Defending the Arena

After testing the strength of the ten layers of [Golden Gang Talisman] protective shield, Su Bai had no more hesitation.

The Azure Dragon Sword beneath his feet emitted a burst of azure light, carrying him like a streak of Azure Light as he retreated rapidly, instantly widening the distance between himself and Zhang Feifei to the greatest extent possible, almost touching the Magic Array light barrier at the edge of the arena.

"Um?"

Zhang Feifei, inside the golden light shield, was slightly taken aback, somewhat puzzled.

Not attacking anymore? What are you planning to do by creating distance? Probing with ranged Sword Qi?

He was stunned for a few moments, and when he saw that Su Bai was really just hovering in the distance, and even began to calmly regulate his breathing, he immediately felt that something was wrong.

This guy, could it be...?

Zhang Feifei's heart tightened. Under the dazzling "golden sun," he activated the effect of the [Divine Movement Talisman], his figure moving like the wind as he quickly rushed towards Su Bai's direction.

He had to take the initiative and use a continuous barrage of Talisman to force Su Bai into a direct confrontation, thus depleting his Spiritual Power. He absolutely could not let Su Bai just sit there and wait!

As soon as he approached to within about two hundred feet, Su Bai, who had been resting with his eyes closed, seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. Without even lifting his eyelids, the Azure Dragon Sword beneath his feet trembled slightly.

"Whoosh--!"

A streak of blue light shot through the air at incredible speed, leaving a long afterimage in its wake.

Su Bai flew horizontally on his Sword Flight, easily widening the distance to over three hundred feet again, always staying at the edge of Zhang Feifei 'Talisman's effective attack range.

Zhang Feifei gritted his teeth and chased after him again, while Su Bai retreated once more.

He turned, and Su Bai turned too.

The two engaged in a chase on the massive arena.

With the [Divine Movement Talisman] buff, Zhang Feifei's speed is already top-tier among those of the same level, but Su Bai's "Dragon Roaming Sword Control Technique" was created specifically for flying on Sword Flight, and its speed and agility are far beyond what ordinary Movement Method can match.

Moreover, the Top-grade Magic Sword Azure Dragon Sword was beneath his feet!

The distance between the two remained between two and three hundred zhang. Zhang Feifei tried his best, but he couldn't even touch the hem of Su Bai's clothes.

"You bastard!"

Zhang Feifei's face turned red with anger. He stopped and raised his hand, sending several azure Talisman shooting into the sky.

"Water Dragon's Roar!"

The Talisman burned in the air, transforming into three lifelike, scaled, and clawed azure Water Dragon that roared silently as they lunged at Su Bai in the distance.

The Water Dragon is enormous, covers a wide area, and is much faster than the previous Fire Butterfly.

But the distance is still too far.

Su Bai simply increased the height of his Sword Flight and adjusted his direction slightly, easily avoiding the Water Dragon's initial attack.

The three Water Dragon twisted and turned in the air, trying their best to catch up, but Su Bai's Sword Flight trajectory was unpredictable, sometimes up, sometimes down, sometimes left, sometimes right, and he always managed to avoid them by the slightest margin.

After chasing for about ten breaths, the Spiritual Power contained within the Water Dragon began to become unstable, its form gradually becoming illusory. Finally, with a weak, unwilling Dragon's Roar, it dissipated into a sky full of water vapor, which fell in a drizzle, not even touching Su Bai.

Only then did Zhang Feifei fully understand Su Bai's intention. The smugness that had risen on his face from successfully blocking the Sword Qi vanished, replaced by a gloomy expression.

This guy... never intended to launch a full-scale attack! He wanted to wear them down!

Wait until the duration of my ten layers of [Golden Gang Protection] ends!

Zhang Feifei felt a chill in his heart. Although his stacked Talisman technique had amazing defensive power, the cost was that it required a higher continuous output of Spiritual Power from the caster, and the Spiritual Power of the Talisman themselves was also constantly being consumed.

In ordinary Magic Duel, he would withstand his opponent's fierce attacks with his protective shield while counterattacking with Talisman, often ending the fight before the shield collapsed.

But this was the first time he had ever encountered an opponent like Su Bai, who didn't make any contact and only relied on extreme speed to delay him!

Shameless! Despicable!

Zhang Feifei cursed inwardly, but there was nothing he could do.

The rules of the ring did not prohibit fighting and prolonging the game; the opponent simply made full use of his own advantages.

Outside the battle arena, the Disciple who witnessed this dramatic scene had a variety of expressions on their faces.

After a brief silence, Zhao Shanhe was the first to react. He coughed lightly, his voice booming, and forced a reply, "Chief is wise! He truly understands the essence of Magic Duel among us cultivators!"

