Chapter 19 - The Perfect Match, The Protagonist Shows Off

To read 219 chapters of the book I wrote, patreon.com/Guts02

"A supreme-grade root! Am I seeing things?"

"And he's at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment!"

"He looked so ordinary, who would've thought he's a prodigy!"

"This guy is destined to become a direct disciple of Purple Cloud Peak!"

"Exactly! If he doesn't make it, then the rest of us don't stand a chance!"

The crowd below the Ascension Platform gawked at Xiao Ye, who stood there brimming with self-assurance. Those whom he had mocked earlier clenched their fists, their faces seething with resentment as they cursed silently, lamenting how fate could favor someone so arrogant with such unparalleled talent.

"Announce it," Xiao Ye commanded with a smug expression, regarding the crowd below as nothing but ants.

This was how it should be! Ever since he obtained the jade pendant, fortune had smiled upon him at every turn. Everyone he met had no choice but to look up to him. Xiao Ye was convinced that his future would lead him to the very peak of immortality!

Becoming a disciple of Purple Cloud Peak and winning over his beloved Sister Xue was merely the first step on that grand journey.

Shangguan Shu, stunned by Xiao Ye's abilities, took a moment to regain his composure. He knew the stone pillar was infallible, even if Xiao Ye's talent was hard to believe.

"Xiao Ye, supreme-grade root. You pass," Shangguan Shu finally declared, his tone suddenly kinder. "Please take a seat over there. Once all testing is complete, we'll begin the next round."

Xiao Ye nodded indifferently, ignoring Shangguan Shu's warm tone, and strolled toward the high platform, radiating an air of superiority.

Shangguan Shu rubbed his nose, embarrassed but unsurprised. Just a few days ago, this youth had submitted a request to meet Xue Jinli, only to be snubbed. Shangguan Shu planned to clear things up with Xiao Ye later, perhaps even offering a generous gift in hopes of forging a connection. After all, even Shangguan felt that Xiao Ye was a sure candidate for Purple Cloud Peak's direct discipleship.

The testing soon ended. Out of dozens of candidates, only twelve had high-grade roots. As for supreme-grade roots, Xiao Ye was the only one.

"Second round: platform duels. The top three will advance. Candidates, please step forward to draw lots," Shangguan Shu announced.

Before him stood a wooden box filled with bamboo sticks for the candidates to draw.

Upon hearing that the next round was a combat trial, the expressions of those with lower cultivation levels fell. Among those with similar talents, the difference in cultivation level often equated to a difference in combat ability. Meanwhile, the stronger candidates weren't particularly relieved either; Xiao Ye's presence cast a looming shadow over them. As someone at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment with supreme-grade roots, he could undoubtedly dominate them all.

"How are we supposed to compete with that?" a girl muttered in frustration.

"Just please don't let me draw Xiao Ye," one boy murmured, hands clasped in prayer.

But there's always an unlucky soul to draw the short straw.

"I've got number one! Who else has number one?" a boy named Shen Lang called, holding his lot high.

"Congratulations, you hit the jackpot." Xiao Ye approached with his own number one lot, patting Shen Lang on the shoulder with an amused smile, exuding a sense of superiority that made it clear he saw himself as far above the rest.

"Brother… Could you maybe take it easy on me?" Shen Lang asked, his face stricken.

But Xiao Ye's expression turned ice-cold. "If you're scared, step down. Don't tarnish the Ascension Platform with your cowardice."

Xiao Ye had spoken loudly, hoping to impress Xue Jinli, though she wasn't around to see it.

Shen Lang's face twisted with indignation. He'd tried to bridge the gap amicably, only to be humiliated in front of everyone.

"You may be in the fifth level, but I'm not afraid of you. Let's see who stands victorious!" he spat through clenched teeth.

"Please, as if you stand a chance," Xiao Ye sneered, dismissing Shen Lang as inconsequential.

The spectators below couldn't help but react to their interaction.

"This Xiao Ye is too much. The other guy backed down, and he still wouldn't let it go."

"Are you kidding? Strong people are supposed to put down the weak. I'm with Xiao Ye on this one!"

"And besides, don't you think his attitude resembles Lady Xue's?"

"Ha! Comparing him to Lady Xue is a joke!"

"Don't jump to conclusions. Shen Lang may have the Clear Wind Sword technique at mastery. He could hold his own against Xiao Ye!"

As Xiao Ye's arrogance reached a peak, many started to ask themselves—had anyone heard of Xiao Ye before today?

Everyone shook their heads. There was no famous Xiao in the Xiao family, although they recalled a minor fire-wielding youth known in the city.

The Ascension Platform, constructed from multiple smaller dueling stages, awaited the competitors.

Shangguan Shu activated a mechanism, and six raised stages emerged from the ground, halting at waist height.

"Contestants, please proceed to your respective stages according to your lot numbers," Shangguan Shu directed.

Following the instructions, the twelve contestants took their places. Once everyone was ready, six experienced guards joined each platform to oversee the duels.

On Stage One, Xiao Ye gestured for Shen Lang to approach, flashing a condescending smirk as though he were facing an insect.

"Xiao Ye, don't be so arrogant!" Shen Lang roared, his anger flaring as he gripped his sword and charged forward.

Moving with the grace of a breeze, he closed the distance in a flash, his blade descending in a swift arc.

"Clear Wind Sword Technique!"

This lower-mystic-grade technique was something Shen Lang had trained in since the age of seven, achieving mastery by fifteen. Combined with his nimble footwork, he was confident in its lethal precision.

The moment Shen Lang's sword sliced through the air, it brought with it a murderous wind, gentle at first but carrying the force of a storm.

Spectators below instinctively took a step back, feeling the oppressive aura emanating from his strike.

"Clear Wind Swordsmanship is no joke!" someone exclaimed.

"That Xiao Ye looks like some street rogue. I doubt he's trained with anything decent."

"Shen Lang's strike could make even those at the sixth level flinch. Xiao Ye's in trouble!"

"I had high hopes for him… what a shame."

The crowd collectively doubted Xiao Ye's chances, convinced that his unremarkable background and training couldn't rival Shen Lang's mystic-grade technique.

But Xiao Ye just scoffed, unfazed.

As the blade neared his face, he calmly raised two fingers.

In the next moment, Shen Lang's eyes widened in shock, his mind going blank as if witnessing something impossible.

Clang!

A metallic ring echoed as Xiao Ye's fingers intercepted the blade, stopping it dead.

The crowd watched, frozen in disbelief.

With just two fingers, Xiao Ye had shattered Shen Lang's sword to pieces.

To read 219 chapters of the book I wrote, patreon.com/Guts02