Chapter 27: Who is the pig and who is the tiger?

"The fourth year student Ling Chao passed by the different competitors one after the other, what a swift sword flight! There doesn't seems to be any hindrance at all as if the wind is actually his helper. Look like Venerable Meng Qian and sect master Zhang have predicted well… This usually low key student shocked the whole venue speechlessly…"

Elder Zheng Yang talked rapidly with an animated voice to highlight the situation on the field.

As he said, Ling Chao the black clothed youth that wasn't remarkable at all until now, looked like a fierce demon that came out of secluded cultivation and shocked the whole world!

His swift and fierce sword flight leaving silver light track behind mesmerized every one.

The bad gamblers (those that already screamed about Zhou Feng's win, and became excited about a prospective windfall) became silent like it was their grand mother's funeral.

Even the most blind cultivator that know nothing about the way of the sword can understand the situation.

If there isn't a miracle, Ling Chao should be the victor….

...…

At the same time, the first year students led by fatty Wen were looking at each other in dismay.

What on earth did they just see?!

In the end, they all turned to a single student, it was Wu Xing!

Long Xian took the initiative as a class rep like existence:

"Fellow Student Wu Xing, can you explain what is going on?"

Wu Xing held a calm and unfreted look as he said, shrugging his shoulder:

"Special physique, the rest is a secret that can't be divulged without the person's authorization."

"...."

Would giving a bit more explanation kill you?! What you said is the same as not saying anything.

The other didn't know what to say and could only stare speechlessly at the empty field, Wu Lin wasn't there anymore…

.....

On the field in the five elements obstacles, Ling Chao was closing on Zhou Feng rapidly and after a while he managed to reach his back, when-

Suddenly, Zhou Feng looked back lightly with a smirk on his face, they were flying at a high speed of several hundreds miles per second, but Ling Chao was sure of what he saw with his spiritual sense.

He was cautious though and slowed down a bit to observe what did this junior prepare for him, but even so he couldn't think of a way for Zhou Feng to bridge the gap of their level of sword intent.

Bridging the gap of cultivation can be done at a lower level and even the trashiest student in the Great Dao Academy of Prodigies would be able to dispatch two or three normal cultivators of two rank above them with ease. But, the way of the sword was profound and limitless, bridging the gape without using different mean was a pip dream…

As expected, Zhou Feng didn't back down and resign to his fate. He understood that it was the moment to bring his greatest trump card, for him it was the only chance to decide the winner and loser!

*Slash* *Zoom*

A bright five colored sword light appeared in a flash covering several hundred meters around engulfing the surrounding.

*Flash*

The low leveled spectators were blinded by the light while the high leveled cultivators showed shock and amazement, even the Sword Saint couldn't help but rise his eyebrows in surprise.

"What a sword slash! Zhou Feng managed to pull out such a powerful move, he managed to grasp the whole layout of the Five elements obstacles during the time gained by the other third year students. He used the formation to power up his own sword light and created such a powerful move reaching the body spiritualisation cultivator level of attack."

The crowd who were blinded by the Sword light finally saw the daylight again after elder Zheng's explanation, they couldn't help but marvel at situation in the field, most of the participants in the Five elements obstacles were wiped out! Thrown out of the competition like disposed waste, they looked soulless as they stared blankly at the screen with a sense of loss…

But enough of these loser, those that managed to survive were the lucky one that were in the outskirts, among them was Sima Jiang the second year student, she was also shocked by the explosion but it wasn't visible on her frozen expression.

But, even though this lady was cold she did have a great mental- Dao heart. She didn't stop idling there like the other and managed to get back on her icy blue sword shooting in the distance at a fast speed.

From her observation, the formations in the Five elements obstacles were overdrawn so the mechanism should be delayed for a certain amount of time until it get back on track.

A chance! It was with such a thought that the limitless sword user rushed on her flying sword earning nods of praise from the seniors outside.

But, would student Zhou Feng forget such a simple thing?

Obviously not, he used the Five elements formation to create the Sword light not only to get rid of his most fearsome opponent, but also for propelling himself forward reaching the second to last obstacle!

Even if Sima Jiang managed to reach him before the last obstacle with the speed of the limitless sword scripture, he had the confidence to beat her in the last obstacle since it will be only a test of the Sword intent and nothing more. It was with such thought that the blackened young man continued his acceleration toward the killing formations zone.

