The first exchange ended in a draw. Each summoned back their magic treasures, confronting each other across the distance. It was clear to any discerning observer that both parties had merely been probing, holding back their full force.

In reality, the gap in strength between the two was quite apparent. Ye Qingcheng was at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, and not long after establishing her foundation at that, while Zhu Wudao was solidly in the middle stage. Logically, Zhu Wudao should have been able to defeat Ye Qingcheng within three moves, but faced with such a beauty, he found it somewhat difficult to bring himself to strike her down. Another point was that his magic treasure was inferior to Ye Qingcheng's. Her Jade Crystal Sword was a famous treasure within the Taiyi Sect, exceptionally powerful, equivalent to a Middle Grade Magic Artifact. In contrast, Zhu Wudao's Iron Rake wasn't even classified.

"Junior Sister Ye, be careful!" Zhu Wudao warned, as he spurred the Iron Rake toward Ye Qingcheng once again. This time, Zhu Wudao exerted about eighty percent of his strength.

Ye Qingcheng's expression turned serious, and with a flourish of her hands, the Jade Crystal Sword met the attack.

Boom!

The magic artifacts collided once more, the huge impact creating a deafening blast, with even stronger shockwaves spreading outward than before, throwing both combatants backwards.

Zhu Wudao managed to land at the edge of the platform, barely steadying himself. Ye Qingcheng fell off the stage but just as her body was about to hit the ground below, the Jade Crystal Sword swiftly flew back, catching her.

A gasp rose from the crowd below. If the Jade Crystal Sword had been even a moment later, Ye Qingcheng would have been defeated. This demonstrated the sword's extraordinary nature. The Jade Crystal Sword, carrying Ye Qingcheng, returned to the stage, and a round of applause went up from the audience, though it was unclear whether it was for Ye Qingcheng or the sword itself.

Ling Qiyan turned to Wang Xiaoqiang and asked, "Little Qiang, do you think Junior Sister Ye can win?"

Wang Xiaoqiang shook his head. No matter how high the grade of a Flying Sword, it ultimately cannot overcome a disparity in cultivation.

Ling Qiyan declared, "Then when I replace Junior Sister Ye, I'll defeat this guy."

While they were discussing, the competitors on the platform engaged in battle once again. Zhu Wudao moved with large, sweeping motions, Spiritual Power rolling out from his arms and flooding into the Iron Rake, which hummed and vibrated with energy, launching another offensive at Ye Qingcheng. Though his actions were somewhat slow, they were solid, balancing attack and defense.

Clearly, this time Zhu Wudao was earnestly applying himself, exerting his full strength.

In contrast, Ye Qingcheng, clutching her sword technique firmly as a mountain, abruptly raised her hands filled with Spiritual Power and pointed forward in unison. The Jade Crystal Sword, originally positioned horizontally in front of her, suddenly tilted forward, shooting straight out to pierce directly at the Iron Rake.

Boom!

Crack!

A massive crash echoed, mingled with the sound of something shattering. Intense shockwaves from the collision of the magic artifacts exploded in all directions.

In the exchange, the Flying Sword served as both an instrument of attack and a protective treasure. With Ye Qingcheng's direct thrust, although it had more offensive power compared to horizontal strikes, it provided less defense. The overwhelming Spiritual Energy from the Iron Rake hammered her body, sending her flying like a severed kite, tumbling aimlessly through the air.

Looking at Zhu Wudao, he too was blasted backwards. Just as he was about to fall off the stage, he grabbed hold of the edge and clambered back up.

But at that moment, no one paid attention to him, nor did anyone cheer for him, because all the male disciples' eyes were fixed on Ye Qingcheng. Ye Qingcheng's injury tugged at the heartstrings of all the male disciples, while the female disciples' gazes were focused on the two colliding treasures, only to see that the Jade Crystal Sword had broken off one of the Iron Rake's tines with its head-on thrust, leaving it clattering embarrassingly on the stage.

The integrity of a magic treasure is critical - once it is damaged, its power diminishes.

Zhu Wudao's damaged treasure did not garner any sympathy; instead, it drew laughter. Originally, his magic treasure was considered lowly, odd-looking, and humorous. Now, with a tine destroyed by Ye Qingcheng's Flying Sword, and falling clumsily onto the stage, it looked even more laughable, like a clown who had broken his face, all the more ridiculous.

Before Ye Qingcheng could hit the ground, a figure darted over to catch her – none other than Wang Xiaoqiang. After catching Ye Qingcheng, Wang Xiaoqiang channeled Wood Element Spiritual Qi into her body, which could heal ordinary people as well as cultivators.

Seeing the exceptionally beautiful woman in the arms of Wang Xiaoqiang, all the male disciples on the scene showed expressions of envy and regret that they hadn't been the ones to catch Ye Qingcheng.

Ye Qingcheng had taken a risky move in that last attack. Although she had destroyed her opponent's magic treasure, she was severely hurt, her face ghostly pale, gasping for breath. However, under the healing effect of Wang Xiaoqiang's Wood Element Spiritual Qi, she soon began to recover.

Ye Qingcheng, feeling the energy Wang Xiaoqiang was channeling into her for healing, was simultaneously surprised and touched. Despite the gazes of nearly all the men in the venue turning towards them, she sweetly leaned her head into Wang Xiaoqiang's embrace.

Lin Jinghong, witnessing this scene, was so infuriated he nearly spat blood. When he turned his gaze away, he saw a fellow sect member defeated by Mochong from the South Sect, fueling his anger even more, his eyes reddening with rage. He promptly stepped forward out of line and leaped onto the platform, eager to challenge Mochong.

