Chapter 1090: Battle to Avenge Shame!
The participants who emerged victorious would start the elimination battle to decide the top 8 after one day's rest.
For the first round, it was Li Ziqi up against Huang Peng!
The tickets for the competition soared to a great price, reaching 300 times their original price. Despite this, it was still hard to get a ticket.
As Sun Mo shot to fame and Li Ziqi broke the record for being the youngest great teacher, their names gradually became well-known. Therefore, their feud with Secondary Saint Zhou was also known by more people.
In Nine Provinces, saints were the heaven, an existence revered by all. The secondary saints who were just one step away from becoming a saint were also existences that were hard to reach.
There were too many students rejected by secondary saints.
Moreover, those who had the right to visit the secondary saints to ask to be taken in under their wings definitely came from a reputable background. After all, how could ordinary people reach the secondary saints' requirements?
In the past, they wouldn't dare to say anything even if they were rejected by Secondary Saint Zhou. They could only blame their children for having mediocre aptitude. However, Li Ziqi's sudden appearance made them start to consider another possibility.
Did Secondary Saint Zhou make a misjudgment?
Of course, some people's children really couldn't make it. However, as parents, they'd definitely feel that their children were the best. Therefore, people who hadn't dared to doubt Secondary Saint Zhou started saying such things.
(Do you want an example? Isn't Li Ziqi one?)
These people had authority, influence, and strong speaking power. When they started to spread such conversation topics in private, Secondary Saint's reputation took a quick plunge!
This was also the reason why Secondary Saint Zhou wanted to apply pressure on Sun Mo, arranging for the Ancient Sage Building test.
However, Sun Mo had unexpectedly broken the record once again. He had gained the Ancient Sage Halo and even invented the Skyward Spirit Rune.
With martial arts, the victor could always be decided in a competition. However, how did you pick a winner between two equally outstanding articles? There wasn't a clear set of publicly accepted standards for that.
Even someone well-learned and knowledgeable like Bai Wenzhang could only be ranked with another person at the top of the spirit runes domain. But now, Sun Mo was proclaimed as the number one spirit runist in the Nine Provinces.
It was publicly recognized!
It was indisputable!
Ordinary citizens wouldn't consider the value and technical aspect of each spirit rune. They only saw how amazing and cool this thing was!
The Skyward Spirit Rune could let everyone break away from the restraints of the land, being able to fly. In their perspectives, this was turning dreams into reality!
Even if this spirit rune couldn't make them fly fast or could only allow them to float, they didn't care. It was so cool to just boast about it.
In Sun Mo's perspective, if one didn't have long-range combat abilities such as spirit rune rods or archery techniques, the value of the Skyward Spirit Rune wouldn't be able to compete against the Dragon Ball Spirit Rune that could induce a berserk effect. However, in terms of coolness, the former could win against all the spirit runes in the Nine Provinces' history combined.
Grandmaster spirit runists required a test to obtain their certification, while the ancestors required academic achievements. Even though Sun Mo had academic success, he hadn't taken the test yet. So strictly speaking, he wasn't even considered a grandmaster spirit runist. However, people didn't care about this. They just referred to him as the number one spirit runist in the Nine Provinces.
Even 1,000 years after his death, no one would be able to surpass him.
This was how amazing the Skyward Spirit Rune's meaning was!
Since Sun Mo had broken new records incessantly in the great teacher examinations, his title as a four-time champion was fixed. Therefore, many people were addressing him as a saint candidate.
Everyone felt that even if Sun Mo couldn't become a saint, he'd at least become a secondary saint. After all, he was only 23 years old.
...
The sunlight was bright and rosy clouds hung up in the sky!
When Huang Peng got onto the arena, the entire martial dojo fell silent for a few seconds before booing sounds rang out. Some parents whose children had been rejected by Secondary Saint Zhou had spent money to hire people to intentionally make things look bad for the Zhou Clan.
Wan Xiulin and Huang Peng's countenances turned grim.
At the sight of this scene, Li Ziqi wore a faint smile. She then lowered her head and bowed toward Sun Mo.
"Teacher, I'll be going!"
"Be careful!"
Sun Mo reminded her, also preparing to go in and save her at any moment.
Their feud with the other party had worsened so badly that they might result in killing!
"The one who should be careful is Huang Peng!"
Li Ziqi didn't walk up the arena but activated the Skyward Spirit Rune. Her entire body floated up, and she landed on the arena.
Wow!
This cool and domineering side of her immediately brought about a lot of surprised gasps, followed by thunderous applause.
Right now, in everyone's eyes, Secondary Saint Zhou was a villain. After making a misjudgment of a child's aptitude, he hadn't reflected on his mistake but instead kept trying to beat her down.
Also, Li Ziqi hadn't given up hope because of Secondary Saint Zhou's words. Instead, she had put in hard work and stood on this stage that had gathered many people's attention.
In everyone's hearts, Li Ziqi's experience was too inspiring.
