Mortal: Fairy Song Yu has issued you a task.

Chapter 63 Winning the Championship

"It has been nearly four years since we parted ways in Yuanwu Kingdom. I never expected that Junior Brother Lin would step onto the stage to duel with me at this time."

"I am deeply honored that Senior Brother Bai still remembers me. However, I am puzzled as to why I left without leaving my name that day?"

"We met by chance, merely travelers in the mountains and fields; there's no need to leave a name."

The highly anticipated final battle has begun. On the arena, the two faced off, one wielding a longsword, the other carrying a long saber on his back, yet they began reminiscing about the past.

"This sword is named 'Jade Sky,' with a blade three feet and seven inches long and weighing fifteen catties and ten taels," Bai Haozhi said quietly, gently stroking the inscription on the scabbard in his arms.

Lin Jingchu flicked his wrist, and the goose-feather longsword was placed horizontally in front of him, its bright blade illuminating his eyes: "This sword is named Embroidered Spring. The blade is three feet two inches long and weighs fifteen pounds and one ounce."

Lin Jingchu looked at Bai Haozhi, whose favorability rating was displayed as "close," and was speechless: Old Bai, you're pulling this stunt again. Luckily, I reforged the Embroidered Spring Blade before, otherwise, it would have been embarrassing if it couldn't report the parameters.

Upon hearing that the other party could clearly describe the elements of his weapon, Bai Haozhi laughed loudly: "Junior Brother Lin is also a fellow practitioner, so let's determine who is superior!" As soon as he finished speaking, the sword was drawn from its sheath and thrust straight at the other party, and four lightsabers also appeared.

Previously, Bai Haozhi had carefully observed every battle Lin Jingchu fought.

He knew Lin Jingchu was incredibly agile and unpredictable, possessing two secret movement techniques and a top-tier defensive inner armor capable of conjuring a spiritual shield. In battle, he often relied on his movement to create openings and strike decisively. Therefore, he wouldn't give him that opportunity.

Faced with Bai Hao's fierce attack, Lin Jingchu knew he could not fight him head-on, so he used all his strength to activate his Wind-Stepping Shadow Boots, dodging and weaving on the arena to avoid the attack.

On the hundred-foot-long arena, one person was in hot pursuit while the other was fleeing at top speed, their figures moving swiftly.

But the chase didn't last long. With the help of the Jade Cloud Sword and four light swords, Bai Haozhi gradually closed the distance.

Just when the two sides were less than two zhang apart, Bai Haozhi's Jade Cloud Longsword suddenly swept horizontally, and golden sword energy slashed out. Four light swords simultaneously locked onto Lin Jingchu's position, attempting to set up a sword formation as in the previous match.

At the critical moment, Lin Jingchu's feet flashed like water lilies, and in the instant before the sword formation was fully formed, he sidestepped and broke through the stalemate, rushing to Bai Hao's side and behind, returning a cold moonlight beam.

"I've been waiting for you!" Bai Haozhi shattered the incoming blade light with his Taibai Transformation Qi Hand, and continued his momentum, heading straight for the blade.

Lin Jingchu's gaze darkened. Even Song Yu's flying needles, though both top-tier magical artifacts, couldn't withstand such a direct attack with the Embroidered Spring Blade. He immediately sheathed his blade and retreated, weaving and shifting his position, searching for an opening.

The two engaged in a fierce close-quarters battle, one launching a powerful attack and the other moving elusively.

The thousands of cultivators below the stage held their breath and watched intently. Even the judges who were actually cultivators moved within three zhang (approximately 10 meters) and kept their eyes fixed on the battle, fearing that the fight might get out of control and cause serious injury or death.

On the high platform, Fu Tiancheng watched the competition leisurely and sighed softly, "The younger generation is producing outstanding talents, each generation surpassing the last."

No one responded. He turned and looked around. All the Core Formation elders leaned forward, their gazes and spiritual senses fixed on the arena battlefield. Old Man Jiang and Elder Feng looked solemn, even subconsciously holding their breath.

Fu Tiancheng's eyes darted around, and he casually glanced at Old Man Jiang, saying, "Hiss~ Judging from this situation... could it be that the champion of this year's Sword Trial Tournament is going to be taken by the Luoyun Sect?"

Upon hearing this, Old Man Jiang straightened up, glanced sideways at Elder Feng, and forced a calm demeanor: "Our sect's Junior Nephew Bai suppressed the situation throughout, while your sect's Junior Nephew Lin could only barely hold on with his agility. At the early stage of Foundation Establishment, the difference in magical power is too great, so defeat was inevitable."

