Consecutive Battles, a Hasty Conclusion

Qiangu Qingfeng and Qiangu Dongfeng stood facing each other, the atmosphere on the arena stage so heavy it seemed as though water could drip from it.

One was the elder brother wielding the Purgatory Halberd; the other was the younger brother armed with the Coiling Dragon Staff. They shared the same bloodline, yet had taken entirely different paths. And now, those two paths were about to collide.

"Big Brother, please." Qiangu Dongfeng held his staff in one hand and made an inviting gesture, his posture calm and carrying all the poise of a great family.

Qiangu Qingfeng said nothing. He merely tightened his grip around the Purgatory Halberd, his gaze as cold as frost.

The next moment—

They moved at the same time!

Qiangu Qingfeng struck first. The Purgatory Halberd tore through the air with a piercing shriek, becoming a streak of purple-black lightning that slashed directly at Qiangu Dongfeng's face! The strike was fast and vicious, without the slightest hint of probing. He had gone all out from the very beginning!

Yet Qiangu Dongfeng merely smiled faintly and lightly raised the Coiling Dragon Staff—

Clang!

With a crisp ring of metal, the Purgatory Halberd was precisely knocked aside. Qiangu Dongfeng twisted his wrist, and the Coiling Dragon Staff swept sideways with crushing force, counterattacking Qiangu Qingfeng's waist and abdomen!

Qiangu Qingfeng's expression did not change. He drew back the Purgatory Halberd and held the shaft horizontally to block—

Bang!

The two weapons collided again, scattering a shower of sparks. Qiangu Qingfeng was forced back two steps by the impact, while Qiangu Dongfeng did not budge at all.

"What tremendous strength..." Leng Yaozhu frowned slightly beneath the stage. "After absorbing that Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, Qiangu Dongfeng's strength has increased considerably."

Xiao Cheng nodded, his eyes fixed on the battle above. "It isn't just his strength. His staff technique is also extremely refined. It should be the Coiling Dragon Staff Technique passed down by the Qiangu Family. This technique is broad and powerful, fierce and unmatched. Combined with the weight of the Coiling Dragon Staff, it is perfectly suited for suppressing opponents head-on."

Just as Xiao Cheng had said, Qiangu Dongfeng's Coiling Dragon Staff Technique was indeed exceptionally proficient. It was an inferior substitute for the Unyielding Staff Technique inherited by the Qiangu Family. Although it was not as profound as the Unyielding Staff Technique, it could be cultivated from childhood and was a required course for every member of the Qiangu Family.

As Qiangu Dieting's legitimate son, Qiangu Dongfeng had received the strictest and most systematic staff training since childhood. With the careful guidance of the family elders, his mastery of this technique had long reached perfection.

In comparison, although Qiangu Qingfeng had also trained in halberd techniques, the Qiangu Family was not known for halberd arts. Though the family had found him several superior halberd techniques, they were still inferior to the Coiling Dragon Staff Technique, which the Qiangu Family had passed down and honed over countless generations.

With one side rising and the other falling, Qiangu Qingfeng had been at a disadvantage from the very beginning.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

On the arena stage, the sounds of weapons colliding rang out without end. Qiangu Dongfeng's Coiling Dragon Staff was like a golden dragon, sometimes using Sweep Across the Army, sometimes Splitting the Mountain. His offensive surged forward in wave after wave, crushing Qiangu Qingfeng until he could barely catch his breath.

But Qiangu Qingfeng was not so easily defeated.

Although he was at a disadvantage, his defense was exceptionally tenacious. The Purgatory Halberd seemed to come alive in his hands, sometimes blocking, sometimes counterattacking. Though he could not turn the tide, he barely managed to hold his ground.

"Big Brother, your halberd technique has indeed improved quite a bit." Qiangu Dongfeng continued attacking even as he commented, "But you can't win by defending alone."

Qiangu Qingfeng said nothing. He merely clenched his teeth and held on desperately.

He was unwilling to accept this.

A fierce sense of resentment and fury erupted within him like a volcano!

"Hah—!"

Qiangu Qingfeng suddenly let out an angry roar, and the purple-black light on the Purgatory Halberd abruptly flared! In that instant, his moves became incomparably sharp, as though he had broken through some restraint and faintly touched upon the realm of "intent"!

