# Chapter 148: Half-Saint Disciple
"Fighting him might allow my sword technique attainments to reach a higher level."
Qing Chibai looked toward the direction of the battle platform and discovered that Liu Xin could not even touch the corner of Zhang Ruochen's clothes, completely suppressed by Zhang Ruochen.
"He truly is a sword technique expert." Qing Chibai's conviction to fight Zhang Ruochen grew even stronger in his heart.
"Bang!"
Zhang Ruochen finally opened his eyes, thrusting his sword into Liu Xin's abdomen. Powerful force transmitted from the sword, blasting Liu Xin away and sending him falling off the battle platform.
Because the broken sword had no tip, Liu Xin was not seriously injured, only appearing quite disheveled!
If he had lost to Qing Chibai, Liu Xin would have had no complaints. But losing to a prince from a lower commandery was an absolute heavy blow to him, more unbearable than being killed.
Liu Xin's eyes were somewhat dazed, muttering incessantly, "He only used a broken sword, how could I lose... how could I lose..."
Everyone had seen it quite clearly. Liu Xin had never touched Zhang Ruochen's body from start to finish. If Zhang Ruochen had truly wanted to defeat him, it would probably have taken only one move.
Liu Xin slunk away into the crowd, extremely afraid of being seen by Zhang Ruochen and forced to cut off his hand. If he really did cut off his own hand, it would certainly affect his future cultivation.
Zhang Ruochen naturally saw Liu Xin hiding in the crowd and gently shook his head, not wanting to force him, after all, he was a student of the Left Prime Minister.
If Zhang Ruochen forced him to cut off his hand, that would be equivalent to slapping the Left Prime Minister's face, and the Left Prime Minister would certainly retaliate. For the Yunwu Commandery Kingdom, there would be no benefit whatsoever.
Anyway, after today's events, Liu Xin would become a laughingstock in the Qianshui Commandery Kingdom. Zhang Ruochen couldn't be bothered to add fuel to the fire.
Now, at the entire Sword Discussion Assembly, no one dared to mock Zhang Ruochen anymore. Even if he claimed to be the number one sword technique expert under heaven, no one would find it ridiculous. They would only think he was a very confident person with the capital to be arrogant.
Huo Ming was also completely stunned, staring at Zhang Ruochen standing on the battle platform, feeling as if he had been slapped hard by Zhang Ruochen.
"Rustle rustle!"
From the second floor of the Golden Phoenix Pavilion, those noble ladies threw out piece after piece of golden jade leaves, fluttering down onto the battle platform.
Even from the third floor of the Golden Phoenix Pavilion, two golden jade leaves were thrown out. One must know, on the third floor, the spectators were all princesses of the Qianshui Commandery Kingdom.
Two princesses had also expressed their affection for Zhang Ruochen.
At the same time, from the Flying Heaven Pavilion hidden in the void, the laughter of the Qianshui Commandery King rang out: "Minister Ning, this Zhang Ruochen you mentioned is indeed a young hero. Using a broken sword, he could still defeat Tuoba Linsu and Liu Xin."
Minister Ning smiled: "This Zhang Ruochen is indeed quite outstanding, but compared to Your Highness in your youth, he is still a bit lacking. I remember that year when Your Highness was at the Eastern Sea Sacred City, alone with one sword, you defeated all the geniuses from various nations. That kind of brilliance remains unmatched to this day."
Hearing Minister Ning's flattering words, the Qianshui Commandery King's mood improved greatly, thinking of his own youth. He laughed heartily: "Minister Ning, don't forget, Zhang Ruochen was using a broken sword. To be so formidable even with a broken sword, even I was not his equal back then."
The ten powerful ministers present were all old foxes and had already detected something different.
It seemed that the King had developed a fondness for talent and was preparing to recruit Zhang Ruochen as a son-in-law.
Minister Ning naturally also understood the meaning behind the Qianshui Commandery King's words, thinking to himself, "The King seems to think highly of Zhang Ruochen. This Zhang Ruochen will have boundless prospects in the future. I must strengthen my relationship with the Yunwu Commandery Kingdom even more. As for the Four Directions Commandery Kingdom, I should also go and give them a warning."
Grand General Gongsun Lin laughed: "Today, Zhang Ruochen used a broken sword to fight the heroes at the Sword Discussion Assembly, defeating all the proud talents. Soon, his name will surely spread throughout the nations."
The Left Prime Minister said: "Whether Zhang Ruochen's name will spread throughout the nations still depends on the final battle. If he loses to Qing Chibai, then all the glory he won earlier will be transferred to Qing Chibai."
Minister Ning frowned slightly: "Qing Chibai is a Half-Saint disciple, and his cultivation has reached the Earth Extreme Realm Middle Stage, with his sword intent realm reaching the peak of Sword Follows the Heart. He can be called the number one proud talent of the Qianshui Commandery Kingdom in a hundred years. It would not be shameful for Zhang Ruochen to lose to him."
Another powerful minister said: "When Qing Chibai was at the Mysterious Extreme Realm Middle Extreme Position, he was probably slightly weaker than Zhang Ruochen. But now, even if he suppresses his realm to the Mysterious Extreme Realm Middle Extreme Position, he is still much stronger than Zhang Ruochen. The battle between the two is inherently unfair. Qing Chibai will definitely win!"
"If Qing Chibai suppresses his cultivation to the Mysterious Extreme Realm Small Extreme Position, it should be an evenly matched contest. But even so, it would be quite unfair to Qing Chibai. After all, as a Half-Saint disciple, he does not want to lose, and even more so, cannot lose."
