The Unparalleled Sword Emperor Chapter 2718 - 2693: A Sword Cultivator! (5 Updates)

"Impossible!"

"How could he possibly lose!"

The cultivators present cried out in disbelief, a majority unable to come to terms with what had occurred!

Within the Fighting Arena, specifically in the Yellow Character Number One Pavilion, an oppressive silence descended.

The head of the Zhao Family, Zhaoyun Tian, and Madam Yang materialized amidst the stillness.

Madam Yang gazed upon Lin Bai's silhouette with utter astonishment, never having fathomed that Lin Bai could achieve victory over Xu Guang!

Meanwhile, Zhaoyun Tian's countenance took on a sickly green hue, finding it unbearable to witness.

This was understandable, as the Zhao Family had placed a substantial wager on Xu Guang, effectively betting all the family merits they could marshal for the year on this single contest!

At this very moment, within the confines of the Yellow Character Number One Pavilion, numerous elders from the Zhao Family began to unleash a torrent of angry shouts, directing their curses at Lin Bai.

After a prolonged period of verbal abuse, these Zhao Family elders turned their gazes toward Madam Yang, addressing her with frigid tones: "Zhao Jun! What is the meaning of this? Why has the Sword Demon emerged victorious? Are you unaware that our Zhao Family staked significant merits on Senior Xu Guang?"

"Zhao Jun, you must shoulder the primary responsibility for this entire debacle!"

"What the elders of the family have spoken is indeed correct; you are a veritable curse upon the Zhao Family!"

"When we arranged your marriage back then, who could have foreseen that your husband would meet such a mysterious end so swiftly afterward!"

"And now, you have also plunged our Zhao Family into ruin through this loss; you are truly a jinx!"

Each and every elder of the Zhao Family fixed their menacing stares upon Madam Yang, their words dripping with venom.

Madam Yang's birth name was indeed Zhao Jun!

However, owing to her name falling into disuse for an extended duration, all the cultivators within Black Water City had come to refer to Zhao Jun exclusively as Madam Yang!

Upon hearing the barrage of accusations from the Zhao Family elders, Madam Yang's expression immediately became icily cold.

Zhaoyun Tian emitted a cold snort and rose from his seat within the pavilion, preparing to depart.

The assembled Zhao Family elders cried out in unison: "Patriarch! Are you simply going to abandon us and leave without addressing this grave matter?"

Zhaoyun Tian responded with a frigid tone: "And what exactly do you expect me to do?"

The Zhao Family elders exclaimed, their voices filled with indignation: "The Sword Demon was the undefeated champion personally selected by Zhao Jun to compete in the Fighting Arena. She is Zhao Jun's chosen ally, and now Zhao Jun has dragged the entire family into ruin, an offense that cannot be easily forgiven!"

"We demand that the Patriarch order severe punishment for Zhao Jun!"

"We demand that the Patriarch order severe punishment for Zhao Jun!"

"We demand that the Patriarch order severe punishment for Zhao Jun!"

Presently, within the pavilion, more than a hundred Zhao Family elders knelt down on one knee, their unified demand echoing as they implored Zhaoyun Tian to mete out extreme punishment upon Zhao Jun.

Madam Yang cast her gaze upward towards Zhaoyun Tian, a profound sense of desolation clouding her features, as she softly uttered: "Brother..."

"Silence!" Zhaoyun Tian roared ferociously, his glare fixed upon Madam Yang, and he spoke with icy disdain: "You vile creature!"

"Vile creature... haha!" Upon hearing these words, Madam Yang struggled to believe that such venomous epithets originated from her own brother's lips.

Zhaoyun Tian declared with chilling finality: "Zhao Jun has flagrantly disregarded the family's regulations; thus, severe punishment must be meted out by the Elder Pavilion in accordance with established family statutes!"

"This entire affair shall be adjudicated by the Elder Pavilion!"

After delivering this cold decree, Zhaoyun Tian made his exit from the Fighting Arena.

Zhaoyun Tian's pronouncement was undeniably clear; he was relinquishing the matter to the jurisdiction of the Elder Pavilion, and given the current sentiment, every single elder of the Zhao Family harbored intense animosity towards Madam Yang, ensuring that no avenue of escape remained for her.

It was abundantly evident that Zhaoyun Tian harbored no further desire to lay eyes upon Madam Yang.

Madam Yang remained seated, her lips contorted into a perpetual, chilling smile.