His halberd thrust forward, carrying a tragic, unstoppable momentum, as if it would rip apart everything before him!

"Hm?" Qiangu Dongfeng's pupils contracted slightly. He did not dare be careless and held the Coiling Dragon Staff across his chest, blocking with all his strength—

Boom!

With a tremendous crash, Qiangu Dongfeng was forced back three steps. Qiangu Qingfeng also staggered back several steps, propping himself up with the Purgatory Halberd as he panted heavily.

That strike had nearly drained all his strength.

"Big Brother, you..." Qiangu Dongfeng looked at his elder brother, a complicated look flashing through his eyes. He could sense that the previous strike had surpassed Qiangu Qingfeng's usual level. It was potential unleashed under extreme unwillingness.

But... that was all.

Qiangu Dongfeng took a deep breath, and golden light burst from the Coiling Dragon Staff. He no longer held back, secretly drawing upon the power of the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone as well. The Coiling Dragon Staff descended upon Qiangu Qingfeng's head with an unstoppable might!

"It's over, Big Brother."

Boom—!

The Coiling Dragon Staff smashed heavily into the arena stage, blasting a huge crater into the sturdy ground as shattered stones flew everywhere. Although Qiangu Qingfeng barely dodged the blow, the shockwave sent him flying. He crashed heavily onto the ground, and the Purgatory Halberd flew from his hand.

He struggled to rise, but his entire body felt as though every bone had fallen apart. He no longer had the strength to stand.

"The winner has been decided!" the referee announced.

Silence filled the area beneath the stage.

Qiangu Dieting's expression was somewhat unpleasant. He had expected Qiangu Qingfeng to lose, but he had not expected such a complete defeat. What displeased him even more was that Qiangu Qingfeng had openly displayed hostility and defiance toward his younger brother before everyone. That was no good thing for a family's unity.

"I'll take the next match!"

A crisp voice shattered the silence.

Leng Yaozhu strode onto the arena stage and looked directly at Qiangu Dongfeng. "Qiangu Dongfeng, you've just fought a match. Do you need to rest? Otherwise, someone might say I won unfairly."

There was a hint of provocation in her tone. She was clearly doing it on purpose.

Qiangu Dongfeng smiled faintly. Although the earlier battle had consumed quite a bit of energy, after absorbing the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, his Soul Power recovered far faster than an ordinary person's. This amount of consumption was not much to him.

"No need. Yao Zhu, just attack as you please."

"Then I won't hold back!"

Leng Yaozhu did not waste words and directly activated her second soul skill—Phoenix Wings Soaring!

A pair of magnificent flaming wings spread behind her as she shot into the sky, instantly taking the aerial advantage. Immediately afterward, she repeatedly waved both hands, and several Heavenly Phoenix Flowing Fires fell like meteors, bombarding Qiangu Dongfeng from all directions!

"Good!" Qiangu Dongfeng laughed loudly and swung the Coiling Dragon Staff, smashing apart every incoming fireball. But Leng Yaozhu's attacks came without end, and since she was attacking from high above, Qiangu Dongfeng could only passively endure them from the ground. For a time, he was actually suppressed.

"Good!" Leng Yulai clapped excitedly beneath the stage. "Go, Sister!"

Xiao Cheng frowned slightly. He noticed that although Qiangu Dongfeng appeared to be at a disadvantage, his expression remained calm, as though he was not concerned about Leng Yaozhu's aerial advantage at all.

Sure enough, just as Leng Yaozhu prepared to launch an even fiercer wave of attacks, Qiangu Dongfeng suddenly shouted:

"Gravity Control!"

An invisible force abruptly spread outward!

Leng Yaozhu felt her body sink, as though a massive mountain had pressed down on her back. Her flying speed suddenly dropped! She cried out in alarm and nearly fell from the sky. She hurriedly flapped her wings to stabilize herself, but her movements had already become much slower.

"This is... the soul bone skill of the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone?!" Leng Yaozhu's expression changed.

"That's right." Qiangu Dongfeng smiled faintly, pointed the Coiling Dragon Staff forward, and shot up from the ground, fiercely attacking Leng Yaozhu in the air!

Though Leng Yaozhu did her best to evade, her flight speed had been greatly reduced by Gravity Control. She could not make use of her aerial advantage at all. After several exchanges, Qiangu Dongfeng forced her into a desperate situation.

