Nangong Heyao sheathed his sword and slowly walked down from the arena, his figure towering like a mountain.
"Senior Brother Nangong!"
"Senior Brother Nangong is invincible!!!"
The disciples of Cloud-Leveling Hall erupted completely, their faces flushed as they shouted themselves hoarse. Their excitement came not only from victory, but also from witnessing Nangong Heyao's absolute strength as he overwhelmed the field with a single strike.
The grand elder's hair and beard fluttered, and deep pride flashed through his eyes. He nodded repeatedly. "Excellent! With such a disciple, the fortunes of Cloud-Leveling Hall's outer sect will never decline!"
Several elders echoed him, inwardly gratified.
Qin Yu, Yang Zheng, and Zhao Xinyu stood among the disciples, admiration in all their eyes.
Yang Zheng pumped his fist and shouted, "Our eldest senior brother is incredible! This is the true backbone of Cloud-Leveling Hall!"
Zhao Xinyu's eyes curved with a smile, her voice clear. "With our eldest senior brother here, who would dare look down on Cloud-Leveling Hall?"
Qin Yu's heart stirred, his gaze calm and resolute.
Today, it's my turn. I'll show everyone that Cloud-Leveling Hall has more than just our eldest senior brother. I, Qin Yu, can fight too!
Just then, Venerable White Frost's voice thundered out, shaking the entire venue.
"The final battle! Outer disciple of Cloud-Leveling Hall-Qin Yu, against outer disciple of the Cloud Waves Gate-Ye Qing!"
Boom!!!
Tens of thousands of gazes turned toward him at once, instantly igniting the atmosphere in the square.
Qin Yu slowly stepped forward, his battle spear held horizontally at his side, his figure straight as a spear and his gaze deep as a river of stars. Each step seemed to carry a steady, resolute presence, making the luminous formation patterns beneath his feet tremble.
"Brother Yu!!!"
"Senior Brother Qin!!!"
"Victory to Cloud-Leveling Hall!!!"
The disciples' cries surged like collapsing mountains and roaring seas, making heaven and earth rumble. Yang Zheng practically rushed to the railing, waving frantically. "Brother Yu! Crush him!"
Zhao Xinyu clasped her hands before her chest, her gaze earnest and firm, and whispered, "Senior Brother Qin, you must win."
Across from him, Ye Qing also stepped into the arena. Dressed in blue, he carried a fierce presence, spiritual pressure at initial entry into the Qi Condensation Realm surging out of him. His expression cold and arrogant, he swept his gaze over Qin Yu and said icily:
"Qin Yu... that so-called 'Gray Spirit Root reversal' joke? Today, before everyone here, I'll beat you back into your true form!"
Qin Yu merely smiled faintly. His battle spear trembled, its tip bursting with dazzling spiritual light like the first thunderclap, shooting straight into the nine heavens.
"Enough nonsense. In the arena, let your strength speak."
Boom-!!!
The arena's formation patterns erupted with a thunderous roar. The final battle had finally begun!
At the center of the arena, spiritual light roared.
Ye Qing bellowed, Spiritual Qi churning wildly within him. Forming seals with both hands, he unleashed a move. "Cloud Waves Raging Current!"
In an instant, Spiritual Qi poured out like a towering ocean tide, forming phantom waves dozens of zhang high that crashed down as though to swallow Qin Yu whole. Blade-sharp spiritual light mingled with the waves, their tremendous force drawing repeated cries of alarm from the disciples below.
"What a powerful presence!"
"That strike could easily suppress cultivators of the same realm!"
Yet-
Qin Yu remained calm, not even raising an eyebrow. He merely lifted the Spirit Annihilation Sword slowly.
The blade trembled, azure spiritual light flowing along its edge, its hum like the whisper of a river of stars. At that moment, his figure seemed to merge with the sword light, his presence restrained yet keen, as though this sword alone remained between heaven and earth.
"-Spirit Light Slash."
Whoosh!!!
Azure sword light burst forth, shooting into the sky! Incomparably sharp, it resembled an aurora tearing through the curtain of night, so fierce that even the air shuddered. Though seemingly only three meters long, it was like lightning extending without end, cleaving Ye Qing's towering waves in two in the blink of an eye!
