Chi Junxuan lowered his gaze to the spearhead so close to him, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. After a long while, he slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, clasped his hands in a wry smile, and said, "Impressive, Brother Gong Chen. Your divine power was too domineering. I tried my best to build up my defense, but I was still a beat too slow."
He gently shook his head and said frankly, "I concede defeat in this battle." Ju Gongchen immediately put away his spear and solemnly returned the salute with clasped hands.
"Brother Junxuan, there's no need for that. If you hadn't summoned Yue Bi in time to deflect most of its power, this move wouldn't have gone so smoothly. This was merely a friendly spar, and I'm already extremely pleased to have fought you with all my might."
"Hahaha!" Chi Junxuan laughed loudly, "We'll find another opportunity to settle this another day!" The two looked at each other and smiled, without the resentment of a loser or the arrogance of a winner, only the pure mutual respect between peers.
High in the void, Nangong Xingyun slowly nodded, his indifferent voice echoing throughout the Myriad Worlds Graveyard. "First match, Ju Gongchen wins." As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause resounded throughout the heavens, sweeping across the entire spectator area.
Nalan Yanqing's gaze fell on the battle stage, and he slowly commented, "Chi Junxuan's Great Dao of Mountains and Rivers is valuable for its profoundness and ability to accumulate, Origin Framework, and its Dao principles are seamlessly connected. However, when facing time-freezing supernatural powers, the supernatural power still needs a moment to condense, and this momentary difference is an irreparable flaw."
Murong Yunche nodded slightly and continued, "Ju Gongchen didn't obsessively focus on piling up the power of spear attacks. Instead, he integrated the principles of time into his offensive, first slowing down the opponent's timing, and then using penetrating power to break through their defenses. The logic of offense and defense is clear and complete, and this is the key to his victory."
Xuanyuan Canglan silently observed the two below, his voice steady and resonant, "Both of you possess superior control over your own Great Dao, placing you among the upper ranks of the Eternal Silence Realm Initial Stage. Chi Junxuan's strength lies in his solid defense, while Ju Gongchen excels in the precision of his moves. Today's victory or defeat is merely a result of the mutual restraint of their divine Dao principles."
Nangong Xingyun added calmly, "Being able to hold back during a sparring session is also a way of cultivation, which is excellent." Countless cultivators on the periphery discussed this endlessly, their exclamations of amazement resounding.
"Truly brilliant! Such a high level of play in the very first match of the first round!" "Ju Gongchen voluntarily withdrew his spear at the end, adhering to the rules of the competition and truly stopping when the point was reached." "Chi Junxuan lost with grace; such magnanimity is worthy of being called the pride of the Chi Lineage."
Above the Chi Lineage's camp, Chi Boqian gazed at the battle platform, his face showing no displeasure, but rather a smile of satisfaction. He turned to look at the airspace where the Ju Lineage was located, Ju Lineage patriarch, Ju Jinyu, happened to be looking over as well. The two looked at each other from afar, nodded slightly, and without needing to say a word, they had already acknowledged the performance of their junior.
On the central battle stage, Nangong Xingyun spoke again, silencing the surrounding clamor. "First round, first match: Chi Junxuan eliminated, Ju Gongchen advances."
His tone shifted, and his gaze swept across the airspace where the Lineage were stationed. "First round, second match: Chi Lineage, Chi Yufeng; versus Hua Lineage, Hua Jingmeng. Please come to the stage."
Within the Chi Lineage camp, a figure slowly stepped out. Chi Yufeng was dressed in a blue and white robe, with a tall and slender figure. His black hair was tied up with a jade crown, and his face was handsome and gentle. His brows were calm and peaceful, and his movements were steady and relaxed, like a clear spring in a deep mountain, neither hurried nor turbulent, but with a powerful foundation that was accumulated and ready to be released.
On the other side, in the Hua Lineage area, Hua Jingmeng stepped out. He wore a long black robe with gold accents, and a dark gold cloak fluttered in the wind. His black hair was casually scattered over his shoulders and back, and his features were sharp and distinct. He had an air of arrogance between his brows. He slightly raised his chin, his gaze sweeping lightly over Chi Yufeng, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
That smile stemmed from the absolute confidence that came from being at the top for so long, as if the outcome of this confrontation was already within his expectations. The two of them, one after the other, climbed the steps to the central battle platform that spanned thousands of miles.
