Victory

"Jiang Li, it's your turn," Yue Shan said softly to the gray-clad young man.

"Remember our agreement," the man called Jiang Li said, his expression as still as an ancient well.

"Don't worry. As long as you win this fight and help my Blood Wolf Gang seize the Danxian Pool, the payment we agreed on will be delivered in full."

Only then did Jiang Li walk into the arena. He glanced indifferently at Jia Lie Jun and said, "Kid, I don't spar with people. I don't know how to hold back. If you're not prepared, I'd advise you to admit defeat."

"No need. But you'd better be careful too. I'm afraid I might hit too hard and be unable to pull my punches." Although Jia Lie Jun knew that after this man used the Blood Returning Yuan Technique, his strength could rise to the Minor Yuan Dan Realm, he was not afraid of him. With Origin Energy as dense as someone in the mid Heavenly Origin Realm, plus his cultivation as a One-Seal Rune Master and the suppression from his martial arts level, he was fully capable of fighting him. Jia Lie Jun felt a faint stir of excitement inside. This was his first time fighting an expert like this. Compared to him, the fights he had fought before seemed almost childish.

"You really are arrogant." Jiang Li looked at Jia Lie Jun with slight surprise, as though he had not expected him to say that.

"The third match begins."

As soon as the words fell, Jia Lie Jun and Jiang Li attacked at the same time. Jiang Li's thin, slender fingers carried a fierce gust, like sharp blades capable of slicing through gold and jade. They tore through the air and shot straight toward Jia Lie Jun's throat. The surrounding spectators could not help exclaiming, "What a sharp finger wind."

Facing such an opponent, Jia Lie Jun did not dare be careless in the slightest. Origin Energy immediately circulated within his body, and green Origin Energy covered both his arms, forming a protective layer that took all the fierce finger winds shooting toward him. Jiang Li was no simple figure either. Seeing his attack neutralized, he advanced instead of retreating, attacking faster and faster. Dense shadows of fingers kept striking at the vital points all over Jia Lie Jun's body. Jia Lie Jun merely responded to each move as it came, not a trace of panic on his face.

"You do have some ability after all. No wonder you dare act so arrogant. In that case, I won't hold back either." Seeing that his attacks had no effect, Jiang Li no longer held anything back. An even more powerful fluctuation of Origin Energy surged out from his body.

"Late Heavenly Origin Realm. He really was hiding his cultivation." Xia Wanjin's expression darkened at the sight, his brows tightly furrowed.

"What dense Origin Energy. It's practically comparable to some people who have just entered the Minor Yuan Dan Realm." The surrounding spectators sensed the Origin Energy fluctuations on Jiang Li and could not help crying out in surprise.

"Looks like our Wan Jin Merchant Association is going to lose this match." Xia Zhilan, standing to the side, said with a face full of disappointment. She had originally planned to borrow the power of the Danxian Pool this time to break through to the Minor Yuan Dan Realm in one go, but it seemed there was no hope now.

Seeing that Jiang Li was no longer hiding his cultivation, Jia Lie Jun became completely focused. The powerful Spiritual Power within his Mud Pill Palace also slowly began to surge. In this fight, Jia Lie Jun truly felt the usefulness of Spiritual Power. Relying on its minute perception, he could accurately capture every change in Jiang Li's attacks.

"Father, that Jiang Li hasn't gained any advantage at all," Yue Feng said in confusion when he saw Jia Lie Jun and Jiang Li fighting evenly.

"Hmph, what are you panicking for? I paid a great price to invite Jiang Li here. With him around, this fight is absolutely secure." The leader of the Blood Wolf Gang wore a smile, not the slightest worry on his face.

As Jiang Li unleashed his full cultivation, his offensive became increasingly fierce and savage. Even those outside the arena could feel that powerful attacking force. Jia Lie Jun mobilized all the Origin Energy in his body, and green Origin Energy rapidly surged toward his fists, condensing into two green whirlpools. The whirlpools spun at high speed, and the stones on the ground were sucked into them, instantly ground to pieces and reduced to powder. The intense grinding suction left the surrounding people secretly shocked.

"Whirlwind Fist."