Boom!!!
The phantom waves shattered instantly, dissolving into mist that filled the air. Without losing momentum, the azure sword light cleaved straight toward Ye Qing.
"H-how is that possible-"
Ye Qing's pupils contracted sharply. Before he could mount a defense, the sword light struck his chest! His protective Spiritual Qi shattered instantly, and he was hurled backward into the arena barrier with a heavy crash. He spat blood, completely losing his ability to fight.
Dead silence fell-
Tens of thousands of disciples stared wide-eyed, seemingly unable to believe what they had seen.
Qin Yu slowly put away his sword, his expression indifferent, and said softly:
"You aren't even worthy of making me use my battle spear."
Boom!!!
The next moment, the spectator stands erupted. Cloud-Leveling Hall's disciples raised their arms and cheered wildly!
"Senior Brother Qin!!!"
"Brother Yu is invincible!!!"
"Cloud-Leveling Hall-victorious!!!"
Venerable White Frost's voice rolled down like rumbling thunder:
"Outer disciple of Cloud-Leveling Hall, Qin Yu-victorious!"
Upon the arena, Qin Yu lowered his sword tip, his robes fluttering and his gaze indifferent, yet in every disciple's heart he already stood like a pillar holding up the heavens.
Boom-!!!
The moment Venerable White Frost announced Qin Yu's victory, the square of White Frost Ancient City erupted completely. Cheers swept through it like ocean tides, shaking the spiritual light in the nine heavens.
"Cloud-Leveling Hall won all three battles!"
"Zhao Xinyu, Yang Zheng, Nangong Heyao... and Qin Yu too! With a lineup like that, who would dare look down on them again?!"
Many sect disciples had still harbored arrogance and disdain, especially those from the Cloud Waves Gate and Gale Hall. Now their faces were livid, their gazes complicated. They remembered sneering, "Cloud-Leveling Hall? Their outer sect is just a bunch of small fry." Yet the truth before their eyes had dealt them a resounding slap.
"How is that possible... Qin Yu defeated Ye Qing with just one strike?"
"This... wasn't a contest between equals at all. It was utter domination!"
For a time, inside and outside the venue, every sneer and doubt directed at Cloud-Leveling Hall vanished, replaced by shock and awe.
On the elevated platform, the grand elder of Thousand Autumns Hall opened his eyes slightly. His gaze settled on Qin Yu, Yang Zheng, and Zhao Xinyu, a trace of surprise and appreciation flashing in his eyes.
"Heh... I never imagined Cloud-Leveling Hall could nurture disciples like these. That sword strike was incomparably sharp, no less than that of our hall's supreme disciple."
An elder from Luofu Hall also stroked his beard and mused, "These youngsters have resilient dispositions, especially that one named Yang Zheng. To force a breakthrough in the arena... interesting."
As for the White Cloud Sect-the foremost sect of the Great Yan Continent-on the elevated platform, an elder in robes whiter than snow watched with a far-reaching gaze, lingering on Qin Yu for an especially long time.
"A Gray Spirit Root reversing into a supreme one? Hehe, just as the rumors said."
"Our White Cloud Sect... is very interested in this boy."
Their gazes were deep. Though they said nothing explicitly, they had already committed the names of Cloud-Leveling Hall's three young disciples to memory.
Qin Yu put away his sword and stood calmly at the center of the arena. Below, Zhao Xinyu, Yang Zheng, and Nangong Heyao cheered together, looking at him with burning eyes. Every disciple of Cloud-Leveling Hall rose, shouting one name at the top of their lungs:
"Qin Yu!!!"
"Cloud-Leveling Hall!!!"
At that moment, Cloud-Leveling Hall, once mocked as a "bottom-tier sect," stunned everyone present with its rainbow-like momentum.
After Cloud-Leveling Hall won all three battles, its disciples rested briefly in their designated seats. Nangong Heyao sat cross-legged, his breathing steady as a mountain; Zhao Xinyu closed her eyes to regulate her breathing, sword intent faintly appearing around her; Yang Zheng wiped his longsword while stealing occasional glances at Qin Yu, chuckling as he whispered, "Brother Yu, we won all three battles. We couldn't look more impressive!"
