Nightmare’s Call

Lin Sheng tried it a couple more times, and very quickly, he managed to figure it out.

The Ashen Seal of the Sanctuary not only provided his flesh with protection, but it also gave him an overall increase in strength.

His skin, muscles, bones… Everything was strengthened.

So, no matter what he did, whether it was smashing a tree or stabbing himself, there were no signs of bone injury.

After he trained a while longer, it was already dark.

Lin Sheng then packed his stuff up and headed home.

Back at home, Lin Senior was all smiles as his business seemed to be on the uptick.

His mother, too, had resumed her normal work, and their financial situation had improved significantly.

Lin Sheng was also relieved at that.

In his dream over the next few days, he did not leave the Valent Sanctum. He simply meditated on the Ashen Seal.

He planned to just focus on meditation and expected the defensive capabilities given by the Ashen Seal to hit a ceiling.

Otherwise, the Valent Sanctum would have been invincible, and they would have had no need for any ordinary paladins. They could have just gotten a few to learn the Ashen Seal, and they would be able to run rampant all over Blackfeather City.

The days passed by, and finally, the swordsmanship tournament arrived.

…

April 13th, Huaisha City Third Indoor Sports Complex.

Half of the wide sports complex was empty, and long rectangular mats were only laid in the far right corner.

The mats formed a ring, and at the center of the ring was a square platform with wire fencing.

Dark red planks were laid on the floor as a few workers in yellow uniform inspected the place.

Lin Sheng and Russell walked in front while Madillan and Shayeen followed closely behind.

They were led by someone along the side of the complex.

The person leading them was a staff member of the tournament. He was a balding middle-aged man in a gray suit named Li Heng.

“The venue is part of the stadium complex because there aren’t many participants in Huaisha City, so I do hope you understand.”

“If things go smoothly, the tournament will end by noon,” he said with a calm smile. It was obvious he was the peacemaker sort of character.

He then started to explain matters pertaining to the competition.

Russell was walking next to Lin Sheng, looking about. All of a sudden, his eyes brightened, and he pointed into the distance.

“Look, the other participants!”

Lin Sheng looked over in the direction he was pointing to.

There was a group of people across the hall that was being led by a staff member into the venue.

Chen Huan was one of them, and next to her was that big sister character, Xu Yi who had helped him register for the tournament. Behind them were a few youngsters, who appeared to be normal trainees.

Chen Huan was clad in white protective garb with her hair tied up into a ponytail. She looked poised and graceful. She had her helmet in her hand, and her expression was cold.

Lin Sheng swept his gaze past her, landing it on another team that was being led in.

The team only consisted of two people who were probably siblings. Both had golden hair and blue eyes, while their bodies were well-toned.

The gentleman especially had a powerful posture. He was wearing a similar protective garb while holding a straight sword without its scabbard.

Lin Sheng squinted a little and had a feeling that the man was no pushover.

He had absorbed part of the rotten swordsmen’s memories, retaining the ability to gauge his opponents as a result.

He could discern his opponent’s steps, movements, awareness, and more to have an idea of his or her combat ability.

“Looks like we’re not without strong opponents.” Lin Sheng’s senses kicked into overdrive.

Soon, the staff members brought all the teams around the arena over, and they sat on the prepared mats.

A banner was soon unveiled from the second floor, reading “Congratulations on the hosting of the Seventh National Amateur Swordsmanship Tournament” .

Lin Sheng, as well as the rest, sat down. Not long after, Chen Huan and her entourage also sat on the mat not too far away.

There were ten teams in total circling the tournament arena, and they could see one another with ease.

Chen Huan gave Lin Sheng a powerful stare for a moment, her eyes about to pop out in the process.

However, a moment later, she shifted her gaze to a golden-haired man, as though she was facing her nemesis.

Lin Sheng sat down cross-legged as he placed his longsword beside him.

“Who’s that guy?”

“Caeser Carmie, a wealthy local businessman. He’s pretty into this. Before you were here, it was he who challenged Chen Huan.”

Lin Sheng nodded in understanding.

The golden-haired youth, Caeser seemed to have noticed his gaze, and he turned over with a friendly smile.

Lin Sheng returned it with an impassive nod as a sign of respect.

Shortly after, the host went up the stage to test the mic as a deafening song started to play.

“I’m very pleased to present to you on this very fine day, here, in Huaisha City’s third-largest indoor sports complex, the Seventh National Amateur Swordsmanship Tournament!”

Following that was a whole load of crap on thanking the sponsors.

“Not even a dozen spectators… What a farce of a tournament,” Russell mumbled in a corner.

“Well, getting a trophy for bragging rights isn’t all that bad.” Lin Sheng chuckled.

After a ton of crap talk later, the swordsmanship preliminary bouts commenced.

There were ten teams in total, and they drew lots for the one-on-one bout. The winner would advance, while the loser would go home.

It was rather straight forward; once you lost, you lost, there were no second chances.

Over on Lin Sheng’s side, Shayeen went ahead with the other teams to draw lots.

Looking down at her lot, she discovered she had drawn a number five.

“The fifth match, neither good nor bad. We’ll just have to see who the opponent is now.” Shayeen demurred.

The opponent would be another team that had drawn a number five as well.

“Well then, the first match will begin, please get on stage. Those who are hit three times will lose, including those who are no longer able to compete.” The host announced.

Lin Sheng sat down and saw two men walk up the wooden stage, facing one another.

The referee then stood in between them.

*Ding!*

The bell struck!

And the referee executed a chopping motion, signaling the start of the bout.

The two of them immediately slid into a roof guard.

However, the difference was that one was in a side guard with his blade lined vertically against his ear, while the other was in high guard with his blade over his head.

The roof guard was a very common and popular stance because it was easy to execute an overhead strike from that stance.

Nonetheless, the moment Lin Sheng saw their footwork, he shook his head.

Both of their steps were floaty, and one even stood in a normal manner. Both of them were walking with parallel steps… whereby both of their feet were in a straight line.

With that stance plus the floatiness of their steps, it looked like they would fall from a mere gust of wind.

“Master, how are these two?” Madillan whispered from the back.

Lin Sheng did not answer. He simply shook his head.

And as expected…

The two yelled a battle cry before they struck each other with an overhead cut.

*Uff!*

The taller person struck first due to his longer hands, and his opponent lay crumpled on the floor.

Just like that, the battle was over.

It was fought with mere brute force!

A handful of claps was heard, and the victor quickly left the stage as the second bout commenced.

As usual, the one with the longer arms won.