Jia Lie Jun shouted, planted both feet against the ground, and the ground beneath him was trampled slightly inward as he charged toward Jiang Li as fast as lightning. Jiang Li immediately circulated his Origin Energy. Origin Energy surged out of his body and formed an Origin Energy barrier around him. The Whirlwind Fist struck the Origin Energy barrier with a bang, and the barrier instantly shattered. Jia Lie Jun seized the opportunity. The Spiritual Power that had long since condensed into needle form within his Mud Pill Palace shot rapidly toward Jiang Li.

Jiang Li immediately felt a stabbing pain in his head, and his mind went dazed for a moment. Jia Lie Jun took advantage of the opening and smashed a punch toward Jiang Li. The latter's body instantly flew backward and crashed heavily to the ground, violently spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood.

When the people of the Wan Jin Merchant Association saw Jiang Li knocked down, they erupted into cheers.

"Father, we won!" Xia Zhilan cheered happily.

But Xia Wanjin, standing beside her, showed not the slightest joy on his face, because he saw that Yue Shan still had a faint smile on his face, without the slightest sign of anger. They had dealt with each other for many years, and he understood very well what sort of person Yue Shan was. He knew things would not be that simple.

"Kid, among Flame City's younger generation, no one has ever forced me this far. You can be proud of yourself." Jiang Li climbed to his feet, spat out a mouthful of bloody phlegm, and said with a vicious expression.

Immediately, Jiang Li's hands kept shifting and changing, the seals in his hands changing without pause. A faint blood mist spread from his body, then quickly surged back into him, forming a thick layer of blood scab over Jiang Li's surface.

"The Blood Returning Yuan Technique." Xia Wanjin cried out despite himself.

"Father, what is the Blood Returning Yuan Technique?" Xia Zhilan asked from the side in confusion.

"The Blood Returning Yuan Technique is an extremely cruel technique. It temporarily raises one's strength by evaporating the blood inside the body, but the damage it causes to oneself is especially great. After Jiang Li uses it, he'll probably need more than half a year to recover," Xia Wanjin said slowly.

"Then to what level can Jiang Li's strength rise?" Xia Zhilan hurriedly asked.

"It should be the Minor Yuan Dan Realm. Looks like we're going to lose this time." Xia Wanjin smiled bitterly.

Xia Zhilan and the others were filled with despair when they heard this. Jia Lie Jun might be able to defeat Jiang Li at the late Heavenly Origin Realm, but they knew very clearly that there was a qualitative difference between the Heavenly Origin Realm and the Minor Yuan Dan Realm. Wanting to defeat Jiang Li at the Minor Yuan Dan Realm was no different from a fool's dream.

"Father is brilliant as expected. I never imagined this person would have such a method. We're certain to win this Pool Competition." Yue Feng's face was filled with joy.

"To force me to this point, you can die without regrets." Jiang Li stared at Jia Lie Jun with killing intent, his eyes blood-red. Origin Energy roiled all over his body and sprayed uncontrollably from within him. Seeing this, Jia Lie Jun poured out the Spiritual Power within his Mud Pill Palace, condensing it into several spiral-shaped sharp cones.

"Condense for me!" Jia Lie Jun shouted. The several rapidly spinning sharp cones quickly gathered together, condensing into a sharp cone the size of two fists. The sharp cone spun swiftly, giving off an ear-piercing buzzing that sounded extremely uncomfortable.

Xuan Su, standing to the side, cried out in shock, "Spiral Wave. He bought this elite-grade spiritual secret technique only a few days ago, yet he can already use it to this degree. Truly astonishing."

"That's right. Jun'er's talent in the way of rune masters is indeed breathtaking," Master Yan could not help sighing. He knew very well that Jia Lie Jun had obtained this secret technique only a few days ago.

Seeing Jia Lie Jun's offensive so fierce, Jiang Li did not hesitate either. He brought his palms together, and a faint blood-red handprint condensed. As Origin Energy continued to pour into it, the blood-red handprint also became more solid.

"Spiral Wave!"

"Blood Hand!"

A green spiral sharp cone and a blood-red handprint collided in midair, releasing a boom like thunder. The rapidly spinning spiral cone drilled through the blood-red palm and attacked Jiang Li. At this moment, Jiang Li's Origin Energy had already been exhausted, and he could only watch helplessly as the sharp cone stabbed toward his chest.

The arena was deathly silent. Everyone stared blankly at Jia Lie Jun, while Jiang Li had already fallen unconscious.

"The third match, victory to the Wan Jin Merchant Association!" the referee shouted loudly, his voice trembling.