The moment his voice fell, Liu Yansong’s figure blurred into motion. He didn’t charge in a straight line; instead, he used the Pine and Crane Dance Technique, his body weaving left and right, unpredictable, maintaining an irregular trajectory.

Clearly, he was dodging the Flying Locust Stone.

’It seems my opponent has studied me!’

But this was to be expected. In the fight during the second stage, Iron Locks Cross the River, Su Yu had suppressed Sun Shi using only his Flying Locust Stone, drawing the attention of many.

In just one or two breaths, Liu Yansong had reached Su Yu’s side. He breathed a sigh of relief in his heart; once he was in close, that terrifying hidden weapon technique would be useless!

"Guest-Welcoming Pine!"

Liu Yansong’s wrist flicked. The Three-foot Cyan Blade in his hand moved like a welcoming pine, its tip trembling. A cold glint flashed on the edge as it thrust straight for Su Yu’s throat!

This move, Guest-Welcoming Pine, was both fast and tricky, perfectly showcasing the sharp, killing intent of the Cyan Blade Sword.

If an ordinary Martial Artist were to face it, a single moment of carelessness would mean defeat in one blow!

The little junior sister in the yellow dress also had an excited glint in her eyes. This was her senior brother’s most proficient move, Guest-Welcoming Pine. None of the junior brothers in their martial hall could withstand it!

Facing the incoming sword, Su Yu’s feet did not move.

’When this match started, I’d already decided my strategy. I could probably use the Flying Locust Stone to suppress him at the start, but that would inevitably expose more of my Coin Toss techniques, making me an easy target for future opponents.’

’So, I’ll hold back on the Coin Toss and the heavy water tungsten gold coins for now, keeping them as a trump card. After all, hidden weapons are most powerful when they are unexpected.’

’And they’re better suited for assassinations!’

’Now, it’s time to show them the power of the Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber!’

"Demon-slaying Mountain Splitting!"

Su Yu didn’t block or probe. Faced with this strike, he launched a direct, powerful counterattack!

Infused with Qi and Blood, the ink-black blade of Mo Yuan, already heavy, came crashing down with the force of a collapsing mountain.

BOOM!

The immense force smashed directly onto the tip of the sword, the raw power instantly halting its forward thrust.

Liu Yansong felt a cataclysmic force wash over him. The Cyan Blade Sword in his hand instantly bent into a frightening arc. A sharp pain shot through the web of his thumb, and he nearly lost his grip on the hilt.

"How is this possible!"

His face paled in shock.

’Isn’t this Su Yu a hidden weapons user? How can his saber technique be so ferocious?’

But he calmed himself almost immediately.

’The Songhe Swordsmanship doesn’t rely on power. Its strength lies in its elegance, like a spiritual crane spreading its wings, seizing an opening in an instant to defeat the enemy!’

Facing such a powerful opponent, he made an instant decision: withdraw his sword and look for another opportunity!

"Trying to run?"

Su Yu twisted his wrist, and the momentum of his saber abruptly changed.

"Vine Demon Lock!"

The heavy, black Mo Yuan slid along the spine of the sword like a climbing Spiritual Ape, its immense weight pinning the Cyan Blade Sword and making it impossible to retract.

SCREEE!

The saber’s edge ground violently against the body of the sword, erupting in a shower of dazzling sparks.

"Not good!"

Liu Yansong hadn’t expected Su Yu’s Heavy Saber to be so agile.

A terrifying, sticky force, mixed with immense downward pressure, transmitted through his blade. Liu Yansong felt as if a great mountain was crushing his sword, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t pull it back!

His attempt to retreat failed, and he lost the initiative once again!

’The initiative is lost. If I keep getting tangled up like this, defeat is certain.’

’I’ll risk it all!’

As expected of the senior disciple of the Songhe Martial Arts Hall, he displayed exceptional combat sense at this critical moment.

"Pine and Crane Dance!"

His five fingers suddenly relaxed—he actually let go of his sword!

Using the downward force from Su Yu’s press, his body shifted like a spiritual crane. At the same time, his right foot shot out like lightning, precisely kicking the hilt of his falling sword.

"Up!"

The Cyan Blade Sword shot up from the force of the kick. He caught it again and, following the momentum, thrust it from an incredibly tricky angle straight toward Su Yu’s unguarded armpit!

