Winning the Championship [Three Updates]

"Good, straightforward!" Dongfang Bai nodded and leaped onto the stage.

All eyes were fixed on the two of them. This was perhaps the most significant match of the Sect Internal Competition. Whoever won would be the champion of the Inner Disciples. Every Sect Internal Competition was the most closely watched event. Although there would still be matches for Outer Gate disciples afterward, the overall strength of Outer Gate disciples was far inferior to that of Inner Gate disciples. After watching the Inner Gate disciples' matches, few people would bother watching the Outer Gate disciples' matches. Most of the Elders and Hall Masters observing from the stage would leave, with only a few Elders in charge of Outer Gate affairs remaining. It was always like this.

"Then I won't hold back!" Dongfang Bai twirled his long sword, pointing it at Ye Xiwen and saying, "Draw your saber!"

Dongfang Bai was renowned among Inner Disciples for his swordsmanship, and his cultivation was even more formidable, having reached the peak of the Houtian Seventh Stage, on the verge of breaking through to the Houtian Eighth Stage at any moment.

The Inner Gate Five Great Disciples of this generation were considered exceptionally powerful among the Inner Disciples. The Yi Yuan Sect stipulated that reaching the Houtian Fifth Stage qualified one to become a Core Disciple. Those at the Houtian Seventh Stage were not weak among Core Disciples, and those at the Houtian Eighth Stage were considered strong among Core Disciples. Those at the Ninth Stage were absolutely top-tier powerhouses among Core Disciples.

Ye Xiwen finally drew his long saber, and the surrounding disciples widened their eyes. This was the second time Ye Xiwen had drawn his saber in front of them. The first time, he had been at a complete disadvantage against Hall Master Wang Jian of the Punishment Hall, who was in the innate realm. Now, they might finally get a true glimpse of his capabilities. Previously, everyone had been defeated by his palm techniques.

"Be careful!" Dongfang Bai shouted softly, and his long sword danced, unleashing a sharp sword light that instantly stabbed towards Ye Xiwen. The speed was extreme, with sword light filling the air. However, only one of them was the true killing blow, hidden within the myriad of sword lights.

Ye Xiwen slashed out with his saber, the New Moon Slash, a straightforward strike that directly pierced through that killing blow, heading straight for it.

"Boom!" Ye Xiwen's saber deflected the tip of Dongfang Bai's sword. The immense force caused the air to erupt with a sonic boom.

The speed of their attacks was incredibly fast. Dongfang Bai's swordsmanship inherently focused on agility and speed, embodying the principle that speed is invincible. Ye Xiwen's Cold Moon Slash also excelled in speed. Otherwise, how could he unleash nine saber shadows with a single slash? Furthermore, Ye Xiwen had integrated some of the profound meanings of Thunderclap Hand into his saber techniques, making his saber skills reach the peak of speed.

Only after their weapons were deflected could the onlookers below discern their movements.

On the other side, Zhang Xiang, one of the Inner Gate Five Great Disciples, watched the two combatants with a somewhat grim expression. He had fought Ye Xiwen before and had initially thought Ye Xiwen had used his full strength. However, he now realized that Ye Xiwen hadn't used his full power at all. Clearly, his saber skills were even more formidable than his palm techniques, and this was his true strength.

Dongfang Bai, being at the peak of the Houtian Seventh Stage, possessed immense strength, nearly reaching twenty ancient tigers' might. Although he favored speed, ordinary experts at the peak of the Houtian Seventh Stage would be sent flying by his sword strikes.

However, Ye Xiwen, despite being only at the peak of the Houtian Sixth Stage, was in no way inferior in strength. Ye Xiwen's long saber continued its relentless assault, the second slash following immediately, as fast as lightning and as cold as the moon, giving Dongfang Bai no chance to breathe. This move, New Moon Slash, had long been mastered by Ye Xiwen, executed with natural fluidity and seamless transitions, leaving no openings.

