Chapter 155 - Arc 11: The Sect's Grand Competition | Chapter 155: Match 2
Translator: Lynn
Yue Jun returned from his victory with renewed determination, proudly displaying his letter talisman adorned with the word “win,” securing his direct promotion to the next round.
Qiu Ze and the others offered their heartfelt congratulations. Yue Jun’s strong start filled them, ordinary inner sect disciples who had previously faced early eliminations, with newfound confidence.
The first match had set an optimistic tone. After a brief interval, it was Long Xuan’s turn to compete.
He had chosen to master the “Bafeng Saber Technique,” a mid-level human-class skill. However, he infused it with his fervent spirit, infusing the saber techniques with fiery power.
Long Xuan’s opponent was a female cultivator, relatively inexperienced and unaffiliated with any notable master.
But when it came to showcasing his swordsmanship, Long Xuan discarded any previous leniency he held toward female cultivators. His prowess was undeniable.
Unfortunately, his opponent had drawn a challenging match. She initially employed the “Flying Willow Sword Technique,” a graceful and agile technique known for its nimbleness. However, her approach, which might have worked against others, faltered when faced with Long Xuan’s relentless assault. In less than a stick of incense’s time, Long Xuan’s powerful swordplay overwhelmed her, knocking her onto the martial arts stage.
Following Long Xuan’s victory, it was Qiu Ze’s turn.
Qiu Ze, who often appeared unassuming, practiced the “Overturning Palm.” Every time he unleashed this technique, a torrent of earth-yellow palm prints would fill the sky, ensnaring his opponents.
His adversary wielded a pair of massive sledgehammers, boasting incredible strength. Unfortunately, his formidable power could not match Long Xuan’s combination of strength and agility. The relentless barrage of palm prints consumed his stamina until he had no choice but to admit defeat.
Their consecutive victories boosted morale, even drawing a genuine smile from Luo Yao.
The thought of impressing others with their performance in the grand competition filled their hearts with determination. Perhaps they would catch the eye of Golden Core cultivators watching the event, potentially leading to apprenticeships or mentorship. Each disciple was eager to excel and give their best performance in the upcoming rounds.
Maybe Luo Yao had been deeply involved in a long battle on the martial arts stage near Luo Yao’s. Though he had performed before Xu Ziqing, it was now Xu Ziqing’s turn to step onto the stage.
The recent fight on the Yanwutai Match had just ended, and one participant had been forcefully thrown off. Now, a tall male cultivator confidently walked onto the stage.
This person was Xu Ziqing’s opponent, Zhang Cheng from Xiaosheng Peak.
One might debate whether Xu Ziqing’s luck leaned toward the fortunate or the unfortunate. His first opponent happened to be someone who had once shared the same master.
When it was his turn to step onto the stage, Xu Ziqing felt a flutter of nervousness. It was his inaugural experience in such a grand competition. His gaze instinctively sought out Yun Lie, whose immovable presence resembled a tranquil mountain. Instantly, his anxiety waned. His initial fear centered around losing the opening bout, but if he could hold his own even slightly against Momo, he would emerge victorious in spirit.
With this resolve, Xu Ziqing’s demeanor grew composed, and a chill permeated his aura.
Years of relentless training had forged his confidence.
On the martial arts stage, Xu Ziqing, dressed in a serene blue cassock, wore a gentle and refined smile on his lips.
Facing him was an imposing figure, an eight-foot-tall man with a shaven head, clutching a magic subduing pestle. His eyes exuded a hint of ferocity, akin to the Buddha glaring at King Kong, wordlessly asserting his tremendous authority.
Xu Ziqing performed a slight salute and, with a graceful flick of his wrist, gripped the thousand-year-old steel-wooden sword.
Zhang Cheng’s eyes resembled copper bells, his demeanor unwavering. The subduing magic pestle swung toward Xu Ziqing’s head without a word, imposing and formidable.
“Qiang Qiang—”
A swift blue blur passed by. The steel-wooden sword and the subduing demon pestle did not clash directly, but merely brushed against each other lightly. Like a spectral serpent, Xu Ziqing vanished from Zhang Cheng’s field of vision.
The very next moment, he reappeared before Zhang Cheng.
A dark jet of sword light pierced directly toward the space between Zhang Cheng’s eyebrows. Zhang Cheng was taken aback, taking three steps back as he hastily reversed his magic pestle to block it.
