Nangong Heyao sheathed his sword and stood tall, his presence mountainous, but his gaze was solemn as he looked at Qin Yu and cautioned quietly, "Junior Brother Qin, your match is the real key. The people of Pure Fragrance Garden excel at beguiling hearts, and Luo Yilin is a ruthless figure among their younger generation. You must not let him distract you. Guard your true heart firmly. Don't give him the slightest opening!"
Qin Yu's gaze was steady as the stars. He nodded, his voice resolute. "Don't worry, Senior Brother. I won't underestimate my opponent."
With that, he walked onto the platform step by step. His pace was unhurried, yet every footfall seemed to land upon the disciples' hearts, bringing an indescribable pressure and anticipation.
Across from him, Luo Yilin already stood at the center of the platform. She wore a long black robe, its sleeves snapping, arrogance and ruthlessness marking her brow. Seeing Qin Yu arrive, she curled her lips into a cold smile. "Hmph, finally. Being able to force me to act is an honor for you."
The platform's formation patterns lit up, their radiance soaring skyward and enveloping the entire arena like a sealed miniature world. At that instant, Spiritual Qi thundered together from heaven and earth. The watching disciples' hearts tightened as they held their breath and focused.
"Qin Yu!"
"Senior Brother Yu, you can do it!"
"Victory to Cloud-Leveling Hall!"
In the stands below, the disciples of Cloud-Leveling Hall shouted with mounting fervor. Their cries surged like roaring mountains and seas, setting the entire square rumbling.
Qin Yu remained calm and slowly raised his hands. His battle spear remained sheathed; instead, the Spirit Annihilation Sword floated before him. Divine light flickered in his eyes, and his voice rang like iron. "Luo Yilin, today's battle isn't merely between you and me. It's a confrontation between Cloud-Leveling Hall and Pure Fragrance Garden!"
Luo Yilin raised an eyebrow and answered with wild laughter. "Then let me show you what true despair means!"
As her words fell, their presences collided with a thunderous crash, like two towering waves smashing together. The air above the platform abruptly froze, and spiritual radiance burst outward like flying sparks.
Above the platform, the wind howled and Spiritual Qi churned.
Luo Yilin flung out her arms, and a black blade abruptly materialized in her hand. Its pitch-black surface seemed to swallow the surrounding light, sending a chilling demonic presence rushing forth. Cold killing intent flashed in her eyes as she barked, "Soul-Splitting Shadow Slash!"
In an instant, the black blade tore through the sky. A pitch-black blade light swept across the platform, carrying a soul-rending chill. Wherever it passed, the air shattered like a mirror, its piercing sonic booms like ten thousand thunderclaps sounding together.
Qin Yu's expression did not change. The Spirit Annihilation Sword suddenly left its sheath, its blue-silver blade erupting with dazzling sword radiance under the force of Spiritual Qi. Spiritual Qi surged beneath his feet like stars lighting up, and he barked, "Spirit Light Slash!"
His sword swept out, sending a blue sword light shooting forth to collide thunderously with Luo Yilin's black blade light!
Boom!!!
The instant the two lights collided, the formation patterns surrounding the platform roared and shook. Blue and black radiance intertwined wildly, becoming a violently exploding storm of light and shadow. The entire square flickered between brightness and darkness. Disciples instinctively shielded their eyes as deafening thunder filled their ears.
As the light gradually dispersed, Luo Yilin staggered back slightly, his feet forcibly stamping several cracks through the platform's formation patterns. Her pupils abruptly contracted, and towering waves of horror rose in her heart.
"How... how is this possible!"
She clearly sensed that although both were at major accomplishment of the Qi Condensation Realm, Qin Yu's sword light contained power far beyond reason. That steady yet sharp Spiritual Qi seemed to surpass her by half a realm!
Luo Yilin stared fixedly at Qin Yu, unease rising in her heart for the first time. His strength... goes far beyond major accomplishment of the Qi Condensation Realm!
Yet Qin Yu merely drew back his sword slowly. Blue light still shimmered along its blade, and his eyes were cold as stars, as though that strike had been utterly effortless.
Below, the disciples of Cloud-Leveling Hall erupted in cheers like roaring mountains and seas. "Senior Brother Yu is invincible!"
"Pure Fragrance Garden is nothing special!"
The disciples of Pure Fragrance Garden, meanwhile, looked livid as they stared at the platform in disbelief.
Qin Yu raised his eyes and regarded Luo Yilin coldly. "If that's all you can do, this battle... will end very soon."
Luo Yilin's expression darkened, towering fury seeping from her heaving chest. She licked the corner of her lips, her voice sinister. "Fine, fine... Qin Yu, you really aren't as simple as you look. But if you think this little strength is enough to overpower me, you're far too naive!"
