Chapter 25

The entire arena fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone stared, dumbfounded, at the apocalyptic scene before them.

They looked at the massive, smoke-billowing crater.

They looked at Qi Hao, lying in the distance, his life or death unknown.

Their minds had completely ceased to function.

What on earth had happened?

Was the battle really over just like that?

One strike?!

Yet another simple, straightforward strike!

Where did Li Xiaoyu's attack even come from?

A gourd?

What kind of gourd was that?

How could it unleash such a terrifying attack?

He hadn't even touched the hem of his opponent's robe!

Qi Hao, who was at the eighth level of the Jade Purity Realm, wielding a divine weapon and preparing to unleash his ultimate technique, had been defeated just like that?

Defeated so thoroughly, so wretchedly?

Just how much strength had Li Xiaoyu been hiding?

What kind of monster was he?

The dust and smoke slowly dissipated.

Li Xiaoyu's figure reappeared in everyone's line of sight.

He stood quietly at the edge of the massive crater, his robes snapping in the lingering shockwaves.

His face remained somewhat pale, as if that strike had also consumed a great deal of his energy.

However, the dusty wine gourd in his hand had already been hooked back onto his waist.

He looked at Qi Hao, who lay on the ground like a dead dog, his eyes calm and devoid of the slightest ripple.

The deacon disciple responsible for officiating stood frozen in place with his mouth agape, completely unaware that the command flag had slipped from his hand onto the ground.

He had even forgotten to announce the result of the match.

An irrepressible, ecstatic laugh erupted from the viewing platform.

"Hahaha! Hahahahaha!"

It was Shang Zhengliang!

He stood up abruptly from his seat, pointing at Li Xiaoyu in the arena, laughing until he swayed back and forth, tears streaming down his face.

"Good! A fine Li Xiaoyu! A fine disciple of my Morning Sun Peak!"

The excitement and pride in his heart reached their zenith at this moment!

Beside him, Daoist Cangsong's face, usually so gloomy, was now as black as the bottom of a pot.

Watching his own disciple, who had been defeated in a single move and looked like a stray dog, he felt a burning sensation on his face, as if he had been slapped countless times in public.

Daoist Cangsong's fists were clenched tightly within his sleeves, his fingernails digging into his flesh.

In the direction of Big Bamboo Peak, Tian Buyi and Tian Ling'er were already pale as ghosts, stunned into wooden silence.

Tian Ling'er, in particular, looked at the figure standing at the edge of the crater, who seemed like a god or a demon, and felt the world spinning and her head swimming.

She realized that they were truly no longer on the same path.

But it was she who had been left behind.

Amidst the deathly silence of the entire arena, Daoist Daoxuan's majestic and complex voice slowly rang out.

"The final of this Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament."

"Morning Sun Peak, Li Xiaoyu, wins!"

The voice was like a thunderclap, finally jolting everyone awake from their endless shock.

The next moment, a mountain-shaking roar of cheers, discussions, and exclamations erupted!

"The champion! Li Xiaoyu is the champion!"

"My god! He actually did it!"

"He defeated Senior Brother Qi Hao in one strike! This is simply terrifying!"

The entire Heaven-Reaching Peak was completely boiling over for this name!

Following Daoist Daoxuan's majestic declaration, this year's Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament finally drew to a close.

The atmosphere in the Martial Arts Arena remained fervent.

Countless gazes focused on the figure walking calmly off the arena.

The disciples of Morning Sun Peak had already rushed forward, surrounding Li Xiaoyu and excitedly tossing him into the air.

"Senior Brother is mighty!"

"Senior Brother is the best in the world!"

Their faces were brimming with unprecedented pride and glory.

How many years had it been?

Morning Sun Peak had never achieved such a brilliant result in the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament!

With his own strength, Li Xiaoyu had won back the long-lost honor for the entire Morning Sun Peak!

Watching his disciples crowd around Li Xiaoyu, Shang Zhengliang's usually stern face broke into a grin so wide he couldn't close his mouth, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes filled with joy.

From this day on, Morning Sun Peak would no longer be that mediocre, obscure existence among the seven meridians.

And all of this was because of the disciple standing before him, the one he had once considered giving up on.

On the other side, the disciples of Dragon Head Peak were in a state of gloom, hurriedly carrying the unconscious Qi Hao away.

Daoist Cangsong's expression was so dark it seemed as if water could drip from it.

He did not say a single word, merely casting a cold glance at the crowd-surrounded Li Xiaoyu before flicking his sleeves and departing, his back filled with endless resentment and murderous intent.

His own face and that of Dragon Head Peak had been completely lost today.

And all of this was thanks to that brat named Li Xiaoyu!

He would remember this debt!

After the brief celebration came the highly anticipated award ceremony.

Daoist Daoxuan personally stepped down from the viewing platform and arrived at the center of the Martial Arts Arena.

His gaze was gentle yet profound as it landed on Li Xiaoyu.

"Li Xiaoyu."

He spoke slowly, his voice carrying approval.

"You are excellent."

These three simple words were the highest praise a disciple could receive.

"According to the rules of our sect, the champion of the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament may choose one magic treasure from the Green Cloud Sect's treasury as a reward."

Daoist Daoxuan waved his hand, and several deacon disciples immediately stepped forward, respectfully holding several brocade boxes.

The boxes were opened one by one, and the radiance of treasures burst forth, instantly capturing everyone's attention.

Among them, the most eye-catching was undoubtedly the ancient bronze mirror.

On the mirror's surface, dragons and tigers were intertwined, the Eight Trigrams flowed, and it emitted a heavy, mysterious aura.

"The Six Harmonies Mirror!"

Below the stage, a knowledgeable disciple exclaimed.

"It's actually the Six Harmonies Mirror passed down by Ancestor Wufang! This is one of the Green Cloud Sect's legendary treasures!"

"Legend says this mirror can reflect all attacks, allowing the wielder to stand in an invincible position! This is a treasure everyone dreams of!"

Envy appeared in everyone's eyes.

Besides the Six Harmonies Mirror, there was an ancient sword with a chilling aura, a jade pendant containing vast spiritual power, and a Daoist manual exuding an ancient atmosphere.

Each item was a peerless treasure that an ordinary disciple would struggle to see in a lifetime.

Everyone naturally assumed that Li Xiaoyu would choose the infinitely powerful Six Harmonies Mirror.

After all, this magic treasure had the greatest reputation and was the undisputed choice for past champions.

Daoist Daoxuan also smiled at Li Xiaoyu, signaling for him to step forward and choose.

Under the envious gazes of the crowd, Li Xiaoyu walked forward slowly.

His eyes swept over the peerless treasures one by one.

The Six Harmonies Mirror was indeed extraordinary, containing the power of profound spatial laws.

That ancient sword was also a rare, high-grade magic sword, its material even superior to his Autumn Water Sword.

However, Li Xiaoyu's gaze did not linger on them for long.

His sight finally settled on a brocade box in the very corner.

There was no magic treasure or secret manual in that box.

There was only a fist-sized, irregular crystal, deep red all over, as if magma were flowing within it.

"Red Flame Crystal?"