Championship Battle (Part One)
Su Huayu had no doubt that Zhuge Xiang was very strong. She had experienced Zhuge Xiang strength firsthand along the way. Liu Rufang also had no doubt that he had single-handedly entered the Beast Taming Sect to rescue her, defeated the Great Elder of the Spell Control Stage, and entered the Sword Tomb. His strength was more than enough to make it onto the Dragon Phoenix Ranking.
But he actually made it to the Finals and competed with Lei Qianjun for the Dragon Phoenix Ranking championship? This was completely unexpected for both of them, especially for Liu Rufang, who had heard a great deal about Lei Qianjun.
"He was able to defeat one of the three geniuses and enter the Finals?" As she flew down on her sword, Liu Rufang looked at Zhuge Xiang in astonishment, muttering to herself, "If he makes it to the Finals, Leng Ningxiang and Ming Chihuo will be competing for third place. So Zhuge Xiang must have defeated one of them."
"I knew you were strong, haha..." Su Huayu said to Zhuge Xiang with a smile as she approached him, her expression conveying that she had high hopes for him.
"Why are you here?" Zhuge Xiang asked with some surprise upon hearing Su Huayu's voice. At the same time, he bowed to Liu Rufang beside him. Regardless of anything else, Liu Rufang was nominally the Sect Master of the Azure Sword Sect, and he, as the Great Elder, was her subordinate.
"Miss Su has been busy at the Sect making something to enhance your strength. It's finished now, so she asked me to fly over on my sword to deliver it to you," Liu Rufang said, nodding to Zhuge Xiang in return.
"Something that can enhance strength? Crafting it?" Liu Rufang's words made Zhuge Xiang look at Su Huayu with some surprise. She could craft things that enhance strength? What exactly were they?
Liu Rufang's words and Zhuge Xiang's gaze caused Su Huayu's face to flush slightly. She then took out a thumb-sized blood-red crystal and handed it to Zhuge Xiang, saying, "You know my situation. Although the other one has been suppressed, the evil Essence Blood in my body still remains. I have extracted this Essence Blood to the best of my ability, which can give you some vitality for a short time and should be of some help to you."
Zhuge Xiang knew what Su Huayu was saying. He had personally witnessed the power of her blood in the Asura Purgatory Diagram that day. He took the blood-colored crystal from Su Huayu Zhuge Xiang examined it. The information that appeared in his Data Eye astonished Zhuge Xiang.
Blood Essence Crystal (Special Consumable): No level requirement. It is formed from a wisp of the Blood Demon's Essence Blood. After consumption, it increases the maximum HP by 10,000 points. It also increases HP by 1,000 every 2 seconds for 1 minute. Side effect: All attributes of those who have not comprehended the Demonic True Body are increased by 200%, but the user will suffer the backlash of the Demonic Blood afterward.
The information about the Blood Essence Crystal shocked Zhuge Xiang. This Blood Essence Crystal was practically an enhanced version of Su Huayu's Essence Blood from that day, increasing the maximum HP by 10,000 points within one minute and restoring 500 HP per second?
Although Zhuge Xiang comprehended the Demonic True Body, the subsequent 200% increase in all attributes was not available. However, the increase in maximum HP and health regeneration alone was sufficient. Zhuge Xiang had personally witnessed the consequences for those who did not comprehend the Demonic True Body after consuming it.
"Thank you very much," Zhuge Xiang nodded solemnly, put away the Blood Essence Crystal, and thanked Su Huayu.
The next battle is against Lei Qianjun. To be honest, even Zhuge Xiang wasn't entirely confident in his ability to win based on the strength Lei Qianjun had shown. With this Blood Essence Crystal, his chances of winning would naturally be much greater.
"Do we really need to be so polite between us?" Su Huayu said, pretending to be angry as she pouted after hearing Zhuge Xiang's thanks.
"Indeed, no need," Zhuge Xiang replied somewhat awkwardly, touching his nose as he looked at Su Huayu's angry expression. Seeing Zhuge Xiang's slightly embarrassed look, Liu Rufang's usually cold face softened with a smile.
"Alright, let's watch the final battle. Although you're late, the final battle between these two for third place on the Dragon Phoenix Ranking is still very exciting," Zhuge Xiang said awkwardly, changing the subject. At this moment, Leng Ningxiang and Ming Chihuo, who had been treated by the Heavenly Sword Sect Tournament Platform, also stepped onto the Tournament Platform.
Although Ming Chihuo narrowly lost half a move to Lei Qianjun, he still maintained a graceful demeanor, showing no sign of frustration. This made Zhuge Xiang nod in approval. He truly deserved to be called a top genius of Canghai Commandery. Not only was he talented in cultivation, but he also possessed a strong will, remaining humble in victory and undeterred in defeat.
Leng Ningxiang stood on the Tournament Platform. Because her face was covered by a veil, her expression could not be seen, but her wild eyes still shone with intense fighting spirit. Similarly, her defeat at the hands of Zhuge Xiang did not affect her desire to challenge the strong.
"Keep it up, Young Master Ming!"
"Miss Leng, defeat this Little White!"
