Chapter 603 - 599: Bai Yan
Chapter 603: Chapter 599: Bai Yan
"CLANG—CLANG—CLANG—"
On the platform, Luo Yuntian was forced back again and again, his Swordsmanship starting to fall into disarray.
The man in black was a full Great Realm higher than Luo Yuntian. Though he clearly had the strength to defeat Luo Yuntian quickly, he toyed with him like a cat playing with a mouse, showing no hurry to end the fight.
"SHLICK—!"
With the sound of tearing cloth, a gash was opened on Luo Yuntian’s left arm, and blood instantly seeped out.
"SHLICK—!"
A sword swept across Luo Yuntian’s abdomen.
Despite the protection of his Soft Armor, he was still injured, and blood seeped through it.
"SHLICK—!"
The sword slashed across Luo Yuntian’s waist.
Blood seeped through his Soft Armor, adding another wound to his body.
...
After just a dozen or so exchanges, Luo Yuntian was already covered in injuries.
"How boring. Forget it, I’ll end you now!"
The man in black had finally grown tired of the game. He erupted with the full power of a Mid-Second Grade Martial Artist, his longsword striking viciously toward Luo Yuntian’s chest!
If this strike landed, even if it wasn’t fatal, it would cause a grievous injury.
At that critical moment—
A figure appeared between the two like a phantom, a single finger tapping gently on the tip of the vicious sword.
"TING—"
With a crisp sound, the menacing strike was flicked away by that one finger. The body of the sword vibrated violently, letting out a low hum.
The man in black slid back several steps involuntarily.
The one who had intervened was the middle-aged woman acting as the referee.
She stood between Luo Yuntian and the man in black. After glancing at Luo Yuntian, she turned to the man in black and announced:
"Jiang Ying of Celestial Water County wins."
The man in black, Jiang Ying, retracted his longsword, but the cold sneer on his lips did not fade.
His gaze fell upon Luo Yuntian, his voice laced with unconcealed contempt.
"A prodigy from Qingyang County, is this all you’ve got? You’re not even qualified to give me a proper warmup."
Luo Yuntian’s hand tightened on his sword, but he said nothing.
As if that wasn’t enough, Jiang Ying flicked the bloodstains from his sword and added:
"You only passed the first round because you got shit-lucky."
Luo Yuntian’s expression darkened slightly.
He had always been mild-tempered, not even getting angry when Fang Han had taken his position as the lead disciple. But in this situation, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of rage.
"What, not convinced?"
Jiang Ying raised an eyebrow, his voice tinged with ridicule.
"If you’re not convinced, how about a private match later? Though, I can’t guarantee you’ll survive."
Liu Bai’s brow furrowed.
This man named Jiang Ying had not only toyed with Luo Yuntian, but had also belittled all the prodigies from Qingyang County as if they were worthless.
Fang Han didn’t speak, but his expression visibly darkened. He moved through the crowd to stand beside Luo Yuntian, who had just stepped down from the Battle Platform.
He glanced at Luo Yuntian, then looked at the figure in black. His gaze was calm, yet it carried an indescribable pressure.
Liu Bai also hurried over to Luo Yuntian’s side.
Jiang Ying had obviously noticed Fang Han and Liu Bai as well.
His eyes swept over Fang Han and Liu Bai, and the corner of his mouth curled into a smirk.
"What, are you his companions? Want to stand up for him?"
He tilted his head, his tone laced with a playful provocation, as if he were examining an interesting toy.
"You’d better hope you don’t run into me in the later matches."
He paused, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Otherwise, you’ll lose even more miserably than he did."
Fang Han didn’t answer.
He just looked at Jiang Ying, his eyes utterly placid, abnormally calm.
But that calm gaze, when it met Jiang Ying’s, made Jiang Ying feel an inexplicable pressure.
He withdrew his gaze and turned to Luo Yuntian, his voice steady.
"Let’s go. We’ll find the physician arranged by the assembly and get your wounds treated."
Luo Yuntian nodded without a word and followed Fang Han and Liu Bai, leaving Battle Platform Number Twelve.
Jiang Ying stood his ground, watching the three of them leave. The playful smile on his lips gradually faded, replaced by a thoughtful chill.
"’You’d better hope you don’t meet me,’" he muttered to himself, then turned and strode out of the assembly grounds.
...
The afternoon sun slanted across the bluestone-paved streets of the Imperial Capital, stretching the group’s shadows long.
Fang Han and Luo Yuntian walked at the front.
Luo Yuntian’s wounds had been treated, but his expression was gloomy.
Having been not only defeated but also humiliated, it was only natural that he was in a bad mood.
Mad Saber and Liu Bai followed behind them. Judging by their expressions, they were both in quite a good mood.
Wu Xiang had his palms pressed together, his gray monk’s robes fluttering gently in the afternoon breeze. His face was placid, betraying no emotion.
Hua Jieyu and Xu Qing walked at the rear of the group.
"How many of us from Qingyang County passed the second round?" Mad Saber asked, breaking the silence.
"Me, you, and Brother Liu," Fang Han said.
"Three in total."
As soon as he said this, the air around the group seemed to stagnate.
Wu Xiang pressed his palms together and quietly recited a Buddhist mantra, saying nothing more.
The usual smile on Hua Jieyu’s lips had vanished. Her eyes, which always held a hint of charm, now carried a trace of disappointment.
Xu Qing’s head was lowered, their expression unreadable.
"Two rounds."
