Fierce Battle of the Final Four, Rankings Decided

# Chapter 13: Four-Way Melee, Rankings Settled

The next day, the Xuntian Guard training grounds were heavy with a silence like the stillness before a storm. All eyes were fixed on the Darksteel Arena at the center. Today, the final rankings would be decided, and the Yellow-grade top-tier and high-tier techniques would find their owners.

After yesterday's draw, the four-way matchups were clear: Zhao Song versus Liu Ruyan, Li Yifan versus Lei Zhen! The two winners would compete for the championship; the two losers would battle for third place.

On the high platform, Vice Commander Shen Cangyun swept his calm gaze across the four below. The watching crowd held their breath, waiting for the battle to begin.

First Match: Zhao Song vs. Liu Ruyan

The two ascended the stage gracefully—one in blue robes with a saber, arrogance radiating from him; the other in a white dress, bare-handed, cold as frost.

"Miss Liu, please!" Zhao Song angled his long saber, eyes sharp.

Liu Ruyan gave a slight nod, saying nothing. A chill mist already coiled around her slender palms.

Before the words faded, Zhao Song struck first! Riftwind Saber Technique erupted, saber-light like a flowing ribbon, carrying a gale of saber qi that tore toward Liu Ruyan! Before the blade arrived, the fierce wind pressure made breathing difficult.

Liu Ruyan's form flickered like a snowflake in the wind, dodging the blade by a hair's breadth, while her Ice Palm shot out. A bone-piercing chill spread, instantly frosting the arena floor with a thin layer of ice, trying to slow Zhao Song's movements.

Zhao Song snorted coldly, his saber momentum unchanged, even faster by three parts! He knew the nature of icy true qi well—he had to strike fast, not giving her a chance to gather cold energy. Saber-light rolled like a storm, enveloping Liu Ruyan. She wove through the blade-light with her exquisite footwork, palm shadows flying, each time releasing chill at critical moments to force Zhao Song back into defense.

Their figures crossed, saber-light and palm shadows dazzling the eyes. Zhao Song's saber was fast, ruthless, precise—embodying "Riftwind" to the fullest. Liu Ruyan's palms were cunning, soft, cold, often striking from impossible angles, the chill invading, hard to guard against.

At the fiftieth exchange, Liu Ruyan found her chance. Both palms struck out together: "Ice Seal Three Feet!" A stronger wave of cold surged toward Zhao Song, aiming to freeze him solid. But Zhao Song neither dodged nor flinched. Light burst from his eyes as his Whirlwind Technique true qi surged wildly, and his long saber let out a sharp hum!

"Wind Sweeping Away the Clouds!"

The saber-light transformed into a massive whirlwind, not only shredding the incoming chill but scattering Liu Ruyan's palm force entirely! Her expression shifted slightly as she retreated. Zhao Song pressed his advantage, his body following the blade. A simple, lightning-fast "Swift Wind Stab" aimed straight for Liu Ruyan's throat!

Liu Ruyan had no time to evade. She gathered all her chill into her palm and met the blade head-on!

Ding!

A crisp sound—the saber tip struck an ice-crystal palm. Chill and saber qi clashed violently! For a moment, they stalemated. But Liu Ruyan's inner strength was slightly inferior. The ice crystals on her palm shattered. She let out a muffled groan, drifting backward, her sleeve torn open by the sharp saber qi.

"I lose," she said coolly, her breath slightly uneven.

Zhao Song wins! Advancing to the finals!

Second Match: Li Yifan vs. Lei Zhen

The real highlight began! The two stepped onto the arena. The atmosphere was tense but lacked hostility.

Lei Zhen was tall and muscular, his body bulging with power. He looked at Li Yifan, grinned, and gave a hearty laugh: "Brother Li, didn't expect we'd face off! I've got to say, I admire your performance so far! But on this stage, I won't go easy. Let's have a good fight!"

Li Yifan cupped his fists in return, a smile on his face: "Brother Lei flatters me. To spar with an expert like you is my honor. Please, enlighten me!" He genuinely liked Lei Zhen's straightforward, fierce nature.

"Good! Watch yourself!" Lei Zhen bellowed, wasting no more words. Mad Tiger Fist erupted fully. Like a tiger unleashed from its cage, he charged at Li Yifan with berserk momentum, fist howling through the air, bursting with a dull sonic boom! Though it was a spar, the force was immense!

Li Yifan dared not be careless. Spirit Fox Steps activated instantly, his form sliding sideways like lightning, while his waist-saber traced a blazing arc. "Flowing Fire Style" slashed straight at Lei Zhen's wrist! But Lei Zhen changed moves fast, swinging his fist like a tiger's tail, clashing hard against the blade!

