From Sword to Slaughter: Evolution

Soon, Governor Cheng and his subordinates arrived at the City Lord's mansion in Star City.

"Please take a seat, my lord," Ren Xing said as he escorted Governor Cheng to the main hall.

He led Governor Cheng to the seat at the center of the room, which was typically reserved for the City Lord.

"Your name is Ren Xing, correct?" Governor Cheng asked as he took his seat, carefully studying Ren Xing.

Though Ren Xing appeared somewhat aged, his sharp eyes gleamed with the intensity of a hawk's. It was clear that his strength was far from ordinary.

"Yes, that's correct," Ren Xing replied with a nod.

"It seems you've done a commendable job as the acting City Lord," Governor Cheng remarked with a slight nod of approval.

Hearing this, Ren Xing's eyes flickered with a trace of joy. Did this mean his efforts were being recognized?

"However, I have nominated someone else to become the new City Lord of Star City, and they've accompanied me here," Governor Cheng continued.

Ren Xing froze momentarily upon hearing this, his expression shifting slightly before quickly regaining composure.

"Wei Xun," Governor Cheng called out.

At his words, a middle-aged man stepped forward.

Ren Xing glanced over at the man, immediately sensing a faint but unmistakable aura of power emanating from him.

This man was a sixth-tier cultivator!

Another sixth-tier warrior!

Ren Xing's heart sank. It seemed unlikely now that he would be appointed as the City Lord.

Damn it!

A feeling of resentment welled up within him. He had worked tirelessly to claim the position of City Lord, and now all his efforts seemed to be in vain.

"Still, you've done a decent job so far," Governor Cheng said, turning back to Ren Xing with a faint smile. "Tell me, Ren Xing, do you wish to become the permanent City Lord of Star City?"

Ren Xing knelt on one knee and answered, "I leave it to your discretion, my lord."

"Very well," Governor Cheng nodded, seemingly pleased with Ren Xing's response.

He looked between Ren Xing and Wei Xun. "Since you've managed Star City well, but I'm not yet convinced of your strength, let's settle it this way. You and Wei Xun will fight. Whoever wins will become the City Lord."

Ren Xing's heart leaped with joy at these words. If it came down to a fight, he was confident he wouldn't lose!

Wei Xun, however, smirked, noticing that Ren Xing was only at the peak of the fifth tier. As a sixth-tier warrior, this contest seemed like child's play to him.

Both men were filled with their own thoughts as they made their way to the wide courtyard outside.

"You wield a sword as well?" Wei Xun asked, noticing the black sheathed blade in Ren Xing's hand.

"Yes," Ren Xing replied confidently, his expression calm but assured.

For him, defeating a sixth-tier opponent wasn't as difficult as it once might have been.

"Alright, I want to see how your combat abilities compare," Governor Cheng said as he seated himself, with some other warriors bringing over a large chair for him.

As he settled in, he glanced at both Wei Xun and Ren Xing, smiling slightly. In his mind, he was certain that Wei Xun would win. After all, Wei Xun was in his prime, and a sixth-tier warrior no less, while Ren Xing was old and only at the fifth tier.

However, because Ren Xing had managed the city so well, and clearly wanted the position, Governor Cheng decided to give him this opportunity.

"You go first," Wei Xun said with an arrogant smirk, staring at Ren Xing.

"Are you sure?" Ren Xing asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Quit the nonsense," Wei Xun snapped.

Ren Xing's lips curled into a sly grin. In the next instant, his hand gripped the hilt of the Demon-Slaying Sword.

At that moment, the effect of the [Full Attribute Boost] erupted!

Ren Xing felt his entire strength surge instantly.

"Huh!?"

Wei Xun's eyes widened in shock as he suddenly sensed a drastic change in Ren Xing's aura. It was as if Ren Xing had become a completely different person, his power growing immensely.

Whoosh!

In the blink of an eye, Ren Xing dashed forward, drawing his sword with blinding speed. A flash of the blade appeared before Wei Xun, and the Demon-Slaying Sword came slashing down.

Clang!

Wei Xun barely managed to unsheathe his own sword in time to block the strike. The impact sent a tremendous shockwave through the air, forcing Wei Xun to stagger backward several steps.

"You…" Wei Xun's eyes widened in disbelief.

What was going on?

How had Ren Xing's strength suddenly become so overwhelming?

But there was no time to think. Ren Xing was already charging at him again, his sword swinging with terrifying speed and releasing a deadly sword aura.

Crack!

The metal covering Wei Xun's arm began to crack under the relentless assault of Ren Xing's sword strikes.

"You…!" Wei Xun's face paled. He had never imagined that this old man, Ren Xing, had been hiding such strength!

Ren Xing's power had completely exceeded his expectations, and the aura from the Demon-Slaying Sword was particularly menacing.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Sword after sword collided until, finally, Wei Xun's weapon began to fracture under the pressure.

Snap!

In the next instant, Wei Xun's sword shattered completely, leaving the blade of Ren Xing's Demon-Slaying Sword pressed against his neck.

"You've lost," Ren Xing said coldly, staring into Wei Xun's eyes.

Wei Xun, feeling the icy chill of the sword against his skin, trembled. There was something unnerving about the sword—it emitted an eerie, malevolent aura that caused his entire body to shiver. He wasn't sure if the aura was coming from the weapon or from Ren Xing himself.

"I admit defeat," Wei Xun finally said, though his heart was filled with unwillingness.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Governor Cheng began to applaud from his seat.

"Well done, Ren Xing! Impressive indeed!" Governor Cheng laughed heartily.

He had not expected Ren Xing to so thoroughly dominate Wei Xun. Clearly, Ren Xing was far more formidable than he had first assumed.

"You flatter me, my lord," Ren Xing responded humbly, bowing slightly.

Governor Cheng narrowed his eyes as he watched Ren Xing closely. He was beginning to form new thoughts about the man before him.