Chapter Seventy-Five: Victory in the Palm of One’s Hand

Ye Sansi claimed victory with ease; the fight lasted no more than three exchanges. He surmised his next opponent would not be so easily subdued.

The following match pitted Lin Nian’er against Su Ning. Su Ning, too, was a young maiden, her age comparable to Jin Sun, but at first glance she appeared far more mature, her gaze bearing a fierceness unbefitting her tender years.

Su Ning glared at Lin Nian’er, eyes brimming with murderous intent. She gathered a mass of violet-black clouds in her right hand, which she clenched, transforming them into a dagger two feet in length, its blade razor-sharp.

The moment Lin Nian’er saw Su Ning, she knew her opponent was no gentle soul. How could one so young be so ruthless? She wondered how Su Ning had managed to pass the mental trial.

Su Ning let out a wicked laugh and charged at Nian’er. Lin Nian’er knew little of martial arts, possessing only the rudimentary skills of the Liu Family Fortress, and her greatest strength—the Universe Lock—was ill-suited for the arena.

Su Ning attacked relentlessly, forcing Nian’er to evade again and again.

Watching this unfold, Ye Sansi grew anxious. “What should we do? Nian’er hardly knows any martial arts—how can she defeat Su Ning? Maybe we should call for her surrender. Winning or losing doesn’t matter; we can leave Immortal Island and go anywhere. We can’t let Nian’er lose her life.”

Li Taiyi, brows furrowed, agreed, “Exactly. Su Ning is clearly well-trained, her skills formidable, and her strikes are fierce and domineering. Nian’er can only dodge—she doesn’t even try to counter…”

Liu Lingshuang laughed heartily, “Haha, Sansi, Taiyi, you needn’t worry. Nian’er will surely prevail.”

Ye Sansi asked, “Lingshuang, what makes you say that? I see Nian’er is at a disadvantage.”

“Do you recall the imitation Jade Bracelet from the Killing Iron Shop? I didn’t want Sansi to buy it, but later I realized it could be useful, so I had someone purchase it and gave it to Nian’er. Before she entered the arena, I lent her the Spirit Fire Pistol and explained its use, placing it in the Jade Bracelet…”

Ye Sansi laughed in relief, “Lingshuang, you truly are clever. Those oddities you brought from Lingzhou really came in handy!”

“Of course. I may not match your intelligence, but I always prepare for emergencies. If something can be useful, I keep it close, so I’m ready for whatever danger arises.”

While they conversed, Su Ning unleashed over a dozen moves. Fortunately, Nian’er was nimble and quick to react, avoiding injury.

Su Ning grew frustrated; it was a competition, after all. How could her opponent keep evading instead of fighting? But the arena’s rules were set by Immortal Island, and she could not complain.

Gradually, Su Ning tired and stopped, standing ten paces from Nian’er.

Lin Nian’er, exhausted from constant dodging, saw Su Ning halt. She realized their prolonged contest had shown her lack of strength, but now was the time to defeat Su Ning.

She twisted her wrist, drawing two Spirit Fire Pistols, just as Lingshuang had instructed. She aimed at Su Ning and touched the trigger, infusing her spiritual power into the pistols, which released a beam of red light.

Su Ning sensed danger, raised her dagger defensively, and squeezed her eyes shut. When nothing struck her after a moment, she opened her eyes to see Fang Yuan standing before her.

Before Su Ning could react, Fang Yuan walked toward the edge of the arena, back turned, and said, “Lin Nian’er is victorious.”

Su Ning protested angrily, “How can you declare that? I didn’t take the blow myself—how do you know I couldn’t withstand it?”

Fang Yuan replied loudly, “You? That strike was overwhelmingly powerful. Even I had to rely on the arena’s protective array to block it. You are an ordinary person—if you were truly hit, you would perish…”

Hearing this, Su Ning lowered her head, but her spirit remained defiant. She pointed her dagger at Lin Nian’er and said, “I will train hard. Someday I will defeat you. Remember my name—Su Ning, your rival…”

After speaking, Su Ning vanished into white mist. The next few matches proceeded like breaking bamboo; Ye Sansi and his five companions claimed victory one after another.

Jin Sun had spoken truthfully—she possessed martial skills, not the grand arts, but sufficient for these opponents.

All six won their first matches with ease, facing no formidable adversaries. The second round, sixteen to eight, went likewise: Li Taiyi, Lin Nian’er, Jin Sun, and Xiong Gang all advanced.

Yet Ye Sansi and Liu Lingshuang’s names remained absent, causing the group to worry. At last, the final pair was announced, and the worst came to pass…

Fang Yuan cleared his throat and declared, “The last match, Ye Sansi versus Liu Lingshuang.”

It seemed Immortal Island had done this deliberately. Sansi and Lingshuang had arrived together—never would their names be paired thus, unless to cause them difficulty.

