Desprate Battle (I)

For the Mind Focusing Realm sword cultivators, the Convocation of Swords organized a series of free-for-all battles that utilized the entire arena. Including Bei Yingluo, around forty other people were called down, their names having been drawn at random.

Bei Yingluo stood near the center of the arena, adorned in a sandy-pink-colored battle robe. Her honey-blonde hair was tied up in a neat bun. She felt out of place as she looked around anxiously at her competition.

Many were at the 10th Level of the Mind Focusing Realm. They had been waiting for this day for years and years. Some were even known to purposefully delay their advancement to the Spirit Initiate Realm just for a better chance of entering the Forest of Swords.

Other competitors were slightly lower in level but none were below the 6th Level. Compared to them, she was an oddity because she was only at the 3rd Level. By all common sense, someone like her should not have participated in the convocation. They would only embarrass themselves and their sect. There was plenty of time to cultivate and wait for the next convocation in five years.

Bei Yingluo gripped the hem of her sleeves and gritted her teeth. She tried to ignore the deafening noise of the crowd and the menacing stares in her direction. She glanced upward towards the east. She squinted and could barely make out her master, still sitting cozily with the twins on either side of him. A flash of envy filled her stomach which quickly turned into a surge of motivation.

Ordinary cultivators could wait five years but she couldn't. She was the disciple of an immortal, an immortal who had so many amazing disciples, each one stronger than her, prettier than her. But this only increased her desire to catch his attention, to make him proud.

His eyes were on her now and she hoped that they would remain until the end, this eleventh disciple with a unique power that defied the heavens.

"Swordsmen and swordswomen of the subcontinent! I present to you the finest sword cultivators of the Mind Focusing Realm!" Immortal Thousand Swords Jin Wu's voice sliced across the arena. He was already floating in mid-air as he addressed the crowd, "This is the first of eleven matches we will hold across today and the next two days. It is a free-for-all battle with the last three standing fighters as the winners who will have earned the noble right to enter the Forest of Swords!"

He paused to let the crowd let out their cheers of excitement and shouts of support.

"Excellent, excellent. The rules are as follows. Only weapons considered swords are allowed. No fatal strikes are allowed. Contestants may go for vital points provided they hold back their attacks. Judges will be posted around the outside of the fighting area and they will be constantly observing. If someone suffers what should have been a critical wound, then it is their loss and they must vacate the arena. Now…"

Jin Wu raised his hands as a light gray energy barrier appeared along the edges of the square platform. This created a huge square set of walls that enclosed the contestants.

"If anyone touches the barrier or is forced to by others, that person is considered out. To prevent everyone from congregating in the middle, every five minutes, the barrier will shrink, decreasing the area available. There is no time limit and the battle will continue until only three people are left. Does everyone understand the rules?"

"Yes, immortal!"

"Yes, Lord Jin!"

"Contestants, prepare for battle!"

Instantly, the forty or so sword cultivators drew their swords and spread out. There were longswords, heavy swords, sabers, and even some short swords barely bigger than daggers. Everyone was at the Mind Focusing Realm so there was no spiritual energy. But their combined martial aura was still something to behold as they all readied their minds and bodies for a difficult struggle.

Bei Yingluo found herself an open spot. Her pudao appeared in a flash. The handle was one meter long and made of steel wrapped with leather. The blade was another meter long. It was wide, straight, double-edged, and tapered to a sharp point.

She gripped the curious sword-like weapon with both hands and looked around for potential opponents or threats. Others were doing the same and many were looking in her direction. She was the weakest and an easy target.

"What's a little chick doing in such a battle?" A derisive voice came from her right. "This place is not for someone like you."

She turned to see a tall, slender young man with an equally slender sword that was as thin as a piece of paper. His robes were white and bland except for the character of Huang which was displayed prominently. It signified that he was a disciple of the Mount Huang Sect.

The young man had a sharp demeanor and his body language exuded confidence. She could tell from a glance he would not be an easy opponent and so she took half step away from him instinctively.

"Hey, you! Do you think I'm an easier target than him? Don't kid yourself!" A gruff voice came from behind.

It belonged to a large woman who was bigger than most men. She carried a heavy sword that was over two meters in length, a massive weapon that suited her equally massive frame. Her sword aura was even more fearsome than the Mount Huang Sect disciple, so much so that other people were giving her a wide berth.

Bei Yingluo felt sweat trickle down her back. She retreated from one monstrous opponent only to be met with another one. Everyone standing on the stage seemed overwhelming to her.

Only a year ago, she was still at the Body Refinement Realm. She had made rapid progress and broke through to the Mind Focusing Realm thanks to her master's teachings and what seemed like endless cultivation resources. Her clan was recovering and she was living a good life.

Despite this, she was still the same person she had been before she joined Ten Thousand Flower Valley. She was inexperienced. She was insecure. She wasn't sure if she could properly call upon her unique ability in times of need. She was still weak…

"Begin!"

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