Chapter 17: A Humiliating Defeat
“The Blazing Sun Sword is a Third-Grade Sword. Even without the infusion of spiritual energy, its aura burns like the midday sun. Shen Yue’s strike remains as fierce as ever.”
“I once tasted defeat under that same sword,” murmured another. “Its sword technique is relentless, blazing with power. Before I could even respond, I was already on my knees.”
“They often call Li Shuang a genius of the Sword Dao, yet how many have truly seen her blade?”
“Indeed.”
“Even if her sword skills are extraordinary, the Black Abyss she wields is merely a First-Grade Sword. Against Shen Yue’s third-tier sword, her defeat is certain unless her skills surpass his by leaps and bounds.”
“Is such a thing even possible?”
Whispers drifted like falling leaves around the arena.
Facing the unstoppable blaze of Shen Yue’s sword, Li Shuang finally moved.
With a calm lift of her hand, she swung her blade.
The Black Abyss pierced effortlessly through the flames, straight toward Shen Yue’s throat.
Shen Yue’s heart froze. Panic surged through him as he hastily drew back his sword.
Yet, every movement he made seemed anticipated by Li Shuang.
Before he could counterattack, the Black Abyss flashed once more. A chill touched his scalp—his hairpin broke, and a lock of his hair floated slowly to the arena floor.
Li Shuang’s eyes remained calm and cold. “Hair instead of head—you’ve lost.”
Shen Yue’s lips shook, unable to believe.
He had lost?
In only a single move?
No!
Impossible!
Phantom laughter echoed cruelly in his ears, stabbing at his pride. Fury reddened his eyes as he roared defiantly, “Who says I’ve lost?!”
With wild hair, Shen Yue lunged at Li Shuang once more.
His sword became a storm of gleaming fury.
Yet Li Shuang’s strikes, though gentle and fluid, pierced every weakness in his fierce display.
Shen Yue’s swordplay, bright and grand, was forced backward by the calm precision of Li Shuang’s blade, step by inevitable step toward the edge of defeat.
Shen Yue’s mind reeled.
His sword hand began to tremble.
[How can this be…?]
[How did this happen?]
In that moment, he finally understood: overwhelming power was useless without true mastery.
Memories of Li Shuang’s gentle advice flooded him:
“Third Junior Brother, brute force alone will lead you astray. With your current ability, fewer strikes would serve you better. Overwhelming your opponent with many blows only creates gaps in your defense. Listen to my advice…”
But how had he responded?
“Eldest Senior Sister, I didn’t ask for your teachings! Zhao Zhao said my technique was formidable. Even your Sword Spirit, Long Yan, praised it. Everyone else admires it—why only you criticize?”
Since then, Eldest Senior Sister Li Shuang had grown quiet, no longer correcting his errors.
At the time, Shen Yue had felt smug.
But now—
He realized painfully what she meant by gaps and weaknesses!
Li Shuang ruthlessly exploited every flaw, each soft strike hitting true.
Below the arena, Ye Zhao Zhao’s expression froze in disbelief.
How was this battle so different from her imagination?
Li Shuang—dominating?
Shen Yue—helplessly suppressed?
Ye Zhao Zhao glared sharply at Long Yan.
Had he not claimed that Li Shuang was powerless without him?
Then what was this?
The astonished murmurs from the crowd sliced into Ye Zhao Zhao’s pride like countless blades.
This was not supposed to happen!
Sensing Ye Zhao Zhao’s accusing gaze, Long Yan lowered his head uneasily, eyes flickering with guilt. “Master… I… I don’t understand either. Perhaps Li Shuang simply knows Shen Yue too well? That could be why she can suppress him.”
Ye Zhao Zhao eyed Long Yan’s nervous expression and knew instantly—the Sword Spirit had hidden something from her.
But what good would confrontation do now? She finally held a peerless sword; the road ahead still required Long Yan’s assistance.
Ye Zhao Zhao forced a smile. “Perhaps.”
She turned back to the arena.
Shen Yue’s stance was breaking, movements frantic. Defeat was near.
Ye Zhao Zhao clenched her teeth.
[How could this be?]
She had intended to humiliate Li Shuang, not gift her a triumphant victory!
Ye Zhao Zhao cried out, “Second Senior Brother, hold firm! You must not lose!”
Shen Yue’s mind had been drifting, clouded by confusion. But Ye Zhao Zhao’s voice pierced through like a sharp sword, bringing sudden clarity.
He must not lose!
Indeed, losing was impossible!
He needed to prove himself right and show Li Shuang wrong!
If defeated here, wouldn’t he become the Martial World’s laughingstock?
In that moment, Li Shuang’s sword came swiftly again, striking directly toward his weakness.
Shen Yue’s eyes flashed red.
He couldn’t block this attack!
If the sword landed, he’d be thrown from the Arena.
Wouldn’t that mean… defeat?
No!
He could never accept defeat!
Countless eyes were watching!
Little Junior Sister still cheered him on!
He must not fall here!
With an angry roar, Shen Yue surged with inner strength, soaring away from Li Shuang’s blade.
Then, overtaken by fury, he spun and slashed toward Li Shuang!
The crowd gasped in shock.
This duel was supposed to showcase sword skills alone—no use of spiritual energy allowed.
If Golden Core Stage warriors used their power against lower-stage fighters, what fairness remained?
Yet Shen Yue disregarded all rules, wielding spiritual force!
By martial law, he had already lost. But if Li Shuang were hurt…
Li Shuang turned just as the fierce blade-light surged toward her, blazing with unstoppable force.
She tried to dodge.
But her cultivation was too weak. Escape was impossible.
Li Shuang sighed softly.
She could only shield her vital points and hope to minimize the harm.
Shen Yue clenched his teeth.
The instant he struck, regret surged within him.
Though he held back his true power, even this much could seriously injure Li Shuang. Surely, the Enforcement Hall would punish him.
Why had he lost his temper?
“Who dares harm my Little Junior Sister?!”
A chilling voice echoed sharply.
Luo Ming Yue appeared instantly, shielding Li Shuang!
Her sword flashed, swiftly deflecting Shen Yue’s attack. With one precise strike, she sent Shen Yue flying back!
At that moment, Liu Jun Cheng sneered, stepping into the Arena. “Shen Yue, since you like using spiritual force so much, fight me instead. We’re both Golden Core warriors—it’s fair.”
Shen Yue instinctively blocked—but soon sensed something was terribly wrong.
Liu Jun Cheng had always been quiet, never displaying his full strength. But now his strikes rained down fiercely, relentless like a storm.
Barely standing after Luo Ming Yue’s blow, Shen Yue retreated step by step until trapped at the Arena’s edge.
Then came the final strike.
But Liu Jun Cheng didn’t use his sword.
With a mocking smile, he raised his foot and kicked.
Shen Yue was hurled from the Arena, landing heavily, coughing blood.
“Second Senior Brother!”
Ye Zhao Zhao’s eyes flashed in worry, and she rushed to help.
Jiang Yi inhaled deeply, trying to calm herself.
She whispered bitterly, “Utterly shameful.”
Then she stepped in front of Ye Zhao Zhao.
Ye Zhao Zhao glared fiercely. “Emotionless Peak bullies others and yet speaks of shame? Step aside!”
As soon as Ye Zhao Zhao spoke, Jiang Yi’s decision solidified.
She moved swiftly forward, grabbed Ye Zhao Zhao—
And roughly tossed her aside.
Bang!
Ye Zhao Zhao crashed onto Shen Yue, who had barely caught his breath, causing him to cough blood again.
Ye Zhao Zhao sat frozen.
[Seriously? Is this your idea of helping?!]
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation