Chapter 50, Round 2

Demon Suppression Division Training Ground.

The match schedule for the second round has been posted, and everyone is gathered around to watch.

Shen Lian found his name.

Number 27, Shen Lian, versus number 28, Jiang Yue.

"Jiang Yue?"

Relevant information surfaced in Shen Lian's mind.

Jiang Yue is a newly promoted Demon Suppressor in the Demon Division of Qingyang County. She is at the peak of the third level of the Body Tempering Realm, skilled in swordsmanship, and ranks third in strength in the Qingyang County team, second only to Captain Chen Yuan and Vice Captain Zhao Gang.

"Brother Lian," Li Hu leaned closer, "I've inquired about it. Jiang Yue's 'Flowing Cloud Sword Technique' is known for its lightness and speed. In the first round yesterday, she defeated her opponent in just fifteen moves. She's a tough opponent."

Shen Lian nodded and said, "She's perfect for honing my swordsmanship."

Chen Yun walked over and said softly, "I am number 42, and my opponent is Chen Yan from Beichuan County."

Lin Feng said coldly, "I am number fifty-nine, and my opponent is Li Qing from Luoxia County."

Zhao Shan said in a deep voice, "The second round, from 64 to 32, will be even more intense. The three of you must give it your all."

"yes!"

At 3:45 AM, the second round of the competition officially began.

Eight arenas were used for battle simultaneously.

Shen Lian took the stage in the third round. In the first two rounds, top players such as Chu Wen and Tang Shu competed and advanced easily.

When it was Shen Lian's turn, he slowly stepped onto the arena.

Opposite them, a young girl dressed in a light blue flying fish robe had been waiting for some time. She was about seventeen or eighteen years old, with delicate features, a long sword hanging at her waist, and an air of refined elegance.

It was Jiang Yue.

[Combat Strength]: 29~36

"Shen Lian from Qinghe County, please enlighten me, Miss Jiang," Shen Lian said, clasping his hands in greeting.

Jiang Yue said in a clear voice, "Jiang Yue from Qingyang County, please enlighten me, Senior Brother Shen."

After speaking, Jiang Yue took the initiative to attack. Her longsword was drawn, a faint light flashing as it transformed into a streak of light, piercing straight towards Shen Lian.

It is precisely the "Clouds Part to Reveal the Moon" from the "Flowing Clouds Sword Technique".

"What a fast sword!"

"Jiang Yue's 'Flowing Cloud Sword Technique' has reached a minor level of mastery. Combined with the 'Chasing Cloud Step,' few people of the same level can keep up with her speed."

"Shen Lian's swordsmanship is known for its composure, so he might have a hard time dealing with such a fast sword."

Shen Lian moved swiftly, weaving through the sword light, not in a hurry to counterattack. He carefully observed Jiang Yue's sword path and found that although the "Flowing Cloud Sword Technique" was fast, the force of each sword was not strong, obviously relying on speed to win.

"Since we're going to fight speed with speed..."

With a thought, Shen Lian suddenly quickened his pace.

The "Tiger-Taming Stance" is a footwork technique known for its stability, but under Shen Lian's mastery of it, it can also be made swift and agile. His figure weaves through the sword light like a dragon, always maintaining a three-foot distance from Jiang Yue.

Jiang Yue unleashed more than twenty sword strikes, yet not a single one managed to touch the hem of Shen Lian's clothes, causing her to be secretly alarmed.

"My 'Chasing Clouds Step' is already extremely fast, yet I still can't catch up with him?"

Her eyes sharpened, and her sword stance changed again.

The longsword transforms into a sky full of sword shadows. This move, "Clouds and Mist," is a killing move in the "Flowing Cloud Sword Technique." It uses sword shadows to confuse the opponent, while the real killing move is hidden within, catching the opponent off guard.

A glint flashed in Shen Lian's eyes, and he finally made a move.

He stopped dodging and stepped forward, his longsword flashing like thunder as he unleashed a horizontal slash with the "Mountain-Splitting Style".

This strike was not fast, but it was as steady as Mount Tai.

Wherever the blade passed, countless sword shadows shattered like bubbles.

clang!

As the longsword clashed with the long saber, Jiang Yue felt a powerful force surge through her, causing her wrist to go numb and her swordplay to falter.

In that instant of hesitation, Shen Lian changed his stance and unleashed a series of three consecutive 'Wave Slash' strikes.

The first strike shook Jiang Yue's longsword away.

The second strike forced Jiang Yue to retreat three steps.

The third cut brought the blade to a steady stop three inches in front of Jiang Yue's throat.

Jiang Yue froze, staring at the tip of the knife before her: "I lost."

"You flatter me." Shen Lian sheathed his sword.

"Brilliant! Shen Lian appeared to be on the defensive in this battle, but in reality, he controlled the rhythm of the entire time."

"The timing of those last three strikes was perfect."

"Jiang Yue's swift sword was completely unable to exert its advantage in front of Shen Lian."

A round of applause erupted from the audience.

As Shen Lian stepped off the stage, Chen Yun greeted him, saying, "Senior Brother Shen, you won beautifully."

Li Hu grinned and said, "Brother Lian, those last three strikes were so cool! Jiang Yue's sword was so fast I couldn't even see it, and you actually blocked them all."

Shen Lian shook his head: "Jiang Yue's swordsmanship is indeed fast. If it weren't for her mastery of the 'Tiger Subduing Stance' footwork, I would have had a hard time dealing with her."

