The martial tournament had entered its third round. The remaining disciples were basically no weaklings; even those with lower cultivation had displayed exceptional talent in other areas.
After drawing lots, Han Fei glanced at his bamboo slip. Number twenty-two. Unless something unexpected happened, he would be the last to compete.
The first match was the main event: Xu Mozi, Zichen Peak's strongest disciple, against Zhang Chao, Qiankun Peak's strongest disciple.
Both were at the Tenth Level of the Innate Realm, and the relationship between their two main peaks was strained. It could be said that both carried a heavy burden.
In the end, however, Zhang Chao proved slightly more skilled and defeated Xu Mozi.
Daoist Sanyuan said quietly, "Qiankun Peak ranks higher, after all. That means Zhang Chao bears more on his shoulders."
Match after match proceeded. The only Seventh Level of the Innate Realm expert was eliminated as expected. She specialized in formations and had made it this far through Formation Arrays, but the gap in cultivation was simply too great. Her opponent was a Ninth Level of the Innate Realm expert.
The twenty-first match: Fu Jiahao of Tongtian Peak versus Wang Mian of Digui Peak.
Silence. Absolute silence filled the arena.
Digui Peak ranked second among the Thirty-Three Peaks, surpassed only by Tongtian Peak. Wang Mian was also the only expert in the Spirit Gathering Realm.
Only after several breaths did murmurs begin to spread through the arena.
"It's Wang Mian? Isn't he over the age limit?"
"Not yet. Word is that Wang Mian is nineteen this year, just within the qualifications for the tournament."
"They're both in the Spirit Gathering Realm. This will be worth watching."
Han Fei watched the two men descend into the arena, feeling a trace of anticipation as well. Fu Jiahao's opponents in the previous rounds had all conceded immediately, leaving Han Fei knowing nothing about him. This was the perfect chance to see just how strong Fu Jiahao was in battle. After all, Han Fei knew practically nothing about him.
Wang Mian clasped his fists. "Wang Mian of Digui Peak. Please enlighten me, Senior Brother."
Fu Jiahao smiled faintly. "I wouldn't dare claim to enlighten you. Let's simply do our best."
A silver spear appeared in Wang Mian's right hand. As his spiritual energy circulated, a faint silver glow emerged. Judging by its grade, it was actually a High-grade Treasure Spear.
Meanwhile, a mid-grade treasure sword appeared in Fu Jiahao's hand.
He extended his left hand, signaling for Wang Mian to make the first move.
A fierce glint flashed through Wang Mian's eyes. His spiritual energy erupted, and a ring of force spread across the ground beneath his feet. He charged straight at Fu Jiahao with his spear held behind him. The spear spun above his head, then Wang Mian leaped high into the air and delivered a downward slash at Fu Jiahao.
Fu Jiahao responded calmly, sweeping his sword upward at a forty-five-degree angle and knocking the descending spear aside.
Fu Jiahao then extended his left hand. Not to be outdone, Wang Mian did the same. Both men circulated their spiritual energy and struck their palms together.
Bang! The sound of exploding spiritual energy rang out. Violent winds rose around them as scattered energy surged in every direction. Fu Jiahao and Wang Mian both staggered back several steps before steadying themselves.
Yet that exchange had ended evenly, indirectly proving that their spiritual energy levels were almost identical.
Qi Mengyu said, "They're both so strong. If that palm strike hit me, it would probably smash my bones to pieces, wouldn't it?"
Han Fei shook his head. "You can't look at it that way. Their spiritual energy levels, cultivation, and even combat strength may be similar, but don't forget that Wang Mian is already nineteen, while Fu Jiahao is only sixteen. That's a full three-year difference."
"If Fu Jiahao were also nineteen, would you still think they were equals? Fu Jiahao reached in six years the level Wang Mian needed nine years to attain. That's the crucial point."
Daoist Sanyuan nodded. "Although disciples are openly recruited only when the mountain gates are opened, the Headmasters of each peak also privately seek out promising talents to nurture. Han Fei was one such case. He did not join the Tianyuan Divine Sect during an open recruitment."
Han Fei said, "But there wasn't much difference in time. I remember that Fu Jiahao had just been eliminated from the physical fitness assessment back then."
While they spoke, the two men in the arena had already entered a deadlock. This match was also the most exciting battle of the entire tournament.
As they fought, they actually rose into the air, reaching a height of twenty or thirty meters above the ground.
The sparks from their clashing weapons and the glow of spiritual energy lit up the night sky.
At Tongtian Peak's viewing area, Qi Xuanxuan frowned. "Why does Fu Jiahao seem a little strange today?"
