Chapter 1542: Absolutely Must Not Lose

Everyone headed straight to the martial arts training ground of the Situ family.

Situ Taili knew that Yi Feng was not someone to be trifled with, so he dared not make things too difficult for Cang Sheng.

He chose the tenth-ranked young disciple of the family to compete against Cang Sheng.

The Situ residence wasn’t large, and news of Cang Sheng stepping onto the arena quickly spread.

Aside from the servants, most of the household gathered around the training ground to watch.

The training ground buzzed with excitement.

The arena was circular, with a diameter of a hundred zhang.

It was paved with thick, solid bluestone slabs, which, under the setting sun, reflected a dark red and deep green hue, like blood.

On the arena.

Cang Sheng stood in the center, dressed in black martial attire.

His handsome face, chiseled features, and bronzed skin highlighted his masculine aura.

Opposite Cang Sheng stood a fair-skinned, well-built young man.

He had a refined appearance, looking like a dashing young hero.

This was Situ Fang, Situ Qingyi's cousin.

Situ Fang coldly scrutinized Cang Sheng.

He had seen Cang Sheng before and knew he was an orphan who made a living by escorting goods for the Situ family.

For someone like him to aspire to marry the Situ family's young lady was like a toad lusting after swan meat.

"You're only at the sixth level of the Martial Master realm, yet you dare to challenge me? I'm at the seventh level!"

Cang Sheng nodded firmly. "I'm sure."

"Heh!"

Situ Fang sneered mockingly. "If you lose, don't blame me for bullying the weak."

"If I lose, I'll have no regrets," Cang Sheng replied.

The crowd below the arena buzzed with discussion.

"Cang Sheng just got beaten up today, and now he wants to challenge Situ Fang, who's a level above him? He's really asking for trouble!"

"This guy is really going all out to marry the young lady. He's got guts, I'll give him that."

"But what's the use of guts if he doesn't have the strength? He'll just be kicked out in the end."

"Ah, why does this guy always aim so high? If he loses this time, the Situ family might not even let him escort goods anymore..."

"Youth is fearless, I guess."

Situ Taili invited Yi Feng to sit in the spectator stands.

He turned to Yi Feng and said in a low voice, "Friend, Cang Sheng is already injured. His chances of winning are slim. If you don't want him to get hurt further, you can take him away from the Situ residence now."

Yi Feng held a teacup, taking a small sip.

He replied calmly, "I appreciate your concern, but injuries are common in arena battles. However, Cang Sheng will definitely win."

"Rest assured, if he loses, I'll take him away immediately."

Situ Taili narrowed his eyes.

He had asked Yi Feng not out of concern for Cang Sheng's injuries, but because he feared that if Cang Sheng lost, Yi Feng might cause trouble.

But since Yi Feng had made his stance clear, Situ Taili had nothing more to worry about.

Situ Qingyi sat beside her father, clutching her yellow gauze skirt tightly.

Her delicate brows were furrowed, her breathing heavy, as if a dark cloud hung over her.

Cang Sheng looked at Situ Qingyi, his love and determination clearly visible in his eyes.

Situ Qingyi silently mouthed, "Be careful." Cang Sheng nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Yi Feng.

Yi Feng encouraged him, "Cang Sheng, believe in yourself. You can do it!"

Cang Sheng nodded solemnly, then drew his sword.

He knew that even though he was facing a stronger opponent, he had to prove himself.

"The match begins!"

At Situ Taili's command, Situ Fang, wielding a broadsword, charged at Cang Sheng.

Despite his refined appearance, Situ Fang's attacks were ruthless.

Even a lion uses its full strength to catch a rabbit.

For Situ Fang, this match was about the Situ family's honor and his cousin's marriage.

Even if Cang Sheng was weaker, he would not hold back.

In an instant, Situ Fang was in front of Cang Sheng.

"Clang! Clang! Clang..."

He unleashed his aura, swinging his broadsword fiercely at Cang Sheng.

Cang Sheng blocked with his sword, deflecting the blows with agile footwork and skilled swordsmanship.

But every time Cang Sheng thought he could counter, he was met with even faster and more ferocious strikes.

The sound of clashing metal echoed continuously, sparks flying across the arena.

Already injured, Cang Sheng was forced to retreat repeatedly under Situ Fang's onslaught.

He could only barely dodge the attacks, unable to mount an effective counter.