“Ping!”
The sword tip met the subduing demon pestle. The steel-wooden sword, incredibly robust and unyielding, remained unbroken. Xu Ziqing’s once gentle countenance transformed, his figure flickering instantaneously before disappearing once more.
Upon Xu Ziqing’s entrance to the stage, an air of anticipation fell over those on the high platform. Qiu Ze and his companions observed with intense focus, Master Qiu He wore a pleasant smile, and the eight female cultivators brimmed with excitement, unsure how best to support their gentle Second Senior Brother. Cheering seemed like a good idea to them! As Xu Ziqing vanished from the stage, their eyes widened in astonishment.
Yue Jun exclaimed in amazement, “What kind of technique is this? How can it possess such supernatural power!”
As soon as he spoke, he realized he might have crossed a boundary. Xu Ziqing had cultivated certain mystical abilities, but revealing such secrets so readily was asking too much. On the other hand, Chonghua, who lounged lazily at the rear, lifted its head and let out a few mocking howls, seemingly poking fun at the situation.
Yue Jun paid little heed to a beastly companion, especially one he had seen Xu Ziqing share an intimate connection with, and had been uncourteous to both parties. So, he held his tongue. However, he couldn’t help but steal a glance at the usually silent Yun Lie, harboring a sense of curiosity.
With Xu Ziqing, Master Yun’s personal junior brother, now engaged in battle, would Master Yun still remain indifferent, as he had moments ago?
Yue Jun arched an eyebrow at this thought.
Indeed, Yun Lie, as anticipated, opened his eyes. His demeanor remained impassive, but his gaze was firmly fixed on the martial arts stage.
Yue Jun understood and turned to look at Luo Yao and the others. The three of them shared an unspoken connection with him. Upon seeing Yun Lie’s expression, they all exchanged knowing smiles.
Meanwhile, Zhang Cheng, unaccustomed to such peculiar movements, had always favored straightforward battles. When facing opponents with ingenious maneuvers, he would simply rely on brute force to overcome them. His use of the “Magic Subduing Stick Technique” with a single hand displayed immense power, often granting him resounding victories. Yet, he had not anticipated encountering such unorthodox movements today. After just one encounter with his opponent, he struggled to catch his breath. How could he confront the enemy under these circumstances?
Zhang Cheng was a man of unwavering determination. Unable to locate his unseen adversary, he vigorously swung the subduing magic pestle, transforming it into a vajra wheel over his head. He extended his spiritual consciousness, scanning the entire martial arts arena. However, as he did so, he sensed not the presence of the youth in green, but rather an eerie and profound silence.
All was eerily silent, as though the very air had been sucked from the arena. No breaths were audible, not even Zhang Cheng’s own.
As he struggled to comprehend this strange phenomenon, Zhang Cheng’s body stiffened, as if frozen in place. His limbs were unresponsive, a sensation that had nothing to do with the temperature, yet he couldn’t move.
A sense of dread washed over Zhang Cheng, and his consciousness shuddered. His throat constricted, and with a mighty cry, he bellowed, “Roar—”
The sound echoed like a lion’s roar reverberating through vast mountains and forests, shaking the heavens and the earth.
In the next instant, Zhang Cheng leaped upward, snatching up the subduing magic pestle. He paid no heed to his unseen opponent’s location and swung the weapon wildly.
Yet, before he could follow through, a delicate drizzle of cyan sword lights converged, weaving a colossal net that blocked Zhang Cheng’s field of vision.
As he struggled against the encroaching sword lights, a figure suddenly pierced through the expansive net. Caught off guard, Zhang Cheng felt the sword’s tip brush against his throat.
His eyes filled with fury and frustration, but the youth in the azure robe stood directly before him, the jet-black long sword pointed precisely at his throat.
“I…” Zhang Cheng attempted to speak urgently, but upon witnessing the confident smile on the youth’s face, he faltered, “…I concede.”
A black mark appeared on the young man’s letter, bearing the word “victory.”
The azure-robed young man sheathed his long sword with a small smile. “Friend Zhang, you fought well.”
Reluctantly clenching his fists, Zhang Cheng dashed towards the audience, not daring to look back.
With a single elegant kick, Xu Ziqing floated back to the high platform, resembling a fallen leaf.
His landing was met with admiration from the onlookers.
While Xu Ziqing himself didn’t feel like he had done anything particularly remarkable, in the eyes of Luo Yao and the others, his performance was extraordinary.
