Bab 297: Chapter 297: Unsheathing the Sword
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"Are all the people here?"
When Ning Fengzhi spoke, the disciples in the venue couldn't help but be surprised. They looked towards the martial arts stage, where there was already a figure standing.
It was none other than Zeng Yi, the other participant in today's Spirit Duel.
When Zeng Yi stepped onto the stage, the previously quiet venue instantly became noisy.
"Is this the man who made the entire Red Sakura Squad helpless, Zeng Yi?"
"I heard rumors that he is Senior Sword Douluo's disciple, and now Senior Sword Douluo is here to watch this Spirit Duel, so the rumors should be true."
"Ah, this person is so handsome and has such charisma, I love him!"
"Hmph, he's just good looking. I think Zeng Yi is nothing special, just wait for Hong Jie to beat him up."
"You're just jealous, aren't you? What do you mean by 'nothing special'? Haven't you seen him standing on the stage, looking so calm and composed? If it were you, being watched by so many people, including the Sect Master and two Douluo Elders, your feet would be trembling and you wouldn't be able to stand steadily."
In the spectator stands, the disciples exchanged whispers and discussed the figure standing on the stage. Zeng Yi, standing on the stage, remained calm and composed, with a faint smile on his face. Although there was some distance between him and the audience stands, Zeng Yi could still catch snippets of the discussions among the sect disciples through the wind.
There were expressions of surprise, skepticism, admiration, and belittlement. But Zeng Yi didn't pay any attention to these comments; he let them pass with a smile. He knew that today's Spirit Duel was his own stage.
The victory or defeat was not in doubt.
Because someone as handsome as me is usually the protagonist.
"Master! Good luck! Take down this Spirit Duel handsomely!"
Zeng Yi's ears accurately caught these words. Wait, this is a male voice. I didn't take any male disciples, did I?
Zeng Yi felt puzzled and looked to the source of the voice, only to see a familiar figure. It was Ling Yunfei, who had been pestering him to become his disciple. Ling Yunfei was cheerfully waving a flag and shouting for him.
Zeng Yi looked at him, and the corners of his mouth twitched. This guy really has no shame.
But what made Zeng Yi speechless wasn't Ling Yunfei, but the people beside him.
"President, good luck! Let those women know how powerful our Righteous Sun Council is!"
Since when did I agree to become the president of your Righteous Sun Council? You guys really have no shame! Zeng Yi muttered to himself.
Zeng Yi knew a little bit about this Righteous Sun Council—an organization composed of male elite disciples that opposed Red Sakura. It sounded great, but in reality, it was just a group of men huddling together for warmth. Their disciples rebelled against Red Sakura's dominance among the sect disciples, trying to elevate the status of male disciples in the sect. However, these efforts were in vain because Red Sakura was stronger overall, and there were more female disciples than male ones. Plus, many male disciples were willing to bend their knees, becoming lapdogs under Red Sakura's skirts, in order to secure a happy future. As a result, the Righteous Sun Council could only maintain a minimal amount of male dignity within the sect.
He had heard from Yan Que that the Righteous Sun Council publicly announced in the sect that he was their honorary president. Initially, Zeng Yi thought it was a joke, but now he believed it. This Righteous Sun Council intended to use him as a pivot to turn the tables.
"President, teach Red Sakura a lesson and let them know that we can't be easily bullied!"
How miserable were you guys before? Your taunts have become so timid? Zeng Yi couldn't help but mock them internally when he heard this.
On the side of Red Sakura, Nangong Lin watched Zeng Yi standing on the stage, her eyes burning with intense fighting spirit. "He finally appeared. Let me go first."
Seeing her eager appearance, Hong Jie didn't stop her; instead, she gave her a word of caution. "Be careful, he gives me a different feeling. He's very strong."
This was the first time Nangong Lin saw her showing such seriousness, and a hint of her arrogance receded.
"Don't worry, even if I lose, I won't let this despicable person off easily." Thinking of Zeng Yi's mocking face from before, Nangong Lin couldn't help clenching her fist and gritting her teeth.
Nangong Lin stepped onto the martial arts stage and stood opposite Zeng Yi. The two of them locked eyes, sizing each other up.
"So you are my opponent in the Spirit Duel? Wait, shouldn't it be your president?" Zeng Yi asked, puzzled. He recognized this girl; one could say he was quite familiar with her. Not too long ago, she had been chasing him desperately with a pair of enormous arm guards, her face filled with an expression of wanting to crush him to dust.
But her speed wasn't great; she just couldn't catch up to him, which was quite frustrating.
Zeng Yi had learned from Yan Que that this girl was not the president of Red Sakura, so it shouldn't be her who he would be Spirit Dueling.
