Cohabitation with Sword Spirit-Chapter 70 - 61: The Encyclopedia of Duels

Qian Yu finally drew the attention of everyone present with a single sentence.

"Wang Jiu, I want to duel you!"

After a brief silence, the discussion erupted like a tidal wave, especially among the few female sword cultivators closest by. They were practically outraged, as if wishing to pierce this insolent middle-aged sword cultivator with their longswords.

Qian Yu pretended not to hear. After all, leading a solitary life for over a decade, women had long been nothing more than fleeting clouds to him. No matter how enchanting a beauty, it was impossible for him to have any connection with them, so there was no need to curry favor.

Now, he only wanted to give the popular handsome guy hiding under the robe a good thrashing to vent his anger!

Of course, he also intended to divert his attention, interrupt his interference with the in-field ranking test, and help Zhang Zhixi win against Shen Qingming.

Qian Yu couldn’t bear to see any of the young ladies in a miserable and awkward state under the sword of a foe.

Even though Zhang Zhixi had unhesitatingly abandoned him that day, they had still shared more than half a year of wonderful times. Every time he recalled those charming eyes and occasionally shy hand-in-hand moments, Qian Yu felt a surge of passion.

Once again, Qian Yu firmly asked, "Wang Jiu, dare you duel with me? I’m just a fifteen-year-old youth, my cultivation is merely at the Cloud Surge Realm. You, being an Honored Guest Elder of the Li Family, you couldn’t be lesser than a Cloud Surge Realm cultivator, could you!?"

Saying this, Qian Yu directly pulled away his disguise, revealing his true appearance adorned with gems and jewels. At this moment, his battle intent surged, and the aura of the Celestial Fortune Set was released without reservation, dazzling the sword cultivators of the Wind-Rising Realm and Cloud Surge Realm nearby.

And as Qian Yu’s Celestial Fortune aura emerged, his identity became apparent to all.

"Qian, Third Young Master Qian!?"

Even the few indignant female sword cultivators couldn’t help but cover their mouths in surprise, somewhat at a loss.

The popular handsome guy was certainly charming, but a wealthy young master was charming too! Before Wang Jiu rose to sudden fame in Shen Garden, among the notable figures of the younger generation in Cyan Cloud City, Qian Yu held a prominent position.

Qian Yu used the opulence of his Celestial Fortune Set to successfully awe the scene, locking his intense gaze on Wang Jiu, awaiting his reaction.

With the situation at this point, unless he wasn’t a man, he couldn’t possibly back down in front of so many admirers, right?

As for whether he could defeat this pop sensation, Qian Yu wasn’t entirely confident but had some faith.

Qian Yu had already commissioned an investigation into Wang Jiu’s information when he first crossed paths with Shen Garden. This person’s background was enigmatic and unfathomable, as if appearing out of thin air in the Li Family. But at the very least, it was known that he seemed only eighteen or nineteen, discreet in nature, and during the more than a month in Cyan Cloud City, he rarely displayed any magical cultivation, with True Essence fluctuations nearly nonexistent, and no magical treasure in his possession. Only through the Divine Celestial Eye could one detect a faint, yet exceptionally pure Sword Qi lingering, still at an elementary stage.

The analysis report derived multiple conclusions; it couldn’t be ruled out that he was a master with earth-shattering cultivation, yet outwardly returned to simplicity. But more likely, he was a young sword cultivator with an extraordinary Sword Dao heritage, but with mediocre actual strength.

Thus, Qian Yu felt quite confident; an eighteen or nineteen-year-old sword cultivator might be a few years older than him, and likely had cultivation above him, but usually wouldn’t exceed the Cloud Surge Realm.

For Cloud Flipping Realm cultivators, due to the rapid variation in True Essence, True Essence fluctuations were relatively hard to hide. Only in the later stages of the Cloud Flipping Realm, or after advancing to the Rain Cover Realm, could one perfectly conceal True Essence, appearing calm. But what are the odds of an eighteen or nineteen, at most twenty-year-old cultivator reaching the late stage of Cloud Flipping Realm? It’s utterly impossible!

As long as he remained within the Cloud Surge Realm, he had the strength to fight with the Celestial Fortune Set. Even if he lost, at least he could hold out for a while, allowing Zhang Zhixi to regain the upper hand. After the battle, if he won all would be delighted, but even if he lost, he might appear somewhat disgraceful, but it would still leave Zhang Zhixi moved, with a chance to rekindle their past relationship.

With such calculations, this duel would be profitable regardless, as long as Wang Jiu dared to accept, it was a sure win for Qian Yu!

And Wang Jiu, after hearing Qian Yu’s challenge to duel, stood up with a rather perplexed expression and asked, "You want to duel? What kind of duel?"

Duels were something very familiar to the Celestial Divine Sword.

Even before he became a mortal, when he tested his swordsmanship around the world, he would duel dozens of times each year. From strictly regulated duels witnessed by senior experts and hundreds or even thousands of cultivators in an arena, to private duels in deep mountains with only the opposing sides present, and of course, ambush-style duels that commenced with a sudden shout, "I challenge you to a duel," with the sword already drawn...