Chi Yufeng and Hua Jingmeng faced off across the void, thousands of feet apart. The vast arena was silent, and trillions of spectators on the periphery held their breath, all eyes fixed on the two figures.
Hua Jingmeng slowly raised his eyes, his gaze calm and unwavering, revealing no trace of joy or anger. He stared at Chi Yufeng with such indifference, as if the impending confrontation was nothing more than an insignificant and mundane matter.
After a moment, he spoke slowly, his voice low but clearly echoing throughout the arena. "You can choose to concede."
His words were flat, without sarcasm, mockery, or a trace of hostility. Yet, it was precisely this calm tone that revealed a deep-seated arrogance. It wasn't a deliberate display of superiority, but rather a presumption that the outcome was already predetermined; for him, this contest Does Not Exist conclusion.
His hands were clasped behind his back, his robes fluttering gently in the final gust of wind. He didn't exude any pressure, yet an indescribable aura of danger lingered around him.
Chi Yufeng's expression turned slightly cold, his gaze unwavering as he calmly replied, "You can also choose to admit defeat." As soon as he finished speaking, their eyes met again.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on Hua Jingmeng's lips, which vanished in an instant, replaced by indifference. She said no more. In the outer viewing area, hushed whispers slowly rose.
"Strange, is this really Hua Jingmeng?" "The Hua Jingmeng of the past was arrogant and unruly, always eager to overpower her opponents at the slightest provocation."
"His temperament has changed drastically; he's no longer the madman he once was. Yet, I find him far more terrifying now than before."
"Beneath this deathly silence, something terrifying seemed to lurk; just looking at it sent a chill down my spine."
Within the Chi Lineage's camp, Qin Yu gazed silently at Hua Jingmeng on the battle stage, his brows slowly furrowing. He, too, sensed a profound sense of unease.
The person before me was completely different from the Hua Jingmeng I had met before. His former arrogance was fully displayed on his face, and his joy and anger were clearly visible; but now all his emotions were buried deep, and beneath his indifferent appearance was a bottomless abyss.
Qin Yu's eyes narrowed sharply, a strong premonition rising in his heart. "Yu Feng... is probably no match for him."
On the arena, Hua Jingmeng remained standing still, neither drawing her weapon nor activating her Fate Soul, nor even adopting the slightest fighting stance. She simply watched Chi Yufeng calmly, then gently raised her hand.
"You make the first move." Chi Yufeng's eyes narrowed, but he was not angered by the other party's contempt. Instead, he became even more cautious. In the next instant, his right hand rose into the air, and an ancient-looking spear landed in his palm.
The spear's body was a deep blue-green, its blade gleaming with a cold light, and its tail was wrapped with layers of blue primordial patterns. It was his natal divine weapon— the Azure Peak Rending Abyss Spear.
Chi Yufeng strode forward, his Fate Soul essence surging within him, his spear locked onto Hua Jingmeng, and he roared in a deep voice, " --Myriad Abyss Extermination!"
Boom!
With a single thrust of the spear, countless spear shadows instantly filled the entire battle arena. One after another, illusory azure mountains rose from the void, all merging into the spearhead. The vast and fierce spear force tore through the sky, and boundless sharpness enveloped the arena in all directions.
Many cultivators on the periphery couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "So powerful! This strike has already reached the peak level of the Eternal Silence Realm Initial Stage!"
Just as the powerful spear thrust was about to reach Hua Jingmeng, Qin Yu from the Chi Lineage camp suddenly changed his expression. "Something's wrong!"
His gaze was fixed on Hua Jingmeng. Since the start of the battle, she hadn't moved an inch, not even adopting the most basic defensive stance. This calmness was too abnormal. Qin Yu's unease instantly surged to its peak.
At the center of the battle platform, the sweeping gunfire was almost upon them. Hua Jingmeng finally slowly raised her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Your supernatural propositions and logical constructs are... too weak for me."
