Teng Xiao stood up, adopting an attitude of rigorous preparation.
His entire body was tense, as if he were facing a life-or-death enemy.
"If you are my brother, come and strike me."
As soon as he finished speaking.
*Smack!*
There was another loud slapping sound.
Teng Xiao knelt on the ground, hands pressed together, catching the ice blade hovering above his head.
He froze for a few seconds, then forced a smile: "Haha, not bad, you made me use ten percent of my strength. Few on the Xianzhou can rival you. Next, I will use twenty percent, so you must be careful."
Teng Xiao stood up, and Oliver helplessly swung his sword.
*Smack!*
Teng Xiao knelt again.
He stood up, laughing: "Not bad, not bad. Next, I will use sixty percent of my strength. We can test where your limit lies."
Oliver looked speechless. "Do you want to continue?"
Teng Xiao pretended to be confident: "Do not worry, I will control my strength so I do not hurt you."
Little did he know, the people nearby were all suppressing their laughter.
They wanted to laugh but dared not make a sound, afraid of embarrassing Teng Xiao.
Oliver had no choice but to swing his sword again.
*Smack!*
Teng Xiao: "Very good, very good. To make me use sixty percent of my strength for defense, you truly are a Sword Immortal. Next, I will use seventy percent."
*Smack!*
"Ninety percent."
*Smack!*
Teng Xiao started sweating profusely.
He pondered inwardly: He was already using full defense, yet he still had no resistance whatsoever. What kind of sword technique was this?
If he used his full power, or even summoned the Divine General, and still knelt, he would completely lose all face.
Having figured everything out, Teng Xiao stood up with a smile: "The Sword Immortal's technique is truly extraordinary and admirable. It was exhilarating to witness your high skill today, but the hour is late. Shall we stop here?"
Seeing that the Great General was actively looking for an out, Oliver naturally did not contradict him.
After all, he had knelt to him so many times.
Oliver himself felt a little embarrassed.
"Yes, that was my intention. Executing the Immortal's Kneel also consumes a lot of mental energy, and I am a bit tired. Especially when using it on a powerhouse like General Teng Xiao, it requires even more effort. I can no longer strike the sword."
This statement truly cemented Teng Xiao's face for him.
He beamed widely: "Not at all, General Oliver's future achievements are bound to be extraordinary."
Teng Xiao genuinely wanted to be friends with Oliver.
To save face for him like this—he was simply too kind!
While the two were exchanging polite flattery.
The onlookers realized: "So the two Generals were having a match, and General Teng Xiao was defending against the opponent's sword."
"The two Generals are so powerful! After the match, they did not even damage the venue."
"It seems General Teng Xiao has the upper hand. He hasn't even used his full strength, yet the Sword Immortal is already unable to make a move."
Hearing these discussions, Jing Yuan remained silent.
He could naturally tell that Oliver hadn't exerted any effort at all.
He just swung his sword normally; it couldn't even be considered an attack. So why would it leave General Teng Xiao unable to parry?
"Why? There was no energy fluctuation, not even a ripple. Could it be some kind of rule-based power?"
"As long as he swings his sword, the opponent will definitely receive it on their knees."
He speculated thus.
Yingxing's admiration for Oliver grew even stronger.
On his slightly aged face, a look of longing and aspiration appeared.
Teng Xiao and Oliver exchanged compliments for a while.
Only then did Teng Xiao pull Oliver into a corner to whisper privately.
"Brother, can I discuss something with you?"
Teng Xiao looked around, then leaned toward Oliver's ear and whispered, "Your apprentice, Jingliu, is definitely going to win the championship. So, when she faces Jing Yuan in the final, could she perhaps fight for a bit longer?"
Oliver naturally understood that this guy wanted to save some face for the Xianzhou Luofu.
In such a grand martial arts competition, having the Xianzhou Luofu's defending swordsman instantly defeated in one move would clearly be very embarrassing.
"It can be done."
Oliver smiled and asked, "How much money are you planning to bet?"
Teng Xiao: "How much per round?"
