Chapter 159: Chapter 154: A Man of Passion (2)

Zhao Xiyan knew that this senior brother had always been outspoken, so she could only pretend she didn’t hear it.

Today, Pan Shuyi made an excuse of feeling unwell and didn’t come along. Pan Dingqian proactively joined, saying he wanted to meet her beloved.

At this moment, she glimpsed a familiar figure at the corner of her eye, and a sudden pang of bitterness welled up in her heart.

In the past two days, Chen Ming had made a stunning impression, his name resounding throughout Jiangzhou City. Originally, she should have been happy. However, the greater his fame, the more unspeakable sadness she felt.

The scene from their last meeting still vividly appeared in her mind.

She understood in her heart that she and Chen Ming were truly impossible.

Therefore, every time she heard someone say he was her beloved, her heart would feel blocked.

"The one in black is him, right?"

Pan Dingqian’s voice reached her ear, evidently guessing from her reaction.

Her mood worsened, and she didn’t want to say a word.

...

Soon, everyone arrived, and Master Zhu announced the start, and the third round of matches commenced.

In the first batch, there were still a few internal battles among the seven, and today they fought more fiercely.

After the intense battles of the past two days, they had a clear understanding of each other’s strength. Without needing any probing, the match instantly turned into knife-strikes-through-red kind of combat.

"Their skills have all improved."

Chen Ming watched halfway and already made his judgment in his heart.

This kind of evenly matched combat is most conducive to martial artists’ progress.

Not only did he notice it, but others also saw it, all thinking it’s no wonder Jiang Shihua and Ji Qianxing came to participate in the "Cyan Cloud Ranking" battle.

For them, it’s a rare opportunity to enhance their skills.

It’s imaginable that after ten days, many people’s abilities will further improve.

And those fifth-grade ones who dare not to come will be left far behind by these people.

The first batch of matches was extremely fierce, with victories determined only after seventy or eighty moves. One unexpectedly lost who had maintained complete victory.

As of now, only four people maintained complete victory: Chen Ming, Huang Zhuocheng, Li Yuqi from the Wushan Sect, and Jiang Shihua.

In the second batch, Chen Ming’s opponent was average, and he settled it easily.

...

It was not until the third match that Chen Ming finally encountered a seed player, Fan Dongsheng from Golden Jade Hall. This person had only lost one match so far, with outstanding skills.

This battle was the most anticipated today.

Everyone wanted to know whether this rising force, Chen Ming, could still emerge victorious against one of Jiangzhou City’s most outstanding young experts.

This person was Chen Ming’s touchstone; what caliber he possessed would be clearly revealed after this battle.

The few who were acquainted with Chen Ming, such as Zhou Weihao and Li Jinchuan, couldn’t help but feel nervous.

Though they knew Chen Ming’s skills were strong, fame and fear still loom. Fan Dongsheng’s fame was too great, still causing them concern.

"Uncle Master, who do you think will win?"

Over at the White Feather Sect, Wu Zhang was somewhat nervous as he quietly asked the uncle master next to him.

The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment and vaguely said, "It’s a sixty-forty chance."

But didn’t specify who had the forty and who had the sixty chance; as for who had what, it was left up to their own understanding.

...

"Please teach me."

Chen Ming gestured in invitation.

Fan Dongsheng gripped the long spear in his hand, a strong battle intent rising in his heart.

This Chen Ming, having defeated a mysterious Luo Xu, already had a momentum to surpass him, with various gambling halls even believing this person had better chances of reaching the "Cyan Cloud Ranking". 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

These thoughts gnawed at him, swelling his heart with vexation.

He truly wanted to see whether this young man’s swordsmanship was superior or if his spear technique was more valiant.

With the referee’s command, Fan Dongsheng thrusted his spear, and from the start used a killer move with no reservation or holding back, spear pierced like a dragon, rushing towards Chen Ming in the arena.