"Leng Yaozhu concedes!" Seeing that the Coiling Dragon Staff was about to strike Leng Yaozhu, Leng Zhaoran, who stood beneath the stage, saw that his daughter's defeat was certain and called out on her behalf.

Qiangu Dongfeng withdrew his staff in time and smiled. "You let me win."

Leng Yaozhu landed on the ground and stomped her foot unwillingly. "Hmph, if not for that Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, I wouldn't have lost to you!"

Qiangu Dongfeng only smiled and said nothing.

"Is there anyone else who wishes to challenge me?" He looked around, his gaze lingering briefly on Xiao Cheng.

Xiao Cheng took a deep breath and slowly walked onto the arena stage.

"I would like to experience Second Brother Qiangu's skills."

His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable firmness.

A trace of surprise flashed through Qiangu Dongfeng's eyes, followed by a smile. "Brother Xiao Cheng wants a turn too? Good. Please."

Beneath the stage, Leng Yaozhu looked at Xiao Cheng with some concern. "Xiao Cheng, be careful. That Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone has two soul bone skills. One is Gravity Control, and no one knows what the other is."

"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing." Xiao Cheng nodded, the Azure Sky Divine Spear in hand as two purple soul rings pulsed around its shaft.

"Begin!"

Xiao Cheng made the first move!

Dragon Roaming Steps unfolded beneath his feet, and his figure flickered like a phantom. The Azure Sky Divine Spear pierced forward with a sharp howl through the air, stabbing directly at Qiangu Dongfeng's throat!

"Good!" Qiangu Dongfeng did not hesitate either. The Coiling Dragon Staff swept out, colliding with the Azure Sky Divine Spear—

Clang!

With a tremendous crash, both of them retreated three steps.

"What tremendous strength!" Xiao Cheng was inwardly shocked. After his blood replacement, a single swing of his arm contained a massive force of three thousand jin, yet Qiangu Dongfeng's strength was faintly greater than his! The enhancement from a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone was truly terrifying!

"Again!"

Xiao Cheng did not lose heart. The Power of Empty Green circulated at full capacity, and the Azure Sky Divine Spear transformed into streaks of azure light in his hands, attacking Qiangu Dongfeng like a raging storm!

Qiangu Dongfeng also became serious. He unfolded the Coiling Dragon Staff Technique and engaged Xiao Cheng in a fierce exchange.

For a time, spear shadows and staff shadows crisscrossed the arena stage, while the ringing of metal against metal continued without end. Both of them were moving at extreme speed. The people beneath the stage could only see two blurred figures repeatedly colliding, separating, and colliding again!

"What formidable spear technique!" A flash of admiration crossed Qiangu Dieting's eyes. "Xiao Ran, your son's attainments with the spear are likely no worse than those of veteran Soul Masters who have immersed themselves in this path for over a decade."

Xiao Ran smiled faintly, but he was also somewhat surprised. He knew Xiao Cheng's spear technique was good, yet he had not expected it to be this good—good enough to fight Qiangu Dongfeng, who had absorbed a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, to a standstill!

On the arena stage, the battle between the two had already reached a fever pitch.

The more Qiangu Dongfeng fought, the more alarmed he became. He had thought that after absorbing the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, he would be able to completely crush Xiao Cheng. Yet Xiao Cheng's spear technique was so refined that he could use skill to make up for the gap in strength and fight him evenly!

This can't go on any longer. Qiangu Dongfeng thought. If I can't defeat him with overwhelming strength, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep my position as captain.

With that thought, he no longer hesitated and directly used the second soul bone skill of the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone—

"Dragon Elephant Power!"

A terrifying aura erupted from within him! A faint golden radiance appeared over his body, his muscles bulged slightly, and his entire body seemed to grow a little taller. The pressure he gave off made everyone beneath the stage feel suffocated!

A hundred percent enhancement to all attributes!

Although this was not the limit of the soul bone skill, but merely the limit his current body could withstand, for someone at only Rank 28, this enhancement was already enough to crush the vast majority of opponents at the same level!

It's coming! Xiao Cheng's heart tightened. He did not dare be careless, and with a thought—

External Soul Bone—Dark Demon Scorpion Tail!