Dongfang Bai hadn't expected Ye Xiwen's attacks to be so seamless, his saber techniques reaching such a level of proficiency. Clearly, although Dongfang Bai's realm was higher than Ye Xiwen's, his understanding of swordsmanship was far inferior to Ye Xiwen's understanding of saber techniques.

How could he, at only a dozen years old, comprehend it to this extent!

He would never know the secret of Ye Xiwen's special space!

However, he didn't have any extra time to ponder the reasons at this moment; Ye Xiwen's long saber was already upon him.

Dongfang Bai had no choice but to thrust his sword forward, a powerful and heavy strike that broke through Ye Xiwen's saber attack. However, while he broke through this attack, the initiative in the battle had shifted from Dongfang Bai to Ye Xiwen.

Ye Xiwen pressed his advantage, his long saber flashing like lightning, and three saber shadows instantly appeared in the sky, slashing down at Dongfang Bai.

Dongfang Bai could only passively defend, feeling incredibly frustrated. If it were any other martial artist at the peak of the Houtian Sixth Stage, they likely wouldn't even be able to block three of his sword strikes. Even ordinary experts at the peak of the Houtian Seventh Stage, Dongfang Bai was confident he could defeat. But Ye Xiwen was simply a monster. In terms of speed, with all his enhancements, he was no less than Dongfang Bai. In fact, with advanced techniques like Heavenly Immortal Steps, Ye Xiwen was even several points faster than Dongfang Bai. In terms of strength, Ye Xiwen was a monster. Due to consistently drinking Monkey Wine, his strength had grown rapidly, and he was in no way inferior to Dongfang Bai. Even in terms of Zhenqi density, Ye Xiwen, modified by the mysterious light cluster, surpassed Dongfang Bai.

In all aspects, Ye Xiwen was not inferior to Dongfang Bai, and in many aspects, he even surpassed him. From the very beginning, Dongfang Bai found himself at a disadvantage, being suppressed by Ye Xiwen.

Everyone was stunned. They knew Ye Xiwen was powerful, but they never expected him to be this powerful.

Who was Dongfang Bai? He was the leader of the Inner Gate Five Great Disciples, and there were no experts among the Inner Disciples of this generation who could match him. A long time ago, he had a record of fighting Core Disciples without losing. Now, he was being suppressed by Ye Xiwen, which they considered an unbelievable miracle.

The Elders on the Elder's bench looked at the two combatants with some surprise. It wasn't that the level of their exchange was enough to shock these Elders in the innate realm, but rather that Ye Xiwen was far too unexpected.

Dongfang Bai was a genius disciple in the Inner Gate whom they all favored. With his talent, he would soon rise among the Core Disciples and take the place of some of the current Core Disciple experts after they left. It was evident that they had placed great hopes on him.

But unexpectedly, after the battle began, he was being suppressed by Ye Xiwen. Although he hadn't shown signs of defeat yet, if he continued to be on the defensive like this, unless Ye Xiwen's Zhenqi ran out, his defeat was only a matter of time.

This dark horse was just too dark!

On the side, Ye Kongming watched Ye Xiwen's outstanding performance, beaming with joy. He had no complaints about Ye Xiwen's performance.

Dongfang Bai naturally knew that if this continued, defeat was inevitable. Waiting for Ye Xiwen's Zhenqi to run out? How could that be possible? Looking at his ruddy complexion, he was clearly doing better than Dongfang Bai.

He could only take a risky gamble!

Dongfang Bai let out a clear whistle, and his sword danced, unleashing a silver sword light that obscured the sky, vast and majestic like the Milky Way falling from the nine heavens, a move to decide the victor.

Ye Xiwen also let out a long cry and slashed out with his saber. Instantly, nine saber shadows appeared in the sky, with a faint new moon being formed by the slash, its profound meaning fully displayed.

"Boom!" A terrifying wave of energy swept out from the stage, and the massive stage directly collapsed.

As the dust settled, Dongfang Bai's clothes were somewhat torn, and he looked somewhat disheveled. Ye Xiwen held his long saber horizontally across his shoulder.

The victor was decided!

The champion...

Ye Xiwen!