Qin Yu merely smiled faintly, but his gaze remained on the arena, and he did not relax inwardly. The tournament had only just begun. The truly powerful had yet to take the stage.
Just then, Venerable White Frost waved his hand from the elevated platform. The formation patterns activated again as he announced:
"Next match, Pure Fragrance Garden against Leaning on Swords, Listening to Snow!"
Boom!!!
The square erupted instantly. Countless disciples' eyes lit up as they began discussing it together.
"Pure Fragrance Garden and Leaning on Swords, Listening to Snow? Two sects of female cultivators, both renowned far and wide!"
"Pure Fragrance Garden excels in charm arts and spiritual techniques, while Leaning on Swords, Listening to Snow is peerless in the sword Dao. This battle is bound to be spectacular!"
A voluptuous figure slowly stepped into the arena.
She wore a blood-red dress, her waist slender and supple. Each step seemed to carry a rhythm that plucked at the heartstrings, quickening the breaths of many male disciples below and drawing their gazes involuntarily. That alluring face was especially familiar to Qin Yu and Yang Zheng-
It was none other than the temptress who had led a group to bully them in the Shadow Woods!
Yang Zheng's eyes widened abruptly. Through gritted teeth, he whispered, "Brother Yu, it's her! Back in the Shadow Woods, she was the woman who forced us to hand over the spirit herbs and launched a sneak attack on you!"
Qin Yu's gaze darkened, a cold glint flashing through his eyes. But he said nothing, merely watching the arena in silence.
The woman's bewitching eyes shifted, and a seductive smile curved her lips. Her voice was soft and alluring as silk. "Liu Hongzhuang of Pure Fragrance Garden."
As she spoke her name, Spiritual Qi suddenly blossomed around her. She had actually reached-major accomplishment of the Qi Condensation Realm!
An uproar immediately rose below!
"She's broken through to major accomplishment of Qi Condensation!"
"That realm puts her among the absolute best of the outer disciples!"
On the other side, the disciple from Leaning on Swords, Listening to Snow slowly stepped forward. She was a woman in white with a snow-white sword spine, her bearing cold and proud, like a snow lotus blooming atop an iceberg. Her cultivation was likewise at major accomplishment of the Qi Condensation Realm, her presence fierce and her sword intent sweeping outward like a freezing wind.
"Bai Shuangxue of Leaning on Swords, Listening to Snow."
The two women faced each other. One was seductively alluring, like fire; the other cold and untouched by worldly dust, like ice. At the arena's center, the presences of fire and ice collided fiercely, Spiritual Qi surging like tides until even the barrier hummed under the pressure.
Below, countless spectators held their breath and stared, discussion rising in waves:
"A clash of fire and ice!"
"Liu Hongzhuang of Pure Fragrance Garden... even some elders are wary of her charm arts! And Bai Shuangxue of Leaning on Swords, Listening to Snow is famous for her clear sword heart. I wonder who will win."
Meanwhile, Qin Yu and Yang Zheng both stared fixedly at the arena.
Yang Zheng clenched his fists and whispered, "Brother Yu, this woman is stronger than before! If we encounter her again, she'll probably be a formidable enemy!"
Qin Yu's gaze was cold and grim as he slowly said, "No matter how strong she becomes... debts that must be settled will be settled sooner or later."
At the arena's center, the formation patterns lit up with a roar. Spiritual light formed a translucent curtain, shutting out the clamor of the world.
Liu Hongzhuang smiled softly, her red lips parting slightly, her figure graceful. Her long dress billowed as a ring of uncanny crimson spiritual ripples suddenly spread around her. She raised her delicate hand, strands of blood-colored light flowing from her fingertips like countless slender red ribbons, instantly filling the air.
At that moment, the entire arena seemed painted into a blood-red dream. The disciples below felt their minds tremble as illusions appeared before their eyes. Some saw endless crimson clouds winding around them; others heard low murmurs, as though their entire hearts were about to be dragged into the depths of an illusion.
