The battle among the eight seeds was about to begin.
They were divided into four groups and began simultaneously.
In the first round: Jiang Hao versus Leng Yan, Li Qingshan versus Zhao Ge, Yan Beiwu versus Yuan Fei, and Leng Shang versus Hu Qing.
Of these eight, seven were seeds from the seven sects of the Southern Region. They had not fought previously and had advanced directly into the "final bracket."
Only Leng Yan had fought his way out from among the many elite disciples of the seven sects.
Thus, the spectators did not actually know much about the strength of the seven sects' seeds.
However, Li Qingshan and Yan Beiwu had the greatest reputations.
It was said that Seven Peaks Mountain and the Moonlight Sect had spread many rumors about their two seeds.
They claimed the two were invincible among those of the same realm.
They had begun building momentum early on.
Li Qingshan in particular had directly set his sights on "first place in the Grand Competition," brimming with confidence.
However, the two had been famous long before coming to the Seven Sects Alliance Grand Competition.
But after arriving in Gandu and participating in the Seven Sects Alliance Grand Competition, things were different.
Many people unexpectedly discovered the existence of "Jiang Hao."
A future Seed of the Dao whom Huangtian Sect was certain to cultivate.
Though there was pitifully little information about him.
His level of attention had suddenly surpassed that of Li Qingshan and Yan Beiwu.
He was undoubtedly the focal point among the eight seeds.
"Jiang Hao against Leng Yan—I never expected them to meet in the first round. I wonder who's stronger?"
"Leng Yan fought his way out from among so many people. His strength is indeed terrifying. Jiang Hao is Huangtian Sect's future Seed of the Dao, so his potential is beyond doubt. But in terms of strength, he might be slightly inferior to Leng Yan."
"That's right. Jiang Hao is still very young, yet he cultivates at such a rapid pace. How could he also have the time to diligently hone his Martial Skills? His combat strength is probably ordinary."
"Not necessarily. Jiang Hao became a seed after supposedly defeating Huangtian Sect's ten greatest Outer Gate disciples. How could his strength possibly be weak?"
"Huangtian Sect's ten greatest Outer Gate disciples performed rather ordinarily this time, didn't they? Even if he defeated them, it doesn't amount to much."
Many people were focused on the match between Jiang Hao and Leng Yan.
Then came Yan Beiwu and Yuan Fei.
After all, Jiang Hao was a hot topic, while Yan Beiwu was breathtakingly beautiful and peerless in elegance, undoubtedly the most stunning woman in this Seven Sects Alliance Grand Competition.
As for the other two groups, there was practically nothing to discuss.
This made Li Qingshan, who thought highly of himself, look incomparably gloomy.
Leng Yan glanced around, then said with a smile, "Jiang Hao, this is our first meeting. Yet I've ridden on your coattails and drawn the attention of so many people."
Leng Yan could feel that his first-round battle with Jiang Hao had already become the center of attention.
It was not because he himself was particularly favored.
It was because Jiang Hao attracted too much attention.
"Leng Yan, what is Leng Yue to you?"
Jiang Hao asked.
"Leng Yue is my younger sister from the same mother."
"I already know about what happened between you and Leng Yue. It was actually a small matter. My sister was spoiled by the imperial family from childhood, and her personality has some flaws. For her to offend a future Seed of the Dao with limitless prospects like you was truly foolish."
"Still, she is my sister. After this battle, regardless of victory or defeat, I will have Leng Yue return to the imperial family, and the grudge between you will be wiped away with one stroke. How about it?"
Leng Yan had unexpectedly taken on the role of mediator.
He truly did not want his sister to become enemies with Jiang Hao.
After all, Jiang Hao had a strong chance of Entering Dao in the future.
Only fools would form a grudge with a future Dao Entry Realm expert over trivial chicken-feather-and-garlic-skin matters.
Jiang Hao looked deeply at Leng Yan.
He had not expected Leng Yan to be so "reasonable and understanding."
However, Jiang Hao did not wholly believe Leng Yan either.
"Leng Yan, I'm afraid your sister isn't so easy to reason with, is she?"
"Let me guess. Did Leng Yue ask you to defeat me, perhaps even strike ruthlessly and vent her anger for her?"
Jiang Hao said calmly.
"That's right, Leng Yue did have that thought. But I already warned her that it was impossible. We are fighting openly and honorably—what ruthless hand could I possibly use?"
"I merely want you to lose a little faster and lose some face, so she can feel a little better."
"However, that is merely going with the flow. Even without Leng Yue's matter, we would still have to determine victory and defeat between us, and I would still need to go all out, wouldn't I?"
Jiang Hao understood.
This Leng Yan truly was frank.
He said whatever was on his mind.
Of course, perhaps Leng Yan was only frank with Jiang Hao.
Leng Yue and Jiang Hao merely had some conflict.
And this conflict had not yet risen to a life-or-death feud.
If it could be resolved, then resolve it.
Even if it could not be resolved, it had to be handled coldly rather than allowed to deepen further.
Thus, Leng Yan's sincerity made Jiang Hao regard him a little more highly.
"Fine. Then let victory and defeat do the talking!"
The two stopped speaking.
Whoosh.
Leng Yan made his move.
He did as he said; the moment he attacked, he went all out.
He truly wanted to defeat Jiang Hao in the shortest possible time.
