High in the air, a long list of names appeared on the translucent screen formed from magic power. The top three names flashed brightly, drawing every eye.
The Azure Cloud Sect's leader beamed. "My disciple Changgeng has taken first place. Thank you all for conceding."
The words "Azure Cloud Sect, Wen Changgeng" sat proudly at the top, glittering with golden light.
The Spirit Pills count beside his name clearly read "eight."
He had slain eight demons almost immediately after entering the Nine Ridges and Eighteen Peaks-a telling display of his strength.
A screen beside it showed Wen Changgeng fighting his ninth Demon Creature live. He moved as fast as lightning, each strike vicious. Suddenly, he leaped into the air and brought his blade down hard, slaying the creature beneath his sword.
The Demon Creature crashed to the ground. A Spirit Pill slowly rose from its body, and Wen Changgeng collected it in his Jade Gourd.
The Spirit Pills count flickered and changed to "nine."
The onlookers exclaimed, "As expected of the genius who took last year's crown! His strength really is exceptional. It looks like the Azure Cloud Sect will win again this year."
In midair, the live broadcast followed Wen Changgeng.
After putting away the Spirit Pill, he took out a spirit compass that detected Demon Creatures. Discovering another nearby, he immediately set off in pursuit.
Then another figure appeared on the screen-
Xiao Qinghe.
The sect leaders could not help looking toward Bai Yuqing, their expressions sympathetic.
Xiao Qinghe had found the Demon Creature first and was locked in combat with it.
Just as he was about to slay it with his sword and claim his first Spirit Pill, Wen Changgeng burst into the fight and unexpectedly drove his sword into the creature's throat.
The Demon Creature fell, and its Spirit Pill floated into the air. Wen Changgeng took it, then turned to leave without so much as a glance at Xiao Qinghe.
The Azure Cloud Sect's leader looked leisurely at Bai Yuqing. "Young people are hotheaded. They're merely sparring; there's no need to make a fuss. Immortal Master Bai, you're a generous man. Surely you won't take offense?"
He had gained the advantage and still had the nerve to act innocent.
Bai Yuqing's expression turned cold, but Ouyang Chong stopped him. "Junior Brother Bai, those are the rules. We must accept the outcome. Don't let this spoil our relations."
The Azure Cloud Sect's leader beamed. "This year's rules allow disciples from different sects to spar and seize each other's Spirit Pills. Besides, Changgeng was the one who ultimately killed the Demon Creature, so the Spirit Pill rightfully belongs to him. As Sect Master Ouyang said, those are the rules. We must accept the outcome."
He had barely finished speaking when someone exclaimed, "Xiao Qinghe has gone to stop him!"
Everyone was startled.
Xiao Qinghe flew forward and pointed his sword at Wen Changgeng. "My friend, I got here first. First come, first served. Stealing my prize halfway through wasn't very decent of you."
Wen Changgeng narrowed his eyes, his expression arrogant. "You want to fight me for the Spirit Pills?"
Xiao Qinghe smiled faintly. "I'm only taking back what should have been mine."
"You think you're a match for me?"
"We won't know until we fight."
Watching the scene, the onlookers shook their heads. Every one of them thought Xiao Qinghe was overestimating himself.
The Azure Cloud Sect was fiercely competitive and loved fighting. Once its disciples attacked, they never showed mercy.
Xiao Qinghe was in for a beating.
The Azure Cloud Sect's leader laughed heartily. "Immortal Master Bai, did your disciple fail to recognize Changgeng? Why else would he provoke him?"
Bai Yuqing's expression darkened.
He had repeatedly warned Qinghe not to challenge anyone without permission. Had Qinghe let it all go in one ear and out the other?
Xiao Qinghe had no idea that his every move had become a hot topic among the sect leaders. He was asking the system inwardly, If I remember correctly, the Teleportation Talisman has a cheat feature, right?
He had discovered it by accident, and this was the perfect opportunity to find someone to practice on.
Wen Changgeng possessed powerful magic, and his cultivation ranked among the best of all the disciples. He was the ideal practice partner.
[Yes.]
With the system's confirmation, Xiao Qinghe grew eager to try. He looked at Wen Changgeng. "My friend, will you return what belongs to me, or shall we fight?"
