Chapter 1 "Please Excuse My Rudeness"

Zhou Jing twirled his spear, withdrawing his gaze from the defeated martial artist.

After defeating more than a dozen opponents in a row, his back didn't ache, his breathing wasn't labored, and he felt even more energetic than before.

He surveyed the crowd, his eyes mainly focusing on the people from various sects, knowing that they were the main force of the challenge, while most martial artists were just watching the show.

"I wonder if there are any other heroes who would like to offer their guidance?"

Zhou Jing asked in a loud voice.

Just then, a bald old man stepped out from the crowd, his receding hairline quite distinctive, making him look like a grand hero at a glance.

Seeing this man, the surrounding martial artists stirred.

"It's Desert Eagle Sha Xingzhou!"

"This expert has also been invited?!"

"Is he very powerful?" a martial artist from the south asked curiously.

"It's not a question of whether he's powerful, he's the kind of person who is very special... Anyway, if you go to the northwest, everyone knows about Senior Sha's deeds."

Zhou Jing overheard and roughly understood that this person was a famous hero in the Northwest, more important than the previous dozen people, and couldn't help but secretly size him up.

Sha Xingzhou coughed and braced himself to cup his fist in salute, "I am Sha Xingzhou, invited by the Western Sand Sect, to experience your Excellency's skills."

Zhou Jing raised an eyebrow, seeing through something.

This man's eyes were shifty, and he seemed to lack confidence, appearing strong on the outside but weak on the inside. Coming out at this time seemed more like being forced into a corner.

"Alright, let's begin then."

Zhou Jing chuckled inwardly, but his face remained calm as he pointed his spear diagonally.

Since the situation had already been pushed to this point, Sha Xingzhou simply steeled himself, deciding to go all out. He spread his hands in the posture of Eagle Claw Kung Fu, circling around Zhou Jing, looking for an opportunity.

Watching the probing moves in the arena, the martial artists watching the show also lowered their voices, talking quietly.

"That Chen Feng has defeated more than a dozen people in a row, his inner strength must be greatly depleted by now."

"Senior Sha's martial arts are superb, he certainly won't let that Chen Feng win too easily."

Sha Xingzhou: "..."

It sounds so awkward!

He gritted his teeth, twisted his foot, and suddenly lunged forward, his claws grabbing out in a series of attacks, stirring up the sound of wind, like an eagle striking the sky.

Zhou Jing nimbly dodged, the white-tasseled spear in his hand moved like a snake, the wooden shaft trembling, crackling as it collided with Sha Xingzhou's fists and palms, exchanging several moves in an instant.

Once they exchanged blows, he found that this Sha was indeed a bit stronger than the previous people, but the improvement was limited, probably about 0.8 *qiang* (spear).

"Your claw technique is not bad, but it's a bit slow."

Zhou Jing commented casually.

Hearing this, Sha Xingzhou was secretly annoyed, and his claw attacks became even fiercer, displaying his Eagle Claw Kung Fu to the fullest.

However, no matter how frantically he attacked, he couldn't break through Chen Feng's airtight spear defense, and his palms were occasionally stung, feeling like he was dealing with a cactus.

"Damn it, how did this thief train his martial arts, to be so superb!"

Sha Xingzhou was increasingly shocked.

After ten or so moves, Zhou Jing suddenly switched from defense to offense, flicking his spear, penetrating the gap and striking Sha Xingzhou's lower body, like a python coiling around its prey, directly wrapping the opponent into the sky.

The opponent's body was horizontal in the air. Taking this opportunity, Zhou Jing reversed his spear and slashed down, the spear tail hitting Sha Xingzhou's waist and abdomen, directly knocking him down, rolling several times on the ground.

"Wah!"

Sha Xingzhou spat out a mouthful of sour water, clutching his stomach and curling into a ball, feeling like his bile was about to be beaten out of him.

"Ah, Master Sha has fallen!"

The members of the Western Sand Sect exclaimed, and hurriedly rushed forward to help him up.

Zhou Jing stood with his spear, watching him being helped away, grinning and saying, "Looks like your lower body isn't stable enough, you need to practice more."

"Don't be arrogant, it's obviously because the ground is too slippery, otherwise how could you have easily defeated Senior Sha."

A disciple said indignantly.

As soon as he said this, there was a burst of laughter.

"Q-Quick, shut up..." Sha Xingzhou's face was red with shame, feeling he had no face to see anyone, and urged the disciple anxiously, "Help me down quickly!"