"To assess the situation, leverage strengths and avoid weaknesses, and be able to attack or defend—this is true wisdom and courage! How can it be compared to a reckless brawl?"

His words were both a show of support for Su Bai and a way to silence some people, as well as a reminder to other potential challengers.

My Chief is very clear-headed and tactically flexible. Don't think you can easily take him down by relying on some special defensive or attrition tactics.

"Giggle giggle..."

The Chief of the Fire Court Dongfang Luoyu, covered her mouth and let out a series of clear, bell-like laughs, her eyes darting around as she looked at the graceful figure in the arena.

"This junior brother from the Sword Academy is quite interesting."

"This fighting style... is pragmatic enough, I like it." She genuinely appreciated it; after all, in the Cultivation World, only those who survive are the winners, and substance is more important than appearances.

From the direction of the Ice Court, Zhao Hanshuang's eyes narrowed slightly as she watched Su Bai adjust his posture, leaning against the broad Azure Dragon Sword with a leisurely air of "I can lie here any longer."

His Clear and Cold face remained expressionless, but the ominous premonition in his heart grew stronger.

This person joined our Ice Court by concealing his identity, and it was definitely not simply to spy on the enemy.

... Could it be that they really came for me? For the first place in the Inner Sect Grand Competition?

Meanwhile, the thousands of inner disciple watching from the outer field were already in an uproar, with discussions rising like a tidal wave.

A Disciple with fair skin and an upright appearance frowned and said with dissatisfaction, "This Sword Academy's Chief... how despicable! He actually used such delaying tactics, completely lacking the honor of Cultivator's fair and square duel!"

"Who doesn't know that Sword Cultivator 'Sword Control Technique are unparalleled in speed during the Qi Refining Stage? Isn't this cheating?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than someone nearby scoffed and retorted, "Despicable? Aren't there rules prohibiting fighting?"

"Zhang Feifei started by stacking ten layers of tortoise shells; does that mean he's acting honorably?"

"The competition is about strategy and winning! Chief Su is winning through intelligence, playing to his strengths and avoiding his weaknesses. What's wrong with that? Would you really be foolish to knowingly charge in and attack when you know you can't win?"

"Exactly!" another person chimed in, "Chief Su has the ability to dodge on his Sword Flight, that's his skill! If you're so capable, why don't you try flying that fast on your Sword Flight? If you don't have the ability, don't spout nonsense!"

The fair-skinned Disciple was so embarrassed by the retort that he blushed and stammered, unable to utter a word.

Even the young, passionate Disciple watched with shining eyes, excitedly waving their fists. "Wow! Chief Su's style is just my type!"

"Being able to bend and stretch, adapting flexibly—that's the mark of a true man! If you can't beat someone, can't you at least run away? Survival comes first!"

"Never mind, next year when I'm promoted to the Inner Sect, I'm definitely going to apply to join the Sword Academy! Just for that awesome Sword Control Technique!"

Immediately, an older, more rational senior brother poured cold water on him, whispering, "Junior brother, calm down."

"Sword Control Technique is not something anyone can master, especially the ' Dragon Roaming Sword Control Technique ' from the Sword Academy."

"It requires extremely high Talent and comprehension. Look at the Sword Academy over the years, it's only produced the Academy Master, Zhao Shanhe, and now Su Bai? Do you think you're Chief Su?"

"Exactly, Sword Cultivator have difficulty condensing Sword Qi in the early stages, resulting in strong offense but weak defense, and they also consume a lot of cultivation resources. It's not an easy path to follow..."

Regardless of the controversy, Su Bai, the newly appointed Chief the Sword Academy, with his ability to fight and run, and his tactical aggression... no, rather, his flexible and pragmatic image, has left a deep impression on the thousands of the Inner Sect Disciple of the Jade Mist Sect in an unexpected way, and his fame has soared in a single day.

Su Bai, engrossed in the arena's Magic Array, couldn't hear a word of the outside chatter.

At this moment, he was calm and collected, maintaining his levitation on the Sword Flight with minimal effort while silently estimating the time.

At the same time, the "Profound Sword True Essence Art" within his body slowly circulated, restoring the meager Spiritual Power consumed when he ignited the Fire Butterfly and tested the Sword Qi energy.

When Zhang Feifei tried to approach, he retreated.

Zhang Feifei throws Talisman from a distance, but he uses the exquisite "Dragon Roaming Sword Control Technique" to dodge them in advance or create distance.

The two seemed to be playing a pointless chase game, but the "golden sun" radiance emanating from Zhang Feifei was visibly dimming little by little.

While the technique of stacking Talisman is powerful, it also consumes more Spiritual Power and the original essence of the runes.

