Shi Lang thanked the old man and the Sword Elder asked, "Are you going for your duel?"
The Terran nodded and the old man said, "Today, I would be the referee."
Shi Lang thanked him faintly and said, "I shall go ahead of you elder."
The sword elder nodded as he stroked his beard. Elder San asked as soon as Shi Lang was out of the earshot, "What are you cooking in that black skull of yours?"
The Sword Elder had a vein popping up on his forehead and said, "Bastard, how big of a schemer do you think I am?"
Elder San did not hesitate and said, "Undying one."
Then he rushed away to the square, leaving behind his master fuming with rage.
...
Shi Lang appeared in the square and found many people staying there. He was different from the past, his cultivation had reached the middle phase of Dao Soldier realm. Yes, if someone else was to see him they would call him a monster.
He came to stand in the square and cupped his hands as he asked, "Junior Shi Lang seeks the monthly challenge from Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters."
There were at least a few dozen girls and boys in the square. Everyone was here because they wanted to fight him. However, last time when Shi Lang defeated Yuan Kai, the normal disciples have stopped fighting him.
A young girl walked up from the crowd and said, "Junior Brother Shi, you are quite the talk of the town, you know?"
She smiled at him, but Shi Lang did not reply and watched her approach the square ring silently. The girl continued, "My name is Juan Ling. I am ranked ninth in the outer sect lower dragons."
Shi Lang tilted his head in confusion and the girl smiled, "The rankings in the outer sect are divided in two categories, the lower dragons and the upper dragons. We have just stepped into the Dao General Realm, while the upper dragons are in the middle or the peak of Dao General Realm."
The Terran understood and replied, "Thank you for imparting this knowledge to me, Senior Sister."
Juan Ling shook her head and said, "I am here to challenge you, I only wanted you to know what the following duels will represent since you have beaten Yuan Kai, who was ranked tenth. If not for the match limitation, you would have been swarmed by the challenges every week.
It may be a blessing in disguise, but if you did not improve exponentially till you step into the inner sect, the waves of battle will keep coming at you. I hope you understand how we all crave for the opportunity to be taught by the Holy Elder."
Raksha trembled and said, "You cannot kill her."
Shi Lang took a deep breath and said, "I know. Lightning Slashes."
His sword began to flicker, and the sharp intent shot from it combined with lightning. The destruction quotient of the Lightning Element was unleashed. Juan Ling did not expect that Shi Lang would fight her so aggressively right off the bat. His sword intent left micro fissures in the void as it moved toward Juan Ling.
Sword Elder pursed his lips but then Juan Ling held her blade and lashed out at the incoming attack. She did not change her attacking stance, because somethings attack was the best defense.
The two attacks collided head on and the void shook. Many disciples covered their eyes, as the sharp shockwaves pricked their skins. They were all peak Dao Soldier or Dao General realm cultivators. Still they were pressured by this attack.
Shi Lang saw that he could not defeat Juan Ling and his body turned into a phantom. He flickered around the duel ring and his sword intent attacked Juan Ling. This was a merciless way of the Lightning slashes. One had to keep on slashing at their enemy and they will gradually reach the sharpness level that could cut through everything that stands in his way.
Juan Ling was superior to Shi Lang in terms of power, but the degree of finesse Shi Lang held was something that Juan Ling could handle. The attacks chased after Juan Ling who was dodging and diving all over the place.
Shi Lang suddenly moved, and appeared behind Juan Ling, he swipe kicked her legs, and disturbed her center of gravity. This caused Juan Ling to fail in defending herself. The attack razed past her shoulder and the sharp pain left her immobile.
Shi Lang raised his sword and aimed at her neck before Sword Elder said, "Duel finish, winner, Shi Lang!"
Juan Ling was shocked, but then she regained her composure and took out a healing pill before Shi Lang helped her to the side. He waited for her to heal herself. When Juan Ling woke up Shi Lang asked, "Senior Sister, do you know any Juan Family of the eastern holy land? The verdant green holy land?"
Juan Ling was surprised but she shook her head and said, "They are not the main line of the Juan Family. I come from the central continent. Those people you faced in the east have already been disowned for many centuries now."
Shi Lang nodded and asked, "So, will the central continent Juan family interfere with the Eastern one if the latter was to run into trouble."
Juan Ling did not know why Shi Lang was asking all this but she shook her head and said, "What for? If anything, the Central Continent Juan Family wants them dead."
Shi Lang nodded and said, "That will be handy. Thank you for your advice, I would like to go to the alchemy hall. I have to complete a few tasks."
His sword prowess did not shine too much, but the glimmer was enough for the people to understand what Shi Lang was made of. His sword was much more horrible than his spear. The disciples began to discuss the duel among themselves as Shi Lang walked away. The sword elder looked at Juan Ling and said, "You executed the first move nicely, however, you waited for a bit too long in releasing the attack."
Juan Ling stood up and cupped her fists as she said, "Thank you for your guidance, Hall master. I will pay attention to it next time."
The old man nodded and vanished from the place. Meanwhile Shi Lang appeared at the steps of the Alchemy Hall.