Long Haochen’s challenge against Li Xin naturally ended in his victory. Not only did he last for a quarter of an hour, but he also defeated Li Xin, who had been holding back somewhat.
This came as a great surprise to the onlookers, as before the match, everyone had assumed that Long Haochen would struggle to last even a quarter of an hour.
After Long Haochen, it was Bai Xi’s turn.
“Xi Xi, do your best.”
Long Haochen handed one of his swords to Bai Xi.
Knights typically wielded two heavy swords, but Bai Xi preferred using only one and disliked carrying the heavy weight of a sword on her back. Instead, she kept her sword in the storage ring given to her by the man in white.
However, if the situation wasn’t critical, Long Haochen would simply lend his own sword to Bai Xi.
“You, come forward.”
Nalan Shu selected a male Knight slightly stronger than Li Xin from the crowd and called him out.
“Just like with Li Xin earlier, let Bai Xi challenge you. Remember, exercise restraint.”
“Huh? Hall Master, are you serious?”
The male Knight who was called out looked astonished, pointing at himself and then at Bai Xi.
His tone and expression carried a natural sense of disdain and contempt. He looked down on Bai Xi, barely even willing to glance at her properly.
“She’s just a little girl. It’s doubtful whether she can even withstand a single punch from me, let alone a sword fight. I’m afraid she’d burst into tears the moment I draw my sword.”
After saying this loudly, he muttered under his breath.
“What’s going on? Isn’t one Li Xin enough? Now there’s another girl who wants to be a Knight? Do they think becoming a Knight is something they can just decide to do? I’m really fed up.”
“Can’t these women just stay at home properly and marry a good man when the time comes? Why do they have to squeeze into our male-dominated ranks? Who knows what they’re really after…”
His muttering was very soft, barely audible, but most people could guess from his impatient expression that he wasn’t saying anything nice.
Bai Xi, however, heard every word clearly.
“I told you to compete, so compete. Are you the Hall Master, or am I?”
Nalan Shu scolded sternly, and only then did the young male Knight reluctantly step forward to face Bai Xi.
Still, he continued to complain, “She’s just here to play house, isn’t she? What kind of Knight uses only one sword? And she even has to borrow someone else’s sword. Competing with her is such a waste of time…”
His words were grating, and his habit of muttering quietly was rather unpleasant. Either speak up or keep it to yourself.
“Actually, you can just use ‘you’ directly. I heard you perfectly clearly.”
Bai Xi felt uncomfortable, so she decided to make this young Knight uncomfortable too.
“I also have dual swords, but I’m not using them for your own good. I’m afraid your outwardly strong but inwardly weak physique wouldn’t withstand my dual swords.”
Hearing this, the young Knight froze for a moment, his face flushing red.
Then, as if embarrassed into anger, his voice rose several pitches higher than before.
“Is what I said wrong? Today, I’ll show you that being a Knight isn’t something just anyone can do. You women are simply not cut out to be Knights!”
With that, he drew his finely crafted dual swords and charged at Bai Xi.
His speed was fast, but Bai Xi’s movements were even more agile. Thanks to her smaller stature, she was even more flexible. The young Knight’s first two strikes failed to even get close to Bai Xi.
“I really don’t like what you said.”
“Your arrogance, I also dislike it greatly.”
“So, I’ve decided not to hold back against you.”
Bai Xi’s sword strikes were swift and ruthless, her movements agile and flexible, making Nalan Shu suspicious.
“No way, she looks more like an Assassin no matter how you see it! What has Lord Xingyu done, bringing an Assassin prodigy to become a Knight? Her talents don’t even align—how can this work?”
“This child is only ten years old; there’s still time to change professions. Maybe I should mention it.”
As the master of the Hazy Moon Branch Hall, Nalan Shu had naturally encountered many Assassins.
Seeing Bai Xi in action now made him sense the shadow of an Assassin.
He couldn’t help but have the thoughts above, even wanting Bai Xi to switch to becoming an Assassin. After all, Assassins also belong to their Temple Alliance, right?
But the next moment, Nalan Shu had no time to think about that anymore.
Because the young Knight who couldn’t handle Bai Xi and was instead entangled by her had unleashed the strongest strike of a Third-rank Knight, and with no reservations at that.
“Bastard!”
Nalan Shu cursed loudly and was about to intervene.
But then he saw a golden-red glow flash on Bai Xi’s sword, an unusual power spreading from it.
This…
Nalan Shu froze.
The next moment, a golden-red flame shot from Bai Xi’s sword, heading straight for the young Knight’s mouth.
This time, Nalan Shu had to save the young Knight.
But even after rescuing the young Knight, Nalan Shu hadn’t fully regained his senses.
Was it too late to take back what he’d just thought?
Though he could tell Bai Xi’s Spiritual Power carried intense fire attributes, which might also suit her to be a Mage—
But—
She was clearly more suited to be a Knight!
Talents like her were better recruited into the Knight Sacred Temple.
If he hadn’t intervened just now, that young Knight would have lost miserably.
“You’ve won. Your assessment is passed.”
Nalan Shu first announced the match result, then looked at Bai Xi with eager excitement.
“What was that move you just used? Did Lord Xingyu teach you that too? What rank Knight skill is it?”
He hadn’t seen that move before and assumed Long Xingyu had recently created it himself.
“This move is called Strike the Phoenix Tree. It has no usage threshold—the stronger the Spiritual Power, the greater its power.”
Bai Xi selectively replied.
After Strike the Phoenix Tree came Phoenix Soars, but that would create a much bigger commotion.
“Excellent, excellent, excellent!”
Nalan Shu excitedly shouted “excellent” three times and gave Bai Xi an official affirmation.
“Who says you’re not suited to be a Knight? You’re practically a born Knight! If anyone dares say you’re not suited to be a Knight again, I’ll argue with them!”
“Teacher said that too. He also said Xi Xi is a born Knight, and all his decisions are right.”
Bai Xi being affirmed made Long Haochen very happy, and he cleverly brought up Long Xingyu’s words. He could also tell that Nalan Shu greatly respected Long Xingyu.
As soon as these words were spoken, Nalan Shu’s smile grew even brighter.
“Indeed, she’s just a ten-year-old Squire, yet she can defeat a Knight in his twenties. How is that not extraordinary talent!”
Nalan Shu was both supporting Bai Xi and slapping the faces of those Knights who had looked down on her.
The male Knights who had previously scorned Bai Xi now hung their heads in shame.
Strength is the best way to slap someone in the face.
The male Knight who had just fought with Bai Xi served as a good reference point. Many among them had to admit that, even if they were in his place, they might not have been able to defeat Bai Xi.