On the arena.
Cao Zhen's voice rang out like a great bell as he announced on the spot that Yang Jing and Chu Yunhai had tied for first place in this year's Fu Mountain Grand Competition!
Yang Jing and Chu Yunhai both froze for a moment upon hearing this, then their taut bodies relaxed slightly.
They exchanged a glance. The killing intent was gone from both their eyes as they bowed together and answered solemnly, "Yes."
Their battle had reached the point where both were nearing their limits.
It was not that they had completely lost the ability to fight. Though their internal qi was depleted, they could still fight on, but continuing would truly damage the foundations of their martial path.
Once those foundations were damaged, they would need years to recover at best. At worst, their tendons and bones would rupture, severely affecting their future cultivation.
Naturally, neither Yang Jing nor Chu Yunhai wanted to go that far.
As things stood, they were indeed evenly matched. Fighting on would only pile injury upon injury, serving no purpose.
The sect master's announcement that they had tied for first preserved both their dignity and prevented an outcome in which both suffered grievous injuries. It was indeed the best possible result.
Meanwhile, Cao Zhen's voice spread throughout Fu Mountain Square, booming like a thunderclap.
The vast square first fell silent, everyone briefly stunned.
Then a thunderous uproar erupted. Cheers, cries of astonishment, and discussions mingled together, threatening to blow the roof off the entire square.
"Tied for first? They actually tied for first!"
"Yang Jing is incredible! He's only just risen to prominence, and he's already reached this level, standing shoulder to shoulder with Chu Yunhai!"
"This was the only way. If they'd kept fighting, both of them would probably have