Yi Tianyun accepted the duel without a moment's hesitation, catching An Ling and Qin Xue completely off guard. They knew what his cultivation level was.
According to the information they had, Yi Tianyun's cultivation was only at about the first layer of the Spirit Refining Stage.
Ma Liangpeng's cultivation was at least at the fourth layer of the Spirit Refining Stage. How could he possibly compete?
"Junior Brother, you can't do this! His cultivation is so much higher than yours. If you get hurt, how are we supposed to explain it to the Palace Master when we get back?" An Ling hurriedly tried to dissuade him.
"Senior Sisters, I'll be right back. Don't worry. I'll make him pay the price!"
Without another word, Yi Tianyun took a greatsword he had forged himself and walked outside.
The two senior sisters exchanged glances. Since Yi Tianyun had made up his mind, their attempts to stop him were useless. They could only follow him outside to see what would happen. Having a weapon you forged yourself be called inferior would make anyone furious.
When they walked outside, Ma Liangpeng was already there waiting. Seeing Yi Tianyun emerge, he couldn't help but flash a mocking smile. "I thought you only knew how to hide behind women. Looks like you have some backbone after all!"
Because Yi Tianyun was always at Merak Palace, a place full of women, many men looked down on him. In truth, it was mostly just jealousy.
"I think hiding behind women is still far better than baselessly slandering others!" Yi Tianyun sneered.
"Whether it's slander or not, we'll find out soon enough. Everyone here can bear witness and see whose weapon is superior!"
A murderous glint flashed in Ma Liangpeng's eyes as he drew a high-grade Spirit Sword, a shimmer of light flowing along its blade.
A circle of people had already formed around them, mostly passersby who had gathered to watch the commotion.
"Of course, that's no problem."
Yi Tianyun smiled calmly, raising the greatsword in his hand. "I'll use this very greatsword to test just what your so-called high-grade Spiritual Artifact is made of!"
When the crowd saw the contrast between the two, they all shook their heads. Yi Tianyun was using a greatsword, while Ma Liangpeng used a rapier. Without a doubt, Ma Liangpeng would have a much easier time. Relying on his agility, he could easily run circles around Yi Tianyun!
Just based on the choice of weapons alone, they felt that Yi Tianyun was already at a disadvantage.
"This is just an ordinary spar, not a life-and-death duel. I hope I don't see any lethal moves."
Zi Yuwei stepped forward and looked coldly at Liang Tiancheng's group. "If you use lethal force against our Honored Guest Elder, then don't blame Rainy Day Tower for being merciless!"
"But of course. This is just a spar. I won't use lethal force," Ma Liangpeng replied.
A disdainful look appeared in Ma Liangpeng's eyes. 'A rapier against a greatsword… I can run him ragged using just my Body Technique.'
As the two faced off, the crowd below was already buzzing with excitement.
"That Honored Guest Elder from Rainy Day Tower must be an idiot. A greatsword against a rapier? Isn't that just asking to be killed?"
"How could a disciple from the Divine Forging Sect possibly lose? Just look at the weapons, they're not even in the same league. I think the Honored Guest Elder from Rainy Day Tower is done for."
"He probably let his anger get to his head and rashly accepted the fight. The Divine Forging Sect's Artifact Refining skills are the real deal. Even if it were just a contest of weapons, the Divine Forging Sect would definitely win!"
…
The people in the crowd didn't favor Yi Tianyun. The difference in their weapons was obvious, and considering the Divine Forging Sect's reputation, everyone was more willing to believe that their weapons were superior, whether in power or durability!
'If you're looking for someone to blame, blame yourself for provoking the Divine Forging Sect!'
He narrowed his eyes, a hint of killing intent directed at Yi Tianyun. Especially after learning that Yi Tianyun was from Merak Palace, a person with such Forging skill would only become a threat if left alive!
The next moment, Ma Liangpeng raised his rapier, executed Celestial Cloud Step, and shot toward Yi Tianyun like a wisp of a cloud. He moved like a gust of wind, appearing by Yi Tianyun's side in the blink of an eye and thrusting his rapier forward.
He didn't use any specific Martial Arts, just a pure thrust, but his speed was incredible. He aimed directly for Yi Tianyun's vital points. This was no spar; this was a killing blow.
Yi Tianyun's gaze turned cold. He lifted his greatsword, holding it up like a shield in front of him.
CLANG!
The rapier struck the greatsword. Being so thin, the rebounding force bent it into a half-circle.
Ma Liangpeng's eyes narrowed. He quickly retracted his rapier and used his Body Technique to dart behind Yi Tianyun, immediately thrusting again.
But he was met only by Yi Tianyun's greatsword, which acted like a massive shield, blocking the attack.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Ma Liangpeng rapidly switched his angles of attack, but no matter how he thrust, he was blocked by Yi Tianyun's greatsword. He couldn't land a single blow. At this rate, Ma Liangpeng was the one wasting energy, while Yi Tianyun was expending far less.
"Is that all the strength you have? How disappointing."
Yi Tianyun gave him an indifferent glance. He hadn't moved a single step, simply using the greatsword as a shield to block the relentless assault.
The next moment, he swung the greatsword in a backhand motion, smashing it down. He brandished it with berserk power, kicking up a blast of air, as if he were bringing the entire sky down with his blade.
"You think you can suppress me with that little strength? Get lost!"
Ma Liangpeng roared, and his rapier erupted with a dazzling light. Under his power, the entire rapier became as hard as an iron pillar, and he thrust it viciously upward to meet the descending greatsword head-on!
CLANG!
The two weapons collided head-on. The crushing weight was held at bay. Ma Liangpeng's cultivation was not weak to begin with, and after years of Artifact Refining, his physical strength was considerable!
'Madness Mode: Power, activate!'
The next instant, a golden glint flared in Yi Tianyun's eyes. He had activated the Power mode within his Madness Mode, and his explosive strength instantly doubled!
THUD!
The sudden burst of violent power instantly bent the rapier. The terrifying force came so fast that Ma Liangpeng couldn't react. A weight several times heavier than before pressed down, slamming both the rapier's blade and Ma Liangpeng himself.
With a BANG, Ma Liangpeng was sent flying backward. He stumbled back more than a dozen steps before barely managing to stop. The immense pressure had given him internal injuries.
He felt a sweet taste in his throat, and a trickle of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth, dripping onto the ground.
An Ling and the others stared, absolutely stunned. 'What happened to being at the first layer of the Spirit Refining Stage? This is clearly the power of the fourth or even fifth layer!'
Yi Tianyun looked at him coldly. His greatsword was completely unscathed; despite being struck so many times, there wasn't a single scratch on it. In contrast, the rapier had been bent countless times and looked incredibly fragile.
"Is this the power of your weapon? Didn't you say mine was a mid-grade Spiritual Artifact? If you're so capable, then pierce through my weapon!"
Yi Tianyun sneered, "If you ask me, your weapon is the real piece of trash!"