A Dirty Fighting Style

The first-round roster was announced, and the crowd's interest waned somewhat.

"Shen Qiu had only cultivated for a year. How could he handle Shen Hong of the Qi Refining Sixth Layer? The outcome of this match was beyond doubt."

The audience shared the same opinion, and quite a few felt sorry for him.

But when Shen Qiu stepped onto the stage, all such feelings vanished, replaced by waves of laughter.

"What kind of look is that? It's way too unique. Is he performing some kind of performance art?"

"HAHAHA! I'm a professional. I usually don't laugh unless I can't help it."

"Shen Qiu, you should go change first. You're truly disgracing civilized society."

"..."

Hearing the overwhelming mockery, Shen Qiu hurriedly took out a mirror. One look left him frozen on the spot.

What kind of image was this? Beggar's clothes, side-swept bangs, half his head shaved bald, his face covered in dust...

Even a circus clown could not have imagined such a flawlessly natural outfit. Shen Qiu's face went from white to red, then from red to black, making him look exactly like a chameleon.

As the culprit, the Fifth Elder kindly advised, "Why not tidy yourself up first? You're prohibited from competing like this."

With wind beneath his feet, Shen Qiu vanished in a flash, moving as swiftly as lightning.

When he returned, he had already restored his usual appearance. Only his hairstyle had been shaved into a crew cut, gleaming beneath the sun.

Shen Hong held a black Heavy Sword, his gray cloak snapping in the wind. Seeing Shen Qiu finally take the stage, he said leisurely, "The gap between us is like a chasm. Step down. I'm afraid I might accidentally hurt you."

Shen Qiu had long been holding a bellyful of anger. Seeing how little the other party thought of him, he could not help roaring, "Stop talking nonsense. Let's see the truth beneath our hands."

Shen Hong had merely been offering kind advice, yet Shen Qiu proved so incapable of appreciating it that the Anger Fire in his heart was ignited as well.

"Looks like I'll have to teach you what it means to respect your seniors."

Shen Hong's face was as dark as water as he strode forward. The massive Heavy Sword moved as naturally as an arm, chopping down at Shen Qiu's head with an unstoppable, razor-sharp momentum.

"A petty trick, yet you dare flaunt your skills before an expert."

Shen Qiu smiled coldly. He employed the Light Body Technique with exquisite finesse, his steps as nimble as a cheetah's. His figure rose and fell unpredictably as he evaded the Heavy Sword's repeated slashes.

"Not bad, kid. You really do have some skill. No wonder you're so arrogant."

Surprise flickered across Shen Hong's face. He immediately stopped holding back. As Metal Element Spiritual Energy flowed through the blade, the black Heavy Sword's edge grew even sharper, and its already swift Sword Moves became several degrees faster.

"Geng Metal Sword Qi!"

With a loud shout, Shen Hong lunged like a starving tiger pouncing on its prey. Golden sword qi swept through the sky, its sharp edge aimed directly at Shen Qiu, so fast that the eye could barely follow.

"That's a Metal Element Sword Art at Minor Achievement. Shen Qiu is in danger."

The spectators did not dare blink, their eyes fixed upon the battle.

Facing his opponent's killing move, Shen Qiu smiled disdainfully. "So what if you're at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer? I can still defeat you across two realms."

Though his words were fierce, Shen Qiu was secretly encouraging himself. Fused Spiritual Power will never lose. Break for me!

Gold-Fire Spiritual Power intertwined. Shen Qiu's body swayed as agonizing pain shot through every limb and bone. This was the price the Nine Nether Spirit Body paid for forcibly fusing spiritual power.

"Ruyi Hundred Forms Fist!"

Enduring the excruciating pain, Shen Qiu unleashed two layers of spiritual power. The fist art contained gold's sharpness and fire's blazing heat, radiating light in all directions as it collided head-on with the Geng Metal Sword Qi.

It was like thunder exploding. Waves burst from the center of the collision, and in an instant, sand flew and rocks rolled as spiritual power overflowed everywhere.

"How could someone at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer be this strong?!"

Shen Hong's expression changed drastically. Immense Strength surged from the Heavy Sword, shaking his tiger's mouth until it bled. He could only rely on his combat experience, circling back and forth to continuously disperse the force.

Shen Qiu was in far worse shape. He had carelessly brushed against the Geng Metal Sword Qi, and a bloody hole had been punched through his left kidney. Blood immediately poured out like a flood.

"Fall for me!"

Shen Qiu's face twisted viciously as he suddenly closed in, tearing at Shen Hong like a mad dog.