They hoped that Li Ziqi could win!
Most of the people in this world were ordinary. Hence, they didn't wish for aptitude to be their destiny maker. They hoped that hard work and effort could determine their success.
Right now, Li Ziqi represented just that!
"The two of you, in a personal disciples battle, please do not overdo things!"
Tong Yiming warned.
His words were more biased toward Sun Mo because he was worried Huang Peng might hurt Li Ziqi. But after he said that, he felt that he had been worried too much.
As long as Li Ziqi could fly, she'd be undefeated!
"Huang Peng, I won't fly in this battle. This battle will be done on the ground."
Li Ziqi announced loudly!
Hua!
The ordinary audience didn't know what the little sunny egg's words meant. However, cultivators knew.
If Li Ziqi could fly, then Huang Peng's choice of battle tactics would be extremely restricted. All the prerequisites of his battle tactics must be to first stop Li Ziqi from flying.
Li Ziqi's words meant that she was going to fight against Huang Peng fair and square!
"I don't need your charity. If I win, I want to win it flawlessly."
Huang Peng's lips twitched.
"I admire your courage, but..."
Li Ziqi raised her chin slightly, looking at Huang Peng. "Before you speak to me, please add the title Great Teacher Li..."
"Wow, Eldest Martial Sister is so domineering!"
Lu Zhiruo felt that Li Ziqi was very cool!
"I didn't expect that Eldest Martial Sister could be so harsh too!"
Qin Yaoguang burst out laughing. "Her vicious tongue can really drive people to death."
Sun Mo felt very emotional. He knew that Li Ziqi had felt extremely disappointed because of Secondary Saint Zhou's assessment of her. She had even thought of committing suicide before!
He wasn't boasting, but if it wasn't for him, Li Ziqi would have been crippled even if she didn't die.
Huang Peng's face instantly flushed up.
However, he was unable to refute her words.
Li Ziqi was a great teacher. In the Nine Provinces, it was a highly respected occupation. Even an emperor would respectfully address one with their great teacher title.
No matter how high Huang Peng's cultivation level was, he'd have to refer to himself as a student in front of Li Ziqi.
Li Ziqi looked at Huang Peng's aggrieved expression as if he had eaten a mouthful of feces, then she threw a glance at Wan Xiulin, who had a strong urge to leave this place immediately, feeling exhilarated.
"Thank you Teacher, for letting me release my grievances!"
Li Ziqi looked toward Sun Mo, her gaze filled with admiration and fondness.
"Things are going to be bad for Secondary Saint Zhou!"
Some great teachers felt very emotional.
Even if Secondary Saint Zhou were to be here personally, if he were to be disrespectful toward Li Ziqi, she'd still dare to make him address her as Great Teacher Li, let alone Wan Xiulin.
It was because no matter how strong a secondary saint was, they weren't a saint.
It was publicly acknowledged that only when facing a saint would all the great teachers not have the right to address themselves as great teachers. It was because everyone below a saint was considered a student!
"Sigh, Ziqi will offend Secondary Saint Zhou seriously by saying that!" Jin Mujie sighed.
"It's fine. Right now, our Central Province Academy can afford to offend a secondary saint!"
An Xinhui was willing to carry this burden.
"Sister An, this is the first time I'm seeing you acting so domineeringly!"
Gu Xiuxun teased.
Hearing that, An Xinhui's face flushed up.
This was all thanks to Sun Mo. Otherwise, given how down and poor the Central Province Academy had been, how could they have the right to look down on a secondary saint?
The battle in the arena started.
As expected, Huang Peng pounced forth to kill at the first instance. However, as Tong Yiming's note ended, two wind elements appeared, shooting out wind blades everywhere.
Pa pa pa!
Huang Peng was a lot more amazing than Sang Qiao from two days ago. His curved blade swept out, crushing all the wind blades, and he continued to press toward Li Ziqi.
The little sunny egg jumped onto her White Tiger Guard while tearing up five spirit runes at the same time.
Crackle!
16 fist-sized lightning balls surrounded Li Ziqi.
This was lightning protection reinforcement!
Kacha!
A huge yellow tortoise enveloped the little sunny egg.
This was the black tortoise reinforcement!
Then, golden sparks appeared on Li Ziqi's body. Amidst the crackling and flickering, her spirit qi instantly surged and her strength increased tremendously. Her black waist-long hair stretched out of her hair tie, standing upright and becoming a brilliant golden color.
This was the Dragon Ball Spirit Rune!
Rumble! Lightning flashed like turbulent waves!
This was the lightning sea attacks!
Bang! Bang! Bang! Fire sparks appeared, turning into many coconut-sized fireballs which smashed out toward Huang Peng!
This was the Flame Explosion Wild Dance!
...
The explosive prowess that had been displayed by the little sunny egg instantly stunned all the ordinary audience. It also made the great teachers speechless.
This... Wasn't this too powerful?
Spirit runes could be used this way too?