As his voice drifted out, he gently raised a finger, pointing it forward. There was no earth-shattering phenomenon, no surging and boundless Dao radiance, only a wisp of almost transparent gray-white primordial energy that flashed and disappeared from his fingertip.
In the next instant, Chi Yufeng's layered and progressively advancing spear momentum silently crumbled from the very front.
One spear shadow vanished, followed by a second and a third. The entire spear force crumbled as if its foundation had been removed. The illusory mountain image transformed into countless points of light, and the very essence of the spearhead rapidly dissolved. The powerful divine ability vanished in an instant.
"What?!" Chi Yufeng's pupils contracted sharply, before he could react in time.
Hua Jingmeng took a light step forward. No one could capture the complete trajectory of his movement. Only a streak of gray-white light flashed between the two of them, followed by a loud boom!
Chi Yufeng felt as if he had been struck by an immense blow. His chest caved in, and he spurted out a mouthful of blood. His body flew backward uncontrollably, crashing heavily against the edge of the arena. A tremendous roar resounded in all directions, and even the sturdy battle platform trembled.
He knelt on one knee, his hands gripping the table tightly, his face instantly turning deathly pale. The essence of his Fate Soul within him trembled violently, fine cracks spreading outwards, teetering on the brink of collapse. Had he not exerted all his strength to suppress his essence, his Fate Soul would have already been destroyed.
In an instant, the vast Myriad Worlds Graveyard fell silent. A storm raged in everyone's hearts, and no one could see what kind of technique Hua Jingmeng had just used.
In the Chi Lineage area, Qin Yu's expression darkened slightly, and he immediately transmitted his voice to the battle stage, "Yu Feng! Surrender immediately!!"
Despite the excruciating pain that felt like his Fate Soul was being torn apart, Chi Yufeng didn't hesitate for a moment, raising his head and shouting unwillingly, "I surrender!"
Hua Jingmeng stood still, glanced at Chi Yufeng indifferently, did not continue to pursue, and then slowly turned around and walked down the battle platform step by step.
As he passed the edge of the arena, his gaze casually swept across the airspace where the Chi Lineage was located, his eyes briefly lingering on Qin Yu for a moment. His indifferent eyes remained unmoved before he withdrew his gaze and calmly returned to the Hua Lineage's camp.
Several disciples of the Chi Lineage rushed onto the battle platform and helped up Chi Yufeng, whose breathing was disordered and whose face was pale. It was obvious that he had been seriously injured. High in the void, Nangong Xingyun's calm voice resounded throughout the heavens.
"In the second match, Hua Jingmeng wins and advances. Chi Yufeng is eliminated." As soon as the words were spoken, the deathly silence was completely broken, and the outer spectator area erupted in cheers.
"How could this be! I couldn't even see his move!" Chi Yufeng's powerful divine ability crumbled in an instant. What kind of technique was that attack just now?
Discussions rose and fell, disbelief sweeping across every corner of the Myriad Worlds Graveyard. On the Chi Lineage's high platform, Chi Boqian's expression was solemn. At the same moment, Ju Jinyu, the head of the Ju Lineage, looked over from afar. The two did not need to speak, communicating directly through soul sounds.
Ju Jinyu asked in a deep voice, "Brother Boqian, did you see the trick behind that attack just now?"
Chi Boqian narrowed his eyes slightly and slowly replied, "I only glimpsed a vague outline of the origin, and the method of its operation seems to be exactly the same as that old Hua Jingyun of the Hua Lineage."
Ju Jinyu's expression darkened. "It seems I wasn't mistaken. What Hua Jingmeng used was very likely Hua Jingyun's unique primordial divine power."
"No wonder." Chi Boqian nodded slowly. "This boy's cultivation has progressed at an astonishing speed. It seems that Hua Jingyun has poured endless effort into him over the years."
Ju Jinyu turned his gaze to Hua Jingmeng, who had returned to her camp, and said in a low voice, "In all subsequent battles, if our two clans encounter this person, we must be extra vigilant. We must not allow him to use this opportunity to Annihilation our two clans' disciples." For a moment, the expressions of the two clan leaders were both tinged with solemnity.