The Final Duel

(ps: classification newcomer new book list rushed up, but more need everyone's support, begging for collections, begging for recommendations, this week seems hopeless for the homepage new book list, next week? Hoping to store up and burst out, smash more tickets and more collections)

Following Ling Wufeng's active concession, the duel of the top four naturally ended, Lu Yuling went down to rest, and the next duel was between Ling Wufeng and Lei Potian for third place.

Originally with Lei Potian's strength, the possibility of defeating Ling Wufeng was still quite large, only, the battle with Zhuge Xiang made him fall into a very serious period of weakness, the two only entangled for a moment, and Lei Potian was quickly defeated by Ling Wufeng.

Originally the biggest favorite to win the championship, Lei Potian unexpectedly didn't even make the top three in the end, one has to say this was indeed an ending beyond everyone's expectations, and when he was finally defeated by Ling Wufeng, whether it was originally a problem with his injuries or unable to endure such a blow, Lei Potian directly lapsed into unconsciousness.

The order of the final eight of the grand tournament had all been decided, lacking only the final general duel for a perfect conclusion, Zhuge Xiang versus Lu Yuling, who would win and who would lose?

Originally when Zhuge Xiang defeated Lei Potian, the crowd watching the battle all felt that Zhuge Xiang was bound to win, his strength already unstoppable, but just from the previous battle, the strength Lu Yuling displayed caused Zhuge Xiang's securely seated champion throne to show fluctuations, and for the ultimate decisive battle, everyone widened their eyes, bound to be the most exciting.

"To be honest, the first time I saw you, you hadn't even comprehended Qi energy, and in just this little time, you've already been able to walk to this step. Thinking back on it now, it seems you are the biggest genius of this tournament. To battle with you, I look forward to it."

Standing before Zhuge Xiang, a look of emotion and nostalgia carried across Lu Yuling's face, lacking her usual icy coldness. Because of Zhuge Xiang's crisp and decisive personality and their shared goal of prioritizing cultivation, Lu Yuling could feel relaxed and at ease interacting with him, so their relationship could be considered that of friends.

"To tell the truth, standing here and catching up to the footsteps of geniuses like you, I have a great sense of accomplishment. This proves my progress," wearing a straightforward, utterly true smile, Zhuge Xiang said.

Lu Yuling smiled. Zhuge Xiang possessed such a direct and decisive personality, and no matter from what angle one looked at it, Zhuge Xiang's words were indeed the truth. Being able to catch up to geniuses like themselves in half a month was equal to half a year of her own bitter cultivation, and he possessed the qualification to be proud.

Worthy of pride, then be proud, without being coy—this was Zhuge Xiang's personality, seeking truth from facts, decisive and direct, which was also the personality Demonic Sect disciples ought to possess.

Judging from the words of Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling, it was obvious that the two were not simply acquainted on a superficial level, and their relationship should be quite good. Moreover, on Lu Yuling's face, that ice-cold demeanor keeping people thousands of miles away could not be seen, and she could even carry a trace of a smile, which caused the Asura Sect disciples below to secretly think as expected, the friendship between Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling truly ran deep. Only, Zhuge Xiang proved himself with his strength, causing the vast majority of those who previously held hostility toward him to extinguish their own thoughts.

"I also look forward to battling you. I wonder if your Ice Heart Art, in the Clear Mind State, can block my attack." Ablaze with fighting intent, Zhuge Xiang stared seriously at Lu Yuling and spoke, handing the Blood Refinement Saber into his hand as he spoke, decisively activating the Bloodthirsty Technique. Blood-colored Qi energy surfaced, ghost shadows lingering ominously, and with a kick of his soles he launched a full-speed sudden thrust, the Blood Refinement Saber cleaving straight down.

The Bloodthirsty Technique, the Star Chasing Boots, and Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer cultivation—all of this made Zhuge Xiang's speed extremely fast, simply able to be described as fleet as the wind. The ferocious Blood Refinement Saber carried rolling wind pressure, not only fast in speed but also strong in attack. This was Zhuge Xiang's strength, and a single saber strike was enough to prove that his ability to reach this step of the general duel was by no means accidental.

However, this saber strike from Zhuge Xiang was dodged by Lu Yuling. Right as Zhuge Xiang delivered his saber strike, Lu Yuling's body had already moved, her Clear Mind State allowing her to gain insight into Zhuge Xiang's attack trajectory.

Though her speed wasn't particularly fast, she could anticipate the enemy's moves in advance. After dodging Zhuge Xiang's attack, Lu Yuling raised her hand, strings spreading out from one Ice Silkworm Silk Glove after another while she simultaneously unleashed the Clear Wave Palm. Although Zhuge Xiang wasn't a moth, but rather a sparrow, as long as the spider silk was tough enough, even a sparrow needn't think of flying away...

Watching the threads aiding the Clear Wave Palm, Zhuge Xiang, who deeply understood the might of Lu Yuling's Clear Wave Palm, narrowed his eyes slightly. The bluestone flags beneath his feet abruptly cracked apart, and with an explosive burst of speed, Zhuge Xiang pulled himself back several meters as if by teleportation, leaving the range enveloped by the Clear Wave Palm. It was precisely the skill Explosive Steps. Though he dodged, the meridians on the soles of his feet nevertheless produced waves of pinprick-like pain.

As expected, is this the Mind's Eye? Truly troublesome. Dodging out of Lu Yuling's attack range, Zhuge Xiang muttered inwardly to himself.

He had finally comprehended Ling Wufeng's helplessness. His own close-combat was alright; Ling Wufeng's flying dagger, though tricky in its angles and able to change trajectory by utilizing collisions, still couldn't control the direction of the flying dagger midway, and moreover was suppressed to death by Lu Yuling.