Qi Xiaotian said, "I'm wondering the same thing. Is Jiahao holding back against his opponent? Why isn't he using his own weapon? Though they appear evenly matched, Jiahao has been suppressed the entire time. If this continues, he'll definitely lose."
The two men fought all the way from the sky back to the ground. The bluestone slabs beneath them could no longer withstand their spiritual energy and kept exploding with sharp cracks.
They pulled apart. Wang Mian swung his spear, gathering spiritual energy frantically. The entire spear shaft filled with a dazzling radiance.
Han Fei narrowed his eyes. "Looks like he's getting serious. Wang Mian really is strong, but why do Fu Jiahao's movements feel so familiar?"
Wang Mian said, "The phoenix dances through the nine heavens without nirvana; five peerless spear strikes break through heaven's gates."
Buzz! The spiritual energy within the spear nearly reached its peak. The entire weapon trembled violently as its light gradually expanded.
Whoosh! A crimson phantom spear formed from spiritual energy shot straight toward Fu Jiahao.
Fu Jiahao narrowed his eyes. He seemed very familiar with this move as well. His spiritual power sank, and the sword in his hand shone with a dazzling light.
"Wind God Sword Art!"
Fu Jiahao swung his sword so quickly that only afterimages could be seen. The sword shadows formed a conical shield before him, surrounded by a powerful field of Sword Qi serving as an outer defense.
Bang! The spear shadow struck the Sword Qi shield, instantly scattering a large amount of spiritual energy into the air.
Although the strike failed to break through, Fu Jiahao was still forced backward by the impact.
The instant the first strike ended, Wang Mian's spear launched another red spear shadow. This one was even more solid than the first.
The second spear shadow crashed into Fu Jiahao's Sword Qi shield once again and gradually vanished, just like the first.
Then came the third. Only then did Han Fei understand that the so-called five peerless spear strikes meant launching five spear shadows in succession, with each one stronger than the last.
By then, the third spear shadow had become nearly tangible. When it struck Fu Jiahao's Sword Qi shield, this time it was not only the spear shadow that vanished. Fu Jiahao's Sword Qi field disappeared as well.
Moreover, the pressure was simply too overwhelming. The mid-grade treasure sword in Fu Jiahao's hand snapped cleanly into two pieces.
Blood trickled from the corner of Fu Jiahao's mouth as he retreated several steps.
Qi Xiaotian frowned deeply. He truly could not understand what Fu Jiahao was concealing or why he refused to fight with his full strength.
If Fu Jiahao continued hiding his abilities now, he would likely lose. At that moment, he glanced in Han Fei's direction.
At the same time, Wang Mian unleashed his fourth spear shadow. The solid crimson spear shot straight toward Fu Jiahao.
After launching the fourth strike, Wang Mian spat out a mouthful of blood. This move required immense spiritual power to sustain it. Clearly, his cultivation was only enough to launch the third spear shadow, and forcing out the fourth had already pushed him to his limit.
Facing the fourth blood-red spear shadow, Fu Jiahao no longer dared to be careless. He placed his right hand at his waist, and a flash of light appeared.
When the light faded, it revealed a soft sword barely thicker than a sheet of paper.
Han Fei's expression darkened at that moment. He remembered that sword far too clearly, and the way Fu Jiahao held it was exactly the same as that night.
After drawing his bonded weapon, Fu Jiahao directly flung the soft sword outward.
The soft sword split apart, forming over a hundred streams of pliant Sword Qi.
Fu Jiahao roared, "Sword Shadow Heaven and Earth!"
Over a hundred streams of Sword Qi surged together toward the incoming spear shadow.
Bang! Bang! Bang! A rapid series of explosions echoed across the arena. Under the assault of the Sword Qi, the blood-red spear shadow completely collapsed.
His technique had been forcefully shattered. Wang Mian could no longer endure it and spat out another mist of blood.
Clang! After the spiritual energy dispersed, Fu Jiahao's soft sword slowly descended from the sky and pierced the ground, its blade still swaying back and forth.
Just as the entire arena fell silent, Han Fei's whole body trembled. He pointed at Fu Jiahao with his right hand and said, "It was you. You were the one who killed Dong Jie. You..."
Wang Mian dropped to one knee in the arena and raised his left hand, signaling his defeat.
Fu Jiahao pulled out his soft sword, then looked at Han Fei with disdain. "Han Fei, some things are better left unspoken between us. I knew my identity couldn't remain hidden forever, but it doesn't matter. If you want revenge, I'll be ready anytime."
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