Chapter 325: Who Else Dares?

Chen Fei grew serious.

Li Tianya was clearly different from the previous challengers. Though he had never released his full pressure, the moment he gripped his blade, the aura that surged out confirmed why he was called the Heaven’s Edge Bladesman—his reputation was well-earned.

Chen Fei slowly tightened his grip on the massive, blunt-edged greatsword in his hand.

The once noisy plaza instantly fell silent.

Everyone subconsciously held their breath, all eyes locked on the two figures standing face-to-face.

The atmosphere was heavy and tense.

Then, just as if summoned by fate, a breeze suddenly blew between them.

In the blink of an eye, both men moved.

Li Tianya’s blade was as fast as lightning, slashing forward in a flash of cold light—appearing right in front of Chen Fei.

Chen Fei’s greatsword, despite looking bulky and unwieldy, rose smoothly and blocked the strike with ease!

Li Tianya’s swordsmanship was wide and fierce, his strikes clean and fluid, each one carrying tremendous weight and killing intent.

Chen Fei’s movements, by contrast, looked sluggish and clumsy—but every block was precise.

No matter how powerful Li Tianya’s attacks were, Chen Fei absorbed them all like an immovable wall.

“Interesting…” Li Tianya’s eyes gleamed with surprise.

Very few could go toe-to-toe with him in direct combat, let alone match him in force. But Chen Fei—though only newly stepped into the Mystic Realm—had a profound inner strength that rivaled his own.

At first, Li had come to test Chen Fei’s strength on someone else’s orders.

But now, he was starting to feel a rare sense of mutual respect.

“This move—Heaven’s Farewell.”

“A wandering swordsman has few confidants and even fewer friends.”

Raising his long blade to level, Li Tianya pointed it at Chen Fei.

Chen Fei tilted his wrist slightly, lifting his heavy greatsword horizontally.

“This move—Hidden Edge.”

Taking a deep breath, Chen Fei launched his counterattack.

Despite the name, Hidden Edge, the strike was massive and sweeping.

His giant sword stirred the wind into a violent tornado as it surged toward Li Tianya.

Wherever the whirlwind swept, it brought sword energy with it—but locating the true blade among the fury was nearly impossible.

This was the essence of Hidden Edge—a blade that cannot be seen is hardest to defend.

Li Tianya threw his head back and laughed:

“Ha! Impressive! No wonder you’re so arrogant—bring it on!”

His long blade sliced upward, glowing with a brilliance that seemed to divide heaven and earth.

He brought it down hard—straight into the storm of sword energy.

The air split. The blade’s brilliance seemed capable of cutting the world in two.

“If you can withstand this move—I’ll withdraw,” Li Tianya said with supreme confidence.

Chen Fei didn’t answer.

Instead, he charged directly into the light of the blade.

A sharp, screeching clash rang out.

Everyone instinctively turned toward the duel, but what they saw was only a blinding explosion of light—so intense they were forced to avert their eyes.

Then a voice rang out.

“Senior Brother Li, thank you for the match.”

Gasps swept through the crowd.

Did… did Chen Fei really win?

When the light faded and they opened their eyes again, they saw Chen Fei holding his greatsword level—its wide tip pressed directly against Li Tianya’s chest.

Li Tianya frowned and glanced down at his blade.

A deep dent marred the metal—a clear sign of being overpowered.

“You’ve won,” Li Tianya said, fully aware of what had just happened.

He looked up at Chen Fei and… smiled.

Chen Fei wasn’t unscathed. A deep wound marked his chest, blood still trickling from it.

By all appearances, he had been injured more than Li Tianya.

But Chen Fei had held back. One more inch, and Li Tianya might not have walked away.

It was clear to both of them who the true victor was.

Without another word, Li Tianya sheathed his blade and left.

Chen Fei ignored the wound still bleeding from his chest.

Instead, he slammed his greatsword into the ground with a loud clang.

“WHO’S NEXT?!”

The crowd went quiet again.

Until now, most had thought of Chen Fei as a quiet and unremarkable newcomer.

But today, his arrogance and raw ferocity forced them to reevaluate him.

The killing intent rolling off him now made many stare deeply at Chen Fei—eyes filled with wariness and respect.

In that moment, they truly acknowledged his strength.

Not that Chen Fei cared for their recognition.

He calmly returned to the stone bench and closed his eyes to rest, waiting for the next challenger.

Though his fight with Li Tianya hadn’t lasted long, it had given him invaluable combat experience.

And in all his previous battles, only Li Tianya had left such an impression.

Chen Fei replayed that sword strike over and over in his mind, and each time he found no way to dodge—only a direct clash.

Li Tianya’s blade was fast, and deadly.

But Chen Fei’s body was tough enough to take it.

When true experts cross blades, it often comes down to an inch—just a single moment.

Had it been a real death match, Chen Fei’s chest would’ve been split open—severe, but not fatal.

But Li Tianya’s head would have been crushed by the massive greatsword—and even an immortal couldn’t save him from that.

That was why, despite appearing uninjured, Li Tianya conceded.

Some spectators still looked confused.

Finally, someone broke the silence.

“Junior Brother Chen, perhaps you should treat that wound?”

The speaker was a smiling young man, who looked friendly and concerned as he approached.

But Chen Fei opened his eyes—and saw right through him.

“No need to worry, Senior Brother. It’s just a flesh wound,” he said coldly.

“Are you here to challenge me?”

“Ah…” the youth sighed. “Wouldn’t that seem like I’m taking advantage of you while you’re injured? Why don’t you rest and recover, and we’ll duel properly afterward?”

Chen Fei smiled faintly.

“No need. Please, after you.”

This man had no prior connection with Chen Fei and had never shown concern before.

Now, suddenly acting considerate? Chen Fei knew what game he was playing.

Others in the crowd realized it too—and their expressions shifted to disdain.

If you’re worried about fighting an injured man, why step up at all?

And if you step up, don’t pretend you’re being noble.

“Junior Brother Chen truly is a proud man,” the youth sighed again.

He snapped his folding fan shut with a snap, and with a bow said:

“Then I shall learn from you!”

To his credit, he did follow proper dueling protocol and tossed out his token.

The Patrol Hall took it—signifying the match had begun.

Chen Fei didn’t speak.

The instant he raised his sword, a violent gale erupted, roaring straight at the smiling young man.

This time, Chen Fei’s attacks were ruthless.

Today’s public challenge had drawn all kinds of snakes out of hiding.

But of all the challengers, this one—who tried to take advantage of his injury while pretending to be kind—was the most repulsive.

Chen Fei knew he’d already achieved his purpose.

The challenge stage wouldn’t last much longer.

Ending it here, with this man’s defeat, would be perfect.