Marrying a White Snake Wife is Super Cool

On the arena, Lan Ying assailed Lu Yuan from both sides with his dual swords. He was so fast that Lu Yuan, with his single blade, was forced onto the defensive.

"Lord Lu, is this all you’ve got? I’d advise you to just give up now," Lan Ying taunted, brandishing his dual swords.

Seeing his adopted son’s ferocious assault forcing his opponent into a steady retreat, Marquis Yongchang, Lan Yu, boomed with laughter. "His Majesty the Emperor, it seems my adopted son will be the victor."

On the arena, Lu Yuan heard Marquis Yongchang, Lan Yu’s, hearty laughter and thought, ’Win? It won’t be that easy.’

Lu Yuan’s speed suddenly exploded. He flashed to Lan Ying’s side and swung his sword in a sideways slash.

Lan Ying hastily raised his left sword to block, exclaiming inwardly, ’So fast!’

Even as Lan Ying raised his sword, Lu Yuan had already struck him, landing a vicious slash.

SCREEECH! The Celestial Master Sword scraped against his opponent’s armor, sending sparks flying and leaving a visible gash.

Lan Ying retreated a few steps and glanced down at his armor. A crack had been carved into his Treasure Armor, and his heart ached at the sight.

This piece of Treasure Armor had accompanied him through countless campaigns without ever suffering a scratch.

Lan Ying said, "You brat... To push me this far, you really deserve to die."

Meanwhile, outside the arena, an old man’s expression was just as grim, his features all scrunched up in displeasure.

’Ah! What is this kid doing, using the Celestial Master Sword to hack at someone’s armor? A Celestial Master Sword meant for a Jiang Xingzi, no less! Using it for a mere tournament is an absolute sacrilege! Couldn’t he have just forged his own sword?’

The Grand Elder of Celestial Dynasty Palace stared intently at the Celestial Master Sword in Lu Yuan’s hand.

Every time Lu Yuan’s sword clashed with his opponent’s blade or armor, it felt like a thousand ants were gnawing at the Grand Elder of Celestial Dynasty Palace’s heart. It pained him to see the Celestial Dynasty’s Palace Guardian Sword being so recklessly mistreated in Lu Yuan’s hands.

Grand Elder Qiao of Le Shen Temple glanced at the Grand Elder of Celestial Dynasty Palace and thought, ’This old coot... Since when has he ever been this engrossed in a match?’

Lan Ying brought the pommels of his dual swords together, twisted them a few times, and transformed them into a single double-headed sword.

The double-headed sword was as long as a spear and incredibly difficult to wield. A single careless move could result in self-injury, so very few people ever practiced with one.

Outside the Emperor’s tent, four generals muttered, "Big Brother is getting serious now."

These four generals were all adopted sons of Marquis Yongchang, Lan Yu, which was why they called Lan Yu’s eldest adopted son, Lan Ying, "Big Brother."

Lu Yuan held the Celestial Master Sword, gave it a few twirls, and pointed it at his opponent. "Now this is interesting," he said. "Bring it on!"

Lan Ying advanced, the moves of his new weapon dazzling and unpredictable. Each strike came from an unexpected angle, leaving Lu Yuan unable to guess which end of the sword would attack him next. Several times, a blade came dangerously close to his throat.

Lu Yuan’s tunic was slashed open in several places, but thanks to his timely dodges, he remained unharmed.

’If this keeps up, my tunic will be shredded to pieces. I’ll be a laughingstock in front of all the officials.’

Lu Yuan recited a spell. Even under the bright sun, a plume of ethereal blue flame appeared, enveloping the Celestial Master Sword.

The sight shocked everyone present; no one knew Lu Yuan could actually use such a Technique.

"He’s a Grand Celestial Master!"

"He cultivates both martial and mystical arts!"

"This young man, where in the world did he come from?"

"That kid... He’d better not ruin our Palace Guardian Sword!"

...

Upon seeing this, the Grand Elder of Le Shen Temple showed a gratified smile and muttered to himself, "Master of Guyang Temple, you certainly didn’t give the Daoist Elder Order to the wrong person. Elder Lu’s Daoist Skill is outstanding, even by the standards of Le Shen Temple."

In the tent, Lan Yu exclaimed inwardly, ’Not good. Don’t tell me this greenhorn is going to snatch the win?’

Lu Yuan retreated a few steps and unleashed a wave of Sword Qi wreathed in flames at Lan Ying.

As a Military General, Lan Ying knew nothing of such Techniques. He was stunned to see Lu Yuan conjure flames, realizing Lu Yuan had been hiding his true strength all along. For a moment, he was at a loss for how to react.

Wielding his double-headed sword, Lan Ying could only dodge the waves of Sword Qi from Lu Yuan. The ethereal blue flames scattered across the arena, burning on their own without needing any fuel.

In moments, Lan Ying was trapped within a ring of fire. The intense heat baked his armor, making him extremely uncomfortable.

Lu Yuan looked at the burning Celestial Master Sword in his hand and asked, "Do you wish to continue?"

Lan Ying turned his head to look at his adoptive father in the tent, separated his double-headed sword back into two, and thrust them into the cracks between the floor tiles. With difficulty, he squeezed out three words: "I have lost."

When Marquis Yongchang, Lan Yu, saw his eldest adopted son concede, the veins on his forehead bulged with rage. He slammed his fist on the table and cursed, "Useless!"

Marquis Yongchang, Lan Yu’s, sudden outburst startled both Grand Elders. ’Why is he so furious?’

Crown Prince Gu Biao spoke up with a reminder, "Marquis Yongchang, mind your conduct before His Majesty!"

Reminded by the Crown Prince, Marquis Yongchang, Lan Yu, did not rise. He simply cupped his hands and said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty the Emperor, I was impolite. Please forgive me."

Emperor Gu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said, "No matter."

Seeing Lan Ying surrender, Lu Yuan did not press his advantage and recalled the ethereal blue flames that surrounded him.

Lan Ying retrieved his dual swords, cupped his hands, and said, "Lord Lu, my skills are inferior. I humbly concede."

"Thank you for the match, General," Lu Yuan replied, returning the gesture of respect.

’Sure enough,’ Lu Yuan thought, ’respect is earned with your fists. Coaxing people with food and drink isn’t nearly as effective as landing a few solid punches. That’s the only way to make them submit.’

But not everyone was as sensible as Lan Ying. As Lu Yuan stood on the arena, he could feel many malicious glares from the crowd. He had probably stepped on a few toes.

The most intense killing intent, however, came from the Emperor’s tent.

Lu Yuan shrugged, utterly unconcerned by the glares. He summoned the scabbard from where it lay on the ground into his left hand, sheathed the Celestial Master Sword, and fastened it to his waist.