"Zhou Feng does look quite unslightly, but he managed to get such an overwhelming lead, what a reversal-"

Elder Zheng's commentary stopped here abruptly.

From the remnant of the Five element sword light, a silver sword flickered silently, when-

*Zoom*

The silver light traversed thousands of miles of distance reaching Zhou Feng in an instant!

"Well played junior brother Zhou. You managed to make me use my last card that I didn't plan on using at all. As a gift of appreciation, I will use my full strength to beat you."

A young man said in a raspy voice. It was Ling Chao!

"Ying Yang reversal sword scripture! To think that you managed to learn it…"

Zhou Feng looked at the senior before him with some bitterness, but his voice also had a hint of resignation.

.....

Ying Yang reversal sword scripture!

It was one of the hardest scripture to learn despite being so widespread in the cultivation world, any random cultivator can get it for ten first rank spirit stones…

The only one who managed to use it to the peak was the Sword Saint Meng Qian! He was also the only one to learn it as a student, but he was only in his second year earning the astonishment of the whole Thirteen regions.

Zhou Feng also tried to learn it but to no avail, he could only accept his defeat in front of such might…

The whole crowds outside also recognized this legendary common cultivation methods, they also felt shock and awe and the people who bet on Zhou Feng could only sit down in silence…

For the two last obstacles Sima Jiang still tried to catch up with Ling Chao and managed to go toes to toes with him passing by the different killing formation but in the end.

It was such simple words written on a simple path made of ordinary paved stones, but everyone there know that it was a test of one's sword path, only those who found their way and became a sword cultivator can finish it in under nine cup of tea and the higher ones attainment on the Sword intent the higher the disparity between sword cultivators.

Sima Jiang couldn't beat Ling Chao even though she didn't give up till the end.

One step, two step, it was with grace and sharp move that the young man walked on the Sword refinement path under the admiration and awe of the whole spectators as well as the bitter hatred of some gambler that cursed his ninth generation's family, but he didn't falter and soon was only two step away from the end of the path.

It was at this time that a spec of blue cycan light reached from his black robe floating to the finishing line.

Ling Chao finally felt that something was wrong, but everything was too late…

As it passed the finishing line, a sigh from the aged voice of the Greatest sword man on the continent came out:

"The younger wave push the older, this time the hunter managed to get the tiger…"

As the obvious crowds looked at each other in dismay, those who understood what's going on looked at each other with speechlessness.

The spec of light shine brighter and brighter as the congratulations and fire works welcomed the new champion.

A youthful lady's lazy voice then came out stunning the whole venue:

"Yawn~ it's done already? I didn't even get a good enough nape. What?! I am in the first place?!"

"..."

Almost the whole crowds were speechless, other than a small group of first year students screaming:

"We love Wu Lin! "

Li Yun who was among them couldn't help but clench the yellow paper with number seven on his right hand in excitement. Even The usually nonchalant Feng Ling couldn't help but give him a disdainful look.

'Can't you be less obvious? So unsightly for a supposed young Lord.'

Look at her, she was still as calm as always despite betting several thousands fourth rank spirit stones on number seven...

"What an unexpected outcome! The first year student Wu Lin managed to clench the victory at the last moment, who would have expected such an outcome…"

Elder Zheng played his part as a commentator but despite his hard work to diffuse the situation in the smoothest way possible, the spectator weren't buying it.

"F*ck! This girl is too despicable, where is the fairness?! Where is the spirit of competition?!"

"Oh my goodness! I actually bet everything on Zhou Feng, if i bet on her instead the return would be three hundred folds…"

The commotion lasted for a while as the other participants reached the finishing line one after the other Ling Chao came second followed by Zhou Feng who managed to get back on feet in the end, after him was Sima Jiang in fourth place and in the fifth was a senior in his fourth year with a goate.

The other that came after were far slower but the crowd didn't care about them, they were still discussing or cursing or laughing or crying over the result… They only stopped when the last competitor a disheveled young man who looked quite miserable showed determination to finish the competition despite being dead last instead of giving up like some people; he earned some applause from the audience, so comforting...

And soon enough, it was finally time for the ceremony to celebrate for the new champion!

Elder Zheng appeared in flash before the prepared white platform shutting up the whole audience with his powerful gaze; the Sword Saint Meng Qian and Sect master Zhang of the Flowing Sword Sect appeared after him, they showed dignified looks befitting of their status.