In short, after Wang Jiu recounted his duel experiences to the Jiu Immortal Venerables, Shang Lanfei even suggested compiling an encyclopedia of duels, making it a core intellectual property, and after the Immortal Demon War, adapting it into storytelling, opera, film, and games, capitalizing on the post-war reconstruction when Jiuzhou cultivators’ demand for entertainment was high, leveraging the fame of the Celestial Divine Sword saving the world to make a huge profit.

Of course, this grand-scale intellectual property development plan never came to be, but regardless, Wang Jiu was unarguably an expert on dueling.

Qian Yu, however, was baffled by Wang Jiu’s question: "What kind of duel?"

"Generally, there are seven types: death match, half-death match, rule-based duel, honor duel, technical duel, judged duel, and trash talk duel. The last one usually refers to those duels that are loudly announced but never carried out, ending in nothing. There’s also a subcategory of fraudulent duel, where both parties attract attention by publicly announcing a duel, then vanish after pre-selling tickets and collecting bets."

Qian Yu looked bewildered: "What are you talking about? There are so many kinds of duels?"

Wang Jiu explained seriously: "Of course, a duel is a highly serious and complex act of violence involving the life and honor safety of the participants. It must be regulated with strict technical standards to maximize the protection of both parties’ interests and achieve the intended goal. For example, are you planning to engage in a relentless duel with me now?"

Qian Yu was stunned: "Relentless!?"

"Yes, regardless of how severe the injuries either side suffers, including but not limited to disfigurement, blindness, limb disability, True Essence collapse, Divine Sense destruction, etc., the fight cannot stop until one side loses all vital signs." As Wang Jiu spoke, he quickly drew a detailed injury diagram with his brush, leaving Qian Yu’s face pale and causing the surrounding girls to instinctively step back.

Qian Yu said hoarsely: "You and I don’t have such a deep hatred, why resort to a relentless duel?"

Wang Jiu said: "The conditions for a death match aren’t limited to hatred; they also include real interest conflicts, unilateral bullying, etc. The purpose is to completely eliminate the opponent to safeguard one’s interests. For instance, if I were to disappear from this world now, would the benefits outweigh the drawbacks for you?"

Qian Yu was dumbfounded for a long time, not knowing what to say.

Wang Jiu nodded: "Judging from your breathing rhythm, Divine Sense fluctuations, and pupil contractions, I think your answer in your heart is yes. Therefore, you have a reason to initiate a relentless death match against me."

As he spoke, Wang Jiu lifted his cloak to reveal a face perfect enough to make countless girls scream, yet at that moment, his face was filled with a chilling solemnity.

No killing intent, no battle intent, not even the most focused gaze could decipher any emotions, but the coldness was the most penetrating.

It’s as if primitive, supreme, chaotic... such terrifying concepts materialized, coldly watching the ants in front of them.

Qian Yu felt it hard to breathe, and a voice in his heart was cursing himself as an idiot for provoking such a monster!

Even though Wang Jiu showed no True Essence fluctuations, and no aura of Magical Treasures, even with just a guess, one would know this guy, specially invited by the Li Family as an Honored Guest Elder to live with that wicked woman in Shen Garden, is by no means an easy person to deal with!

Meanwhile, Qian Yu’s rational mind was running wild; given the situation, how should he handle it? Stand firm and really fight this person?

What a joke! Life is money, as the Third Young Master of the Qian Family, how can he inexplicably bear such a life-threatening risk?

So, just end it here, admit defeat and apologize?

That would be a good choice, although he’d lose face, especially in front of so many girls, but after all, he has no luck with women anyway!

Just as Qian Yu was about to speak, Wang Jiu suddenly spoke again. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Of course, if you’re a risk-averse cultivator unwilling to bear the risk of a death match, you can choose a half-death match — a duel until one side completely loses the ability to resist. Or a rule-based duel, where both sides determine victory conditions, limit combat methods, and appoint a referee to conduct the duel. Lastly, there’s the technical duel, using strict technical standards to limit conditions to determine victory..."

Before he finished, Qian Yu already said: "I choose a rule-based duel! Since we’re at the Sword Dao Club, let’s simply discuss swordsmanship, without comparing True Essence depth or Divine Sense strength, ensuring fairness and justice!"

These words were quite cunning; what he’s most adept at now is the Qian Family’s inherited Golden Silk Wrapped Jade Sword, and his Eighth Heaven cultivation far surpasses the early Cloud Surge True Essence Realm, making it his most advantageous comparison.

Wang Jiu was slightly surprised to hear this and looked at him: "Are you sure?"

"Of course!" Qian Yu kept cheering himself on.

"Alright."

A moment later, they marked off the area and began the match. Qian Yu cautiously held his sword, and then, in an instant, his vision blurred, and he lost consciousness.

Before passing out, he heard Wang Jiu speak.

"I thought you would at least suggest competing by the amount of cash we have, that would be your best option."