Chapter 176 - 174: Number One in Donglai
"What you say has some merit, but I can’t just accept challenges unconditionally." Song Changming picked up the challenge letter, thought it over, and felt he should set some rules for himself.
"Let’s increase the challenge cost a bit. Spread the word that anyone who wants to challenge me must add ten Han Gold as the stake. The winner takes all."
Ten Han Gold is roughly equal to a thousand silver.
For ordinary people, it might be a lifetime’s earnings.
Even for usual martial artists, it’s considered a significant sum.
And for martial art powerhouses qualified to challenge Song Changming, it’s also not an insignificant amount.
This stake also gave Song Changming more motivation to accept challenges. After all, it was a way to earn money based on his skills.
One challenge equals ten Han Gold.
Ten challenges would mean an income of ten thousand silver!
With this earning speed, picking up money from the ground wouldn’t be as fast!
Of course, he must keep winning. Otherwise, one loss and not only would the money be gone, he might not even hold his place on the Earth List.
Losing would mean losing both fame and fortune to some extent.
Soon, the news spread.
Although it required preparing an additional ten Han Gold, many martial art experts eager to challenge him were still tempted.
Under Song Ping’an’s arrangement, the next day, Song Changming ascended the Martial Arts Assessment Platform in the county city.
The opponent wasn’t specially selected; it was the Yellow Springs Sword brother who sent the challenge letter yesterday.
The duel was scheduled for the afternoon. Perhaps the opponent intentionally leaked the information, attracting a crowd early on outside the platform.
There were curious ordinary citizens and numerous Jianghu martial artists stopping by.
With Song Changming holding the title of an Earth List expert, they were curious to see how strong he really was.
As the challenger, the Yellow Springs Sword was already posing on the platform, waiting patiently.
Song Changming did not flaunt and arrived on time.
"He’s here! He’s here!"
"Hero Song is righteous! Saving Donglai County City from peril!"
"Hero Song, thank you..."
"..."
After Zhuji Pavilion publicized what he did, even many commoners heard about it, expressing immense gratitude to Song Changming.
Some even knelt on the spot, weeping with gratitude.
This made Song Changming feel uncomfortable.
The people were simple and only knew this way to express their gratitude, unaware that it seemed like Song Changming came here today for a commendation ceremony.
Even the challenger on the platform was taken aback. Originally, when he saw Song Changming’s youthful appearance, he wanted to mock this young lad.
However, given the current situation, he couldn’t utter a word, afraid that any disrespect would lead to being pelted with rotten fruits and vegetables.
What to do now...
This situation made it hard to fight. The ignited tension was extinguished instantly.
Even some out-of-town martial artists looking for a good show exchanged looks, wondering if this home advantage was a bit too much...
"Please, get up." Song Changming said helplessly, signaling to Song Ping’an beside him.
Song Ping’an understood and quickly ran over, helping the kneeling people up one by one.
After managing to control the scene, Song Changming finally stepped onto the platform.
"Younger Brother Song sure has some tricks, bringing this group to support..." Yellow Springs Sword, Gu sangao, said with a half-smile.
Song Changming was speechless, "I don’t know which fool spread the news about our duel everywhere, making it unpleasant for themselves."
"..." Gu sangao twitched his mouth, realizing it was indeed his doing.
He thought that if he didn’t defeat Song Changming publicly, how could he step over him to rise?
Unexpectedly, the public reaction was so big, making the duel seem nonsensical from the start.
"Let’s get started." Song Changming didn’t want to waste much time with public appearances, intending to get straight to the point, nonchalantly tossing the money bag containing ten Han Gold to the side of the stage.
"Refreshing!" Gu sangao snorted, straightforwardly tossing his own money bag over.
Whoever won would claim the stake.
"Is this Dragon Blade Guest capable? Why does he look so young?"
"Hmph, if he’s not capable, then no one is."
"Friend, you must be from out of town. You saw what just happened; this Dragon Blade, Song Changming, achieved fame while still young. Now, he is considered one of the most celebrated martial prodigies in Donglai Prefecture. His strength is definitely first-class, no doubt about it."
"Then you must not know Yellow Springs Sword, Gu Sangao. With one hand wielding the Biluo Huangquan Sword, he reached the Mastery Realm long ago. Back then, he attacked Black Wind Stronghold alone with just a sword, such heroic demeanor..."
