On Arena No. 37, Sword Light flickered, and Sword Qi crisscrossed the air.
Shen Hao and Zhao Qiang traded blows back and forth, locked in an inseparable battle. Zhao Qiang was at the Mid Stage Qi Refining Third Layer, and his sword art had been practiced to a considerable level. His chops, thrusts, and upward slashes all carried the force of a roaring tiger.
Shen Hao was at the Perfected Qi Refining Third Layer, and his combination of footwork and sword art was exquisite down to the finest detail. Relying on his nimble footwork, he continuously evaded Zhao Qiang's attacks while seeking opportunities to counterattack.
Their battle was exceptionally fierce. The disciples below watched without blinking, cries of surprise erupting from time to time.
"Shen Hao is incredible! His footwork is simply unpredictable, appearing and vanishing like a ghost!" "Zhao Qiang isn't bad either! His sword moves are incomparably sharp!" "This battle is too exciting!"
Shen Hao and Zhao Qiang had already exchanged dozens of rounds. Both of their breaths had become somewhat disordered.
Zhao Qiang knew that if this continued, he would certainly lose. Gritting his teeth, he fiercely poured all the spiritual energy in his Sea of Qi into his Flying Sword.
"Shen Hao, take this move!" Zhao Qiang shouted, gripping his Flying Sword as he slashed fiercely toward Shen Hao.
This sword strike contained all of Zhao Qiang's strength and possessed boundless power. The spiritual radiance on the blade was dazzlingly brilliant.
Shen Hao's expression turned grave. He knew he could not take this strike head-on.
With a shift of his feet, his body slid several feet away in an instant, evading Zhao Qiang's attack. Then, seizing the opening when Zhao Qiang's old strength had been spent and his new strength had yet to arise, he twisted his wrist. His Flying Sword shot out like a venomous snake leaving its hole, stabbing fiercely toward Zhao Qiang's chest.
Zhao Qiang's face changed drastically. He wanted to dodge, but it was already too late.
"Pfft!"
The Flying Sword pierced Zhao Qiang's chest, and blood instantly spurted out.
Zhao Qiang's body swayed before he collapsed to the ground.
"Shen Hao wins!" the elder of Arena No. 37 announced.
Thunderous applause instantly erupted from the disciples below the stage.
Shen Hao sheathed his sword and stood tall. He bowed to Zhao Qiang and said, "You let me win."
He walked down from the arena and looked toward Arena No. 15. There, Zhang Shan's opponent was a disciple named Sun Li, whose cultivation was at the Mid Stage Qi Refining Second Layer.
Relying on the Basic Footwork Technique and his Early Qi Refining Second Layer cultivation, Zhang Shan fought Sun Li to a standstill. However, Sun Li had more experience than Zhang Shan. Seizing an opportunity, she gripped her Flying Sword and thrust fiercely toward Zhang Shan's thigh.
Zhang Shan failed to dodge in time, and the Flying Sword sliced open his thigh. Blood streamed down without stopping.
Zhang Shan's face turned pale. Yet he did not admit defeat. Clenching his teeth, he held his Flying Sword and charged at Sun Li once more.
As Shen Hao watched Zhang Shan's figure, a trace of approval flashed through his eyes. He knew Zhang Shan possessed great perseverance.
At last, Zhang Shan seized an opportunity. Holding his Flying Sword, he thrust fiercely at Sun Li's arm. Sun Li failed to dodge in time, and the Flying Sword sliced open her arm.
Sun Li sighed and said, "I concede."
The elder of Arena No. 15 announced Zhang Shan's victory.
Zhang Shan walked off the arena and ran to Shen Hao's side, a pained smile on his face. "Senior Brother Shen, I won!"
Looking at the wound on Zhang Shan's leg, Shen Hao said, "Quick, take out the Blood-Stopping Grass and apply it."
Zhang Shan nodded. He took a stalk of Blood-Stopping Grass from his robes and applied it to his leg. The herb's medicinal effect quickly took hold, and the bleeding gradually stopped.
The second round of matches ended soon afterward. Shen Hao and Zhang Shan successfully advanced once more.
Next came the third round. This was the final round. The victors would enter the top hundred and become Inner Sect Disciples.
Shen Hao's opponent was Wang Hu.
Wang Hu was at the Early Qi Refining Third Layer. However, his sword art had been trained to an exceptionally solid foundation. He was a genius among the Outer Sect Disciples, and his strength was formidable.
The two stepped onto the arena and stood facing each other.
"Shen Hao, I never expected my opponent in the final round to be you." A trace of solemnity appeared on Wang Hu's face. "You're very strong, but I won't admit defeat so easily."
Shen Hao smiled. "Please enlighten me."
The moment his words fell, the two simultaneously gripped their Flying Swords and rushed toward each other.
Sword Light flashed fiercely, and Sword Qi crisscrossed the air. A battle to determine a place among the Inner Sect Disciples had officially begun.
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