After another quarter of an hour, the protective shield, which was originally a foot thick and shimmering with golden light, had become only an inch thin, with a faint glow, and the pale golden runes flowing on its surface were sparse, slow, and flickering.

"Now!"

Su Bai, who had been half-closing his eyes as if he was about to fall asleep, suddenly opened them wide, his eyes flashing with a sharp light!

With a thought, the Azure Dragon Sword beneath his feet emitted an excited Dragon's Roar's roar and sword cry, radiating a bright azure light!

Instead of retreating, it transformed into a streak of azure light that tore through the sky, charging fiercely toward the "golden sun" in the distance, whose light was already quite faint, at a speed nearly twice as fast as when it had been chasing it before!

Before the man even arrived, the chilling Sword Intent and murderous intent intent, like the arrival of winter, locked onto Zhang Feifei!

Zhang Feifei's expression changed drastically. He knew the protective barrier was about to collapse, but he didn't expect Su Bai's counterattack to be so decisive and swift!

In his haste, he pulled out several more attack Talisman — Fireball Talisman, Wind Blade Talisman, and Ice Needle Talisman —and threw them at the blue streak of light without even looking at it, attempting to block it.

This time, Su Bai did not dodge.

Faced with the sporadic Talisman attacks coming his way, he didn't even draw his sword. With a slight mental command, the Azure Dragon Sword itself unleashed a sharp Sword Qi, pulverizing those hastily activated and weak Talisman attacks!

The distance between them is rapidly closing!

One hundred zhang! Fifty zhang! Thirty zhang!

Despair finally appeared in Zhang Feifei's eyes. He gritted his teeth and reached for his Storage Bag again, seemingly wanting to take out a life-saving Talisman or Law Artifact he had hidden away for a last-ditch effort.

But Su Bai wouldn't give him another chance.

"Dragon's Roar, Sword Soars to the Heavens!"

Su Bai's clear shout, like a dragon 'Dragon's Roar from the heavens, resounded throughout the entire giant arena!

He leaped from the Azure Dragon Sword, hovering in mid-air. His hands formed a profound sword Sword Art, and the "Yin Yang Guixu Sword Meridian" within his body trembled violently. Nearly one-sixth of his pure Spiritual Power was instantly drawn out and compressed, imbued with supreme sharpness, and poured entirely into the Azure Dragon Sword!

"Hold head high--!!!"

Accompanied by a majestic, domineering, and soul-stirring Dragon's Roar.

The Azure Dragon Sword erupted with an unprecedentedly intense azure light, and a solid, ferocious azure Dragon-shaped Sword Qi, over five zhang long, roared out from the tip of the sword!

With its dragon eyes glaring and whiskers flying, the dragon was incredibly lifelike, carrying a terrifying will to shatter the Void and annihilate everything. It charged towards the golden shield, which was already as fragile as a candle in the wind, and Zhang Feifei, whose face was deathly pale behind the shield, with overwhelming force!

This was Su Bai giving his opponent a dignified defeat.

It also served as a clear and strong warning to the other six men eyeing the ring.

I, Su Bai, am not only good at "running," but I also possess terrifying offensive power that can instantly end battles and is unstoppable!

Boom!!!

The dim golden shield, before the ferocious Dragon-shaped Sword Qi, was like ice and snow under the sun, unable to withstand it for even a moment, before shattering with a roar and dissipating into countless golden specks of light.

The last two Protective Talisman on Zhang Feifei's body had just begun to glow when they were easily torn apart by the aftershocks of the Dragon-shaped Sword Qi that followed.

A deadly threat has triggered a teleportation!

Swish!

The light flashed intensely, and Zhang Feifei's figure disappeared from the arena just before the Dragon-shaped Sword Qi completely engulfed him.

The next moment, he appeared in the crowd of Disciple watching the battle outside the arena. He staggered two steps before regaining his balance, his face as pale as paper, his forehead covered in cold sweat, and deep fear lingering in his eyes.

He lost, completely losing his chance to compete for a top-three finish.

The awe-inspiring Dragon-shaped Sword Qi, after losing its target, surged forward for dozens of feet and crashed hard into the protective light barrier at the edge of the arena, causing the light barrier to ripple violently and the runes to flash wildly before it slowly subsided.

The entire room fell silent.

A moment later, a tremendous uproar erupted!

"A dragon! It's a dragon! The Sword Qi has transformed into a dragon! And there's even Dragon's Roar's roar!"

"My God! Is this the supreme Sword Dao Divine Ability of the Sword Academy? It's terrifying!"

"That turtle shell of Zhang Feifei... it was gone in one hit?"

"This power... who in the Qi Refining Stage could withstand it?!"

Many young Disciple, who had only recently begun their training and lacked experience, were so excited that their faces turned red, and they pointed at the arena and exclaimed repeatedly.