Elder Zheng then began the ceremony solemnly, captivating the whole spectator:

"The way of the sword is one of the oldest in the story of our continent, uncountable young heroes and heroines walked this narrow path but only a few of them managed to reach the end."

He then looked at the participants and said:

"Humility is a great virtue and only by embracing it can one see through the endless Dao."

They all showed seriousness and appreciation to the words of the wise elder.

"Coming fourth; she showed great valiance and showed determination to reach the end despite her disadvantage:

"

Sima Jiang came forward to receive the jade sword token from sect master Zhang who showed encouragement and praise.

She couldn't obviously act as cold as usual, and gave a smile but it looked a bit forced.

*Clap* clap* clap*

The spectator were quite warmhearted toward this cold lady showering her in applause.

"Coming third, he showed valor despite the all the odd against him, never giving up and full of bravery:

"

Zhou Feng gave a wry smile but he went forward to Sect master Zhang receiving the bronze sword token, this one gave his heartfelt admiration, saying some words that only the two of them could hear.

Zhou Feng nodded again and again before turning to the crowd waving his hand lightly with a smile on his handsome face.

""ZHOU FENG WE LOVE YOU!!""

His fan and supporters shouted in unison, the result may have been disappointing but they saw that he had done everything that could be done, they felt proud of him!

Zhou Feng felt very warm inside and was about to drop some tears but as a man he held them back. He felt a bit low until now but after hearing their supporting voices he straightened his back with a determined look and vowed to redouble effort from now on!

The deafening cheers stopped after a while, elder Zheng then continued:

"In Second place, he showed unwavering and pure desire to pursue the way of the sword, a name that would remain in every people's memory as a True Sword cultivator:

"

The young man in black robe was one of few words, he showed some absentmindedness but his will was strong and his steps as firm as ever, as he approached the Sword Saint Meng Qian he received the silver sword token with respect while looking at the man before him with a bright light in his eyes, the Sword Saint!

This was someone who walked far ahead of anyone less he knew on the way if the Sword, as a sword cultivator that only had the Sword in his heart he could feel it.

This was his true goal for a long time.

"The Ying Yang reversal Sword scripture is only the beginning on your way, keep working hard young man, you have a long way to go."

The Sword Saint's words were more provocative than encouraging, but it only proved his respect and acknowledgment for him as a fellow Sword Cultivator.

Ling Chao then returned to his place with a pensive, what was this sword maniac thinking about, who know…

The applause for him wasn't as concentrated as the one for Zhou Feng but those who looked closely would remark that he received more approbation from the great figures that came to see the competition…

Elder Zheng then suppressed the noise forcefully, before saying with renewed vigor:

"The Champion! History is made! The youngest Sword Child to be born in the story of the Thirteen continent, she showed that nothing is impossible and only by trying can one talk about that later, an history maker of the Great Dao Academy of Prodigies as the first freshmen to win this prestigious title:

"

*CLAP*CLAP* CLAP* CLAP*

The applause was deafening! Even though the crowd had mixed feeling toward this young lady, they were more than willing to celebrate this new record, even those that lost their bet gave a CLAP of admiration for such a grand occasion.

Wu Lin showed a rather flustered face but she managed to get a hold of herself and went foreward to receive the Golden Sword token and a simple iron sword with a single word on it: Radiant!

Only a selected few ever had the opportunity to hold this shabby sword which was the Sword left by the First sword Child, the last one that kept it until now being the middle aged man before her.

Record holder, such an honor!

As she received it cautiously, she couldn't help but take a peek at the Sword Saint to see if he was displeased to give it to her, but she only showed a warm smile, and said:

"You merit to held it, your mother should be very proud of you."

She was startled by the first half, but her expression darkened for a bit hearing the second part.

It was at this time that-

*BOOM*BOOM*BOOM*

Several loud explosion resounded startling some faint hearted spectators that thought it was an attack or something, but it was only a bunch of freshmen that couldn't hold themselves and lit up a large amount of fireworks, they acted as of they won the whole world unaware of the smile that wasn't one on the face of the Disciplinary Elder…

Wu Lin also looked at them and gave a bright smile while feeling a bit helpless seeing the large words written:

"...What do you mean by we love Wu Lin with big ones… it's not comforting at all…"

The Sword Flight competition finally came to a conclusion.