A dark-purple scorpion tail extended from behind him, its hook gleaming with a cold, sinister light!

At the same time, he activated his second soul skill—Voiding!

Qiangu Dongfeng's staff came down with the force of ten thousand jun, but it passed directly through Xiao Cheng's body and struck empty air!

"What?!" Qiangu Dongfeng's pupils shrank sharply. Although he had seen Xiao Cheng use this move in the Spirit Ascension Platform to evade the Dark Demon Scorpion Tiger's attack, he had not expected the skill to have no windup at all.

Xiao Cheng canceled Voiding, and the Azure Sky Divine Spear seized the opportunity to stab at Qiangu Dongfeng's ribs! At the same time, the Dark Demon Scorpion Tail hooked toward Qiangu Dongfeng as well.

Qiangu Dongfeng reacted extremely quickly. He brought the Coiling Dragon Staff back to defend, blocking the spear, then swiftly knocked away the scorpion tail with another strike. Even so, the impact forced him back two steps.

"What a bizarre soul skill..." he thought in alarm.

The battle that followed became even more deadlocked.

With the Power of Empty Green circulating throughout his body, Xiao Cheng was already faster than Qiangu Dongfeng. Relying further on the two space-type divine skills, Teleportation and Voiding, he began a guerrilla battle against Qiangu Dongfeng. Sometimes he teleported behind Qiangu Dongfeng for a surprise attack; sometimes he used Voiding to evade fatal strikes. Qiangu Dongfeng had a body full of brute strength but nowhere to unleash it.

Qiangu Dongfeng also displayed exceptional combat instincts. Though he could not break Xiao Cheng's spatial abilities, he made his defense flawless while continuously constricting Xiao Cheng's room to move, trying to force him into a hopeless situation.

Time passed second by second.

Both of their Soul Power reserves were being rapidly depleted.

Finally—

"Huff... huff..." Xiao Cheng leaned on the Azure Sky Divine Spear, gasping heavily. His Soul Power was nearly exhausted, and he could no longer use either Voiding or Teleportation.

Qiangu Dongfeng across from him was in no better condition. Dragon Elephant Power had already consumed a great deal, and after fighting three consecutive matches, he had almost no Soul Power left either.

"It seems we won't be able to decide a winner today." Qiangu Dongfeng gave a bitter smile and put away the Coiling Dragon Staff. "Let's call it a draw."

Xiao Cheng nodded in agreement as well.

The two walked down from the arena stage at the same time.

Silence filled the area beneath the stage.

This contest among the seven people came to a hasty end. In the end, no captain was chosen—after all, among the seven, it was clear that few were willing to accept Qiangu Dongfeng, the openly strongest one, as their captain.

"Forget it. Let's end it here for today." Qiangu Dieting waved his hand, his expression somewhat unpleasant. "We'll discuss the captaincy later. There are still seven years until the competition, so there's no need to rush."

And so, the captain selection ended in such a hasty manner.

The originally designated captain of the Seven Luminaries Team had been Qiangu Qingfeng. He was the oldest among the seven and had originally been the strongest as well. Yet for some reason, whether because Qiangu Dieting had become an old fool or something else, he actually wanted Qiangu Dongfeng to become captain.

Qiangu Dieting had outsmarted himself. He had thought that giving Qiangu Dongfeng a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone would make him the strongest member of the team, but he had not expected it to provoke the rebellious mentality of the other members.

Take Leng Yaozhu, for instance. Did she not know she had no chance of defeating Qiangu Dongfeng? She did, yet she still challenged him. Using a soul bone to increase one's strength made it seem as though the Leng Family did not possess any Hundred Thousand Year inherited soul bones of its own.

Even if Qiangu Dongfeng had ultimately defeated Xiao Cheng today and become captain, few people on the team would have accepted his leadership.

Clearly, Qiangu Dieting had realized this before leaving. Knowing that he had made a bad move, he could only postpone the captain selection.

This made Leng Zhaoran and Xiao Ran's thoughts become more active. They had originally assumed that either Qiangu Qingfeng or Qiangu Dongfeng would serve as captain, which was why Xiao Cheng had not considered becoming captain at first. But if they were given the opportunity and failed to make use of it, they could not blame someone else for taking it later. By then, even Qiangu Dieting would have nothing to say in opposition.