Free Web NovelChapter 693: Chapter 691: Accepting the Challenge!
Shen Tang left the Holy Heaven Pavilion and found Zhang Hu and Chen Qing. "In three days, I’m challenging Lin Xuan to a decisive match," she announced. "Spread the word. I want as many disciples as possible to come and watch." I won’t just defeat Lin Xuan; I’ll defeat him in front of everyone and regain my pride.
However, the expressions on Zhang Hu and the others changed upon hearing her words.
"What? You want to challenge Lin Xuan again?"
"No way! You’re no match for him."
"That sword of his is most likely a tier-six weapon. You can’t beat him."
"That’s right, you’d better not duel him," Chen Qing advised.
Shen Tang laughed. "Don’t worry. This time, we’re competing with Sound Martial Arts," she explained. "We’ve already agreed to only use Sound Martial Arts and no other techniques."
Sound Martial Arts!
Zhang Hu and the others were stunned. Shen Tang then explained the whole story. After she finished, the two of them finally understood. So that was the situation!
Zhang Hu snorted coldly. "That Lin Xuan is really full of hot air! Mastering the Celestial Sound Black Dragon Wave in twenty days? What a joke!"
Chen Qing sneered as well. "He’s bragging to the high heavens. That’s an Earth Tier martial art! Forget twenty days, I doubt he could master it in two years."
The martial arts they practiced were merely high-tier Mystic Tier techniques. Earth Tier martial arts, on one hand, required an extremely high number of points, and on the other, were incredibly difficult to cultivate. It often took years to see any results at all.
Even if that kid is a Dragon Warrior, it’s impossible for him to master an Earth Tier martial art in just twenty days. In that case, Lin Xuan is doomed to lose in three days! We have to get more people to watch. We’ll let everyone see that kid’s miserable state.
Both Zhang Hu and Chen Qing had been defeated by Lin Xuan before, so they were eager to see him publicly humiliated to vent their frustration. They quickly took action, spreading the news of the duel that would take place in three days.
「Soon,」
Many disciples of the Sacred Institute learned about the duel and discussions erupted.
"Did you hear? In three days, Lin Xuan is going to have a showdown with Shen Tang."
"Shen Tang? Is that Shen Xing’s sister?"
"That’s the one."
"Then who’s Lin Xuan?"
"Who else? He’s that new disciple who was just crowned Rookie King."
"What? He’s going to duel Shen Tang!"
"Is he crazy? What a joke!"
"Who does he think he is?"
"Does that kid really think defeating Jin Ze means he can challenge the senior disciples? He’s still far too inexperienced."
"He can’t possibly be Shen Tang’s opponent."
"I heard their duel is restricted to Sound Martial Arts."
"If it’s a competition of Sound Martial Arts, then Lin Xuan might actually have a chance."
"Humph, what chance? Do you even know which Sound Martial Art Lin Xuan is practicing?"
"What is it?"
"The Celestial Sound Black Dragon Wave."
"Twenty days ago, when he became Rookie King, he was allowed to pick one martial art, and he chose the Celestial Sound Black Dragon Wave."
"That’s an Earth Tier martial art! No one has picked it in hundreds of years."
"Even if Lin Xuan was lucky enough to obtain it, he’s only had twenty days. There’s no way he could have mastered an Earth Tier martial art."
"What? It’s the Celestial Sound Black Dragon Wave?"
"He definitely hasn’t mastered it."
"How could he possibly compete with Shen Tang?"
"I heard this whole duel is happening because Lin Xuan boasted that he had already mastered the Celestial Sound Black Dragon Wave and wanted to challenge Shen Tang."
"What? He mastered it?"
"What a joke."
"Utter nonsense."
"That kid really knows how to brag."
"Hmph, I’m definitely going to watch in three days. I want to see for myself if he’s really mastered it or not."
Many of the senior disciples grew interested and planned to spectate. Even the new disciples heard the news and were equally shocked.
