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Chapter 104 Sect Prodigies
Such a performance from a complete novice put immense pressure on the other onlookers, and the third and fourth challengers didn't decide to take the stage until a full half hour later.

Chen Xuan could tell that she hardly used any magic, relying entirely on her swordsmanship, physical reflexes, and corresponding strategies in the fight. The advantage of this was obvious: it didn't consume much spiritual energy. Considering that the arena battle was a series of matches, she was clearly trying to prolong her peak performance as much as possible.

Despite her efforts, Lingdang still managed to defeat her opponent.

The winning streak has now reached four games.

It was nearly noon, and the crowd gathered at the manor entrance had exceeded a thousand. All three sets of seats were full, and many people had to stand to watch. Furthermore, people were still steadily arriving from Chang'an, indicating that news of the duel was still spreading.

Meanwhile, the topics of discussion among the onlookers were gradually changing.

Even standing on the balcony, Chen Xuan could sense this change.

When their gaze fell upon the manor, their faces no longer revealed the mockery and disdain of before; now, they showed more curiosity and incomprehension.

"Where exactly did this 'Supreme Sovereign Sect' come from?"

“I heard that it’s related to the Western Regions missions. You see, they chose to build their temples in the courtyards of Persian merchants.”

"No way... My friend said he's met the sect leader, and he's clearly a local; he speaks fluent Chang'an dialect."

"Could this girl really win ten games in a row?"

"I bet 100 jade coins that she will win!"

Similar conversations would occasionally drift into Chen Xuan's ears, making him feel a little regretful that he hadn't charged admission earlier.

He belatedly realized that although there were numerous sects in Chang'an City and throughout the entire Eastern Great Sect, and cultivators frequently sparred and competed, there were no mature commercial competitive organizations among the common people. PvP has always been a popular activity among the masses in any era, and it was a real waste that such a large market only had an official competition organized by the Immortal Alliance.

If the Sovereign Sect were to organize a business arena with competitions all year round, would it be a viable business opportunity?

Suddenly, Ajiu grabbed Chen Xuan's hand!
He looked down and saw that the other person was pale and his fingers were trembling slightly.

Chen Xuan instantly realized something, stepped sideways to block the siblings, then squatted down on their shoulders and asked, "Don't panic, did you see the murderer?"

"No, not the murderer... it's the person who was asking around with our portraits that day..." Ajiu said through gritted teeth, trying her best to control her emotions, "He's in the crowd on the right!"

Chen Xuan squinted and quickly found the "country bumpkin" that Ajiu had mentioned. It was a man in his forties or fifties, with an honest and unassuming appearance, dressed in cheap-looking linen clothes, a stark contrast to the surrounding onlookers in their fine silks and satins. And what he was doing now was exactly the same as a few days ago, holding a canvas and talking humbly to the person next to him.

As luck would have it, another enthusiastic shout erupted from the crowd!
"Isn't that...Young Master Mo? What brings him here?"

"A prodigy cultivator from Tianyan Tower?"

"There's no mistake! Look at his jade pendant, it's inlaid with silver!"

Amidst the gasps and murmurs of the audience, a white-robed monk walked gracefully to the manor gate. He wore a jade hairpin and a golden crown, and carried a folding fan adorned with gold leaf; his attire clearly indicated his distinguished family background.

However, after stopping, this person did not directly address Chen Xuan. Instead, he turned to face the arena and the wall of people on the three sets of benches. "Everyone, my name is Mo Shuyun. I have been a member of Tianyan Tower for just over a year and have been fortunate enough to be recognized as a prodigy disciple by the sect. Last night, while drinking and chatting with friends, I heard a joke about a clueless newcomer who had not yet entered the sect being declared to have the potential of a prodigy by some unknown sect. I didn't know whether to laugh or remain silent."

"As you all know, cultivators who are called geniuses are those who have achieved outstanding results in the annual sect competition of the Immortal Alliance or have gained the recognition of most of their peers. I admire Lord Chen Xuan for being able to establish his own sect at such a young age, but that does not mean that I also recognize the title of genius for Miss Lingdang."

"I am indeed unrelated to those cultivators from yesterday, but I still want to go on stage and give it a try, not for any other reason than to vindicate the talented disciples of the various sects! Of course, this is a bit unfair to Lingdang, because even if we have the same aptitude, I have been cultivating in the sect for a year, so let's do it this way: as long as she can hit me with her sword once, she will win this match!"

After delivering this impassioned speech, Mo Shuyun looked up at Chen Xuan and asked, "I wonder if Senior would agree to let me go on stage? Even if you refuse, I can fully understand!"

The atmosphere at the scene instantly became exceptionally lively.