From their vantage point, Xu Ziqing had taken the stage and almost immediately concealed himself. In less than half the time it took for an incense stick to burn, he had efficiently dispatched his opponent, seemingly without exerting much effort.
Furthermore, Xu Ziqing’s movements were extraordinarily graceful, his whereabouts elusive. When he drew his sword, it was swift and precise, a stark departure from their usual impression of him.
The entire display unfolded like a seamless flow, with his few maneuvers appearing almost effortless, leaving the spectators in awe.
As Luo Yao and the others contemplated how they would fare against Xu Ziqing, they couldn’t help but grow more solemn. They recognized that they needed to redouble their efforts in cultivation.
However, their admiration for Xu Ziqing had no ulterior motives. They cherished their newfound friendship and held no other intentions.
After receiving congratulations from everyone, Xu Ziqing made his way to Yun Lie and took a seat beside him.
When Yun Lie looked at him, he saw the young man in azure robes gazing back with anticipation, causing him to pause momentarily.
Xu Ziqing was indeed quite nervous. Although he had won his first bout rather swiftly, he was uncertain if his victory had been graceful enough. He sought reassurance from his senior brother to put his mind at ease.
Yun Lie contemplated for a moment before asking, “How did you feel during the battle?”
Sitting up straight, Xu Ziqing replied, “It felt quite good.”
Yun Lie fell silent and then continued, “Please elaborate.”
Xu Ziqing then explained, “Daoist Zhang’s cultivation is at the peak of the early Foundation Establishment stage. Although he has potential, he’s still a bit short to progress further. My cultivation level is one stage higher than his, so I only used around forty percent of my strength. Initially, I ensnared him with Tibetan language techniques, but he managed to break free using his ‘Beast Roar’ skill. To seize the opportunity, I cleverly pressured him while his mind was still recovering, using the Chunyu swordsmanship to engage him, and I secured the victory with a single move.”
After a moment’s reflection, he added, “Interestingly, when I drew my sword today, I expected to feel nervous, but as soon as I initiated the battle, those nerves vanished. It’s as if my swordsmanship has become quite comprehensive.” He finished with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Yun Lie nodded approvingly and remarked, “You were confident in this battle. Well done.”
Xu Ziqing’s eyes lit up, and he asked, “Does that mean I met your expectations in this battle, Shixiong?”
Yun Lie gave a slight nod and replied, “This was only the first battle, and there will be many more to come. Don’t become complacent.”
Xu Ziqing composed himself and replied earnestly, “Yes, Yun Shixiong, I won’t take it lightly.”
Their conversation was filled with seriousness.
Observing this exchange, Luo Yao and the others found it quite intriguing.
They had only heard rumors about Master Yun’s ruthless nature, but witnessing his care for his junior, they realized that his relationship with Xu Ziqing was far different from what the rumors suggested, and it was characterized by a unique level of consideration.
If they were to share this insight with outsiders, it would likely leave those outsiders in fits of laughter.
Xu Ziqing, on the other hand, had truly amazed them. After stepping down from the martial arts stage, his first action was to seek approval from his senior brother and willingly accept his guidance. It was an endearing quality that they had never encountered before.
Such camaraderie was truly exceptional.
Yue Jun’s complexion took on a peculiar hue, and he couldn’t help but remark to Luo Yao, “Your new friend, it seems…” He hesitated momentarily, as if he had something to say but was holding back.
Luo Yao, baffled, inquired, “What’s the matter with Ziqing?”
Yue Jun shook his head, suppressing his thoughts, and said, “…No, perhaps I misunderstood.”
He cast a glance at Yue Jun, choosing not to delve further into the matter. However, Luo Yao wasn’t one to pry, and even though he was at the end of their group’s lineup, he was about to take the martial arts stage.
This time, Luo Yao’s opponent was also an ordinary disciple from the inner sect. Although Luo Yao’s innate talent wasn’t exceptional, he possessed a remarkable mastery of talismans. Moreover, all the talismans in his possession were personally crafted, making him particularly skilled in their manipulation.
Not long after the match began, a thunderous burst from one of Luo Yao’s talismans incapacitated most of his opponent’s true energy, and a subsequent gust of wind swept the opponent off the stage.
At this point, five competitors had played their matches, and none had suffered defeat. They had all advanced to the second round of the competition.
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