Shen Lian decisively defeated Jiang Yue, successfully advancing to the top 32 and earning the qualification to participate in the second stage of the "Demon Hunting Trial".

His performance has piqued the interest of some people who were not originally paying attention to the Qinghe County team.

Chen Yun then took to the field, facing off against Chen Yan from Beichuan County.

Shen Lian reminded him, "Chen Yan's swordsmanship is characterized by its power. With your agility and speed, you should be able to overcome him."

Chen Yun smiled gently: "I will be careful."

Chen Yan from Beichuan County had been waiting on the arena for a long time. He was tall and strong, holding a large ring-handled sword, and his aura was as steady as a mountain.

He looked at Chen Yun and chuckled, "Chen Yun from Qinghe County? I've heard you're very agile. Let me see for myself."

"Senior Brother Chen, please enlighten me!" Chen Yun said, clasping his hands in greeting.

The opening gong sounded immediately.

Chen Yan immediately stepped forward, slashing down with his large ring-bladed saber. The blade whistled through the air as it struck Chen Yun's face.

Chen Yun lightly touched the ground with her toes and floated backward, just avoiding Chen Yan's blade.

The large ring-shaped broadsword struck the arena, sending a shower of rubble flying.

Chen Yan's eyes flashed with coldness as he stepped forward again, his large ring blade sweeping horizontally, aiming straight for Chen Yun's waist and abdomen, almost blocking her retreat.

Chen Yun moved swiftly, her lithe body twisting forward like a serpent, gliding beneath Chen Yan's blade while simultaneously slashing diagonally with her long sword.

clang!

Chen Yun's slash struck, causing Chen Yan's arm to tremble. He was secretly shocked: "This woman's strength is not weak at all!"

Using the momentum, Chen Yun retreated, widening the distance between them. She knew very well that against a power-type martial artist like Chen Yan, she absolutely could not give him the opportunity to engage in close combat.

"Is all you can do to hide?"

Chen Yan shouted in a deep voice, suddenly exerted force with his feet, and charged towards Chen Yun like a bull. He raised his large ring-bladed sword high and slashed down with a powerful blow.

The wind howled, its momentum astonishing.

Chen Yundai frowned slightly, knowing that she couldn't just keep dodging. She took a deep breath, the martial arts mark between her eyebrows lit up, and she slashed at him with her long sword.

clang!

The deafening clang of metal against metal echoed throughout the arena.

Chen Yun was forced back by Chen Yan's knife, and two shallow marks were plowed into the bluestone slab under her feet. A trickle of blood spilled from her mouth.

Chen Yan was also forced back several steps, his mind filled with shock: "She actually managed to withstand my attack head-on?"

After regaining her balance, Chen Yun looked at Chen Yan and said, "Senior Brother Chen, you're strong. It's my turn now."

Chen Yun suddenly accelerated, pushing the "Tiger-Taming Stance" footwork to its limit. Her whole body moved like a blue phantom, circling around Chen Yan at high speed.

The long sword in his hand transformed into streaks of light, slashing at Chen Yan from different angles.

Chen Yan quickly swung his sword to defend himself. His swordsmanship was known for its power and ferocity, and speed was his weakness.

Faced with Chen Yun's fast-paced and rapid-fire tactics, they were immediately thrown into a state of disarray.

clang!clang!clang!

A series of metallic clangs rang out like a torrential downpour.

Chen Yan was forced to retreat repeatedly, completely controlled by Chen Yun's rhythm, and had no chance to make a move.

"Senior Sister Chen's agility combined with her swift swordplay completely countered Chen Yan's," Li Hu exclaimed, watching the duel on the arena.

Shen Lian nodded slightly: "Junior Sister Chen is very smart; she knows how to play to her strengths and avoid her weaknesses."

On the arena, Chen Yan gritted his teeth and persevered. He knew that if he continued like this, he would surely be defeated. He immediately made up his mind and ignored Chen Yun's attacks. His blood and qi surged wildly, and his large ring-bladed sword shone with an earthy yellow light.

"Earth-Splitting Slash!"

Chen Yan roared, ignoring the knife Chen Yun was slashing at his shoulder, and gripped the knife with both hands, bringing it down on Chen Yun's head!

This is a lose-lose situation!

"Oh no!" Li Hu exclaimed.

Chen Yun had anticipated this. The moment Chen Yan gathered his strength, she changed her footwork and spun around like a top.

The long sword in his hand remained unchanged, still slashing towards Chen Yan's shoulder.

laugh!

The blade sliced ​​through Chen Yan's shoulder, tearing his flying fish robe and splattering blood.

Chen Yan's large ring-shaped blade struck empty air, the immense force causing him to lean forward and reveal an opening.

It's now!

Chen Yun turned around again, her long sword swirling, and the back of the blade slammed hard into Chen Yan's back.

Bang!

Chen Yan was struck hard and fell forward. His broadsword flew out of his hand and landed on the edge of the arena. He struggled to get up, but felt a sharp pain in his back and couldn't muster any strength for a moment.

"You flatter me." Chen Yun sheathed her sword, slightly out of breath.

Chen Yan gave a wry smile and stood up with difficulty: "Junior Sister Chen, you have excellent skills. I admit defeat wholeheartedly."

Chen Yun gracefully leaped off the stage and returned to her seat in Qinghe County.