"Enchanting Shadow Bewilders the Heart-"
With her soft cry, the red threads of light suddenly gathered into a gigantic, bewitching face. It swooped down and opened its eyes, seeking to swallow Bai Shuangxue whole!
Bai Shuangxue remained unmoved, her expression cold and proud, her eyes like frigid pools. Her longsword left its sheath with a clang, its blade crystalline as ice. Sword Qi howled around her, and in an instant, the temperature throughout the arena plummeted, white frost forming as icy winds roared.
She stepped forward and brought her sword crashing down, as though an icy river were pouring from the nine heavens. Sword light became a sky full of snowy waterfalls, pressing straight down from above!
"Ice Blossom Sword Formation-!"
In an instant, ten thousand zhang of ice and snow descended from the heavens. Sword light wove into countless snow-lotus petals, slicing through the crimson illusion layer upon layer and colliding head-on with the bewitching shadow.
Boom!!!!!!
The arena trembled and the light curtain rippled violently. Fiery red and icy blue light intertwined, as though heaven and earth had been split in two. On one side was a blazing crimson tide of alluring flames; on the other, a cold, sharp formation of ice-and-snow swords. The two forces collided and intertwined, becoming hundreds of violent ripples of power that swept outward.
The disciples below felt their scalps prickle from the shock and retreated, their eyes filled with astonishment.
"They're too strong! This is no ordinary fight at major accomplishment of Qi Condensation. Their head-on clash is approaching the Yuan Transformation Realm!"
"One has charm arts and uncanny fire, the other a sword heart and ice and snow. It's practically a life-and-death showdown between ice and fire!"
Liu Hongzhuang lightly bit her red lip and abruptly pressed her palms together. Instantly, uncanny crimson light surged like waves, and her figure split into three. All three phantoms lunged at Bai Shuangxue together, like three temptresses dancing at once, every movement carrying lethal allure.
Bai Shuangxue snorted coldly, tapped the ground with her toes, and sent her sword surging like a rainbow. As she swept her arms, ten thousand sword shadows intertwined, drifting like snowflakes yet so sharp that each could slice through steel.
"Dustless Sword Heart-break!"
The sky full of snow-lotus Sword Qi exploded into countless fragments of light, cutting apart every one of Liu Hongzhuang's phantoms!
Yet the next moment, crimson light suddenly gathered, and Liu Hongzhuang appeared again. An uncanny gleam shone in her eyes. With a sharp cry, a spectral queen appeared behind her, its eyes blood-red and its presence soul-seizing. It abruptly thrust out a huge, formless hand, striking straight at Bai Shuangxue!
Bai Shuangxue's lovely face turned frosty. Sword Qi erupted all around her as she slashed her longsword toward the heavens. Sword light shot into the clouds like a snow-white chasm splitting the sky, meeting the blood-colored phantom head-on!
Boom!!!
The air above exploded, and the arena barrier hummed incessantly. Ice, snow, and uncanny fire shattered together, becoming countless tiny motes of light drifting between heaven and earth, like a magnificent storm of stars.
Countless disciples below held their breath, their eyes filled with shock and fervor.
"Now this is a battle between sect geniuses!"
"They've already far surpassed ordinary cultivators at major accomplishment of Qi Condensation!"
Qin Yu narrowed his eyes as he watched, inwardly growing grave. Whichever of these two won, both would undoubtedly be troublesome opponents in the future...
Yang Zheng stared fixedly at Liu Hongzhuang, his fists clenched, and whispered, "This temptress... keeps getting stronger! Brother Yu, sooner or later, we'll fight her again!"
In the arena, after a brief silence, spiritual light surged once more.
A coldly beautiful smile curved Liu Hongzhuang's lips, her gaze bewitching to the extreme. She slowly moved her hands before her chest. Blood-colored light gathered at her fingertips into uncanny, rune-like markings that swiftly appeared on her snow-white skin. Her entire figure suddenly radiated a soul-seizing, seductive presence.
