Chapter 124: A Rematch

Chapter 124: A Rematch

The Deputy Headmaster of the Diamond Martial Academy said, "I admit that my words on this matter were indeed too harsh, and for that, I apologize to all Heart Nurturers under the heavens."

A figure of the Deputy Headmaster's status held a lofty position, equal to that of princes and marquises. Forcing the Deputy Headmaster of the Diamond Martial Academy to apologize was already an exceedingly rare occurrence.

Under the persuasion of the other two Deputy Headmasters, the anger in the heart of the Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy gradually subsided.

The Deputy Headmaster of the Diamond Martial Academy continued, "However, I absolutely do not believe that using elixirs to secure victory in a martial contest is the right thing to do. If we allow such a precedent, then in the future, there will be no need for anyone to cultivate martial arts. During the Opening Battle, one could simply purchase the Millennium Slumber Elixir to win and become the Champion. This would only be a regression for martial arts."

Ning Xiaochuan said, "Then I would like to ask the Deputy Headmaster: if my use of an elixir to win in the Martial Arena is not the right thing, then is Ming Yang killing a fellow student of the same year with a single sword strike in the Martial Arena the right thing?"

The Emperor's Martial Palace explicitly forbade infighting and killing among its members, yet Ming Yang continued to kill without restraint, and no punishment from the academy was seen.

The Deputy Headmaster of the Diamond Martial Academy sneered, "Everyone knows that Ming Yang cultivates the Supreme Sword Dao. Once he strikes, he will inevitably take the opponent's life. This sword art is inherently a killing technique. If one fears death, they will naturally surrender. If one dares to face Ming Yang in battle, they must have already cast aside life and death."

Ning Xiaochuan said, "Then may I interpret the Deputy Headmaster's words as follows—anyone who dares to fight Ming Yang deserves to die, and if anyone tries to kill Ming Yang, the Deputy Headmaster will personally intervene to save him, correct?"

The Deputy Headmaster of the Diamond Martial Academy was furious, his face flushed red, and his eyes seemed to bore into Ning Xiaochuan as he said, "Let me state once again—it is not that we refuse to save them, but Ming Yang's sword strikes are too fast. By the time we act, it is already too late."

The Deputy Headmaster of the Heavenly Phenomenon Martial Academy said, "Ning Xiaochuan, do not doubt the fairness and impartiality of the academy's instructors. If we could save them, we would. But Ming Yang's sword is simply too swift. His opponents die before they can even surrender. How could we possibly intervene?"

Ning Xiaochuan said, "Both Deputy Headmasters speak well. Then, may I ask, how do you propose we resolve this matter?"

"A rematch," said the Deputy Headmaster of the Diamond Martial Academy.

The Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy said, "What nonsense! The final battle has already concluded. Ning Xiaochuan is this year's Champion. For the first time, our Three Masters Martial Academy has produced a Champion. I was just about to return and report the good news to the Headmaster, and now you're talking about a rematch? Are you trying to screw us over, or are you just bullying our Three Masters Martial Academy for being small in numbers?"

The Deputy Headmaster of the Diamond Martial Academy said, "This battle was not won under normal circumstances. Only a rematch can demonstrate the fairness and impartiality of our Emperor's Martial Palace."

"Bullshit! Old Ghost Yan, are you saying that only if Ming Yang becomes this year's Champion would it count as a normal victory, while anyone else winning would be illegitimate?" retorted the Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy.

The Deputy Headmaster of the Diamond Martial Academy fed Ming Yang an Intermediate Elixir, then channeled Earth Martial Essence from his body to help him recover from his injuries.

"The competition among the new students should naturally be overseen by the Elder of New Students. How about letting him decide this matter?" said the Deputy Headmaster of the Diamond Martial Academy.

Although the Emperor's Martial Palace is divided into four major academies, each with one headmaster and several deputy headmasters, the four deputy headmasters currently stationed at Camp Nine were only there to select students and had no authority to interfere in the Opening Battle. The one truly responsible for managing the new students was the Elder of New Students.

The Elder of New Students, named Jun Weisheng, was an elderly man over 100 years old. After a heated discussion with the four deputy headmasters, he ultimately ordered Ning Xiaochuan and Ming Yang to have a rematch.

"How can this be? Ning Xiaochuan already defeated Ming Yang. Why must they fight again?" Yu Qianqian protested indignantly.

The Elder of New Students said calmly, "If Ning Xiaochuan could defeat Ming Yang once, wouldn’t he still be able to defeat him again? Having them fight once more is the fairest approach."

This time, even the Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy had nothing to say. No matter how much he might argue, he couldn’t change the fact that this was the Opening Battle.

"Ning Xiaochuan, why not just concede? You’ve already beaten Ming Yang once—letting him win once wouldn’t hurt. Besides, your victory was far more impressive, and you’ve already earned more respect. As for the opportunity to train in the Heavenly Palace, I’ll do my best to secure it for you in the future," the Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy suggested.

Ning Xiaochuan replied, "Thank you for your concern, Deputy Headmaster. But if the other deputy headmasters believe I only defeated Ming Yang through improper means, why should I bear that reputation? I’ve decided to fight him again and defeat him in the way everyone deems most legitimate."

The Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy frowned slightly, thinking Ning Xiaochuan was being too impulsive, and wanted to persuade him further.

"Good! This is the spirit of a true disciple of the Emperor’s Martial Palace—unyielding, bold, and confident. If you truly defeat Ming Yang, I will personally apologize to you," the Deputy Headmaster of the Diamond Martial Academy sneered inwardly. What an arrogant brat who doesn’t know his limits. Once Ming Yang recovers, a single sword strike will be enough to take your life. Let’s see how much your unyielding spirit, boldness, and confidence are worth then. Heh.

The Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy gave up trying to dissuade Ning Xiaochuan and said, "Then fight well. If you’re truly outmatched, surrender immediately. I’ll do my best to save you as quickly as possible."

"Thank you, Deputy Headmaster."

Ning Xiaochuan stepped back into the Martial Arena, standing quietly in place.

The fact that Ning Xiaochuan dared to face Ming Yang again indeed surprised many. A Heart Nurturer accepting a second challenge from a Supreme Sword Dao cultivator—there really were people who feared nothing, not even death.

After consuming the Intermediate Bone-Mending Elixir and receiving treatment from the Deputy Headmaster of the Diamond Martial Academy, who used Earth Martial Essence to heal his injuries, Ming Yang had mostly recovered within just two hours. The effects of the Millennium Slumber had also dissipated, and his Martial Arts Profound Qi was circulating normally again.

Ming Yang strode back into the Martial Arena, his gaze chillingly sharp, and slammed his heavy sword into the ground. "I didn’t expect you to dare step into this arena again."

Ning Xiaochuan replied, "I think that’s my line, isn’t it?"

Ming Yang clenched his five fingers tightly, recalling his previous defeat, and an inexplicable fury surged in his heart. His once-calm Sword Heart was now filled with rage, and all he desired was to strike Ning Xiaochuan dead with a single sword.

"Boom!"

The bell tolled once more, signaling the resumption of the battle.

Ning Xiaochuan said, "I wonder if you’ll still let me have three moves?"

Ming Yang did not respond. Instead, his hand tightened around the hilt of his sword as a surge of sword intent erupted from his body, merging with the heavy sword on the ground. A mountainous wave of sword Qi burst forth from the blade, swirling around him.

Seven sword shadows emerged from the heavy sword. The first was thick and imposing; the second, slender and agile; the third, ancient and weathered; the fourth, crackling with purple Lightning like a dragon; the fifth, crystalline as white jade; the sixth, domineering and razor-sharp; and the seventh, ethereal and illusory.

These seven sword shadows represented the seven divine abilities Ming Yang had cultivated into his Sword Body.

Even before Ming Yang swung his sword, the sheer power radiating from the seven sword shadows within his Sword Body was enough to stir the winds and clouds. The sword Qi mirrored his current state of mind—filled with wrath.

"This is Ming Yang’s true strength, the might of the Supreme Sword Dao!" Many spectators paled, once again feeling the overwhelming force that made Ming Yang unbeatable. Among the younger generation, none could withstand even a single strike from him.

Yu Qianqian’s expression shifted abruptly. "Ning Xiaochuan may have miscalculated. He thought that crushing Ming Yang in the first battle would weaken his sword intent, but no one expected it to grow even stronger instead."

"Sister Qianqian, what do we do now?" Ning Xin'er bit her lip tightly, her heart filled with worry for Ning Xiaochuan.

Yu Qianqian’s gaze remained fixed on Ning Xiaochuan, but to her disappointment, he showed no intention of surrendering.

Ning Xiaochuan was also gathering Annihilation Sword Intent within his body. A vast, destructive aura seeped from the Demonic Sword, converging at the tip of his right index finger, where swirling sword shadows coiled around it.

Above his head, a dark gray cloud of baleful energy formed spontaneously, flickering with Annihilation Sword light, evoking feelings of terror, anxiety, madness, and despair.

The small red dragon wrapped around Ning Xiaochuan’s waist sensed the power of the Annihilation Sword Qi and awoke from its slumber. It sniffed eagerly, swallowing a strand of the Annihilation Sword Qi, instantly feeling invigorated as its body grew slightly longer.

"Roar! Roar! Roar!" The small red dragon was ecstatic, its eyes gleaming like two blood-red spirit pearls, radiating a crimson Halo.

At this moment, both Ning Xiaochuan and Ming Yang had reached the peak of their power.

"Whoosh!"

Ming Yang thrust his sword forward, his body nearly merging with the heavy blade as he transformed into a streak of extreme sword light.

Ning Xiaochuan turned into a bolt of Lightning, his form blending with the electric radiance as he charged straight toward Ming Yang’s sword.

"Boom!"

The sword light and Lightning collided, erupting in a blinding Halo at the point of impact. The shockwave violently shook the air, forcing the martial artists outside the Martial Arena to stagger backward.

Amidst the brilliance, Ning Xiaochuan’s finger pressed against the tip of the heavy sword.

At his fingertips, streams of Sword Qi radiated out, actually managing to block Ming Yang's devastating sword strike.

Time seemed to halt at this moment, as everyone stared in shock at the scene unfolding in the Martial Arena.

"Heavens! Ning Xiaochuan actually blocked Ming Yang's sword with his fingers… Am I… hallucinating?" Many held their breath, their eyes fixed on the Sword Qi within the Martial Arena.

"No, Ning Xiaochuan isn’t just using his fingers—it’s a Sword Dao divine ability, one that can rival the Supreme Sword Dao."

"I think it’s more than just rivaling the Supreme Sword Dao. Perhaps it’s even stronger."

"How is that possible?"

"Why not? The Supreme Sword Dao was created by someone. If it was created, isn’t it natural for someone to surpass it?"

"Look… what is that?" someone suddenly exclaimed.

The crowd witnessed an unbelievable sight—the dragon-shaped belt wrapped around Ning Xiaochuan’s waist had come to life, slithering up his shoulder and coiling around his arm, slowly crawling as it devoured the Sword Qi emanating from both Ning Xiaochuan and Ming Yang.

That small red dragon… was actually alive!