“Ha? Me?”
Lin Dongming pointed at himself with his index finger, looking like some silly meme from a past life.
“Yes, that’s right.”
White Zhiqing’s sharp gaze remained unyielding.
Lin Dongming shook his head helplessly.
“I remember Junior Sister Bai just formed her Core Formation recently. Wouldn’t it be better to stabilize your realm before challenging?”
After all, Lin Dongming didn’t want to reveal his strength in front of everyone. But it was clear that White Zhiqing was not an opponent to be taken lightly.
“Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Lin. Junior Sister’s realm is already very stable, which is why I want to spar with you.”
White Zhiqing looked at him provocatively. “Or… do you think you’re not good enough and are afraid to face me?”
Song Yumian, ever the instigator, couldn’t help but tease, “Oh, Senior Brother Lin is being told he’s no good.”
Lin Dongming was speechless. If others were saying he wasn’t good, how could he not step up?
He sighed deeply. “Fine. Then let’s settle this properly.”
With a swift movement, Lin Dongming appeared on the stage, bowing slightly toward White Zhiqing.
“Take it easy.”
White Zhiqing returned the bow, her voice low and confident. “I definitely won’t.”
With that, she drew the long sword at her waist and slashed out a crescent-shaped sword energy.
Lin Dongming shifted his body and dodged sideways.
White Zhiqing showed no surprise. One crescent-shaped sword energy followed another in an endless stream.
“Truly exquisite swordsmanship. No wonder she ranks in the top five at Tianjian Peak.”
Among the various peaks of the Heavenly Extreme Sword Sect, there was no official ranking.
But Tianjian Sect, being the main peak where the sect master resided, attracted the most outstanding disciples and geniuses.
So the Heavenly Extreme Sword Sect always believed their swordsmanship was supreme.
“Senior Brother Lin really underestimates people.”
White Zhiqing sneered. “You started praising your opponent before even drawing your sword. Isn’t that actually praise for yourself, since you’re suppressing them?”
The long sword in White Zhiqing’s hand curved around, slashing out a new arc of sword energy.
“Damn. No way to dodge.”
This 360-degree sword energy attack could only be avoided by leaping upward. But the retreat path above had already been sealed by White Zhiqing’s sword energy.
“Tch.” Lin Dongming reluctantly cut through the sword energy with one strike, standing unharmed in place.
Only then did White Zhiqing reveal a hint of pride.
“I heard that the Tiandao Jingxin Jue from Tianjing Peak can predict the opponent’s attack. Seeing it today, the rumors were true.”
“Yes, even a half-baked cultivator like me can wield it with such power, let alone others.”
Lin Dongming mocked himself lazily as he stood on the stage.
“Show me your true strength, Senior Brother Lin.”
White Zhiqing said, “I’ve heard all the rumors about you. If your swordsmanship is no good, then you’re just a playboy living off others.”
Lin Dongming smiled bitterly.
“Junior Sister, no need to be so aggressive. And I must correct you — this isn’t living off others. This is providing customer service. It’s no different from accepting missions from you to earn Spirit Stones.”
“Oh? Then if you let others call you Senior Brother, you should act like one, right? Otherwise, you’re just a laughingstock.”
White Zhiqing swung her sword upward, and a mighty spiritual force erupted from her.
“Actually, I already am.”
Lin Dongming shrugged as he vanished. “Does what others say really matter?”
“!”
White Zhiqing’s eyes widened, but all she could see was the afterimage of Lin Dongming’s figure. Meanwhile, he was closing in at an incredible speed.
White Zhiqing’s vast and continuous sword energy brushed past Lin Dongming’s phantom but only struck the protective barrier behind him.
Tiandao Jingxin Jue · Lion Strikes Rabbit!
Sensing a threat, White Zhiqing focused all her spiritual power into her sword and struck with full force.
Tianjian Seven Absolutes · New Moon!
Their swords clashed, sparks flying.
The terrifying spiritual energy rippled outward, passing through the barrier and reaching outside.
Even a late Core Formation cultivator would hesitate to take such a blow and walk away unscathed.
When the dust settled, both still stood firmly.
“How about we call it a draw?”
Lin Dongming suggested.
“No way. I refuse.”
White Zhiqing sneered. “It’s rare to see you take this seriously, so of course we have to continue.”
“Alright then.”
Lin Dongming sighed. “This won’t be just playing around anymore.”
He vanished again.
The previously one-sided battle shifted drastically. Lin Dongming began to dominate White Zhiqing.
The endless sword energies could no longer catch Lin Dongming’s figure. Instead, White Zhiqing had to constantly watch where he would strike from.
The Tiandao Jingxin Jue was said to require a mind clear as a mirror. At its peak, it allowed the cultivator not only to read the opponent’s attacks but even briefly glimpse the future.
— Definitely not an ordinary playboy.
White Zhiqing realized she had met a formidable opponent.
“But… don’t underestimate me.”
White Zhiqing changed tactics, absorbing a massive amount of spiritual power into her body.
Since regular sword energy attacks were useless, she stopped using them.
Lin Dongming was surprised but chose to press the attack.
Tiandao Jingxin Jue · Wind Turmoil!
Lin Dongming’s figure became like a mysterious wind, appearing before White Zhiqing in an instant and slashing his sword.
Tianjian Seven Absolutes · Wind Whirl!
White Zhiqing’s sword swung in a circular arc, and the surrounding wind spiritual energy quickly gathered, transforming into a massive tornado in moments!
This was a truly all-around attack.
“I see… got it.”
Lin Dongming already understood her intent but had to forcefully break through the tornado’s assault. He had no choice.
However, the moment he broke through the wind barrier, White Zhiqing’s slash was already before his eyes.
“Tch.” Lin Dongming swung his sword at the same time.
The next second, their swords pointed at each other’s throats. Both had activated their protective spiritual shields, blocking the other’s sword.
But with their cultivation and swordsmanship, breaking through such shields wouldn’t take long.
“Unfortunately, it’s still a draw, Junior Sister Bai.”
Lin Dongming said with a hint of regret.
“Yes, unfortunately.” White Zhiqing reluctantly withdrew her sword. “Next time won’t just be a draw.”
Lin Dongming smiled faintly without commenting and passed through the crowd toward Song Yumian.
The voices that had been whispering and gossiping about him just moments ago suddenly quieted.
“So realistic… this cultivation world,” Lin Dongming sighed helplessly.
“You truly shined, Senior Brother Lin.”
Song Yumian, already aware of Lin Dongming’s strength, was not surprised. “But actually, you could’ve won, right? Against Junior Sister Bai.”