"Enchanting Flame Heavenly Dance-"
With her low murmur, roaring crimson flames suddenly ignited throughout the arena. These were no ordinary flames, but uncanny fire mingled with soul-shaking and mind-bewildering effects. Amid the sea of fire, hundreds of bewitching shadows danced at once, their figures graceful and their smiles uncanny, like countless demonic maidens dancing in hell as they lunged toward Bai Shuangxue!
The assault was like a raging tide of flames, swallowing the entire arena. Even through the light curtain, the watching disciples felt their minds sway and their breathing quicken, as though they would be dragged into the crimson-flame illusion the next instant.
Bai Shuangxue's gaze grew colder, her delicate face frigid as a glacier. She drew a deep breath, Spiritual Qi bursting forth within her, and abruptly raised her longsword. The blade hummed ceaselessly, shooting out dazzling white light.
"Sword Heart Guarding Domain-!"
With her cold cry, a gigantic crystalline ice lotus appeared beneath her feet. Sword light poured down like a snowy waterfall, instantly forming a kingdom of ice and snow. Wherever her sword's force reached, snowstorms descended upon the arena. Amid the howling winds, Bai Shuangxue stood at its center like a queen of snow descending into the mortal world.
Sword Qi gathered into a crystalline snow shield, completely separating her from her surroundings. It was the ultimate defense condensed from her sword heart, indestructible.
Uncanny flames surged like a tide; the snowy domain stood like a wall.
Boom!!!!
Crimson flames and ice and snow collided furiously. Countless shock waves instantly burst through the air, as though heaven and earth were shaking. The light curtain rocked violently, runes continuously appearing across its outer layer. The barrier hummed and shuddered, as though it would fail to withstand the assault the next moment.
The disciples below stared, dumbfounded, too shocked to speak.
"Is... is this still a fight at major accomplishment of Qi Condensation? That power clearly exceeds this realm!"
"Those two... are both true monstrous geniuses!"
Liu Hongzhuang laughed sweetly. Crimson flames suddenly gathered into the phantom of an uncanny phoenix dozens of zhang tall. Its blazing wings beat as it swooped down, a sea of fire rolling into the sky as though to burn the entire kingdom of ice and snow to ashes!
Bai Shuangxue's expression chilled. She raised her longsword high, sword intent suddenly shooting into the heavens. Sword light became an icy river ten thousand zhang long, slashing fiercely at the flaming phoenix!
Boom!!!
In the arena, crimson flames collided with ice and snow like two meteors crashing together. The resulting light stabbed painfully at everyone's eyes. Thunderous roars filled heaven and earth as storms raged. The entire space seemed to twist, as though reality itself were about to be torn apart by this power.
Qin Yu stared fixedly at the arena, his heart involuntarily beating faster at the battle.
Regardless of who wins, these two are people I'll have to face in the future.
Yang Zheng murmured, "Junior Sister Zhao... if she were here, she'd probably be shaken by this power too. Looks like I'll have to fight desperately to grow stronger if I want to protect the people I want to protect."
The flaming phoenix and the great river of ice and snow remained locked in the air for dozens of breaths, roaring and crashing against each other, the sound shaking heaven and earth. The watching disciples all held their breath. Even their heartbeats could be heard clearly.
Suddenly, a vicious glint flashed in Liu Hongzhuang's eyes. She jerked up her left hand, slicing her palm with her fingertips. Her blood burned like flame and was instantly swallowed by the demonic phoenix phantom.
"Burn Blood to Transform into a Phoenix-!"
Boom!!!
The demonic phoenix suddenly let out an earth-shaking roar. Scarlet flames surged to their limit, and the phantom turned solid, as though a real demonic phoenix had descended upon the world. With one beat of its wings, fierce flames swept outward, burning the long river of ice and snow apart inch by inch. Even space rang with piercing cracks.
Bai Shuangxue's expression changed. Gritting her teeth, she frantically poured out the Spiritual Qi within her body and slashed her longsword horizontally. Her sword intent seemed to freeze the firmament as the final waterfall of snow cascaded down.
Yet-
The kingdom of ice and snow ultimately could not withstand the blazing demonic phoenix and shattered with a thunderous crash!
Bai Shuangxue was blasted backward, her longsword letting out a mournful cry as her presence instantly weakened. She knelt on one knee at the edge of the arena, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of her mouth, but her gaze remained cold and proud, her sword heart unyielding.
