Chen Kaiyun approached Chen Tian, his long sword beneath his feet. Chen Tian drew the sword from his back, and the two great swordsmen began their duel. Both were common professions among swordsmen, the Qing Feng Swordsman and the Ling Yun Swordsman. The Qing Feng Swordsman's attacks were swift, while the Ling Yun Swordsman's style focused on unpredictable shifts. The battle between Chen Tian and Chen Kaiyun was certainly worth watching. As for the other players, they had no intention of intervening. The reason they hadn't made a move yet was that they didn't want to earn a notorious reputation.
Ganging up on a newcomer player as a group of veteran players – how would that look? It would be utterly disgraceful. No one wanted to be shamed like that. A one-on-one fight was their preferred method. After all, Chen Tian was a newcomer, and it was unlikely he could defeat them all alone. Even if he could beat Chen Kaiyun, their combined numbers and a war of attrition would wear him down. Everyone had their own hidden agenda. Chen Tian was well aware that these players were currently united, and if he died, the items he dropped would likely lead to a free-for-all within seconds.
Chen Tian looked at Chen Kaiyun before him. Chen Tian's stats hadn't changed; he was merely lower in level. However, Chen Tian still relied on his understanding of the game and his strength. He didn't need the power of the divine realm to deal with these players. He stepped forward, weaving left and right with constant advances. Seeing Chen Tian move, Chen Kaiyun drew a circle with his long sword and then thrust it forward. The circle, composed of water elemental energy, transformed into a drill that shot out. The sword's movement was fluid, from drawing to retracting, as if Chen Tian were already dead.
Chen Kaiyun didn't even bother to watch Chen Tian's movements. He was certain Chen Tian would die from this strike. The level difference between them was immense – a full major realm, which equated to over 190 levels. Such a vast disparity meant any of his casual moves could reduce Chen Tian's health to zero. What was there to fight for? This was clearly a one-sided slaughter.
"Are you trying to run away?"
Chen Tian's voice rang out. Chen Kaiyun turned to see Chen Tian lightly parrying his attack with his long sword. The strike shattered, dissolving into countless water droplets that sprinkled onto the ground, like a torrential downpour after a cosmic chess match. The water droplets on the ground coalesced to form a pool. Chen Kaiyun thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. He rubbed them, unable to accept what he saw. Chen Tian had endured his attack. It was as unbelievable as a sow climbing a tree, or even a mountain. It was astonishing.
"What? Are you planning to surrender?"
"Surrender? Do you have the ability to make me? I admit I underestimated you just now, but you will have no room to retaliate from this point on."
Chen Kaiyun's eyes flared with anger at Chen Tian's dismissive gaze. That look conveyed utter contempt for him. Chen Tian indeed looked down on Chen Kaiyun and the other players. With Chen Tian's strength, eliminating them instantly would be simple. He merely wanted to see how much the players had grown. He was disappointed by Chen Kaiyun's previous move. Chen Kaiyun's mastery of water elemental energy shouldn't have been that weak. Chen Tian, with his sharp eyes, could immediately tell that the water elemental energy was a perfect fit for Chen Kaiyun's physique.
Chen Kaiyun's previous attack hadn't even grasped the true meaning of water elemental energy. Mastering water elemental energy completely was difficult. Chen Tian wondered if there would be any chaos during the final battle. He planned to suggest to the developers to introduce a dungeon or event focused on elemental control. If not, Chen Tian could create one himself. He possessed the authority to create events.
After all, the developers wouldn't say anything. Chen Tian already knew who was behind the developers. As long as he didn't go too far, they wouldn't interfere. Unless he caused a major incident, they wouldn't punish Chen Tian either. This was because the crucial responsibility of saving the world rested on Chen Tian's shoulders. Only he could contend with that certain existence. Without him, they would be helpless.
Chen Tian and Chen Kaiyun drew their swords and faced each other. Two beams of sword light appeared at a rate of hundreds per second. From the outside, only two arms seemed to be moving once or twice. In reality, they clashed over a hundred times.
Both the Qing Feng Swordsman and Ling Yun Swordsman professions focused on speed. The clanging of steel echoed between Chen Tian and Chen Kaiyun. Chen Tian had slowed down his understanding of swordsmanship. Chen Kaiyun's potential allowed him to hold out for a full three minutes under Chen Tian's onslaught before beginning to falter.
This was Chen Kaiyun's first encounter with Chen Tian. Chen Tian's swordsmanship experience and understanding far surpassed his own. He learned a great deal. Seeing Chen Tian appear so leisurely, it was hard to believe this was a duel; one might have thought he was just out for a stroll.
Chen Tian noticed Chen Kaiyun falter and changed his sword stance. Chen Kaiyun's momentary distraction allowed Chen Tian to disarm him. Chen Kaiyun's sword spun high into the air before embedding itself in the ground. Chen Tian took a step forward, a gust of wind erupting. Chen Tian's sword was then placed at Chen Kaiyun's throat.
"You lost. If you plan to reveal your skills, I'll pretend I didn't say anything."
Chen Tian whispered. Chen Kaiyun waved his hand in resignation. "You win. I won't take any items from you. I surrender."
Chen Kaiyun's surrender directly increased Chen Tian's experience points by 2%. It wasn't much, but defeating all the hundred or so players present could potentially raise his level by one or two.
The scene shifted back. The onlookers watched the entire duel, unable to comprehend how the Ling Yun Swordsman player had lost. He had the level advantage, the stat advantage, yet he couldn't defeat his opponent. Had he been holding back?
"What a waste of space, failing to deal with a newcomer. I'll do it."
"Kid, you're out of luck running into me."
A burly, muscular, tall man stepped before Chen Tian. Chen Tian instantly recognized him as a player with a hidden profession. The surrounding players began to buzz upon seeing this man make his move.
"If this guy intervenes, what's left for us? Might as well go home and sleep."
"Indeed. If the third-ranked player makes a move, would we dare to fight for any dropped items?"
"Bayun, it's not right to bully a newcomer like this. Why not leave him to us?"
Someone, driven by greed and recklessness, uttered these words. Bayun's face contorted with rage. He glared at the player and said sternly, "No need. You bunch of incompetents couldn't seize the opportunity when you had it. Now, this kid is my prey."
"Kid, how do you want to die?"
Chen Tian spoke nonchalantly, "Shouldn't it be you asking how you want to die? You lackey of the Xie Ling tribe."
That single sentence stunned Bayun. The young man before him actually knew his secret. Chen Tian had immediately revealed the secret behind his actions.
Bayun's killing intent surged. Chen Tian sensed an evil aura emanating from Bayun. It seemed this fellow was a lackey of the evil spirits. Chen Tian had no mercy for traitors.
He directly initiated a scene transition. This time, the map was randomly selected, called the Death Arena.
On a massive arena, Chen Tian and Bayun faced each other. Bayun's killing intent was palpable; this person absolutely could not be let go. He knew his secret and therefore had to die.
Bayun threw a punch. His normally clumsy body moved with increasing speed, like a kite with a severed string, closing in on Chen Tian. Chen Tian sheathed his long sword. This action confused Bayun. The Qing Feng Swordsman's most powerful attack method was his sword. Why would Chen Tian suddenly sheathe it?
Had he given up?
Good, he would finish him with one punch and teach him what he should and shouldn't say.
But was Chen Tian sheathing his sword truly an act of surrender?
Surrender was impossible. Chen Tian had never surrendered in his life.
He clenched his fists and threw them forward.