Chapter 429: A Trial of Swords
The weapon cultivators circled around a set of familiar stone tournament floors, laid out neatly on a perfectly flat and bare stretch of mountain. To the side, a familiar board listed off matchups. All around, weapon cultivators moved through their footwork techniques and stretched, preparing for their matches. Muscles gleamed. Steel glinted. All around, the stench of hot-bloodedness filled the air.
Beside Sectgoer, Ying Lin vibrated in excitement, her eyes wide. Sectgoer, on the other hand, clutched his beating stick for dear life. What the ever-loving fuck am I doing here? How on earth did I allow the other clones to trick me into this? Im not a weapon cultivator. Wewe arent weapon cultivators! Why even attempt this trial? I shouldve doubled up on magical techniques with Peak Lord. Maybe even gotten to share a little of Bai Xues love?
But no, instead Im here, surrounded by bulging muscles and sweaty, brutal men. Dear Master, who art ascended to Immortality, can you save this small Hui? I barely know a single close-combat footwork art. I cant wield a sword to save my life. What am I doing here?
Master, look! We wont meet until the second-to-last round, Ying Lin pointed out, beaming.
Hui glanced nervously at her. Ying Lin, when you beat me, can you at least be gentle?
Master! Dont say that. Im sure you can defeat me if you try your best, Ying Lin said, nodding.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m
Hui turned and grabbed her face. Ying Lin.
Yes? she squeaked, too startled to say anything else.
Dont you dare intentionally lose to me. Beat me mercilessly. I wont feel any more confident in myself if you throw the fight and your Master will know. I know your potential. Ive seen you fight. You can defeat me.
Master, youre a whole realm above me
Youre a sword cultivator, arent you? Im sure you can make up for it.
Ive only been using a sword art for a few hours
Hui rolled his eyes. Elder Sister, youre clearly a protagonist, so live up to it, no?
Ying Lin blinked. Huh?
I mean dont hold yourself back. Not for me, not for someone you love, not for anyone. Not at any point in your life, not ever. Fight as hard as you can, or youll regret it later. No even putting fighting aside, never diminish yourself for the sake of someone else, Hui said, nodding seriously.
Ying Lin put her hands on her hips. Master, are you really telling me this?
Master, dont count yourself out, Ying Lin said, shaking her head.
No, no. Its only fitting that the one with the greater comprehension of the technique faces him in the finals, Hui said, nodding to himself. In any case, its not as if theyre only accepting one weapons-master from this trial. Theres eighty-some peaks in the outer circle. Making a good showing in the semi-finals is likely enough for me to still make it as a peak lord!
Although I have to admit its unlikely I make it that far! Every step of the way, Ill be facing weapons cultivators, those terrifying existences who can fight above their realm. As a mere ordinary fifth-realm, Im in grave danger!
Which means I absolutely cannot fight fair. A fair fight is a losing fight for this small Hui. Until I face Ying Lin Ill fight dirty!
Ah, I feel like if Rogue could hear me right now, hed point out that weve only ever fought dirty
First round! the sword cultivator overseeing the trials called out.
Hui took a deep breath and stepped forward. He cupped his hands to Ying Lin, giving her a last salute. She saluted back, and they went their separate ways.
A clone of the sword cultivator hovered over each of the tournament floors. Hui walked up to his and licked his lips, still nervous. He scanned the room, searching for his opponent. Please pair me with one of the little ones. Someone small and weak, like me. Make it a tournament worth watching! Please!
Someone nudged Huis shoulder gently. A gentle voice whispered, Excuse me, I think Im your opponent.
Hui smiled. Ah, thank goodness. They understand tournaments. They gave me an opponent fitting for my meager skills! He turned to his opponent and looked up, up, up.
Muscles on muscles, rippling up a huge frame. Robes barely contained the mans huge body. A timid expression made a broad jaw and cleft chin look no less threatening. His hair swept neatly back, tied by a ribbon.
Shiiiiiiit. Forget Ying Lin, this first opponent is going to turn me into mush on the ground! Hui forced himself to keep smiling and cupped his hands to the man. This lesser one is called Xing Huang.
I Im called Xin Mobing, the man replied, hastily cupping his hands back.
Hui nodded. He licked his lips nervously and flickered his hands, checking the weapons on his body. Beating stick, check. Moonlight Cutter still in the node, and unreachable. Needles brought those. Talismans a few, and some of them are the new ones we just recently comprehended. Mmm, I have a few miscellaneous spiritual weapons on me, as well. Nothing that can seriously overcome this man mountain, but
Dont give up, Hui! Dont give up! No I still have a route to victory! I can do this. Yes actually, come to think of it isnt it entirely possible? Hui flexed his hands. Black threads flickered from his fingertips for just a moment. Its been a while since I used that technique, but well, its a bit of a risk, but its better than losing!