I Stepped on a Bug, and the System Says I Slayed a Dragon?-Chapter 62: Letter of Challenge

Jianghai Martial Arts Hall.

Inside a special training room.

Soft light from the overhead lamps illuminated a spacious and tidy, square room.

Beneath the lights, Li Zixuan sat cross-legged on the floor, her white robes as pure as moonlight.

Before her stood a stone figure engraved with star patterns, faintly radiating the Power of Stars.

Li Zixuan let out a soft breath, Sword Intent swirling around her.

In an instant, the air in the room vibrated. A sharp Sword Qi erupted, creating a crisp, resonant hum, like the singing of a blade.

’I’m at the final stage of comprehending One Sword Opens the Celestial Gate.’

At this thought, Li Zixuan calmed her mind. Following her memory, she carefully guided her Sword Qi to surge forth.

VMMMM!

The sword’s song grew clearer, the notes linking together as if someone were plucking a blade to create a melody.

In truth, Li Zixuan hadn’t brought a sword with her. She had chosen to become the sword itself, to comprehend the Great Success Profound Meaning of One Sword Opens the Celestial Gate.

With a heart as vast as the sea and sky, all things can become a sword.

During this precious moment of epiphany, all sense of time melted away.

An unknown amount of time passed.

Li Zixuan slowly opened her eyes. Looking once more at the stone figure, she raised her arm and formed a sword with two fingers.

Instantly, the raging Sword Qi in the room grew still. It then converged on a single point, gathering entirely at her fingertips. Its sharp edge was now completely retracted, poised and ready to strike.

Li Zixuan whispered, "Sever," and pointed her fingers directly at the center of the stone figure’s brow.

The air seemed to boil. The Sword Qi condensed at her fingertips shot forth, like a white rainbow piercing the sun. It became a line of pure white light that effortlessly penetrated the stone figure’s core.

One Sword Opens the Celestial Gate!

CRACK!

After the Sword Qi passed through, a thin line appeared on the stone figure’s surface. It instantly split in two, the halves crashing to the floor on either side!

"I did it!"

Seeing this, an excited Li Zixuan scrambled to her feet and rushed over to the shattered stone figure to inspect it.

The cut surfaces were perfectly flat and as smooth as a mirror, already bearing a slight resemblance to the sundered face of Broken Peak Mountain.

"This is wonderful."

Li Zixuan reached out, gently stroking the cut surface as the corners of her lips curled into a smile.

Finally...

’I’ve reached the Great Success Realm with the Sword-Opening Celestial Gate technique.’

’I’m one step closer to my teacher’s strike that cleaved Broken Peak...’

With that thought, Li Zixuan suppressed her excitement, hurried over to a locker to get her phone, and then came back to take a few pictures of the stone figure.

’A historic moment like this has to be documented!’

After taking a few photos, Li Zixuan exited her camera roll with satisfaction. She then opened her web browser and pulled up a news article about the master and disciple from the Grassland.

’They’re already here. The challenge will probably start in a few days.’

Li Zixuan stared at the photo of Huyan Sword’s powerful build. Her gaze turned resolute, and a fierce fighting spirit ignited in her eyes, burning like an inextinguishable flame.

’This battle is crucial.’

’It’s not just about Jianghai City’s honor; it’s a battle between the disciples of two Sword Dao masters.’

’Teacher, I will not let you down!’

...

...

「Two days later, at the entrance of Jianghai Martial Arts Academy.」

A deafening hubbub rose from the clamoring crowd of onlookers. News reporters stood at the very front, cameras raised to capture the historic moment.

Elder Li, dressed in a Zhongshan suit, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Li Zixuan before the main gate.

They were there to welcome the Grassland Sword Saint.

Before long, a black stretch Lincoln appeared at the end of the road and pulled to a smooth stop in front of the Martial Arts Academy.

The driver got out first and respectfully opened the door for Yu Wenxuan.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Yu Wenxuan stepped slowly from the car. His gaze swept over the crowd like a highland shepherd surveying his flock.

"I have long heard of your great name, senior Sword Saint. It is an honor to finally meet you."

With quiet dignity, Elder Li stepped forward and offered a formal greeting.

"Mm."

Yu Wenxuan nodded, a man of few words. After a brief glance at Elder Li, he suddenly flicked his hand, sending a paper document flying.

WHOOSH!

A sharp whistling sound cut through the air, accompanied by spreading tendrils of Sword Intent.

The hostility was palpable.

Seeing this, Elder Li’s brow furrowed. With swift reflexes, he instantly released his Star Force to intercept the flying document.

After that brief exchange, the crowd instantly fell silent. The atmosphere grew tense, like a deep-sea undercurrent on the verge of erupting.

"Not bad," Yu Wenxuan said coldly. "Though you are only at the Peak of the Innate Realm, you are not far from the Grandmaster Realm." His gaze shifted to Li Zixuan, who stood beside Elder Li. "This is a letter of challenge. In three days, my disciple will personally challenge the Jianghai Martial Arts Academy. Be prepared."

His words were cold and detached, delivered not as a statement but as a simple, emotionless command.

"We will be ready and waiting to welcome your esteemed disciple," Elder Li replied calmly, his expression composed and dignified.

This world had always respected strength above all.

Experts like Yu Wenxuan, who had reached the Peak of the Grandmaster Realm, were often immersed in their cultivation year-round. They tended to have eccentric personalities and little concern for social niceties.

"Very good."

Yu Wenxuan nodded in satisfaction. He then condensed his Star Force and sent another letter of challenge flying toward Elder Li.

"This is...?" Elder Li asked, taking the letter with a puzzled expression.

’The first letter was a challenge for the Jianghai Martial Arts Academy.’

’But what is this second one for?’

’Don’t tell me...’

’It’s for me?’

Seeing the confusion on Elder Li’s face, Yu Wenxuan seemed to read his mind and explained directly,

"That is my challenge to the Jianghai Sword God. In ten days, I wish to face him at Sword Valley and witness his acclaimed Swordsmanship for myself."

The moment he finished speaking, the surrounding crowd erupted into an uproar.

"That’s insane! He wants to challenge the Sword God too?"

"See? I told you! They’re trying to make a clean sweep. Neither the master nor the disciple has good intentions!"

"If we let him win, how can we in Jianghai City ever show our faces again?"

Hearing this, Elder Li looked helpless. He cupped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute toward Yu Wenxuan and said, 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Lord Sword Saint, it’s not that I’m unwilling to help. The truth is, we have no way of contacting the Sword God. It is truly beyond our capabilities..."

"No matter."

Yu Wenxuan waved his hand dismissively. "You need only make this challenge public. I am certain he will come."

"This..."

Elder Li sighed and shook his head. "In that case, we can only do as you ask. Whether the Sword God chooses to appear... that will be up to him."

"He will come," Yu Wenxuan repeated coldly, then turned without another word and returned to the stretch Lincoln.

His business concluded, he departed without a backward glance, leaving the crowd of onlookers to buzz with discussion.

"Tsk, tsk."

In the crowd, Xia He watched the car disappear into the distance. He shook his head and sighed.

"That Grassland Sword Saint is arrogant as hell, but I guess he has the strength to back it up."

As he spoke, he nudged Qin Yang, who was standing next to him. "Right, Old Qin?"

But Qin Yang’s expression was strange. Because he hadn’t heard any notification from his system...