Eye Grabbing Hand, Groin Lifting Kick, Throat Locking Skill...

Shen Qiu used every possible means, displaying not the slightest immortal demeanor. He fought like a martial man from the Mortal World engaged in a desperate brawl.

All kinds of sinister moves emerged one after another, making chills creep down the spectators' backs until their eyes nearly popped out.

"It's only a match between clansmen. Is there really any need for this?"

"So sinister and vicious. This is completely the style of the demonic path."

"Shen Qiu is desperate to win. That's understandable. The victor becomes king, the loser becomes bandit—nothing more than that."

"..."

Opinions varied, both praise and criticism, but everyone became wary in their hearts.

Shen Hong felt utterly stifled. These dirty moves of Shen Qiu's were indeed effective, and he could only struggle to cope with them.

Yet the difference in realms was ultimately too great. Shen Qiu gradually began to run out of strength, repeatedly finding himself in peril.

"Stop making such a senseless nuisance of yourself. You're not my opponent. Face reality."

Shen Hong began to counterattack. Metal Element Spiritual Energy surged and crashed without end, beating Shen Qiu until he was drenched in blood.

I absolutely cannot fall here.

Shen Qiu's ruthlessness flared. He stuck to Shen Hong like sticky candy, sending Gold-Fire Spiritual Power at his opponent's vital points from every angle. He completely abandoned defense, using nothing but a fighting style of trading life for life.

Shen Hong had never encountered such an opponent who had no martial virtue at all. Moreover, Shen Qiu's face had turned the color of gold paper, and he seemed in danger of dying at any moment. That made Shen Hong hesitate.

When Shen Qiu even started using his teeth, Shen Hong finally could not bear it any longer and roared, "Stop! I surrender!"

He felt incomparably aggrieved. Shen Qiu was a renowned genius of the Lightning Vein. If he truly got him killed, Shen Hong would be the one left holding the blame.

Shen Qiu panted heavily, clutching his already numb kidney. His voice rasped like a broken bellows. "In the end, I was one move ahead. You're still far from my equal."

Shen Hong's face darkened. Faced with such an ungrateful fellow, he could only resign himself to bad luck.

Such a dramatic result caught everyone completely off guard.

Shen Qiu's unexpected victory caused no small stir. He had defeated Shen Hong across two realms. Though his methods were somewhat dishonorable, his talent was beyond question.

The Lightning Vein also began to value this young genius. The Fourth Elder personally treated his injuries.

Her expression was somewhat grave as she said solemnly, "I've healed your external injuries with water-element spiritual power. But you fought too fiercely just now. Part of your left kidney has already necrotized. You may suffer from kidney deficiency in the future."

Shen Qiu was still immersed in the joy of victory. Hearing this was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, and his head buzzed.

When he calmed down and examined himself, he looked as though his parents had died.

His kidney had already suffered a heavy blow, and the backlash from the Nine Nether Spirit Body's barely fused spiritual power had made matters worse. Now, his left kidney was as black as charcoal.

With the root of an illness left behind, hatred surged in Shen Qiu's heart, and he even began to regard Shen Hong as his second greatest enemy.

As the match ended, the Fifth Elder announced, "Second match: Shen Yun versus Shen Li."

The moment his words fell, the tall and powerfully built Shen Li paced forward. His sharply defined face appeared relaxed, carrying the calm composure of still waters untouched by Waves.

My luck isn't bad. Advancing to the next round should be certain.

Shen Li breathed a sigh of relief. He and Shen Hong often sparred in the Guard Team, their cultivation levels evenly matched. Shen Hong's defeat had sounded an alarm for him, but only when he drew Shen Yun did he finally relax.

Shen Hong patted him on the shoulder and said enviously, "You really are lucky. Unlike me, running into a kid with no regard for his life."

"Haha, people who love to laugh never have bad luck. Tonight, I'll treat you to a drink at Tianxiang Tower."

Shen Li was glowing with health. Spiritual power erupted beneath his feet, and with a single step, he crossed more than ten meters, appearing on the Martial Arts Arena in a display of effortless grace.

Shen Wude's mouth twitched at the side. You're the one with the worst luck. Laugh while you still can.

The first round had been far too chaotic. Everyone else had been overwhelmed just resisting the Fifth Elder's pressure, but he alone had noticed Shen Yun's extraordinary qualities.

Watching the youth's unhurried figure walk forward, Shen Wude secretly thought, He hides himself even deeper than Fatty does. I never expected the younger generation to have such a monster.

The moment Shen Yun stepped onto the stage, the atmosphere erupted.

A great battle was on the verge of breaking out...