A Vivid Lesson

If Han Fei's first victory could be called luck, then his second victory was a genuine win.

Of course, in the eyes of the disciples, Han Fei had still seized Leng Mu's opening and given him no chance to counterattack, directly laying the foundation for victory. After all, Leng Mu had only just used the Two Forms Sword Art. Before anyone could witness its dazzling attacks, Leng Mu was already sprawled on the ground.

But in the eyes of some high-level Martial Artists, Han Fei had not thrown that pebble casually.

Qi Xiaotian said in a low voice, "Both opponents were defeated by Han Fei before they could display their true strength, beaten until they had no power to fight back. This kind of combat awareness also indirectly enhances Han Fei's fighting ability."

Qi Xuanxuan asked, "Father, can you tell how he did it? It felt impressive, but I still didn't really understand."

Qi Xiaotian explained, "It was actually very simple. He relied on openings. The first opponent thought he was fast enough to outrun Han Fei's eyes. After all, his cultivation was one level higher than Han Fei's. But Han Fei's sudden burst of speed was even faster than his, so in his panic, he had no way to change his move and was counterattacked by Han Fei. That was the result of underestimating his opponent. Of course, personally, I think that even if they had fought at full strength, the first man would not have been Han Fei's match."

"As for this Leng Mu, although he did not underestimate his opponent, there was an opening in his sword technique. The Two Forms Sword Art was not weak, but it was ultimately performed by a single person and could not achieve seamless transitions. Han Fei seized the gap between the Two Forms Sword Qi."

"Moreover, that strike hit Leng Mu's qi gate with absolute precision, causing his technique to collapse completely. His spiritual energy broke off for at least one or two breaths. In a fight between Martial Artists, one or two breaths can already determine victory or defeat."

At this point, Han Fei had become famous. In truth, any disciple who won two consecutive matches and entered the third stage was basically well-known throughout the Tianyuan Divine Sect.

Han Fei felt no particular stir in his heart after winning. But after Han Fei, the eighth match was Fu Jiahao's.

Fu Jiahao entered the arena. His opponent was Qin Yu, Giant God Peak's foremost disciple, whose cultivation was at the peak of the Ninth Level of the Innate Realm.

Qin Yu stared at the bamboo slip in his hand, gripping it so hard his hand nearly bled. Giant God Peak had only him enter the second stage; the other four had all been defeated in the first stage. That made it impossible for Qin Yu to exchange bamboo slips with anyone. He could only brace himself and step into the square.

"Qin Yu is really unlucky. He actually ran into Fu Jiahao in the second stage. He is the Sect Master's final disciple, and I heard his cultivation reached the Spirit Gathering Realm long ago."

"Qin Yu is finished. With Qin Yu's cultivation, he could have safely entered the third stage."

Many of the surrounding disciples felt sorry for Qin Yu.

"Qin Yu of Giant God Peak does not dare fight Senior Brother. Qin Yu concedes this match."

Fu Jiahao narrowed his eyes and turned toward Tongtian Peak's viewing platform, too lazy even to acknowledge Qin Yu.

The hasty end of the eighth match disappointed many watching disciples.

But the ninth match was Qi Mengyu's. Naturally, there was no need to mention the result—she lost to a disciple from Zichen Peak.

At this point, all five disciples of Giant God Peak had been defeated, securing their place at the bottom of this year's rankings. Taihe Peak still had Han Fei remaining.

Half an hour later, the second round ended. A total of forty-three people advanced, and Han Fei was among them.

Qi Xuanxuan then took part in the drawing as well. There were forty-four people in total, divided into twenty-two groups to fight one another.

The sky gradually darkened, yet Tongtian Peak's summit remained brilliantly lit, scarcely dimmer than daytime.

Every building glowed, and countless luminous stones around the square illuminated it as brightly as day.

But just after the drawing ended, a voice from Giant God Peak declared that it was unfair.

At once, everyone turned their gaze toward Giant God Peak.

Qi Xiaotian rose to his feet and asked with a smile, "Oh? Are you saying the rules of the Thirty-Three Peaks Martial Arts Tournament are unfair?"

Daoist Yiyuan, Giant God Peak's Headmaster, looked ashen. He immediately bowed and said, "Sect Master, please calm your anger. Yiyuan failed to restrain his disciples. Please punish me, Sect Master."

Qi Xiaotian waved his hand, signaling Daoist Yiyuan to be silent, then looked at Qin Yu. "Today, before the elite disciples of all Thirty-Three Peaks, tell us what you believe is unfair."

Qin Yu shook free of the junior brothers and sisters holding him back, stepped forward to the edge of the viewing platform, and said, "Sect Master, of the forty-four people advancing to the third round, most have earned it fairly. But some relied on luck rather than strength. There are even people at the Sixth Level of the Innate Realm. How are those of us at the Ninth Level and Eighth Level of the Innate Realm supposed to accept that?"

