Three Sects Tournament

The plaza in front of the Three Purities Hall was already bustling with voices.

The vast plaza was divided into several areas, with three large stages made of white jade and inscribed with reinforcement formations in the center.

Banners fluttered all around, representing the three great Daoist sects: Mount Mao, Dragon Tiger Mountain, and Ge Zao Mountain.

Mount Mao disciples primarily wore blue and grey robes, possessing sharp auras and excelling in talismans and thunder techniques. Dragon Tiger Mountain disciples favored yellow and purple robes, with balanced and peaceful auras, skilled in alchemy and beast taming. Ge Zao Mountain disciples wore more ancient attire, with ethereal auras, specializing in formations and divination.

The disciples of the three sects were clearly demarcated, their gazes meeting, and an invisible competitive spark filled the air.

On the high platform, the sect leaders and important figures of the three sects were seated. Shi Jian, the sect leader of Mount Mao, sat in the center, his purple robes exuding authority. To his left was Celestial Master Zhang of Dragon Tiger Mountain, with an immortal demeanor. To his right was Qingxu Zhenren of Ge Zao Mountain, his face gaunt. Uncle Nine (Lin Jiu), Qian He, Four Eyes, and other high-ranking members of Mount Mao were also present.

Mo Yuan stood among the Mount Mao disciples participating in the tournament, his gaze calmly sweeping across the entire venue.

He could feel several powerful divine senses scanning the plaza, some lingering on him briefly with scrutiny and curiosity.

Clearly, he, the new Mount Mao prodigy who had gained fame shortly after joining, had attracted considerable attention.

"Is that Mo Yuan? I heard he received the Nine Heavens Thunder Talisman Scripture personally from Sect Leader Shi Jian?"

"Qi Refining eighth layer? His aura is indeed condensed, but I wonder about his combat prowess."

"Look at the spear behind him; the malevolent energy is contained, and thunderous light flickers within. It's likely extraordinary."

The discussions were faint, but they couldn't escape the ears of cultivators.

Mo Yuan paid them no mind, his mind calm.

His goal today was not merely to participate, but to win the respect and status he, his master, and Mount Mao deserved at this tournament!

The tournament rules were simple and direct: opponents were determined by drawing lots, and it was a single-elimination format until the final eight were decided, after which ranking matches would be held.

The drawing of lots began. Mo Yuan drew Arena Number One, the third match. His opponent was a Dragon Tiger Mountain disciple named Zhao Huan, at the peak of the eighth layer of Qi Refining, rumored to be proficient in fire manipulation techniques.

The first two matches concluded quickly, with victories and losses on both sides. When it was Mo Yuan's turn to enter the arena, he took a deep breath and steadily stepped onto the stage.

His opponent, Zhao Huan, was a tall young man with an arrogant expression. Seeing Mo Yuan ascend, he snorted, "Mo Yuan of Mount Mao? I heard you're quite lucky and have had some fortunate encounters.

However, luck always runs out. Today, I'll let you witness the authentic Daoist techniques of my Dragon Tiger Mountain!"

Mo Yuan saw no point in further words and simply cupped his hands slightly, "Please."

At the referee's signal, Zhao Huan immediately formed hand seals, his body surging with fire spiritual energy. Three scorching fire snakes appeared out of thin air, hissing as they lunged at Mo Yuan from different directions! The display was quite intimidating.

The Dragon Tiger Mountain disciples watching from below let out a cheer.

However, Mo Yuan stood his ground, neither dodging nor evading.

Just as the fire snakes were about to reach him, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. He formed his right hand into a sword shape and gently pointed forward.

There were no talismans, no incantations, only an extremely condensed, platinum-white arc, as thin as a hair, erupting from his fingertip!

"Ssss! Ssss! Ssss!"

With three light sounds, the three menacing fire snakes were as if sliced open by invisible blades, instantly scattering into sparks and vanishing into the air.

Fast! Accurate! Ruthless!

The entire venue fell silent.

No one had seen how he made his move.

The speed of that platinum-white arc was too great, and its power was astonishing.

The arrogance on Zhao Huan's face froze, turning into horror! His most powerful Fire Snake Art had been so effortlessly countered by his opponent?

Before he could react, Mo Yuan's Ghost Shadow Footwork activated beneath his feet. His figure streaked like a phantom, leaving behind an afterimage, and he instantly closed the distance to Zhao Huan.

He did not use the Thunder Dragon Evil-Slaying Spear, merely forming his fingers into a sword, with platinum-white lightning flickering at his fingertips, pointing towards Zhao Huan's solar plexus.

Zhao Huan hastily conjured a fire shield for defense, but the finger-sword, imbued with the power of Geng Metal Thunderous Evil, was incomparably sharp!

"Pfft!"

The fire shield was pierced as if it were made of paper, and the finger-force penetrated his body.

Zhao Huan felt an incredibly sharp, paralyzing force instantly seal several of his vital acupoints. His spiritual energy stagnated, and his entire body froze in place, unable to move!