With this move, he had turned a perilous situation around and launched a counterattack on Su Yu!

’Not bad!’

A flash of appreciation appeared in Su Yu’s eyes. He hadn’t expected that while Liu Yansong wasn’t famous, his Songhe Swordsmanship was actually quite polished.

’But that’s as far as it goes!’

BOOM!

The Qi and Blood within Su Yu’s body erupted. A resounding crack echoed from his draconic spine.

His body didn’t move, but his wrist became a blur. His long saber retracted like a Spiritual Ape climbing a vine, and with terrifying speed that struck second but arrived first, it precisely intercepted the incoming sword.

CLANG!

A deafening explosion of sound.

The Cyan Blade Sword was violently knocked aside by the saber. The blade trembled intensely, letting out a sorrowful whine as if it couldn’t bear the strain.

"Again!"

Seizing the advantage, Su Yu pressed forward relentlessly. He took a step, his presence as overwhelming as a rainbow.

In his hands, Mo Yuan became a black afterimage, possessing both the domineering power of a heavy weapon and the fluid agility of a saber.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG...

The dense sound of clashing metal rang across the arena stage.

The two figures blurred together, flashes of saber and sword filling the air.

The longer Liu Yansong fought, the more frightened he became. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

’Is this guy a monster?’

He wanted to use the swift, tricky nature of the Songhe Swordsmanship to defeat Su Yu, but his opponent’s saber techniques were not the least bit inferior in agility—in fact, they were even slightly superior.

As for strength, Su Yu was utterly dominant. After receiving more than a dozen blows, Liu Yansong’s wrist was numb. He couldn’t take it anymore!

He tried to create distance and look for an opening, but the saber’s assault was relentless, following him like a shadow. The dark gleam of the blade was like an inescapable net, trapping him in a tiny space and giving him no chance to breathe!

The surrounding crowd was captivated by the spectacular fight, cheering repeatedly.

His little junior sister was also shouting words of encouragement nonstop.

But he knew he couldn’t hold on any longer.

And just as he thought, the next moment, as his sword clashed with the long saber once more, his Cyan Blade Sword flew from his grasp with a sharp CLANG.

The cold gleam of the saber’s blade flashed as it came to rest against his neck.

"I... I lose."

The battle was over!

One moment, the two were locked in a fierce exchange; the next, Liu Yansong had lost his weapon and admitted defeat.

The spectators were stunned for a moment, but then they reacted, and a wave of cheers erupted.

"Amazing! Who is that Su Yu? His saber skills are simply divine!" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"That’s the Spiritual Ape Demon-Slaying Saber from the White Ape Martial Arts Hall! It was Hall Master Qin’s signature technique back in the day. Truly stunning!"

"Su Yu... that kid is definitely a dragon among men. After beating this Liu Yansong, he’s probably going to advance in the next round too!"

"Quick, go back and tell the master and young miss! Another heaven-sent prodigy has appeared!"

"AH! AH! AH! Brother Su is the best!" Yang Ai was already screaming, her little face flushed red with excitement. She was about to step onto the stage with her long legs to greet Su Yu.

Yang Zhen quickly wrapped her arms around her sister’s slender waist and pulled her back.

"Calm down, calm down. So many people are watching."

Although she told her sister to be more composed, she herself was overjoyed.

’Brother Su won! He’s so amazing!’

’His opponent was a First Acupoint Martial Artist. She had heard of that Liu Yansong before; he had once held a position at the Xu Family’s cosmetics shop. Back then, when the shop was competing for business and their Tributors were fighting in the arena, he hadn’t even broken through to the First Acupoint yet, but he still easily defeated his opponent with his Songhe Swordsmanship!’

’And now Brother Su has defeated him so easily. He’s truly a man of great promise at such a young age!’

’We’re so lucky to have Brother Su holding a post with the Yang Family!’

’It would be great if Brother Su could stay with the Yang Family forever. After this Martial Examination, his fame will surely spread far and wide. Who knows how many people will come looking for him then.’

Yang Zhen saw several servants from other families in the distance, already rushing back to report what they’d seen.

At that moment, her heart skipped a beat.

’No, I have to deepen our relationship with Brother Su as soon as possible. Or else... or else... I...’

’If it comes down to it, my sister and I could serve him together...’

As she thought and thought, Yang Zhen’s face suddenly flushed a deep, embarrassed red.