Too Easy

"Let us both learn from this match!" Zhao Fu bowed his head in respect. Aerion nodded.

"Very well."

"MATCH START!"

Zhao Fu started off with a few spear strikes, which Aerion dodged with ease. Perfect Counter. Aerion disarms Zhao Fu and trips him onto the floor. Then he released his profound energy onto him, this was to keep him on the floor for ten breaths of time and win the battle. The strategy worked and Aerion walked away victorious.

~

Over the next 3 days, Aerion fought like a peerless God. No one could even hit him! All of his matches also lasted less than thirty seconds. This shocked everyone, especially when he fought several people with a higher cultivation strength. It was just like the dream... no one could beat him!

"Is his cultivation strength really Spirit Profound Five? He's fighting like he's in the Earth Profound Realm!"

"That's true, he might be Tai Wentian's secret weapon."

"Hmph, Ling Yun can easily deal with him."

Aerion was chilling after he dealt with his 12th victim. Tai Quin, Xia and Aerion all made it to the top 300 which wasn't that unexpected. The Noble Rogue Sect usually ranks around the top 100 and that's when they don't have any super talented disciples. When they do, you can expect a ranking of top 32. While he was exploring and watching some of the last matches, he encountered the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace's group.

Shit, why did I have to tell them my real name? I could've made up one... like Bing Tong or something like that. They know it's me, the dude who just 'stumbled' upon their most prized disciple's room! Aerion had to escape without them realising it's him otherwise the situation would become really awkward.

"Are you Jun Long?"

Sigh. "Yes, what about it?"

"Can I see your face?"

He did remember Tai Quin stating that the mask was a really stupid idea, what's the point in hiding? It's not like he's so ugly that he has to hide his face, in fact, it's the complete opposite. And it is slightly harder to breathe while wearing it. Aerion smiled, guess I'll just take it off. It's pointless anyway!

"As you wish..."

A small crowd started forming.

"I want to see just how ugly this Jun Long is!"

"It might be the complete opposite."

"He's probably uglier than my shit!"

Aerion took off his mask and hood.

"MY EYES... TOO SHINY!"

"SIlver hair and purple eyes... who is he?"

"What the hell? Is he like the son of the Heavens or something?"

"Aerion...?" The girl took off her vale.

"Izanami!?"

...

She's really alive and well!

Her eyes widened, but then she regained her composure. Then he turned around and walked away. Aerion wanted to follow but he didn't. Her gaze was colder than before... it must be those damn Frozen Cloud Arts.

"Jun Long, what happened?" Tai Quin asked

"Nothing."

Aerion shrugged it off and went directly to his courtyard to think over things.

~

"Did you hear about Jun Long and Lai Mei?"

"No, what happened?"

"It looked like they recognised each other. Jun Long called her Izanami and she called him Aerion!"

"Nice nicknames, I guess."

~

"Noble Rogue Sect's Jun Long wins!"

This was his fifteenth and final match in the second round. Currently, Aerion had a flawless record of 27 wins and 0 losses. Naturally, he made it to the top 32. Both Tai Quin and Xia made it as well. This elimination round was where things got serious. All of Top 4 sect's disciples will be participating, it's going to be intense.

"The Noble Rogue Sect is pretty strong this year." Ling Yun commentated

"Yes, that Tai Quin reminds me of Tai Wentian. Very strong, fast and smart. But, I have no doubt you'll be able to beat him. The person who worries me more is Jun Long. From what I've seen, he hasn't used a single profound skill. In fact, he hasn't used a weapon yet! I haven't seen a disciple with such battle power before."

"Do you think he can beat me in a fight?"

"Perhaps, if he knows a powerful profound art. Be careful if you encounter him in the arena."

Ling Yun nodded. "I'll be careful if I face him."

~

Izanami is in the first group, my group. So is Ling Jie, Ling Feiyu, Xiao Nan, Fen Juebi and Fen Yuange. The second group consists of more high-tier disciples; Ling Yun, Xia Qingyue, Tai Xia, Tai Quin, Shui Wushuang, Xiao Kuanglei, Xiao Zhen and Fen Jin.

"Well, Jun Long? Who's your first opponent?"

"Xiao Nan, he shouldn't be a challenge."

"True, a Spirit Profound 6 disciple shouldn't pose a threat."

"Why do I have to be in the stronger group?" Tai Quin asked

Aerion responded. "Because you are Tai Quin, the son of Tai Wentian! You need to shine where the lights are brightest."

"What about you?"

"I'll shine in the finals, of course."

On the Sword Discourse Arena, the profound stone that has displayed the battle order was kept by Ling Wugou and said loudly: "The battle order of the thirty-two contestants has been decided and the first match shall begin soon. The contestants are: Noble Rogue Sect's Jun Long and Xiao Sect's Xiao Nan. Please prepare yourself and come onto the arena within sixty breaths of time!"

"Good luck my- mhm."

Aerion kissed Tai Xia on the lips.

"I'll be back soon."

"Nan'er, try your best against Jun Long. Though his victory is almost certain, you can still prove yourself to the crowd. Avoid injury if possible."

"Yes, Grandfather."

~

Jun Long and Xiao Nan faced each other. Everyone knew who the victor was going to be. Still, that didn't mean the match couldn't be entertaining.

