Defeated with Ease

Tantai Jing stood with his arms folded across his chest, his posture ramrod straight like a towering iron pagoda. Wind and thunder aura turned into tassels that spiraled around him.

Quite a few people had been about to make their move, but at the sight of this, they immediately stopped, seemingly avoiding his sharp edge.

"Tantai Jing is at the Eighth Level of Qi Refining, and with the Indestructible Wind and Thunder Body at Minor Achievement, who would dare contend with him?"

"Even in the sword sect's assessment, he'd be a hot favorite for the championship. Securing a spot would be as easy as reaching into a bag for something."

"..."

Tantai Jing was one of the younger generation's prominent figures. His strength was plain for all to see, and no one was willing to waste a chance to challenge him.

Zhou Xingyu stared at Tantai Jing, his expression exceptionally grave. For Big Brother to go all out in recruiting him, Tantai Jing was certainly no easy opponent.

Shangguan Mo's pride subsided by a few points as he said in a deep voice, "Tantai Jing is formidable. His reputation is by no means undeserved."

A massive bronze cauldron stood in the very center of Yuxiao Platform, where a stick of sandalwood incense was burning.

Just as the incense was about to burn out, a Black-robed Youth with resolute features stepped onto the stage.

His name was He Guang, and he came from the He Family of Canglang Mountain. The strongest member of his clan was a Void Core expert, barely qualifying them to participate in this grand gathering.

People from Golden Core Clans look down on everyone. Today, I'll show them that small clans have geniuses too.

Feeling the contemptuous gazes around him, He Guang's heart sank like water as he focused completely.

"Geng Metal Swordplay!"

He Guang swept his longsword across the sky. Metal Element Spiritual Energy condensed into one, instantly slashing out several streaks of Geng Metal Sword Qi.

Tantai Jing neither dodged nor evaded. His iron-tower-like body merely trembled slightly, and the sword qi instantly shattered into four pieces and five fragments.

"How is this possible?!"

He Guang's pupils constricted, his face filled with disbelief.

Wind and thunder roared. Tantai Jing arrived in an instant, his massive hand slamming toward He Guang, who hastily raised his sword to block.

The longsword met the palm and snapped with a crack, shattered into fragments by the blow. Tantai Jing's expression did not change as terrifying palm wind bore down upon him.

"Ah!"

He Guang let out a scream. The massive hand was like a Heaven Overturning seal, blasting apart his protective spiritual energy one layer after another and sending his entire body flying across the sky.

He had gone up standing and left lying down.

He Guang crashed onto the ground, blood streaming all over his body. He no longer had the strength to fight.

Tantai Jing flicked the dust from his clothes and said flatly, "Overestimating yourself."

The result had held no surprises. It had been a completely one-sided crushing defeat.

Although everyone knew of Tantai Jing's strength, such an overwhelming display still made their hearts tremble.

"As expected of the Tantai Family's Supreme Heavenly Talent. Below Foundation Establishment, he can reign supreme."

After one stick of incense's time passed, Tantai Jing secured a spot without surprise.

Yuxiao Platform was cleared. Murong Xue moved with lotus steps, her slender body rising into the air like a drifting snowflake before slowly descending onto the arena.

The scene instantly fell silent. This time, no one dared test the law with their own body.

"Murong Xue is even stronger than Tantai Jing. Let's not go up there and make fools of ourselves."

"She's a top genius of the Lone Swan Sword Sect. It's perfectly normal that no one challenges her. It's just a pity we didn't get to witness her strength."

"..."

After another stick of incense's time, the second spot was settled beyond doubt.

Only three spots remained, and the atmosphere gradually became tense.

There were as many as twenty contestants. It was a case of too many monks and too little porridge, and quite a few people began to stir restlessly.

Su Yu'er could not contain herself any longer. With a light tap of her lotus feet, she fluttered onto the stage like a butterfly flitting among flowers.

"I'll fight you!"

Someone issued a challenge. He was a black-clad saber wielder who erupted with the cultivation of the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.

His saber technique was broad and forceful, ravaging like fire and moving like thunder, carrying an aura of pressing forward without regard for all else.

"Water Scroll Technique!"