As he fought, Situ Fang taunted, "For your age, being able to block so many of my strikes is impressive. But that's all it is. Dream on if you think you can beat me and marry my cousin!"

Situ Fang's words were meant to break Cang Sheng's spirit.

But Cang Sheng's resolve to marry Situ Qingyi was unshakable.

Even if it cost him his life, he would not back down.

However, the current situation was far from favorable.

Cang Sheng's mind raced as he defended, trying to figure out how to turn the tables and overcome the stronger opponent.

Situ Taili, seeing the disparity between the two, shook his head.

Situ Qingyi's heart felt like it was being squeezed, her anxiety overwhelming.

The crowd around the arena had no faith in Cang Sheng.

"Cang Sheng has no chance of defeating someone a level above him. He's no match for Situ Fang, especially since he's already injured."

"Cang Sheng, just admit defeat. Being stubborn will only get you killed!"

"Ah, this is just reckless. Young people these days are too impulsive."

...

No one in the crowd believed in Cang Sheng, not even Situ Qingyi—except for Yi Feng.

Yi Feng sat calmly, sipping his tea, watching the intense back-and-forth on the arena.

"Clang! Clang! Clang..."

Cang Sheng continued to dodge and defend.

Occasionally, he would attempt a counterattack.

But his counters were too rushed and weak, posing no threat to Situ Fang.

Everyone expected Cang Sheng to lose quickly.

But to their surprise, Cang Sheng teetered on the edge of defeat, yet stubbornly held on.

The battle gradually reached a critical point.

Situ Fang kept attacking but couldn't land a decisive blow on Cang Sheng, whose footwork and swordsmanship were top-notch.

Meanwhile, Cang Sheng's constant defense and evasion were slowly wearing Situ Fang down.

"Situ Fang can't seem to hit Cang Sheng."

"Could Cang Sheng actually win against a stronger opponent?"

"If Situ Fang loses to someone weaker and injured, it would be a huge blow to his pride!"

The crowd buzzed with speculation.

Hearing the murmurs and seeing that he couldn't defeat Cang Sheng, Situ Fang grew increasingly frustrated.

Cang Sheng was like a monkey, constantly dodging his attacks.

To Situ Fang, this wasn't a real man's fight.

Cang Sheng was nothing but a coward.

"Cang Sheng, I thought you'd fight like a man, but you're just running around like a stray dog. Fine, don't blame me for going all out!"

With that, Situ Fang activated his blade technique.

A powerful sword intent enveloped his broadsword—he was now intent on killing.

At first.

Situ Fang had held back, thinking his higher cultivation level was enough.

But Cang Sheng's evasive tactics had humiliated him in front of his family.

Now, he would show no mercy.

Hearing this, Cang Sheng's heart raced.

Situ Fang's earlier attacks had already pushed him to his limits.

Now.

With Situ Fang going all out, the situation would only get worse.

As this thought crossed Cang Sheng's mind.

Situ Fang's storm-like attacks came crashing down.

Situ Qingyi, seeing this, was terrified.

She burst into tears, begging her father to spare Cang Sheng.

Cang Sheng fought with all his might, but he couldn't avoid getting cut by the blade's energy.

"Clang! Clang! Clang..."

The broadsword struck his sword repeatedly, leaving notches on the blade.

Each strike carried a powerful sword intent, making Cang Sheng's defense even harder.

Situ Fang's eyes were cold, a cruel smile on his lips.

His hair whipped around as he spun like a top, slashing wildly at Cang Sheng.

In the midst of his desperate dodging.

Cang Sheng caught a glimpse of Situ Qingyi, pleading with her father.

At that moment.

Cang Sheng's heart burned with resentment, shame, and determination.

No!

He absolutely could not lose.

He wanted to marry the girl he loved, to take care of her for the rest of his life.

In this moment.

Yi Feng's words echoed in his mind.

"Cang Sheng, life only happens once. Don't leave regrets."

"Cang Sheng, believe in yourself. You can do it!"

"Cang Sheng, only with a focused mind can you achieve unity between man and sword!"

Memories flashed through Cang Sheng's mind.

Unconsciously, he closed his eyes, relying on his senses to fend off the relentless attacks.

"What's going on? Why did Cang Sheng close his eyes?"

"Has he given up?"

"No, he's still blocking the attacks!"

"This is ridiculous! Cang Sheng is dodging Situ Fang's attacks by sensing them?!"

The crowd was stunned.

Only Yi Feng smiled faintly.