As her words fell, she suddenly bit her tongue and spat a mouthful of blood essence onto the black blade. Instantly, it gave a low hum. Pitch-black spiritual patterns writhed like living creatures, spreading terrifying black ripples.
"Netherworld Soul-Devouring Blade-manifest!"
At her furious roar, the black blade abruptly extended several dozen feet. Pitch-black flames enveloped it, and countless netherworld ghosts appeared around its edge, their screams rising one after another as though the gates of hell had opened.
The air was instantly torn and distorted, and a swirling tempest formed above the platform. At that moment, the entire arena seemed plunged into a netherworld purgatory. The disciples trembled with terror at the sight, and quite a few weaker outer disciples nearly fell to their knees beneath that Sha Qi.
Luo Yilin's eyes turned scarlet. She raised her blade with a savage grin. "Qin Yu, dying beneath this move will make your life worthwhile!"
With a roar, he swung his blade fiercely.
Boom!!!
Pitch-black blade radiance fell vertically from midair like a waterfall pouring from the heavens, carrying a terrifying, soul-devouring presence. Before the strike even arrived, the formation patterns on the ground exploded wildly. The platform seemed unable to bear it and gave a rumbling groan.
Countless netherworld ghosts lunged at Qin Yu with the blade light, howling hideously as though they would devour him alive. The entire space trembled!
Qin Yu raised his head, his gaze still steady as a mountain. He could sense that this strike held power no ordinary cultivator at major accomplishment of the Qi Condensation Realm could unleash. It even touched the threshold of the Yuan Transformation Realm.
Below, the disciples of Cloud-Leveling Hall held their breath, their hearts pounding. Nangong Heyao's brows knitted tightly as he murmured, "Junior Brother Yu... this strike is no trifling matter!"
Deacon Zhang clenched his fists tightly, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on Qin Yu, anxiety burning like fire within him.
Luo Yilin shouted savagely, "Die!!!"
That terrifying blade radiance slashed straight toward Qin Yu, carrying the presence of a netherworld purgatory!
Luo Yilin's hair danced wildly in the wind. Beneath the netherworld blade light, her beautiful face looked savage yet coldly alluring. She licked her lips, her voice carrying a seductive but vicious sneer:
"Qin Yu, forcing me to use this move is an honor for you! Now go to hell and become a soul within my blade!"
At her sharp cry, the black blade extended several dozen feet. Pitch-black flames became soul-devouring chains, winding madly around it. Countless netherworld ghosts roared out of the blade radiance, their cries like weeping and laughter, piercing the depths of the soul. Many weaker disciples instantly paled, the circulation of Spiritual Qi within them falling into chaos.
"Netherworld Soul-Devouring Blade-Heaven-Devouring Spirit-Extinguishing!"
Her slender arm swung down. Like a black river of stars pouring forth, the blade light pressed toward Qin Yu, blotting out heaven and earth with a terrifying might that could destroy everything. The platform's formation patterns were instantly torn apart. A dark storm swept in every direction, and even the sky above the square seemed stained with ink.
At that moment, only Luo Yilin's blade radiance and Qin Yu's figure remained between heaven and earth.
The disciples of Cloud-Leveling Hall abruptly stopped shouting. Deathly silence fell over the square, with only those terrifying howls, like the opening of hell's gates, echoing in their ears.
Nangong Heyao's expression changed sharply, his voice low. "This is bad! This move... has already touched the threshold of the Yuan Transformation Realm! Junior Brother Yu..."
Zhao Xinyu pressed her hands tightly to her chest, worry filling her beautiful eyes. "Qin Yu, be careful!"
Qin Yu stood at the storm's center, his blue robes snapping, his face utterly composed. He could sense that taking this blow head-on would leave him gravely wounded; retreating would mean certain defeat.
"In that case..."
He drew a deep breath and abruptly raised the Spirit Annihilation Sword high. Its blue-silver blade erupted with dazzling brilliance!
"Spirit Current Whirl!"
In an instant, Spiritual Qi surged wildly within Qin Yu. His battle spear remained still while his sword blazed first. The Spirit Annihilation Sword traced an arc, every spiritual pattern along its blade lighting up and forming a whirlwind of Spiritual Qi that guarded him firmly at its center!
Rumble-
The black blade radiance crashed down with countless ghosts, striking the blue whirlwind of Spiritual Qi. The burst of light and shadow was like two stars exploding at close range! Black and blue brilliance intertwined into a torrent of destruction. Shock waves swept outward, forcing the watching disciples back and even throwing several to the ground.
The air exploded under the crushing pressure. The sky abruptly darkened, and everything sank beneath a suffocating weight.