In everyone's recognition, spirit runes only had a supporting effect and couldn't be the deciding factor of a duel.
However, in Li Ziqi's hands, they had great prowess.
"Don't panic! As long as Huang Peng can hold up against this wave of attacks, things will be over for her!"
"That's right. How many of such amazing spirit runes can she prepare?"
"I only want to know how much money has she thrown away to launch this wave of attacks?"
Several examinees' countenances turned pale. They saw that even Huang Peng was having a hard time dealing with this. If they were the ones in his shoes, things would have been over for them.
Another three wind elements appeared in the arena, protecting the little sunny egg with their bodies. At the same time, they threw out wind blades and performed wide-area attacks.
"Her spirit control is outstanding as well!"
All the spirit controllers present were overwhelmed by envy.
She had been tearing up spirit runes and summoning the White Tiger Guard while moving around. Moreover, she had called forth three wind elements at the same time.
(Aren't you afraid to make a wrong pronunciation and receive a backlash from the incantation?)
(Damn it!)
(This young girl is a super-genius who can inherit my learnings.)
(It's a pity!)
(Sun Mo has gotten to her first.)
"Secondary Saint Zhou is really old and his vision has gotten worse. How could he say that such an amazing spirit control genius was trash? If I were to meet him, I'd definitely spat saliva all over his face."
A guy started lashing out angrily but immediately regretted it.
After all, he had just scolded a secondary saint. He threw a glance to the left and right, realizing that everyone was looking at him.
It was all over!
He was going to die!
"Teacher Zhao is right!"
"I think so too!"
"Secondary saints can make mistakes too! There's nothing wrong with that!"
All the great teachers expressed their agreement, causing this Teacher Zhao to lose his fear and started to lash out about the various bad practices in the great teacher world.
Windwave Bullet!
Spirit Wave Art!
Spirit rune rod!
Li Ziqi relied on launching these three attacks non-stop. However, the effects were really weak. Someone who could be accepted as a disciple by a secondary saint's personal disciple was definitely a genius amongst geniuses.
They'd be terrifyingly strong both in aptitude and experience.
"Let's see how long your spirit qi can hold on for."
Huang Peng continued to attack fiercely.
With a lower cultivation base, one's spirit qi reserve would be limited. Hence, once Li Ziqi expended her spirit qi, she'd just be a clear target.
Of course, the prerequisite was that she didn't fly.
At the thought of this, Huang Peng suddenly felt upset because such a victory was no longer perfect.
(Given how bad grand-teacher and Sun Mo's relationship is, I will probably never get a chance to have a Skyward Spirit Rune in this lifetime.)
(Otherwise, I'd definitely be the coolest guy in the Nine Provinces.)
Ultimate technique, Broken Waterflow!
Swoosh!
A wind element was slashed into two.
It wasn't that Huang Peng wanted to kill it but that he couldn't dodge anymore. Right now, there were 18 wind elements in the arena. The wind blades they threw out were densely packed, and there was no longer any space for Huang Peng to stand on.
With the wind elements as her shield, Li Ziqi took the opportunity to summon out the Ancient Battle Tree.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
The moment the ancient tree appeared, its thick and big roots darted out toward Huang Peng, wanting to bind him.
Huang Peng's curved blade sent out a ball of silver light. Wherever the light passed by, roots would break and wood fragments would fly.
"This guy is really strong!"
Jiang Leng's countenance was solemn.
If it wasn't for Li Ziqi, Huang Peng would definitely become the champion.
"If Eldest Martial Sister doesn't fly, she won't be able to win. She doesn't have much spirit qi left."
Ying Baiwu felt worried.
Lu Zhiruo and Xianyu Wei were already hugging together, their small faces filled with worry.
That was true. Li Ziqi was panting vigorously, her face pale and a large amount of sweat was rolling off her forehead.
"It seems that summoning this big tree has depleted a lot of her spirit qi!"
Huang Peng was elated. He was a wary person and wanted to observe further, However, he couldn't hang on much longer either. There was no helping it as the blows dealt by the wind elements, the ancient tree, as well as the lightning sea, and the great flame explosion were too strong.
He couldn't wait anymore!
He would decide this battle with this blade attack!
Huang Peng put his thoughts to action immediately. Letting out a loud bellow, he broke a root that was wrapping around his leg. Then, with a flash, he disappeared from the spot.
In the blink of an eye, he appeared behind Li Ziqi.
Swoosh!
His curved blade came down like a bolt of lightning, slashing toward Li Ziqi's head.
Ultimate killing move...
Lightchase Strike!
"Ahh!"
Lu Zhiruo screamed, closing her eyes. She couldn't bear to watch this.
"As expected, cultivation art is a notch higher. A money-spamming battle tactic is just heresy."
Just as an ancestor-level great teacher made this assessment, a tremendous wind pressure suddenly gushed out from Li Ziqi's body!
Boom!
The little sunny egg seemed to have turned into a human-shaped gale, sending Huang Peng flying away.