This round, within the South Gate, Ye Qingcheng tasted defeat, while Mochong managed to beat his opponent, winning a match. However, seeing Lin Jinghong step onto the stage, he couldn't help feeling daunted, almost forfeiting the match. That's because Lin Jinghong was at the Early Golden Core Stage, while he was only at the Foundation Establishment Mid Stage, a mighty chasm between their powers. He was no match at all.

Normally, given the rules, after Jiang Yulong's death, Lin Jinghong had become the standout in the North Sect, the final player they would deploy. He would not appear until the very end. What's more, with his cultivation, defeating Mochong—so what? In the end, winning would bring no honor, and he would also be criticized for bullying the weak. But Lin Jinghong, at the height of his anger, threw all conventions to the wind, a little reckless.

The second match began.

Ling Qiyan took Ye Qingcheng's place, facing off against Zhu Wudao. Zhu Wudao's magic treasure was destroyed, and he was weaker than Ling Qiyan, who was at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, so he chose to forfeit automatically.

After his automatic forfeiture, another disciple from the West Sect stepped up, a cultivator also at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage. The two were evenly matched in strength and dueled for more than twenty rounds. The West Sect disciple was defeated by Ling Qiyan's superior combat prowess, extensive fighting experience, and unyielding Daoist heart.

On Lin Jinghong and Mochong's side, Lin Jinghong—after seeing Mochong's flying sword summoned—curled his lips into a cold, playful smile. Extending his hand, a surge of Spiritual Power enveloped his palm and grasped Mochong's flying sword. In his grip, the sword trembled incessantly, like a fish out of water, struggling to break free but unable to do so. Eventually, the light from the flying sword faded, and it became obediently subdued. Lin Jinghong wore a smug grin, then tossed Mochong's flying sword down from the stage. Mochong just stood there, unable to retaliate or attack. Any attack would only bring greater injury to himself.

Lin Jinghong let out a cold laugh, then slapped Mochong away with a palm strike.

The gap in strength was too vast. Lin Jinghong could have killed Mochong in an instant.

In this round, the South Gate won a match, but Mochong was defeated by Lin Jinghong within a single move and also suffered serious injuries.

Lin Jinghong now despised not only Wang Xiaoqiang but all the disciples from the South Gate. Therefore, in his match against Mochong, he struck mercilessly, partly showcasing his prowess.

With only four people from the South Gate and two defeats, their key player, Wang Xiaoqiang, had no choice but to step in. Just as Wang Xiaoqiang was taking over for Mochong and walking towards the arena, cheers erupted from the North Sect's disciples below for Lin Jinghong—

"Senior Brother Lin, what cool moves!"

"Senior Brother Lin is like a blitz against the South Gate disciples, so awesome!"

Lin Jinghong was already an attractive man, and after he displayed his quick and elegant defeat of Mochong, the North Sect's female disciples started to look at him with intense ardor.

While Lin Jinghong was soaking in the cheers of his fellow disciples, Wang Xiaoqiang leaped onto the stage.

Immediately, the cheering below quieted down, and everyone's gaze shifted from Lin Jinghong to Wang Xiaoqiang.

Not only the crowd below, but the entire audience rushed towards this stage. The astonishingly talented Lin Jinghong faced the dark horse of the event, Wang Xiaoqiang. The stakes were high, and since none of the other arenas featured the number one beauty in the fight, nor did Qi Jingten make an appearance, there were hardly any highlights. Thus, this showdown between Wang Xiaoqiang and Lin Jinghong became the focal point.

The content Lin Jinghong, upon seeing Wang Xiaoqiang climb onto the stage, immediately had his expression change. Now, he both hated and feared Wang Xiaoqiang, but now that they were pitted against each other, he wouldn't back down, coldly staring at Wang Xiaoqiang and using his Divine Sense to check Wang Xiaoqiang's cultivation base again.

"Lin Jinghong, you were too ruthless. We are all martial artists sparring with each other, and should stop at an adequate point. But you went and inflicted serious injuries right away, what is your intention?" Wang Xiaoqiang rebuked Lin Jinghong as soon as he spoke.

"Don't you know the arena is a place where fists and feet have no eyes and every man is for himself according to Destiny? Moreover, you South Gate disciples are already weak. To send such poor specimens into the ring is to humiliate yourselves!" Lin Jinghong replied dismissively. He showed no remorse for injuring Mochong, instead blaming the South Gate for their weakness.

"Alright, since the punches and kicks care not for their targets, and everyone is subject to their own Destiny, I won't hold back later. I'm going to turn you into a pig's head..."

Before Wang Xiaoqiang could finish his words, Lin Jinghong already interrupted, "Hmph, quite a mouth you've got there. It's still up for debate who will end up looking like a pig's head... You villainous schemer, today I'll expose you for what you are!"

Although Lin Jinghong was wary of Wang Xiaoqiang, he refused to show any weakness in front of his peers, thus his retort was filled with contempt and denigration.

"Shut your mouth!" Wang Xiaoqiang shouted angrily, sending a slap that carried the Metal Element Spiritual Energy, a blow that, if landed, could leave Lin Jinghong with a paralyzed face.

Once bitten, twice shy. Lin Jinghong was already on guard, and upon seeing Wang Xiaoqiang's True Qi palm swooping in, he immediately clasped his hands together and formed a True Qi Shield in front of himself.

Boom!

Wang Xiaoqiang's True Qi palm smashed onto Lin Jinghong's True Qi Shield, shattering it into pieces. However, as their spiritual energies clashed, the True Qi palm also dispersed.

Lin Jinghong was sent reeling back three steps, looking somewhat disheveled.

(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)

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