The next morning.

Wang Xiaoqiang hurried to the square to attend the ranking match for the champion, runner-up, and third place winner, accompanied by three women.

Yesterday, he was lucky to draw a bye, advancing directly to the semi-finals without a match, which naturally made some people dissatisfied with Wang Xiaoqiang.

Indeed, most of the students thought that Wang Xiaoqiang was the weakest among the four semi-finalists and would definitely rank fourth today, missing out on the champion, runner-up, and third place.

When Wang Xiaoqiang arrived at the square, the other three students in the semi-finals had already been there early,

Fang Qiu, Su Li, and Yuee Buhui all turned their gaze toward Wang Xiaoqiang. Except for Fang Qiu, the other two looked at Wang Xiaoqiang with a mild contempt and disdain, feeling that Wang Xiaoqiang's entry into the top four was purely by luck.

Indeed, Wang Xiaoqiang admitted he advanced due to drawing the bye. Nevertheless, their looks still gave him an uneasy feeling, so he hoped to face these two in the upcoming matches and teach them a lesson on the stage, so they won't dare to look at him with contempt ever again and hold him in high regard from then on.

The ranking match for the champion, runner-up, and third place is the final match of this tournament, very grand and captivating, attracting even some deans from other academies to observe.

Today's venue is also set up very grandly, with a red carpet laid from the podium to the Shuai Zi stage, surrounded by ribbons. These ribbons not only decorate the venue but also prevent students from getting too close to the stage.

After all, today's contenders are all powerful competitors, the strength of the strongest, too mighty, where an outbreak might inevitably harm the innocent, so the observing students must be kept at bay.

The "Pawn" stage and "Knight" stage have been dismantled, leaving only the "Marshal" stage. The matches are no longer simultaneous, taking place one by one to focus the attention.

Though students were kept ten meters away from the stage by ribbons, the number of students present today reached its maximum, with virtually no absentees.

The academy's administrators, high-level officials, and the Dean Elder all attended, dressed in their finest, apparently attaching great importance to the ranking match for the champion, runner-up, and third place.

After all, the future hinges on these pillars of Yueyang Academy, responsible for overseeing Yueyang Academy's prosperity, especially the champion, who might become a candidate for the next dean.

The ranking match for the champion, runner-up, and third place is still conducted by drawing lots, with four lots in total. Those who draw lot 1 will face the one who draws lot 2, and lot 3 will face lot 4.

Today, there is no fortunate empty lot.

After the four arrived, the administrator called them together, explained today's match rules, and then had them draw lots.

As a result, Wang Xiaoqiang drew lot 1, Yuee Buhui drew lot 2, Su Li drew lot 3, and Fang Qiu drew lot 4.

Being able to duel Yuee Buhui, Wang Xiaoqiang cheered inwardly, while Yuee Buhui, upon confirming his opponent was Wang Xiaoqiang, showed a smug and fortunate expression, feeling fighting Wang Xiaoqiang was no different from drawing a bye.

Wang Xiaoqiang did not even enter his eyes.

Meanwhile, Su Li, who drew lot 3, showed a bitter smile and a face full of dejection, obviously feeling she was no match for Fang Qiu, a sentiment shared by everyone.

At this time, Fang Qiu didn't show a guaranteed victory's complacency nor any other expression; his face was calm, without any joy or sorrow, like an old soul with an unwavering demeanor.

He resembled a true master.

Next, Wang Xiaoqiang drew lot 1 and Yuee Buhui drew lot 2 for the duel.

Amidst everyone's attention, the two walked on the red carpet toward the Shuai Zi stage.

Upon reaching the stage, they confronted each other.

This Yuee Buhui is a Sixth Soldier Realm of the Immortal Sage, with a Flesh Body Stage also reaching the Seventh Layer of Blood Realm. Moreover, his Power of Dao is extremely strong, combined with his formidable swordsmanship, gaining him fame as a Sword Fanatic.

