Chapter 65
Chapter 65: A Good Sword
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Gu Xichun and Xu Heshan did not recognize the dark-skinned youth that Ding Ning was about to encounter . From the other’s robes, they knew that he belonged to Green Vine Sword School .
However, all the members of the Green Vine Sword School recognized this dark-skinned youth, Yu Lian from Liuquan Commandery .
Liuquan Commandery had many kilns and this Yu Lian was the son of a kiln master . While he was of an ordinary birth, his progress was above average in Green Vine Sword School, and had first-class Energy Refinement cultivation .
Under everyone’s eyes, Yu Lian and Ding Ning walked slowly, separated by a vine wall . The end of their paths was the same exit where the two finally met .
–Almost at the same time that Ding Ning saw this dark-skinned Green Vine Sword School student beside him, Yu Lian too saw Ding Ning . Their instincts were identical . They were rooted to their spot and gripped their swords .
Ding Ning was calm while Yu Lian had a hesitant gaze and appeared nervous .
This was not a competition that would finish in a day . There were none who did not intend to conserve their energy until the end . But then, he thought about how he had to rout an opponent a day and relieve them of their tokens; and how the other was the lately famous genius of White Goat Cave . If he eliminated the other, the teachers on the viewing platform would be very happy … When he up to here, Yu Lian’s hesitance transformed into a burning fire .
Without a word, he steadied his sight on Ding Ning and drew the sword from its scabbard . His sword was red all over and shone a jade-like luster .
“A good sword!”
Ding Ning stared at his sword and praised . “What sword is this?”
Yu Lian stilled slightly . Out of politeness, he responded softly . “Named Dark Fire, it comes from the Liuquan Commandery Secret Fire Sword Workshop . ”
Ding Ning responded with a nod and held his sword horizontally, across his chest . In comparison with Yu Lian’s Dark Fire Sword, his remnant sword was only a third in length and looked pitifully small .
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Each and every person thought he was preparing for a fight . Yu Lian too thought he was going to attack . Yet, the next moment, Ding Ning made a dash towards the opening in the vine wall to his side .
The viewing platform was thunderstruck .
Xu Heshan and the others stilled .
Ding Ning had chosen to run away .
While the rules of the sword trial allowed for escape, fleeing from a one-on-one battle like this was something very embarrassing and cowardly in the Qin Dynasty .
Gu Xichun stilled . Then his expression turned to one of mocking . “He doesn’t even dare to face a cultivator’s sword directly . It appears he is not as outstanding as you think,” he said, as he turned to look at Xu Heshan .
Xu Heshan frowned . Looking at the furiously fleeing Ding Ning below, he too was slightly displeased .
Yu Lian had least expected Ding Ning to turn around and dart . Even so, he was quick to respond . With a soft shout, he gave chase .
Ding Ning had only just reached Energy Refinement Realm but he already was first-class Energy Refinement . The two had only two minor levels between them . He came out much stronger and faster too, than the one ahead . With just a few jumps, he was within ten feet of Ding Ning .
Yes, people looked down upon runaways . But not being able to escape would invite more ridule .
Gu Xichun’s disdain grew .
But that very moment,something unexpected occurred . The vine wall next to Ding Ning and Yu Lian suddenly shook, and many vines sprang out at lightning speed .
Ding Ning did not pause in his steps . His remnant sword sliced and parried to cut the two green vines near him as he continued to charge .
Yu Lian was shocked . A layer of red flame suddenly appeared on the long red sword in his hand . He swung the blade around . A vine heading for him was cut away, revealing a burnt opening . Broken leaves burst out with a pop, and a thick vine hollered as it headed towards him .
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Yu Lian knew the power of this kind of vine . His expression changed slightly . He poured a wave of physical energy into his sword . With a hiss, the red flames that had appeared on his sword completely disappeared . The sword increased dramatically in temperature, and the blade absolutely red, as though it had been left in the furnace for a long time .
He held up the sword in his hand, then suddenly stabbed . The red hot sword tip easily pierced through the thick metal-like skin of the vine near his chest . He pushed the sword in .
Many on the viewing platform held a somewhat frigid face for they recognized the first move in the Heaven Burning Sword Manual — the “Heaven Burning Candle . ”
This was a powerful close-quarter sword technique . The user would fight within several feet . If one failed to dodge this swing, the sword would pierce through the lower body all the way upwards and to the head . Needless to say, it was a fatal move .
The sword jabbed through the thick incoming vine . Yu Lian appeared to be following through his move and use the sword to slice it open from the inside .
Yet, at this moment, Ding Ning abruptly stopped in his tracks and turned around!
A dot of inky green light flew from his hand, and cut towards Yu Lian’s wrist .
This was a turn of events that no one had imagined .
Yu Lian was stunned and enraged . He shouted in fury, dust rising as the earth cracked under him . His feet penetrated deep into the ground like two metal pillars .
