Zombie Bodyguard-Chapter 1534 - 1531: Arena Challenge

Initially, Lin Tian wanted to take Xiao Manxue and leave, paying no mind to these Ancient Martial Artists. However, on second thought, he decided to use this opportunity to establish the standing of the Hua Ying Sword to prevent these Ancient Martial Artists from troubling Miss in the future.

Aunt Wang’s proposal was likely also on behalf of Xiao Manxue, aiming to solve the issue once and for all. With this in mind, Lin Tian paused in his steps and released Miss’s wrist.

"I think this proposal is very reasonable," Mr. Ji immediately expressed his agreement with Wang Wanxi’s proposal. In his heart, he was overjoyed; when it comes to martial arts, who present could compare to his family’s Ji Zimo, an authentic Innate Expert.

Although only at the Innate Early Stage, he was already unrivaled among the younger generation, considered the top among them. While thinking so, Lin Tian internally pondered what expression Mr. Ji would have when his Ji Zimo is defeated.

"Since no one has objections, let’s begin," Master Tang said calmly, showing no particular emotion.

Lin Tian slightly assessed this Master Tang, feeling somewhat puzzled because he found Master Tang’s calmness didn’t seem feigned. In her eyes, everything, including the sect’s treasured instrument, seemed trivial.

Could it be that she doesn’t care about the sect’s treasured instrument? Lin Tian concluded this through observation but remained puzzled; being a sect leader, would she not care about such things? How high must her state of mind be?

Or had her Ancient Martial Realm reached a level where everything embodied the sword? Lin Tian was not familiar with the Innate Realm of Ancient Martial arts, so he couldn’t discern what level Master Tang had achieved.

Just as Lin Tian was scrutinizing Master Tang, she also glanced over, a flash of peculiar color passing in her otherwise indifferent gaze. Lin Tian didn’t know that while everyone else was focused on the Hua Ying Sword, her mind was reminiscing about events from last night’s rainy scene.

"Master Tang, Master Ling, I have a word, please allow me to say it." At this moment, Ji Zimo stood up, bowing politely to both, following traditional etiquettes taught in prestigious families, very precise, adhering to ancient rites.

Where to place the hands, which hand before the other, or behind, even down to the gaze—these were all matters of great concern. Lin Tian had researched this when reading ancient texts, finding it very intricate, impractical for modern society, not that he couldn’t, just unwilling to.

Receiving nods from both masters, Ji Zimo said, "Although cultivating Ancient Martial arts, I have fortunately grasped the threshold, reaching the Innate Early Stage. While this is inherently a good thing, it is unfair to others in comparison."

Oh, this guy realizes it’s unfair, Lin Tian found it surprising, this wasn’t typical of the Ji family.

"What’s your proposal?" Master Tang asked.

"Though it’s still a spar, let’s modify it into an arena challenge, with me as the host, accepting challenges one by one, or all at once. Moreover, I won’t use any weapons, but the challengers may use any weapons, including concealed ones," Ji Zimo said earnestly.

Dang, weren’t these my lines? How come this guy said them first? Listening to Ji Zimo’s "proposal," Lin Tian was taken aback.

"Zimo, you don’t need to do this," Mr. Ji slightly frowned, muttering softly.

Acting as the host entails facing repeated challenges, even agreeing to one-against-many; should he slip, the loss would be unbearable. Traveling all this way to Tang City, isn’t it all to retrieve the Hua Ying Sword?

Still earnest, Ji Zimo said, "Zimo dares not forget the ancestral teachings of benevolence, courage, integrity, wisdom—the way of the ancient gentlemen."

Though they spoke softly, Lin Tian heard it all clearly; it seemed improbable that these two main figures of the Ji family were having disagreements, wasn’t it?

"Have you decided? I’ll take the first round. Let’s be clear, I’m not here for the Hua Ying Sword, just purely to spar. My father told me only real combat leads to improvement." A loud voice sounded from the back of the crowd.

A tall man pushed through the Ancient Martial Artists and ascended the platform. Lin Tian was slightly surprised upon seeing him; it was Xing Shan, the man wielding the black iron staff.

Lin Tian recognized him, though he didn’t recognize Lin Tian, as Lin Tian was then heavily disguised, not revealing his true identity. Born with divine power, though his Ancient Martial path wasn’t remarkable, Xing Shan’s strength was considerable, passing the iron chain test was not surprising.

Seeing this straightforward man ready to spar, Lin Tian and Xiao Manxue stepped down. Mr. Ji, however, kept his eyes on them, seemingly afraid they’d escape.

"I am Xing Shan, please grant me your teaching," Xing Shan unsheathed the black iron staff from behind, assuming an offensive stance.

Ji Zimo nodded, signaling him to advance first. Xing Shan didn’t hesitate, pushing his foot forward, leaping into the air, and bringing the black iron staff down with powerful force, whipping up surrounding leaves and dust.

Compared to his previous fight with Ling Shuiyao, Xing Shan had improved, likely having sparred with many in recent days. As he said, real combat leads to progress.

Though this man appeared straightforward, he wasn’t foolish—in fact, smarter than many Ancient Martial artists. While many focused on the auction and Hua Ying Sword at this rare gathering in Tang City, Xing Shan targeted these Ancient Martial artists as his method of cultivation.

Ji Zimo slightly tilted his head, suddenly raised a hand, contacting the black iron staff, then transforming the palm into a grip, instantly seizing the staff and shaking it forcefully until Xing Shan let go.

In just one move, Ji Zimo had seized Xing Shan’s weapon, leaving him stunned, realizing the immense gap between himself and an Innate expert.

Ji Zimo tossed the black iron staff back to him without a word. Xing Shan scratched his head and stepped off the platform, likely his fastest defeat these few days, still uncomprehending.

Some Ancient Martial artists looked at him with mocking eyes, yet Lin Tian understood. With his pure intention, Xing Shan had boundless potential. However, those mocking him were probably at their limit, for when they mocked, they had already lost the courage to move forward.

When you ridicule others for overestimating themselves, you’ve already become a loser.

"Is there anyone else willing to step up for instruction?" Ji Zimo asked, unfazed by his easy victory, continuing to ask.

Anyone he looked at turned away; they lacked the courage to challenge an Innate expert. Even the scions of Ancient Martial families remained silent.

They had Postnatal Perfect individuals, qualifying them to face an Innate Early Stage expert, though a defeat was certain. If the most outstanding descendants of several great families joined forces, there might be a thirty percent chance of victory, yet these noble heirs couldn’t swallow their pride to collaborate.