From Sword to Slaughter: Evolution

Zhang Xiaoming had now become a second-rank warrior.

After this period of intense training, the assessment was not a problem for him. He easily passed the earlier comprehensive assessments and the swordsmanship test.

"Your Tianqiong Sword Technique has improved quite a bit," Senior Brother Qian Haowen remarked, noticing the refinement in Zhang Xiaoming's swordsmanship. Compared to the last assessment, his technique had become much more sophisticated.

"What kind of sword is that?" Qian Haowen asked, noticing the black sword in Zhang Xiaoming's hand. The sword looked different from ordinary ones, emitting a faint, ominous aura.

"I bought it down the mountain," Zhang Xiaoming replied, his expression briefly flickering before returning to normal.

"May I take a look?" Qian Haowen asked instinctively.

"Swords should not be parted from their masters," Zhang Xiaoming refused, shaking his head.

"Alright," Qian Haowen didn't press further.

Next up was the final test—a duel!

Among the group, there were still more than a dozen second-rank warriors, with one in particular being at the peak of the second rank.

"Zhang Xiaoming, I didn't expect you to advance to the second rank," a man named Zhang Shan, who was at the peak of the second rank, sneered at Zhang Xiaoming.

"Heh," Zhang Xiaoming responded with a cold smile, not saying much.

The first place in the duel would receive a Juyuan pill as a reward. Zhang Xiaoming needed those pills.

"Don't think just because you've reached the second rank that you can compete with us. I'm taking the first place," Zhang Shan declared coldly.

"You'll find out in the duel," Zhang Xiaoming replied calmly.

Previously, Zhang Shan had indeed been a formidable opponent for him. But now, with the power he had gained, Zhang Xiaoming was confident in his strength.

The duel began quickly!

Clang!

Zhang Xiaoming faced off against a first-rank warrior. With a casual swing of his black sword, he shattered the opponent's weapon.

"Next," Zhang Xiaoming said coldly, glancing at the broken sword.

Zhang Xiaoming dominated the duel with an unstoppable momentum, defeating one opponent after another. The other participants' weapons couldn't withstand the force of his strikes, shattering upon contact with his sword.

"So strong?!" Zhang Shan's expression changed as he witnessed Zhang Xiaoming's prowess. He couldn't believe that black sword was so powerful.

Zhang Xiaoming continued his winning streak until he reached the final match.

"The winner will receive a bottle of mid-grade Juyuan pills," Qian Haowen announced as he watched the two combatants standing on the stage. His gaze lingered on Zhang Xiaoming, particularly his sword. There was something extraordinary about it.

"Begin!"

With Qian Haowen's command, the two fighters clashed!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Both wielding swords, their weapons collided, creating loud, resounding clashes. Zhang Shan's sword was a C-grade blade, much more durable than the previous ones.

"Is that all you've got?" Zhang Xiaoming sneered, his expression turning sinister.

With a thought, Zhang Xiaoming channeled his energy into the sword, causing it to glow with dark energy.

"When the sword master is evil, it becomes dark. When the sword master is good, it becomes light."

"Another dark attribute," Ye Fan mused. He had yet to encounter a sword master who could harness the sword's light attribute.

As the dark energy enveloped the blade, their swords collided again, unleashing a surge of dark energy that splattered like ink, corroding Zhang Shan's sword and creating holes in it.

Some of the dark energy splashed onto Zhang Shan's arm, causing painful pits to form in his flesh.

"Aaagh!"

The intense pain caused Zhang Shan to cry out.

"Goodbye," Zhang Xiaoming sneered, swinging his sword once more.

Clang!

Zhang Shan's sword was sent flying, spinning through the air before landing on the ground, cracked and riddled with holes from the dark energy.

The pain was unbearable. Zhang Shan looked down at his arms, which were covered in pits as if they had been corroded by something.

"I win," Zhang Xiaoming declared, a satisfied smile playing on his lips as he gazed at the sword in his hand. Now, he was the strongest among them all!

The astonished looks from the others filled him with immense satisfaction. Once ignored and underestimated, he was now the center of attention—a feeling that was nothing short of exhilarating.

"Zhang Xiaoming is the winner," Qian Haowen announced, still surprised by how much Zhang Xiaoming had improved in such a short time. It was as if he had been guided by a master.

Handing over the Juyuan pills, Qian Haowen said, "Zhang Xiaoming, you've made great progress lately. I might recommend you for the Beast Hunt Tournament next time."

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

"And don't worry about the sweeping duty anymore. Focus on your training," Qian Haowen added with a nod.

...

Meanwhile, Zhang Shan was treating his injuries, his gaze filled with venom as he looked at Zhang Xiaoming. He couldn't fathom how Zhang Xiaoming had become so powerful so quickly.

It was... too strange.

That sword.

His gaze shifted to the black sword in Zhang Xiaoming's hand. The sword was odd, and during their fight, it had unleashed a black energy that caused his severe injuries.

Zhang Xiaoming noticed Zhang Shan's hateful glare and smirked as he walked away.

"Come at me if you dare," he murmured. "I'll be happy to use your blood to nourish my sword."

"The Beast Hunt Tournament, huh? Is that a competition for hunting beasts?" Ye Fan thought, intrigued. "Let's get to it. Killing beasts could earn me more evolution points."