Su Yu'er formed hand seals. A silver-white ribbon flew from her waist, and with a gentle curl, it unleashed layer upon layer of waves.

The long saber struck the water as though a clay ox had vanished into the sea, unable to stir even the slightest wave.

All his attacks were neutralized. Instead, he found himself bogged down as though his feet were stuck in mud, wrapped in the waves raised by the ribbon and unable to move.

After struggling for a minute, the saber wielder ran out of strength and chose to concede.

"Su Yu'er is wielding a Second-Grade High-Quality Magic Tool, isn't she? How are we supposed to fight that?"

"It really is a little unfair. Even if she can't unleash its full power, it isn't something a Qi Refining Realm cultivator can withstand."

"Who told you she's the beloved pearl in the palm of the Su Family Patriarch? Magic tools are also part of one's strength."

"..."

Afterward, Su Yu'er faced several more challengers. One fire-element cultivator caused her quite a bit of trouble.

Water and fire collided, creating a truly breathtaking scene. Both were at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, making them evenly matched opponents.

However, Su Yu'er had the Illusory Rainbow Silver Gauze. It was practically a dimensionality-reducing strike, and she soon gained the upper hand, knocking her opponent off the stage.

Like a proud little phoenix, Su Yu'er called down at the crowd, "Shen Yun, do you dare come up and fight me?"

Hearing her voice, everyone turned toward Shen Yun, their eyes full of curiosity.

Lin Qianluo caught the scent of gossip and covered her mouth as she chuckled. "Little Yun, look. She's calling for you."

Zhou Ziyou clapped his hands, saying with interest, "Could this be Little Brother Yun's confidante?"

Shen Yun froze for a moment and asked in confusion, "Miss, have you called the wrong person? We seem never to have met."

Upon hearing this, Su Yu'er was stunned for a second. Then her little face reddened with anger. "I'm calling you! Could it be that you're scared?"

The anger in her heart flared even higher. She had never expected Shen Yun to have forgotten her.

Su Yu'er made up her mind that she would put two more bumps on his head.

Shen Yun was utterly baffled, unable to figure out when he had offended this Eldest Young Lady.

Lin Qianluo poked his arm and laughed softly. "That young lady has already invited you herself, Little Yun. Don't be rude."

Shen Yun was pushed onto the stage. Seeing Su Yu'er's aggrieved and indignant look, he could not help asking, "Miss, have we met before?"

"You can think about it slowly!"

Su Yu'er flipped her delicate hand and unleashed the Water Scroll Technique. The Illusory Rainbow Silver Gauze was enveloped in watery light, like a waterfall plunging straight down, drowning Shen Yun's figure.

"What a strange person."

Shen Yun shook his head and flicked a finger. Earth Spiritual Power howled forth.

A gigantic mountain wall rose from the ground, blocking the raging waves. When the Illusory Rainbow Silver Gauze struck the mountain wall, it only knocked down several chunks of rock.

Su Yu'er's expression changed slightly. A tremendous resistance came through the Illusory Rainbow Silver Gauze, and she instantly understood that Shen Yun was not on the same level as her previous opponents.

"Flying Waterfall Technique!"

Su Yu'er gritted her silver teeth. The rushing tide surged skyward in the wind, fierce winds raged, and huge waves roared like the turbulent billows of the sea, seeking to devour everything.

Shen Yun did not move in the slightest. He pointed out another finger, and the mountain wall rose higher again.

When the waves rose one foot, the mountain rose ten. No matter how the sea waves raged, they could not pass over the mountain wall.

Su Yu'er refused to admit defeat and continuously increased her spiritual energy output. Fine beads of sweat covered her little face, and she was so tense that she bit her lips until they bled.

In contrast, Shen Yun looked utterly relaxed, quietly admiring the rising and falling tides as though he felt no pressure whatsoever.

Such an enormous disparity was something no one had expected.

Zhou Xingyu's gaze sharpened. "Is this the person Third Brother values? He truly is no ordinary figure."

Shangguan Mo's pride also subsided by a few points as he said solemnly, "He's the newly risen genius of the Shen Family. I heard his talent surpasses even Shen Feng's. He really has some skills."

Tantai Jing gazed at Shen Yun's back and murmured softly, "Excellent cultivation, excellent Dao techniques. In the sword sect assessment, he will be one of my great enemies."

