Chapter 63: The Sword Obsessive

"Very well, draw your sword."

The Sword Obsessive nodded, slowly pulling the iron sword from his back and pointing it straight at Li Qing.

Seeing this, Li Qing wasted no time in idle talk. With a flash of motion, he charged directly at the Sword Obsessive. His swordsmanship was fierce and lightning-fast, every strike aimed straight at the Sword Obsessive's vital points, clearly intending to decide the victory in a single exchange.

However, facing Li Qing's fierce assault, the Sword Obsessive's expression remained completely unchanged. With a gentle sweep of the iron sword in his hand, he blocked Li Qing's attack, and then countered with a swift slash back toward Li Qing.

At this sight, Li Qing's face altered drastically. He retreated rapidly while frantically swinging his longsword into an impenetrable barrier, attempting to fend off the Sword Obsessive's onslaught.

Yet, the Sword Obsessive's swordsmanship was simply too fierce and precise, every single strike landing with absolute perfection, leaving Li Qing entirely unable to defend himself.

In just a few short rounds, Li Qing was forced into a disadvantageous position, driven back step by step by the Sword Obsessive.

The surrounding spectators gasped in astonishment. None of them had expected the Sword Obsessive to be this formidable, to the extent that even a disciple of the Academy was no match for him.

Qin Changsheng watched with unblinking eyes. He could tell that the Sword Obsessive's swordsmanship had already reached an immensely high realm; every strike was exquisitely crafted and impossible to guard against.

It was just that Li Qing lacked the necessary seasoning; stepping up there at this moment was nothing more than inviting humiliation upon himself.

Finally, during a clash, Li Qing made a slight misstep, and the Sword Obsessive's blade pierced straight through his shoulder, instantly blooming with fresh blood.

"I admit defeat."

Gritting his teeth, Li Qing uttered these words before flashing off the stage.

The surrounding crowd let out sympathetic sighs. They had not anticipated that the Academy's disciple would be defeated so swiftly.

"Is there anyone else willing to step up for a sparring match? After all, the Sword Academy is the dojo of the First Sword Immortal Ye Qing, so there must surely be plenty of formidable experts here."

The Sword Obsessive scanned the surrounding crowd and spoke calmly, a hint of anticipation on his face, clearly hoping to encounter an even stronger opponent.

"I will!"

It was a young maiden clad in white, holding a slender sword in her hand, a trace of icy chill resting upon her features as she gazed at the Sword Obsessive.

This maiden was none other than another gifted disciple of the Academy, Leng Ningxue, widely known as the Academy's ice-cold beauty, whose cultivation and strength were exceptionally profound.

"Allow me to test your swordsmanship."

Leng Ningxue spoke indifferently, her figure shifting into motion as she attacked the Sword Obsessive. Her swordsmanship was light, nimble, and erratic like falling snow, making her movements completely unpredictable.

A flash of appreciation crossed the Sword Obsessive's eyes at this sight. He could perceive that this maiden's swordsmanship had attained an extraordinary level, far surpassing that of Li Qing from before.

Thus, he held back no longer. The iron sword in his hand transformed into a streak of cold light, engaging in a fierce battle with Leng Ningxue.

Both of their swordsmanship styles were wonderfully exquisite, dazzling the eyes of the onlookers. The Sword Obsessive's style was fierce and rapid, every movement targeting lethal points, whereas Leng Ningxue's style was graceful and fluid, fluttering unpredictably like snowflakes.

The surrounding crowd emitted cries of shock. They never imagined that Leng Ningxue's strength would be so immense, allowing her to fight the Sword Obsessive to a standstill.

Qin Changsheng watched this scene without blinking, inwardly praising the spectacle. Leng Ningxue's strength was indeed terrifyingly powerful, yet it still fell slightly short of true mastery.

On the stage, Leng Ningxue and the Sword Obsessive had already exchanged dozens of blows without any sign of a victor emerging. Both sets of swordsmanship were peerless and left no openings.

