Qin Hao was surprised. When Xiang Wuqing unleashed those two saber strikes—"The Heartless Surpass the Loving" and "The Five Elements Transform Within"—his mind was affected, if only slightly.
The effect was small, but it was real.
But to make him give up resisting altogether?
Impossible.
If Xiang Wuqing's strike had contained the true Way of Cause and Effect, Qin Hao might have needed his strongest move, Sword Heaven and Earth, to withstand it.
But this was only a trace...
"In the Great Gang Hidden Land, the Undying Lord devoured my Martial Soul until only the Sword Hilt remained. My will was tempered by it and grew who knew how many times stronger."
Qin Hao murmured to himself, his eyes gleaming. "This slight influence on my mind won't work on me. Against someone else, though, it could have an unexpected effect."
Imagine suddenly feeling, in the face of that strike, that resistance was futile. Even if that feeling did not take hold, one's thoughts would still stall for an instant.
That was exceedingly dangerous in battle. When experts exchanged blows, every move could be fatal; an instant was enough to decide the outcome.
It was easy to imagine the peril anyone else would face against that move.
Below the arena.
No one noticed the fleeting change in Qin Hao.
But Qi Long and the others sensed the trace of the Way of Cause and Effect in Xiang Wuqing's twin saber strikes at the same moment.
"The Way of Cause and Effect?" Shi Tingyan opened his eyes and immediately recognized it.
His eyes flickered, his thoughts unreadable.
Ji Ziqi remained calm. "Xiang Wuqing's saber technique is very strong," she said thoughtfully.
"It is," Dongfang Lin said evenly. "But it's still not enough to deal with me. My goal is first place. Neither