Clang!

Fist and saber met with a metallic roar! Li Yifan felt a massive force surge through him, his arm numb, blood and qi churning. He retreated two steps to disperse the power! Lei Zhen's fist was only slightly reddened—his defense was astonishing!

"Brother Lei, such strength!" Li Yifan praised, growing more alert.

"Your saber technique's not bad either! That scorching energy has some kick!" Lei Zhen laughed heartily, unleashing his fist techniques like a storm: "Leaping Tiger Descends the Mountain," "Vicious Tiger Pounces for Food," "Mad Tiger Tears the Sky"... Each move fiercer than the last, fist wind covering the entire arena, forcing Li Yifan to rely on Spirit Fox Steps to dodge and block, barely escaping danger! The scorching saber qi struck Lei Zhen's body, leaving only shallow white marks—hard to break through!

[Stuck in a tough fight! Lei Zhen's strength and defense are extremely strong. Direct confrontation is unfavorable!]

[Skill: Spirit Fox Steps proficiency +10! Under extreme dodging, footwork potential is being stimulated!]

[Skill: Burning Wood Saber Technique proficiency +15! Under high pressure, saber usage grows more ruthless and precise, targeting weak points like joints!]

Li Yifan pushed Spirit Fox Steps to its limit, weaving through the fist wind, saber-light like flames, constantly seeking Lei Zhen's openings. He stopped trying to clash head-on, instead using speed and technique to target Lei Zhen's joints, armpits, waist—areas with weaker defense. The scorching saber qi brought stinging pain, slowing Lei Zhen's assault slightly.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

On the arena, the two fought fast, figures crossing, qi clashing and exploding! Li Yifan darted and dodged like a spirit fox, his saber technique cunning; Lei Zhen pounced and struck like a mad tiger, heavy and forceful. The scene was intense, yet carried the flavor of experts sparring, making the crowd both nervous and admiring.

After over fifty exchanges, Li Yifan finally seized an opening. The instant Lei Zhen's fist struck, his power slightly spent, Spirit Fox Steps lunged forward. The waist-saber turned into a crimson rainbow—"Prairie Fire Style" stabbed straight at Lei Zhen's ribs!

Pfft!

The blade tip finally broke through defense, piercing an inch deep! Scorching saber qi flooded in!

Lei Zhen grunted, sharp pain shooting through his ribs. But his ferocity was sparked. Instead of retreating, he clamped his muscles tight around the blade, while his other fist—"Mad Tiger Splits the Heart"—shot toward Li Yifan's face even faster! He shouted, "Brother Li, watch out!"

Li Yifan was startled. No time to pull the saber. He made a snap decision, releasing his grip and dropping the weapon, leaning back, while crossing his palms. Basic Breathing Technique spun at full power as he met the punch!

Boom!

Fist met palms! Li Yifan felt like he'd been struck by a battering ram. A sweet taste rose in his throat. He spat blood, flying backward, crashing hard at the arena's edge—one step from falling off! The waist-saber remained lodged in Lei Zhen's ribs.

"Brother Li, I concede!" Lei Zhen thought victory was his. Ignoring the pain in his ribs, he strode forward to finish the fight.

The crowd below sighed for Li Yifan. It seemed he would lose.

Li Yifan struggled to his feet, internal organs aching, qi disordered. But his eyes were sharp, his mind racing! Dropping the saber? No! His weapon was more than just a blade!

[Desperate situation! Weapon lost! Blood and qi churning inside, Basic Breathing Technique spinning wildly! Understanding of Burning Wood Saber Technique's energy flow reaches a new height!]

Just as Lei Zhen's massive hand reached for him, inspiration struck Li Yifan! He pressed his fingers together like a blade. The remaining blood qi and that faint thread of true qi, following the energy method of the Burning Wood Saber Technique at its peak realm, condensed intensely at his fingertips! A scorching, explosive force took shape instantly! Though it didn't form true saber intent, the power of this "hand-saber" far exceeded ordinary finger techniques!

"Brother Lei, forgive me!"

He muttered lowly, body shifting slightly to evade the grab, his fingertip like lightning, stabbing straight at Lei Zhen's Shanzhong Acupoint! This "saber" was fast as lightning, condensing all his understanding of "Burning Wood" force!

"What?!" Lei Zhen's pupils contracted. He hadn't expected Li Yifan to counterattack so fiercely! There was no time to dodge!

"Pfft!"

The fingertip struck! A scorching, explosive force pierced into his body! Lei Zhen shuddered violently, his qi and blood instantly thrown into chaos. His rampaging momentum came to an abrupt halt as a mouthful of reversed blood surged into his throat. He staggered back several steps before barely steadying himself, staring at Li Yifan in utter shock.

