“Slash the Wind!”
A thunderous shout echoed.
In the nick of time, the broken sword was surprisingly controlled by Xiao Qian, not only blocking the opponent’s sword but also unleashing a burst of internal energy.
A wave of light green internal energy radiated from the broken sword, sweeping out in a fan shape.
Internal energy unleashed!
The term popped into many people’s minds.
It was obvious that Xiao Qian had just broken through not long ago. This technique was something many internal energy warriors could only master once they reached the Jade Liquid realm.
Suddenly, gasps filled the arena.
On the high platform:
“This Xiao Qian is pretty good, just a bit lacking in realm,” someone said.
“This must be one of Qingyuan Sect’s top disciples in this generation,” the arrogant youth from Fen Yu Lin remarked casually.
“Internal Breathing realm at eighteen or nineteen? That’s some sky-high talent!”
“Of course, you’re still much weaker than Yu’er,” remarked his companion dressed in Confucian robes with a faint smile.
The disciples of Fen Yu Lin showed expressions of surprise but not much else.
Most who had come alongside Qingyuan Sect were of noble birth, and for them, Xiao Qian was only commendable for his combat talent.
Meanwhile, the members of the Chi Jing Gang were visibly more excited. Many were from the bustling underworld and admired Xiao Qian’s fighting spirit, some even cheering for him.
“Isn’t Xiao Qian an outer sect disciple?” Qian Bufan inquired, somewhat surprised by the lad.
“Yeah, he’s an unexpected rising star; maybe he stumbled upon some fortune,” Xue Jing chuckled while stroking his beard. “He seems to have a good relationship with my disciple, Ke Mo.”
The elders all nodded slightly.
With Xiao Qian’s performance, regardless of the outcome of this battle, he was already qualified to become a true disciple.
The fight continued in the arena.
Young Ke Mo was no longer an inexperienced martial arts newbie.
Thanks to hanging around with Little Ice Girl and Little Princess Jiang, along with his beautiful master who liked to recount tales of whom she had beaten up after a drink, Ke Mo had gained quite a bit of insight.
Watching the two figures battling on stage, Ke Mo shook his head slightly:
“Old Xiao winning won’t be easy.”
Old Xiao was keeping pace with an opponent a whole stage higher by using his externalized internal energy, but that method was draining.
Xie Lanai clearly wasn’t an inexperienced fool and had already noticed this, beginning to rely on her exceptional agility to dodge and dance around.
Ying Bing pulled her gaze away, lowered her eyes to sip tea:
“Three breaths.”
No more, no less.
Just the right amount of three breaths.
Xiao Qian suddenly relaxed his energy, his face pale as he clasped his hands in salute:
“Senior sister, I admit defeat.”
Xie Lanai stopped moving, not even glancing at him.
Without saying a word, she walked off the stage, going off to meditate alone.
Qian Bufan’s deep voice echoed throughout the arena:
“Xie Lanai wins!”
“Xiao Qian, proceed to the loser’s bracket! If you lose again in the next battle, you’re out.”
To ensure fairness, the Nine Peaks Martial Arts Conference didn’t eliminate a competitor just for losing once; you had to lose twice. This ensured the process was reasonably fair.
Of course, if you faced opponents significantly stronger than yourself in both matches, you’d just have to chalk it up to bad luck.
After such an exciting first match, the atmosphere in the venue became even more fervent.
Qian Bufan patted the bronze beast again, and out came two waist tokens from its mouth.
“Next battle.”
“Inner sect disciple Lu Bo, against….”
“Ruyi Peak’s Lin Jiang!”
….
This was a fight that didn’t hold much suspense.
If one were to describe this battle, it could only be summed up as an eye-opener for everyone, showcasing the difference between inner sect disciples and true disciples.
Lin Jiang’s spear shot out like a dragon, his bl**d and energy surging.
His opponent used different techniques, but it didn’t take ten exchanges before Lin Jiang swept him off the stage with the shaft of his spear.
After bowing to his opponent, he didn’t look at the high platform but rather at where the disciples were seated.
Upon seeing that familiar figure, he broke into a smile.
“Old Lin has really improved a lot recently.”
Ke Mo exchanged smiles with him. He occasionally ran into Lin Jiang and they had even discussed martial arts together.
