I Stepped on a Bug, and the System Says I Slayed a Dragon?-Chapter 65: Young Sword Demon vs. Budding Empress

Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Young Sword Demon vs. Budding Empress

’So this guy really is the Sword Demon the system mentioned.’

In the stands, Qin Yang shoved a handful of popcorn into his mouth and chewed, his gaze never leaving Huyan Sword.

The formidable young man paid no mind to the Star Force radiating from him, a clear display of an arrogance that placed him far above the crowd.

He wasn’t the least bit afraid to reveal his realm.

With just a brief scan, Qin Yang discerned the other’s realm. It was profound and natural, in harmony with heaven and earth.

Clearly, he had already reached the Half-step Innate realm.

’To reach this realm at only seventeen...’

’His talent is truly outstanding.’

’But Li Zixuan, the one I bet on, is no slouch either.’

’She’s reached the Postnatal Ninth Layer at only sixteen. In terms of talent, she’s not inferior to Huyan Sword at all.’

’Well now, looks like she’s been matched with a worthy opponent.’

At this thought, Qin Yang shook his head, expertly pulled a can of Coke from his bag, popped the tab, and took a few gulps before leaning back comfortably in his seat.

He found it fascinating to think about what the two of them would become five hundred years from now.

This next match was going to be quite a show.

The young Sword Demon versus the fledgling Empress!

Such a strange twist of fate really made one marvel.

’I wonder how my interference this time will affect things five hundred years from now.’

At this thought, Qin Yang downed the rest of his Coke and turned his attention back to the Martial Arts Plaza.

...

"Let’s begin! Make it quick so you don’t waste my time!"

Huyan Sword cracked his neck and stretched his muscles, striding to the center of the Martial Arts Arena in a single bound.

The seats near the stage were divided into two sections. One was the exclusive VIP section, where Yu Wenxuan and Elder Li were seated among others.

The other section was filled with exceptional students from Jianghai Martial Arts Academy, who were there specifically to observe and learn.

Huyan Sword’s gaze swept over the seats below, traveling from Elder Li to the students, making no attempt to hide his contempt.

After all, he had already defeated dozens of young prodigies in a row.

At first, Huyan Sword had still held a shred of respect, bowing to each of his opponents.

But after one crushing victory after another, all of that patience had vanished into thin air.

’So these so-called prodigies were this pathetic after all.’

’Respect must be earned with strength.’

’And since I’m this strong, why should I show any respect to trash?’

With this thought in mind, Huyan Sword scanned the entire plaza, waiting for his challenger to take the stage. The scorn in his eyes grew even more intense.

The crowd below felt Huyan Sword’s gaze on them and immediately grew disgruntled.

"Hey, look at that guy staring at us. He looks so contemptuous."

"He’s so arrogant. Does he have any manners at all?"

"Does he really think no one in our academy can beat him!?"

Whispers rippled through the audience below the stage.

The students under his gaze were resentful, but there was nothing they could do.

The guy certainly had the right to be arrogant; crushing everyone in his path to get here was a clear testament to his overwhelming power.

At this thought, the crowd turned their gazes to Li Zixuan, who occupied the central seat, and couldn’t help but feel a pang of worry for her.

Li Zixuan sat in her chair with her eyes closed, recuperating her energy.

Just then, she felt a faint murmur in her ear as a voice transmission from Elder Li arrived.

"Go on up, Xuanxuan."

As his voice faded,

Li Zixuan opened her eyes. She picked up the sword from the table and slowly rose to her feet. Standing out from the crowd like a crane among chickens, she began to walk toward the stage.

The instant she rose from her seat,

her restrained Sword Intent erupted with astonishing force, like a sharp sword being drawn from its sheath.

"Hm?"

Feeling this wave of Sword Intent wash over him, Huyan Sword’s expression changed abruptly.

His earlier flippant demeanor vanished in an instant.

’This academy actually has someone with such powerful Sword Intent?’

’And a woman, at that?’

At this thought, Huyan Sword sized up Li Zixuan, a fervent glint flashing in the depths of his eyes.

"I didn’t think I’d find such a pleasant surprise on this trip to Jianghai!"

In the VIP section,

Yu Wenxuan, sitting with his chin in his hand, was also somewhat surprised when Li Zixuan appeared.

An expert can tell at a glance. Based on that piercing Sword Intent alone, Li Zixuan’s future on the path of the Sword Dao was certain to be meteoric.

"Your Jianghai Academy is quite something, to have been hiding a Sword Dao prodigy of this caliber."

"Xuanxuan has always been the pride of our Jianghai Academy."

Hearing this, Elder Li felt immensely proud. He turned to look at Li Zixuan, his aged eyes filled with gentleness.

"Impressive."

Yu Wenxuan nodded slightly in praise. "Her talent is just as outstanding. She is indeed qualified to face my disciple."

...

On the Martial Arts Arena.

Li Zixuan stood at one corner of the Martial Arts Arena, sword in hand. Her eyelids were lowered, her pupils showing no ripple of emotion, as still as an autumn pond and as dispassionate as the Celestial Dao itself.

Her robes fluttered about her, making her seem like a celestial maiden descended to the mortal world.

The crowd in the stands was instantly mesmerized by the sight.

"Go, Senior Sister Li!"

"Senior Sister Li is as beautiful as ever today."

"Jianghai Martial Arts Academy will be victorious!"

In stark contrast, Huyan Sword stood at the opposite corner of the Martial Arts Arena.

He was bare-chested, his muscles knotted and powerful. In his hand, he gripped a massive greatsword as tall as he was, projecting a ferocious and intimidating aura.

"Come on! Let’s see how long you can last!"

Huyan Sword laughed, stretching his knotted muscles. The veins on his neck bulged like writhing snakes, and then his figure suddenly vanished from sight.

Before the crowd could even react, Huyan Sword instantly appeared behind Li Zixuan!

He swung the massive greatsword, raising a howling gale!

’So fast!’

Li Zixuan’s pupils shrank. She immediately raised her blade, nimbly maneuvering it around the greatsword to deflect the majority of its force.

A flashing arc of light left a fleeting afterimage.

Li Zixuan spun her slender sword, using the momentum from the greatsword’s strike to press forward. Sunlight glinted off her blade, making it look like a ball of white light rolling across the broad face of the heavy weapon.

Swift as lightning.

Yet light as a drifting breeze.

In an instant, the roles of attacker and defender were reversed!

’Qingfeng Swordsmanship?’

Huyan Sword was stunned for a moment before recognizing the origin of this swordsmanship.

’But to apply a Basic Swordsmanship style so effectively in a real battle is no simple feat.’

As the cold glint of her blade shot toward his face, Huyan Sword remained unhurried and simply heaved his greatsword upward with immense force.

The tremendous force kicked up a powerful gust of wind, instantly flinging Li Zixuan high into the air.

But she was unharmed.

Li Zixuan righted herself in mid-air, landing back on the Martial Arts Arena with incredible grace.

The moment she landed, she charged Huyan Sword once more.

CLANG! CLANG!

The two swords clashed dozens of times in the span of a few breaths, the ringing blows sounding like wind chimes.

The exquisite display of technique was a feast for the eyes, a true demonstration of peak Swordsmanship.

For a moment, the battle on the Martial Arts Arena reached a stalemate.

Everyone had expected Li Zixuan to be defeated quickly, so they were utterly astonished to see that she was holding her own.

Even Elder Li was taken aback. As he watched the fierce struggle, his surprise gave way to a look of deep satisfaction.

’It seems that girl Xuanxuan has been working very hard lately.’