I can only beat noobs.

Chapter 65 He cheated!
Chen Ming was taken aback. Seeing Sun Shicai's gaze as sharp as a knife, he knew he was serious.

Did he suspect that Huo Chengkun had passed on that so-called "Sword Manual" to him?

That's incredibly imaginative!

Before he could speak, someone suddenly shouted, "The Admiral has arrived!"

Immediately, everyone in the garden fell silent and looked in the direction from which the sound came.

A refined-looking middle-aged man emerged from inside. He had a three-pronged beard and wore a blue long robe, giving the impression of a well-read scholar.

It was Zhao Shouchang, the highest-ranking official in Qingfeng City, the Golden-Clad Admiral of the Six Doors, a third-rank expert.

Following him were three other people, all dressed in casual clothes, who looked quite distinguished.

One of them was Yu Xiuming, the former highest-ranking officer of the Six Doors in Qingfeng City, who was also a blue-robed captain. With Zhao Shouchang's arrival, he was naturally demoted one rank.

Rumors circulated that the imperial court was extremely dissatisfied with his inability to protect Qingfeng City, but he was spared demotion due to his powerful backing. He was naturally out of the top position, and keeping him in Qingfeng City was considered a form of punishment.

The two men standing with Yu Xiuming were probably the newly transferred Blue-Clad Captains.

According to the configuration of the Six Doors, there is a Golden-Clad Admiral who commands three Captains.

With one rank three and three rank four members, Qingfeng City no longer needs to worry about pirate attacks.

……

"Greetings, Admiral."

Everyone stepped forward to pay their respects to the top leader of Qingfeng City.

Zhao Shouchang raised his hand, indicating that they did not need to be so polite. He sat down in the main seat in the center of the room, stroked his beard and smiled, "You are all young talents from all over Jiangzhou. There is no need to be reserved. Please sit down."

The seating arrangements in the garden have already been made, and there are seats for those participating in the martial arts competition.

As for the young girls who came to watch the spectacle, they watched from the pavilion and corridor not far away.

Chen Ming and Zhang Mingyu were assigned to the corner.

This is normal. Among all the people present, their family background is the worst. Even if Huo Chengkun hadn't died, he still couldn't compare to the others present.

They either come from a prestigious family or a top-tier sect.

Even the worst ones come from second-rate sects.

Sitting with the two of them was He Da from the Sihai Trading Company, a dark-skinned, ordinary-looking man.

Needless to say, someone who can join the Sihai Trading Company must come from a very ordinary family.

Chen Ming and He Da exchanged a glance and nodded slightly, which was considered a greeting.

From the head seat, Zhao Shouchang said, "Today's martial arts gathering is a friendly competition, so I hope everyone will stop short of causing any unpleasantness. I'm sure everyone is eager to begin, so let's get started. Who wants to be the first one?"

As soon as he finished speaking, someone stood up and said loudly, "Sir, this junior, on behalf of Koda Keimei, wishes to be the first to go on stage."

The man, dressed in blue, was the same one who had made fun of Chen Ming at the door earlier.

This person was quite clever; he took the initiative and was the first to appear, thus leaving an impression on Zhao Shouchang.

As expected, Zhao Shouchang smiled and said, "The Tian family of Dai County is a family that has produced first-rank officials. I wonder how well you have practiced the 'Soaring Sword Technique'?"

Seeing that even the Admiral had heard of his family, Tian Qiming's face was practically overflowing with pride. "I've practiced swordsmanship for ten years, and I can be considered to have some talent."

Zhao Shouchang said, "Alright, have you thought it through? Who will you choose as your opponent?"

"Just him."

Tian Qiming pointed into the crowd.

……

Chen Ming had heard of the rules of the martial arts tournament organized by this Admiral Zhao: whoever steps forward first can choose their own opponent. Of course, the chosen person can also refuse.

However, in such situations, few people would refuse.

"Just him."

As he was thinking, he suddenly realized something was wrong; several pairs of eyes were fixed on him.

He looked up and realized that Tian Qiming was pointing at him.

