An Unstoppable Force

The Bloodthirsty Technique had already reached the Proficient Level; once activated, all attributes increased by 50%. Originally, with Zhuge Xiang's ability, activating the Bloodthirsty Technique to kill Zhao Feiyun would have posed no pressure at all. However, one must not forget that the Bloodthirsty Technique comes with a weakness aftereffect, and Zhao Feiyun was a practitioner of Ghost Step. If he fled, cutting him down with the blade would waste time.

Therefore, in the early stage, Zhuge Xiang deliberately feigned weakness, aiming for a single lethal strike to save the activation time of the Bloodthirsty Technique. During the Grand Tournament, although there was time to recover in between, if the weakness period caused a significant drop in combat power, it would not be worth the loss.

"Ding, killed a Qi Cultivation Realm Second Layer cultivator, gained 55 experience, obtained Frost Headband."

As Zhao Feiyun was slain, the system prompt arrived as expected. 55 experience points—Zhuge Xiang was not disappointed, after all, there was no bonus for killing beyond his level. However, unexpectedly, an item had dropped, which delighted Zhuge Xiang greatly. For him, obtaining a piece of equipment was a considerable boost to his strength.

But Zhuge Xiang did not rush to examine the Frost Headband's details. Seeing the host and staff come up to clear Zhao Feiyun's corpse, he hurried over, pulled the Blood Spirit Fruit from Zhao Feiyun's chest, and said to the duel platform host, "This Blood Spirit Fruit was the wager between him and me in the duel. Can I take it?"

In a sect duel, the belongings of the deceased were normally reclaimed by the sect. However, earlier on the duel platform, Zhuge Xiang and Zhao Feiyun had stated that the Blood Spirit Fruit was the wager. According to the rules, such duel wagers would not be confiscated by the sect.

The host did not intend to make things difficult for Zhuge Xiang and nodded to indicate he could take it. As for the Artifact Boots and short blade, they had to be handed over to the sect and could not be considered Zhuge Xiang's spoils.

Holding the Blood Spirit Fruit, Zhuge Xiang walked off the duel platform. Amid the envious gazes of many disciples, he handed the Blood Spirit Fruit to Niu Geng. Among nearly two hundred thousand disciples, most had not comprehended Qi Energy. They naturally understood the value of a Blood Spirit Fruit, and for that reason, they were even more envious of Niu Geng.

"Alright, we're friends. Being too polite would only make things awkward. Eat it quickly; comprehending Qi Energy is what matters," Zhuge Xiang said, cutting off Niu Geng before he could excitedly thank him.

Since Zhuge Xiang said so, Niu Geng said no more. He nodded, sat down in a secluded empty spot beside the Martial Arts Arena, and put the blood-red Blood Spirit Fruit into his mouth. Zhuge Xiang, with the Blood Refinement Saber on his back, stood guard beside Niu Geng while gazing at the matches on the thirty duel platforms.

Over five thousand disciples had comprehended Qi Energy, but most were at the Qi Cultivation Realm First Layer. Only a few hundred, about five or six hundred, had reached the Qi Cultivation Realm Second Layer—one in ten. As for the Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer? Apart from Lu Yuling, at least so far, Zhuge Xiang had not seen any. However, he thought that a handful of geniuses should have reached it, but they had not yet appeared on stage.

Over five thousand disciples who had comprehended Qi Energy were evenly distributed across thirty-two duel platforms, with each platform assigned nearly one hundred seventy to one hundred eighty disciples. To advance from the group and claim first place, one would need to fight seven or eight consecutive matches.

There were no genius figures worth paying attention to, so after a glance, Zhuge Xiang withdrew his gaze. On Niu Geng's side, his face was flushed red—a sign of essence blood surging—clearly at the critical moment of comprehending Qi Energy. Zhuge Xiang could not help. He looked down and examined a sky-blue headband wrapped in his hand. The sky-blue headband seemed woven from fine silk, adorned with mysterious icy patterns, and looked quite magnificent. As Zhuge Xiang focused, the Frost Headband's information appeared before his eyes.

Frost Headband (One-Star Artifact): Defense 8-10, Unique Active: Reduces the movement speed of enemy targets within a 10-meter radius by 20% for 10 seconds, cooldown 600 seconds.

Good stuff! Seeing the Frost Headband's details, Zhuge Xiang could not hide his joy.

What kind of opponent did Zhuge Xiang fear most? Those who practiced Ghost Step. Their ghostly figures and speed made things tricky for him. If Zhao Feiyun had not trained in Ghost Step but in some other Martial Art, why would Zhuge Xiang have needed to feign weakness? A single Blood Thunder Slash would have ended the fight.

It only lasted 10 seconds, which was indeed short, but in battle, things changed in an instant. 10 seconds was already quite good. With the opponent's speed reduced by 20% and his own Artifact Boots boosting speed by 30%, the net gain meant that even against Ghost Step, he might be able to catch up.

For Zhuge Xiang at present, this Frost Headband was exactly what he needed. Its value even surpassed that of Two-Star or even Three-Star Artifacts.