The disciples quickly helped him off the stage.

At this moment, an old man with white hair and a long beard slowly walked into the arena, and said lightly:

"Your Excellency's spear technique is extraordinary, do you have the courage to experience my swordsmanship?"

Seeing this person, the noisy crowd suddenly became quiet.

Immediately afterwards, many martial artists exclaimed in unison.

Compared to Sha Xingzhou just now, this one was even more heavyweight!

"It's Sword Saint Senior Zhuo!"

"Such a peerless master has also come!"

Zhou Jing picked his ear, feeling this scene was familiar, as if he had just heard it a few minutes ago.

But before he could speak, some members of the opposing sects became anxious and surrounded Zhuo Jianchen, advising:

"Senior Zhuo, you are the one to hold the line, why are you taking action now?"

The original plan of these people was to let a bunch of experts exhaust Zhou Jing with a series of challenges, and then let top experts like Zhuo Jianchen enter the arena, taking advantage of the situation, not expecting to take action now.

Zhuo Jianchen waved his hand and said calmly, "Everyone, there is no need to persuade me, this person's martial arts are superb, I am eager to hunt, and I am unwilling to take advantage of him. My swordsmanship has reached perfection, and must be tempered with valuable opponents, so that I can go further, and I just want to use him to test my sword moves."

Hearing this, the sects were helpless and had to stop persuading him.

Zhuo Jianchen came to a stop in front of Zhou Jing, drew his sword, raised his eyelids, and said slowly:

"I have practiced swordsmanship for nearly sixty years, forming my own style, creating the unique skill *Chongxiao* (Soaring Sky) Swordsmanship, in which one ultimate move 'Sword Qi Crossing the Galaxy' has made my name as Sword Saint. Since I mastered it, there have been few opponents in the world. The sword in my hand is named *Jingjue* (Astonishing Absolute), and has accompanied me for sixteen years. After my swordsmanship was completed, it has not drunk human blood for nine years. Today is the day to sharpen it... Village Chief Chen, are you ready?"

Zhou Jing: "..."

This old fool is talking endlessly, even more of a pretender than him.

His appearance is quite good, perhaps this is packaging.

"If you want to fight, then fight, why so much nonsense? Could it be that your mouth is more powerful than your swordsmanship?"

Zhou Jing snorted.

"Arrogant." Zhuo Jianchen's face sank, his tone displeased.

He casually held his long sword, his bearing dignified, and said lightly:

"You are a junior, I will not take advantage of you, and let you strike first."

Seeing his posture, many martial artists were immediately impressed.

"As expected of Sword Saint Senior."

"This is the demeanor of a master!"

Seeing this, Zhou Jing's eyes became even stranger.

Has this person become addicted to pretending?

Even letting me strike first, acting like he's guiding a junior.

Is this old fool underestimating his enemy, or is he really that confident?

Zhou Jing simply stopped thinking about it, stepped forward, and prepared to thrust his spear straight forward.

Seeing that the other party was so confident, he slightly increased his strength to test the waters.

"Well done!"

Seeing his opponent make a move, Zhuo Jianchen shouted loudly.

With a flick of his wrist, he instantly stabbed out a sky full of sword shadows, the light on the sword flowing, as if a sky full of stars had been spread out in the blink of an eye.

This scene was so grand that all the onlookers were shocked.

"Is this 'Sword Qi Crossing the Galaxy'? Amidst the brilliance, there is killing intent everywhere, as expected of the Sword Saint, it's a master move right from the start!"

Luo Zhen's eyes lit up, praising in his heart.

However, in the next second.

A cold light was swift and unparalleled, rushing straight into the stars, and in the next moment, the sky full of brilliance instantly shattered and dissipated.

The tip of the spear pierced through Zhuo Jianchen's shoulder, picking him up into the air, and fresh blood dripped down along the long sword in his hand.

A simple and unadorned straight thrust of the spear broke this amazing sword move.

The crowd was about to cheer, but their voices were immediately choked back into their stomachs, and their faces froze.

Zhou Jing held the spear in one hand, picked Zhuo Jianchen into the air, looked at the other party's incredible expression, and raised an eyebrow:

"Sword Saint, is that all? I haven't even used my full strength, and you've already been hit."

"You... you're so fast?!"

Zhuo Jianchen's eyes widened, his face full of shock.

He had seen Zhou Jing's previous performance, and although he was powerful, he didn't feel that he was unattainable, and he felt confident in his heart.