No matter who it was, even Zhuge Xiang, upon encountering Ling Wufeng's flying dagger, believed they would certainly feel it was extremely tricky, without necessarily having the possibility of a certain victory. Yet precisely, Lu Yuling's Clear Mind State happened to restrain his flying dagger.

Touching and separating instantly, Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling stood separated by a few meters, confronting each other earnestly, both able to perceive the other's trouble. For Zhuge Xiang, his own attacks could be evaded by her, and once he got close, her Clear Wave Palm was also very dangerous to him.

As for Lu Yuling? She was also very clear that if she wanted to win, she could only use the Clear Wave Palm to entangle Zhuge Xiang; otherwise, given his speed, she would be completely helpless.

The cooldown time of Explosive Steps was ten seconds. For safety's sake, during the subsequent two attacks, Zhuge Xiang waited until the cooldown time of Explosive Steps had passed before making his move. However, both attacks were easily dodged by Lu Yuling. If not for relying on the ability of Explosive Steps, he reckoned he would have plunged deep inside and been unable to withdraw.

Frowning, with a few uses of Explosive Steps, he had already wasted more than twenty seconds. Explosive Steps consumed 10 points of mp in Qi energy, and his total amount was only 130 points. Up to now, three uses of Explosive Steps had caused him to consume close to a quarter of his Qi energy.

Although Explosive Steps was very strong, its cooldown time was ten seconds, and the Qi energy consumption was not small either. More importantly, his Bloodthirsty Technique could only last for one minute, and in just this brief moment, a small half of the time had already passed. If the time dragged on any further, once his Bloodthirsty Technique vanished, not only would his strength drop, but he would also have to endure a terrifying weakness effect, and by that time, it would be difficult for him to turn the tables.

Earnestly looking at Lu Yuling, with her Clear Mind State able to gain insight into his attacks and trajectory, she was indeed very tricky. Lu Yuling could even manage to strike first by gaining control after the enemy had moved. However, the Clear Mind State merely allowed her to gain insight into his attacks, while her own speed did not increase.

What if he unleashed a series of high-intensity, high-speed attacks? Then even if she could gain insight into his attacks, her physical speed wouldn't be able to keep up with his rhythm, right? Mn, it seems wanting to defeat Lu Yuling would only be possible this way...

"These two have both fallen into a bitter battle." Looking at Zhuge Xiang constantly probing on the stage, and Lu Yuling standing quietly wanting to respond to motion with stillness, quite a few people held such a thought in their hearts. Judging from the appearance of the situation, it was indeed so; Zhuge Xiang's attacks couldn't hit, while Lu Yuling's speed couldn't catch up to Zhuge Xiang. For now, it indeed appeared to be a bitter battle.

However, genius disciples like Ji Wuxue and Ling Wufeng clearly understood that although it currently seemed evenly matched with neither able to do anything to the other, Lu Yuling actually held the upper hand.

Although Zhuge Xiang's speed was very fast, looking at his appearance, it seemed his Qi energy consumption was not small, clearly that terrifying movement footwork consumed a great deal of Qi energy. Moreover, the most important thing was that the Bloodthirsty Technique could not be activated for a long time. Lu Yuling only needed to respond to motion with stillness, and once the effect of Zhuge Xiang's Bloodthirsty Technique passed, she could cement her victory.

Therefore, although the current situation on the duel platform was evenly matched, Lu Yuling maintained a relaxed and carefree appearance, while looking back at Zhuge Xiang, his complexion was grave. Clearly, both sides had realized this point.

He could not drag out the time and must finish the battle quickly, using high-density attacks to make her physical body unable to keep up with his movements. By then, no matter how she gained insight into his attacks, it would all be in vain. Looking at the remaining duration of his Bloodthirsty Technique, with only the final half-minute or so left, Zhuge Xiang's expression grew grave, and he immediately reached into his bosom, pulling out a medicinal pill. It was a pill roughly the size of a Bodhi seed, emitting a dense miraculous phenomenon—it was precisely the Super Spirit Qi Secret Medicine.

Super Spirit Qi Secret Medicine: Requires Qi Cultivation Realm First Layer; consuming it grants immensely vast power. All system skills have no cooldown time and no consumption. Duration: 30 seconds.

This Super Spirit Qi Secret Medicine was precisely the item dropped from slaying the One-Star Mid-Grade Fox Demon last time, dropped together with Explosive Steps. Up until now Zhuge Xiang hadn't used it; after all, with system skills having no cooldown and no consumption, the skills Zhuge Xiang possessed up to now had merely been the Bloodthirsty Technique and the Blood Thunder Slash. Now, with his breakthrough to the Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer, Zhuge Xiang finally possessed the system skill Explosive Steps.

"Lu Yuling, your Clear Mind State is indeed very strong, and you can gain insight into all my attacks, but your own speed does not increase. Under my high-density attacks, I wonder if your physical body can keep up with my movements?" Staring earnestly at Lu Yuling, Zhuge Xiang spoke, and as he spoke, he placed the Super Spirit Qi Secret Medicine into his mouth.

A medicinal pill? Watching Zhuge Xiang swallow a medicinal pill, Lu Yuling frowned slightly.

No one stipulated that medicinal pills could not be used during combat; after all, whether magical artifacts, martial techniques, or medicinal pills, all of them were a part of strength. Zhuge Xiang taking a medicinal pill at this moment? Lu Yuling grew grave; it was clearly a medicinal pill advantageous to the current situation, which was why Zhuge Xiang consumed it...

Ding, consumed the Super Spirit Qi Secret Medicine. Explosive Steps skill has no cooldown and no consumption. Duration: 30 seconds.