"Xiao Sect Sword Sect's disciple Xiao Nan, please guide me!"

"Noble Rogue Sect's disciple Jun Long... it'll be my pleasure to guide you."

After a brief silence, Ling Wugou finally spoke.

"Round of 32, 1st Match —— Begin!"

"Why aren't you using a weapon? Is it because you don't have one...?" Xiao Nan asked after noticing that Aerion was barehanded.

"Since you asked so nicely, I'll use my weapon against you."

Aerion took out his baseball bat and the audience was left speechless. What kind of weapon is that? No one had ever seen such an unorthodox weapon!

"Forgive me, but I want to finish this as quickly as possible. Sorry~"

Swift Wind.

BANG.

Aerion smacked Xiao Nan with the baseball bat. This simple act made him fly across the arena and crash into the wall. Aerion didn't hit him very hard, it was just enough to win the match.

"Thank you for holding back, Jun Long." Xiao Nan said after he got up.

Damn, he's too nice. I didn't even let him show off his Sect's profound art. He didn't deserve to get matched up with the future and undeniable winner of the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament so early. Fate is cruel sometimes...

~End of the round, next day~

Nothing unexpected happened, everyone who was supposed to move up to top 16 did. Aerion's next opponent was going to be Mu Xiongyan, a young 'genius' from the Heavenly Spear Thunderfire Fortress. Aerion was getting tired of these weaklings... IS THERE ANYONE WHO CAN PROVIDE A DECENT CHALLENGE!? He trained so hard to win this tournament, so hard that no one could even scratch him!

"May the round of 16 begin... first match, Noble Rogue Sect's Jun Long versus Heavenly Spear Thunderfire Fortress' Mu Xiongyan. Please prepare yourself and come onto the arena!"

Aerion jumped down and looked at his next victim. He felt a little bit more kind after his fight with Xiao Nan. There is no point in fighting someone if you know you're going to lose no matter what you do.

"I would like to make this quick and simple, please surrender now and avoid a severe beating."

"Will you surrender, Mu Xiongyan?" Ling Wugou asked

He shook his head. "No... I won't."

He had come so far, trained for so many years... how could he possibly give up without a fight? He's the pride of the Heavenly Spear Thunderfire Fortress, he would be disappointing everyone in his Sect if he gave up so easily. He had to make his Sect Master proud of him! If he can just damage Aerion then it would be a great accomplishment.

You've sealed your fate, fool. I wanted to get some extra sleep and avoid embarrassing you, yet you rejected my generous offer.

"Round of 16, 1st Match —— Begin!"

Aerion drew Silver Eagle out of its sheath, his purple eyes glowing. He started walking towards Mu Xiongyan very slowly. With every step, Mu Xiongyan grew more and more fearful. Perhaps this wasn't the best idea? He gathered all of his courage and attacked before Aerion got too close.

"YOU THINK YOU'RE SO MIGHTY? I, MU XIONGYAN, WILL TEACH YOU A LESSON...TAKE THIS!"

Mu Xiongyan threw a dozen or so bombs and they all detonated upon reaching Aerion. The sounds of the bombs were thunderous, forcing the audience to cover their ears. Then the smoke cleared... the first thing Mu Xiongyan saw was Aerion's smirk. The bombs didn't harm him at all, there wasn't even a single scratch on his entire body. His clothing in perfect condition... the bombs did absolutely nothing!

"Not bad, your profound art is quite unique."

"No... I AM NOT DONE YET!"

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

When will this idiot realise that his bombs are useless against my wind aura? I use my profound energy to get the smoke out of the way and ask a simple question.

"Are you done?"

"N-no way... not even a scratch...."

*SLASH*

Mu Xiongyan fell to the ground with a giant gash where Silver Eagle struck. The slash was so quick that none of the disciples even saw it. So quick, so unexpected and so deadly! If Jun Long were to use an offensive profound skill, then Mu Xiongyan would have died. This is the difference between a transcendent talent and a genius.

"Noble Rogue Sect's Jun Long is the winner! He moves onto the Quarterfinals."

"No way... he beat Mu Xiongyan with just one slash of his sword!"

"Wow, he might even be stronger than your precious Ling Yun."

"Shut up, there's no way he can beat Ling Yun! He's in the middle of the Spirit Profound Realm while Ling Yun has a cultivation strength of Earth Profound Three!"

"Mhm, we'll see."

"If Ling Yun and Jun Long fight then it will be in the finals. This tournament is becoming more and more exciting!"

~Quarterfinals, next day~

First Match: Jun Long vs Lai Mei (Izanami)

Second Match: Ling Jie vs Ling Feiyu

Third Match: Tai Quin vs Xia Qingyue

Fourth Match: Ling Yun vs Tai Xia

"Wow, every Noble Rogue Sect and Heavenly Sword Villa disciple has made it to the quarterfinals!"

Aerion looked at the tournament bracket and he was surprised by his next opponent. Izanami... we're really going to fight. To be honest, I can't wait.

~

"You should surrender... but knowing you, that isn't going to be possible." Izanami calmly stated

Aerion nodded, he didn't come to this Sword Villa to be a loser. He came here to win!