"It seems that we both defeated all our opponents quite easily, dear cousin." Zhang Xiao Ding smiled when he saw that the matches were practically over and that his opponent was his cousin, Lucheng, someone he had been compared to time and time again... and lost to every time.
This tournament had been, in a way, rigged so that Xiao Ding and Lucheng would meet in the final, and just as the elders had expected, that's how it turned out.
"It's the same as always, cousin," Lucheng replied. "It's up to us to represent the Clan while our older cousin is away. Things don't seem to have changed much."
"I guess you're right," Xiao Ding laughed. "But this time I notice something different about you, cousin. What's been going on lately? You don't seem like yourself."
Lucheng shrugged. "Maybe I got a taste of humility recently?"
"Are the rumors true?" Xiao Ding asked. "Did you really face a young master and lose miserably?"
"He looks younger than me, cousin," Lucheng said. "I couldn't see his face because he was wearing a mask, but his energy, though powerful, wasn't that of someone much older."
Xiao Ding noticed something curious in Lucheng's eyes. Admiration and even reverence. There had never been anything like that in his eyes, no matter how much he admired his older cousin.
'It was a hard blow for him,' thought Xiao Ding. Could it be that his arrogant personality had really been reversed?
"And you still lost?" asked Xiao Ding.
"I couldn't even defend myself," assured Lucheng.
"..."
Xiao Ding fell silent. That was a really hard blow for someone as proud as Lucheng.
"That's why I decided I have to beat him, cousin," he said, raising his sword and pointing it at Xiao Ding. "I'd like you to give up and let me win. If I get that legacy technique, I'll be able to beat him."
Xiao Ding stared at his sword and didn't ignore his words, although it took him a few long seconds to respond.
He shook his head. "Honestly, even though I'm jealous of your high talent, I respect and admire you, cousin. That's why I must be honorable and face you with all my power," he said.
"You'll lose," Lucheng assured him.
"Hehe." Xiao Ding smiled. "What makes you so sure?"
Lucheng shook his head. "I tried to save face for you because you're the older one, but since you insist, I'll make it quick." He sneered.
Xiao Ding smiled, noticing that this was the Lucheng he was used to seeing. An arrogant one, who always believed he was above everyone else.
His arrogance had been crushed recently, but it was still inside him. It was roaring to get out; he was just controlling it because he had lost and didn't have the face to raise it.
'That's the arrogance I want in you, Lucheng. That's what makes you make mistakes,' Xiao Ding thought with a slight smile on his lips, and drew his sword as well.
The referee announced the start of the match when the two finished their preparations.
And the final match of this small tournament finally began.
Lucheng really intended to finish it quickly, so his move in search of impact was precise, with a lunge to the front.
Xiao Ding was taken aback by that speed, but he still managed to step aside, allowing Lucheng's sword to pierce the air where he had been standing.
He swung his sword from bottom to top, aiming for Lucheng's head.
But Lucheng's sword quickly intervened and stopped the attack.
"You're fast, cousin," said Lucheng. "But it's not enough." Suddenly, his body jumped on its axis, and a powerful kick was unleashed against Xiao Ding's chest.
The force of the kick dragged him backward, forcing him to defend himself against an unexpected attack.
CLANK!
Although he was quick to stop the first sword attack, Xiao Ding soon realized that Lucheng was not that far behind him in terms of cultivation. What's more, his sword technique was superior to his.
'This is a Grade C sword talent, huh.' Xiao Ding gritted his teeth and forced his own sword technique to defend against the brutal onslaught that enveloped him.
Although both swords moved quickly, Xiao Ding had entered a state of passive defense. In terms of pure sword technique, he had lost.
'But this isn't just about sword technique, cousin.' He gritted his teeth.
Suddenly, Lucheng's sword managed to pierce through his defense and struck him on the shoulder.
"Heh." Lucheng let out a mocking sound; it seemed he would win without even showing his cards.
But then, Xiao Ding grabbed hold of Lucheng's sword and didn't allow him to withdraw it, briefly stopping his movement.
Lucheng frowned...
Then, Xiao Ding's sword flashed. "One Hundred Oak Swords!" He roared the name of his skill.
This technique was not just any cultivation technique; it was Level 2, and he had been cultivating it for a long time.
Although Lucheng's Level 3 technique was superior to his, it's useless if it remains hidden!
It's true that he only has a Grade D Specialization, but he has been cultivating the technique most suited to his abilities for a long time!
He has a huge advantage!
His sword was fast and accurate, and it didn't take long to strike Lucheng, who was unable to defend himself.
Lucheng was sent flying across the combat arena in the middle of the coliseum, his body rolling across the ground as he found it impossible to stop.
Behind him, Xiao Ding ran.
"Frenzied Yellow Oak Sword!" he roared, another cultivation technique.
This time, his sword did not strike in horizontal or vertical attacks. Instead, he attacked head-on, with stabs, as if it were a rapier.
"I told you, cousin. Your arrogance will be your downfall." Xiao Ding smiled frantically as his attack hit the target.
There were seven successive attacks, his maximum so far. Among the disciples of the Inner Sect, he was among the best practitioners of this cultivation technique, as well as the previous one.
Perhaps he was not at the very top, like that woman Mu, but he was among the best of those with a talent like his!
'Even if my cultivation is deficient, I will surpass them with technique!' The roar inside him increased his determination and strength.
CLANK!
Suddenly, his sword was knocked out of his hands with a tremendous jolt.
'Huh?' He looked ahead in confusion, feeling his arm temporarily lose the ability to move.
Then, white teeth smiled at him.
"Steel Skin." Those teeth whispered. "Did you forget, cousin? I also cultivate my body very well." Lucheng sneered.
"You... You've broken through." Xiao Ding whispered suddenly... How the hell did he do it so quickly? It had taken him two years to reach the Second Realm!
Lucheng simply smiled mockingly...
His sword then glowed with a peculiar purple hue, in a strange, precise, and powerful movement, from bottom to top. "Purple Oak Sword," he whispered, barely the first level of the technique.
The sword soon approached Xiao Ding's chest and struck him.
"Aghh!" Pain enveloped him as the sword cut away much of his flesh and threw him to the ground. Even his bones were struck.
Xiao Ding fell rolling on the ground, trying to stop himself to endure the pain, but then Lucheng reached him and kicked him hard in the stomach.
"Arrogance? Did you say that my arrogance would be my downfall?"
Lucheng sneered and stomped his head into the ground. "Sorry, cousin. Looks like it won't be this time. Just as I defeated you, I will defeat that woman when it's my turn to ascend to the top ranks of the Inner Sect. And in the same way, I will defeat that admirable swordsman who defeated me... then I will be able to stomp on his head, just like all of you."
Then, one last kick sent him out of the arena.
Not even caring about his well-being, Lucheng simply walked to the center of the arena.
"Looks like I won, Elders, Grandpa." Lucheng said without even waiting for the referee to announce his verdict.
"I will be the legitimate representative of our Clan before the Sect to seek to bring back what we lost."
Zhang Hao began to laugh out loud after a few seconds of processing what had happened.
"Good, very good, Lucheng. You've really surprised me. You are our worthy representative." He shouted toward the arena.
"Father..." Jiang whispered from behind. "Is this okay? He was vicious, too vicious with Xiao Ding; that's not what a swordsman should strive for. I understand that..."
Although Jiang wanted to intervene, not to take away his glory, but to reprimand him, Zhang Hao gave him a fierce look.
"What the hell do you know about being a swordsman? Now I understand why you have failed so many times in your attempts to ascend the realm. You're a total failure! This is what it means to be a swordsman! You must be ruthless, and your sword must be your justice!" He roared, not caring if his words humiliated his son.
The third elder could only bow his head and apologize.
Zhang Hao snorted and turned to look at the arena. "What are you doing? Prepare the ceremony! My good grandson Lucheng has won this tournament and deserves to be rewarded." He raised his voice and looked at the VIPs, one by one.
"Before all of you, honorable guests, he will be rewarded as the representative of the Zhang Clan to fight for that Legacy Technique. And I assure you that he will bring it back, to make our city's name great again."
His words were heard, and all the members of his clan quickly began to prepare the venue as they had previously agreed. Meanwhile, the senior elders had to come down to award Lucheng.
Ruxue frowned and stood up. 'Tiantian, where are you?' she thought.
Leader Mu also felt uneasy. The efforts of the past few weeks weren't going to be in vain... were they? He wasn't going to leave just like that.
Just as preparations for the ceremony were beginning in the coliseum...
"Wait." A voice echoed throughout the coliseum. Several of those who heard it shuddered.
That voice...