Luo Yilin's cold laughter echoed through the storm. "Qin Yu, you can't block it!"
Yet at the storm's heart, Qin Yu's gaze only grew firmer.
Within the storm, black blade radiance raged wildly, as though it would swallow heaven and earth. Luo Yilin's cold laughter was deafening. "Qin Yu, you're certain to die!"
But the next instant, dazzling blue-silver brilliance erupted from the storm's core!
Qin Yu drove his Spiritual Qi to its limit and lifted the Spirit Annihilation Sword above his head. Spiritual patterns lit up along the blade, one after another, brilliant as a river of stars. He suddenly leaped up, his eyes sharp as blades, his voice reverberating through the storm:
"Heaven-Guiding Strike!"
The Spirit Annihilation Sword instantly became a pillar drawing down lightning between heaven and earth. The Spiritual Qi of Qin Yu's spiritual foundation surged like rivers flowing backward, pouring entirely into the blade! In midair, he slashed down fiercely, his sword tracing a blazing blue arc!
Boom!!!
The blue Spiritual Qi blade spanned heaven and earth like a heavenly chasm of thunder, slashing straight at Luo Yilin's netherworld blade radiance with world-cleaving might! At that instant, black and blue forces met once more, unleashing an unprecedented impact!
The pitch-black ghosts were instantly annihilated within the blue light, their shrieks abruptly vanishing; the black blade radiance split in two and shattered thunderously!
Its momentum unspent, the blue Spiritual Qi blade continued hurtling toward Luo Yilin!
"-No!!!"
Luo Yilin's pupils contracted sharply. She frantically swung her black blade to block, but before the blue light, her blade was fragile as paper. The sword light struck her viciously, instantly shattering her protective Spiritual Qi!
Bang!!!
Luo Yilin's slender body flew backward and slammed into the edge of the platform's formation patterns. She spat blood, her face instantly turning deathly pale! The black blade in her hand snapped into two pieces with a crack and fell to the ground with a piercing clatter.
The entire arena fell silent!
Everyone stared, tongue-tied, at the scene. Both were clearly at major accomplishment of the Qi Condensation Realm, yet Qin Yu had shattered Luo Yilin's strongest killing move with one sword strike, leaving her gravely wounded and coughing blood!
On the platform, Qin Yu slowly drew back his sword and stood tall, his presence steady as a mountain, his gaze cold as he looked at Luo Yilin.
"That was your strongest strike? If so... you're still not good enough."
-Boom!!!
The cheers of Cloud-Leveling Hall's disciples resounded throughout the square like collapsing mountains and surging seas.
"Senior Brother Qin is invincible!"
"Glory to Cloud-Leveling Hall!!"
The disciples of Pure Fragrance Garden, meanwhile, all turned deathly pale, staring in disbelief at Luo Yilin as she lay at the platform's edge, coughing blood.
Luo Yilin clutched her chest, her eyes filled with humiliation and fury. Powerless to rise, she could only look up at Qin Yu's straight-backed figure as towering hatred surged within her. How is this possible... how can he be this strong!
Qin Yu merely withdrew his cold gaze and walked slowly off the platform.
By the time Luo Yilin was carried away and Qin Yu landed steadily on the ground, the entire square had boiled over.
The disciples of Cloud-Leveling Hall had already shouted themselves hoarse. Red-eyed, they cried, "Senior Brother Qin is invincible!" and "Senior Brother Qin's might shakes every sect!" Wave after wave of sound swept like a tide across White Frost Ancient City's tournament square.
Cloud-Leveling Hall's elders looked excited, an undisguisable brilliance shining in their eyes. The elder presiding over the tournament felt his blood surge and could not help murmuring in praise, "Excellent! Excellent! This Qin Yu has peerless talent and a stable state of mind. He will surely become a pillar of Cloud-Leveling Hall!"
The disciples of the other sects around them, however, erupted in an uproar.
"That's Luo Yilin, one of Pure Fragrance Garden's finest geniuses, and he cut her down with one sword strike?"
"They're both at major accomplishment of the Qi Condensation Realm. How can the gap be so great? Does Cloud-Leveling Hall have some secret trump card?"
"No... the power in that sword light was pure and real. He won through his own strength!"
These discussions erupted not only among the outer disciples but quickly reached the ears of the great sects' elders on the raised stands.
On White Cloud Sect's stand, a white-haired elder narrowed his eyes at Qin Yu's retreating figure. His beard and hair quivered slightly as he said in a low voice, "Hmm... this boy's presence is steady and restrained. He doesn't seem the flashy sort. Such might at major accomplishment of the Qi Condensation Realm? Hehe, given a few more years, he might overshadow even the inner sect's core disciples."
