Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
They saw more and more students of the Sword Pavilion gathering in the hall. Lin Shuangyue and Jiang Chen followed the others to advance, but it seemed as if other people were all intentionally keeping a distance from them. It was not because Lin Shuangyue or Lu Ping weren’t any good. On the contrary, they were two of the seven premium disciples.
Lu Ping’s last performance had been especially awe-inspiring for other students. News that Lu Ping was competing for the invitation spread across the Sword Pavilion. He had not only mastered the sword field, but also was working on four qi at the same time. In fact, it was because they felt pressure from him that they were keeping their distance. Another reason was because Lu Ping looked even more serious than before.
No one came up to them until they were on the stairs outside the hall.
“Shi Xiao, don’t make trouble.” Lin Shuangyue said as she came up to him. She could see that Lu Ping was really in a bad mood on their way over.
Shi Xiao, also a premium disciple, was struck dumb. How would he have the nerve to pick a fight with Lu Ping? He had lost to Lu Ping, and since then Lu Ping had mastered the sword field. Even though he did not like Lu Ping, he would not make things difficult for him. However, seeing Lin Shuangyue protect Lu Ping, he was really pissed. “I’m not here to make trouble. I just heard some students talking.” Shi Xiao sounded very cold. He said, “The test for premium disciples has changed.”
“It has changed?” Lin Shuangyue was surprised. The test with the Doctrine Sword was a tradition of the Sword Pavilion.
“Yeah. They’re going to use the Sword Tower’s test for the Sword Pavilion. It’s much more difficult.” Shi Xiao glanced at Lu Ping while he was speaking. However, he found the latter was not listening to him at all. It pissed him off. Does this guy think he can pass no matter what? Shi Xiao was talking to himself.
Lin Shuangyue gritted her teeth. She did not think it was a big deal.
At this moment, they heard footsteps coming. It sounded as if there were several people.
“Shuangyue’s attitude is really worth learning. It’s true. If you are qualified for the Sword Tower, you’ll join it anyway. If you are not, you just can’t join it no matter how hard you try.” Lin Xuan, who had just left the Sword Pavilion for a short time, walked over. He was as frivolous and as arrogant as before. However, his look and behavior were not too horrible. Next to him were Lin Juan and Zhang Fengxun, whom they had met last time.
As soon as they approached, the three all looked toward Lu Ping, who was standing behind Lin Shuangyue.
“Tut, tut, tut. What is this? You don’t have to be so nervous,” Lin Xuan said.
“Cut the crap. No one will think you are mute if you don’t speak.” Lin Shuangyue recalled what Lu Ping had told her. She did not want anything unexpected to happen.
“I heard you. You said he wasn’t in a good mood. But in my opinion, this is just his excuse for his failure.” Crossing his arms over his chest, he said, “Where can you go if you leave the Sword Pavilion? To serve that Master Luo Cheng? It’s suitable for you, since you will have countless elixirs in that case.”
He was meaner than last time. It was for a simple reason—because Lu Ping had gotten the invitation. It was not that he did not have one. He had gotten one a long time ago. However, the invitation was less attractive to him now that Lu Ping had also gotten it. He would not be able to boast about it too much anymore. In one word, it was because he despised Lu Ping.
“Unsheathe your sword.” Lu Ping had been absent-minded, but all of a sudden, he seemed to have come to himself. His look was extremely sharp.
“What?” Lin Xuan thought he had heard wrong. After getting an affirmative answer, he was even unhappier. “You think you can be arrogant to me just because you defeated Liu Chengfeng?!” He raised his voice. The students passing by all looked over curiously.
“Is talking all you can do?” Putting his hand on his sword handle, Jiang Chen was ready for a fight.
Lin Xuan kept staring at him. All of a sudden, he burst out laughing. He said, “Even the sword you are holding belongs to the Lins. Aren’t you embarrassed to point the sword at me?” It turned out Jiang Chen’s spiritual sword had been broken in the fight with Liu Chengfeng. Later, Madam Lin gave Lin Shuangyue a magic-level sword so that the latter could pass it on to Jiang Chen. Since Jiang Chen lacked for a sword, he did not refuse it.
A person who sold Doctrine Swords for a living would not take such a sword too seriously. However, Lin Xuan just felt good about himself because of that.
Lin Shuangyue could not put up with him anymore. She said, “Shut up. You’re so annoying.”
“I’m your brother. Show me some respect!” Lin Xuan responded toughly. He did not take her for granted.
Lin Shuangyue was struck dumb for a minute. Then she spoke out. “Respect doesn’t come by itself. You should earn it!” she said.
“I joined the Sword Tower and was invited to the banquet of the Wizard Race. Isn’t that enough?” Lin Xuan said coldly. He knew the Wizard Race’s invitation was Lin Shuangyue’s sore point.
Gritting her teeth, Lin Shuangyue said, “Lu Ping got the invitation too. As to the Sword Tower…”
“He should stop dreaming!” Lin Xuan interrupted her.
Jiang Chen curled his lip. He was not really angry, but it seemed a little absurd to him. He climbed one more step so that he could look straight at Lin Xuan. Then Jiang Chen said, “I honestly don’t know why you feel so good about yourself, but don’t forget one thing—in this world, what matters is your strength.” There would only be one thing he could do if his rival still did not accept the challenge— to attack him directly!
“I won’t give you any excuse to escape from me today.” Lin Xuan’s response was kind of strange, but he explained further. “If we start a fight, I’m sure you won’t be able to take your test. Heh, heh, am I right? You want to use our fight to miss the test. Then you will ask the Sword Pavilion to make an exception for you so that you can take the test one month later!” He thought he had seen through Jiang Chen. Otherwise, he really could not understand why Lu Ping had the nerve to challenge him.
“To deal with you, only one sword attack is enough.” Jiang Chen grasped the sword handle tightly. Then he jumped.
It was at this moment that Lin Xuan finally restrained his pride a little.
Seeing the two about to fight, the vice headmaster walked out of the door. “Don’t forget what you are going to do today. Take the test first. Leave everything else for later.”
Lin Shuangyue also tried to talk Jiang Chen out of it, “He isn’t a disciple of the Sword Pavilion anymore. That’s why he is lawless and has no fear at all. Hold your temper for the moment.”
“Heh, heh, if he holds his temper now, he will lose the identity of the Sword Pavilion’s disciple. Once he leaves the Sword Pavilion, will he still have the nerve to fight with me?” Lin Xuan provoked.
Once he lost the identity, there would be no restrictions anymore. As soon as he left the Sword Pavilion, they would be able to use any force.
“We’ll have a life-or-death fight after I pass the test,” Jiang Chen said in a cold tone.
Lin Xuan perceived a real kill will, but he stopped taking it seriously soon. “I know what you’re thinking. You won’t pass the test, so there won’t be a life-or-death fight at all. You are really eloquent. No wonder Shuangyue likes you so much,” Lin Xuan said.
“Don’t you go too far!” Lin Shuangyue yelled. She really could not hold her temper anymore.
“You don’t dare?” Jiang Chen remained calm. He was just staring at Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan opened his mouth, but he somehow bit his tongue. “What don’t I dare?! Deal! No matter whether you pass the test or not, we’ll have a life-or-death fight anyway. Do you dare?” He behaved as if he had got a hold over Jiang Chen. He sounded extremely complacent.
“Yep, I surely dare. Let’s wait and see.” Jiang Chen agreed decisively. Then, without throwing Lin Xuan another glance, he walked into the hall.
