blood, menacing and sharp.
"What kind of person is Senior Brother Ling Chen, why would he casually accept challenges?"
Among the disciples, Zhou Qingqing frowned and said coldly.
"I guess he’s afraid."
The robust man gave a broad grin, "My swordsmanship, Gu Lei, is peerless in North Wilderness. I heard that amongst the current youth of Nine Provinces, Ling Chen, King of Ten Thousand Swords, is the mightiest swordsman, but who knew, this person turned out to be a coward, what a disappointment."
Gu Lei’s voice was booming, echoing across the entire square, causing the faces of many Lingyue Island disciples to turn grim.
If they could, they would have rushed forward to thrash this brash barbarian, yet recalling his displayed skill, they hesitated.
"Such crazy talk from a mere barbarian, let me, Zhou, meet you firsthand."
As everyone was caught between surprise and uncertainty, an indifferent voice suddenly rang out. They turned to see a square-faced youth in his early forties stepping into the square, steadily walking towards its center.
"It’s Senior Brother Zhou Yi!"
The Lingyue Island disciples’ eyes brightened; this Senior Brother Zhou Yi was no ordinary man. Before the rise of the Free and Unrestrained Marquis, it was Senior Brother Zhou Yi who led the youth of Lingyue Island.
"Excellent, with Senior Brother Zhou Yi’s strength, he can surely set things straight!"
Zhou Yi had received the "True Water Marquis" title at the Nine Streams Conference, a genius of the Divine Marquis Level, now past forty, his cultivation undoubtedly deeper, and dealing with this barbarian should be no issue.