Tying the Frost Headband around his forehead, a wave of cool energy emanated from it, making Zhuge Xiang feel as if his mind had become much clearer. A faint, barely perceptible breeze swirled around his body, unnoticed by others.

Zhuge Xiang knew this was the headband's defensive effect. All attacks passing through this invisible defense would be weakened. This defensive effect was similar to the blood-colored Qi Energy that emerged with the Bloodthirsty Technique, both enhancing defense.

Just as Zhuge Xiang fastened the Frost Headband to his forehead, a faint surge of Qi Energy appeared without warning. Turning his head, he saw Niu Geng opening his eyes at the same time. Zhuge Xiang showed a sincere smile: "Congratulations, Niu Geng. You've finally broken through to Qi Energy."

"Yeah, I have you to thank for the Blood Spirit Fruit," Niu Geng said gratefully, looking at Zhuge Xiang sincerely.

What was the purpose of coming to the Asura Sect? To gain powerful strength, hoping that one day he could return home in glory to the Tang Sect. It was Zhuge Xiang's Blood Spirit Fruit that allowed him to qualify to stay in the Asura Sect and become an official disciple. Such gratitude, given Niu Geng's honest nature, he could not express in words, but he kept it firmly in his heart.

Niu Geng had comprehended Qi Energy and went to find the relevant staff for testing and registration. As for the Grand Tournament? Niu Geng had no intention of participating. Having just comprehended Qi Energy, he was better than ordinary people, but he had not practiced any combat Martial Arts. Going up would only be asking for a beating.

Soon, on Zhuge Xiang's duel platform, all the disciples had fought one round, eliminating more than half. Finally, it was Zhuge Xiang's turn to appear for the second time. Why say "eliminating half"? Because in the Asura Sect's matches, there were only victors. If a match ended in a draw, both sides were considered losers.

The earlier instant activation of the Bloodthirsty Technique had not affected Zhuge Xiang much. Plus, this round's opponent was only a Qi Cultivation Realm First Layer disciple practicing a set of sword techniques. With his level advantage, along with the Artifact Boots and Blood Refinement Saber, Zhuge Xiang won easily without even using his Martial Arts. He then swept through the third and fourth victories in quick succession. His luck was good, as he kept encountering Qi Cultivation Realm First Layer disciples, posing no pressure at all.

Although most were Qi Cultivation Realm First Layer disciples, after four consecutive rounds, only about three hundred disciples remained across the thirty-two duel platforms. Three straight matches against Qi Cultivation Realm First Layer disciples made many think Zhuge Xiang was indeed very lucky. However, Zhuge Xiang was not happy about this situation.

With his level advantage, defeating a Qi Cultivation Realm First Layer disciple only gave him a measly 10 experience points. Indeed, against lower-level targets, the experience penalty was severe. Three consecutive rounds had netted him only 30 experience points. At this rate, the hope of breaking through to the Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer during the Grand Tournament grew even slimmer.

But as the matches progressed, the remaining disciples grew stronger. Finally, in the fifth round, Zhuge Xiang encountered a formidable opponent.

Ji Wuxue, a hotshot genius among the hundred thousand disciples and a strong contender for first place on this duel platform. A genius disciple who had comprehended Qi Energy five months ago, not far behind Lu Yuling. With a black longsword on his back, he stood on the duel platform like an unsheathed sword.

"Your strength is not bad, but unfortunately, you won't be my opponent," Ji Wuxue said coolly, his expression indifferent. He was a true swordsman, with no trace of contempt on his face, neither sad nor happy. His words sounded like a simple statement of fact.

Before Zhuge Xiang could reply, Ji Wuxue's black longsword leaped into his palm. Then, blood-red Qi Energy emerged around him, his eyes turning a terrifying, eerie crimson, as if possessed by a blood Asura. His entire aura became more sinister and powerful. This phenomenon was unmistakably the Bloodthirsty Technique.

"Your Bloodthirsty Technique has reached the Proficient Level. I am inferior to you in that. But my cultivation broke through to the Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer a month ago. In terms of cultivation, you are inferior to me..." Activating the Bloodthirsty Technique, Ji Wuxue's eyes locked onto Zhuge Xiang. His black longsword shot forward like a black lightning bolt, striking at an awkward angle that made it feel impossible to dodge. It was clearly another sword technique, but not one from the Martial Arts Pavilion.

Although the Asura Sect had ruled that disciples could not practice a second Martial Art until breaking through to the Qi Cultivation Realm Fifth Layer, if they obtained a Martial Art secret realm through external training, the sect would not interfere. Clearly, after mastering the Bloodthirsty Technique, Ji Wuxue had acquired a sharp sword technique elsewhere.

With Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer cultivation, a sharp sword technique, and the Bloodthirsty Technique, Zhuge Xiang's expression turned serious facing Ji Wuxue. This was an opponent far beyond Zhao Feiyun. Of course, Zhuge Xiang was even more excited. Killing beyond his level—the stronger the opponent, the more experience he would gain from defeating him, and the higher the item drop rate. Risk and reward went hand in hand...