To them, such a powerful and bizarre attack was practically a supernatural Divine Ability of High-Ranked Cultivator.

Some of the older inner disciple, who had witnessed Xu Shangran's former prowess, were filled with emotion:

"[Dragon's Roar Sword Heaven]... It's been so many years since I've seen such a thing! Apart from Court Master Xu, there is actually Disciple who can master such a Divine Ability!"

"The Sword Academy... it seems it's truly poised for a resurgence!"

This sword strike not only defeated Zhang Feifei, but also left a deep and awe-inspiring impression on countless inner disciple, showcasing the ultimate power of Sword Cultivator.

Many self-important Disciple who sought powerful offensive techniques looked eagerly in the direction of the Sword Academy, already determined to apply to transfer to the Sword Academy after the competition!

On the high platform, Xu Shangran watched the commotion below, especially the yearning for the way of the Sword Dao shining in the eyes of the young Disciple.

He was so happy his mouth almost stretched to the back of his ears, as if he could already see the Sword Academy bustling with activity and teeming with talented people in the future.

"Snort."

Fu Yunshen, standing to the side, timely poured cold water on the idea, saying, "The path of Sword Cultivator has extremely demanding requirements for Talent and Root Bone."

"The ability to condense Sword Qi alone is enough to stop 99% of Cultivator. The cultivation of Sword Control Technique and Sword Dao Divine Ability requires even more exceptional comprehension and a massive accumulation of resources."

"A momentary surge of activity may not necessarily lead to a lasting legacy. Ultimately, sect resources must be balanced and effective."

His words were not directed at the Sword Academy, but rather stated a fact.

Of the countless sects in the Cultivation World, only a few truly take the Sword Dao as their foundation, precisely because their threshold is high, their inheritance is difficult, and they rely too heavily on individual Talent.

Upon Xu Shangran was not annoyed at all. Instead, he chuckled, respectfully cupped his hands to Fu Yunshen, and then handed over a Jade Slip that he had prepared beforehand.

"Hall Master Highness, the threshold for Sword Dao is indeed high, but it is not insurmountable. Hall Master take a look at this document."

Fu Yunshen took the Jade Slip with a hint of doubt and immersed his Spiritual Sense into it.

A moment later, a clear look of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"The Profound Sword True Essence Art... uses Sword Qi as a guide to construct the ' Sword Vein Prototype,' thereby lowering the threshold for condensing Sword Qi Sword Qi and compressing and purifying it to enhance its power..."

"This method is ingeniously conceived and takes a completely new approach; it is truly a revolutionary method for Sword Dao Qi Refining Stage!"

"While it still requires a certain level of mental fortitude and perseverance, it certainly broadens the path for beginners in Sword Cultivator! Excellent, very good!"

Fu Yunshen rarely gave such high praise, saying, "If it is supplemented with appropriate resources and guidance, and perseveres, in several decades or even a hundred years, the Sword Academy may truly become another solid pillar of our Jade Mist Sect's Inner Sect."

He raised his head, his gaze sharp as he looked at Xu Shangran: "Where did this technique come from? The one who created this technique must possess Sword Dao and wisdom far beyond that of an ordinary person."

Xu Shangran replied frankly, "Your Hall Master, this technique was fortuitous opportunity by Su Bai and Zhao Shanhe through a fortuitous encounter. Based on the clues, it should have originated from that ' Immortal Palace '."

"The Immortal Palace?"

A cold glint flashed in Fu Yunshen's eyes, which then turned into a cold snort, "Taking some interest back from them isn't bad."

He hesitated for a moment, then transmitted his voice to Xu Shangran, saying, "It won't hurt to tell you."

"The Law Enforcement Court has essentially pinpointed the time and location of the Immortal Palace's upcoming large-scale operation."

"The sect has decided to seize this opportunity to launch a counterattack, firstly to blunt their advance, and secondly... to provide practical combat experience for its Disciple."

"A group of True Disciple will participate in this operation at that time."

Fu Yunshen's gaze fell on Su Bai on the arena below, his expression meaningful. "If this boy can truly win the Inner Sect Grand Competition and be promoted to a True Disciple... then let him go along as well."

"Let those Jade Mist Sect immortal Immortal Palace see for themselves what a true cultivation True Disciple should look like in Qingzhou!"

Xu Shangran was shocked. He hadn't expected the sect's higher-ups to act so quickly and already have a counterattack planned against the Immortal Palace.

The most troublesome thing about the Immortal Palace is its elusive teleportation ability. Since the sect dared to organize its True Disciple to fight back, it must have found a way to deal with or limit it.

He immediately bowed respectfully and said, "Rest assured, Your Hall Master, I will definitely explain everything to Su Bai after the competition."