The onlookers looked at Chen Tian and then at each other. A young man carrying a sword slowly stepped forward, tapped on confirmation, and said, "I'll take the first match! It'll be over quickly anyway."
Chen Tian shook his head and said meaningfully, "You choose the arena."
"Then Shanben Valley it is!"
The sword-carrying youth tapped on a scene map, and the surroundings instantly transformed. A vast mountain valley appeared before their eyes. Chen Tian and the youth found themselves in the center of the valley, with its slopes like grasping claws. A large arena slowly materialized in the middle.
The mountains seemed to have been sliced apart by the arena. Chen Tian surveyed the surroundings. Shanben Valley! This map was quite unique, as players could not escape the arena perimeter. No one could leave until a victor was decided.
Chen Tian looked at the sword-carrying youth before him, a player named Qingfeng Changxiu, who was level eighty-eight. Under the divine eye, all information about the opponent, an Extreme Swordsman, appeared in Chen Tian's mind as he examined their attributes.
Player: Qingfeng Changxiu
Level: Eighty-eight
Class: Extreme Swordsman
Weapon: Jíshén Sword
Armor: Qingmao Armor
Strength: 18522
Speed: 25874
Constitution: 15489
Luck: 10
Weapon Proficiency: 19850
Skill Proficiency: 19878
Armor Rating: 1000
Traits: Extreme Speed, Unavoidable
Skills: Extreme Sword Light, Extreme Light Slash, Extreme Godly Shadow, Extreme Phantom Sword Art.
Chen Tian studied the youth's information. The "Unavoidable" trait was the Extreme Swordsman's most formidable ability. Attacks from this trait were impossible to dodge, even for Chen Tian's ultimate evasion skills.
This meant he could only meet the opponent head-on. The youth's class, Extreme Swordsman, was known for its speed, with sword strikes twice as fast as those of normal players.
Chen Tian looked at the youth. The first match was already this challenging. At least it wouldn't be boring.
Chen Tian said calmly, "Draw your sword!"
Qingfeng Changxiu shook his head contemptuously, "No need. You're not worthy of me drawing my sword. I'll finish you in three moves."
"Oh!"
Chen Tian responded, scratching the back of his head. "But I don't want it to end so quickly. Show me what you've got."
Then, a figure suddenly appeared before Chen Tian and threw a punch, striking him squarely in the abdomen. Chen Tian stood there as if unaffected and stomped his foot, saying, "Hmm, the speed is enough, but the power is a bit lacking. It doesn't hurt, doesn't itch."
Seeing this, Qingfeng Changxiu threw several more punches. The air currents dispersed, causing the entire valley to tremble slightly, yet Chen Tian's figure did not retreat a single step.
Qingfeng Changxiu stared at the player named Di Qing in disbelief. He had used his full strength with those punches. How could his strength, over ten thousand points, not even break the opponent's defense? How was this possible?
Chen Tian smirked playfully, "Attack! If you don't attack, I will!"
With a *swish*, a gust of wind swept past. Qingfeng Changxiu's figure was sent flying, landing at the edge of the arena. Chen Tian now stood in the center.
The three spectators outside were stunned. One of them exclaimed, "This is impossible? He's only level sixty, how did he do it? The level difference is immense!"
"His speed and power are not at the level of a normal player of his level. Did he use an item?"
"What kind of precious item could it be? This guy is so extravagant!"
The others were speechless. Such items were usually saved as trump cards for the end. Yet, this guy was using it so casually.
Indeed, Chen Tian had used an item. After defeating the Heavenly Valley Ice Slaughter Dragon, he had received over ten thousand emails, and this item was merely one of the rewards.
Chen Tian looked at Qingfeng Changxiu and said, "Draw your sword! Without drawing your sword, you have no chance!"
Qingfeng Changxiu nodded, realizing Chen Tian was no ordinary player. He no longer underestimated him. He then drew the long sword from his back. Sword light flashed, sparks flew, and a snow-white long sword appeared in Qingfeng Changxiu's hand. The sword was pure white, with pure white wings on either side of the blade, and the character "神" (Shen - God) inscribed on its body.
Chen Tian looked at the sword, his expression becoming serious. He felt a familiar aura, yet it was different. What was going on?
Qingfeng Changxiu then swung his sword, moving it just a centimeter. Instantly, Chen Tian was enveloped in a light shield. The white shield emitted countless sounds, and Chen Tian was forced back.
Chen Tian muttered inwardly, "No elemental abilities available. It's too weak."
Fortunately, Chen Tian still had his Shapeshifting Orb. The Shapeshifting Orb transformed into dual blades in his hands. The previous centimeter-long swing from Qingfeng Changxiu had unleashed dozens of sword blades. Had Chen Tian's defense not been strong enough, he might have already been injured, albeit only slightly. However, Chen Tian played games with the principle of not taking damage if possible.
Qingfeng Changxiu was shocked that Chen Tian had blocked his move. This was a twenty-level difference. Even with items or skills, the damage should have been incomparable.
Chen Tian's dual blades appeared, and with a flash, he was in front of Qingfeng Changxiu. Qingfeng Changxiu raised his arm, and before Chen Tian's blades could even swing, his sword had already deflected them.
The opponent's speed was too great. Chen Tian had no advantage in attack speed. With his dual blades deflected, Qingfeng Changxiu seized the opportunity and swung his arm down. Instantly, Chen Tian's arms were moving rapidly left and right.
Chen Tian's figure kept retreating until he stood at the edge of the arena. Chen Tian looked at Qingfeng Changxiu. The opponent's attack speed was too fast. Without the enhancement of the divine eye, Chen Tian would have been hit by the first wave of attacks.
Images flashed through Chen Tian's mind as he calculated. Qingfeng Changxiu was even more shocked that his thousand moves had failed to damage the opponent. Chen Tian had completely defended against them. He had unleashed a thousand different sword strikes in that single downward motion, and all of them had been blocked.
Despite his shock, he knew he had to win this duel. He didn't want to miss out on that treasure.
He then stepped forward, appearing instantly before Chen Tian. As he raised his arm, Chen Tian swung his dual blades. *Clang, clang, clang* sounds echoed throughout the arena.
Chen Tian and Qingfeng Changxiu clashed, but the opponent's movements seemed to be a single slow motion. Chen Tian had to defend with all his might.
If only Chen Tian still had his elemental mastery. Then he wouldn't fear these rapid sword strikes. But the price of his previous fusion left him with no recourse.
Moreover, Chen Tian could only use dual blades. He couldn't use other professions. His identity had already made him an enemy of all players. If his identity were exposed, he would become the target of a collective assault from all players.
And Chen Tian was already struggling against just one opponent. He couldn't imagine facing the remaining three.
Chen Tian carefully observed the opponent's sword moves. With the divine eye, the opponent's attack speed had slowed considerably. Otherwise, Chen Tian would have been hit long ago in the first exchange.
Chen Tian murmured to himself as he counted. The collision between them continued. Qingfeng Changxiu's arm speed increased, and the sword moves became more numerous. Chen Tian's arms were truly struggling to keep up.