Among the forty-four who advanced, aside from Han Fei at the Sixth Level of the Innate Realm, there was also one at the Seventh Level of the Innate Realm and three at the Eighth Level of the Innate Realm. That was why Qin Yu refused to accept it.

Qin Yu continued, "Leaving aside whether I can defeat those with lower cultivation, even if I encountered someone at the Ninth Level of the Innate Realm, I might not necessarily lose, right?"

Qi Xiaotian nodded. Rather than answer Qin Yu directly, he pointed toward Taihe Peak.

"Taihe Peak has ranked last for three consecutive years. Do you know why? Could it be that none of them ever defeated disciples from other peaks? Could it be that they never had anyone at the Ninth Level of the Innate Realm, or even the Tenth Level, enter the third round?"

"I'll tell you this: in the previous tournament, Taihe Peak's strongest disciple was also at the peak of the Ninth Level of the Innate Realm, just like you. Yet they likewise failed to enter the third round. Why did Taihe Peak not lodge a complaint like you? Could it be that their Ninth Level of the Innate Realm disciple could not defeat those Eighth or even Seventh Level of the Innate Realm disciples who entered the third round?"

Qin Yu wilted. He truly had been blinded by anger just now, to the point that he had not considered this.

Daoist Yiyuan sighed beside him. He kept his head lowered and maintained his bowing posture. It was both reverence for Sect Master Qi Xiaotian and punishment for his own poor discipline.

Qi Xiaotian continued, "I understand how you feel, but you must respect the standards of the Thirty-Three Peaks Martial Arts Tournament. Who says luck is not part of strength? Over the years, the Headmasters of the major peaks have gradually placed too much importance on rankings. They have desperately raised their disciples' cultivation while neglecting to teach them true combat strength."

The Headmasters of all Thirty-Three Peaks lowered their heads. Qi Xiaotian's words had indeed struck home.

For the rankings of the Thirty-Three Peaks Martial Arts Tournament, for those illusory titles, and to avoid being unable to hold their heads high before the other Headmasters, they had gradually neglected to improve their disciples' actual strength.

Qi Xiaotian paced across the viewing platform, spiritual power infused into his voice. "There were some things I did not wish to say publicly, but you have gone too far, Headmasters of the major peaks. We all come from the same lineage. Think carefully: when did our master or our forebears ever teach us that cultivation represented strength?"

"Did this young man named Han Fei not give us a vivid lesson today? At the Sixth Level of the Innate Realm, he instantly defeated an opponent at the Seventh Level of the Innate Realm. In his second match, he instantly defeated an opponent at the Eighth Level of the Innate Realm as well. Was that luck? I believe everyone here saw it clearly."

Qin Yu was somewhat dazed. After Qi Xiaotian put it that way, he seemed to have indeed gone too far. He sat on the viewing platform, looking utterly dejected.

Qi Xiaotian sighed and waved his hand, signaling for the tournament to continue. Although Qin Yu had disrupted the order of the tournament, he had forced Qi Xiaotian to voice what was in his heart, which suited Qi Xiaotian's intentions. So he no longer wished to pursue the matter.

Han Fei glanced at Giant God Peak's viewing platform and muttered, "Idiot..."

Qin Yu looked up angrily. "Others can insult me, but not you. No matter how highly the Sect Master praises you, you are still an ant at the Sixth Level of the Innate Realm. I am three levels above you. If you face me, you will die miserably."

Han Fei shook his head. "You still do not understand? The Sect Master said so much, yet none of it went into your head. I feel sorry for you."

Qin Yu froze. The viewing platforms of both peaks, along with the disciples behind them, all looked over.

Han Fei continued, "What the Sect Master meant was that in every tournament, only those ranked near the top truly receive attention. Yet you became furious out of humiliation simply because you could not enter the third round. That is what disappointed the Sect Master most about you."

"Think carefully. Even if you entered the third round, what then? Could you enter the fourth round? Even if you entered the fourth round, could you make it to the fifth? What the Sect Master truly cares about is the final arena battles, yet you are throwing a tantrum here because you cannot enter the third round. Was I wrong to call you an idiot?"

Qin Yu seemed to awaken from a dream and finally realized where the problem lay. Yes, even if he entered the third round, what would it change? Without reaching the Tenth Level of the Innate Realm, he had no chance at one of the final eleven spots.

Daoist Yiyuan was also deeply disappointed in Qin Yu. He turned away and prepared to watch the upcoming matches.

Han Fei, meanwhile, prepared for his next battle. His goal was not the third round, but the final arena battles. He felt that was where things would truly become interesting. Until now, his Gale Sword had not even left its sheath.