Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan
As Meng Fan laid eyes on Yang Shi, Yang Shi's gaze also found Meng Fan.
Enemies often cross paths!
Yang Shi looked at Meng Fan with a cold stare, a sinister smile playing on his lips.
Back at the Sword Pavilion, with Senior Disciple Luo present, he dared not touch Meng Fan.
But now, in the Training Hall, this was no Sword Pavilion, and it was the perfect time to teach Meng Fan a lesson.
"Meng Fan, I didn't expect you to have the guts to step out of the Sword Pavilion. I couldn't touch you there, but here, things are different."
The guy walked up to Meng Fan, looking down on him with an air of superiority.
Meng Fan chuckled and glanced at Yang Shi, casually asking, "What do you want to do?"
"What do I want? That depends on how you behave. Either return the Black Flame Sword to me or don't even think about leaving the Training Hall unscathed today."
"I don't believe you'd dare to strike at me here in the Training Hall!" Meng Fan retorted offhandedly.
The Training Hall was not a place for causing trouble.
Yang Shi sneered, "I'll be waiting for you outside. Unless you plan to hide in here forever."
A blockade?
This tactic was like a child's threat: "Don't leave after school, I'll be waiting at the gate!"
Meng Fan glanced at Yang Shi, not taking him too seriously.
Although Yang Shi was ranked among the top fifty Outer Sect Disciples, frankly speaking, Meng Fan was not afraid of such caliber.
Yang Shi was likely at the fifth level of Qi Refining.
In theory, the fifth level was much stronger than the first.
But that strength was only in terms of True Qi, not necessarily indicating prowess in swordsmanship or combat ability.
In plain terms, strong True Qi meant greater endurance and attack power.
But Meng Fan believed his swordsmanship could crush his opponent. If he could suppress his foe with a single strike, then the opponent's endurance would be meaningless.
As for strong attack power, if he could find his opponent's weakness, then the opponent wouldn't even be able to land a hit.
Of course, this assumed the opponent wasn't overwhelmingly powerful.
If one reached the seventh or eighth level of Qi Refining, with incredibly formidable True Qi, even the most basic Sword Techniques could crush you with brute force.
At that point, no matter how skillful your moves, you'd still be beaten.
But clearly, Yang Shi was not at that level, so Meng Fan felt confident he could show him up!
Yang Shi left the Training Hall, waiting outside for Meng Fan.
Then, Meng Fan also followed suit, having already planned to leave, so Yang Shi's presence made no difference to him.
As soon as Yang Shi stepped out, he saw Meng Fan following him out of the Training Hall.
Surprise flickered across his face.
In his mind, Meng Fan would surely hide inside and not dare to come out.
"You've got some nerve!" Yang Shi said to Meng Fan with a cold voice. "I'll give you one last chance. Return the Black Flame Sword to me, and I'll let bygones be bygones and stop troubling you."
Meng Fan shook his head, "The Black Flame Sword has been reclaimed by the Sword Pavilion. If you want a new sword, prepare ten Spirit Stones."
Outside the Training Hall was a practice field.
Yang Shi picked up a Wooden Sword from the weapon rack on the field, pointing it at Meng Fan, "Since that's the case, don't say I'm bullying you. Today, you will pay the price."
Meng Fan also took a Wooden Sword from the rack.
These were the most ordinary Wooden Swords, blunt and unsharpened, posing no real threat.
The Sword Weapons of the Shu Mountain Sword Sect were mostly kept within the Sword Pavilion.
Even newly forged Sword Weapons from the forge were sent to the Sword Pavilion.
Disciples wanting to obtain Sword Weapons had to go to the Sword Pavilion to Draw Swords.
Poor Yang Shi, having lost his Black Flame Sword, was now without a personal weapon.
So now, wanting to teach Meng Fan a lesson, he could only resort to the readily available Wooden Swords of the practice field.
Truth be told, he could scrape together ten Spirit Stones if he really tried, but handing over ten Spirit Stones just like that felt like a huge loss!
The more he thought about it, the more he hated Meng Fan.
The practice field often saw disciples sparring, so the confrontation between Meng Fan and Yang Shi didn't draw much attention.
"Zing—"
Yang Shi drew his sword.
Though it was a Wooden Sword, it still carried a hint of killing intent in his hands.
Looking at the Wooden Sword, his anger grew; he should have had a proper Sword Weapon!
All because of Meng Fan!
He lunged at Meng Fan, his sword flicking in a flourish.
Meng Fan sneered.
All flash and no substance!
Yang Shi clearly underestimated Meng Fan, so his swordplay was all for show, fancy but impractical!
Thus, to Meng Fan, Yang Shi's sword move was riddled with flaws.
Meng Fan drew his sword, striking faster than the eye could follow.
His sword's flat side slapped Yang Shi's wrist, knocking the Wooden Sword from his grasp.
Then, with a swift sidestep, he dodged past Yang Shi's body.
A kick.
He drove his foot hard into Yang Shi's side.
"Crack!" A sharp sound.
At least three of Yang Shi's ribs were broken.
Like crushing dry weeds!
Effortless!
Meng Fan hadn't even used his True Qi, which, though scant, could double or even triple his attack power once activated.
But that was only for a single strike.
After that, his True Qi would be depleted.
Yang Shi was kicked to the ground, his face a picture of shock as he looked up at Meng Fan in disbelief.
How could a Menial Disciple be so strong?
Yang Fei had warned him about Meng Fan's prowess, but he hadn't taken it seriously.
A Menial Disciple, what was that worth?
Yet, Meng Fan's strength had exceeded his expectations.
In that brief exchange, Meng Fan had seen right through him, completely controlling the rhythm of the fight.
This insight, this experience, it was utterly despairing!
A Menial Disciple?
He was more formidable than an Inner Sect Disciple.
He could feel that Meng Fan's Cultivation Level was lower than his own, significantly so.
But in terms of combat ability, he was left far behind.
Outrageous!
"Convinced?" Meng Fan stepped forward, his foot pressing down on Yang Shi's face.
It was a blatant humiliation.
Yang Shi's rage exploded, his True Qi bursting forth, shaking off Meng Fan's foot.
Even Meng Fan couldn't help but take a couple of steps back!
"You're asking for it!!" Yang Shi roared, his sword now out of reach, he charged at Meng Fan with bare fists in a rage.
Meng Fan, not quite adept at the Surprising Swan Steps, dodged Yang Shi's punches.
"Zing!"
With a flick of his left hand, the Wooden Sword was drawn again.
The tip rested against Yang Shi's throat.
Though it was a blunt Wooden Sword, with a bit more force, Meng Fan could still shatter Yang Shi's throat.
"Your swordsmanship, your awareness, they're too weak. You have the Cultivation Level but not the skill."
Under normal circumstances, Yang Shi would have scoffed at such words from Meng Fan.
But now, with a sword at his throat, he had to take them seriously.
His throat quivered, then he swallowed nervously, carefully conceding, "I yield."
He meant it.
He was truly beaten.