His reputation as a Sword Fanatic was somewhat known to Wang Xiaoqiang. It is said that Yuee Buhui possesses an excellent Immortal Sword, obsessed with swordsmanship, treating the sword like a lover, always accompanied by it, speaking to it, a reclusive person, with almost no friends, besides practicing sword is practicing sword, with virtually no other hobbies.

It's said when he first entered Yueyang Academy, he chose a 'Dao' using the sword, opting for the "Way of Respect."

"Respect" signifying humility,

Humility representing a noble gentleman,

The sword, often wielded by gentlemen, called the 'Gentleman's Sword.' In a way, the 'Way of Respect' he chose is matched with his sword,

It's heard that in the past half-year, he's been diligently merging his "Way of Respect" with his sword, striving to achieve Body-Sword Unity.

Whether he's reached it, perhaps only he knows.

After confronting each other for a while, Wang Xiaoqiang spoke, "Yuee Buhui, I've heard you're a swordsman, why don't I see your sword?"

"Swords are dangerous implements, they wound upon unveiling. I don't reveal them ordinarily." Yuee Buhui raised his face, showing a cold arrogance, seemingly viewing Wang Xiaoqiang as a worthless underling, unworthy of unveiling his sword.

Realizing that Yuee Buhui was a Sixth Soldier Realm of the Immortal Sage, a Body Refining Master, equal to his own cultivation base, evenly matched. If fought ordinarily, it'd be a hard battle, so he wanted to change tactics, thus said, "Yuee Buhui, since your swordsmanship is exceptional, how about we compete in sword alone?"

Upon Wang Xiaoqiang's words, the students outside the stage erupted in discussions:

"Is Wang Xiaoqiang mad or crazy? He actually wants to purely compete in sword with the Sword Fanatic. Even Fang Qiu wouldn't dare say that."

"Indeed, Wang Xiaoqiang is simply courting death."

Yuee Buhui, hearing this, was initially startled, feeling Wang Xiaoqiang was unworthy of unveiling his sword, but upon hearing his words had his heart moved, thinking, "Hmm, if in sword competition, Wang Xiaoqiang won't withstand beyond three moves of mine. This benefits me, allowing me to reserve my strength for the next round against Fang Qiu."

Thinking this, he smiled slyly and said, "Since you wish to court death, I'll ensure you die disgracefully."

Saying this, Yuee Buhui waved his hand, and suddenly a bright Immortal Sword sprang from his sleeve, completely ivory like some metal forged, mundane without particular traits. The difference was, soon as the Immortal Sword appeared, it buzzed and whistled finely, the sound reminiscent of a woman's voice, like there was a woman hidden within the sword, eerie and horrifying.

Wang Xiaoqiang followed by taking out the Penglai Immortal Sword.

The Penglai Immortal Sword, although appearing filled with Immortal Qi, lacked the whistling sound, evident to all as a seemingly impractical sword. The Penglai Immortal Sword drew laughter from Yuee Buhui, saying, "Wang Xiaoqiang, your sword's a child's toy, isn't it! Haha,"

Wang Xiaoqiang glanced at the Penglai Immortal Sword, then directly discarded it onto the stage and said, "This sword indeed is useless, might as well not use it, hence I shall rely solely on swordsmanship to counter a few of your moves..."

"What? Wang Xiaoqiang wants to fight the Sword Fanatic's blade barehanded, is he not mistaken?"

"It's utterly absurd, since it's purely about swordsmanship, without a sword, how does one speak of swordsmanship? Wang Xiaoqiang surely knows how to court peril."

Wang Xiaoqiang's on-the-spot sword abandonment incited criticism from the observing students.

Yuee Buhui also was taken aback, then raised his eyes, staring at Wang Xiaoqiang, "Wang Xiaoqiang, you truly don't use a sword? Without a sword, how does one speak of swordsmanship?"

"The sword is simply an extension of the body. If one attains a Body-Sword Unity, then the sword and body are one; using or not using a sword makes no difference." Wang Xiaoqiang nonsensically claimed, yet his nonsense somewhat made sense, leaving Yuee Buhui a tad bewildered. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations or monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)

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