Prajna Hall Chief's training room.
The Prajna Hall Chief frowned. "Tianbao! Tomorrow is the top twenty-five round. Are you confident against Golden Arhat and that brat Li Changfeng?"
"Master! Haven't I told you? I have absolute confidence in defeating them! Don't you believe in me?"
"It isn't that I lack confidence in you! It's that Li Changfeng was personally singled out by Senior Brother Abbot. His strength cannot be underestimated, so you'd best take this seriously!"
"Li Changfeng? With the strength he's displayed so far, he's nothing to worry about. Golden Arhat might be somewhat troublesome, though."
"Alas! You are simply too arrogant. There are countless masters in this world. You may possess exceptional strength here in Shaolin, but once you go outside, you are nothing!"
"Hmph! I have every right to be proud. Among those of my generation, who can defeat me? Even if there are any, they can be counted on one hand!"
"I'll be leaving first, Master! Just wait for my good news. The champion will surely be Dong Tianbao, the chief disciple of Prajna Hall!"
The Prajna Hall Chief watched Dong Tianbao gradually depart. "Alas, Tianbao! Senior Brother Abbot was right. You have become far too arrogant and conceited, and your attacks are overly ruthless as well. I failed to guide you properly. Once the tournament is over, I will accompany you into seclusion for proper cultivation. We'll temper that temperament of yours."
"Arhat Hall Leader! When it comes to teaching disciples, you truly surpass me by a step!"
"Have all twenty-five disciples arrived?"
"They're all here!"
"Good! Today's matches will determine the ten strongest disciples."
"The champion's reward: one Greater Revitalizing Pill, plus one Shaolin first-rate cultivation method or first-rate martial skill of your choice."
"Second place's reward: one Greater Revitalizing Pill, plus one Shaolin first-rate cultivation method of your choice."
"Third place's reward: five Lesser Revitalizing Pills, plus one Shaolin first-rate cultivation method of your choice."
"Fourth place's reward: five Lesser Revitalizing Pills, plus one Shaolin second-rate cultivation method of your choice."
"Fifth place's reward: five Lesser Revitalizing Pills, plus one Shaolin first-rate martial skill of your choice."
"The remaining five: two Lesser Revitalizing Pills, plus one Shaolin second-rate martial skill of your choice."
Upon hearing this, the top twenty-five disciples below immediately erupted with fighting spirit, their eyes filled with greed for the rewards.
"Alright! You all know the rewards now. We'll begin assigning groups. Golden Arhat will lead one group, and Dong Tianbao the other. Twelve people per group, with one person receiving a bye!"
"Come up and draw lots!"
The twenty-five disciples immediately stepped forward to draw lots, then were assigned to their respective groups.
Li Changfeng opened his lot at that moment and was mildly surprised. He had drawn the bye. The other disciples immediately shot him looks of envy, jealousy, and resentment.
Just like that, Li Changfeng easily advanced into the top ten. He did not care much, since he was certain to enter the top ten anyway.
"Good! You have all drawn your lots. The matches will now begin. Golden Arhat's group will go first. Determine the final three, then compete again for the final rankings!"
The matches in both groups began simultaneously.
First match.
Golden Arhat, chief disciple of Arhat Hall's First Branch.
Versus.
Meng Mingzhi, disciple of Prajna Hall's First Branch.
The two then slowly stepped onto the martial stage and clasped their fists in greeting.
"I am Golden Arhat, chief disciple of Arhat Hall's First Branch. Please enlighten me!"
"I am Meng Mingzhi, disciple of Prajna Hall's First Branch. Please enlighten me!"
"I never expected to encounter such a powerful master as Senior Brother Golden! Please go easy on me!"
"Hehe! No one who has made it this far is weak. I cannot afford to let down my guard!"
"Hehe!"
Meng Mingzhi gave a light laugh and attacked directly. An aura of a second-rate master spread from him as he unleashed the first form of the One Finger Zen Skill, Stone Piercer. The true energy throughout his body slowly gathered into his finger. He then formed a set of finger seals and thrust out a finger fiercely, sending spiraling true energy hurtling toward Golden Arhat!
With twenty-three years of Inner Force, he unleashed a force of 1,850 jin and struck at Golden Arhat.
Golden Arhat sighed. "Another One Finger Zen Skill, specifically made to break Toughness Cultivation Methods!"
He then fully activated the seventh level of the Golden Bell Shield. A phantom golden bell slowly emerged, its incomparably fierce and solid bell force enveloping his body as he used his own Golden Bell force to withstand the spiraling finger force.
Clang!
A bell-like collision rang out. Golden Arhat was driven back five steps by the spiraling finger force, but he forcibly endured it. He steadied himself and prepared to strike!
Seeing this, Meng Mingzhi attacked again, unleashing the second form of the One Finger Zen Skill, Water Piercer. The true energy throughout his body slowly gathered into his finger. He then formed a set of finger seals and fired five fingers in succession, sending five streams of Yin Softness, penetrating true energy directly at Golden Arhat!
Each finger carried twenty-three years of Inner Force and unleashed a force of 2,000 jin as it struck toward Golden Arhat.
Faced with this ferocious incoming attack, Golden Arhat smiled faintly and used the Shaolin Light Body Technique. His footwork shifted left and right, dodging all five fierce attacks as he charged toward Meng Mingzhi.
Meng Mingzhi was instantly startled. He hurriedly unleashed the first form of the Flower Plucking Finger, Five Flower-Plucking Fingers. The true energy throughout his body slowly gathered into his fingers. He then formed a set of flower-shaped finger seals and rapidly fired five fingers in succession.
Each finger carried twenty-three years of Inner Force and unleashed a force of 1,850 jin as it shot toward Golden Arhat.
Golden Arhat hurriedly activated the seventh level of the Golden Bell Shield. A phantom golden bell slowly emerged, and an incomparably fierce and solid bell force enveloped him, protecting every part of his body.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Five metallic collisions rang out. Golden Arhat forcibly withstood the five rapid attacks, his advance halted as he came to an abrupt stop.
Meng Mingzhi seized the opportunity to attack again, unleashing the third form of the One Finger Zen Skill, Iron Finger Zen Force. The true energy throughout his body slowly gathered into his finger. He then formed a set of finger seals, and a spiraling Iron Finger Zen force shot straight toward Golden Arhat!
With twenty-three years of Inner Force, he unleashed a force of 2,200 jin and struck toward Golden Arhat.
Golden Arhat, meanwhile, used the second form of the Shaolin Wind Cloud Hand, Boundless. Both his hands surged forth violently, streams of true energy transforming into mist as boundless as wind and clouds. The mist formed a sky-filling mass of handprints that charged furiously toward Meng Mingzhi.
With thirty years of Inner Force, he unleashed a force of 2,500 jin, meeting Meng Mingzhi's fierce blow head-on.
Boom!
The violent palm force collided head-on with the spiraling Iron Finger Zen force, producing a deep explosion of air. Meng Mingzhi was crushed by the violent attack with a single palm strike. His fingers felt as though they were splitting apart, and the pain was unbearable. He violently spat out blood and flew away, utterly defeated.
At that moment, the Martial Arts Elder slowly stepped forward and said calmly, "Arhat Hall wins this match!"
The Prajna Hall disciples in Golden Arhat's group looked utterly despairing. "That palm force has at least thirty years of Inner Force behind it. Other than Senior Brother Dong, who can contend with him?"
Before you continue