The first round, Chen Sheng steps onto the stage.

With a light tap of his toe on the flying vessel's deck, he transforms into a cyan rainbow, sweeping through the void between the two ships, facing the Fake Pill Cultivator in a red robe across from him.

This seemingly tense magical combat actually exudes a tacit understanding from the very start.

"Poor Taoist Tingyu, I have yet to inquire about your esteemed name and surname?"

Chen Sheng clasps his hands in salute, his voice clear and bright, with just the right amount of humility.

The red-robed cultivator's robe corners flutter without wind, his face showing a formulaic smile, also clasping his hands in return:

"Master Baiyu of the Chixiao Commerce Association, nice to meet you, Fellow Daoist Tingyu."

After the greetings, both of them almost simultaneously restrained their smiles, their mana starting to circulate around them.

This was Chen Sheng's first official magical combat against a Fake Pill Cultivator from Yue Country, and even though he knew it was a fake match, he dared not be careless.

As he thought, the Cyan Rhinoceros Profound Armor within his magic robe instantly transformed into a pale cyan light shield, flowing across his whole body like water, with runes faintly appearing and circulating on the light shield, protecting his body thoroughly.

Then, he opened his mouth and spat out, the Tingyu Sword transformed into a dazzling cyan rainbow shooting forth, expanding in the air into a three-foot-long sword body, its edge flickering in and out, creating bursts of sharp sounds of breaking through the air.

Upon seeing this, Master Baiyu flicked his finger, and a fiery red long banner suddenly appeared mid-air.

When the banner unfurled, it spanned a width of about a Zhang, and was embroidered with ferocious flood dragon patterns, swelling with the wind and exuding a scorching aura.

He quickly formed a spell with his hands, chanting under his breath, and over a hundred fire dragons appeared on the banner, each about a Zhang in length, with distinct scales and claws, surrounded by blazing flames.

Fifty fire dragons were kept by Master Baiyu's side, intertwining to manifest a solid fire-red Spiritual Light Shield to protect his body.

The other fifty formed a circular formation, roaring as they pounced fiercely towards Chen Sheng.

Chen Sheng's gaze swept over the fire dragon array, understanding it clearly in his heart.

This array appeared imposing but was actually just a Tier Two Middle Grade Array, with its array hub precarious and flaws evident.

He didn't even need to activate his Sword Heart, merely relying on his sharp perception of arrays to easily find the breakthrough point.

Seeing his wrist lightly tremble, the cyan light of the Tingyu Sword surged like a bolt of lightning tearing through the night, precisely slashing at the weakest node of the array.

"Screech——"

Where the cyan rainbow passed, the fire dragon array shattered accordingly, the flood dragon bodies formed by flames instantly dissipated, turning into scattered sparks in the sky.

The remaining momentum of the Tingyu Sword was unabated, stabbing straight at Master Baiyu's Protective Spiritual Light Shield.

A flicker of evident panic flashed in Master Baiyu's eyes, clearly not expecting Chen Sheng's sword speed to be so fast.

He quickly formed spells with both hands, muttering in a low voice:

"Profound Fire Shield!"

The surface of the Spiritual Light Shield immediately manifested a shield formed by pure firepower, instantly boosting its defense.

Chen Sheng could distinctly perceive the fragility of the Spiritual Light Shield — with the current Tier Three Middle Grade sharpness of the Tingyu Sword, he could easily break the armor even without refining it into Sword Gang.

He sighed inwardly at the general combat power of Yue Country's Fake Pill Cultivators while remembering this was a fake match. Thus, he abruptly withdrew ninety-nine percent of the mana from the Tingyu Flying Sword at his fingertips.

The cyan rainbow fell on the Spiritual Light Shield, making a crisp "ding" sound, looking as if it tried its best but still couldn't break through the defense, only to retreat helplessly, leaving a swaying cyan mark in the air.

Master Baiyu visibly breathed a sigh of relief, looking at Chen Sheng with a hint of gratitude in his gaze.

He hurriedly recalled the remaining fire dragons, formed spells again, re-condensing over a hundred fire dragons into a more complex Hundred Dragon Array.

As the array operated, the Spirit Light grew intense, seemingly reaching the Tier Two High Grade level, complemented by the mana fluctuations of his Fake Pill level, its momentum became even more grand, drawing low murmurs of amazement from many cultivators watching below the flying vessel.

Chen Sheng cooperatively showed a serious expression, quickly forming spells with his hands.

The Tingyu Sword circled in the air once, instantly condensing into a sword gang about a Zhang long, and then dividing into over a hundred strands, each refined like silk, densely covering the sky.

It appeared imposing, as if intending to completely tear apart the opponent's array.

Master Baiyu's face turned pale with fear until he realized those sword threads, despite bursting out with astonishing rainbow light and seeming extremely intimidating, essentially had their momentum diluted in the process, rendering them ornamental and ineffectual, causing him to breathe a sigh of relief.

The sword threads repeatedly landed on the Spiritual Light Shield, producing "shua shua shua" sounds, forming wave-like layers of attacks, yet consistently unable to shake the array the slightest bit.

A moment later, Chen Sheng stood with his sword lowered, intentionally displaying a gasping facade, and clasped his hands saying:

"Daoist friend's array is harmonious, its defense remarkable. I admit my skills are inferior and willingly concede."

Master Baiyu appropriately dispersed the array, retrieved the Red Treasure Banner, stood with his hands behind his back, and assumed an air of a master.

He laughed heartily: "Fellow Daoist, your sword speed is unparalleled. Although you didn't break through my grand array, it left me unable to counterattack. This match should be a draw."

"You truly have the demeanor of a master," Chen Sheng cupped his hands once more, his tone full of "admiration."

Their mutual flattery was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for the audience on the ground to hear clearly. Many cultivators nodded secretly, sighing that as expected of a real figure from the great commerce association, such demeanor is indeed extraordinary.

In no time, both of them transformed into a streak of light, returning to their respective flying vessels.

Just as he stepped onto the deck, Master Nine Profound excitedly patted Chen Sheng on the shoulder:

"Fellow Daoist Tingyu's swordsmanship is indeed wonderful; this act was performed just right!"

Having said that, he adjusted his robe and flew out, ready to start the second round of engagement.

On the flying vessel, only Chen Sheng and Master Qing Xiao were left.

Master Qing Xiao stood with his sword in his arms, eyes as sharp as an eagle, having taken in the entire magical combat just now.

At this moment, he suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a bit more warmth than before:

"I observe you are also a lover of swords, your lifebound flying sword has been refined to Tier Three Middle Grade."

Chen Sheng cupped his hands and said, "Fellow Daoist, you flatter me. I only possess this small skill."

Master Qing Xiao nodded gently, his tone carrying a hint of commentary:

"Your swordsmanship indeed has some rough edges, with many flaws between moves."

Pausing, he added:

"However, being able to comprehend Sword Light Division and Sword Refining into Silk shows your talent in Sword Dao is not lacking, only missing some excellent cultivation."

Immediately, his gaze fell on the Cyan Rhinoceros Profound Armor Light Shield on Chen Sheng, and he said:

"Let's not mention other things, in sword cultivation, why rely on Spirit Armor? Once the Human-Sword Unity and Sword Escape Skill are practiced well, you can roam the world."

He followed up with:

"Of course, your Sword Escape Skill is also too simplistic, evidently lacking advanced inheritance, thus requiring Spirit Armor for protection."

Hearing this, Chen Sheng nodded secretly.

The best sword cultivation technique of Qinghua Sect, the Supreme Profound Sword Scripture, can at most support up to the Golden Core Early-stage, which naturally appears extremely rough to Master Qing Xiao, who comes from a Nascent Soul Grand Sect.

Seeing his sincere attitude without any resistance, a hint of appreciation flashed in Master Qing Xiao's eyes.

Perhaps unwilling to let a good sword-practicing talent be buried, he unexpectedly said:

"Should you be interested, you may accompany us back to Myriad Swords Immortal City. I will vouch for you to join our Myriad Swords Sect and receive true sword cultivation inheritance. Your swordsmanship will certainly progress leaps and bounds then."

Chen Sheng was startled upon hearing this.

Indeed, he had considered Myriad Swords Sect, but the way they cultivate Sword Madmen, encouraging disciples to wander and duel was fundamentally contrary to his cultivation philosophy.

It's like raising Gu; the winner becomes an unparalleled sword cultivator, while the loser becomes nothing but dust, too radical.

He remained expressionless on the surface, showing a hesitant, contemplative look, employing a delaying tactic:

"I am grateful for your regard, but I need to visit Three Elements Immortal City to see old friends first. Allow me to think it over carefully, and once everything is in order, I will visit Myriad Swords Immortal City to seek you, how about that?"

Master Qing Xiao didn't perceive his procrastination.

In his view, Myriad Swords Sect stands at the peak of Sword Dao in Yue Country; sword cultivators everywhere consider it an honor to join, so Chen Sheng's hesitation only meant he needed some time to ponder.

He casually took out a wholly white Sword Jade from his Storage Ring, engraved with intricate Sword Patterns and faintly flowing Sword Qi:

"You may bring this item to find me when the time comes."

Though Chen Sheng was determined not to join, he noted Master Qing Xiao's goodwill and solemnly accepted the Sword Jade with both hands, cupping his hands deeply:

"Thank you, fellow Daoist, for your kindness."

At this moment, the hearty laughter of Master Nine Profound came from afar, indicating that the second round of magical combat had also ended in perfection.

The Golden Core Cultivator opposite had also held back graciously. Once Master Nine Profound returned, the atmosphere on the flying vessel became relaxed again.

Master Qing Xiao nodded: "It seems they are following the rules; it's my turn now!"

Master Nine Profound quickly grabbed him: "Make sure to hold back."

Master Qing Xiao nodded: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

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