Chapter 762: The Battle for the Top Three

The moon hung bright amidst sparse stars as a cool breeze rustled the trees along the riverbank, their shadows dancing upon the water.

Ling Feng and Yue Yunlan sat side by side on the embankment, each lost in their thoughts. After exchanging greetings, neither spoke, creating an oddly tense silence.

Finally, Ling Feng broke the quiet. "Miss Yue, about tomorrow—"

"Tomorrow is the finals between our Central Court and East Court sword teams," Yue Yunlan said softly, her starlit eyes meeting Ling Feng's. "Are you troubled about facing a friend in battle, Mr. Ling?"

"When we first met, you saved me from drowning. I owe you my life—I shouldn't be competing against you for anything..." Ling Feng sighed. The last thing he wanted was to raise his hand against Yue Yunlan, yet without him, East Court might lack the strength to defeat Central Court's formidable team.

"Mr. Ling," Yue Yunlan smiled gently, "seeing you hesitate because of me makes me happy. At least it proves I hold some weight in your heart."

Her expression grew serious. "But you don't need to hesitate. I'm not some petty girl who can't see the bigger picture. My teammates and I all want to win, but this is a competition—the stronger side deserves victory. Tomorrow, give it your all, because I certainly will."

"What I want is a true contest between sword teams. Win or lose, let there be no regrets."

"'No regrets'—well said!" A faint smile crossed Ling Feng's face. He'd avoided mentioning the finals these past days precisely because he didn't know how to face Yue Yunlan on that stage.

Now he realized she possessed far greater clarity than himself.

"Tomorrow, I'll give it my all." Determination flashed in Ling Feng's eyes, dispelling his lingering doubts. The coming battle would carry no burdens.

"One last thing," Yue Yunlan added almost inaudibly, cheeks faintly pink, "from a personal standpoint... I hope you win tomorrow, Mr. Ling!"

"Miss Yue..." Ling Feng froze momentarily, his heartstrings plucked by her rare bashful expression.

"But don't expect any mercy from me!" She bit her lip and playfully shook a fist at him, an uncharacteristically mischievous glint in her eyes.

"

Hahaha...

" Ling Feng laughed heartily, clasping his hands in a fist-and-palm salute. "Then I'll look forward to learning from you tomorrow, Miss Yue."

Yue Yunlan shot Ling Feng a reproachful look before deliberately changing the subject. Gritting her teeth, she said, "Tomorrow's matters can wait. Tonight, we speak only of the moon and the breeze—nothing else."

"Agreed. Only the moon and breeze."

Nodding, Ling Feng felt his spirit lift. Had he known it would be this simple, why had he agonized for days?

...

The Next Morning.

At dawn, Ling Feng and Jiang Xiaofan's group had already gathered at East Court Sword Team's training grounds.

Their boisterous supporters, led by Wang Yishan and Ouyang Jing, crowded outside the training field even earlier.

The finals of the Five Courts Sword Competition had finally arrived, and these fanatics buzzed with more excitement than the competitors themselves.

After years as the academy's weakest, East Court's sudden rise to championship contention had completely reshaped its reputation.

Once ridiculed as "trash" and "rookies," its students now walked with their heads held high and their backs straight.

Amidst their cheering entourage, East Court Sword Team marched proudly toward the central arena.

Today, every one of the sword fighting arena's tens of thousands seats was filled. This long-anticipated clash of titans would decide everything.

Though East Court had dominated their matches thus far, Central Court's reputation wasn't unearned. The coming battle promised to be legendary.

Before the match even began, rival chants already thundered through the stands:

"Ling Feng! Ling Feng!"

"Mu Liufeng! Mu Liufeng!"

"Little Sword God! Little Sword God!"

The deafening waves of support crested higher with each cry, some backing East Court, others Central Court.

By comparison, Central Court's second team—also competing for top three—received little attention. Having already lost to East Court, their rematch held little suspense. As for facing Central Court's main team? If they could win that, they wouldn't be the second team.

"The finals at last..."

General Deng sighed, glancing helplessly at his granddaughter beside him. Under her "persuasion," he'd attended every single one of East Court's matches without fail.

"Grandpa, guess who'll win today!" Deng Yongshi was already bursting with excitement, unable to sit still even before the match began.

General Deng rolled his eyes. "If I say Central Court, will you let your poor grandfather off the hook? You're so biased toward that Ling Feng brat—no guesses from me!"

Deng Yongshi's cheeks flushed pink. "Stinky grandpa! I'm not biased at all!"

Deng Xian stroked his beard, smiling knowingly.

Notably, Leng Jianfeng wasn't hiding in his usual cloak today. Instead, he stood boldly with Wang Yishan's group, loudly boasting how East Court's success was "half thanks to his training."

𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Though other mentor and instructors gritted their teeth at his shamelessness, they couldn't refute it—Ling Feng, Jiang Xiaofan, and Li Bufan had indeed been his students!

This guy was as thick-skinned as ever, bouncing back from his so-called "heartbreak" in no time. The only hint of awkwardness surfaced when he happened to meet Mentor Su Qingxuan's gaze.

Finally, as the sun climbed to its zenith, thunderous drumbeats shook the arena.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Each strike reverberated like a temple bell, resonating through the heavens.

Chief referee Tong Chengtai soared onto the stage and raised his hands. Instant silence fell.

The Five Courts Sword Competition's final battle had officially begun.