Oliver: "Emmm, how about this, a fixed price. Give me ten percent of the Xianzhou Luofu's income for the next three years, and I'll let Jing Yuan fight three hundred rounds."
Teng Xiao: "Hiss—ten percent. That's a bit expensive."
Oliver: "Where is it expensive? A Reach Heaven Agent has always cost this much."
After careful consideration, Teng Xiao agreed.
Compared to minor material possessions, the Xianzhou Luofu's reputation was more important.
At worst, they could just conquer a few more planets filled with Evil Creatures and earn extra money to cover the cost.
After the two finished their discussion, Teng Xiao arranged for them to go to the Star-Gazing Ship's viewing platform.
After Oliver sat down, he called Jingliu over and whispered in her ear, "When you face Jing Yuan, hold back a little. Fight him for three hundred rounds—no, make it four hundred. Consider the extra hundred a bonus."
Jingliu, already aware of the situation, immediately asked, "How much did you charge?"
Oliver: "Ten percent of the Xianzhou Luofu's income for three years. Since I'm just going easy on him, I didn't feel right asking for too much."
Jingliu nodded and smiled, "Alright, I'll listen to you."
She didn't care about going easy; as long as Oliver was happy, she would comply.
After a long time passed.
It was finally time for the opening ceremony of the martial arts convention.
Following a series of flowery speeches, the competition began.
Jingliu's first opponent was a man from an unknown planet.
Outside the arena, there were cameras everywhere, as the Interstellar Peace Corporation always came to broadcast the event live.
"If Jingliu had not been born, the way of the sword would be an eternal night."
This icy declaration entered the ears of the audience, immediately causing a sensation.
The crowd watched as the pure, cold Immortal Maiden stepped on ice crystals, each step bringing a chill.
The sheer aura of her entrance immediately overwhelmed her opponent.
"What a powerful presence! Is this the legendary Moonlight Sword Immortal?"
"The way of the sword would be an eternal night—Oh my heavens, that's incredibly domineering!"
"If she doesn't win after an entrance like that, I'll eat dirt while standing on my head!"
Countless spectators were ignited by Jingliu's aura, their blood boiling with excitement.
Even her opponent felt a chill run down his spine.
Naturally, the result was an overwhelming victory in a single sword strike.
The second match.
"I, Jingliu, possess only one sword strike, capable of moving mountains, severing rivers, overturning seas, subjugating demons, suppressing devils, commanding gods, plucking stars, destroying cities, and opening the heavens!"
Instant kill with one sword strike.
The third match.
"This sword strike of mine, honed for a thousand years, can cleave the stars."
Instant kill with one sword strike.
The fourth match.
"Below an Emanator, I am invincible. Above an Emanator, I trade one for one."
Instant kill with one sword strike.
In every match, Jingliu's entrance was incredibly imposing, raising her prestige significantly.
She directly pressured her opponents until they couldn't breathe.
Where else had people from other planets seen such a boastful style?
Many people were won over by Jingliu, becoming her fans and firmly believing she would be the champion.
"Moonlight Sword Immortal is invincible!"
"She defeats everyone in one strike. She's too strong! Is this the power of a Reach Heaven Agent?"
"She's beautiful, aloof, and powerful. I love her so much!"
"I am Jingliu's dog!"
"..."
Seeing Jingliu's aura and her extremely arrogant declarations, Teng Xiao couldn't help but ask Oliver, "Brother, isn't your apprentice a little too arrogant?"
Oliver smiled calmly, "If she weren't arrogant, would she still be called a young person?"
He certainly hadn't expected that his casual teaching back then would turn Jingliu into this kind of person. He felt truly guilty.
Teng Xiao was speechless.
Both of you are thousand-year-old monsters. Are you still calling yourselves young people?
He was also curious. Most Xianzhou people fall into mara at around 800 years old.
Very few remain lucid past 900 years old.
Oliver and Jingliu are both thirteen hundred years old. How can they still be so lively, showing no signs of falling into mara at all?
During the fifth match.
Jingliu encountered a red-haired man.
Oliver searched his Remembrance and finally recalled that he was from Jarilo-VI.
The boxer who ran out seeking help to save his hometown.
Igorhaft.