"Don't even think about getting past me!" Yang Zhan roared, swinging his greatsword in a brutal arc that forced Gong Cheng to halt abruptly. "Hmph, you're no match for me!"
As East Court's vice-captain, Gong Cheng had always been in the shadow of others—skilled in strategy, but lacking in direct combat prowess. Yang Zhan knew that taking Gong Cheng out early would give North Court a decisive advantage.
After all, with tournament rules forbidding mid-match substitutions, the endurance of each fighter became crucial.
"Wild Blade——Mountain Severing Slash!"
Yang Zhan charged like a raging bull, his heavy sword aimed to obliterate Gong Cheng's defenses. By his assessment, this single blow should render the tactician combat-ineffective.
Yet the moment his blade descended, Yang Zhan's eyes widened—his target had vanished, yanked away by a blur of motion. The sword cleaved only air.
Ye Nanfeng had intervened.
While Nie Yuanzhou and Zhu Xun pursued Ye Nanfeng's two phantoms from Soaring Twin Phoenix, the real Ye Nanfeng had executed the technique a second time—this time to reposition Gong Cheng straight into the enemy's flag zone!
With a sharp shout, Ye Nanfeng thrust out a palm, sending Gong Cheng hurtling forward. Using the force of the strike, Gong Cheng's body shot through the air, swiftly breaking through the flag-guarding area.
"Intercept him!" Nie Yuanzhou and Yang Zhan shouted in unison, but their reaction came too late. Only the flag-keeper, Lin Long, stood between Gong Cheng and victory.
Lin Long raised his sword defiantly. "You won't get past—"
"Thousand Light Fragmenting Blade!"
Still midair, Gong Cheng unleashed a storm of sword beams. Lin Long's low-grade treasured sword shattered after blocking just three strikes before the remaining sword qi blasted him off the platform.
The Black Eagle battle flag toppled.
Less than ten minutes had passed.
East Court had claimed the first round through sheer tactical brilliance—using only Ye Nanfeng and Gong Cheng while the others hadn't even engaged!
"First match to East Court Sword Team!" The referee's announcement sparked uproar.
Against all expectations, this "second-string" lineup had dominated.
Li Yunting's eyes narrowed. "Gong Cheng's analytical mind is formidable. Battling East Court will be... intriguing."
He rose. "Let's check on Liufeng." The remaining matches held no suspense—Ling Feng wouldn't even take the field.
Lu Qingshan shuddered. "Since returning from that place, Liufeng's power terrifies even me. He still can't fully control it."
"He's surpassed me now." Li Yunting's gaze flicked toward Ling Feng. Both were monsters—but which one would prevail? The coming finals promised fireworks.
Gong Cheng landed lightly on the sword fighting platform, his face glowing with triumph. Even without their captain, he had defeated a formidable opponent like Yang Zhan!
Indeed, had they fought head-on, even with their significantly improved skills, they would have found themselves struggling without powerhouses like Ling Feng and Gu Tengfeng.
But through Gong Cheng's flawless tactics, they had secured an effortless first-match victory.
At that moment, Gong Cheng found his true worth. His role wasn't to be a frontline warrior, but to devise perfect strategies for his teammates.
"What an ingenious plan! Brother Gong, that match was truly spectacular. But the next one won't be so easy."
Nie Yuanzhou showed no frustration over the first-round loss. Instead, he stepped forward and gave Gong Cheng a respectful fist-and-palm salute.
Perhaps Gong Cheng would never become a battlefield champion, but he was undoubtedly destined to be a brilliant strategist.
Gong Cheng clenched his fists, overwhelmed by this unprecedented praise from an opponent. Never before had he received such recognition.
As both teams left the platform, staff quickly reset the battle flags.
The half-hour break would allow for rest, recovery, and tactical discussions.
"Well done, Gong Cheng! You did it!"
Gu Tengfeng gave his friend several heavy pats on the shoulder that left Gong Cheng's arm tingling, though nothing could dampen the joy shining in his eyes.
Gong Cheng had always possessed a brilliant mind; he had only lacked confidence.
This victory was exactly what he needed.
As longtime friends, Gu Tengfeng had given him complete trust.
"It was everyone's effort!"
Gong Cheng had been struck by Gu Tengfeng a few times, and half of his arm felt numb, but the joy in his heart shone through his eyes.
"Haha! The real credit goes to Brother Feng's 'Soaring Twin Phoenix' technique!" Ye Nanfeng roared with laughter. "It was incredible - we completely outmaneuvered them!"
The sky-tier movement art "Soaring Twin Phoenix" was a technique Ye Nanfeng had only just begun to master. If he reached advanced proficiency, he could create hundreds of afterimages, which would be truly formidable.
"And the Thousand Light Fragmenting Sword technique amplified my true qi beyond expectations!" Gong Cheng added gratefully, looking at Ling Feng.
These secret manuals had all been personally selected and explained by Ling Feng. Without his guidance, they could never have grasped them so quickly.
After all, not everyone has Ling Feng's monstrous ability to instantly replicate martial techniques.
"We're comrades. No thanks needed." Ling Feng smiled warmly. From the moment these teammates had stood with him against the seemingly invincible Royal Sword Team, they had become his closest companions in his heart.
After the half-hour intermission, both teams returned to the platform.
This time, North Court had clearly prepared countermeasures against Ye Nanfeng's Soaring Twin Phoenix movement art. Their strongest fighter, Nie Yuanzhou, immediately launched relentless attacks to keep Ye Nanfeng on the defensive.
But Gong Cheng wasn't foolish enough to repeat the same strategy. For this second match, his secret weapon was Lin Mochen.
Following a tense half-hour stalemate, Lin Mochen formed an unusual hand seal. Suddenly, thick vines erupted across the entire sword fighting arena. The massive tendrils violently twisted and snapped the opponent's Black Eagle battle flag, securing another victory.
Two consecutive wins meant the East Court Sword Team had qualified for the second round. And throughout it all, their main force hadn't needed to lift a finger...