Four Clashing Battles, Rankings Decided

Chapter Thirteen: Four Clashing Battles, Rankings Decided

The next day, at the Xuntian Guard's training grounds, the atmosphere was as oppressive as the eerie silence before a storm. Everyone's gaze was fixed on the Darksteel Arena in the center. Today, the final rankings would be decided, and the owners of the Yellow Grade Upper and Supreme-grade techniques would soon be revealed.

After yesterday's draw, the four-way semifinals had been settled: Zhao Song versus Liu Ruyan, and Li Yifan versus Lei Zhen! The two winners would battle for first and second place, while the two losers would fight for third.

On the elevated platform, Deputy Commander Shen Cangyun calmly swept his gaze over the four people below. The spectators held their breath and focused their minds, waiting for the great battle to begin.

First Match: Zhao Song vs. Liu Ruyan

The two gracefully stepped onto the arena. One wore blue robes and carried a saber, his arrogance overwhelming; the other wore a white dress and fought barehanded, as cold as frost.

"Miss Liu, please!" Zhao Song angled his long saber toward her, his gaze sharp.

Liu Ruyan gave a slight nod without saying a word. A chill already curled around her slender jade palms.

Before his voice had even faded, Zhao Song struck first! The Riftwind Saber Technique erupted violently. Saber light flashed like a bolt of silk, carrying saber qi as wild as a gale that could tear through everything, shooting straight for Liu Ruyan! Before the saber arrived, its fierce wind had already made it difficult to breathe.

Liu Ruyan's figure drifted unpredictably, like a snowflake in the wind. She narrowly avoided the saber's edge while simultaneously striking out with Ice Palm. A bone-piercing chill spread through the air, and a thin layer of frost instantly formed across the arena floor, attempting to slow Zhao Song's movements.

Zhao Song snorted coldly. His saber momentum remained unchanged and instead grew three parts faster! He knew the nature of icy true qi well: he had to use speed to suppress slowness and give his opponent no chance to gather her chill. Saber light surged like a violent storm, enveloping Liu Ruyan. Relying on her exquisite movement technique, Liu Ruyan wove through the saber light, her palms flashing. At every critical moment, she struck out with cold qi, forcing Zhao Song to withdraw his saber and defend.

Their figures crossed and interwove, while saber light and palm shadows dazzled the eyes. Zhao Song's saber was fast, ruthless, and accurate, interpreting the words "Riftwind" to perfection. Liu Ruyan's palms were strange, supple, and cold, often attacking from inconceivable angles. Once the chill invaded the body, it was almost impossible to guard against.

After fifty exchanges, Liu Ruyan found an opening and struck with both palms. "Ice Seal Three Feet!" An even stronger icy tide surged toward Zhao Song, intending to freeze him. Zhao Song neither dodged nor retreated. Brilliant light burst from his eyes, and the true qi of the Whirlwind Technique surged wildly through his body. His long saber let out a sharp hum!

"Wind Sweeping Away the Clouds!"

The saber light transformed into a gigantic whirlwind. It not only tore apart the oncoming chill but also shredded all of Liu Ruyan's palm force! Her expression shifted slightly as she pulled back. Zhao Song pressed his advantage without mercy, moving with his saber. A simple yet incomparably swift "Swift Wind Stab" shot straight at Liu Ruyan's throat!

Liu Ruyan had no time to dodge. She could only gather all the cold qi in her body into her palm and receive the blow head-on!

"Clang!"

A crisp ring sounded as the saber tip struck her crystal-like palm. Cold qi and saber qi collided violently! After a moment of stalemate, Liu Ruyan's inner force was ultimately slightly inferior. The ice crystals in her palm shattered, and she let out a muffled groan as she drifted backward. The fierce saber qi sliced open a gash in her sleeve.

"I lost." Her voice was cold and clear, though her breathing was slightly disordered.

Zhao Song wins! He advances to the finals!

Second Match: Li Yifan vs. Lei Zhen

The true main event began! The two stepped onto the arena. The atmosphere was tense, yet there was little hostility.

Lei Zhen was tall and powerfully built, his muscles bulging across his entire body. He looked at Li Yifan and grinned, revealing a hearty smile. "Brother Li, I never expected us to face each other! I was thoroughly impressed by your performance earlier! However, I won't hold back on this arena. Let's have a good fight!"

Li Yifan cupped his fists in return, a trace of a smile appearing on his face. "Brother Lei, you flatter me. It's my honor to spar with an expert like you. Please advise me!" He had developed a favorable impression of Lei Zhen's straightforward and ferocious character.

"Good! Be careful!" Lei Zhen roared. He said no more and unleashed the Mad Tiger Fist with all his strength. His entire body was like a fierce tiger breaking free of its cage, carrying an incomparably violent aura as he punched toward Li Yifan! The wind of his fist howled, and even the air seemed to explode beneath it, producing a deep sonic boom. Though it was a spar, its momentum was astonishing!

