Chapter 18: Battling Ai Ning

“Principal Liu, are the students at your school truly so lacking in manners?”

The teacher from Huangshui High School questioned Liu Hairen with a cold expression. The scene where Ai Ning had mocked their Huangshui High School had just been witnessed by everyone present.

On the surface, Liu Hairen wore an apologetic look, but inwardly he was secretly pleased. “Ah, well, they’re young after all. It’s normal for them to be a bit arrogant. I apologize on behalf of that kid Ai Ning, hahaha.”

The principal of Huangshui High School: …

“Hmph, when Ai Ning encounters that young man later, I’ll see how he handles it.”

Liu Hairen didn’t take it seriously. Jiang Yan was strong, but could he compare to Ai Ning?

“Impossible.”

Currently, Ai Ning from Linjiang First High School stood far above the rest with his Blood Coagulation Middle Stage and A-Rank Talent, having accumulated more than double the points of the second-place student. If he distributed some of his points among his followers, sweeping the top three positions would be more than enough.

How could Liu Hairen not be thrilled by this? Even the frustration Jiang Yan had caused him was slightly eased by this matter.

Moreover, as long as Ai Ning defeated Jiang Yan, Shen Donglin would personally authorize an additional three bottles of Body-Tempering Liquid as a reward. With these resources, Ai Ning could even approach the threshold of Blood Coagulation Perfection before the College Entrance Exam!

Liu Hairen sighed with emotion. “My Linjiang First High School is about to produce a dragon~”

Now, all that was needed was for Ai Ning to defeat Jiang Yan, and this Joint Examination would conclude with a perfect victory for Linjiang First High School.

Liu Hairen was looking forward to it, and so were the others, all anticipating this battle.

On the screen, the two exceptionally talented young men finally appeared together in the same frame, causing everyone’s breath to catch for a second.

“I heard you were looking for me?”

A casual voice carried over to Ai Ning, reaching his ears.

He turned toward the sound and saw a figure covered in bloodstains, the original fabric of his clothes unrecognizable, staring at him with icy eyes. An involuntary chill ran down Ai Ning’s spine.

He glanced sideways at Jiang Yan, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes. “What? You want to fight me?”

Jiang Yan found him somewhat amusing. Clearly, Ai Ning had sent people to cause trouble for him, and now he was asking pointless questions just to show off.

“Forget it, I can’t be bothered to explain.”

Jiang Yan raised his saber and charged forward. Regardless of the circumstances, action was what mattered—battle was the best language.

“Bold!”

Ai Ning roared. Although he didn’t know why this strange person wanted to fight him, his pride wouldn’t allow him to show the slightest hesitation.

Blood Coagulation Middle Stage against Blood Coagulation Middle Stage—a perfectly matched realm.

Ai Ning immediately unleashed his Mystic Grade Intermediate Martial Skill, the “Lingxiao Sword Technique.”

A silver sword gleamed with a cold light, its blade enveloped in a chilling aura. His Proficiency at the Subtle level gave him unparalleled confidence.

The higher the Martial Skill Grade, the more difficult it was to cultivate. Beginners on the Martial Way would typically choose lower-grade Martial Skills to practice with.

But Ai Ning was different. From the start, he wielded a Mystic Grade Martial Skill and had cultivated it to the Subtle level without neglecting his realm advancement. His strength was truly terrifying.

Jiang Yan’s expression remained unchanged, still relying on his Basic Saber Technique.

Although the “Basic Saber Technique” had reached Perfection and could no longer be refined, Jiang Yan had been in the Wilderness these past days with no time to acquire a new Martial Skill. Moreover, for someone who possessed Blade Momentum, the “Basic Saber Technique” was more than sufficient.

The saber trembled, emitting a sharp, humming sound.

A pure clash of saber and sword!

There was no anticipated evenly matched struggle. Jiang Yan’s saber pierced through the sword as if it were tofu, completely embedding itself into the blade. The sword tip shot out and embedded itself in the muddy ground not far away, where a wriggling earthworm met an unexpected disaster, its body severed into two pieces.

“H-how… how is this possible?”

Ai Ning stared blankly at the scene, utterly unable to believe that the precious sword he had bought at a high price could be so casually shattered.

In contrast, Jiang Yan’s worn-out saber—its edge likely chipped beyond recognition—probably couldn’t even break the skin of a pig. Yet it was this seemingly worthless, trashy blade that shattered his pride in an instant.

A look of disappointment crossed Jiang Yan’s face. He had expected a fierce battle, but the renowned Ai Ning turned out to be all bark and no bite. He hadn’t even used his Trait Talent yet.

“Impossible! I’m getting serious now!”

Ai Ning roared, beginning to gather his strength.

“Damn, another charging type?”

Jiang Yan kicked out, striking Ai Ning squarely in the abdomen.

Boom!

Ai Ning’s eyes bulged as he flew backward like a deflated ball, crashing heavily into the grass over a dozen meters away, his fate unknown.

Jiang Yan remained vigilant, knowing the fight was far from over.

Sure enough.

A furious shout erupted from the grass.

“Sword Eternal Heavenly Net!”

A dangerous Aura materialized out of thin air in the Void.

Jiang Yan frowned, sensing a hint of pressure—but only a hint.

“Sword Eternal Heavenly Net? Sounds impressive,” Jiang Yan muttered to himself, preparing to take it seriously.

Before him, the translucent form of a sword began to coalesce, its sharp edges already evident. Though not fully formed, its unparalleled sharpness was not to be underestimated.

Ai Ning struggled to his feet, staggering step by step toward Jiang Yan. “I admit you’re strong, strong enough to force me to use my Talent.”

The ethereal sword embryo floated behind Ai Ning. At that moment, he resembled a sword saint traversing the mortal world, carrying with him an aura of sharpness capable of destroying everything as he advanced toward Jiang Yan.

A-Rank Talent: [Sword Eternal Heavenly Net]

Nurturing a divine sword within one’s body. Weak in the early stages, but once fully formed in the Late Stage, its power rivals that of an S-Rank Talent!

No one knew how much effort his Family had poured into nurturing this divine sword.

Three years. A full three years had passed, and this was the first time Ai Ning had revealed his trump card.

“Then let this crushing defeat serve as an offering to my sword!”

His excited tone stirred the emotions of everyone present. They watched the sacred sword embryo as if in worship.

“Battle. Saint. Armor.”

Jiang Yan took a step forward. A golden battle cloak materialized behind him, and a silvery, ethereal armor appeared over his body. His unyielding Battle Intent surged to new heights.

The attributes of [Blade Bearer] and the Battle Saint Armor stack, overwhelming the worn alloy long saber. Unrecoverable cracks spread across its blade.

Both struck simultaneously.

The clash of saber and sword echoed unceasingly!

“Ding, you have engaged in an epic Showdown. [Battle Saint Armor] slightly improved. Saber Way comprehension increased. Realm slightly elevated.”

Boom!

A violent impact erupted from their bodies. Invisible air currents swept outward, tearing up the grass and shrouding the world in a storm of dust.

Everyone was caught in the collision, thrown backward uncontrollably. The terrifying oppressive pressure left the others speechless.

Dust filled the air. At the center of the battle, only two blurry silhouettes could be seen.

One kneeling, one standing.

“Who won?” someone whispered.

No one answered him.