"Shut up, a loss is a loss, where do you get the nerve to make excuses?"

Standing to the side, acting as the referee, was a blue-clad Captain Wu. When he saw Tian Qiming acting shamelessly in front of the Governor, he immediately reprimanded him.

Tian Qiming naturally didn’t dare to argue with a Fourth Grade expert from the Six Gates. Although his heart was filled with extreme unwillingness, he didn’t dare to say another word.

Zhao Shouchang spoke in a calm tone, "Facing an opponent with unknown strength, you were too careless. I hope you can learn from this."

"Yes."

With bloodshot eyes, Tian Qiming squeezed out the word from between his teeth with all his strength.

At this moment, Chen Ming spoke up, "Sir, since Brother Tian is not convinced, I am willing to compete with him again."

"Oh?"

Zhao Shouchang looked at him somewhat surprised and smiled, "Since you are willing, there’s no problem."

"Thank you, sir."

Tian Qiming was ecstatic, as if a twist of fate had granted him a chance to redeem himself.

He stared intently at his opponent, his eyes seemingly ready to shoot fire.

Although it was because of this guy’s request that he got another chance to fight, he felt no gratitude, but instead, an uncontrollable anger.

This meant that the opponent did not take him seriously at all.

"How dare you look down on me!"

Tian Qiming took a deep breath, picked up his sword from the ground, and assumed a stance, "This time, I will not be careless again."

...

[You have defeated an LV33 enemy, gaining 500 experience points.]

Chen Ming looked at the notification that appeared before him and felt a sudden wave of satisfaction.

This was the largest single amount of experience points he had earned so far, and he won so easily.

As soon as his opponent made a move, he knew this was a rookie. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Perhaps he had learned advanced swordsmanship, but a rookie is a rookie—only caring about showiness, leaving his weaknesses exposed. Chen Ming defeated him in a single blow by exploiting this.

Previously, Chen Ming had mostly fought experienced martial artists who wouldn’t make such mistakes of underestimating their opponents.

In contrast, the heirs of noble families, despite their higher cultivation, often seemed a bit naive.

It would be great if all these noble disciples were like this.

Therefore, when Tian Qiming expressed his dissatisfaction and claimed the match didn’t count, Chen Ming proactively requested a rematch.

Another fight meant gaining more experience points, which he welcomed indeed.

"Please!"

Chen Ming once again let Tian Qiming make the first move.

This time, Tian Qiming was more cautious, using the technique "Sand Falling Geese," with one part offense and nine parts defense. He did not aim for merit but strived for no mistakes, giving his opponent no chance.

He finally remembered his teacher’s guidance: in the initial encounter, first understand the opponent’s tactics.

Chen Ming smiled slightly, pressed his saber down, and went straight for the opponent’s treasure sword.

Clang! A solid collision sounded.

Tian Qiming’s arm went numb from the shock, and he quickly changed moves.

Clang!

Chen Ming struck with another slash, without any fanciness, forcing his opponent into a direct clash.

Although Tian Qiming’s level was 3 higher than his own, Chen Ming’s saber was heavy while his opponent’s sword was light, putting him at a great advantage in a direct confrontation.

Clang clang clang...

After five or six exchanges, Tian Qiming’s arm became increasingly numb, his grip started to slip, and he could no longer withstand it. He dared not engage in direct confrontation anymore and dodged left and right, looking very embarrassed.

By the tenth move, he had no way to evade anymore. His long sword was knocked down, and the saber’s tip headed for his chest, stopping just a foot away.

Tian Qiming’s face turned pale, his legs slightly softening. For a moment, he thought he was done for.

"Thank you for letting me win."

Chen Ming retracted his saber and stepped back to his original spot.

...

Captain Wu asked solemnly, "Tian Qiming, having lost this time, do you admit defeat?"

Tian Qiming’s lips quivered slightly, and with a somewhat soul-lost expression, he said, "I admit..."

This time, he was completely suppressed throughout, with no chance to fight back. No matter how unwilling he was to admit it, he couldn’t utter a word of denial.

[You have defeated an LV33 enemy again, gaining 250 experience points.]

Upon seeing the notification before him, Chen Ming saluted Captain Wu and Zhao Shouchang individually and returned to his seat.

"Well done."

Sitting beside him, Zhang Mingyu quietly praised him.

Among the people present, he was the only one confident in Chen Ming’s abilities, believing that Chen Ming was no less talented than those from aristocratic backgrounds.

What he didn’t expect was that he had been conservative. Chen Ming was so strong, easily overpowering Tian Qiming without a chance to retaliate.

Seeing his junior brother gain recognition in front of so many people made him, as his senior brother, proud as well.

...

At the pavilion side.

Among the female disciples of the Xiaoshui Sect, the fifth senior sister, who had been certain of Chen Ming’s inevitable defeat, said nonchalantly, "Junior sister, your grandfather’s disciple’s saber technique is quite formidable and rare."

"Thank you for the compliment, senior sister."

A trace of an almost imperceptible smile passed over Huo Qianqian’s face.

The other female disciples beside her were also holding back their laughter, all knowing that the fifth senior sister was pretending to be calm to save face.

The fifth senior sister’s face went slightly stiff, and having lost so much face, she closed her mouth, not daring to comment further.

Huo Qianqian’s gaze subconsciously drifted toward Chen Ming, who sat in the corner, recalling the events from a year and a half ago when she sparred with him over a dozen times. Back then, he wasn’t even a Martial Artist.

Now, he had reached Seventh Grade Cultivation, and he had no trouble defeating even those well-disciplined heirs.

Looking back on past events, it’s quite sigh-inducing.

...

At this moment, Captain Wu asked, "Who will step forward for the second round?"

"I will!"

A burly man responded, "Wang Ruisheng from the Celestial Sea Commandery greets you, sir."

In the pavilion, one of the female disciples from the Xiaoshui Sect said, "The Wang Family from Celestial Sea Commandery produced a Second Grade in the past. Though they had a lull, two Third Grades came out consecutively in recent years, and they are flourishing now."

"I remember this Wang Family had some disputes with the Tian Family of Dai Commandery..."

While she was speaking, Wang Ruisheng declared, "I wish to challenge the Chen Ming who just fought."

Hearing this, everyone present was surprised, unable to understand why he chose to challenge Chen Ming, who had just fought.

After all, Chen Ming just finished a fight, and his stamina must be somewhat depleted, so challenging him seemed like taking advantage.

Suddenly, a girl from the Xiaoshui Sect clapped her hands in excitement, "I understand! If he defeats Chen Ming, wouldn’t it prove his strength far surpasses Tian Qiming’s?"

Oh, so that’s how it is!

Many people, hearing her explanation, suddenly realized the intent.

Before Captain Wu could speak, Chen Ming had already stood up and said, "Sir, I accept his challenge."

Captain Wu glanced at him and nodded, "Very well."

...

"That bastard!"

In the arena, Tian Qiming, who was already extremely frustrated from losing to a nobody, felt as if he had swallowed a fly when he witnessed this scene.

The feud between the Tian and Wang Families went back over a decade.

Recently, however, the Wang Family had been on the rise. The two families had several conflicts, resulting in mutual losses. Last year, they negotiated a ceasefire.

Thus, he hadn’t challenged Wang Ruisheng earlier.

Who would’ve thought Wang Ruisheng to be so despicable, challenging Chen Ming, who had just defeated him?

What’s the meaning of this?

Tian Qiming felt torn, with one being his recent foe who just defeated him, and the other a family enemy. He didn’t know whom to hope for victory anymore.