Is Lin Xuan making a move again? And against a senior disciple this time? Can he win? It seems unlikely. Those senior disciples are powerful, not someone we new disciples can contend with. Even though he’s the Rookie King, he’s only been at the Sacred Institute for a little over a month. Challenging a senior disciple now is probably too soon.
Jin Ze also heard the news, and a hint of hatred instantly flashed in his eyes. Ever since his defeat at Lin Xuan’s hands, his life had been miserable. Elder Lei had expelled him from his tutelage. He had faked being a Saint Body, causing Elder Lei to lose face in public. Afterward, the elder had flown into a rage and kicked him out directly. These past few days, each day felt like a year. Everyone he met greeted him with cold mockery. He was like a rat in the street, scurrying and hiding.
And this is all because of Lin Xuan. I hate him to death. I dream of defeating him, of trampling him under my foot. But I know the gap between us is enormous; I can’t possibly defeat him anytime soon. Now, hearing that Lin Xuan was going to duel a senior disciple, Jin Ze suddenly felt a surge of anticipation. Lin Xuan can’t possibly be a match for a senior. He’s guaranteed to lose this time. In three days, I have to go watch. I want to see him fall with my own eyes.
「Meanwhile,」
Elder Lei also received the news and snorted coldly. "That boy really knows how to stir up trouble. He just became Rookie King and already wants to challenge a senior disciple? He truly doesn’t know his own limits."
Beside him, Gu Xinghe said, "He won’t succeed. I’ve already made inquiries. Shen Tang has mastered the Thunderous Array-Breaking Tune, but there’s no way Lin Xuan could have mastered the Celestial Sound Black Dragon Wave in twenty days. In this competition, his defeat is certain."
"Master, will you go and watch?" Gu Xinghe asked.
Elder Lei shook his head. He would only attend grand events like the Newcomer Conference. Given his status, it was inappropriate for him to spectate an ordinary disciple’s fight. However, he very much wanted to see Lin Xuan defeated. After all, his own humiliation was because of Lin Xuan. Now, everyone knew he had no judgment and had chosen the wrong disciple. If Lin Xuan hadn’t been in the spotlight so much recently, he would have already found a way to deal with him.
Still, it would be wonderful to see the boy suffer a miserable defeat.
He tossed a mirror to Gu Xinghe. "You go watch. Record the entire battle with this Treasure Mirror and bring it back for me to see."
"As you command." Gu Xinghe took the Treasure Mirror and smiled. "I will be sure to record it well."
「Three days passed quickly.」
During this time, the disciples of the Sacred Institute were all discussing the matter. They felt Lin Xuan was too arrogant and foolishly unaware of his own limitations to dare challenge a senior disciple.
This kid has gotten too full of himself. Does he think becoming Rookie King makes him invincible? Just watch, he’s bound to lose this time. He’s just asking for humiliation by trying to challenge Shen Tang.
Many people sneered. Most of them were members of the Star Alliance. Under their influence, Lin Xuan had been painted as a presumptuous clown who didn’t know his place. The Star Alliance was the faction created by Shen Xing. It was filled with talented individuals and was incredibly powerful. Now that Shen Xing’s sister was making a move, the members of the Star Alliance naturally threw their support behind her, relentlessly suppressing and mocking Lin Xuan. As a result, even other senior disciples came to feel that Lin Xuan was overestimating himself.
When Ning Xue and Lu Jiu heard the news, their expressions changed drastically. They quickly found Lin Xuan. "Junior Brother Lin, don’t be so reckless! Don’t go through with this competition against Shen Tang!"
"You’re not her opponent!"
"That’s right! Cancel the duel quickly, or you’ll suffer a crushing defeat!" the two urged him anxiously.
However, Lin Xuan simply smiled. "Cancel? Why would I cancel? Shen Tang is someone I’ve already defeated. She’s not even worth mentioning!"