With an ardent gaze, Nangong Lin stared at Zeng Yi, her palms rubbing against her fists. She grinned eerily "That's right, I'm your first opponent. Everyone in the whole sect is watching on the martial arts stage. This time, you can't escape!"
"This time, I will definitely smash my fist hard on your detestable face!"
Is she really a girl? She's really fierce.
Zeng Yi looked at Nangong Lin, internally commenting on her demeanor. He didn't take her threat seriously. He could understand her anger; after all, she had been eating dust from him for several days. It was normal for her to be angry.
But what was up with the first duel?
Zeng Yi seemed to have discovered a blind spot.
At this time, in the spectator stands, there was a whispered discussion about this matter.
"Why is the Spirit Duel between Nangong Lin and Zeng Yi? Shouldn't it be Hong Jie?"
"I'm not sure, maybe Nangong Lin was the one who sent the challenge, which fits her hot-tempered character."
"What the heck, I thought it would be Hong Jie dueling. What a disappointment."
On the master's platform, Chen Xin was also puzzled as she looked at Ning Fengzhi and asked "Fengzhi, what's going on? Isn't it supposed to be Hong Jie and Zeng Yi in the Spirit Duel?"
Ning Fengzhi held a folding fan and gently fanned himself, smiling as he replied "The Spirit Duel invitation stated that it was a Spirit Duel between Red Sakura and Zeng Yi, so it doesn't violate the rules."
Chen Xin was dumbfounded. Wasn't this Spirit Duel clearly setting a trap for her disciple?
"That's too shameless, old fellow, did you teach them this? How to be shameless?" Chen Xin didn't hold back and sneered at him because Hong Jie was the disciple of the Bone Douluo.
Gu Rong's face darkened, and he immediately retorted "Nonsense, how would I, an old man, be involved in this matter of the younger generation? Moreover, the incident caused by your disciple in the sect. Didn't you fail to discipline your own disciple properly? Otherwise, would this have happened?"
"And your disciple, isn't she capable of defeating a few girls?"
Hearing this, Chen Xin's brows furrowed. "What are you joking about? My disciple can't defeat a few girls? Even if they all attack together, Zeng Yi can easily deal with them."
When Zeng Yi was still a Spirit Elder, he could kill a Spirit King. Now that he had advanced to Spirit Ancestor, did you really think Hong Jie could defeat him? Really? Really?"
Looking at Chen Xin's annoying mocking face, Gu Rong's anger surged, and he wished he could punch that face.
"It was just luck; he had an advantage. Besides, do you think there's any connection between Zeng Yi being able to kill a Spirit King and you? At that time, he wasn't even your disciple, right? From when he became your disciple till now, as a master, you haven't supervised him at all. Clearly, he cultivated on his own and reached Spirit Ancestor outside on his own. Meanwhile, you're arrogantly celebrating as if you had accomplished something. It's really laughable!" Gu Rong sarcastically remarked.
Why did Zeng Yi report someone else's name back then instead of his own, allowing that despicable person to gain an advantage for free? It was detestable!
Glaring at Zeng Yi down below, Gu Rong's eyes were filled with sourness.
"Huh? What's this fragrance? Who broke the vinegar jar? It's so sour."
"You."
As the two elders coldly mocked and taunted each other, Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but feel helpless.
On the martial arts stage, the atmosphere became tense. Ignoring everything else, Nangong Lin stomped forcefully on the ground, causing even the hard stone slabs to crack inch by inch.
With a resounding boom accompanied by the surge of force, Nangong Lin dashed straight towards Zeng Yi, her right hand clenched into a fist, her passionate gaze fixed on her opponent's figure.
With overwhelming force, her fist pressed down, enveloping Zeng Yi. Unable to see her opponent, Zeng Yi involuntarily closed his eyes, focusing on the sounds around him.
The gust of wind, the faint sound of blood circulating, the pounding heartbeat, and the constant sound of breathing.
Feel the breath.
At this moment, the world quieted down. Zeng Yi felt as if he was in another realm, his state of mind clear, sensing the voices of all things.
Just as Nangong Lin's attack was about to reach him, Zeng Yi suddenly opened his previously closed eyes, and his pitch-black irises shimmered with light.
His left hand, gripping the hilt of a sword scabbard, lifted the sword slightly with his thumb, revealing a silver white sword that glittered with a cold light.
[Forward Steps Slash]
Caught in Nangong Lin's astounded gaze, Zeng Yi's figure disappeared from its original position.
Everyone in the venue vaguely saw a fleeting sword light on the stage, carrying an aura of swords, sending shivers down their spines.
Nangong Lin stood dumbfounded in her place, while Zeng Yi reappeared five meters behind her.
The sharp blade, glinting silver under the sunlight, was slowly sheathed by Zeng Yi.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone