Chapter 204: The Crushing First Battle

Chapter 204: Chapter 204: The Crushing First BattleLin Bai looked around him, his expression serious. "Three months ago, by sheer fortune I managed to best all the contenders and entered the Inner Gate as the number one Outer Sect member. I didn’t expect to incur the wrath of the Divine Alliance who sent a warrior to challenge me every day."

"They truly put me in an uncomfortable position, even going so far as to insult my friends and family, stating that if I accepted the challenge, my whole family would perish. This is sheer bullying!"

"Therefore, I told everyone who wanted to kill me that after three months, I would stand atop the No Return Cliff and accept the challenge of all Earth Martial Realm masters from Spirit Sword Sect. Those who wish to kill me should come to No Return Cliff within three months."

"Today, I leave up to my promise."

"All the Earth Martial Realm masters of Spirit Sword Sect can come and fight, but consider this well: once you are up here, I will not hold back."

"Once you set foot on No Return Cliff, only one of us will be left alive!"

"This is the last warning I give to those about to challenge me. If you don’t wish to die or to kill me, then please stay as spectators and refrain from joining the melee."

Lin Bai roared these words defiantly at all the warriors present.

Dressed in pure white, with eyes as sharp as swords, he was proud and determined. The boundless intent to fight thrummed skywards as the wild wind stirred his clothes and hair, but his posture was straight and stood unwavering in the fierce wind.

Lin Bai slowly drew his Sinister Wind Sword and pointed it lightly in the direction of the Divine Alliance.

At that moment, his supremely arrogant figure was etched into the memory of every warrior present.

"So be it!"

Lin Bai said coldly.

Whoosh —

The violent wind swirled around Lin Bai, carrying his intent to fight. It howled in all directions, staggering everyone present.

All the warriors who had come to watch the fight could feel their blood boiling, yearning to charge up and do battle with Lin Bai.

Many of them sighed, wishing they could someday be like Lin Bai, standing atop the peak, looking down on the masses."

"Lin Bai... Senior Brother... He is so damn blood-boiling!"

"Regardless of the outcome today, Lin Bai is worthy of the title ’Sword Cultivator.’"

"That’s right, Lin Bai may be the only one in the Spirit Sword Sect who has the right to call himself a ’Sword Cultivator.’

A ’Sword Cultivator’ is a common term in the martial world; everyone who practices with a sword calls themselves this."

"But a real Sword Cultivator isn’t just about having great strength or profound cultivation."

"He must also have the courage to face the past without fear, to confront the future, and dare to brandish his sword when meeting a powerful enemy."

"Unafraid of the past, fearless of the future, unscared of powerful enemies, undaunted by danger, afraid of nothing."

"This is what it means to be a Sword Cultivator!"

"Senior Brother Lin Bai, you’re awesome!"

"Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!"

"Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!"

"Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!"

All the warriors cried out together in unison. The fighting spirit of thousands of warriors gathered forming a wave that rushed up into the sky, piercing the layers of clouds.

Su Cang, the cold light flashing in his eyes, said, "Who will fight first?"

"I will!"

The cold voice of Sun Xiaoquan rang out from behind Su Cang."

Su Cang turned around and saw him, saying approvingly, "Sun Xiaoquan, good. Then you’ll fight. Be sure to win impressively."

"Rest assured Young Sect Master, I will kill Lin Bai as easily as slaughtering a pig or a dog."

Sun Xiaoquan, clad in a black robe and with a cold expression, jumped out from the ranks of the Divine Alliance Warriors, landing on No Return Cliff, standing opposite Lin Bai.

"Someone took action!"

"Who is it?"

Many people noticed the black-robed men who jumped high onto No Return Cliff.

After a short while, some of the warriors recognized Sun Xiaoquan.

"It’s Sun Xiaoquan, he was ranked 62 in the Top 100 List of the Inner Gate six months ago. In the past half-year, his cultivation has progressed rapidly, achieving the strength of the top fifty."

"The most terrifying thing about Sun Xiaoquan is not his cultivation, but his elusive and unpredictable sword skills, many warriors have fallen under his sword."

"Indeed, Sun Xiaoquan, at the Eighth Level of the Earth Martial Realm, once defeated a warrior at the Ninth Level. Now, he has reached Great Perfection of the Earth Martial Realm, his cultivation strength must be terrifyingly powerful."

"Unexpectedly, the first expert dispatched by the Divine Alliance is so formidable!"

"Lin Bai is in danger."

After a round of exclamation, the warriors started to worry about Lin Bai.

Ji Bei mumbled, "Sun Xiaoquan is not an easy opponent. I wonder if Lin Bai will be able to handle him."

The Second Elder said, "Since the battle with Lin Bai has started, we shouldn’t idle either. Send out orders for all Sword Alliance Warriors to be ready for battle. If Lin Bai is defeated, we must risk our lives to rescue him!"

"We’ll follow the Elder’s orders! We will do our utmost!" All the Sword Alliance Warriors shouted in unison.

Ji Bei, Second Elder, Lijian Xing, Wang Hao, and others were all intently watching No Return Cliff.

"Lin Bai, you won’t let us down, right?" Lijian Xing said in his heart.

"Hang in there, Senior Brother Lin Bai!" Wang Hao also pumped his fist in encouragement, his face filled with fighting spirit.

Sun Qian was the most frenzied, shouting wildly at Lin Bai, his veins popping in excitement: "Go Lin Bai! Beat these bastards, make them all tremble under your sword."

Atop the No Return Cliff, fierce winds were howling, rustling the robes and hair of both Lin Bai and Sun Xiaoquan.

"You’re no match for me. Kneel down and await your death." Sun Xiaoquan brandished his sword as he ascended the cliff, revealing an air of cold arrogance.

"Cut the crap. You should draw your sword instead." Lin Bai retorted coldly.

"I’ll let you draw first. Once I draw my sword, you won’t have the chance." Sun Xiaoquan dismissed Lin Bai with a cold snort.

"Is that so? Here I come." Lin Bai looked at Sun Xiaoquan with a hint of surprise and a smile.

Suddenly, Lin Bai unsheathed the Sinister Wind Sword. A gust of Sword Qi was unleashed, shattering the furious winds. With one angry slash, his Sword Intention soared into the sky.

"Astonishing Wind Sword Skill, Wind Rise!"

With one slash, he shook the heavens and silenced all beings!

The terrifying power, threatening to tear the world asunder, aimed straight for Sun Xiaoquan’s face.

The Sword Qi was incredibly fast, reaching Sun Xiaoquan in a blink of an eye.

"How is your sword skill so strong!"

The moment Lin Bai unsheathed his sword, Sun Xiaoquan realized that he was outmatched.

Sun Xiaoquan’s usual calm demeanor changed drastically upon seeing the Sword Qi. He hastily drew his Treasure Sword and used his Sword Skill to counterattack.

Splat——

The two clashed and separated, with Sun Xiaoquan’s body flying off like a severed kite!

"Ah——"

A chilling scream echoed from Sun Xiaoquan’s mouth.

He fell to the ground, a violent Sword Mark cleaving through his chest. Beneath the Sword Mark, Sun Xiaoquan’s bare white bones and internal organs could be seen!

"Ahh, I’m dying, I’m dying. Young Sect Master, save me, I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die." Sun Xiaoquan fell onto the ground, looked at the massive Sword Mark on his chest, and cried out for help from Su Cang in absolute terror.

Sun Xiaoquan felt that his organs would roll out of his Sword Mark if he moved at all!

"Young Sect Master, save me!" Sun Xiaoquan, consumed with fear, begged for Su Cang to save him repeatedly.

Su Cang, as well as the onlooking Martial Artists from both the Divine Alliance and other factions, were all in disbelief.

A single sword strike?

How is that possible?

One strike defeated the 62nd best martial artist in the Inner Gate Top Hundred Ranking, the one renowned for his profound sword mastery, Sun Xiaoquan!

"My god, is Lin Bai going against the heavens?"

"He’s damn strong!"

"One sword almost killed Sun Xiaoquan. If it weren’t for his quick reaction and effectively blocked half of the Sword Qi, his body would have been split in half by Lin Bai’s Sword Qi."

Many Martial Artists exclaimed in astonishment.

"Lin Bai, well done!"

"Roar——, Lin Bai is mighty!"

"Dominant, awesome!"

The ones most excited were undoubtedly the Sword Alliance Warriors.

When they witnessed Lin Bai’s sword almost killing Sun Xiaoquan, they were too shocked to speak.

But after the momentary shock, they erupted in cheers. Every Sword Alliance Warrior was cheering for Lin Bai, rallying for him.

At this moment, it was as if the Sword Alliance Warriors had won the entire world.

Lin Bai, holding his sword, slowly walked toward Sun Xiaoquan.

Sun Xiaoquan, face filled with terror, demanded, "What do you want? What are you planning to do? Get lost, don’t come near me!"

"What am I going to do? Of course, I’m sending you to hell." Lin Bai responded with a cold smirk.

"You dare to kill me? An Inner Sect Martial Artist, a master ranked in the Inner Gate Top Hundred Ranking, a favorite of the Spirit Sword Sect, and a Divine Alliance Warrior. Lin Bai, you dare to kill me?"

"If you kill me, you definitely won’t escape punishment from the sect!" Sun Xiaoquan shouted at Lin Bai.

"Heh, don’t you know where we are? This is the No Return Cliff, which isn’t within the jurisdiction of the Spirit Sword Sect. Even if I do kill you, the rules of the Spirit Sword Sect can’t punish me!"

Lin Bai brandished his sword, aiming for Sun Xiaoquan’s neck.

"Lin Bai, wait a moment, just a moment, Grandpa Lin Bai, don’t kill me... Splat——, Ahh!!"

Sun Xiaoquan pleaded in terror, but Lin Bai’s eyes only grew colder. With one stroke, Sun Xiaoquan’s head was severed.

After decapitating Sun Xiaoquan, Lin Bai kicked away his head and body and sent them flying off the towering No Return Cliff. Sun Xiaoquan was reduced to a puddle of gore, his bones and remains scattered and lost.

In this first battle, Lin Bai emerged victorious.