The two stepped onto the Tournament Platform, and immediately a roar of cheers, like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami, rang out. In Canghai Commandery, Ming Chihuo and Leng Ningxiang were both among the three great geniuses. Ming Chihuo's strength and elegant demeanor made him the image of a prince charming in the hearts of most young female disciples, while Leng Ningxiang, with her mysterious appearance, exquisite figure, and wild eyes, was the dream lover of most men in Canghai Commandery.
In this battle between the two, the audience below the Tournament Platform seemed to transform into the Tournament Platform itself.
"Miss Leng, it seems I can only rank fourth on this year's Dragon Phoenix Ranking..." Ming Chihuo said with a gentle smile, waving his Red-Gold Folding Fan. His smile was warm and welcoming, and he spoke calmly about his defeat, as if he didn't care about winning or losing at all.
"Young Master Ming, keep going! Don't be fooled by her. You're strong enough to defeat her."
Ming Chihuo Leng Ningxiang could answer Ming Chihuo's question, a hush fell over the room. Then, the female disciples began to shout in unison, clearly unwilling for Ming Chihuo to be defeated by Leng Ningxiang. Of course, they were even more afraid that Ming Chihuo would fall at Leng Ningxiang's feet.
"Haha, Ming Chihuo, since you know you're no match for Miss Leng, just surrender!" In contrast to the eagerness of the female Cultivator, most of the male Cultivator below the Tournament Platform cheered triumphantly.
"Young Master Ming, you are too modest. Our strengths are evenly matched. I am not absolutely certain that I can defeat you," the crowd below the Tournament Platform shouted. Leng Ningxiang ignored them. Her wild eyes only paused slightly before she spoke. Her voice was not very pleasant, but it gave people a fresh and natural feeling.
"That's precisely why I know I'm no match for you," Ming Chihuo said with a faint smile. "If it were broad daylight, when the sun is at its zenith, my Fire Spell would have the Heavenly Timing and Favorable Terrain and location, and I believe I would have a higher chance of winning. But now, the sun is setting, and your Wolf King Possession makes you more suited to nighttime combat. Your chances of winning are naturally greater than mine."
Ming Chihuo's words caused the people below the Tournament Platform to pause slightly and fall silent. Leng Ningxiang also remained silent, clearly indicating that Ming Chihuo's words were true.
Ming Chihuo's strength lies entirely in Fire Spell, and he hails from the Fire Worship Cult. At the height of its power, when the temperature in the Heaven and Earth is at its highest and Fire Element Vital Energy is most active, Ming Chihuo's strength naturally experiences a slight increase. Although it's only a small amount, as Leng Ningxiang said, the two are evenly matched, and this slight improvement is like the last straw that breaks the camel's back, giving him a better chance of winning.
However, as night fell, the activity of Fire Element Vital Energy gradually stabilized, while Leng Ningxiang's Wolf King Possession provided a certain boost in the darkness. With this shift in power, Ming Chihuo's chances of winning were naturally slightly lower.
"Who will win or lose will only be known after the competition. Even if you say that, I will not underestimate you and give you any opportunity to take advantage of me," Leng Ningxiang said calmly after a moment of silence, without refuting Ming Chihuo's words. As she spoke, she activated her Wolf King Possession mode, transforming into a snow-white Demon Wolf, and pounced.
With a warm and serene smile still on his face, Ming Chihuo waved his Red-Gold Folding Fan, and blazing Flame met the attack...
A fierce battle raged amidst billowing winds and Leng Ningxiang Flame. The fight between Ming Chihuo and Leng Ningxiang was incredibly intense, no less so than his previous battle with Lei Qianjun. Both were among the three great geniuses, Ming Chihuo their clash was truly a lively and exciting back-and-forth, with neither gaining the upper hand.
However, as time slowly passed and the setting sun in the sky gradually descended, disappearing into the horizon as the last ray of sunlight vanished, the Ming Chihuo Flame subsided slightly, while Leng Ningxiang Demonic Qi actually intensified.
The decrease in Flame power and the increase in Demonic Qi were both only slight, perhaps only one percent of their respective strengths. Yet, despite this tiny difference in strength, Leng Ningxiang slowly gained the upper hand.
Zhuge Xiang and the others watched the battle between the two intently. Although Leng Ningxiang and Ming Chihuo were defeated by Zhuge Xiang and Lei Qianjun respectively, their strength was undeniable. The use of their moves and their calculations in the battle were the focus of everyone's attention.
Just as Ming Chihuo had predicted, the battle between the two lasted for about half an hour before the Phantom Image the Fire God Zhurong summoned by Ming Chihuo was Eight Desolations Wolf God Bite.
Although Leng Ningxiang also suffered heavy losses herself, in the end, she transformed into a snow-white Demon Wolf and directly pounced on Ming Chihuo to the ground, her Wolf Claw pressing tightly against Ming Chihuo's chest.
"I surrender!" Ming Chihuo said before Leng Ningxiang's attack could land. At this point, there was no way to turn the tide, and there was no need to hurt himself.
Upon hearing Ming Chihuo concede defeat, Leng Ningxiang naturally ceased her attacks, dispelled the Wolf King Possession, and the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect stepped onto the stage to announce the battle's outcome. Finally, their gazes fell upon Zhuge Xiang and Lei Qianjun...
"The final battle of the Dragon Phoenix Ranking, the grand finale: God of Slaughter Zhuge Xiang versus Thunderclap Sword Lei Qianjun, now begins!" (To be continued...)