But rules were rules. Ye Sansi and Liu Lingshuang stepped onto the arena. Lingshuang said to Fang Yuan, “Brother Fang, please give me a sword.”

Fang Yuan flicked his wrist, sending a sword to Lingshuang. “Miss Lingshuang, this is a standard sword, the Island’s blade. Compared to Ye’s Thunder Fury, it is lacking.”

Lingshuang accepted it, smiling. “No matter, Brother Fang. This sword suits me well.”

She bowed to Ye Sansi in the manner of a martial contest. Before he could return the gesture, she raised her sword.

Ye Sansi knew Lingshuang’s skills were varied, though she had learned the Liu Family Thirteen Swords, but only superficially.

Seeing Lingshuang attack, Sansi formed a finger sign toward the heavens—Thunder Fury appeared in his hand. Lingshuang slashed vertically, her strike weak, Sansi blocked it horizontally.

Lingshuang followed with one, two, three more strikes. The moves were from the Liu Family Seventy-Two Sword Techniques, but poorly executed, full of flaws.

Ye Sansi smiled, spun Thunder Fury in a circle, and used the Nirvana Flame method. Lingshuang’s blade touched Thunder Fury, as if glued to it.

Sansi performed the Seventy-Two Sword Techniques, guiding Lingshuang along with the movements. The audience was stunned—this was a duel, yet it felt more like a display of affection.

When the seventy-two techniques ended, Ye Sansi embraced Lingshuang, whispering in her ear, “Lingshuang, I once promised to teach you swordplay. I failed you then; let me make amends now, shall I?”

Lingshuang’s face flushed bright red. The once proud heiress of the Liu family now shy and quiet in Sansi’s arms, nodded gently. “Alright…”

Ye Sansi released Lingshuang, took her hand, and approached Fang Yuan. “Brother Fang, how shall this match be judged? Neither of us wishes to fight.”

Fang Yuan smiled, “This round was an extra. I’ve seen Ye’s strength—win or lose, you both advance to the Universe Arena. Since Miss Liu and Ye are deeply connected and both skilled, you may proceed together.”

Hearing this, the four in the stands cheered from their hearts. They had thought only one could stay, but both advanced—a truly joyous outcome.

Fang Yuan announced, “There are nine left on stage—all victors.” He waved his hand, gathering white mist that slowly formed into a person—Li Bing.

Fang Yuan continued, “In my observation, among the twenty-three eliminated, Li Bing stands out in strength. I have decided she will enter the Universe Arena.”

Those on stage murmured, questioning why Li Bing was chosen. She had been eliminated in the first round, defeated by Ye Sansi in less than three exchanges—she was unworthy.

A brave youth stood and shouted to Fang Yuan, “Senior, this seems unfair. We all saw Li Bing’s defeat by Ye Sansi—so many capable eliminated, why her?”

Fang Yuan chuckled, “My word is law!”

The youth remained unconvinced, protesting, “You may be senior, but there are elders and the Island Lord above you. If you show favoritism and injustice, I would rather forfeit my chance and expose Immortal Island’s conduct to the world!”

“Haha, excellent!” Fang Yuan laughed, clearly amused by the youth’s stubbornness. “If you doubt my judgment and think Li Bing inferior, come to the stage and challenge her…”

“Fine, a fight it is!” The youth interrupted, leaping onto the arena to face Li Bing.

Ye Sansi and Liu Lingshuang quickly stepped aside. The youth clasped his hands and said, “I am Song Han. Please instruct me.”

“Li Bing.”

Now closer, Song Han realized Li Bing’s beauty; her azure eyes were pure and striking, causing his legs to weaken.

Li Bing, irked by Song Han’s earlier mockery, showed no mercy, wielding twin swords. Song Han, though from a distinguished family and worldly, regained his composure as Li Bing attacked.

He drew his sword to block, confident he could defeat her in three moves like Ye Sansi. To his shock, from the start he was outmatched, pressed by Li Bing’s relentless assault.

He sought to counter, but her twin swords swept like a storm, lightning-fast. Though he spotted flaws, he could not shift from defense to offense.

Song Han muttered under his breath, “Is this a joke? She went easy on Ye Sansi, but fights me with all her might? She’s not weak, after all.”

With a burst of strength, Song Han broke away. Li Bing wanted to press her advantage, but Song Han quickly called out, “Alright, I concede. I misjudged your strength, Miss Li—please forgive me.”

Li Bing smiled, waving her hand dismissively. “No matter, I won’t hold it against you.”

Song Han turned to Fang Yuan and bowed. “Senior, I was rash and wasted everyone’s time. Please assign my punishment.”

“Haha, ignorance is no crime. You are young and impatient, but your words and actions are reasonable. You remind me of myself in youth.”

“Thank you, Senior.”

Fang Yuan cleared his throat and said, “The trial ends here for today. Arrange your rest; in seven hours, I will summon you again.”

All bowed and withdrew, led by disciples out of the barrier to lodgings beyond…