One move!

In just one move, the Dragon Tiger Mountain disciple at the peak of the eighth layer of Qi Refining was defeated.

The entire venue erupted in clamor!

"What kind of thunder technique was that? It's so potent!"

"Such speed! Such powerful finger force!"

"He didn't seem to... use a magic weapon? Nor talismans?"

On the high platform, Celestial Master Zhang of Dragon Tiger Mountain's eyes flashed with surprise as he looked at Shi Jian, "Fellow Daoist Shi, your sect's disciple possesses pure thunder techniques and sharp finger force, subtly containing a trace of Geng Metal's evil-dispelling intent. Truly remarkable."

Shi Jian's expression remained unchanged, but a barely perceptible hint of satisfaction flickered in his eyes. "Fellow Daoist Zhang is too kind. My disciple is still unruly and needs further tempering."

He was also slightly shaken. Mo Yuan's control over thunder techniques and the special power contained within his finger force seemed more profound than he had imagined.

Qingxu Zhenren of Ge Zao Mountain also stroked his beard and nodded, "This child is extraordinary."

Mo Yuan retracted his finger and cupped his hands towards the frozen Zhao Huan, "I concede." He then gracefully stepped off the stage, leaving behind a flurry of discussion and shock.

The first battle was a decisive victory, clean and swift! Mo Yuan's name truly entered the sights of the disciples from the Three Sects for the first time, no longer just relying on rumors.

In the subsequent rounds of the competition, Mo Yuan continued to maintain his dominance.

Whether his opponent was a fellow disciple from Mount Mao skilled in talismans, a disciple from Ge Zao Mountain proficient in formations, or a talented young master from Dragon Tiger Mountain who commanded spirit beasts.

He would resolve the battles within a few moves using his elusive and peerlessly sharp Geng Metal Thunderous Evil finger-sword, combined with the exquisite Ghost Shadow Footwork.

He had even yet to use the long spear on his back or the talisman pouch at his waist.

His performance attracted more and more attention. Especially from Dragon Tiger Mountain and Ge Zao Mountain, who began to truly regard him as a formidable opponent.

"This kid's lightning techniques are strange, his finger strikes contain the effect of breaking through defenses, and his movement technique is even more unfathomable. We must be careful in our approach."

"He probably hasn't used his full strength yet; that spear has never been used."

"Mount Mao has produced a remarkable individual this time."

As the competition progressed, the number of participating disciples dwindled. Those who remained were undoubtedly the true elites of the Three Sects, with the lowest cultivation being the peak of Qi Refining Layer Eight, and several individuals reaching Qi Refining Layer Nine.

In the quarterfinals, Mo Yuan encountered a fellow disciple from Mount Mao, a senior brother at Qi Refining Layer Nine who specialized in various intermediate-level talismans, launching a relentless barrage of attacks.

This time, Mo Yuan finally used talismans—his self-made Purple Firmament Thunder Talisman!

When the purple-gold thunder talisman, exuding an aura of destruction, was activated and transformed into a bucket-thick Purple Firmament Divine Thunder that struck down with a roar, the entire arena was enveloped in blinding lightning.

The layers of talisman defenses his senior brother had painstakingly set up melted away like snow in the face of the Purple Firmament Divine Thunder. Ultimately, the referee intervened just in time to save him from serious injury.

The appearance of the Purple Firmament Thunder Talisman once again shocked the entire audience.

The number of Qi Refining stage disciples who could draw and successfully unleash such a powerful thunder talisman was extremely limited!

Mo Yuan, powerfully advanced to the top four!

The list of the top four was released: Mo Yuan (Mount Mao, Qi Refining Layer Eight), Zhang Tianyuan (Dragon Tiger Mountain, Qi Refining Layer Nine, direct descendant of Celestial Master Zhang), Luo Li (Ge Zao Mountain, Qi Refining Layer Nine, formation genius), Wang Gang (Mount Mao, peak Qi Refining Layer Nine, senior disciple of the inner sect).

In the semi-final draw, Mo Yuan's opponent was Zhang Tianyuan from Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Zhang Tianyuan wore a bright yellow Daoist robe, possessed a handsome face, and exuded a powerful aura. He was already at the peak of Qi Refining Layer Nine, just one step away from Foundation Establishment.

He looked at Mo Yuan, his gaze carrying a hint of condescending scrutiny. "Junior Brother Mo, it's not easy for you to reach this point. However, it ends here. I will make you understand the difference between a true prodigy and someone who relies on luck."

Mo Yuan looked at him calmly, sensing the majestic spiritual energy within him that hinted at the union of dragon and tiger. He knew this would be a tough fight.

But there was no trace of fear in his eyes, only surging fighting spirit.

"Senior Brother Zhang, please."

The two stood on the stage, and the atmosphere instantly tensed.

Everyone knew this would be a fierce battle, a clash between the pride of Dragon Tiger Mountain defending their honor and the rising star of Mount Mao continuing to create miracles.

The great battle was about to begin!