Elder Feng didn't even lift his eyelids, his gaze fixed on the arena, and said calmly, "In matters of combat, things can change in an instant. Besides, isn't it only natural for a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator to win against an early-stage cultivator?"

On the arena, Lin Jingchu knew he would inevitably lose if the fight dragged on. After his third Water Ripple Step attack missed, a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

Just like when he first faced the cultivator surnamed Tian from Baiqiaoyuan, he subtly used "Mirror Flower Water Moon" while shifting his body.

A clone swung its sword down fiercely in front, while the real body concealed itself in the afterimages generated by the Wind-Stepping Shadow Boots.

clang--

The arc of cold moonlight clashed violently with the Jade Cloud Sword!

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Bai Haozhi moved forward, and his Taibai Transformation Qi Hand went straight for the clone's throat.

Ding~

A silver-scaled spiritual shield instantly appeared to block it, but it was swiftly pierced through by the white sword claw.

"Gu Jian Men Bai..." Upon seeing this, the referee shouted loudly, about to rush out to prepare for rescue.

But the shout abruptly stopped the next moment.

Just as Bai Haozhi's fingertips were about to touch the clone, in the afterimage, Lin Jingchu's true form stepped forward, summoning the Glazed Gourd while simultaneously slashing down with the Embroidered Spring Blade.

Bai Haozhi was about to parry with his sword when a cluster of seven-colored clouds suddenly rushed towards him, freezing his movements instantly.

Without any obstruction, the blade pressed down straight down. Just as Lin Jingchu was about to withdraw his strength, the scabbard of the Jade Cloud Sword suddenly appeared, its opening aimed at the incoming long blade.

call out--

A highly refined golden sword aura shot out.

It turns out that the sword Bai Haozhi always carried was actually a magical artifact with a combination design. The sword was for killing, and the scabbard contained sword energy, specifically designed for self-defense or repelling enemies in times of crisis.

The sword energy, which had been nurtured for a long time, instantly shattered the blade light and struck the embroidered spring blade itself.

With a clang, the longsword shattered into nine pieces, and the undiminished sword energy struck Lin Jingchu's chest.

Fortunately, at the critical moment, the sword energy from the fake Dan judge collided with the sword energy that the scabbard spontaneously generated to save its master.

The explosive impact sent Lin Jingchu flying more than ten feet, where he rolled onto the arena surface.

"We won!"

All the disciples of the Ancient Sword Sect shouted in unison, their voices resounding through the heavens.

The members of the Luoyun Sect looked tense and anxious, but Song Yu remained calm.

"quiet--"

The referee, a novice cultivator, channeled his spiritual power and loudly quelled the commotion. Attendees throughout the plaza acted simultaneously, suppressing the restlessness of their disciples and maintaining order.

The referee looked with mixed feelings at Lin Jingchu, whose clothes had been torn open by sword energy, revealing his inner armor, and then at Bai Haozhi, who had broken through the illusion of the colorful clouds.

He declared in a deep and resounding voice: "Lin Jingchu of Luoyun Sect wins, Bai Hao of Gujian Sect loses."

These words caused an uproar! The disciples of Luoyun Sect cheered enthusiastically, while many disciples of Gujian Sect showed expressions of disbelief.

Only a few people with exceptional eyesight, as well as the Core Formation cultivators on the high platform, could see it clearly.

Before the sword energy struck Lin Jingchu, the nine blades had already grazed several vital points on Bai Haozhi's body.

Bai Haozhi sheathed his sword, solemnly clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Junior Brother Lin's skills are extraordinary. Let's settle our differences another day."

Bai Haozhi (Affection Level: Close)

Lin Jingchu returned the courtesy, saying, "Senior Brother Bai, you flatter me."

Bai Haozhi nodded in response and then leaped off the stage.

As soon as he landed, his fellow disciples immediately surrounded him, bombarding him with questions about the battle and its aftermath. He had no choice but to explain the intricacies of the situation again and again.

On the other side, Lin Jingchu landed back in the Luoyun Sect's group. Everyone was excited and was about to surround him to cheer and celebrate when Song Yu took the lead in greeting him.

Seeing this, everyone, including Meng Yao, tactfully stopped and made room for the two of them.

"Were you injured by that attack just now?"

"It's alright, my inner armor is a top-tier magic weapon." Lin Jingchu patted the silver armor on his chest.