At last, during a close encounter, Leng Ningxue discovered a momentary flaw and thrust her sword toward the Sword Obsessive's chest. However, he gracefully evaded it while countering with a slash aimed at her shoulder.

Leng Ningxue's expression changed, but with no room to dodge, she had to take the blow head-on. Instantly, a deep wound was carved into her shoulder, staining her robes with blood.

"I have lost."

Leng Ningxue bit her lip as she spoke. Though her complexion was pale, her gaze remained unshakeably resolute.

Seeing this, the Sword Obsessive withdrew his iron sword, cupped his fists toward Leng Ningxue, and said, "You flattered me."

The surrounding crowd erupted into warm applause and cheers, celebrating the breathtaking performance of both duelists. This battle demonstrated to them the formidable might of both the Academy and the Sword Tomb.

Shortly after, the Sword Obsessive looked back at the crowd and asked in a clear voice, "Is there anyone else willing to step forward for a match?"

Though his voice was not particularly loud, it carried distinctly to the ears of everyone present. Many people felt a surge of eagerness, yet none dared to casually step onto the stage to challenge him, for they all knew the Sword Obsessive's terrifying strength.

Moreover, since the Academy disciples had lost twice in a row, no one else dared to go up.

Qin Changsheng, too, found himself completely lacking in enthusiasm for such matters.

Although he had read many books on swordsmanship lately, his actual practice was mediocre. Without the enhancement of his Immortal Eyes, he might truly not be a match for the Sword Obsessive in swordsmanship.

However, with the aid of the Immortal Eyes, the Sword Obsessive's techniques held very little threat for him.

Because the Immortal Eyes feared showy and flashy attacks the least.

Besides, this guy couldn't even defeat Yuyan; there was no logical reason he could beat him, right?

Just as Qin Changsheng's mind was wandering, an untimely voice broke the silence.

"The Sword Tomb has its Sword Obsessive, and our Academy has our Book Obsessive! Brother Book Obsessive, you've been reading in the Scripture Pavilion for over a year—even I am no match for you. Why don't you go up and give it a try?"

Guo Tao cast a deeply interested look toward Qin Changsheng from the side.

As soon as those words left his mouth, many of the Academy disciples wore expressions of malicious glee.

The Sword Obsessive turned his gaze toward him as well.

Qin Changsheng, who had been thoroughly enjoying watching the drama unfold, froze instantly in mid-smile.

"Young Master Guo is full of fine suggestions. However, I am merely at the Golden Core realm; how could I possibly be a match for the Sword Obsessive, who stands at the peak of the Transformation stage?"

Qin Changsheng pondered for a long time without figuring out why Guo Tao would push him forward at a time like this. Could it be a lingering guilty conscience after fleeing the Eastern Wasteland Secret Realm, prompting him to get rid of Qin Changsheng so as to sever his emotional anchor of guilt?

"Brother Book Obsessive, you are being far too modest. Who doesn't know that after reading books in the Scripture Pavilion for a year, you have mastered knowledge spanning ancient and modern times? Furthermore, you are capable of fighting above your realm—even I am not your opponent, so why would you fear mere Sword Obsessive?" Guo Tao said with a smiling expression, acting as if he were genuinely praising Qin Changsheng.

Yet Qin Changsheng knew that Guo Tao harbored malicious intentions, undoubtedly hoping to see him make a fool of himself or even die by the Sword Obsessive's blade.

Even so, Qin Changsheng felt no fear. Having read countless texts, although swordsmanship was not his primary cultivation path, he possessed a profound understanding of it. Furthermore, his Immortal Eyes could pierce through all illusions; no matter how fast the Sword Obsessive's swordsmanship might be, it could not escape his sight.

"Since Young Master Guo puts it that way, I suppose I shall go and try my hand."

Qin Changsheng smiled faintly, then his figure flickered as he flew toward the stage.

"The Academy, Book Obsessive, please enlighten me."

Landing on the stage, Qin Changsheng cupped his fists toward the Sword Obsessive and spoke.