The Battle for the Top Eight (Part Two)

Below the Tournament Platform, all the Cultivator held their breath, intently watching Zhuge Xiang and Shui Wan'er on the stage. Their anticipation for this battle was even stronger than that for the battle between Leng Ningxiang and Chu Lingfeng just now.

Zhuge Xiang, as Seed Player, and having just fought against Dongfang Yan and Xiong Ba Tian, is known for his strength.

And what about Shui Wan'er? Her mystery is equally intriguing. What methods did she use to defeat one opponent after another? And can her mysterious abilities bring down Zhuge Xiang, a Seed Player?

"Young Master Zhuge, since you have made a request, then this humble woman will not stand on ceremony," Shui Wan'er said softly as she watched Zhuge Xiang slowly raise his Sword of Judgment. She decided to strike first, her eyes, as clear as autumn water, fixed on Zhuge Xiang, radiating a strange allure.

Shui Wan'er's voice, to others, was simply pleasant to hear, but to Zhuge Xiang's ears, it was extremely eerie. In his dazed state, it felt as if someone was whispering in his ear, penetrating straight to his heart. Upon hearing her voice, Zhuge Xiang reflexively looked at her, and then his eyes were fixed on her.

What kind of eyes were those? Beautiful eyes, as if they were the only wonderful thing in the Heaven and Earth. Shui Wan'er, and also charming and alluring, as if they could arouse the most primal desires in people's hearts.

Looking into Shui Wan'er's eyes, Zhuge Xiang felt as if he were in a beautiful Sea of Flowers, surrounded by thousands of stunning beauties dancing around him.

At this moment, Zhuge Xiang's consciousness became blurred, giving him a feeling of being deeply trapped and unwilling to extricate himself. The sharp look in Zhuge Xiang's eyes slowly faded, and his consciousness also gradually became blurred.

Seeing Zhuge Xiang's appearance, Shui Wan'er was secretly delighted. Others didn't know what kind of power Shui Wan'er used to defeat one opponent after another in a strange and mysterious way, but Shui Wan'er herself knew that her methods were nothing more than attacks of mental illusion. As long as the opponent's mental strength was slightly weak, they would be caught off guard and fall into her illusion attack, unable to extricate themselves from it, and completely at her mercy.

Zhuge Xiang's strength, perhaps even reaching the level of the Spell Control Stage, initially made Shui Wan'er somewhat unsure of herself. However, now, seeing Zhuge Xiang deeply trapped in her illusion, Shui Wan'er was completely relieved.

The most difficult part of illusion is that if the opponent notices when it is released, all the effort will be wasted. Once it is successfully released, it is ten times more difficult to escape. Shui Wan'er's biggest worry was that her illusion would not be successful. Now, seeing that Zhuge Xiang was obviously under her illusion, Shui Wan'er was completely relieved.

Once trapped, even if Zhuge Xiang hadn't yet reached the Spell Control Stage, or even if he were at the peak of the Spell Control Stage, he would find it difficult to escape.

Illusion! Indeed, this was the first time Zhuge Xiang had encountered such a mental illusion attack, and caught completely off guard, he had indeed fallen for Shui Wan'er's trick.

However, Zhuge Xiang's will had become as hard as steel through endless battles. Even when facing Void Realm Great Expert, he could maintain his fighting spirit. Realizing that he was trapped in an illusion, Zhuge Xiang immediately reacted.

"Get out of here, all of you!" In the illusionary Sea of Flowers, Zhuge Xiang brandished his long sword fiercely, slashing at the scantily clad women around him. However, Zhuge Xiang's sword passed right through the women's bodies, having no effect whatsoever.

"Zhuge Xiang, admit defeat. You are trapped in my illusion. Unless I dispel it myself, you will not be able to escape." In the Illusionary Realm, deep within the Sea of Flowers, Shui Wan'er's face appeared. She smiled at Zhuge Xiang and said with a confident expression, clearly having already accepted her victory.

"Hmph, your illusion attack did catch me off guard, but with your cultivation level, how could mere illusions possibly trap me?" Staring at Shui Wan'er deep within the Sea of Flowers, Zhuge Xiang remained calm. Holding his Sword of Judgment, he said, "I advise you to obediently withdraw your illusion, or I'll severely damage your spirit, and then don't blame me."

Zhuge Xiang's warning and his calm demeanor made Shui Wan'er's heart skip a beat. Could it be that this guy had already fallen into her illusion and still had a way to escape?

But then, Shui Wan'er suppressed the unease in her heart, shook her head and smiled, "Trying to play tricks on me? You underestimate me, Shui Wan'er."

Illusion attacks are like traps, except these traps target the soul. The most difficult part is figuring out how to make the opponent fall into your trap, but once the opponent falls in, escaping becomes extremely difficult.

Perhaps if Zhuge Xiang had seen through the trap before falling in, Shui Wan'er would have backed down after hearing his words. But now that Zhuge Xiang has already fallen into the trap, how could Shui Wan'er possibly give up this prey that she has already obtained?