Liu Hongzhuang stood amid the flames, her presence fierce, demonic fire still blazing all over her body. Her smile was dazzling, yet tinged with pallor. Clearly, the blood-burning secret art had also exacted an enormous price from her.
Seeing this, the refereeing elder immediately announced the result: "The winner of this match-Liu Hongzhuang of Pure Fragrance Garden!"
The entire crowd erupted!
"What a terrifying demoness! She actually used a blood-burning art to forcibly overpower Bai Shuangxue!"
"Though Bai Shuangxue lost, she earned honor in defeat. Her sword heart is still unbreakable. She'll surely have a chance to trample this demoness underfoot in the future!"
Below the arena, Yang Zheng clenched his fists, his gaze extremely grave. Zhao Xinyu glanced sideways, and a faint, almost imperceptible gleam flashed through her eyes when she saw his expression.
Qin Yu, meanwhile, pondered inwardly:
Burn Blood to Transform into a Phoenix... This secret art is far too dangerous. Though it lets her unleash her utmost strength for a short time, she would never use it lightly. It seems Liu Hongzhuang is certainly not an opponent to underestimate.
His gaze was deep, and he had already planted layer upon layer of caution in his heart for the next time he encountered this woman.
As Liu Hongzhuang left the arena, her alluring eyes suddenly flickered, sweeping toward where Qin Yu stood. Her red lips curved slightly into a faint, elusive smile, as though she were provoking him, or silently leaving a mark.
Qin Yu's heart jolted, and a thought surfaced within him:
She has already noticed us.
By the tournament grounds, the night deepened. The clamor from the arena had gradually faded, leaving only lingering echoes around the square. Qin Yu, Yang Zheng, Zhao Xinyu, and Nangong Heyao stood shoulder to shoulder, their expressions all somewhat grave.
Qin Yu spoke first, his voice low but firm:
"We must be careful from here on. Senior Brother Yang, if you draw that demoness Liu Hongzhuang, concede immediately. Don't give her any opportunity. She's deeply scheming and ruthless in her methods. If you fight her head-on, you'll only fall victim to her underhanded tricks. Leave her to Eldest Senior Brother or me."
Yang Zheng gritted his teeth. Looking at Qin Yu with trust and respect, he nodded and said:
"Mm, Brother Yu, I'll listen to you. We already have the advantage anyway, undefeated in three matches. Even if I forfeit, it won't affect the overall situation."
Zhao Xinyu frowned, a trace of coldness flashing in her eyes as she asked softly:
"What's wrong? You two kept watching their fight just now. You seemed very concerned."
Yang Zheng sighed, his expression darkening:
"Senior Sister Zhao, Liu Hongzhuang from Pure Fragrance Garden is the demoness we met in the Shadow Woods. She used her backing to bully us and even stole the spirit herbs Brother Yu and I gathered."
At his words, a sharp, icy gleam flashed through Zhao Xinyu's beautiful eyes, and her tone carried a warning:
"Liu Hongzhuang... So it really is her. She's very strange. Not only is her combat strength terrifying, she's even better at plotting in secret. Whichever of us faces her must be extremely careful."
Nangong Heyao stood with his hands behind his back, his presence as steady as a mountain, and spoke calmly:
"Mm, I agree. Junior Brother Yang, Junior Sister Zhao, if you draw her, just concede. Don't try to be brave. Her Burn Blood to Transform into a Phoenix art isn't something you can withstand at your current stage."
At this point, he turned to Qin Yu, a resolute gleam flashing in his eyes:
"If we really encounter her, leave her to Junior Brother Qin Yu and me. Cloud-Leveling Hall needs us to step forward, and only we can clash with her head-on."
Qin Yu and Nangong Heyao met each other's eyes, their mutual resolve and tacit understanding fully revealed in that moment.
The four reached agreement and unanimously settled on their countermeasure.
The night breeze brushed past, and the square was silent. Beneath the starry sky, the same fighting spirit burned in the hearts of Cloud-Leveling Hall's four youths-no matter who their opponents were, they were ready to face them.