It should be noted that many children of spirit masters possess a certain aptitude for cultivation, but that does not necessarily mean they can pass the three entrance trials. Therefore, since the second generation headmaster, the Sun and Moon Profound Sect has established the Spirit Gathering Class, bringing together all qualified children of spirit masters to teach them the ways of the spirit master in advance. As for the position of outer sect elder, it can barely be considered high-ranking and influential, but it’s not really a big deal. Especially the transmission elders—there are over a hundred of them.

As for the Tianzhu Huangfu family, it’s merely a mid-tier spirit master clan on Tianzhu Mountain.

This was just a little brat who hadn’t grown up yet, showing off his family background to him. If not for the sake of Emily, David Bolton wouldn’t even bother to respond.

But after that, he really didn’t have the time to bother. This Matthew Cooper, in front of Emily Clark, still had to maintain his poise and manners, so his words remained fairly gentle. But after just a few exchanges, the seventy-fifth platform called his name.

Chapter 0004: Divine Sword, Mad Blade

“Platform seventy-five, huh?”

Matthew Cooper raised his sword-like brows, then smiled: “What a coincidence, I’m also on platform seventy-five. But to face you, Brother Bolton, I’ll have to wait until after the third match. I hope by then, I’ll still get to meet you, so we can spar.”

Of course David Bolton could hear the veiled barbs in that sentence, but he didn’t care, simply tidying his robe and carefully checking the long blade “Qiulan” at his waist.

Emily Clark looked conflicted. She hoped David Bolton could win this time and stay to enter the Profound Sect with her, but she knew this hope was extremely slim, and worried that David Bolton would be heartbroken afterward, making it even harder to meet in the future.

In the end, all her words turned into a single sentence: “Brother David, be careful. It’s better to lose than to get yourself hurt.”

Robert Carter nodded in strong agreement: “Junior Sister Clark is right! Even if you don’t pass this time, there’s still the outer sect. Our Profound Sect selects disciples from the outer sect every ten years—it’s not like there’s no chance. David Bolton, you can’t ruin yourself.”

David Bolton sighed inwardly, not even bothering to reply, and walked straight toward platform seventy-five. As he ascended the stage from the left, his opponent also stepped up from the opposite side.

His opponent was a boy of about fourteen, with a rather handsome face, dressed in a flowing white robe, carrying a long sword, his clothes fluttering, giving him an elegant air. Unfortunately, the pimples on his forehead spoiled the picturesque scene.

Seeing this, David Bolton immediately felt relieved. He had been worried his opponent would be seventeen or eighteen, and that losing to him would mean not even getting a chance in the losers’ bracket, missing out on any opportunity to advance.

The preparation time was about sixty breaths, and the boy across from David Bolton looked proud: “You are David Bolton? Do you know who I am?”

David Bolton was momentarily stunned, thinking, “How does a fourteen-year-old kid dare to call himself ‘this seat’?” Then he asked, puzzled, “May I ask your name, brother?”

“I am the Divine Sword of the Ten Absolutes, David Foster, the number one swordsman of Jiulipo!”

The boy lifted his chin slightly: “Meeting me today is your misfortune!”

David Bolton almost burst out laughing, thinking his first opponent was really quite a character. But then he was touched by a memory, recalling his own youth as Henry Spencer, when his personality was even more eccentric than this boy’s.

At that thought, David Bolton suddenly felt playful, his gaze sharpening: “So you’re the Divine Sword of the Ten Absolutes? I’ve long heard of your great name!”

He then flicked his robe with a flourish, adopting an arrogant posture: “It’s too soon to call it misfortune. I am David Bolton, known as the Mad Blade! To battle the Divine Sword of Jiulipo today is truly an honor.”

“Mad Blade? Never heard of it.”

The boy snorted lightly, drawing his sword with a seemingly casual motion: “No matter. Today I’ll experience Brother Bolton’s martial arts and see if you live up to the name Mad Blade!”

David Bolton laughed heartily, suddenly sweeping his sleeve and striking the hilt of his blade. Spiritual energy vibrated, sending the long blade flying from its sheath, spinning several times in the air and flashing with cold light before landing in his hand after a few breaths.

“Then, Brother Foster, be careful. The blade in my hand is a peerless weapon—three feet nine inches long, weighing nine jin and seven liang, able to cut hair with a single blow!”

David Foster watched David Bolton’s series of flashy moves, looking dumbfounded, his eyes full of envy and frustration.

But he quickly recovered, twirling his sword in response: “This sword is forged from fine iron from three thousand zhang underground, three feet four inches long, weighing eight jin and three liang, able to slice through iron like mud. Brother Bolton, be careful as well!”

At this moment, beneath the stage, Emily Clark, watching from twenty zhang away, couldn’t help but cover her eyes, unable to bear the sight. She thought, “What’s gotten into my Brother David now?”

Divine Sword, Mad Blade—don’t they feel any shame? So many people are watching.

Matthew Cooper watched, dumbfounded, then sneered: “This Brother Bolton really is an interesting person.”

Robert Carter just shook his head slightly: “Looks like we’ll really have to send this Brother Bolton down the mountain soon. I’ve heard a bit about this David Foster—the number one swordsman of Jiulipo is no exaggeration. In the Sun and Moon Martial Hall of Jiulipo, he’s nearly invincible. This guy also has good spirit master talent and has already been recommended to the Spirit Gathering Class to study the ways of the spirit master in advance. But even if he doesn’t go to your side, getting into the inner sect is almost a sure thing for him.”