“Brother Carter, this time you guessed wrong. The Suhe Sword Sect’s Young Master Andrew Green and Ethan Bennett are old acquaintances—they actually fought each other three months ago. It’s said that Suhe Sword Sect’s Young Master Andrew Green narrowly beat Young Master Ethan Bennett by half a move. Not long after that, Suhe Sword Sect’s elder Elder Thompson taught his signature technique, the Eighteen Strikes of the Soaring Eagle, to Young Master Andrew Green, which allowed Young Master Andrew Green’s cultivation to reach a new level... I have a sister who is Young Master Andrew Green’s fiancée, so I know Young Master Andrew Green very well.”

　　Olivia Bennett, standing to the side, revealed this information.

　　“Is that so.”

　　“Exposed, huh? I also think Ethan Bennett can win. If he wasn’t confident, would he dare to enter the ring so easily?”

　　Sophia said gleefully, taking pleasure in Liam Carter’s misfortune.

　　Liam Carter didn’t argue, just smiled calmly: “Let’s wait and see.”

Chapter Six: Wait and See

　　The Suhe Sword Sect, Changxiao Sect, and Yuehua Sword Sect are all renowned powers within the territory of Yun Sen City.

　　Among them, the Suhe Sword Sect once produced a master who opened all his meridians and achieved a full circulation of true qi. Although the sect has now declined and is limited to the Yun Sen City area, its elite disciple Andrew Green is still not to be underestimated.

　　As for Christopher Thompson, who taught Andrew Green the Eighteen Strikes of the Soaring Eagle, he is a prominent figure throughout Lizhou, with wide connections and friends all over the world. His signature technique, the Eighteen Strikes of the Soaring Eagle, was once able to contend with masters whose true qi was refined to the peak, just short of achieving full circulation. Among all the cultivator factions in Yun Sen City, aside from the sect master and elders of Yuehua Sword Sect, he is considered one of the very top experts.

　　Although Andrew Green has not yet achieved the unity of internal energy, nor reached the stage of refining the void and manifesting the true, nor attained true qi, he has nonetheless inherited Christopher Thompson’s true teachings. At this moment, as he displays the Eighteen Strikes of the Soaring Eagle, his moves are as elusive as a goat’s horns hanging from a tree, leaving no trace, making it nearly impossible for Ethan Bennett to counterattack. Even when Ethan Bennett occasionally thrusts his sword, Andrew Green easily dodges.

　　“See? Didn’t I say so? Andrew Green has received the true transmission of the Eighteen Strikes of the Soaring Eagle, and in just a few months has already mastered its form. The Eighteen Strikes of the Soaring Eagle is no less powerful than a top-tier technique. In the cultivation world, there was once a Skyhawk King who dominated Lizhou with this very technique. Fourteen years ago, he fought over three hundred moves with Blake, one of the eight prodigies of the Southern Dao Sect, and neither could claim victory. That shows just how formidable the Eighteen Strikes of the Soaring Eagle is.”

　　Sophia was quite pleased with herself for having judged correctly and being able to outdo Liam Carter.

　　But Liam Carter only glanced at the battle in the arena and said nothing.

　　“Can’t argue with that, can you?”

　　Sophia just couldn’t stand Liam Carter’s calm and indifferent demeanor, and was waiting to see him embarrassed.

　　At this moment, however, a somewhat dissatisfied voice sounded from the side: “Fourteen years ago, my martial uncle fought the Skyhawk King for over three hundred moves without a clear winner—how come I never heard about this? Junior Sister Sophia, could it be that your Shadow Sect knows more about our Southern Dao Sect than we disciples do ourselves?”

　　Sophia turned to look, and saw a tall, burly man, at least 1.9 meters in height.

　　“Michael Wright.”

　　The man, Michael Wright, stepped forward and said, as if no one else was present: “As far as I know, the Skyhawk King came to our Southern Dao Sect to challenge us, but my martial uncle saw his potential and gave him many pointers, which is the only reason he lasted over three hundred moves. To save face, my martial uncle told others that the match was a draw. If they had truly fought, with my martial uncle’s mastery of the full circulation and his half-step into the realm of liquefied true qi, he could have defeated him in less than three moves.”

　　Sophia opened her mouth, but did not refute him.

　　Clearly, she knew that what Michael Wright said was true.

　　“Southern Dao Sect... the Southern Dao Fist Hero Blake among the Eight Prodigies...”

　　Liam Carter had heard of this person.

　　In Elder Lingyuan’s memories, this person was highly praised, said to be one of the most promising to liquefy true qi and ascend to the ranks of peerless experts. Unfortunately, he and the other seven prodigies all perished fourteen years ago while saving the current head of the Hong Sect—a great loss.

　　“Bang!”

　　At that moment, the situation in the arena changed again.

　　It was Green Bamboo Sect disciple Ethan Bennett who seized on a flaw in Andrew Green’s defense and suddenly counterattacked. With a series of strikes, he turned the tables, and in less than a moment, Andrew Green could no longer hold on and was defeated.

　　The turn of events was truly dramatic.

　　“This...”

　　This result made Sophia, who had been eager to compete with Michael Wright, widen her eyes in shock.

　　“Andrew Green lost... Brother Carter guessed right again?”

　　Olivia Bennett was overjoyed.

　　Once could be luck, but to guess right twice in a row...

　　The odds were just too low.

　　Because she knew that Liam Carter was not favored by the Wang family head, Wang Chaoyang, Olivia Bennett had always treated Liam Carter rather casually. Otherwise, as a woman, she would never have commented on another man’s strengths in front of others, nor shown any admiration. But now... this third young master of the Wang family, whom she had never really paid much attention to... could he be a true expert?

　　“This... how is this possible? It shouldn’t be. Ethan Bennett is superior to Andrew Green in every aspect—technique, swordsmanship, movement, experience—how could he possibly lose?”

　　Sophia was baffled.

　　After a moment, she turned to Liam Carter: “How did you see it coming?”

　　Standing nearby, Michael Wright had also thought Ethan Bennett was more likely to win, so the outcome surprised him greatly. Hearing Sophia’s question, he couldn’t help but glance at Liam Carter in surprise: “He saw it in advance?”

　　“Just a guess.”