"You don't know your own limits!" Wen Changgeng sneered.
The next instant, he shot toward Xiao Qinghe like an arrow loosed from a bow.
His sword swept out, only to strike empty air.
Wen Changgeng's pupils contracted sharply.
Xiao Qinghe was nowhere to be seen.
Up on the raised platform, the sect leaders were startled.
What strange technique was this?
How had a living, breathing person simply vanished into thin air?
Ouyang Chong was astonished. He looked at Bai Yuqing. "Junior Brother Bai, when did you teach Qinghe this technique? This..."
This was practically a cheat!
Bai Yuqing's lips curved slightly, a trace of pride showing in his expression.
Only he could tell that Xiao Qinghe had used the Teleportation Talisman he had given him to transport himself swiftly behind Wen Changgeng, achieving the effect of instantaneous movement.
Teleportation Talismans were usually used to flee. Once activated, they sent the user a thousand miles away to escape danger.
Even he had never imagined that a Teleportation Talisman could be used like this.
His disciple had not disappointed him.
Still, his disciple seemed to have kept something from him about his sudden leap in cultivation.
Bai Yuqing narrowed his eyes, his gaze unreadable.
"He's appeared again! Behind Wen Changgeng!" someone cried, pointing at the screen.
Having vanished into thin air, Xiao Qinghe reappeared just as suddenly and attacked Wen Changgeng's back.
Caught off guard, Wen Changgeng grunted and swung his sword behind him.
Yet he only managed to catch a glimpse of Xiao Qinghe's curling lips before Xiao Qinghe vanished again.
A second later, another palm strike hit his right arm.
Then his left shoulder.
Then his chest.
Xiao Qinghe kept appearing out of nowhere, landing a blow, and abruptly vanishing. His attacks followed no discernible pattern, yet every strike was fierce.
Wen Changgeng had never encountered such a bizarre technique. Unable to adapt, he soon fell behind, beaten so relentlessly by Xiao Qinghe that he could not fight back.
He was utterly bedraggled.
Humiliated, he flew into a rage. "You only dare toy with me using petty tricks! Don't you dare fight me fair and square? Despicable!"
"It's called strategy. Brute force isn't the only way to win. You people from the Azure Cloud Sect are far too fond of fighting." As he spoke, Xiao Qinghe appeared again and, catching Wen Changgeng off guard, tossed out a Sealing Talisman to immobilize him.
Wen Changgeng's limbs stiffened, and he toppled rigidly to the ground, unable to move.
This thing worked as well as sealing someone's pressure points. It could keep a person immobilized for at least six hours.
Xiao Qinghe walked over, took his Jade Gourd, and looked inside.
Ten whole spirit stones glowed softly within.
Well, damn. This guy's a beast.
He's only been inside the barrier for two hours and already has ten spirit stones. That should put him in the top three, at least, right?
Xiao Qinghe secretly opened the system interface that only he could see and refreshed the rankings. Sure enough, Wen Changgeng stood at the top. Yan Yunhe followed closely with eight spirit stones-an impressive showing.
In third place was a female disciple from Heartless Valley, with six spirit stones.
Not Xie Jun?
In the original novel, Xie Jun had slain more than a hundred demons in three days and defeated over a dozen disciples from the major sects in succession. With an astounding total of more than three hundred spirit stones, she had become the greatest dark horse in the history of the Heroes' Conference.
Why hasn't she done anything?
Xiao Qinghe flipped through several more pages before finally finding Xie Jun among a long list of people whose Spirit Stones counts were all zero.
[Demon-Slaying Sect, Xie Jun. Spirit Stones count: zero]
Xiao Qinghe: "..."
This makes no sense.
Didn't I tell her to put on a good performance? Did she let it all go in one ear and out the other?
"Wen Changgeng, who would have thought you'd live to see this day?" A warm, gentle voice drifted over.
The newcomer leaned against a tree trunk, tall and graceful, gently waving a folding fan. He had the scholarly air of someone too frail to withstand a gust of wind.
His features were refined and gentle, and the smile on his lips was as soothing as a spring breeze.
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