I Want to See If I Can Snap Your Misty Rain Sword

"That's right! My Southriver Sword Sect has a total of Five Swords. At fourteen, I was acknowledged by the Southriver Sword; at eighteen, I personally shattered my Southriver Sword and was accepted by the Misty Rain Sword! In another five years, I might even qualify for the Insight Sword."

"Looks like you're not quite as ignorant as you seem on the surface, kid."

Zack Zhao looked at Evan Lin with contempt, his gaze full of disdain and his tone even more mocking.

His casual words, when heard by the crowd below, immediately triggered waves of shocked exclamations.

"How many people dream their whole lives of being accepted by a Southriver Sword, but he actually destroyed his own and then managed to earn a Misty Rain Sword instead?"

"No wonder he's called the little genius of the Southriver Sword Sect!"

"This kid's future is limitless. Give him a few more years—who knows what he'll achieve?"

The crowd below erupted in astonished murmurs.

More and more people looked at Evan Lin with pity in their eyes.

"Getting targeted by Zack Zhao... this kid really is pitiful."

"That's it for him, isn't it? Zack Zhao's strength is obvious to everyone. This young guy—he's pretty much doomed."

"Hey, kid, I don't know what you did, but listen to me: go kneel and kowtow to Young Master Zhao, apologize and beg him to let you off. Otherwise, you might lose a lot more than just an arm—you could die right here!"

Some people started offering Evan Lin advice.

They rubbed their hands nervously, glancing at Evan Lin with a look that mixed anxiety and a bit of 'there but for the grace of God go I.'

"Kowtow and beg for mercy? Not a bad idea. If you kneel and beg me now, I'll only cut off one of your arms—to honor my servant's spirit. How about that?"

"But if you refuse, then I'll just have to make you pay blood for blood!"

Zack Zhao licked his lips.

Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced over at Yvonne Zhu. Her pretty face was pale, her brows occasionally furrowing, but her gaze never left the young man in the crowd.

That made jealousy burn even hotter in Zack Zhao's heart.

He'd tried all sorts of ways but never managed to get Yvonne Zhu's attention. He just couldn't figure out what that guy in the crowd had that could possibly interest her.

After all, Yvonne Zhu was from the Oceanport Zhu family!

"As long as you see it, anyone you care about—I can stomp them under my feet one by one. That way you'll finally understand how strong I am! Yvonne Zhu, you can't escape my grasp!"

As these thoughts churned in Zack Zhao's mind, a cruel smile appeared at the corner of his lips. His already sharp features took on an even colder, stranger look as he stared at Evan Lin.

"You might've misunderstood what I meant."

Evan Lin, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up.

"What?"

Zack Zhao raised an eyebrow.

"I'm a little curious about these so-called Five Swords of the Southriver Sword Sect."

Everyone's eyes focused on the young man. When they heard his clear and indifferent voice, it was like a cool spring flowing past their ears.

But as soon as he said that, even more people thought he was being ridiculous.

Saying something like that in this situation—is he just scared and trying to change the subject?

"Curious? You think you're qualified to be curious about that?"

Zack Zhao's face darkened.

The legend of the Southriver Sword Sect's Five Swords is usually only known among the top circles in Jinnan.

Most people just know the Five Swords represent talent, but they don't realize there's actually a strict limit on how many swords there are in the Southriver Sword Sect.

The further up you go, the harder it gets to be accepted by a sword.

And for Zack Zhao, breaking a sword meant killing someone.

When a sword is broken, someone dies. Zack shattered his Southriver Sword and killed a Misty Rain Sword holder to get that blade.

It's the kind of dirty secret you never tell outsiders.

"I'm just curious what those swords look like, how sharp they are, if they can really split metal and stone, or maybe..."

At that point, the crowd heard the young man's voice pause for a beat.

He frowned slightly, looking like he was pondering something.

A moment later, everyone saw the young man lift his head. This time, he stepped lightly forward, and with a single motion, he shot into the air.

With that one step, he soared straight toward the arena and landed steadily opposite Zack Zhao.

Most people's eyes followed his leap, but a few stared at the spot where he'd just stepped, their faces stunned and full of amazement.

The spot where he'd stepped was perfectly flat, not a single mark or crack on the flagstones.

Normally, if any expert jumped that far, the spot where they pushed off would be heavily compressed, leaving a deep pit.

But that place was completely untouched—the flagstones weren't damaged, and there wasn't even a sound. Some people couldn't help but feel uneasy.

On the arena, Zack Zhao's gaze turned icy. He hadn't expected this kid to actually get up there!

"Or maybe... I want to see if I can snap your Misty Rain Sword with a single strike."

Evan Lin, backpack slung over his shoulder, finished his sentence.

"Wanna try?"

"Break the Misty Rain Sword in one strike?"

"Is this guy joking or what?"

The whole crowd erupted when they heard Evan Lin's words.

Everyone's expression changed dramatically.

Ever since the Southriver Sword Sect went into seclusion in Jinnan, the only stories you heard were about some genius being lucky enough to be acknowledged by a Southriver Sword, and their whole family would be proud for generations.

But no one had ever heard of someone wanting to test if they could break the so-called Misty Rain Sword in a single blow!

Those Five Swords symbolize the honor of the Southriver Sword Sect and the talent of those who are acknowledged by them!

But from this young man's mouth, it sounded like he was talking about some cheap wooden sword you'd buy from a street vendor.

Uncle Li's face tightened, and Yvonne Zhu's heart skipped a beat. She frowned at Evan Lin, muttering to herself, "Still the same as ever! That cold, lawless arrogance! If the Misty Rain Sword were that easy to break, how could it be the Southriver Sword Sect's second sword? Even the Southriver Sword can cut through ordinary metal like it's nothing!"

"Good! Good! Good!"

Standing in front of Evan Lin, Zack Zhao was so angry he laughed. He said 'good' three times in a row. In his right hand, the seven-inch blade of pure qi he'd formed still hadn't dissipated, its deadly aura growing even sharper.

"You want to see the Misty Rain Sword of my Southriver Sword Sect? Let's see if you have what it takes!"

"Every year, countless poor disciples kneel outside my sect for eighty-one days just for a chance to be acknowledged by a sword—and most never even lay eyes on the Misty Rain Sword! Today, I want to see what makes you think you can say such things!"

"Do you really think Zack Zhao of the Southriver Sword Sect is here to joke around with you?"

Zack Zhao's voice boomed like a bell—he was furious.