Why is this bad guy so powerful?!

She repeatedly unleashed water-element Dao techniques, yet they were like a mayfly trying to shake a tree, utterly incapable of moving him in the slightest.

"Step down. You are not my opponent."

Shen Yun stood with his hands behind his back, like a boulder on the shore weathered by the waves for tens of millions of years, unmoving as a mountain.

Su Yu'er gritted her teeth and shouted unwillingly, "Don't look down on me!"

Seeing that she still refused to let it go, Shen Yun shook his head. Then he stepped forward, strolling through the surging waves as leisurely as if walking through a courtyard.

With a sweep of his sleeve, Earth Spiritual Power shot forth like a streaking shuttle of light, bypassing the water waves filling the sky at an unbelievable angle.

Su Yu'er's expression changed as she controlled a water wall to block before her.

The light shuttle seemed capable of piercing anything. It instantly pierced through several water walls, then, by a strange coincidence, struck her right on the forehead.

Su Yu'er cried out in pain. Her whole body went numb, and a gentle force sent her out of the arena.

"That voice! She seems to be the one I knocked unconscious at Tianwei Mountain."

Shen Yun rubbed his chin. Then something suddenly came to mind, and he finally understood.

Another bump rose on Su Yu'er's forehead. Her large eyes glistened with tears as she glared hatefully at Shen Yun. Clearly, she would not be able to get past this matter.

After easily defeating Su Yu'er, Shen Yun's strength earned unanimous recognition, and no one foolish enough to challenge him stepped forward.

Only Ye Chen hesitated for a moment. After weighing the pros and cons, he still chose to give up.

Thus, Shen Yun obtained the third spot. Seeing this, Zhou Ziyou laughed heartily. "Little Brother, you really hid your strength well. My attempt to secure a spot for you now seems like drawing legs on a snake."

Shen Yun smiled. Regardless of the outcome, he would remember Zhou Ziyou's goodwill.

With only the final two matches left, those who had been waiting for their chance could no longer contain themselves.

Everyone took to the stage one after another, fighting with blazing intensity. It was truly the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, each displaying their own divine abilities.

Su Yu'er rubbed her forehead when a White-Clad Figure suddenly appeared before her.

Once she saw who it was, her face immediately fell. "Did you come to laugh at me?"

Shen Yun smiled gently and waved his hand, casting the Spring Return Technique. Green light flashed over her body and vanished. As a cool sensation spread through her, the bump receded at a visible rate.

Su Yu'er was stunned for a moment before muttering softly, "Even if you're trying to curry favor with me now, I still won't forgive you."

Shen Yun glanced at her, half-smiling. "If you keep taking your time, the spots will be gone."

Su Yu'er's eyes widened, and she hurriedly went up to issue a challenge. Then she suddenly discovered that the spiritual energy she had consumed earlier had actually recovered.

"This bad guy is truly unfathomable."

Su Yu'er muttered to herself, then seriously threw herself into the match.

As soon as Shen Yun returned, he saw Lin Qianluo's teasing gaze.

Lin Qianluo said in a worldly and arrogant tone, "This little girl is quite cute, and her family background isn't bad either. She can barely be considered worthy of Little Yun."

Shen Yun shook his head and said calmly, "I have no interest in her. The Su Family is an ally of the Shen Family, so I simply lent a hand while I could."

The growth of the family benefited everyone. He would not refuse anything within his power.

Without a powerful opponent like Shen Yun, Su Yu'er was like a fish in water and ultimately succeeded in securing a spot.

Only two people had not taken the stage from beginning to end.

Shangguan Mo's eyes were gloomy as he stared fixedly at Ye Chen. "Is this kid a turtle? How can he endure for so long?"

If he had not been waiting to intercept Ye Chen, he would have been unable to resist making a move long ago. Who would want to miss an opportunity like the Dragon Blood Pool?

Under Shangguan Mo's increasingly impatient gaze, Ye Chen finally rose to his feet and strode quickly onto the stage.

"You've finally shown yourself. I can hardly wait to cripple you."

Shangguan Mo gave a sinister smile and impatiently mounted Yuxiao Platform.