Chapter 763: The Ultimate Showdown

"After two rounds of competition spanning half a month, we have finally determined the three most outstanding sword teams: the Central Court Sword Team, the East Court Sword Team, and the Central Court Second Team!"

"For the third round's battle for the top three, the rules have been slightly adjusted. Each match will be decided in a single battle, with no best-of-three format."

Tong Chengtai made the official announcement, giving a brief introduction to the three qualifying teams and outlining the competition rules. Then, with a chuckle, he said, "I'm sure everyone is eager to begin, so I won't keep you waiting. The three teams will now draw lots to decide the match order."

Soon, the team captains stepped forward for the draw. Luo Hong of the Central Court Second Team drew the first slot.

The first match would pit the Central Court Second Team against the East Court Sword Team.

Without wasting any time, Luo Hong straightforwardly chose to forfeit.

No one had expected much from this match anyway, so there was no point in dragging it out.

Next, the Central Court Second Team was set to face the Central Court Sword Team.

Once again, Luo Hong opted to surrender. Since they had already forfeited against the East Court Sword Team, there was no reason to waste their energy fighting their own academy's main team.

With Luo Hong's consecutive forfeits, the Central Court Second Team naturally secured third place. The final championship would now be decided between the East Court Sword Team and the Central Court Sword Team.

For the Central Court Second Team, third place was already a respectable achievement.

"

Haha,

we get to jump straight to the most anticipated final! Well done, Captain Luo!"

"Captain Luo is certainly a decisive man!"

Rather than mocking the Central Court Second Team for their forfeits, the audience praised Luo Hong's pragmatism.

"Very well. Since the Central Court Second Team's captain has chosen to forfeit the first two matches, we now invite the East Court Sword Team and the Central Court Sword Team to take the stage. You have the time it takes to drink a cup of tea to discuss your lineup and tactics!"

Tong Chengtai smiled faintly before leaping back to his seat.

"According to our original plan, Xiaofan, you'll take Gong Cheng's position. As for Qianxue, it's still not time for you to reveal yourself."

Gu Tengfeng cast a brief, apologetic glance at Mu Qianxue. Though she had joined the East Court Sword Team months ago, she had never taken part in official matches, training sessions, or even the Blood Arena drills.

"I understand the captain's intentions." Mu Qianxue offered a faint smile before turning to Ling Feng, her teeth lightly clenched. "Big Brother Ling, give it your all—you have to win!"

"

Mm-hmm.

We will."

Ling Feng nodded firmly before casting a grateful look at Gu Tengfeng.

If Mu Qianxue had been fielded in today's finals, their chances of victory would have increased significantly, making the match much easier.

Yet Gu Tengfeng had chosen to keep her hidden. Ling Feng knew this decision was largely for his sake—by preserving Mu Qianxue as their trump card, the East Court Sword Team would have the element of surprise when facing the Royal Sword Team.

"Boss Gu, Brother Feng, everyone! Give it your all! You can't afford to lose!"

Lin Mochen looked solemnly at each teammate, even emotionally embracing them one by one. Just as Gu Tengfeng was moved and about to say something heartfelt, Lin Mochen suddenly bowed deeply.

"Brothers and sisters, I've bet everything I have—even my underpants—on this match! If you lose, I won't even have pants to wear for the rest of my life!"

Gu Tengfeng's eye twitched violently as he visibly struggled to suppress his urge to throttle Lin Mochen.

Even Ling Feng felt a strong impulse to drag the guy out and beat him senseless.

"Boss Gu, everyone, I may not have much to give in everyday life, but if we win this match, I've decided to donate my prized collection of—

Hey!

Where are you going? I haven't finished yet!"

Yu Sixian had barely begun his grand speech when Gu Tengfeng and the others, unimpressed, rolled their eyes and walked onto the stage, leaving him completely ignored.

Given Yu Sixian's reputation, it didn't take a genius to guess what his "treasured collection" entailed.

Finally, the two teams stood ready on the platform. Even before the match began, the atmosphere in the arena had already reached a boiling point.

"It seems the East Court Sword Team has introduced another newcomer—a student who enrolled at Tianwei Academy the same year as Ling Feng. Captain Gu has swapped out the so-called 'Strategist' Gong Cheng for this rookie. Could he possess some unique ability?"

"Without a doubt. This is a single-match decider—there's no way Gu Tengfeng would risk such an important battle to train a newcomer. This rookie must be yet another hidden ace of the East Court Sword Team!"

"But the Central Court Sword Team is just as formidable. Their captain, Li Yunting, is already a powerhouse, but Mu Liufeng is even more terrifying. After his last defeat at the hands of Tianyang Empire's Li Xue—who relied on underhanded tactics—he seems to have made another significant breakthrough. Just look at his aura now—it's even more overwhelming than Captain Li Yunting's!"

"Either way, this match is going to be incredible!"

...

Li Yunting took a deep breath and clasped his hands in salute toward Gu Tengfeng. "Brother Gu, I've waited years for this match between us. First, congratulations on finally finding teammates worthy of standing beside you!"

"Brother Li, our families have been close for generations, yet I've always been chasing after your shadow. But this time, I just might be the one to defeat you!"

Gu Tengfeng laughed heartily. Though their exchange appeared cordial, the undercurrent of rivalry was unmistakable.

After the formalities, the referee raised his voice and shouted, "The battle for the top three—East Court Sword Team versus Central Court Sword Team—begins now!"

Whoosh!

The moment the announcement rang out, the entire audience held their breath, their eyes locked onto the sword fighting platform, afraid to miss even a single moment of the action.

"After you!"

"After you!"

The two captains saluted each other once more before swiftly issuing orders to their teams.

"Xiaofan, Xiaolin's safety rests entirely on you. Your only duty is this—let no one breach your defense!"

Gu Tengfeng turned to Jiang Xiaofan and spoke gravely.

"Understood!"

Jiang Xiaofan immediately retreated to the flag-guarding area behind Xue Xiaolin, standing firm as her protector.

Though Xue Xiaolin's healing abilities were valuable to the team, her offensive and defensive capabilities were relatively weak, necessitating a dedicated guardian.

Jiang Xiaofan was the perfect choice for this role.

While his speed was decent against ordinary opponents, it paled in comparison to the geniuses of the East Court Sword Team—a flaw now exposed.

Of course, this was an inevitable trade-off brought about by the Xuanwu bloodline, which granted him unparalleled defensive power at the cost of reducing the effectiveness of any movement arts by about thirty percent.

Such was the balance of gain and loss.