Li Yifan did not dare be careless. He instantly activated Spirit Fox Steps, his body sliding diagonally backward like lightning. At the same time, the saber at his waist traced a blazing arc. "Flowing Fire Style" slashed directly at Lei Zhen's wrist! Yet Lei Zhen changed moves with astonishing speed. He swung his fist like a tiger's tail sweeping sideways and met the saber edge head-on!

"Clang!"

Fist and saber collided with a tremendous sound like metal striking metal! Li Yifan felt a colossal force surge through him. His arm went numb, his qi and blood churned, and he retreated two steps before neutralizing the impact! Lei Zhen's fist, meanwhile, was merely flushed red. His defensive power was astonishing!

"Brother Lei, your strength is incredible!" Li Yifan praised him, becoming even more vigilant.

"Your saber technique isn't bad either! That scorching force has some bite!" Lei Zhen threw back his head and laughed. His fists unfolded like a violent storm. "Leaping Tiger Descends the Mountain," "Vicious Tiger Pounces for Food," "Mad Tiger Tears the Sky"... each move was fiercer than the last. Fist wind enveloped the entire arena, forcing Li Yifan to rely on Spirit Fox Steps to dodge and block continuously, leaving him in peril at every turn! The scorching saber qi struck Lei Zhen's body but could only leave shallow white marks, unable to break through his defenses!

[He has fallen into a bitter battle! Lei Zhen's strength and defense are extremely powerful; clashing head-on is disadvantageous!]

[Skill: Spirit Fox Steps Proficiency +10! Extreme evasion in progress; the potential of the movement technique has been stimulated!]

[Skill: Burning Wood Saber Technique Proficiency +15! Under immense pressure, the saber technique has grown increasingly ruthless and precise, focusing on weak points such as the joints!]

Li Yifan pushed Spirit Fox Steps to its limit, weaving through the fist wind while his saber light blazed like flames, constantly searching for Lei Zhen's openings. He no longer tried to clash head-on. Instead, he used his advantage in speed and his saber technique to focus on Lei Zhen's joints, armpits, lower back, and other relatively weak points in his defenses. The scorching saber qi brought waves of stinging pain, slightly slowing Lei Zhen's offensive.

"Boom, boom, boom!"

On the arena, the two fought speed with speed, their figures crossing as their forces collided and exploded again and again! Li Yifan twisted and shifted like a spirit fox, his saber technique cunning and unpredictable. Lei Zhen attacked like a mad tiger, his movements fierce and heavy. The scene was incomparably intense, yet it also carried the air of an exchange between experts. The spectators below watched with both tension and admiration.

After more than fifty exchanges, Li Yifan finally seized an opportunity. The instant Lei Zhen punched out and his previous force was slightly spent, Spirit Fox Steps surged forward. His waist saber transformed into a scarlet streak of light, and "Prairie Fire Style" stabbed straight beneath Lei Zhen's ribs!

"Splurt!"

The saber tip finally broke through his defenses and pierced inward by several inches! Scorching saber qi poured inside!

Lei Zhen grunted as a sharp pain shot through his ribs. Yet his ferocity had been stirred. Instead of retreating, he abruptly contracted his muscles and clamped down on the saber edge. His other fist, "Mad Tiger Splits the Heart," shot toward Li Yifan's face even faster! He shouted, "Brother Li, be careful!"

Li Yifan was startled. He had no time to pull out his saber. Making an immediate decision, he let go and abandoned the weapon, arching his body backward while crossing both palms. Basic Breathing Technique circulated at full strength as he received the punch head-on!

"Boom!"

Fist and palms collided! Li Yifan felt as if he had been struck by a heavy hammer. His throat sweetened, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. His entire body flew backward and crashed heavily against the edge of the arena, missing a fall by only one step! His waist saber, meanwhile, remained lodged beneath Lei Zhen's ribs.

"Brother Li, you've conceded!" Seeing this, Lei Zhen thought victory was assured. Enduring the pain in his ribs, he strode forward, preparing to end the fight.

The spectators below also felt sorry for Li Yifan. It seemed he was about to lose.

Li Yifan struggled to his feet, his internal organs throbbing with pain and his breathing chaotic. Yet his gaze remained sharp as his mind raced! Abandon his saber? No! His weapon was not limited to a saber!

[Desperate situation! Weapon lost! Qi and blood are surging within the body, and Basic Breathing Technique is circulating madly! His understanding of the force circulation of Burning Wood Saber Technique has reached a new height!]

The instant Lei Zhen's large hand reached out, inspiration struck Li Yifan! He pressed his index and middle fingers together like a saber. Following the force-circulation method of the perfected Burning Wood Saber Technique, he highly condensed the remaining qi and blood in his body, along with that thread of faint true qi, at his fingertips! A scorching, explosive force instantly took shape! Though he could not form true saber intent, the power of this "hand saber" far surpassed that of an ordinary finger technique!

"Brother Lei, forgive me!"

