Chapter 18: Taking the Initiative to Step onto the Stage

Wu Haiyang of Gravel Sand City has defeated twenty-nine opponents in a row!

In the end, the cultivators from Flat Sand City did not take the stage. Perhaps it was because their entry into the inner sect was already assured, or maybe they did not want to use their Four Profound Realm cultivation to bully those in the Three Profound Realm.

Wu Haiyang’s face was pale. Controlling two swords simultaneously was powerful, but the consumption of profound energy was considerable.

Of course, it was all worth it! If he could defeat just one more person, he would enter the main sect’s inner circle—a glory that Gravel Sand City had never seen before!

Below the stage, five more corpses had been added.

He stood atop the platform, his bloodshot eyes slowly sweeping over the two remaining contestants.

Su Yizhao and Shi Feichen exchanged a glance and straightened their backs.

“Junior Brother Su, you are the Golden Law Enforcer. The undefeated reputation of a Golden Law Enforcer must not be tarnished!” Shi Feichen’s gaze held a difficult sentiment. “Of all these cultivators, I can’t be certain of defeating a single one. Entering the main sect is impossible for me. Let me concede to him.”

Su Yizhao asked softly, “Must you enter the main sect, Senior Brother?”

Shi Feichen let out a bitter laugh. “Yes, I promised them, but now it seems I cannot fulfill it. I have never made promises lightly, but the cultivators in this competition are simply too strong. Ha…”

“Either of you just get up there and admit defeat! Quickly!” urged Wan Gaofei.

Wu Haiyang slowly raised his right hand, pointing his index finger in their direction.

Behind him, two flying swords were pressed tightly against his back, like venomous snakes ready to strike.

Su Yizhao raised his head resolutely.

Fifteen had died; only thirty-one remained.

Since Senior Brother had made a promise, he ought to help him. Moreover, to enter the main sect, one must first enter the inner circle!

He reached out and caught Senior Brother, who was about to leap, then pushed off the ground, rising into the air.

Wu Haiyang’s finger pointed directly at him, but he was already gone from that spot.

“You’re quite obliging! Are you here to concede or what?” Wu Haiyang awkwardly withdrew his hand, but his tone was unfriendly.

Su Yizhao’s expression remained unchanged. “Would you allow me to concede?”

Wu Haiyang’s face shifted, then he forced a laugh. “As expected of the sect’s Golden Law Enforcer. I won’t kill you; sever your right arm and get off the stage—how about that?”

Su Yizhao clasped his hands behind his back and shook his head. “So the person the Grand Elder arranged was you. Clever scheme, but it will disappoint her.”

“Arrogant! Die!”

A pair of silver flashes shot out as soon as Wu Haiyang was exposed.

Su Yizhao’s hands moved swiftly.

A line of white light traced a phantom in the air, the sword tip so fast it tapped the two silver flashes.

The crowd below rubbed their eyes in disbelief.

The two contestants were only four or five yards apart. Two silver streaks shot out in parallel, but between them, a white light flickered back and forth.

The silver lights gradually scattered, revealing two silver flying swords.

“How can he be so fast? How did he do it?”

A cry of astonishment rose from the crowd.

Four or five yards—flying swords would reach in a blink. Yet in half a breath, both swords were defeated.

“Impossible!” Wu Haiyang’s expression twisted in shock. His fingers moved frantically, pumping profound energy from his core.

The silver swords, empowered by the surge, twisted their tips and vanished in a flash.

Su Yizhao gave a cold snort in his heart.

The Sword Control Technique at its peak—so fast he could thrust over a hundred times in a single breath. Even if Wu Haiyang split his swords, it would do no good.

A flurry of ringing sounds followed, as the white light seemed to strike after the silver lights, chasing and battering them relentlessly.

The silver streaks dissipated once more and fell weakly.

White light flickered.

Wu Haiyang’s face turned ashen, his eyes strained downward.

A plain, unremarkable flying sword hovered steadily at his throat, its tip pressing lightly against his Adam’s apple.

A red mark appeared there, as if blood might spurt forth at any moment.

Only four or five breaths had passed since Su Yizhao took the stage, and the situation had been spectacularly reversed.

The audience stared, wide-eyed.

“Why didn’t you just concede?” Wan Gaofei stomped his foot. “The inner circle! For the first time ever, we’re just one person short!”

Su Yizhao remained unmoved.

If Wu Haiyang hadn’t been arranged by the Grand Elder, he might have let him pass. But since it was the Grand Elder’s design, there was no way he would let himself enter the main sect so easily. He was sure Wu Haiyang would force him to reveal his true cultivation.

He had no wish to expose his actual realm.

Nor did he want to attract the attention of the Three Great Families before even entering the main sect.

Besides, whoever entered the inner circle was still a member of Gravel Sand City.

“I declare Wu Haiyang of Gravel Sand City defeated! He may enter the main sect’s outer circle.”

“Impressive, truly deserving of the Golden Law Enforcer title!” Wu Haiyang’s expression gradually calmed, so much so that Su Yizhao felt a sense of unease.

In a flash, Wu Haiyang left the stage.

Su Yizhao stood alone atop the platform.

“Dual sword control, Sword Control Technique at its peak! This competition is indeed worth watching. Any challengers?”

The icy voice was tinged with growing interest.

“Sword Control Technique perfected—no wonder!”

“The Golden Law Enforcer truly lives up to his reputation!”

Whispers spread among the crowd.

Su Yizhao’s arms hung straight at his sides, a three-inch white glow whirling rapidly between the fingers of his right hand.

“Su Yizhao of Gravel Sand City has killed some unruly fellows. Is there anyone who wishes to avenge them?”

Even to kill, one must have a proper reason.

“I’ll go!”

Before the challenger arrived, his flying sword was already thrusting forward.

Su Yizhao willed an ice shield into existence.

The flying sword struck the shield, scattering a spray of icy shards.

White light flashed and vanished.

In an instant, a figure fell from the stage.

Blood spurted from his throat.

“Ice Shield Technique perfected? Ha! Boy, it’s called Dao Technique—the Dao comes first, then the technique. You neglect cultivation and focus only on spells; you’ve strayed from the path! Next!”

“Let me try!”

Su Yizhao cried injustice in his heart—not that he neglected cultivation, but that his realm was simply too high!

“Ice Spike Technique perfected? Fireball Technique perfected? …”

One by one, cultivators challenged him, dissatisfied that he was only at the mid Three Profound Realm.

Bodies continued to fall from the stage.

Cold voices rang out.

Perfected? All perfected?

Sword Control Technique perfected was impressive, but not absolutely necessary. After all, upon reaching the Four Profound Realm, one could learn the superior Four-Rank Flying Sword Technique, so few bothered to invest the time.

What’s more, achieving perfection was extraordinarily difficult, requiring not only time but talent.

Talent couldn’t be forced.

Yet now, unexpectedly, someone had perfected not only Sword Control Technique, but all lower-level spells as well.

How much time had that taken? What exceptional talent?

“Su Yizhao of Gravel Sand City has won twenty-four consecutive matches…!”

Fifteen more bodies piled up beneath the stage.

In the end, he showed no mercy.

Anyone who stepped up was killed, until only sixteen remained, guaranteeing Senior Brother’s entry to the main sect.

Disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall—when they act, the world is turned upside down!

So it was, and nothing more.