"Good... good lad! That hand-saber... formidable!" Lei Zhen panted heavily, rubbed his chest, and gave a wry smile. "I lost! Convinced and content!"

[In a life-or-death crisis, you erupted at the limit, gaining profound insight into the force application of Burning Wood Saber Technique. Though you have not yet formed saber intent, your bare-handed power has greatly increased! Skill: Burning Wood Saber Technique breakthrough to: Mastery (1/5000)!]

Li Yifan also breathed a sigh of relief and cupped his hands. "Brother Lei, you yielded! If you hadn't held back, I would have lost long ago."

The referee announced loudly, "Li Yifan wins!"

Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from below the stage! This duel was fierce and splendid; both sides displayed exceptional martial skill and martial virtue, earning everyone's admiration.

Lei Zhen cheerfully clapped Li Yifan on the shoulder (carefully avoiding the wound). "Good brother, once you join the Xuntian Guard, look out for me!" With that, he pulled out his own waist-saber, returned it to Li Yifan, and strode off the stage.

Li Yifan took the saber and slowly descended the stage. Every step aggravated his internal injuries, his face pale. That last strike had nearly drained his strength and dealt no light damage to his internal organs. He sat cross-legged and immediately swallowed healing medicine to regulate his breathing.

Third-place match: Liu Ruyan vs. Lei Zhen

Though Lei Zhen had lost to Li Yifan and bore a wound under his ribs, his fighting spirit was high. After regulating her breath, Liu Ruyan had recovered most of her condition.

"Brother Lei, please." Liu Ruyan remained as cool as ever.

"Miss Liu, forgive my offense!" Lei Zhen, ignoring his injury, erupted again with Mad Tiger Fist, but his movements were slightly sluggish due to the wound.

Liu Ruyan's eyes were like ice. She activated her movement technique, ghostlike, and did not clash head-on with Lei Zhen. She struck with Ice Palm, strands of chill air seeping out, continuously eroding Lei Zhen's wound and meridians. Lei Zhen roared repeatedly; though his fist wind was fierce, Liu Ruyan always evaded with exquisite footwork or deflected the force with her yin-soft palm strength. The cold gradually accumulated. Lei Zhen's movements grew slower and slower, and piercing pain came from his wound.

Liu Ruyan seized the moment and deliberately left an opening. Lei Zhen punched at her; she twisted her body bizarrely, dodging the fist's edge, and her slender palm, like a butterfly threading through flowers, silently pressed against Lei Zhen's vital point at the back of his heart (withheld force). "Profound Ice Palm Force" penetrated his body. Lei Zhen's whole body stiffened, his movements completely frozen. He spat out a mouthful of cold air and helplessly conceded.

Championship match: Zhao Song vs. Li Yifan

Vice Commander Shen Cangyun looked at Li Yifan, who was still regulating his breath, and asked in a deep voice, "Li Yifan, do you need time to regulate? Or will you concede directly?"

Li Yifan opened his eyes, forcibly suppressed the sharp pain, struggled to his feet, and looked at Zhao Song with a determined gaze. "Sir, this subordinate needs to regulate!" He did not want to lose without a fight.

Zhao Song watched the tottering Li Yifan, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "Your strength and will—I, Zhao Song, respect them! But on the stage, I will not go easy!"

The two mounted the stage. Li Yifan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his injuries. The force of his Mastery-level Burning Wood Saber Technique condensed, but his wounds were too severe, and its power was greatly diminished. Zhao Song erupted with his full-powered Riftwind Saber Technique. In just three moves, he sent Li Yifan's waist-saber flying, and his saber qi stopped right before Li Yifan's throat.

"I lose." Li Yifan said frankly.

"You yield." Zhao Song sheathed his saber, his expression solemn.

The final rankings were settled: first place Zhao Song, second place Li Yifan, third place Liu Ruyan.

The rewards were distributed, personally conferred by Shen Cangyun:

Zhao Song chose the Yellow Grade Supreme technique Startling Thunder Sword Art and the Yellow Grade Upper movement technique Flowing Light Steps.

Li Yifan chose the internal art Nine Yang Burning Heaven Technique and a finger technique, Scorching Sun Finger, balancing offense and defense.

Liu Ruyan chose Ice Heart Art, which enhanced her ice-cold attribute.

Shen Cangyun said to Li Yifan, "Nine Yang Burning Heaven Technique is supremely yang and firm, with a solid foundation. Cultivate it well, and your future will be boundless. Heal your injuries properly."

The selection concluded. Though Li Yifan placed second, he had gained two precious techniques and a breakthrough in his saber art—a full harvest. A new journey had already begun beneath his feet.