"Alright, then don't blame me." Seeing that Shui Wan'er was stubborn, Zhuge Xiang closed his eyes slightly, and then a terrifying and sharp aura suddenly burst out.

Boom!

Within the Illusionary Realm Sea of Flowers, a peerless divine sword suddenly appeared. Petals scattered, screams echoed, and the unparalleled sword, with its earth-shattering power, instantly shattered Shui Wan'er's Illusionary Realm, turning all illusions into ashes...

"Impossible! This is... Sword Soul!?" Amidst screams, Shui Wan'er's face also turned to ashes under this peerless sword strike. The last Shui Wan'er to disappear stared at Zhuge Xiang with eyes filled with terror, screaming in disbelief.

Sword Soul! By merging the soul and Sword Intent into one, one's own soul becomes an unparalleled divine sword, capable of shattering Void and delusions. Even the Heart Demon that arise from within oneself can be shattered with Sword Slash, let alone this mere illusionary attack.

Sword Soul possess absolute suppressive power against all illusionary attacks targeting the soul. While a master several realms stronger than Zhuge Xiang might be able to use powerful Divine Sense to cast illusions and suppress him, Zhuge Xiang's Shui Wan'er. Furthermore, her illusions are specifically countered by Sword Soul —how could they possibly be effective?

Like Chu Lingfeng, Shui Wan'er was indeed very strong. Her specialty was illusionary attacks, and it was believed that no matter who she faced, they would be caught off guard and likely to be defeated. However, she was facing Zhuge Xiang, who had already transformed his Sword Intent into Sword Soul. This outcome could be said to have been predetermined from the very beginning.

The people below the Tournament Platform could not see the battle, which was a battle of mental illusions. In their eyes, Zhuge Xiang and Shui Wan'er had only said one sentence each, and then Zhuge Xiang's eyes went blank, his body swayed, and he almost fell over.

This caused a stir among the spectators below. Just how powerful was Shui Wan'er? It seemed even Zhuge Xiang couldn't withstand her mysterious attacks and was about to faint?

However, Zhuge Xiang 'Zhuge Xiang body swayed unsteadily, but after only a few breaths, he suddenly stood up straight, while Shui Wan'er screamed, vomited blood, and collapsed to the ground, unconscious...

"What... what happened...?"

"You're asking me? How would I know? I didn't even see him make a move."

"Can anyone tell us what happened?"

In the end, Zhuge Xiang emerged victorious, a fact that everyone present could see. But how exactly did they do it? What were Shui Wan'er's attack methods? And how did Zhuge Xiang counter Shui Wan'er's mysterious attacks, even defeating her? Everyone present was completely baffled, discussing amongst themselves, but no one could offer a definitive explanation.

The outcome is decided, that's good, but the spectators below the stage wanted to see a fierce duel between two masters. The fight between Zhuge Xiang and Shui Wan'er ended without even a hand being thrown, which was hard for everyone to accept. The two stood there, and then Shui Wan'er coughed up blood and fell to the ground. Was it really that simple?

"Is it time to announce the results?" Zhuge Xiang flicked his hand, retracting the Sword of Judgment into its Bag Space. He glanced at the equally astonished Heavenly Sword Sect disciple beside him and spoke up to remind him.

"Huh? Oh, I now announce that the second match of the Top Eight Battle has been won by the God of Slaughter Zhuge Xiang."

Reminded by Zhuge Xiang, the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect finally realized what was happening and immediately spoke up, announcing loudly. There were few cheers, but of course, there were no boos either. The spectators below spoke up loudly, only vying to ask Zhuge Xiang questions.

"Hey, Zhuge Xiang, how exactly did you defeat Shui Wan'er just now?"

"What exactly are Shui Wan'er's attack methods?"

"What exactly happened? Tell us about it."

The Cultivator, unable to understand the battle between Zhuge Xiang and Shui Wan'er, eagerly questioned Zhuge Xiang, hoping to learn from him what had happened and the details of their fight.

"It concerns a secret between me and Miss Shui, so I cannot disclose it," Zhuge Xiang replied calmly to the loud inquiries from the Cultivator below, before turning and leaving the Tournament Platform.

Shui Wan'er's attack method relies on illusion. It's better for others not to know about this kind of attack. Once he reveals it on the spot, it will weaken the opponent's strength. Zhuge Xiang has no interest in doing something that harms others without benefiting himself.

Besides, if I recount the details of the fight, wouldn't that also reveal the secret of my own Sword Soul?

The onlookers were more intrigued by Zhuge Xiang's response than by the presence of a kitten scratching at their hearts. However, no matter how much they called out to him, Zhuge Xiang remained silent.

"Alright, now for the third round of the Top Eight Battle, the Fire Spirit Young Master Ming Chihuo Fu Qingming against the Talisman Swordsman from the Talisman Sect."

Fortunately, the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect soon spoke up, announcing the third battle, which attracted the attention of the spectators. Their shouts and probing questions for Zhuge Xiang gradually subsided.