The disciples eagerly rushed to watch the elite disciples' duel, only to find out upon arrival that the duel was between Edward Grant, at the sixth level of martial arts, and Robert Cooper, at the seventh level.

It turned out it wasn’t a duel between two elite disciples, but rather an elite disciple versus an ordinary disciple! This immediately left the crowd of disciples greatly disappointed.

“A seventh-level martial artist can release sword energy and injure opponents from a distance. Even ten sixth-level martial artists might not be a match for one at the seventh level. Sigh, there’s no suspense in this duel at all. I thought it would be an exciting fight between elite disciples. I got excited for nothing.”

“Yeah, who is that ordinary disciple? Challenging an elite disciple—isn’t that just asking for a beating?”

“I heard his name is David Carter. He’s always kept a low profile, but recently his cultivation suddenly skyrocketed to the sixth level.”

“So that’s it. Looks like he had a stroke of luck and got overconfident. He’s only at the sixth level—how could he possibly be a match for Senior Brother Cooper?”

“Heh, after getting beaten once, his confidence will be reined in.”

“This is definitely going to be the quickest duel ever. I bet as soon as Senior Brother Cooper releases his sword energy, he’ll defeat David Carter in a single strike. Who wants to bet? I’ll give ten to one odds.”

“Who would bet against you? Isn’t it obvious Senior Brother Cooper will win!”

“Heh heh... but there could be surprises. I’ll give a hundred to one odds—any takers?”

“Really, a hundred to one?” said a disciple nearby—none other than John Harris. He had blind confidence in Edward Grant. As soon as he heard about the ‘elite disciple’ duel, John Harris had rushed over, only to find it was Edward Grant fighting, while Samuel Carter was injured and couldn’t make it.

“Of course. My name is George Clark, and when it comes to gambling, I’m second to none. Who doesn’t know that?”

“Alright, I’ll bet 100 taels of silver on David Carter winning.”

“Junior brother, you’re just throwing away your 100 taels. An ordinary disciple can’t possibly defeat an elite disciple who can release sword energy,” someone nearby reminded him.

“It’s fine. If I lose, it’s only 100 taels. If I win, I get 10,000,” John Harris smiled slightly. He didn’t have much silver, but still placed his 100 taels.

“Hey, everyone saw it—this junior brother is willingly betting on David Carter.” George Clark quickly snatched up John Harris’s 100-tael note, but then a thought flashed through his mind: What if David Carter actually wins? Then I’ll have to pay out 10,000 taels—wouldn’t I be ruined?

“No way, absolutely impossible. An ordinary disciple could never beat an elite disciple!” George Clark immediately shook off the negative thought.

More and more disciples arrived at the square. On the stage, Edward Grant and Robert Cooper weren’t going to wait. As soon as they stepped onto the platform, their eyes locked, and the air was thick with fighting spirit.

“Heh heh heh heh...”

Robert Cooper let out a cold laugh and said, “I’ll show you what a true master is, and what it means to be crushed.”

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a metallic clang—Robert Cooper’s longsword was drawn, suddenly flashing with dazzling light. The sword became blindingly bright as he thrust at Edward Grant, like a rainbow piercing the sun, a divine spear hurling at the moon.

Robert Cooper didn’t use sword energy, but instead concentrated his inner power into the blade. At this moment, six or seven hundred outer disciples had gathered in the square. He wanted to show everyone that even without using sword energy, he, Robert Cooper, could easily defeat David Carter.

“What a fast strike!”

“What a powerful strike!”

...

The outer disciples below the stage cried out in shock. As expected, when an elite disciple made a move, it was extraordinary. The sword flashed so brilliantly that it seemed impossible to dodge, and before anyone realized it, it looked like someone would be run through.

However, in Edward Grant’s eyes, Robert Cooper’s strike wasn’t so impressive.

Edward Grant looked calm and said disdainfully, “You’re too slow!”

As he spoke, his sword was already drawn. With a flash of sword light, the disciples below only saw a stunning sword shadow suddenly appear, passing through Robert Cooper’s sword shadow.

“Ah...”

Robert Cooper’s sword was still three inches from Edward Grant when he let out a miserable scream and staggered back.

A spray of fresh blood arced through the air. A shocking wound appeared on Robert Cooper’s right shoulder, blood gushing out.

With a single strike, Robert Cooper, a seventh-level martial artist, was defeated.

The disciples below gasped in shock, their eyes wide as saucers.

He was defeated with just one strike!

Shocking! The whole place was in shock!

Even the elite disciples above the seventh level couldn’t help but be stunned and cry out in surprise.

After his initial shock, a smile immediately appeared on John Harris’s face as he cheered, “Haha... David Carter really did win!”

Hearing this, George Clark beside him instantly pulled a bitter face, inwardly groaning.

“Senior Brother Cooper, you’re really not up to it!” Edward Grant gave Robert Cooper a pinky and pointed to the ground.

Amid the shock, laughter erupted from below the stage.

An ordinary disciple had actually defeated an elite disciple with a single strike. Many ordinary disciples who had long suffered oppression felt vindicated and, after their shock, began to cheer.