Chapter 43
Lin Sheng tried it a couple more times, and very quickly, he managed to figure it out .
The Ashen Seal of the Sanctuary not only provided his flesh with protection, but it also gave him an overall increase in strength .
His skin, muscles, bones… Everything was strengthened .
So, no matter what he did, whether it was smashing a tree or stabbing himself, there were no signs of bone injury .
After he trained a while longer, it was already dark .
Lin Sheng then packed his stuff up and headed home .
Back at home, Lin Senior was all smiles as his business seemed to be on the uptick .
His mother, too, had resumed her normal work, and their financial situation had improved significantly .
Lin Sheng was also relieved at that .
In his dream over the next few days, he did not leave the Valent Sanctum . He simply meditated on the Ashen Seal .
He planned to just focus on meditation and expected the defensive capabilities given by the Ashen Seal to hit a ceiling .
Otherwise, the Valent Sanctum would have been invincible, and they would have had no need for any ordinary paladins . They could have just gotten a few to learn the Ashen Seal, and they would be able to run rampant all over Blackfeather City .
The days passed by, and finally, the swordsmanship tournament arrived .
April 13th, Huaisha City Third Indoor Sports Complex .
Half of the wide sports complex was empty, and long rectangular mats were only laid in the far right corner .
The mats formed a ring, and at the center of the ring was a square platform with wire fencing .
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Dark red planks were laid on the floor as a few workers in yellow uniform inspected the place .
Lin Sheng and Russell walked in front while Madillan and Shayeen followed closely behind .
They were led by someone along the side of the complex .
The person leading them was a staff member of the tournament . He was a balding middle-aged man in a gray suit named Li Heng .
“The venue is part of the stadium complex because there aren’t many participants in Huaisha City, so I do hope you understand . ”
“If things go smoothly, the tournament will end by noon,” he said with a calm smile . It was obvious he was the peacemaker sort of character .
He then started to explain matters pertaining to the competition .
Russell was walking next to Lin Sheng, looking about . All of a sudden, his eyes brightened, and he pointed into the distance .
“Look, the other participants!”
Lin Sheng looked over in the direction he was pointing to .
There was a group of people across the hall that was being led by a staff member into the venue .
Chen Huan was one of them, and next to her was that big sister character, Xu Yi who had helped him register for the tournament . Behind them were a few youngsters, who appeared to be normal trainees .
Chen Huan was clad in white protective garb with her hair tied up into a ponytail . She looked poised and graceful . She had her helmet in her hand, and her expression was cold .
Lin Sheng swept his gaze past her, landing it on another team that was being led in .
The team only consisted of two people who were probably siblings . Both had golden hair and blue eyes, while their bodies were well-toned .
The gentleman especially had a powerful posture . He was wearing a similar protective garb while holding a straight sword without its scabbard .
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Lin Sheng squinted a little and had a feeling that the man was no pushover .
He had absorbed part of the rotten swordsmen’s memories, retaining the ability to gauge his opponents as a result .
He could discern his opponent’s steps, movements, awareness, and more to have an idea of his or her combat ability .
“Looks like we’re not without strong opponents . ” Lin Sheng’s senses kicked into overdrive .
Soon, the staff members brought all the teams around the arena over, and they sat on the prepared mats .
A banner was soon unveiled from the second floor, reading “Congratulations on the hosting of the Seventh National Amateur Swordsmanship Tournament” .
Lin Sheng, as well as the rest, sat down . Not long after, Chen Huan and her entourage also sat on the mat not too far away .
There were ten teams in total circling the tournament arena, and they could see one another with ease .
Chen Huan gave Lin Sheng a powerful stare for a moment, her eyes about to pop out in the process .
However, a moment later, she shifted her gaze to a golden-haired man, as though she was facing her nemesis .
Lin Sheng sat down cross-legged as he placed his longsword beside him .
“Who’s that guy?”
“Caeser Carmie, a wealthy local businessman . He’s pretty into this . Before you were here, it was he who challenged Chen Huan . ”
Lin Sheng nodded in understanding .
The golden-haired youth, Caeser seemed to have noticed his gaze, and he turned over with a friendly smile .
Lin Sheng returned it with an impassive nod as a sign of respect .
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Shortly after, the host went up the stage to test the mic as a deafening song started to play .
“I’m very pleased to present to you on this very fine day, here, in Huaisha City’s third-largest indoor sports complex, the Seventh National Amateur Swordsmanship Tournament!”
Following that was a whole load of crap on thanking the sponsors .
“Not even a dozen spectators… What a farce of a tournament,” Russell mumbled in a corner .
“Well, getting a trophy for bragging rights isn’t all that bad . ” Lin Sheng chuckled .
After a ton of crap talk later, the swordsmanship preliminary bouts commenced .
There were ten teams in total, and they drew lots for the one-on-one bout . The winner would advance, while the loser would go home .
It was rather straight forward; once you lost, you lost, there were no second chances .
Over on Lin Sheng’s side, Shayeen went ahead with the other teams to draw lots .
Looking down at her lot, she discovered she had drawn a number five .
“The fifth match, neither good nor bad . We’ll just have to see who the opponent is now . ” Shayeen demurred .
The opponent would be another team that had drawn a number five as well .
“Well then, the first match will begin, please get on stage . Those who are hit three times will lose, including those who are no longer able to compete . ” The host announced .
Lin Sheng sat down and saw two men walk up the wooden stage, facing one another .
The referee then stood in between them .
*Ding!*
The bell struck!
And the referee executed a chopping motion, signaling the start of the bout .
The two of them immediately slid into a roof guard .
However, the difference was that one was in a side guard with his blade lined vertically against his ear, while the other was in high guard with his blade over his head .
The roof guard was a very common and popular stance because it was easy to execute an overhead strike from that stance .
Nonetheless, the moment Lin Sheng saw their footwork, he shook his head .
Both of their steps were floaty, and one even stood in a normal manner . Both of them were walking with parallel steps… whereby both of their feet were in a straight line .
With that stance plus the floatiness of their steps, it looked like they would fall from a mere gust of wind .
“Master, how are these two?” Madillan whispered from the back .
Lin Sheng did not answer . He simply shook his head .
And as expected…
The two yelled a battle cry before they struck each other with an overhead cut .
*Uff!*
The taller person struck first due to his longer hands, and his opponent lay crumpled on the floor .
Just like that, the battle was over .
It was fought with mere brute force!
A handful of claps was heard, and the victor quickly left the stage as the second bout commenced .
As usual, the one with the longer arms won .