Recognizing Defeat

In this battle, Qin Fengming had brought every skill and scheme to bear. Although the spear-wielding youth before him was not one of the four people his master had said could defeat him, he was certainly no ordinary fighter.

Some exertion had been unavoidable. What puzzled Qin Fengming, however, was that no matter how exhausted he became, as long as he meditated for a short while, his stamina would recover completely.

After observing the other disciples, he found that although meditation could restore their stamina very quickly, they still needed several times longer than he did. This left Qin Fengming deeply perplexed.

By noon, the winners' group and the losers' group had both determined their top eight.

After lunch, the losers' group only needed to decide its top four. The winners' group Qin Fengming was in, however, had to determine the champion.

Qin Fengming was still holding the number-seven token. After one match, he had once again stepped onto the platform.

Standing before Qin Fengming this time was a young man holding a wooden staff. The youth had a solemn expression, and a trace of authority dwelled in his eyes. At a glance, Qin Fengming's heart jolted. This youth was unquestionably a difficult opponent.

Only after the youth presiding over the match announced their names did Qin Fengming learn that his opponent was named Lin Yongfeng. The moment he heard those three characters, Qin Fengming's heart jolted again. He had heard his Senior Disciple Sister mention this name before. Lin Yongfeng possessed the Tiger Subduing Staff Technique, whose movements were as elusive as ghosts and spirits.

The reason Qin Fengming was so wary of him was that Lin Yongfeng was one of the four people who had a very good chance of defeating him.

As he watched the young man before him, Qin Fengming could not help growing uneasy. But that feeling vanished in a flash. He had already completed his task of entering the top ten; now, all he needed to do was fight with everything he had.

Looking at the boy of only twelve or thirteen standing before him, Lin Yongfeng already knew that he possessed genuine ability. Thus, he had not the slightest intention of looking down on Qin Fengming.

Although Qin Fengming had not originally been among the opponents Lin Yongfeng had marked out, after two days of competition, the boy had emerged from among so many skilled fighters and entered the top eight despite being only twelve or thirteen. The difficulty of dealing with him was obvious.

After studying Qin Fengming for a moment, Lin Yongfeng had already made up his mind. He absolutely could not regard his opponent as an ordinary boy. He had to remain especially cautious during the match and give his all; only then could he remain undefeated.

At the signal from the youth presiding over the match, the most difficult battle Qin Fengming had faced since beginning his martial training commenced.

As soon as the match began, both sides were extremely cautious. Though each attacked and defended, most of their movements were probing. The scene lacked the fiery intensity of the morning's matches.

Qin Fengming unleashed the Thirteen Forms of the Willow. His figure drifted unpredictably, advancing and retreating with perfect precision, his sword turning with his body. A white streak of light whirled madly across the elevated platform, making it impossible for anyone to see his form clearly.

Lin Yongfeng also put his long staff into motion. The Tiger Subduing Staff Technique created layer upon layer of illusory staff shadows, protecting him at the center. His staff technique devoted three parts to offense and seven to defense: he did not seek merit, only to avoid mistakes.

The two figures whirled madly across the elevated platform, fighting with exuberant intensity. The battle continued for nearly half an hour. Although neither showed any desperate determination to seize victory, the exquisite techniques emerging one after another still drew wave after wave of loud cheers from the spectators below.

Though the two exchanged blows back and forth without either gaining ground, neither could do anything to the other.

As the battle continued, Qin Fengming kept stealing glances at his opponent. Lin Yongfeng's staff technique was incomparably exquisite. Even if Qin Fengming gave his all, he truly could not say with certainty that he could defeat him. His master's words had been not one bit off—the opponent really did possess the strength to overcome him.

With the two locked in such a stalemate, time passing was highly disadvantageous for Qin Fengming. Yet defeating Lin Yongfeng in a short time by exerting his full strength was also unlikely. After mulling it over in secret, Qin Fengming made up his mind: he would take the initiative and admit defeat.

At this point, victory or defeat held no further attraction for him.

After another fifty-odd exchanges, Qin Fengming suddenly retreated, flying more than ten feet away. He stopped, sheathed his sword, clasped his hands, and bowed deeply before saying loudly,

"My junior brother has the utmost admiration for Senior Brother Lin's Tiger Subduing Staff Technique. I admit that I cannot defeat Senior Brother Lin. Senior Brother Lin has won this match."

With that, Qin Fengming bowed once more to the dumbfounded Senior Brother Lin, then drifted off the platform.

On the elevated platform, Qin Fengming's master merely smiled without speaking when he saw this. Even Sect Master Sima, seated in the center, revealed an appreciative expression.

When Qin Fengming took the initiative to admit defeat, the fellow disciples standing below the platform immediately erupted in thunderous cheers. Not one of them felt the slightest disappointment over his surrender.

Qin Fengming's performance in this competition had deeply moved everyone. It was not only these youths—even the disciples who had entered the sect in the previous two sessions greatly praised his performance. The contempt that had once filled their gazes had vanished as well.

At this point, the matches on the elevated platform had not paused in the slightest. Only when darkness fell were all the victories and defeats finally decided.

The champion of this competition was none other than Lin Yongfeng, who had fought Qin Fengming. Second place went to Hu Shuheng, while third place was unexpectedly taken by Cui Liang, who had been in the same group as Qin Fengming. Throughout all his matches, Cui Liang had relied solely on his bare hands and used no weapon whatsoever. His eventual third-place finish earned Qin Fengming's sincere admiration.

"At this point, the Hundred Refinements Hall competition has been fully completed. The disciples who placed in the top twenty will enter the Elite Hall for further training. Tomorrow, gather beneath Danyun Peak at the si hour and officially report to Wangyue Peak. The remaining disciples will continue studying at the Hundred Refinements Hall and strive for a good result in the next competition."

Standing atop the elevated platform, Elder Wang spoke in a booming voice after suppressing the crowd's clamor with his imposing expression.

Following Elder Wang's words, the hall masters and elders on the central platform rose one after another and left, disappearing into the mountain valley.

Qin Fengming did not return to his quarters with Duan Meng and the others. Instead, he went straight to Hundred Zhang Cliff.

Facing his teacher's wife and Senior Disciple Sister's praise, Qin Fengming's face flushed slightly. Aside from answering obediently, he showed not the slightest trace of pride.

After staying at his teacher's wife's place for dinner, his master, Hall Master Chang, finally returned in high spirits. The moment he saw Qin Fengming, his face lit up with delight.

"Fengming, because of you, our Hundred Refinements Hall has shone brilliantly in this competition, bringing great honor to us in charge. Just now, I told Sect Master Sima about you and asked him to make an exception and admit you into the Dark Night Hall. Although the sect master did not agree immediately, he said he would give it serious consideration. All you need to do from now on is train diligently in the Elite Hall and not neglect your martial cultivation."

Hearing his master's words, Qin Fengming's young heart filled with joy. Although the sect master had not agreed to let him enter the Dark Night Hall, he had already entered the Elite Hall several years earlier than disciples his age. Such a thing was exceedingly rare in Luoxia Valley, occurring only once in a century.

"Hall Master Li of the Elite Hall is an old friend of mine. If you have any questions about martial arts, you may naturally ask him for guidance. Tomorrow, there will be rewards for the disciples who won. I hope you make good use of the opportunity. You're tired as well, so go back and rest." After giving him a few more instructions, his master waved for him to leave.