Chen Ming was slightly taken aback, then suddenly realized, "This is picking on the weak."
Then Zhao Shouchang asked him, "Are you willing to accept the challenge?"

If a third-rank expert asks such a question, which young person would dare to say "no"?

This is a rare opportunity, especially for a young person from an ordinary background.

Tian Qiming was certain of this, which is why he chose this country bumpkin who didn't even understand "intention" as his opponent. He figured this kid probably didn't even have a proper lineage, and his master's cultivation level couldn't be that high either.

How could someone like that possibly be a match for me?

This was his first step into the world of martial arts, and he couldn't afford to fail. Naturally, he had to choose the one he was most confident in. "This junior is willing."

The kid agreed.

Tian Qiming was already in position, waiting. He drew the sapphire-encrusted sword, a gift from his grandfather when he broke through to the seventh rank—a sword capable of cutting hair with a single blow.

"Chen Ming of Qingfeng City, please enlighten me."

Chen Ming walked into the arena, bowed respectfully, and drew his sword—an ordinary, finely forged steel blade.

Tian Qiming felt a bit contemptuous. As expected of a country bumpkin, he couldn't even afford a decent weapon.

When he drew his sword, the blade resembled a pool of autumn water.

One person commented, "This is the best sword that the Qiu family of Jiangzhou has forged this year. Its name is Hongying."

"It's actually made by the Qiu family. It's indeed a fine sword!"

……

In the pavilion nearby, a female disciple of the Xiaoshui Sect noticed the worry on Huo Qianqian's face and deliberately asked her, "Junior Sister, who do you think will win this match?"

Huo Qianqian said respectfully, "Fifth Senior Sister, my cultivation is too shallow to tell."

Fifth Senior Sister said, "This Chen Ming is your grandfather's disciple, right? I see you care about him quite a bit."

"Yes, Senior Sister, he did indeed learn martial arts from my grandfather."

However, she was not her grandfather's disciple.

She didn't say that.

Fifth Senior Sister nodded and said, "At such a young age, he is already at the seventh rank. He must have extraordinary talent. It's just a pity that he is facing the Tian family. The Tian family is a first-class family, and their 'Soaring Sword Technique' is also extremely extraordinary. Your family's 'Five Elements Saber Technique' is far inferior to it."

Upon hearing this, Huo Qianqian gripped the short sword in her hand tightly.

Fifth Senior Sister continued, "It's a pity that this person became your grandfather's disciple. If he could join a sect, he might have achieved something great. Now, I'm afraid it will be quite difficult for him to reach the sixth rank in the future."

As they were talking, the two people in the room started fighting.

Fifth Senior Sister stopped talking and focused on watching.

Such sparring between seventh-rank martial artists is not something you can just watch whenever you want.

……

Tian Qiming wanted to make a name for himself, so his first move was a killing move from the "Soaring Sword Technique".

Soaring straight up—

Nine thousand miles!
Huh?
Halfway through his sword move, a blade tip suddenly stabbed out from the side, heading straight for his face.

not good!

He was taken aback and tried to change his move, but he was a beat too slow.

With a clang.

Taking advantage of the moment he changed his move, the back of his opponent's blade struck the weakest point of his sword's spine, and the blade slashed towards his wrist.

Seeing that his wrist was about to be lost, Tian Qiming panicked and quickly let go.

There was a bang.

The priceless sword fell to the ground.

In an instant, Tian Qiming's face drained of color, and he stood there dumbfounded.

The scene was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

No one expected that Tian Qiming, who came from a prestigious family, would be defeated in just one move.

In the pavilion not far away, the confident and composed smile on Fifth Senior Sister's face froze instantly. Just moments ago, she had been certain that Chen Ming was no match for Tian Qiming.

As a result, Tian Qiming couldn't even withstand a single move from his opponent.

"Concession!"

Chen Ming cupped his hands in greeting and said calmly.

"No!"

Tian Qiming finally realized what was happening and shouted, "That didn't count..."

He couldn't accept the reality of his failure.

He hasn't yet unleashed his full potential.

That kid cheated!
(End of this chapter)