Leng Yan possessed several Martial Skills at Major Accomplishment, and they formed a complete set. When used together, their power surged dramatically, even rivaling a perfected Martial Skill.
Moreover, Leng Yan possessed at least five types of Ming Jin.
As for his Hidden Force, one could not know how powerful it was without personally experiencing it.
But without question, he had already reached the peak of Hidden Force.
With the foundations of the Great Gan Imperial Family, Leng Yan's Hidden Force could not possibly be weak.
With Leng Yan going all out like this, even Luo Yang would likely be defeated within three moves.
However, Leng Yan had encountered Jiang Hao.
Jiang Hao had no intention of using Shrink Step Into Inch.
He too wanted to defeat Leng Yan as quickly as possible.
The two were running toward each other from both directions; their thoughts had aligned.
Thus, the Ming Jin within Jiang Hao's body erupted in an instant.
Ten forces merged as one!
At the same time, Jiang Hao threw a punch.
Behind him, the faint image of an enormous Tiger Demon emerged, radiating a terrifying aura.
That aura alone seemed to suppress Leng Yan.
Roar...
The Tiger Demon seemed to roar toward the heavens.
True Intent Secret Move, Tiger Roar Mountain Forest!
Jiang Hao's ten forces merging as one instantly received a twofold amplification.
Even Leng Yan seemed to be intimidated.
"This is..."
Leng Yan's heart jolted.
He seemed to have thought of something, and terror surged through his heart.
As though he could not believe it.
But it was already too late.
His full-force punch had already collided viciously with Jiang Hao's full-force punch.
In an instant, both of their Hidden Forces erupted simultaneously.
Jiang Hao cultivated the Five Elements Divine Skill.
Although his Kidney Force had not yet been born, the four types of Hidden Force—Heart Force, Liver Force, Spleen Force, and Lung Force—were already terrifyingly powerful.
Not to mention the additional twofold amplification from the perfected Fierce Tiger Fist.
Bang.
A dull boom rang out.
It was as if an invisible fist force spread mightily in all directions.
Leng Yan's expression changed abruptly.
He felt a terrifying force slam viciously into his body.
His arm twisted instantly.
His bones let out a string of crackling snaps.
Clearly, they could no longer withstand the force.
Leng Yan hurriedly retreated step after rapid step, dissipating the terrifying force within his body.
One step, two steps, three steps, four steps, five steps...
Leng Yan retreated nine steps in a row before forcibly stopping.
But he had already reached the edge of the arena.
One more step, and he would have stepped off the arena.
Even after shedding the force in this way, Leng Yan was still injured.
His arm in particular seemed to have fractured.
Leng Yan's eyes were filled with shock.
He stared fixedly at Jiang Hao.
"That was... True Intent?"
Leng Yan asked.
"Yes."
Jiang Hao nodded.
Since he had already displayed the True Intent of the Fierce Tiger Fist, there was no hiding it.
The moment those words fell, the crowd below the arena erupted into an uproar.
"What? True Intent? Was the move Jiang Hao just used a True Intent Secret Move?"
"He comprehended True Intent? If I'm not mistaken, Jiang Hao used Huangtian Sect's Fierce Tiger Fist. Its True Intent Secret Move is Tiger Roar Mountain Forest. It truly is incomparably fierce."
"Didn't they say Jiang Hao spent all his time cultivating and had no time to ponder Martial Skills? How has he now even comprehended the True Intent of a Martial Skill?"
"This is truly unbelievable. The Fierce Tiger Fist is not even such a profound fist technique, but comprehending its True Intent is far too difficult."
"Is this the talent of a future Seed of the Dao? Not only has his cultivation not fallen behind, but even his Martial Skill has reached perfection. It is simply inconceivable."
A single perfected Martial Skill sent waves of shock through the crowd.
Leng Yan might have possessed several Martial Skills at Major Accomplishment, even a complete set that was no weaker than a perfected Martial Skill when combined.
But there was still a difference.
When faced with a genuine perfected Martial Skill, the difference became apparent.
Clearly, Leng Yan was still somewhat lacking.
In terms of power, he had been completely crushed.
"I concede!"
Leng Yan took a deep breath and directly conceded.
He knew very well that Jiang Hao possessed a perfected Martial Skill, and he could not win.
If he forcibly continued fighting Jiang Hao, he might suffer severe injuries.
He still had six rounds of battle ahead. He could not lose the big picture for the sake of a small gain.
Taking the initiative to concede was the best choice.
He would merely lose some face.
But having lost to Jiang Hao's True Intent Secret Move, Leng Yan did not feel ashamed.
"Jiang Hao wins!"
In the first round, Jiang Hao won.
Many people raised their eyes to look.
Among the four matches, Jiang Hao had actually been the first to emerge victorious.
He had made Leng Yan concede with only one move.
"Jiang Hao, you are very strong. I'm afraid everyone underestimated you."
"However, Li Qingshan and Yan Beiwu both possess Bloodline Power. You cannot defeat them and can only compete for third place."
After saying that, Leng Yan directly leaped down from the arena.
He had to hurry and recover so he could prepare for the second round.
"Li Qingshan, Yan Beiwu?"
Jiang Hao did not immediately leave the arena. Instead, he looked toward the arenas of Li Qingshan and Yan Beiwu.
Only by knowing oneself and knowing one's enemy could one win every battle.
Jiang Hao was also very curious about the Bloodline Power of the two.
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