31. Dueling Su Ming

At the next day, during lunch break.

Su Ming came to Chu Yan and suddenly said, "Old Yan, come and spar with me during special class."

Hearing this, Chu Yan, who is currently eating spit, asked, "Suddenly?"

"I just want to see how wide the gap is between you and me. I hope you can accept it," replied Su Ming.

"Well, sure. I hope you don't cry when you lose," joked Chu Yan.

"Haha, we will see about that," smiled Su Ming.

Hearing that Chu Yan has been challenged, the entire No. 2 class is excited. Even though Su Ming is popular as the current Chu Yan, many people know his talent and background.

The school training ground buzzed with anticipation as students gathered around the sparring ring. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the packed dirt, highlighting the eagerness etched on every face. At the center of the ring stood Chu Yan and Su Ming, both geniuses capable of entering special classes.

Chu Yan adjusted his grip on the hilt of his sword, feeling the familiar weight and balance. His dark eyes focused on Su Ming, who stood a few paces away, his own sword glinting in the sunlight. Su Ming's stance was relaxed yet ready, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Ready, Su Ming?" Chu Yan asked, his voice calm and confident.

Su Ming nodded, his expression serious but with a hint of excitement. "Always."

Coach Bai Heng stepped forward and raised his hand. "Begin!"

The two friends, yet rivals, took immediate action upon receiving the signal. Chu Yan was the first to move, his blade cutting through the air at breakneck speed.

Su Ming greeted the assault with a savage, deafening clash of blades that reverberated throughout the training area. Chu Yan felt the force of the impact on his arm, but he remained, looking for an opportunity to get past Su Ming's resistance.

After non-stop training with his father, Su Ming's basic sword technique has already deepened his foundation in the perfection realm. With his talent for the sword, Su Ming can be said to be the strongest genius in No. 2 school, except for Ouyang Feng and Chu Yan.

Su Ming's parries were smooth and precise as he deflected Chu Yan's strikes. Their swords danced in a blur of motion, each clash a testament to their skill and familiarity with each other's fighting styles. The students around them watched in awe, murmuring among themselves as the duel intensified.

Seeing that Su Ming was deflecting his attack, Chu Yan felt a little surprised. Even though he didn't use his true strength, it is still difficult for an ordinary martial artist to parry his blow.

Chu Yan pressed his advantage, his sword a blur of motion. He feinted left, then right, keeping Su Ming on his toes. Finally, with a powerful overhead strike, he aimed to end the duel. Su Ming, summoning every ounce of his strength and focus, raised his sword to block. The impact drove him to one knee, his arms shaking under the force.

"Impressive," Chu Yan said, his voice steady. "But can you keep up?"

With a determined shout, Su Ming pushed back, deflecting Chu Yan's blade and rolling to the side to create distance. He sprang to his feet, his breathing heavy, but his eyes alight with determination. He knew he couldn't match Chu Yan's strength, but he could outlast him, exploit any opening that might appear.

"Didn't the two of them just receive their weapons? How are they already so strong? They've already entered the Martial Artist Realm. Not only that, they are very familiar with the techniques of their weapons."

"The two of them are indeed worthy of being the elites of our class. They're so powerful!"

The students watching the battle felt shocked and excited. The number of people remained essentially at the same level, considering the fact that there were now high and low degrees of cultivation among them.

The result of the fight between the two parties at this point may very well depend on how strong their martial talents are.

The duel continued, and the pace was relentless. Chu Yan's attacks were a flurry of motion, each strike more powerful than the last. Su Ming defended himself with everything he had, his movements a blend of desperation and skill. He was pushed to his limits, but he refused to yield.

Finally, in a moment of clarity, Su Ming saw his chance. As Chu Yan launched another powerful strike, Su Ming sidestepped with a burst of speed, his sword flicking out to tap Chu Yan lightly on the wrist. It was a minor hit, but enough to show that he had found an opening.

Chu Yan paused, a look of surprise and admiration on his face. He stepped back, lowering his sword. The crowd fell silent, the air thick with anticipation.

"Well done, Su Ming," Chu Yan said, a genuine smile breaking across his face. "You've improved."

Su Ming, breathing heavily, managed a smile in return. "Thank you, Chu Yan. I guess my hell-like training is still not in vain."

Bai Heng stepped forward, his face stern but approving. "Enough. The duel is over."

Chu Yan and Su Ming sheathed their swords and approached each other as they clasped hands firmly.

"Very good; this level of fighting is what I expected from special classes. All of you take note and try to comprehend the battle," praised Bai Heng.

"Thank you, coach," said both of them.

Next, Bai Heng continued, "The next students come forward to the training ground."

The next fight was not as exciting as Chu Yan and Su Ming fought, so many students dispersed after the sparring session ended.