Golden Jade Hall’s unique technique, "Flaming Dragon Spear", coupled with Fan Dongsheng’s fire attribute True Qi, seemed to ignite a layer of flame on the divine weapon "Flaming Dragon Spear" in his hand.

"Die for me!"

The power of this spear had already exceeded the scope of the fifth grade.

Divine weapons were not banned on the stage. The seven seed players almost each possessed a divine weapon, enhancing their skills by twenty percent, making it even harder for others to compete.

This spear however hit nothing.

No matter how great the spear skill was, it was futile if it didn’t hit the target.

Chen Ming already experienced Fan Dongsheng’s spear technique, in terms of power it ranked first in the entire arena. Naturally, he would not face it head on.

This person lost that previous match simply because he was tricked and exhausted his True Qi too much, eventually losing a move.

Of course, not everyone could bait him like that.

When Fan Dongsheng thrusted the spear, Chen Ming already foresaw the intention of his move, almost like a prophet. He reacted promptly.

Since mastering the "Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship", he seemed to have understood one technique, leading to understanding many techniques. He could easily discern flaws in the opponent’s moves whether it be saber technique, palm technique, or spear technique.

Simply put, he saw through the opponent, thus easily handling them with ease.

The only one not easy to see through was Su Zhining. Her swordsmanship was also highly advanced, exerting great pressure on him, thus forcing him to attack actively, prompting her to reveal flaws, and then win with a final strike.

Chen Ming thought as he coped with Fan Dongsheng’s spear technique, after ten moves, he consumed considerably, feeling somewhat overwhelmed.

"How dare you underestimate me!"

Fan Dongsheng wasn’t a simple figure, perceived Chen Ming as seemingly distracted, becoming furiously angry.

He acknowledged if his skills were inferior and he lost.

Yet, this Chen Ming dared underestimate him, making it unacceptable. His eyes reddened in fierce anger; a fire seemed burning in his chest.

Boom!

At this moment, only one thought filled his mind, to pierce that impudent youngster through. True Qi in his body seemed burning.

The flame on the "Flaming Dragon Spear" in his hand blazed intensely.

Suddenly, Fan Dongsheng felt he captured Chen Ming’s figure.

"Got you!"

The long spear in his hand suddenly thrust out, with a strong premonition in his heart that this spear would definitely hit.

"Eh?"

Several surprised whispers arose in the spectating crowd. A few third-grade experts showed shocked expressions; this youngster could indeed comprehend something in such circumstances.

Several thought in unison: Golden Jade Hall had indeed taken in a great disciple.

...

Hmm?

Chen Ming suddenly felt something locking onto him, slightly startled, and became serious, seeing the opponent’s thrust sealing all his retreats, forcing him to intercept.

Breakthrough during battle?

His gaze sharpened, and for the first time since the fight began, he swung his long sword.

Meteor Night!

A streak of sword light darted out at a speed nearly imperceptible to the naked eye.

That streak of sword light struck Fan Dongsheng in the chest, sending him flying out of the arena.

The audience dazzled by that streak of sword light did not see how Fan Dongsheng lost. Only those at a higher level of cultivation knew what had happened.

Earlier, Chen Ming threw out his long sword, before the long spear could reach him, hitting Fan Dongsheng.

It left people in awe.

Fan Dongsheng’s spear thrust, was something fifth-grade martial artists couldn’t withstand. Yet in a flash, Chen Ming seized the single stroke of opportunity, showcasing remarkable combat talent.

Honestly admitting, even if they were in Chen Ming’s position, they might not have thought of using that move.

At this point, Chen Ming praised on the stage, "Fan Brother, excellent spear technique."

Climbing up from the ground outside the arena, Fan Dongsheng snorted, "A loss is a loss, you don’t need to give me a way out. Today’s defeat, I’ll remember it."

After speaking, he turned and left.

Chen Ming thought, quite a frank person indeed.

PS: Four hundred thousand words written, just marking a note. Asking for monthly tickets.