Mad Saber took his greatsword from his shoulder and propped it on the ground with a dull THUD.
"Two rounds, and only three of the top ten from the Qingyang County Celestial Pride List are left."
He didn’t say any more, but his meaning was clear.
Fang Han was silent for a moment before speaking slowly.
"We have to admit, there is indeed a gap between the overall strength of Qingyang County and the Central Thirty-Six Counties."
"It’s not a lack of Talent, but a lack of resources," Liu Bai added, his voice filled with a touch of melancholy.
"The Central Thirty-Six Counties are filled with rich worldly energy. Whether it’s Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures or rare medicinal herbs, they have resources that ordinary counties can’t compare to. The disciples they raise are naturally stronger."
Hua Jieyu sighed softly. "I thought I’d be able to last a few more rounds and get some more Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. I never expected to be eliminated in the second round."
Xu Qing looked up, their voice flat and devoid of emotion. "The Cultivation conditions in the Central Thirty-Six Counties are indeed better than in Qingyang County. It’s not a disgrace to lose to an opponent from there."
The group walked along the street toward the Royal Villa, their shadows stretching long in the setting sun.
The streets were still bustling with pedestrians, and the intermingling sounds of vendors’ cries and cheerful chatter formed a stark contrast with the silent atmosphere of the group.
Upon returning to the Royal Villa, Fang Han stopped and turned to the others. "Everyone, get some rest."
Liu Bai clasped his hands in a salute. "You too, Brother Fang. Good luck tomorrow. Among the three of us left, you’re probably the only one who can pass the third round."
"He’s right. It’s likely neither I nor Liu Bai will make it past the third round tomorrow," Mad Saber grinned, his smile carefree.
"But it’s no big deal. I’m already guaranteed three Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, so this trip was worth it. From here on out, I’ll just see how far I can go."
Fang Han nodded and turned to walk toward his own courtyard.
...
「The next morning, a thin mist hung in the air like gauze.」
After breakfast, Fang Han stood still in the courtyard, closed his eyes, and slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.
A moment later, he opened his eyes and walked out of the courtyard.
Outside the gate, Luo Yuntian was already waiting. His left arm was still bandaged, but he seemed to be in much better spirits than the day before.
"Junior Brother Luo, good morning."
"Senior Brother Fang, good morning."
Luo Yuntian nodded slightly.
"My matches are over. I’ll accompany you to Battle Platform Number Ten today."
Fang Han glanced at Luo Yuntian and said nothing, merely nodding.
The two of them left the Royal Villa side by side, crossing the wide streets of the Imperial Capital on their way to the Martial Arts Assembly grounds.
There were noticeably fewer contestants along the way than in the previous two days, but every single person still on the streets was a formidable figure with a focused aura and a sharp gaze.
Aside from that, the number of spectators had increased. After all, the further into the competition, the higher the level of the fights and the more exciting they would be.
Upon entering the assembly grounds and passing through the corridor, Battle Platform Number Ten came into view.
Fang Han’s steps faltered for a second.
Compared to yesterday, the crowd gathered around Battle Platform Number Ten had not shrunk at all.
Based on the number of people who advanced yesterday, there should have only been twelve or thirteen contestants at Battle Platform Number Ten today.
’What’s going on?’
Fang Han was surprised. Looking at the people around Battle Platform Number Ten, he noticed many unfamiliar faces.
"They’ve reduced the number of Battle Platforms."
Luo Yuntian’s gaze swept across the entire Martial Arts Assembly grounds, and he understood when he saw that half of the Battle Platforms were now empty.
"I see. Let’s go."
Fang Han strode toward Battle Platform Number Ten.
Luo Yuntian followed by his side.
Suddenly, his steps faltered, and he gestured for Fang Han to look in a certain direction.
Fang Han followed Luo Yuntian’s gaze and saw a moon-white figure standing on the other side of the crowd, hands clasped behind his back.
He was a young man in his early twenties, dressed in a moon-white robe with pale cyan wind patterns embroidered on the cuffs. His features were handsome, and he had a graceful, otherworldly air about him.
A sheathed longsword hung at his waist. Its Sword Scabbard was inlaid with several pale cyan Gemstones that shimmered with a gentle luster in the morning light.
This was none other than Bai Yan, a True Inheritor of the Celestial Essence Sect, an Overlord-level Influence.
Fang Han and Luo Yuntian had met him once before in the Ancient Ruins.
Bai Yan had clearly noticed their gazes as well. His serene eyes fell on Fang Han and paused for a moment.
Then, he strode toward Fang Han.
"We meet again."
Bai Yan stopped in front of Fang Han, his voice flat but carrying a rare hint of solemnity.
"Brother Bai," Fang Han said with a cupped-fist salute.
He had heard other disciples of the Celestial Essence Sect address this man as "Senior Brother Bai."
Bai Yan nodded slightly. His gaze lingered on Fang Han for a second, and his voice was steady and earnest as he said:
"You are very strong. I hope to have the chance to face you."
Fang Han met Bai Yan’s gaze and replied:
"We are at the same Battle Platform. As long as we both keep winning, we will naturally meet."
Hearing this, Bai Yan said nothing. He simply gave a slight nod, then turned and walked back to his original spot.
Luo Yuntian, standing to the side, watched Bai Yan’s retreating back for a moment before lowering his voice.
"His aura is very powerful. I’m afraid he’ll be a formidable opponent for you."
Fang Han nodded, not saying anything more.