After finishing the arena match, Evan Lin left the Moore family estate and found a new place to stay.
Graceford City was bustling; over the past few days, business had been booming for shops all around town.
After switching hotels, Evan opened a new room, went upstairs, and sat cross-legged on the bed. He casually ran a few cycles of the Grand Dao Foundation Art, circulating the spiritual qi from his spiritual spring through his meridians until his whole body felt refreshed, his limbs brimming with power. Only then did Evan slowly open his eyes.
"The Misty Rain Sword from the Southriver Sword Sect isn’t quite a magic artifact, but its sharpness was honestly a bit surprising."
In today’s duel with Zack Zhao, even though he unleashed the Misty Rain Sword, it didn’t pose any threat to Evan. Still, the sword itself caught Evan off guard—not because of its sharpness, but because the blade seemed to carry a faint, ancient, vicissitude-filled aura.
That kind of ancient aura definitely wasn’t something Zack Zhao could possess. In the end, Evan broke the Misty Rain Sword with a four-foot sword light and won outright, but he couldn’t help feeling a bit curious about the other swords of the Southriver Sword Sect.
Medicine King Valley has dominated Seacrest for over a century, but the Southriver Sword Sect—judging by this—might have an even longer and deeper history. Once things here are settled, I’ll definitely have to pay them a visit.
Maybe, within that sword sect, there’s someone who could actually give me a satisfying fight.
Evan’s thoughts grew more focused.
Compared to most people Evan had met so far, Zack Zhao’s strength was on another level. Maybe only someone like Master Whitecloud, who’d reached the Yin-Yang realm, was stronger. At the very least, Zack’s final Misty Rain Sword strike would’ve been enough to defeat almost anyone else.
Right now, what Evan needs most is to find enough rare medicinal ingredients to refine pills for his cultivation. On the other hand, he urgently wants to find strong opponents to hone his skills.
The next day.
Today was the ninth day of the Moore Family Arena Tournament.
Yesterday saw a string of upsets, and even a previously unknown youth defeated Zack Zhao, broke the Misty Rain Sword, and instantly became a local legend.
Some even saw that, after the Moore Family Arena Tournament ended yesterday, the Moore family sent people to escort the Southriver Sword Sect’s little genius Zack Zhao out of Graceford City overnight. Judging by the situation, Zack was badly injured and needed to return to the sect for treatment.
Unfortunately, most people had gathered at the East, West, and North arenas yesterday, and didn’t get to witness the youth’s overwhelming performance on the South Arena.
When they later heard those who’d crowded around the South Arena excitedly recount the youth’s heroic display, they could only regret not joining the excitement, stomping their feet and sighing in frustration.
“I’ve never seen anyone so cocky before. Seriously, I was standing right below the South Arena yesterday, really close to the ring. That kid didn’t even plan to get up there at first—he was just like me, standing in the crowd watching the show!” a burly man said in a booming voice to his companion.
Yesterday, he’d been hoping to pick up something at the South Arena, but after seeing how savage the fights were, he gave up on the idea. His friend, meanwhile, went to the North Arena to watch Drake Yu and Colin Su’s match.
“No way, if that’s true, then how did the kid end up getting on the ring?” another person asked, looking skeptical.
How did he get up there? Zack Zhao pointed at his nose and asked if he wanted to die—turns out Zack picked the wrong guy. That kid got on the ring and took Zack out in just a few moves," the burly man said loudly, clearly enjoying the story.
He’d never have a chance to join the Southriver Sword Sect anyway, and he’d always found Zack Zhao’s effeminate style off-putting. Seeing Zack get beaten, he felt a bit of schadenfreude.
The two walked off, joking and laughing. Nearby, Zack Guang frowned as he watched them go; he’d overheard their conversation.
A youth who could beat Zack Zhao? Since when did our Graceford produce another genius? Zack Guang wondered to himself.
Beside him, Brian Guang had his hands in his pockets, glancing around as they walked. Hearing Zack’s words, he immediately chimed in, “Bro, no matter how much of a genius that kid is, he’s still no match for you! If you got up there, I guarantee he’d be begging for mercy!”
“Yeah, Guang is the best!” May Xia, walking beside Brian, put on an innocent act, nodding her head like a pecking chick.
Next to her, Victor Xu and Lily Zhou quickly agreed. They’d watched Zack Guang’s matches yesterday—though he hadn’t faced any real challenge before, so he’d always won instantly, making things less exciting.
But yesterday, his opponent was Hank Yue from the Southriver Sword Sect, and their fight was truly thrilling—so intense it made their hearts race.
Now, looking at Zack Guang, their eyes were full of admiration and respect.
Begging for mercy? Anyone who could defeat Zack Zhao wouldn’t be begging for mercy!' Zack Guang snorted.
Brian Guang looked a bit embarrassed; clearly, his flattery had missed the mark.
“What about the kid who tried to scam you yesterday? Didn’t you ask me to help you out? Listen, you may be my brother, but when you’re out and about, you’d better behave yourself—or you’ll end up disgracing the Grant family.” Zack Guang glanced at Brian, his tone softening a little.
“Yeah, yeah, bro, I get it. But this really wasn’t my fault—the kid was just looking for a chance to scam me! Ask May Xia and the others if you don’t believe me.” As soon as Brian spoke, May and the others nodded in agreement.
But that kid—he was still here watching the matches yesterday, but then he vanished. I guess he was afraid you’d come after him, so he went into hiding." Brian scratched his head, glancing around for Evan Lin. After Zack Guang’s match ended yesterday, he’d searched the Moore estate for Evan but hadn’t found him, which left him frustrated.
Doesn’t matter if he’s hiding. If he really was in the wrong, I’ll have someone drag him out—our Grant family has never been afraid of trouble!" Zack Guang snorted.
Those words made Brian Guang light up with relief. He’d been frustrated by Evan Lin before, but with Zack Guang’s support, he knew things would be fine.
“Once today’s matches are over, I’ll take care of your problem,” Zack Guang said, striding ahead. Brian and the others quickly followed, afraid of being left behind.
The ninth day’s matches were held in a grove inside the Moore estate.
The woods were lush and green, covering about ten acres—at first glance, it looked just like a small forest.