Chapter 1232: Chapter 1229: Back to the Arena
"You look much more agreeable now." The Sword Spirit said, its tone less confrontational, with a hint of reflection: "I can sense that you don’t have a crazy desire for the Sword of the King. Unlike many others who would sell out their friends, even their souls, just to acquire it."
"You’ve finally said one thing right. I’m indifferent to the Sword of the King. In my eyes, no treasure is more valuable than family and friends." Lin Tian said seriously.
"Besides, it’s not like I haven’t seen treasures before. I’ve seen some good things that surpass the Sword of the King." Lin Tian said proudly.
The Sword Spirit immediately retorted: "Impossible, I don’t believe there’s anything better than the Sword of the King in this world."
"You’re really self-absorbed, even more than I am. This Sword Spirit is a bit like a frog in a well; if I don’t show you some treasures, you’d still think your Sword of the King is unbeatable." Lin Tian said disdainfully, then reached into his clothes and pulled out a blade.
The blade was crescent-shaped and had a faint blood-red color; it was one of the Crescent Blades.
"You are a Sword Spirit, so you’re most familiar with weapons. Take a look at this Crescent Blade, how does it compare to the Sword of the King?" Lin Tian said with a light smile.
For a long while, the Sword Spirit said nothing. It wasn’t until five minutes later that it exclaimed: "What a wondrous blade, truly unheard of, never before seen."
"Of course you haven’t seen it. Besides the Crescent Blade, I’ve also seen the Soul-devouring Blade, the Demon Blade Muramasa, the Purple Flame Gold Sword. The Purple Flame Gold Sword, like you, belongs to the sword category, but it surpasses you and is the most powerful weapon I’ve seen so far. So, do you still think the Sword of the King is unbeatable? Is it the best?" Lin Tian continued to provoke it.
He wanted to provoke the Sword Spirit further, to thoroughly shatter its unrealistic arrogance, open its psychological defenses until it submitted.
"You’ve shown me the colors of this world, can you take me to see this world I once thought I fully understood but actually know nothing about?" The Sword Spirit said earnestly, but then quickly added: "However, I still maintain that we are equal partners; you cannot command me to do anything. I’m merely temporarily residing within you."
"That’s a very reasonable request." Lin Tian held back his laughter, thinking that the Sword Spirit was being stubborn, yet had been gradually influenced by Lin Tian without realizing it: "But I warn you, don’t wander around inside my body, or you’ll end up terribly."
"What, your body is a dragon’s lair or a tiger’s den? I can’t come out for air or take a stroll?" The Sword Spirit protested, holding onto a bit of anger after being repeatedly provoked.
Saying so, disregarding Lin Tian’s warning, the Sword Spirit swam upwards from the bottom, heading towards Lin Tian’s head. It was just a condensed form of energy, able to move freely within the human body.
Soon it reached the head, but at that moment, a scream erupted, as if it were haunted, it hurried downward. It screamed again upon reaching Lin Tian’s Lower Elixir Field, scared and desperate to escape through Lin Tian’s mouth.
"Let me out... let me out, quick!" The voice sounded deeply fearful, as if it had seen something infinitely terrifying.
"I told you not to wander, now you know they’re not to be trifled with." Lin Tian laughed gleefully.
The Sword Spirit seemed to tremble, taking quite a while before asking: "What... what terrifying things are inside your body?"
"You wouldn’t understand even if I told you, the essence of Fire Power and the source of Taiyin Xuan Qi, do you get it? In the Underground Temple, the flame you saw was transformed from fire power, but its level was still low; otherwise, you’d have been burned to ashes already." Lin Tian said disdainfully.
"I don’t understand, but just let me out, please." The Sword Spirit said, feeling haunted.
Lin Tian shook his head, saying: "Letting you out is impossible. If you accidentally leak a bit of the Sword of the King’s energy after you’re out, wouldn’t that just invite trouble for me? I’m least fond of troublesome matters, so you’d better stay put. I warn you, the essences of the Fire Power and Taiyin Xuan Qi are still beyond my control, so be careful."
"Ah, I’m so miserable, out of the wolf’s den and into the tiger’s mouth, I wish I could die." The Sword Spirit wailed pitifully.
Lin Tian couldn’t be bothered with the cunning Sword Spirit. With more cleverness than others, a moment of carelessness could lead to falling into its trap.
He glanced back at the tree hole, tidying up quickly, dusted off his clothes, and left Fairy Lake, returning to Knight Academy.
When he got back to the academy, the selection tournament was in full swing; he looked towards the five judges, who were sitting with solemn expressions as if nothing had happened.
The five judges seemed to sense something too, glancing toward Lin Tian, their eyes meeting in the air, certainly not sparking fireworks. Lin Tian nodded slightly, naturally greeting the five.
"Do you think the person who took the Sword of the King could be this outsider? Ever since he arrived in Holy Spirit Town, things like this have been happening, it’s too coincidental, right?" The second seat robed judge suddenly said.
"It probably isn’t him. Though he defeated Carter, his strength is not very high, roughly on par with Li Wenfeng. Such a person would’ve left the academy with the Sword of the King long ago, why would he stay?" Lukins shook his head and said.
Lin Tian heard their conversation but didn’t react, watching the match with interest.
"Lin Tian, after you left, the five judges left too. Did something happen? You didn’t fight with the mentors, did you?" Xiao Manxue stared at Lin Tian, asking curiously.
"Come to my room tonight, I’ll tell you slowly." Lin Tian said earnestly, indeed it wasn’t a suitable place to talk. With people everywhere, if the matter about the Sword of the King leaks out, these folks would go crazy.
Unaware of the severe ambiguity in his words, Xiao Manxue blushed, gave Lin Tian a charming sidelong look but said nothing, she was becoming more resistant to Lin Tian’s suggestive words.
At that moment Li Wenfeng also came in from the crowd, with changed clothes but seemingly absent-minded, deep in thought. Fortunately, no one dared to provoke him, so people quickly made way.
The selection tournament continued advancing; when night fell, the match went on, with lights illuminating the surroundings, and the contestants continuing under the lights.
Miss advanced smoothly, maintaining an unbeaten record; Li Wenfeng also remained undefeated. Whether it was due to pent-up emotions, every contestant who fought him ended up injured, as if he were venting something.
As time reached 9:30 p.m., the host finally announced: "For the final championship match, let’s welcome with the most enthusiastic applause, Xiao Manxue and Li Wenfeng to the stage!"