Daniel Morgan sneered inwardly. His cultivation had reached the minor achievement stage of internal energy. Although he had not yet fused his internal energy into one or transformed the illusory into the real to form true qi, it was not difficult for him to unleash the killing move “Boundless Falling Leaves Rustle Down” from the Celestial Sword Technique. With this sword move, he was certain to seize the first victory, enhance the prestige of the Xiao Sect, and dampen the momentum of the Green Bamboo Sect.

“James Harris, be careful!”

With this thought, Daniel Morgan couldn’t wait any longer and called out, then swiftly drew his sword. Instantly, a chilling sword light illuminated all directions.

“Ah... this... this Daniel Morgan... is actually this powerful!?”

Seeing Daniel Morgan draw his sword and display swordsmanship and footwork that were almost impossible for ordinary people to follow, Olivia Bennett’s pretty little face was filled with shock.

As a young woman, she seemed to have never been exposed to the world of blades and swords.

Or perhaps...

The declining The Bennett Family, though still holding a noble title, could no longer afford to hire any truly skilled experts as guards.

“Brother Carter, you’ve practiced swordsmanship for years and are highly skilled. This time, you must wield your sword for Miss Clark, clear the obstacles, and surely your cultivation is impressive. In your opinion, who do you think will win between these two?”

Olivia Bennett watched the two in the arena exchange blows, back and forth, her face full of wonder and excitement. Raised as a proper lady, she had never witnessed such a fierce scene.

“James Harris, I suppose.”

Liam Carter glanced casually at the arena and replied.

“Huh? But... it looks to me like Young Master Daniel Morgan clearly has a great advantage...”

Olivia Bennett said, a bit puzzled.

“I think Daniel Morgan will win too.”

At this moment, a woman’s voice, tinged with a hint of amusement, suddenly interjected.

Chapter 5: Reversal

“I think Daniel Morgan will win too.”

At this moment, a distinctly female voice, yet carrying a playful tone, suddenly interjected.

Liam Carter glanced sideways. A woman with shoulder-length short hair, looking somewhat androgynous, walked over and sat down at Liam Carter’s table.

“Sophia, what are your names, little miss and little brother?”

The woman, Sophia, introduced herself, speaking rather boldly.

“Hello, Miss Sophia, I’m Olivia Bennett.”

Olivia Bennett replied a bit shyly.

The Sophia before her exuded a rather strong aura.

“Liam Carter.”

Liam Carter remained quite calm, showing no reaction to the addition of another person at the table.

“Based on Daniel Morgan’s reactions, bodily coordination, explosive power, and speed, it can be judged that he’s already at the minor achievement stage of internal energy. Furthermore, from his use of the Celestial Sword Technique, it’s not hard to deduce that his mastery of this sword art is no less than four years. Four years of swordsmanship, combined with accomplished internal energy, means he can easily unleash the first of the three great killing moves of the Celestial Sword Technique—‘Boundless Falling Leaves Rustle Down.’ With this move, he’s more than capable of securing victory, not to mention he currently holds a significant advantage.”

Sophia explained, then directly asked, “You say James Harris can win—on what basis?”

“Just a guess.”

Liam Carter shook his head, showing no intention of elaborating.

“Just a guess?”

Sophia was a bit dissatisfied. “You keep saying you’ll wield your sword for Emily Clark, clear the way, yet you don’t even have the most basic discernment? And you’re just guessing? Could it be that what you said in the inner courtyard earlier was just to attract attention? If that’s the case, I have to tell you, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

“The inner courtyard?”

Liam Carter glanced at the woman.

She was there just now...

In the inner courtyard too?

“Utterly hopeless.”

Seeing Liam Carter’s demeanor, Sophia stood up abruptly and shot him a look of disdain. But just then, her keen eyes noticed that Liam Carter’s gaze had casually flicked toward James Harris’s right shoulder...

Almost simultaneously, Daniel Morgan’s sharp sword, accompanied by a faint whooshing sound, pierced James Harris’s right shoulder. Even though James Harris dodged extremely quickly, a bloody mark was still left, staining his clothes red.

“Huh!”

This discovery made Sophia inwardly surprised, and her body, which had been about to leave, stopped in its tracks.

“Coincidence... or...”

Sophia’s curiosity was piqued. On the surface, she was watching the duel between James Harris and Daniel Morgan, but most of her attention was now focused on Liam Carter—or rather...

On Liam Carter’s gaze.

Liam Carter didn’t seem particularly interested in the duel in the arena, but even when distracted, whenever his eyes glanced at James Harris or Daniel Morgan, he could easily discern their next attack positions.

This kind of insight is similar to how a man instinctively glances a few more times at a beautiful woman, or how a martial artist, upon seeing someone else’s sword move, can’t help but imagine how to counter it. It doesn’t mean he’s interested in the woman or wants to spar with the other person.

But...

To see through a sword move once or twice could be called coincidence, but three, four, five, or six times in a row—there’s no way that can be explained by coincidence...