Chapter 629: Desperation

A bizarre sight unfolded before everyone’s eyes.

At first, the two genius swordsmen had attacked each other with astonishing swordsmanship. Gradually, however, their movements slowed until they stopped completely, simply standing still and studying each other in silence.

“......”

Still, the fight wasn’t over yet. Neither of the swordsmen had paused to catch their breath.

Their swords hung still, but their eyes never stopped tracking each other. They shifted their grip on their weapons’ hilts, responding to each other’s movements before they occurred. Beads of cold sweat collected on their foreheads.

Under that extreme tension, the entire area around the dueling stage fell silent. Even the murmuring crowd, overwhelmed by an atmosphere they couldn’t understand, didn’t dare speak up.

“Good grief! How did the Vermilion Phoenix Academy’s worst delinquent turn into such a crybaby?”

“Bwahahaha...!”

Only the Heavenly Martial Principal burst out laughing, unable to contain his delight. From his close vantage point, he saw much more than the others.

Namgung Su shook his head in disdain. The ones who are seeing this have disappointed him.

He muttered in a giddy voice, “Both of them have achieved what no one their age should be able to achieve. They must already be better than the Sword Saint or the Sword Sage were at their age! They have overwhelming talent, divine martial arts, and excellent masters. If just a little luck follows them...”

The Heavenly Martial Principal was met with puzzled looks from all sides, but he continued babbling without a care. To him, nothing was more pleasurable than watching a young, talented martial artist bloom into their full potential.

“Ahaha, this year is truly...”

The peerless master gazed at the brilliant geniuses before him with unadulterated admiration. Briefly turning his head, he scanned the remaining contestants, Ilgak, Hyonwon Kang, Peng Sahyuk, and Sama Hyeon in turn. Like a gourmet seated before a rare delicacy, he gulped down his drool.

“...So bountiful it makes my mouth water.”

” Wiji Cheon floundered, realizing his slip far too late.

The mere thought that someday, they would master their martial arts and show him new ultimate techniques sent a shiver crawling up his spine.

Everything would be even better if we could kill each other...

“...!” Even the Heavenly Martial Principal was left speechless, his eyes wide with incredulity. His trembling lips revealed the intensity of the emotions raging within him.

A martial artist improved most when they gave their all against a worthy opponent. Duels to the death were the ideal, but of course, he could hardly hope for anything like that in a tame, controlled setting like a school festival.

“Ugh... I’ll have to be patient for now. Those days are not far off.”

Despite the Heavenly Martial Principal’s alarming monologue, Wiji Cheon and Yeon Soha didn’t so much as lift their heads. They were utterly focused on each other. A thunderclap bomb could have gone off beside them, and they wouldn’t have flinched.

SWISH!

Yeon Soha took a step forward. Instantly, Wiji Cheon’s arm blurred, and his sword whipped around.

“He’s manifesting enhanced qi at that age?

SHWAAAAAK!

Their sword qi skimmed past each other, carving vivid marks into the floor of the dueling stage. Afterwards, the two swordsmen stood staring at each other, in the exact same postures as before.

Except both had retreated precisely one step to the side.

Striding over, she jabbed a finger into his chest. “Huuuuh? Are you saying I was less desperate than you?”

““......””

After a brief pause, Wiji Cheon made his move.

THUMP!

He took a quick, light step forward and swiftly swung his sword horizontally.

For a moment, space itself seemed to warp. The force packed into that single strike was staggering.

Now, I kind of regret not training a little harder.

Yeon Soha spun around and knocked the blade upward from below.

KWAKWAKWAKWA!

Their sword qi intertwined and shot into the sky like a tornado.

The spectators’ jaws dropped at the spectacle.

Baek Suryong said, "Shame on you!"

““......””

The two swordsmen fell silent again, their chests heaving from their labored breathing. Yet another stalemate.

“He’s manifesting enhanced qi at that age?

This is not going to end.

I have to settle it.

They each sought the other’s tacit approval, nodding to one another. The next clash would determine the outcome of the duel.

If the duel continued like this, it wouldn’t end until one of them collapsed from exhaustion. Either way, the winner would also be close to passing out. Neither of them wanted that. This victory certainly mattered, but winning the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament was more important.

I’ll end it in the next exchange.

I have to pour out everything I have!

Those days are not far off.

They each sought the other’s tacit approval, nodding to one another. The next clash would determine the outcome of the duel. ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

SQUEAK...

“Good grief! How did the Vermilion Phoenix Academy’s worst delinquent turn into such a crybaby?”

Wiji Cheon squeezed his sword hilt tightly. Never before had swinging a sword left him so frustrated. The wall in front of him was so tall and sturdy that it made him furious.

VWOOONG!

The Soul Sword trembled, resonating with its master’s emotions. This treasured blade, handed down from the creator of the Unlimited Sword, carried the will of the Sword Saint within it. It whispered to the boy, ‘Surpass the wall.’

“I have to... surpass it...”

Those days are not far off.

The boy’s innate talent, desperation, and fiery spirit against a worthy rival granted him a brief glimpse into a realm that had been off-limits until now.

VWOOOOONG!

Blue sword qi flowed elegantly along the Soul Sword’s blade, slowly taking shape. The form was a brilliant crystallization of qi, beyond mere clarity.

“I know you didn’t mean any harm.

The martial artists recognized it at once, and cried out in shock.

“Enhanced sword qi!”

Though faint, clumsy, and crude, Wiji Cheon had manifested enhanced sword qi. The quiet atmosphere shattered, and astonishment filled the spectator stands.

“Good heavens!”

They were utterly focused on each other.

“He’s manifesting enhanced qi at that age?”

“Look over there! There’s enhanced sword qi on Yeon Soha’s blade, too!”

As though stimulated by Wiji Cheon, a faint, wobbly enhanced sword qi bloomed along Yeon Soha’s blade as well. Their determination to beat each other had pushed both geniuses past their limits, if only for a moment.

“...!” Even the Heavenly Martial Principal was left speechless, his eyes wide with incredulity. His trembling lips revealed the intensity of the emotions raging within him.

The two swordsmen’s talent plunged most of the martial artists present into shock and despair. Several renowned swordsmen turned deathly pale.

“He’s manifesting enhanced qi at that age?

“I have held a sword my entire life, yet I’ve never felt so pathetic.”

“This is the first time I’ve ever wanted to break my own blade.”

“Heh, hohoho...”

“...!” Even the Heavenly Martial Principal was left speechless, his eyes wide with incredulity. His trembling lips revealed the intensity of the emotions raging within him.

If a master like the Azure Dragon Hero or the Sword Sage had split the duel stage in two with enhanced sword qi, the onlookers would have marveled at it, but nothing more.