Emily Clark spoke with poise and confidence.

“Just now, Miss Zhao mentioned the Grand River Sword Technique, the Three Rings Sword Technique, and the Locking Moon Sword Technique. I have dabbled in all of them. For now, I will begin with the Three Rings Sword Technique.”

Matthew Hill’s expression was solemn as he held his treasured sword level. As soon as he finished speaking, the scabbard flew aside, and the sword thrust forward, transforming into a cold flash that split into three variations, stabbing straight toward Emily Clark.

In the distance, Sophia heard what Matthew Hill said and couldn’t help but laugh: “He’s starting with the Three Rings Sword Technique? I really don’t know where Matthew Hill gets his confidence. Although I’m not from the Kunlun Sect, I know that this girl Emily Clark ranks among the very top of the thousands of disciples in Kunlun, especially at the True Qi stage. There are very few who can compare to her. Her most glorious battle was when she went alone to the Sixteen Feiyun Strongholds in the Yellow Wind Desert, where she fought her way in and out three times, killing ninety-three sand bandits. I wonder if Matthew Hill would still have the courage to draw his sword in front of Emily Clark if he knew about this.”

“Sixteen Feiyun Strongholds... killed ninety-three sand bandits...”

Liam Carter quietly took note of this, gaining a rough understanding of Emily Clark’s strength.

This...

Would also help with his upcoming plans.

“Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!”

Emily Clark stood in the courtyard, her white long robe spotless, but the sword in her hand had already become a blur of sword shadows.

Matthew Hill’s Three Rings Sword Technique was nothing short of exquisite. With every thrust, two sword shadows followed, making it hard to distinguish reality from illusion. Those who had already faced him earlier—Ethan Bennett, Daniel Morgan, James Harris, Andrew Green, and others—watched Matthew Hill’s swordplay. Let alone spotting any flaws, just keeping up with his sword speed was dizzying. If they had to face such fierce sword moves themselves, they would likely be defeated within ten breaths.

However, such a brilliant sword technique was utterly useless before Emily Clark. She didn’t even bother to dodge or shift to avoid Matthew Hill’s attacks.

She simply stood there, her long hair flowing, commanding the scene. Every thrust she made struck precisely at Matthew Hill’s sword edge, each move perfectly countering his offense. No matter how Matthew Hill displayed his Three Rings Sword Technique, he could do nothing to Emily Clark.

After failing to break through for a long time, and seemingly unable to even force out Emily Clark’s true strength, Matthew Hill couldn’t help but blush. He lowered his voice and called out, “Miss Zhao, your swordsmanship is truly impressive. In that case, please allow me to demonstrate my Locking Moon Sword Technique for your guidance!”

“Please.”

Emily Clark stood gracefully, calm as a gentle breeze and drifting clouds.

“Whoosh!”

After catching his breath for a moment, Matthew Hill thrust his sword again, unleashing a completely different sword technique. As their swords met, his blade seemed to act like a magnet, locking onto Emily Clark’s sword and disrupting her technique, forcing her to follow his lead.

“Interesting.”

Seeing this Locking Moon Sword Technique, a faint smile finally appeared on Emily Clark’s always composed face. “No wonder the Moonlight Sword Sect is the top sword sect in Yun Sen City. This technique is extraordinary in guiding sword momentum, often trapping opponents in your setup without them realizing. However...”

As she spoke, Emily Clark’s sword momentum shifted. The rhythm that Matthew Hill had disrupted quickly stabilized. Not only that, she reversed the situation, affecting Matthew Hill’s sword flow. In just a moment, she seized the opportunity, tapping the tip of Matthew Hill’s sword with her own, sending a shockwave that made him lose grip of his treasured sword...

“However, if you encounter someone who understands sword techniques or has studied related styles, it’s easy for them to use your own moves against you. Unfortunately, our Kunlun Sect’s Silk-Twining Sword Technique is a similar style, and it’s even more refined in guiding sword momentum.”

After finishing, Emily Clark withdrew her sword, her actions elegant and composed.

Not far away, Sophia unsurprisingly curled his lips. “I knew it would end like this.”

“This Matthew Hill has already cultivated True Qi. Though not yet perfected, his True Qi attainment isn’t much inferior to Emily Clark’s. But his understanding of swordsmanship... is not worth mentioning. If it were me up there, I’d take him down within thirty moves.”

Michael Wright stared intently at Matthew Hill for a moment, seeing through his techniques. Finally, he turned his gaze to Liam Carter: “Kid, didn’t you say you’d draw your sword for Miss Zhao and clear the obstacles? Now Miss Zhao has been forced to take the stage herself, and you’re still doing nothing? How about letting me spar with you for a few moves to see if you’re just all talk as her protector?”

“I’m also quite interested in Miss Zhao’s swordsmanship. My match with you will have to wait.”

Liam Carter stood up and said.

“Huh!? You want to spar with Emily Clark? In this situation, you actually want to challenge Miss Emily Clark? Kid, whose side are you on?”

Sophia slammed the table in displeasure.

“It’s not every day you get guidance from a direct disciple of the Kunlun Sect elders.”

Liam Carter’s goal was never to stand on Emily Clark’s side to protect the Green Bamboo Sect.

What he sought was simply to complete his father Charles Carter’s task, attract Emily Clark’s attention, and then use Charles Carter’s connections to enter the Kunlun Sect and learn the method of refining True Qi.