He gave a low shout and turned his body slightly, avoiding the grab. His fingertips flashed like lightning as they stabbed straight toward Lei Zhen's Shanzhong Acupoint! This "saber" was as fast as lightning, condensing all his understanding of the force behind "Burning Wood"!

"What?!" Lei Zhen's pupils contracted. He had never expected Li Yifan to possess such a fierce counterattack! It was already too late to dodge!

"Pfft!"

His fingertips struck home! A scorching and explosive force pierced through his body! Lei Zhen's entire body shook violently. His qi and blood instantly fell into disorder, and his fierce momentum abruptly halted. A mouthful of reverse blood surged into his throat. He staggered back several steps before barely steadying himself, staring at Li Yifan in astonishment!

"Good... good kid! That hand saber... impressive!" Lei Zhen gasped for breath and rubbed his chest. With a bitter smile, he said, "I lost! I'm convinced!"

[An extreme eruption in a desperate life-or-death situation has led to profound insight into the use of Burning Wood Saber Technique's force. Though saber intent has not yet formed, his barehanded power has greatly increased! Skill: Burning Wood Saber Technique breakthrough to: Perfected (1/5000)!]

Li Yifan also breathed a sigh of relief and cupped his fists. "Brother Lei, you let me win! 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 the spectators below! The battle had been intense and splendid. Both sides had displayed extremely high martial skill and martial virtue, earning everyone's admiration.

Lei Zhen heartily patted Li Yifan's shoulder, carefully avoiding the wound. "Good brother, once you join the Xuntian Guard, look after me!" After saying this, he pulled the waist saber from his ribs and returned it to Li Yifan before striding off the arena.

Li Yifan took the saber and slowly walked down. Every step tugged at his internal injuries, leaving his face pale. That last strike had nearly drained all his strength, and his internal organs had suffered serious damage. He sat cross-legged and immediately swallowed healing medicine before regulating his breathing.

Battle for Third Place: Liu Ruyan vs. Lei Zhen

Although Lei Zhen had lost to Li Yifan and was wounded in the ribs, his fighting spirit remained high. After regulating her breathing, Liu Ruyan had recovered most of her condition.

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

"Miss Liu, forgive me!" Lei Zhen ignored his injuries and once again erupted with the Mad Tiger Fist, though his movements were slightly sluggish because of the wound.

Liu Ruyan's eyes were like ice. She unfolded her movement technique like a phantom and did not clash head-on with Lei Zhen. Her Ice Palm struck out, cold qi threading through the air and continuously corroding Lei Zhen's wound and meridians. Lei Zhen roared repeatedly. His fist wind was fierce, but Liu Ruyan always evaded it with exquisite footwork or diverted its force with supple palm power. The cold qi gradually accumulated, and Lei Zhen's movements grew slower and slower. The wound in his ribs began to ache with bone-piercing pain.

Liu Ruyan saw her opportunity and deliberately exposed an opening. Lei Zhen punched toward her, but she twisted her body strangely and avoided the fist's edge. Her slender palm passed through the flowers like a butterfly and silently pressed against the vital point behind Lei Zhen's heart, holding back its force. "Profound Ice Palm Force" entered his body. Lei Zhen's entire body stiffened, his movements completely freezing. A breath of cold air escaped his mouth, and he could only admit defeat.

Battle for First and Second Place: Zhao Song vs. Li Yifan

Deputy Commander Shen Cangyun looked toward Li Yifan, who was regulating his breathing, and asked in a deep voice, "Li Yifan, do you need time to recover, or will you concede directly?"

Li Yifan opened his eyes, endured the piercing pain, and struggled to stand. He looked firmly toward Zhao Song. "My lord, I need time to recover!" He did not want to lose without a fight.

Looking at the swaying Li Yifan, Zhao Song's eyes flashed with admiration. "I, Zhao Song, admire your strength and willpower! But on this arena, I will not hold back!"

The two stepped onto the arena. Li Yifan drew a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his injuries. The force of the perfected Burning Wood Saber Technique gathered, but his injuries were too severe, greatly reducing its power. Zhao Song unleashed the Riftwind Saber Technique with all his strength. In only three moves, he knocked Li Yifan's waist saber away, stopping the saber qi before his throat.

"I lost." Li Yifan spoke frankly.

"You fought well." Zhao Song withdrew his saber, his expression solemn.

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

The rewards were distributed, with Shen Cangyun personally presenting them:

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

Li Yifan chose the inner cultivation technique Nine Yang Burning Heaven Technique and the finger cultivation technique Scorching Sun Finger, which served both offense and defense.

Liu Ruyan chose Ice Heart Art, which strengthened her ice attribute.

Shen Cangyun said to Li Yifan, "Nine Yang Burning Heaven Technique is supremely yang and unyielding, with a solid foundation. Cultivate it well, and your future will be limitless. Take good care of your injuries."

The selection came to an end. Although Li Yifan had placed second, he had obtained two precious techniques and, on top of that, broken through in his saber technique. He could truly be said to have returned with his arms full. A new journey had already unfolded beneath his feet.