As the Zhao Family elders rose and exited the pavilion, each one directed a final, cold admonishment towards Madam Yang: "Zhao Jun, present yourself at the Zhao Family compound in three days to receive your judgment!"

With their pronouncements delivered, all the Zhao Family elders departed from the pavilion.

Within the pavilion now, only Madam Yang and the four conspicuously trembling young male attendants remained!

Madam Yang sat motionless in her chair, her mind adrift in contemplation, a self-deprecating smile playing upon her lips...

...

A chorus of enraged howls reverberated throughout the Fighting Arena.

Lin Bai, overhearing the lamentations of the vanquished warriors, glanced at Xu Guang and offered a slight smile.

Xu Guang responded with a bitter laugh, shaking his head.

Lin Bai then spoke: "Senior Xu Guang, today's duel has provided me with profound benefits; I am most grateful!"

"However, I do have one lingering question!"

Xu Guang replied, his tone encouraging: "Ask freely!"

Lin Bai inquired: "Even though I have entered the Fighting Arena and bested several formidable opponents here, should that not have been sufficient to capture your attention, as the arena's undefeated champion?"

"Why then did you proactively choose to engage me in combat?"

This particular point had long been a source of perplexity for Lin Bai.

What could have motivated Xu Guang to initiate a challenge against Lin Bai?

Even considering Lin Bai's prior triumphs against the Blade Emperor and the Beast, given Xu Guang's established reputation and his elevated perspective, it seemed improbable that Lin Bai, despite his rapid ascent in the arena, would have warranted the attention of the undefeated champion so swiftly.

With a bitter laugh, Xu Guang explained: "It's quite straightforward; I am seeking an heir for the Taigu Shattered Star Fist!"

Lin Bai regarded Xu Guang with evident surprise.

Xu Guang elaborated, "The Taigu Shattered Star Fist is the ultimate technique that has been passed down through generations in our Taigu Village. When the Beast Tide descended, none in our village survived, and throughout the years, I have been consumed by cultivation, never starting a family!"

"Consequently, there is no successor!"

"Ever since I ceased participating in the Fighting Arena, approximately five or six years ago, I have extensively scoured Black Water City and its surrounding areas, searching for a promising talent to whom I could impart the Taigu Shattered Star Fist!"

"However, after five or six years, I still had not found a suitable warrior!"

"It wasn't until my return to Black Water City that I witnessed your battle against the Beast..."

"I became convinced that you were the one I had been searching for, uniquely suited to cultivate the Taigu Shattered Star Fist!"

Xu Guang spoke with utmost sincerity, his gaze fixed on Lin Bai.

Lin Bai listened intently.

Xu Guang continued, "Naturally, I could not make the decision to bestow the Taigu Shattered Star Fist upon you based solely on observing two or three of your matches. Therefore, I intended to personally assess your strength!"

"If I had simply approached you for a spar, you would assuredly not have displayed your full capabilities. Thus, the only recourse was to arrange a match between us through the Fighting Arena!"

"Regardless of whether you were defeated by me, or if I deemed your strength sufficient to inherit the Taigu Shattered Star Fist, the outcome of this particular battle would not have altered my decision to pass it to you!"

"But alas... what a profound pity..."

A look of regret crossed Xu Guang's face as he gazed at Lin Bai.

Lin Bai, shaking his head with a sigh, also found himself somewhat at a loss for words.

Ning Zheng, overhearing their discussion, inquired, "Senior Xu Guang, what is regrettable about this situation? The Sword Demon not only battled you but also showcased his absolute strength and emerged victorious!"

"Does he not, therefore, qualify to inherit the Taigu Shattered Star Fist?"

Xu Guang responded, "His strength and potential undeniably mark him as the ideal candidate, yet there exists one significant drawback!"

Ning Zheng, intrigued, pressed further, "And what is this unfavorable point?"

Xu Guang divulged, "That unfavorable point is... that he is a Sword Cultivator!"

Lin Bai offered a faint smile, tilted his head back to gaze at the sky, and remained silent.

Ning Zheng appeared utterly bewildered, staring at Xu Guang with a perplexed expression.

Xu Guang elucidated, "A true Sword Cultivator perceives and comprehends only his sword!"

"Every action and every technique employed by a true Sword Cultivator is dedicated entirely to serving his sword!"

"He already possesses his sword, leaving absolutely no room for the proficiency of fists..."

Xu Guang then shook his head, his gaze still fixed on Lin Bai, brimming with regret.