At this time, several slender vines were quickly swimming towards his feet . While he was being attacked on three fronts, he remained calm . After making sure he could stand firmly in the next moments, he shook his sword and raised it to clash with Ding Ning’s incoming remnant sword .
While the people on the viewing platform could not hear the sound, they could see the surrounding hot area around his red sword explode .
The redness on the sword quickly disappeared, and the flame which had previously floated spread outwards . The thick vine that his sword had passed through quickly turned charred black and was on the verge of burning .
Ding Ning’s remnant sword cut through these flames that were both dark and hot . His physical energy that was channeled into the seals on his green sword gave rise to pure jasmine flowers . But due to the great disparity in their strengths, the scorching flames effortlessly obliterated the fragile flowers . He could feel pain from his arm due to the hot air, but still did not withdraw his sword . back . His blade and this dark flame sword crossed, but made almost no sound .
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In this moment, his inky green remnant sword slid down against the body of the dark fire sword, like a slippery fish and cut towards Yu Lian’s fingers on the hilt .
A strong surge of disbelief swept across Yu Lian . Had the other practiced sword play a long time before he had started cultivating to react like this in this moment?
His face turned ashen . He forced a half turn with his sword in this moment .
A soft pop .
Ding Ning’s remnant sword was pushed back several feet .
Pop pop pop pop …
He heard whipping sounds around his feet as thin vines wrapped around his legs, stirring up dust when they were unable to drag him away .
Ding Ning’s expression was unusually calm . He stepped softly, clean white flowers once again blooming on his remnant sword, as he cut towards Yu Lian’s wrist .
If this was like usual, Yu Lian had many ways to avoid this sword, and could even fight back . But his sword was entangled with the thick vine . His body was nailed deep into the earth . If he lifted his feet, he feared he would be dragged away by the thin vines . He had no other choice but to abandon his sword ,otherwise, Ding Ning would cut off his hand with this strike .
Yu Lian released his sword . He trembled softly .
A soft clink .
Ding Ning’s sword turned in his hand . He caught the hilt of the dark fire sword, and flicked the sword out from the thick vine . At the same time, he flashed immediately to the side . As the scorched thick vine shot towards Yu Lian, he advanced along the vine wall . His remnant sword once again the remnant sword blurred and he managed to cut this thick vine in a few seconds . The thick vine fell at Yu Lian’s feet like thick pieces of rope .
With Yu Lian’s strength, he was able to break free of the thin vines at his feet . But he had no sword in hand . He could not win against Ding Ning’s sword just physically,, even if it was just a remnant sword . He was well aware, that if this were a real battle, Ding Ning would not have first cut up the thick vine, but killed him .
So he lowered his head with difficulty and in a trembling voice, said, “I lost . ”
Ding Ning nodded . He did not speak and just panted as he waited for Yu Lian to give up his token .
At the viewing platform silence reigned .
“Good swordsmanship . ”
Xu Heshan’s voice interrupted the calm . He looked at the still burning dark fire sword on the ground and started to clap . “The Dark Fire Sword from the famed craftsmen of Liuquan is a good sword . When physical power moves among the seals and the blade, it will ignite a hot flame . But in this battle, Ding Ning, with his remnant sword, performed better . ”
Gu Xichun was frigid . He knew that Xu Heshan was targeting him with those words .
“Just a coincidence . ” He looked coldly at Xu Heshan and said, “If there wasn’t a trap there coincidentally, Ding Ning would be the one defeated, right now . ”
Xu Heshan stopped clapping and retorted, “Being able to use everything in the surroundings is a skill . ”
Gu Xichun expressionlessly said, “But the majority of battles between cultivators will not be at such lucky places . Like ordinary battlefields, within streets and alleys, and even the Min Mountain Sword Trials . There are no shortcuts there . Compared to these lowly tactics, I believe more in absolute strength . ”
Xu Heshan was not a person skilled in debating . Gu Xichun’s words angered him, but he could not think of any rebuttal . So he sank into silence with a dark expression .
At the side, the lively Xie Changsheng also sank into silence .
Xie Rou’s words that he could not defeat Li Lingjun’s retainer in the future greatly stimulated him . Ding Ning’s display just now robbed him of his mood to joke .
“He is outstanding, but what wreck of a sword is that? It looks so much worse than his opponent . ” He couldn’t help but speak after a moment . “Does White Goat Cave not even have the money to buy a better sword?”
Hearing his words, Xie Rou shook her head . “The teachers of White Goat Cave naturally have their own intentions in giving him a sword like that . Also, do not be such a wastrel and speak of money, money, money each time . ”
“Being able to spend money is not being a wastrel, spending money and not advancing in cultivation is being a true wastrel . ” Xie Changsheng seemed to be talking to himself but also to responding to Xie Rou . He had no mirth on his face .