"As expected of a top disciple in Tianyan Tower, he is indeed a handsome and talented man."

"Let him go! Let's see who the real prodigy is!"

"Didn't the Sovereign Sect boast that if she joined another sect, all the other disciples would have to call her Senior Sister?"

However, the situation on the field was not one-sided; some people actually began to support the bell.

"Don't be afraid of him!"

"This person waited until now to make a move; he clearly wants to use this opportunity to make a name for himself!"

"Have some shame! She's already fought four matches!" "Just refuse her directly. The sect leader was scolding those overconfident fools from yesterday. What's a mere prodigy doing getting involved?"

The two sides argued fiercely, with words flying everywhere, but it was clear that the faction supporting Mo Shuyun had the upper hand.

Chen Xuan knew perfectly well that this man's long-winded opening remarks were simply an attempt to create an image of someone who was not afraid of powerful figures. Whether or not the fight was fought, it would only benefit him. Winning would be a given, but refusing his request would confirm the rumors that the sect leader of the Sovereign Sect was making baseless accusations, and would also boost the man's own prestige.

He also noticed that the villager with the canvas was moving away from the crowd, seemingly intending to leave.

Chen Xuan couldn't extricate himself from the matter at this moment, so he could only say to Ajiu, "Tell the vice sect leader to take you to track this person, and if the opportunity is right, take him into custody."

He then walked to the edge of the balcony, looking down at the crowd below. "You can go up on stage if you want, but you have to follow the rules I set. You only lose if you admit defeat, pass out, or leave the ring area. If you understand, then go up!"

For a fleeting moment, a hint of stiffness and displeasure crossed Mo Shuyun's face, but he quickly broke into a hearty laugh. "It seems that you have a lot of confidence in her, senior. Then I'll give her some pointers."

After saying that, he leaped into the circle and strolled leisurely to the bell. "You can make the first move."

Lingdang clasped her hands in a respectful greeting, saying, "Please guide me!"

Mo Shuyun remained unmoved, saying, "Go ahead and go."

Seeing that he did not return the greeting, Lingdang was too lazy to argue and charged at him with her sword—she planned to use the least energy-consuming move to test his skills, following the previous rhythm.

The two immediately engaged in a fierce battle!
Mo Shuyun carried no weapons, and the fan was purely decorative; he only used it to cover his mouth and nose, as if a woman holding a pipa and partially concealing her face was more in line with his demeanor. His method of response was also simple: constantly dodging and retreating, each step precisely increasing the distance between him and his opponent.

This alone proves that he is in no way inferior to Lingdang in terms of movement and physical skills.

But Chen Xuan felt that... there was something strange about this person's posture, especially when twisting his waist and turning to the side. To put it nicely, it was graceful; to put it bluntly, it was effeminate. On the other hand, Lingdang's swordsmanship was sharp and fierce, each move was powerful and swift. Although she had the appearance of a loli, her fighting style was more like that of a tough man.

After a dozen or so rounds of chasing and dodging, Mo Shuyun was finally forced to the edge of the circle.

At that very moment, he made his move.

Mo Shuyun simply closed the fan and faced the bell.

The latter's body jolted suddenly, and his left foot stumbled, causing him to swing his sword in the wrong direction!

Even though Mo Shuyun had already dodged aside, she continued to slash at the open space in front of her, as if the other party was still in front of her.

This oversight was undoubtedly fatal.

Mo Shuyun circled around to Lingdang's side, raised her foot and kicked her, sending her flying!

The two had already fought to the edge of the field. This flight caused Lingdang's entire body to go beyond the boundary. If she landed, she would be judged to have lost.

The next second, something incredible happened. The girl flipped back in mid-air and darted back into the circle like a spear! Although she landed rather awkwardly, tumbling several times before stopping, she didn't let herself be disqualified; the competition would continue!
The crowd erupted in uproar.

"What on earth just happened!?"

"She clearly fell into the air, how could she possibly fly back? There was no point of leverage for her!"

"That hand spin was absolutely brilliant!"

The audience in the VIP seats on the balcony also looked confused.

"How did that girl do it?" Malena couldn't help but ask.

Only Chen Xuan could clearly see what had just happened. "It was chains."

"Chains? Where?"

"In the fields."

The instant the bell veered in mid-air, Chen Xuan used his divine eye technique to spot a semi-transparent white chain. One end was connected to the girl's wrist, and the other end was buried in the soil. In almost the blink of an eye, the chain forcibly pulled her back! Because she wasn't flying, the immense inertia forced her to roll on the ground to dissipate the force, and the chain burrowed into the ground at that moment.

This is the first time Lingdang has used magic since the start of the competition!
(End of this chapter)