On the Longevity Sect's side, the five exchanged glances, and Chen Boyu nodded to Duan Junsheng.
Duan Junsheng took a deep breath, then slowly walked onto the fighting platform!
"Duan Junsheng of the Longevity Sect!"
Duan Junsheng's introduction was simple, just a few brief words. He then released his presence, likewise at the peak of the Qi Refining ninth layer!
For the first match, neither the Longevity Sect nor the Great Saber Pavilion wanted to lose in terms of presence!
Much less lose the match!
"Senior Brother Duan, you can do it!"
Someone on the Longevity Sect's side shouted first, instantly prompting many others to join in, all junior brothers and sisters in the Qi Refining realm!
Only when the second elder stood and pressed his hand downward did the voices stop!
On the fighting platform, Duan Junsheng and Li Hao stood facing each other. A longsword had appeared in Duan Junsheng's right hand.
Neither rushed to strike. Instead, they watched each other, their presences climbing steadily, building into powerful pressure that bore down on their opponent.
This was a normal practice when opponents of the same level fought. Whoever could not withstand the pressure and struck first would often fall into a disadvantage.
Their presences collided, occasionally producing an explosive sound.
The spectators all held their breath, not daring to disturb them!
"Kill!"
Duan Junsheng and Li Hao shouted at the same time, raising their sword and saber and slashing at each other simultaneously.
Sword light and saber light collided in midair with an ear-piercing clang.
Duan Junsheng moved first, raising his longsword and unleashing streak after streak of sword light that poured toward Li Hao.
In a mere instant, Duan Junsheng delivered more than a dozen sword strikes.
The sword light flowed like mercury spilling across the ground, radiating dazzling brilliance as it swept Li Hao into its midst.
Duan Junsheng had seized the initiative.
Clang, clang...
The clash of sword and saber rang out continuously. Duan Junsheng employed his movement technique, his body leaving trails of afterimages as he circled Li Hao and attacked furiously.
At the same time, Duan Junsheng shouted. Azure light rose from his right palm, and he thrust it toward Li Hao.
The azure palm imprint whipped up gusts of fierce wind as it shot straight toward Li Hao.
This was the Longevity Sect's Azure Sand Palm. Its sharp palm wind was like a gale carrying yellow sand, penetrating every opening.
Li Hao stood his ground, his long saber constantly blocking Duan Junsheng's sword light.
Seeing Duan Junsheng's palm strike coming, Li Hao's expression shifted slightly, and he likewise thrust out his left palm.
With a bang, Li Hao staggered several steps back. A bloody gash also appeared on his left shoulder, inflicted by Duan Junsheng's Sword Qi!
Many Longevity Sect disciples could not help breathing sighs of relief at the sight.
But just then, Li Hao moved.
"You've attacked me with so many sword strikes. Isn't it my turn now?"
Li Hao was powerfully built and paid no mind to the small wound on his left shoulder. As he spoke, he lunged straight at Duan Junsheng.
"Gale Eighteen Slashes!"
Li Hao shouted, raising his great saber in both hands, then delivering eighteen slashes like a violent storm.
Saber Qi crisscrossed the air. Each slash brought a piercing whistle, accompanied by fierce winds that swept toward his opponent.
At this moment, Li Hao attacked with all his strength, holding nothing back.
Clang, clang...
Violent clashes of saber and sword rang out without pause. With each collision, Duan Junsheng's hand trembled slightly.
After eighteen consecutive slashes, a tremendous clang rang out, and the longsword in Duan Junsheng's hand was cleaved clean through.
At that moment, Duan Junsheng froze on the spot, at something of a loss!
But this was the fighting platform. Li Hao would not give him a chance!
Before Duan Junsheng could react, Li Hao leaped up and unleashed several kicks in succession, all landing on Duan Junsheng's chest.
With a bang, Li Hao kicked Duan Junsheng straight off the fighting platform, sending him crashing hard onto the ground.
Duan Junsheng grunted, opened his mouth, and spat out a mouthful of blood, his face pale.
Duan Junsheng had lost, and lost thoroughly, knocked straight off the fighting platform.
Moreover, Li Hao had shown mercy, because he had used his feet rather than the saber in his hands! Otherwise, Duan Junsheng would have been a corpse by now!
The people of the Longevity Sect had still been rejoicing, but in a mere instant, the outcome reversed, leaving many unable to react!
At this moment, many people from the Longevity Sect wore rather grim expressions.
Zhen Yaotian glanced at Li Hao, then smiled at Zhao Sandao. "This Li Hao is quite good!"
Zhao Sandao laughed heartily, then said, "He's got nothing but brute strength. His comprehension is a little lacking. Even I can't say how he'll fare after reaching the Foundation Establishment realm!"
Both were sect leaders, and naturally would not let a single match affect their composure!
On the Longevity Sect's side, Duan Junsheng returned with his head hanging and said to Chen Boyu, "Senior Brother Chen, I'm sorry!"
Chen Boyu shook his head, his expression somewhat grave as well. Although his combat strength surpassed Duan Junsheng's, the difference was not that great.
"Let me go!"
Fan Huajun glanced at Chen Boyu.
Chen Boyu shook his head. His gaze swept over Huang Guangwen and Ji Wuchang before settling on Huang Guangwen. As for Ji Wuchang, he simply disregarded him!
Huang Guangwen nodded. He understood Senior Brother Chen Boyu's meaning: he was to find a way to fight this Li Hao with everything he had!
Huang Guangwen took the stage. He was a well-known battle maniac. If his cultivation level had not held him back, his combat strength would certainly have far surpassed Duan Junsheng's.
But even in their usual fights, Duan Junsheng needed to battle him for hundreds of exchanges to win.
"Huang Guangwen of the Longevity Sect. Please give me your guidance, Senior Brother Li Hao!"
After speaking, Huang Guangwen waved his hand, and a pair of axes appeared. These were his weapons.
The combat technique he practiced was called Mad Demon Thirteen Axe Strikes. The madder he became, the more powerful it was.
When Huang Guangwen sparred with his senior brothers in the past, he never dared to let loose completely, but today he had far fewer scruples.
"Kill!"
Naturally, Huang Guangwen would not give Li Hao too much time. If his opponent recovered completely, he really would be no match for him.
Li Hao showed no hesitation either. Gripping his saber with both hands, he unleashed Gale Eighteen Slashes again, and the two clashed head-on.
Clang, clang...
The clashes of saber and axes rang out incessantly, forming an ear-piercing din!
Huang Guangwen's eyes began to redden. The twin axes in his hands seemed to go mad, hacking furiously at Li Hao like a violent storm.
At this moment, Huang Guangwen displayed Mad Demon Thirteen Axe Strikes to its fullest, his cultivation at the peak of the Qi Refining eighth layer giving him wings like a tiger.
Every axe strike was no weaker than those of Li Hao, who was at the Qi Refining ninth layer.
Having just finished a match, Li Hao truly found his strength failing him against the mad demon-like Huang Guangwen.
As Huang Guangwen's twin axes hacked down wildly, Li Hao retreated step by step. In mere moments, he had been driven to the edge of the fighting platform!
Li Hao knew very well that he was going to lose. He was no match for Huang Guangwen before him.
But he would never let his opponent have an easy time. Since he was going to lose, he might as well lose completely!