"So, what do you say? If you’re too afraid to fight, then go ahead—activate the Prison-Sword Formation now and send this sword rain straight at my heart. I swear on the name of the Southriver Sword Sect's Sect Master, I won’t resist in the slightest."
"And I guarantee, the name Evan 'Nine Mysteries' Lin will shake all of Jinnan in a single day. A young legend—surely that’s what you came here for, isn’t it? You’ll get exactly what you want."
Below, Dominic Ding gripped the Sudden-Clarity Sword, a faint smile on his face and a voice neither humble nor arrogant—he really did have that whole immortal-master vibe.
He gazed at the endless sword rain and swirling sword qi above, awe written all over his heart—even if he didn’t say a word.
Inside the Southriver Sword Sect, the Prison-Sword Formation had been famous for years, but no one had ever actually managed to activate it—now, for the first time, Dominic Ding was seeing it with his own eyes.
"You want to fight me?"
Evan Lin looked down from above, eyes full of playful amusement as he stared at Dominic Ding standing outside the Burial Ground.
"That's right!"
Dominic Ding nodded. "Since you've made yourself an enemy of the Southriver Sword Sect, it's my duty as Sect Master to defend our honor—and that means fighting you!"
Hearing Dominic Ding’s words, Harvey He and the others below looked a little conflicted.
"This Southriver Sword Sect’s Sect Master is pretty impressive, no doubt about it, but seriously—is he dumb or something? He actually wants that kid to give up the array and jump down to fight him? The kid’s not an idiot!"
"The kid’s got the upper hand right now, but it’s a shame—if not for that, the Southriver Sword Sect’s Sect Master would flatten him in a single move, no contest!"
"He’s only able to force the Sect Master to negotiate because he’s got the array’s power. He’s really milking it for all it’s worth."
The onlookers glanced at Dominic Ding, all sighing in amazement.
No matter what trick Evan 'Nine Mysteries' Lin pulled, he’d still managed to force the Southriver Sword Sect’s Sect Master to show himself.
Now Dominic Ding wants a one-on-one? Isn’t that basically asking Evan 'Nine Mysteries' Lin to throw away every advantage he’s got?
No sane person would ever make that choice.
"Alright, let’s see what the Sect Master of the Southriver Sword Sect is really made of."
Evan Lin nodded and spoke softly.
The moment he said that, everyone below looked like they’d just heard the most unbelievable thing ever, all eyes shooting up to the young man floating in midair.
"That kid’s seriously lost his mind," Harvey He muttered, swallowing hard.
"Talk about arrogant—that’s the Sect Master of the Southriver Sword Sect!"
"He probably has no idea how terrifying the Sect Master really is. Does he actually think all this sword array stuff is his own strength, just fox-borrowing-tiger-might?"
Everyone in the crowd wore odd expressions.
They all thought this so-called Evan 'Nine Mysteries' Lin was just asking to get killed.
After Evan Lin finished speaking, he stepped down, walking on the swords hanging horizontally in midair.
Standing inside the Burial Ground, all the swords and sword qi around him froze in place, like someone had hit pause on the whole scene.
Harvey He and the others instantly felt the pressure around them ease up. Many people turned their heads to look.
In everyone’s eyes, the youth stepped calmly out of the Burial Ground, backpack slung over his shoulder, hands in his pockets, face totally unfazed as he strolled through the crowd.
When Dominic Ding saw Evan Lin walk out of the Burial Ground, he couldn’t hide the joy on his face.
As long as Evan 'Nine Mysteries' Lin didn’t have the formation backing him up, Dominic Ding was absolutely confident he could handle the kid.
"The sword in my hand is Sudden-Clarity. Since you’re fighting me, I won’t take advantage of you. There are so many swords in the Burial Ground—pick any one you like, and we’ll duel."
Dominic Ding smiled faintly, the Sudden-Clarity Sword in his hand glowing white. It wasn’t even out of the sheath yet, but its chilling sword intent was already palpable.
Chief Sword Master Dai and Sword Master Wang had already taken their places behind Dominic Ding.
Zack Zhao and Drake Yu were also glaring fiercely at Evan Lin, eyes full of murderous intent—like they wanted to devour him whole.
"Before we fight, I want to know—what’s inside that vertical coffin?"
Evan Lin spoke in a flat, even voice.
"The vertical coffin?"
Dominic Ding paused at Evan’s words, then turned to look. When he saw the exposed vertical coffin, his face went blank for a second before he quickly shook his head. "All I know is there’s a sword formation here. As for what’s inside that coffin, I have no idea."
Then he hesitated a moment. "Of course, it’s possible that inside that vertical coffin lies the fifth sword—the Broken Red-Dust Sword."
"Broken Red-Dust Sword..."
Evan Lin silently recited the name in his heart. When the Dustleave Sword appeared and faced off against that vertical coffin, he’d sensed something strange.
It was an odd sensation—impossible to put into words.
"That’s right. The Broken Red-Dust Sword is one of our sect’s Five Swords, but no one’s ever actually seen it. Maybe it’s in there—who knows?" Dominic Ding shook his head. "Go ahead, pick any sword you want."
"Of course, you could also choose Dustleave."
Dustleave was definitely more domineering than Sudden-Clarity.
Dominic Ding only said this so that, if he won, no one could accuse him of being unfair.
"No need."
Evan Lin walked to the side of the road and stopped beneath a willow tree.
With everyone watching, Evan Lin reached up and snapped off a seven-foot-long willow branch.
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
Dominic Ding’s face froze in surprise.
"No need for a sword. This branch is more than enough for you."
Evan Lin shook his head, his tone flat.
"He’s going to use a willow branch as his sword!"
"That’s insane!"
"This Evan 'Nine Mysteries' Lin really has no idea how he’s going to die!"
Everyone was stunned by Evan Lin’s move.
Shiqing Zhu’s expression grew complicated as she watched Evan Lin with his willow branch, her eyes full of mixed emotions.
"You really look down on the Southriver Sword Sect! Don’t blame me for what happens next!"
Dominic Ding’s anger surged at Evan’s words. Without another moment’s hesitation, he gripped the hilt of Sudden-Clarity Sword. His robes billowed, and in a flash, Dominic closed the distance—one second he was far away, the next he was right in front of Evan Lin, sword in hand!
"Within Five Swords, I will defeat you!"
Dominic Ding snorted coldly. Sudden-Clarity Sword flashed white in his hand as he swung it down at Evan Lin with a single-handed overhead slash!
"This is the First Sword!"
Even before the sword landed, the air went cold. Everyone saw Sudden-Clarity split into three sword lights, stacking atop each other—each layer making the sword even more powerful.
Evan Lin stood calmly beneath the blade, utterly unmoved by the overwhelming force of the attack.
In everyone’s eyes, Evan 'Nine Mysteries' Lin’s right hand gave a gentle flick—the soft, limp willow branch instantly snapped straight, sharp as a blade.