Defeated with One Sword

"First place!"

"Two high-grade Yellow Tier martial techniques, one Profound Origin Pill, one thousand Contribution Points, and in addition..."

Chi Zhenheng's voice rang across the entire Martial Arts Arena.

Contribution Points were much like money in the ordinary world. They could be exchanged for higher-grade martial techniques and used to buy pills at the Myriad Phenomena Hall, among other things. But earning Contribution Points there was extremely difficult.

Of course, there were many ways to earn Contribution Points.

And having a supply of Contribution Points before entering the Myriad Phenomena Hall would be a tremendous help in one's future cultivation there.

"In addition to the standard rewards, first place will receive an Azure Origin Fruit!" Chi Zhenheng continued.

"What? First place gets an Azure Origin Fruit too?"

"Gasp! An Azure Origin Fruit can cleanse the meridians and marrow and improve the body's potential. If I got one, I'd cut the time it takes me to reach the Meridian Opening Realm by at least half!"

The news exploded through the crowd like a thunderclap, and the entire Martial Arts Arena erupted.

Everyone stared fervently at Chi Zhenheng on the arena.

Even Yang Benhong, Yue Yilin, Qin Feng, Qin Peng, and the others froze for a moment, a flash of longing in their eyes.

Only Chen Yuntian's expression remained unchanged. He had learned the news long ago.

Qin Hao narrowed his eyes, his heart pounding. I have to get that Azure Origin Fruit!

If I want to advance my Martial Soul, the Azure Origin Fruit can save me a great deal of time!

At the same time, Qin Hao had a vague hunch.

Chi Zhenheng had not come to Tianshui City merely to preside over the Myriad Phenomena Genius Tournament.

Or rather, presiding over the Myriad Phenomena Genius Tournament in Tianshui City was something he was doing along the way!

Judging by previous Myriad Phenomena Genius Tournaments, the Myriad Phenomena Hall had never offered such generous rewards.

What was more, Chi Zhenheng held a high position in the Myriad Phenomena Hall Outer Palace. Given his strength and standing, he should never have been sent to preside over a Genius Tournament in a small city like Tianshui City.

There were plenty of cities stronger than Tianshui City. Rumor had it that in the largest city within the Myriad Phenomena Hall's territory, the top hundred competitors in each Genius Tournament qualified to enter the Hall. Qin Hao could scarcely imagine how formidable they must be.

His instincts told him that Chi Zhenheng had come to Tianshui City on other important business.

Chi Zhenheng continued announcing the rewards for this year's Myriad Phenomena Genius Tournament.

Besides the top three, those who placed fourth through tenth would also receive rewards. The prizes were much smaller, though: no Contribution Points or martial techniques, only a few pills.

Even so, it was enough to leave everyone excited and eager.

Even the Body Tempering Pills offered by the Myriad Phenomena Hall were more potent than those refined elsewhere!

Furthermore, only the top three in the Genius Tournament could enter the Myriad Phenomena Hall!

"All competitors must meet these requirements: under sixteen years of age and at least at the fifth stage of the Body Tempering Realm! Anyone who fails to qualify will not be allowed to compete!"

Chi Zhenheng's voice boomed. "Now, all competitors, come draw your lots!"

Rustle, rustle...

Young men and women emerged from all sides of the Martial Arts Arena, gathered below the arenas, and began drawing lots.

Every Myriad Phenomena Genius Tournament took the form of arena matches, and this year was no exception.

Qin Hao followed the crowd and soon received his lot: number twenty-six!

"Qin Hao, you'd better pray you don't run into me in the Genius Tournament. Otherwise, I'll make you regret it for the rest of your life!"

A savage, furious voice rang out.

Qin Hao looked up and saw Liu Kuang, his face blazing with anger.

"Right back at you. If you face me, you'll end up like Liu Feng." Qin Hao's expression remained indifferent. With that, he returned to the Qin compound.

Liu Kuang's face went pale with fury. He looked like a volcano about to erupt.

Qin Yuntian had been watching closely. "Hao'er," he said gravely, "Liu Kuang has a savage temper, and he's now reached the early seventh stage of the Body Tempering Realm. You mustn't underestimate him!"

Qin Yuntian had learned quite a bit about Qin Hao's cultivation from Liu Wei lately.

Alongside his astonishment, he had begun to feel a glimmer of hope.

Perhaps Qin Hao could make the top three in the Genius Tournament and enter the Myriad Phenomena Hall?

"Father, Liu Kuang alone is no threat to me."

"First place in the Genius Tournament is my goal."

Qin Hao shook his head and swept his gaze over the Liu compound.

Liu Ruoxue, Yang Benhong, Yue Yilin, and the others were looking his way as well.

Their gazes met. Yang Benhong's expression darkened, and killing intent flashed briefly in his eyes.

Liu Ruoxue made no effort to hide the faint disdain on her face, as though she could barely be bothered to look at Qin Hao.

"Now, when your name is called, take the arena. Matches are one-on-one, and stop once the winner is clear!" Chi Zhenheng barked. With a light step, he floated down to the officials' platform.

A seat at its center had long since been prepared for Chi Zhenheng.

"Han Bai versus Qu Zhengqing!"

"Liu Shengtao versus Chen Jiang!"

"Liu Xiao versus Qin Mengsong!"

The official in charge of calling names read them out rapidly.

Young men and women began making their way to the arenas.

There were ten arenas in the Martial Arts Arena, enough to hold matches simultaneously.

Before long, Qin Hao heard his own name.

He looked toward his assigned arena. A young man was already standing on it.

The young man held a Great Saber and glanced around, trying to see who his opponent would be.

"I'm your opponent." Qin Hao leaped onto the arena.

The young man froze at the sight of him, then burst into delighted laughter. "Qin Hao? It's you, you good-for-nothing! Hahaha! Who'd have thought I, Chen Zhengzhong, would be so lucky as to face you in my very first match?"

Chen Zhengzhong pointed his Great Saber at Qin Hao and sneered. "Qin Hao, I heard you injured Chen Jiang and Chen Linshan a while back. But I'm not trash like them. I've already reached the sixth stage of the Body Tempering Realm—"

"You talk too much."

Before Chen Zhengzhong could finish, Qin Hao moved, his patience already gone.

"Sword-Drawing Art!"

Swish!

A flash of swordlight streaked past.

Qin Hao's right hand moved out and back. A sharp ring sounded. In the next instant, Chen Zhengzhong's eyes flew wide. Before he could move his Great Saber, a tremendous force struck him.

"Ugh!"

Chen Zhengzhong grunted, unbearable pain tearing through his chest.

Then his body flew backward with a bang and crashed heavily off the arena.

I... I lost?

Even then, Chen Zhengzhong had not fully grasped what had happened.

"Qin Hao wins!" The referee glanced at Chen Zhengzhong and called out the result.

Qin Hao did not spare Chen Zhengzhong a glance. He walked straight off the arena.

His Firmament Phantom Sword had reached great mastery, and his Sword-Drawing Art had reached the realm of consummate skill.

Against the power of that single strike, Chen Zhengzhong, at the sixth stage of the Body Tempering Realm, stood no chance.

"Impossible! He cheated! He caught me off guard! I don't accept this! I don't accept it!" Chen Zhengzhong roared, his face flushing red when he heard the result.

"Are you questioning me?"

The referee snorted. "You lost. Is admitting defeat so hard? Get out!"

"I..." Chen Zhengzhong fell speechless, his face burning.

He could not accept that Qin Hao had defeated him with a single sword strike. He had not even had time to react.

He could think of no explanation except that Qin Hao had cheated.