"For Zhang Ruochen to last ten moves against Qing Chibai, he would surely have a place among the young heroes of the world today."
...
The people at the Golden Phoenix Pavilion did not know that the important figures of the Qianshui Commandery Kingdom were also paying attention to the newly rising young geniuses from various nations.
For these important figures, every top-tier genius might grow into a world-dominating overlord in the future. Recruiting them in advance naturally had no drawbacks.
Zhang Ruochen stood on the battle platform, not in a hurry to leave, because he knew that even if he wanted to leave now, someone would certainly come out to stop him.
If he did not defeat them, they would not let him leave.
Since that was the case, he would defeat all those who had objections and subdue all those who were unconvinced. Then, naturally, he could leave calmly.
"Who else wants to compete in swordsmanship with me?" Zhang Ruochen raised his broken sword, his gaze sweeping over every talented hero below.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen's gaze, everyone lowered their heads.
"I'll do it."
Qing Chibai stood up, taking off the outer robe draped over his shoulder, revealing a neat and clean green robe, and carrying a green battle sword, he walked toward the battle platform.
Green true qi surged beneath his feet, condensing into a cloud of true qi.
With each step he took, a cloud of true qi appeared beneath his feet, supporting his body and sending him onto the battle platform.
Seeing the movement technique Qing Chibai displayed, exclamations came from the crowd: "Could this be... the legendary movement technique martial art 'Walking on Clouds'?"
"It should be that martial art. It is said to be a Spirit Grade Upper Class movement technique martial art. Qing Chibai has probably almost cultivated it to Great Completion."
"Qing Chibai is finally making his move. He represents the number one person of the younger generation in our Qianshui Commandery Kingdom. Since he is making his move, he should be able to easily defeat that Ninth Prince from the Yunwu Commandery Kingdom."
...
Qing Chibai landed on the battle platform, appearing very carefree. He stared at Zhang Ruochen and smiled: "I am Qing Chibai. I originally did not intend to make a move at the Sword Discussion Assembly, but seeing the Ninth Prince's exquisite sword technique, I admire it and wish to spar with you. You have already fought four consecutive battles, and your true qi must be greatly depleted. Rest for half an hour first, then we will fight."
Zhang Ruochen knew that Qing Chibai was a formidable opponent and was not arrogant enough to think he could definitely defeat him.
Zhang Ruochen nodded, immediately sat cross-legged, and began to recover his depleted true qi.
About a quarter of an hour later, Zhang Ruochen recovered to his peak state, stood up, and looked at Qing Chibai: "How do you intend to compete?"
Qing Chibai said: "My sword intent realm has reached the peak of Sword Follows the Heart. If we only compete in sword techniques, it would be quite disadvantageous for you. So, let's follow the previous rules. I will suppress my cultivation to the Mysterious Extreme Realm Middle Extreme Position, and we will fight at the same realm."
Zhang Ruochen said: "Good, I have no objection."
At this moment, Xun Guihai, who was not far from the Thirteenth Princess, stood up and laughed: "I have a suggestion. I wonder if everyone would be willing to listen?"
Qing Chibai glanced at Xun Guihai and smiled: "Brother Xun, what suggestion do you have? Speak freely."
Xun Guihai said: "The battle platform is only nine meters square. For martial artists at the Mysterious Extreme Realm Middle Extreme Position, it seems a bit too small. Both of you are top experts in swordsmanship. Your battle will surely be extremely splendid. Why not expand the battlefield to the entire Golden Phoenix Pavilion? Wouldn't that be more conducive for you to display your sword techniques?"
The Thirteenth Princess knew that Qing Chibai's movement technique was extremely formidable and would certainly have an advantage, so she immediately agreed: "Brother Xun is right. The limitations of the battle platform are indeed too great. For this battle, let the Golden Phoenix Pavilion be the battlefield. There is no need to be confined to a mere battle platform."
Qing Chibai looked toward Zhang Ruochen: "Ninth Prince, what do you think?"
Zhang Ruochen said: "Since everyone has already decided, naturally I have no objections either."
Qing Chibai stared at the broken sword in Zhang Ruochen's hand: "Ninth Prince, you should change your sword."
Zhang Ruochen smiled slightly: "I am already accustomed to using my own sword. If I temporarily change to another sword, I might not be able to display my true strength."
"Since that's the case, let it be."
Qing Chibai appeared carefree and composed, raising his arm. The green battle sword traced an arc in the void. With one hand gripping the hilt and the other gripping the tip of the sword.
True qi surged from his fingertips, and his fingers seemed to be covered with a layer of green light.
"Crack!"
That fourth-grade True Martial Treasure level battle sword, under the effect of Qing Chibai's true qi, was forcibly snapped, also becoming a broken sword.
Qing Chibai waved his hand, tossing away the broken sword tip, which fell into the pool water below the battle platform.
Everyone looked at Qing Chibai with admiring eyes, feeling that he was open and aboveboard. Only Zhang Ruochen understood that Qing Chibai had already prepared to break the sword before stepping onto the battle platform, which was why he only brought a fourth-grade True Martial Treasure level battle sword.
If he used an intact sword to defeat Zhang Ruochen, no one would acknowledge his strength.
On the contrary, if he actively broke the battle sword and then defeated Zhang Ruochen, he would not only win against Zhang Ruochen but also gain fame.
For a genius, reputation was also very important.
Zhang Ruochen cleared all distracting thoughts from his mind, his gaze fixed straight on Qing Chibai standing opposite him. His entire being seemed to separate completely from the surrounding space, entering an extremely clear and empty state.