In his opinion, relying on his own well-honed ultimate move, even if he couldn't defeat his opponent, he had a good chance of winning a few moves, so he confidently made his move.

But he didn't expect that Chen Feng's speed suddenly became several times faster, beyond his expectations. Even if his own moves were exquisite, they were useless.

"In the martial world, speed is the only thing that cannot be broken. As long as the speed is fast enough, it can turn decay into magic. All moves are readily available, and even the most ordinary straight thrust is an unbreakable ultimate move."

Zhou Jing responded casually, then pulled out the spear with a *pu* sound.

Zhuo Jianchen fell to the ground, clutching the wound where blood was gushing out, but there was no anger on his face, his tone was complex:

"What you said is the supreme truth of martial arts that returns to simplicity. With your speed, even if ordinary people practice their martial arts to perfection, they are not your enemies. I have fought countless masters in my life, your martial arts are almost invincible in the world, and it is not an exaggeration to call you the number one in the world. I have lost this battle."

Immediately afterwards, Zhuo Jianchen looked around at the martial artists, and said with a miserable smile:

"I often boast that my swordsmanship is the best in the world, but only after living for so many years do I know that there are people beyond people. Today I have been defeated, and I am ashamed of the invitation of the major sects. I have lost all face, and in the future I will retreat into the mountains and rivers, and no longer ask about the affairs of the martial world, farewell!"

After saying that, he used his *qinggong* (light body technique), and ran straight through the crowd, running wildly in the direction of the mountain, running away directly.

"Hey, he really knows how to talk, and he runs fast too."

Zhou Jing raised an eyebrow, his smile playful.

The many martial artists looked at each other, their faces full of shock.

Sword Saint Senior, was directly forced into retirement?!

And before leaving, he personally certified that Chen Feng's martial arts had reached the realm of invincibility in the world.

Since ancient times, no martial arts master has ever truly won this honor, and even if there are similar self-proclaimed titles, they cannot convince the public.

Could it be that today they can witness Chen Feng create history and ascend to the throne of number one in the world?

The onlookers were in an uproar, discussing endlessly.

On the other side, the faces of the major sects were ugly, and they felt a burning sensation on their faces.

It's fine for this Sword Saint to leave, but he had to say a bunch of polite words, deliberately raising Chen Feng, so as to preserve his own reputation, but instead put them on the fire to roast.

At this moment, Zhou Jing withdrew his gaze, turned to look at the sects, raised his chin and asked:

"Is there any other master who wants to exchange blows with me?"

Everyone was awe-stricken, silent.

Luo Zhen gritted his teeth secretly, and felt annoyed in his heart.

Chen Feng's arrogance has surpassed the entire arena, and has suppressed everyone. Now, many of the experts who were invited to help are starting to retreat.

He had a premonition that today's martial arts conference might not achieve its goal and would not be able to win the bet.

Luo Zhen couldn't help but scan the martial artists present, wanting to find the hidden court dead soldiers, but he didn't gain anything.

At this moment, he suddenly noticed someone patting him on the shoulder from behind.

Luo Zhen turned his head to look, his expression changed slightly, becoming pleasantly surprised:

"Uncle-Master, why are you here?"

"Hmph, if I didn't come, who would clean up the mess you caused?"

The person who came was an old man with a ruddy complexion and white hair, wearing a simple Taoist robe. Although he was standing in a conspicuous position, others subconsciously ignored him, as if he didn't exist.

The Southern Flower Sect is divided into secular and hidden branches. The secular branch serves as the head of the sect and manages the affairs of the sect, while the hidden branch is the location of the Taoist lineage, with true teachings of spells.

This old man with a ruddy complexion and white hair is a member of the hidden branch of the Southern Flower Sect, Bi Yun Daoist.

Hearing this, Luo Zhen's spirits were immediately lifted, and his back straightened up.

Although he is the head of the sect, he has no right to command the hidden branch, but everyone is from the same sect, and their interests are tied together, so the hidden branch is willing to help at this moment.

With such a strong support, Luo Zhen's confidence immediately became sufficient again, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of superiority.

--What if your martial arts are good, our sect has experts who cultivate spells!

"What does Uncle-Master plan to do? Could it be that you want to enter the arena and compete with him?" Luo Zhen asked in a low voice.

Bi Yun Daoist said unhappily:

"I'm not good at martial arts, so why would I go up there to be beaten? I can use a little trick on the stage, this person is just a mere martial artist, I don't think he can resist."