Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return-Chapter 1187: One Move, At Most One Move

"Isn’t it simple? Since no one is betting I will lose, why not bet on how many moves I will win with?" Han Yan said.

"Yeah, that’s a good idea. So how many moves will you win in the next round?" Ling Baobao asked excitedly, suddenly realizing the idea.

"Who’s my next opponent?" Han Yan asked.

"Uh... I don’t know."

"If you don’t even know who my opponent is, how can I know how many moves I will win with?" Han Yan said in frustration.

"Alright, let’s see who your next opponent is first," Ling Baobao said helplessly.

The competition continued, but there were no surprising upsets.

Yue Fanchen, Jiang Qiling, and Yan Yuchu all successfully advanced to the next round. Mu Chengxuan was defeated, but fortunately, his injuries were not too severe.

Besides Han Yan, Jiang Qiling, Zhao Fanchen, and Yan Yuchu, four others also easily defeated their opponents.

Among them, the one who caught Han Yan’s attention the most was Nan Aotian, the young Sword Master from West Qin Country.

This person was tall, with a fierce appearance, and his moves were incredibly domineering. Even watching from the stands, Han Yan could feel the overpowering intent within his sword force. Moreover, she could sense that this person was holding back, not revealing his full strength in front of everyone.

Other than Nan Aotian, the rest were also not to be underestimated.

Han Yan knew that the second round of competition would definitely not be as easy as the first.

By dusk, the first day’s competition ended. Everyone dispersed to rest for the night, preparing for the next day’s matches.

There were no words spoken throughout the night. At dawn the next day, the forlorn sound of the horn blew again, and the plaza of Long Yan Academy was once again crowded with people.

After drawing lots, the matchups for today’s competition were decided.

"Han Yan versus Nan Aotian!" The outcome made Han Yan’s originally relaxed mood suddenly become much heavier.

She had been thinking yesterday, if she encountered Nan Aotian, winning wouldn’t be easy. Who would have thought she would actually meet him?

Other than Han Yan, the other observing disciples, after a moment of surprise, all looked excited.

"I didn’t expect it. Han Yan faced Chang Lie from Beiqi in the first match, and now in the second match, she encounters Nan Aotian from West Qin Country. Such a good opportunity to bring glory to Anyun and make a mark, and it all fell to him," someone said enviously.

Anyun Country and West Qin Country are arch-rivals. Although relations have been mended for years, the memory of the time when over a thousand experts from West Qin almost breached the Imperial City of Yunjing lingers deeply among the people of Anyun. To this day, they still remember it vividly. Therefore, all Anyun citizens harbor a natural hostility towards West Qin Country, even more than towards Shangyue Country.

"If it’s such a good opportunity to bring glory and make a mark, why don’t you try it? Even if you can’t officially participate, you could challenge him privately," someone else remarked dismissively.

"Yeah, why didn’t I think of that?" the person said, slapping his forehead, eager to try.

"I advise you to give up that idea. Do you know who Nan Aotian is? He is the top expert among the new disciples of Qinfeng Academy in Western Qin, and Qinfeng Academy is the leading of the Five Great Colleges of Western Qin, no less prestigious than our Long Yan Academy in Anyun. How do you think you can challenge him? Better go wash up and sleep instead," the other person said, throwing a cold bucket of water.

"He’s that formidable." The person took a deep breath and dared not boast anymore, let alone bring up the topic of bringing glory to Anyun.

"With Han Yan facing such a strong opponent, winning might be difficult." Others, knowing Nan Aotian’s identity and background, were also secretly worried for Han Yan.

The murmurs were not loud, but they could not escape Han Yan’s ears. Knowing how formidable Nan Aotian was, she dared not have the slightest underestimation.

"How many moves?" Ling Baobao came over, eagerly asking Han Yan.

"Are you sure I can win?" Han Yan asked.

"I think you should be able to win," Ling Baobao replied uncertainly.

"Should, meaning you’re not sure I will win, yet you are still going to bet?" Han Yan glanced at him.

"Fortune favors the brave," Ling Baobao said indifferently.

"Forget it, I believe I’ll definitely beat him, but how many moves it will take, I’m not quite sure," Han Yan took a deep breath and said.

Although Nan Aotian is very strong and hid his strength in the last match, Han Yan’s confidence will not be shaken by that.

"Alright, then there will be no money to be made in this round," Ling Baobao said, looking disappointed.

Beside them, Huayue and others also turned serious. Although Han Yan remained as confident as always, even she couldn’t be sure how many moves it would take to defeat Nan Aotian. Clearly, Nan Aotian’s strength was such that even Han Yan had to approach with caution. This battle would surely be perilous, beyond their expectations.

"First match, Han Yan versus Nan Aotian!" The instructor’s voice sounded from the platform.

There was a commotion among the crowd. Without a doubt, this second round of matches, the most unpredictable showdown of strength was between Han Yan and Nan Aotian, and it was the most anticipated one too. No one expected it to be the first match.

As the announcement ended, two figures flew onto the competition platform from east and west.

Below, silence ensued. The crowd watched Han Yan and then Nan Aotian, not daring to shout or cheer, for fear of unintentionally disturbing their state of mind and affecting their performance.

The impending battle brought about an incredibly solemn atmosphere.

Nan Aotian scrutinized Han Yan. Perhaps having witnessed Han Yan’s impressive display of divine power, defeating Chang Lie with three strikes yesterday, he did not have a trace of disdain or arrogance on his face, his demeanor steady like a majestic peak.

Han Yan sized up Nan Aotian as well. From afar it was hard to see clearly, but now upon closer inspection, he seemed inexplicably familiar.

As her mind searched, a slight smile appeared in Han Yan’s eyes.

It’s him, no mistake, it’s him. The strange figure she met during past training turns out to be Nan Aotian, once the top expert among new students of Qinfeng Academy, a legendary figure of his time. No wonder he was so tight-lipped about his identity back then, probably found it too embarrassing.

As she reminisced about old, forgotten memories, about friends she thought she’d never cross paths with again, a smile appeared on Han Yan’s lips.

"What are you laughing at?" Nan Aotian frowned and asked.

"Nothing, just remembering some past events." Han Yan said with a smile, her grin more unrestrained than before.

"During a battle of experts, you dare to be distracted. I might have overestimated you." Nan Aotian said, yet there was not an ounce of contempt on his face. Instead, his frown deepened, adopting a solemn and steady demeanor.

"I’m distracted because I know you’re not my match." Han Yan said confidently.

"Hmph, what a big talker, draw your sword." Nan Aotian seemed provoked by Han Yan, gripping his sword hilt.

"Wait." Han Yan suddenly made a halting gesture.

"What’s wrong?" Nan Aotian asked, frowning deeper.

"Just a moment." Han Yan turned her gaze to the platform, giving a meaningful look to Ling Baobao gazing at her pitifully.

Ling Baobao quickly stepped forward, dashing to the edge of the competition platform.

"One move, at most one move," Han Yan said.

Ling Baobao’s eyes lit up and he quickly turned around to put his money-making plan into action.

Han Yan’s whisper was soft, but Nan Aotian’s ears did not miss it, as his brows furrowed even more, knitting into a character for "river" (川), with his expression becoming even more grave.

"Are you really so confident?" Nan Aotian asked.

Han Yan smiled but said nothing, slowly drawing her longsword.

The intense sword intent enveloped the competition platform. The Cold Sky Sword emitted the clear, long ring that only a divine artifact could, striking awe into the hearts of all.