Young Ke Mo suddenly felt a bit emotional.
Watching those he had helped shine bright—did that give him a sense of achievement like in a nurturing game?
“Lin Jiang wins!”
“Next match…..”
….
An hour passed.
During that time, Murong Xiao also stepped onto the stage once, winning with overwhelming superiority and gaining considerable attention and praise.
“He must be the most outstanding genius of this generation,” the proud youth from Fen Yu Lin said, looking eager to challenge him. If not for the rules, he seemed ready to jump in for a fight.
“After the Nine Peaks Martial Arts Conference, then you can seek him out for a spar,” the Confucian-robed middle-aged man said.
The bl**d-robed youth of the Chi Jing Gang had a glint of interest in his eyes.
“What about Ming Jiao? His beastly tendencies are controlled so well?”
“His body looks pale gold, with such a calm demeanor, it’s almost like a Buddhist martial style. How interesting…”
Noticing his interest, the lord of Ziyang Mansion lowered his voice:
“Esteemed young master, this lad is a member of the Murong clan. I reckon he’ll make waves in the mansion city.”
“Got it.”
The bl**d-robed young master nodded casually.
Strangely, he, a disciple of the Chi Jing Gang, was so relaxed in front of a mansion’s lord.
“Hanh He taught a good disciple.”
“Murong Xiao truly possesses extraordinary talent, a superb foundation for body refinement. If he harnesses it well, my Qingyuan Sect is bound to produce another great master.”
“With the uniqueness of his physique, he’ll grow even more powerful when entering the Observation Realm; then he’ll truly shine.”
Hanh He’s bark-like face lit up with a smile at the envy of his peers.
Murong Xiao truly had the most potential to take on his legacy.
He was quite lucky….
“Murong Xiao…..”
“Just the kid who follows my precious apprentice around every day, calling him Brother Ke?”
A puzzled remark came from the Qunyu Peak master, ill-timed as it cried out.
“Yes, he does have a pretty good relationship with my disciple,” Xue Jing added with a smile.
Being disciples of the Qingyuan Sect, the elders naturally preferred to see their outstanding students getting along, making it easier to unite efforts in the future when issues arose.
The only one who didn’t feel comforted was probably…
Creak.
Hanh He’s smile froze; he almost crushed the armrest of his chair in frustration.
The best disciple of Shenbing Peak was the little brat’s sidekick!
The divine weapons of Shenbing Peak were all in that kid’s hands.
Why did it make him angrier the more he thought about it?
Wasn’t this…
“Hmph, Master Shang Wu, you’re too early to celebrate now.”
“I know you’ve surpassed Qunyu Peak in the rankings, but I don’t know where you gained the courage!”
As soon as the words were out, the gazes of the elders swept toward Shang Wu, their looks filled with skepticism, as if to say:
‘We know you’re usually disorganized, but this is over the top.’
‘How dare you challenge that?’
‘My apprentice is still just a kid!’
In truth…..
When Shang Wu remembered it, Little Ice Girl wasn’t even a disciple of Qunyu Peak when she went through three stages.
First disbelief, then regret, and finally…. just giving up.
Since the outcome couldn’t be changed, she decided to let it be….
Shang Wu casually sipped her drink, unconcerned:
“Because I believe in my precious disciple.”
The elders: “!”
Why was she so confident? This wasn’t like her at all?
Everyone knew Shang Wu was frugal and didn’t bet unless the odds were in her favor; yet here she was placing such a heavy bet on her disciple.
Could it be that the lone seedling from Qunyu Peak really had some earth-shattering backing?
Elder Hanh He fell into deep thought.
That kid wouldn’t happen to…
Be able to wield the divine weapons, would he?
….
In the martial arts world, there weren’t many bells and whistles; the gap in strength determined outcomes simply.
Moreover, this was a friendly spar, not a life-and-d*ath struggle.
Before long, another match concluded.
Qian Bufan once again patted the bronze bull:
“Next match.”
“Xie Lanai from Liao Xia Peak, versus….”
“Ying Bing from Qingyuan Main Peak!”
————
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I’ll do my best to ensure every segment of the plot remains engaging; much love to all the viewers here, muah!