"Regardless, Zhuji Pavilion rarely gets it wrong. Song Changming can enter the Earth List, while Yellow Springs Sword cannot, and that is an indisputable fact."
"I don’t think so. Compared to Gu Sangao, this Dragon Blade Guest looks too young. He may show his power in Donglai Prefecture, but once he steps out, he definitely won’t stand a chance..."
"..."
Beside the Martial Arts Assessment Platform, many martial artists crossed their arms, discussing fervently.
Overall, the local martial artists mostly believed Song Changming could win.
Those from out of town, unfamiliar with Song Changming, didn’t have much confidence in him.
One main reason being that Song Changming looks too young.
Though Song Changming is already thirty-two this year, his appearance still resembles that of someone in their twenties.
Without any facial hair, the first impression often leads people to subconsciously underestimate him.
Song Changming had exceptional hearing and could clearly hear the doubts expressed by many martial artists around him.
Most believed he could only rule in small places but would falter on a grand stage.
He didn’t mind it at all.
Whether he could handle high-level competitions would soon be seen.
The two saluted each other as a start for this martial contest.
In the next instant, Gu Sangao’s Sword Momentum soared into the sky as he stepped forward, charging directly at Song Changming.
He fully unleashed his Yellow Springs Sword in one hand.
Although he had previously taunted Song Changming, he was well aware that being included in the Earth List by Zhuji Pavilion meant Song Changming’s strength was not to be underestimated.
Thus, he went all out with no reserves.
With Extreme Realm body refining cultivation, he had already made a name for himself in Jianghu, often able to easily overpower most martial artists with his strength.
He believed his strength deserved a place on the Earth List, but unfortunately, reality differed greatly from his expectations.
Song Changming didn’t use inner qi, but simply thrust his saber forward.
Under the raging saber wind, the charging Gu Sangao was directly blown away, landing with a thud outside the Martial Arts Assessment Platform under the watchful eyes of many.
With just one strike, he defeated this Dusk Sword, a result that left many people dumbfounded.
"I told you so, although the Dragon Blade Guest rarely picks fights, he always amazes everyone whenever he does!"
"In those days, who didn’t know the young prodigy of the Public Security Department, causing countless big thieves to retreat without daring to act rashly. Now, after many years of retirement, he has risen once again to make the world aware of his extraordinary elegance!"
The local martial artists supporting Song Changming were thrilled at this moment.
Whatever the Yellow Springs Sword’s world-renowned reputation, now it was nothing but a joke.
"Just an Extreme Realm Body Refinement strength..."
On the Martial Arts Assessment Platform, Song Changming, who had just put away his saber, felt somewhat disappointed but then realized it was only normal.
Typically, Extreme Realm Martial Artists could already roam Jianghu freely, considered by many martial artists as the pinnacle of martial prowess!
Just like Liu Dingsheng back in the day, who earned his heroic thief reputation through his Extreme Realm skills, becoming well-known far and wide.
As for Qi Refining, due to the rigorous threshold, it remains like an unattainable dream.
Even those aware of Qi Refiners are few, let alone those who actually reach the Qi Refining Realm among martial artists, making them extremely rare in Jianghu!
Without special occasions or major events, Song Changming setting up a simple platform and encountering a Qi Refining Martial Artist was only a slim chance.
Thinking of this, Song Changming felt much more at ease.
If only clueless Extreme Realm Martial Artists came to challenge him, it basically meant they were just there to deliver Han Gold.
With a flick of his long saber, two money bags by the edge of the platform landed with Song Ping’an.
"Let’s go."
"Alright, Brother Song." Song Ping’an grinned happily.
Song Changming had achieved a triumphant success today, and he seemed even happier than Song Changming himself.
As for the Yellow Springs Sword, although not severely injured, he had long since left dejectedly, unwilling to continue embarrassing himself.
Some challengers who underestimated Song Changming also calmed down, quietly withdrawing their battle invitations.
Even veterans like the Yellow Springs Sword met their downfall here, and were indignantly defeated in an instant; naturally, they had to reconsider their stance.
After this battle, Song Changming’s fame in Jianghu rose to a new level.
Rumors were even circulating, saying in terms of strength, he was already the number one martial artist in Donglai Prefecture!