A young White Cloud Sect disciple could not help saying, "Elder, if this boy joined our White Cloud Sect, he would surely become a core fighting force of our sect in the future!"
The elder nodded slightly, his eyes blazing as they settled slowly on Qin Yu. A strong desire to recruit him had already formed in his heart.
The elders of Thousand Autumns Hall and Luofu Hall also changed expression slightly and exchanged glances, the same thought rising in their hearts:
Qin Yu must not remain in Cloud-Leveling Hall. If we can bring him under our banner, he will surely achieve greatness.
Below, Nangong Heyao, Yang Zheng, and Zhao Xinyu had already approached Qin Yu, smiling, their eyes full of pride and admiration. Zhao Xinyu said softly, "Senior Brother Qin, that sword strike... truly amazed everyone." Yang Zheng clenched his fists in excitement. "Brother Yu, you're incredible! Haha, everyone in the arena was dumbstruck!"
Qin Yu merely smiled faintly, but he knew better than anyone that although that strike had looked effortless, it had actually squeezed his Spiritual Qi to its limit. Without a firm will, he could never have acted so decisively.
He looked up toward the raised stands and clearly sensed several White Cloud Sect elders watching him. Their gazes were steady and profound, as though they sought to see right through him.
Qin Yu's heart stirred. White Cloud Sect... the foremost sect of the Great Yan Continent. It seems they've taken an interest in me.
The referee's voice echoed above the square, steady and authoritative:
"Cloud-Leveling Hall and Pure Fragrance Garden have two wins and two losses apiece, an even result! Under the tournament rules, an additional match will be held! Each side will send two disciples at major accomplishment of the Qi Condensation Realm for a two-on-two battle. The side remaining on the platform will be the victor of this contest!"
Instantly, the arena erupted. Discussions swept through it like waves of heat. Countless disciples held their breath, their gazes fixed firmly on the camps of Cloud-Leveling Hall and Pure Fragrance Garden.
Within Pure Fragrance Garden's ranks, Liu Hongzhuang slowly rose. Her crimson lips curved slightly, her shifting gaze filled with bewitching allure. Her voice was silky and seductive, yet carried a bone-deep chill. "Hmph, naturally, the opponents I choose must be the strongest."
She pointed a slender finger, her gaze winding past everyone like a snake before settling firmly on Qin Yu and Nangong Heyao. An amused curve formed on her lips:
"Qin Yu, Nangong Heyao, I'll personally send you both off the platform."
At her words, the entire arena instantly erupted!
"What? She wants to fight Qin Yu and Nangong Heyao at the same time?"
"No, the rules say two against two... she's naming her opponents!"
"That demoness Liu Hongzhuang really is vicious. She specifically picked Cloud-Leveling Hall's strongest two!"
Cloud-Leveling Hall's disciples seethed with outrage, and the elders' expressions darkened. Nangong Heyao's brow furrowed, his gaze solemn, while Qin Yu remained calm, his eyes deep and utterly unwavering.
Qin Yu slowly rose, his steps firm, his blue robes snapping in the wind. His cold gaze swept toward Liu Hongzhuang and her camp, and his voice rang like a sword:
"In that case, I'll name my opponents too."
He pointed the Spirit Annihilation Sword lightly. Sword light burst forth, aiming directly at Liu Hongzhuang and another Pure Fragrance Garden disciple at major accomplishment of the Qi Condensation Realm-Yue Linmeng.
"Liu Hongzhuang, Yue Linmeng, I'll be the one to finish you both."
Boom!!!
The entire arena instantly exploded, its clamor shaking heaven and earth.
"Qin Yu named Liu Hongzhuang and Yue Linmeng! Now this is a real clash!"
"Heavens, Cloud-Leveling Hall is being so unyielding! They're leaving Pure Fragrance Garden no way out!"
"Haha, good! That's the backbone they should have!"
Liu Hongzhuang's gaze deepened, venom lurking within her seductive smile. "Boy, you're courting death... when the time comes, don't blame this big sister for showing no mercy."
Qin Yu's gaze was cold as ice. He left her with only one sentence. "Enough nonsense. See you on the platform."
The referee announced loudly, "Both sides have named their opponents! Pure Fragrance Garden will send Liu Hongzhuang and Yue Linmeng. Cloud-Leveling Hall will send Qin Yu and Nangong Heyao! Both sides have ten breaths to prepare!"
Spiritual light flashed beside the platform, and the formation barrier opened once more. Powerful fluctuations of Spiritual Qi reverberated through the air.
Qin Yu and Nangong Heyao stood shoulder to shoulder. Their eyes met, their expressions steady, their intentions already in accord.
Nangong Heyao said quietly, "Junior Brother Yu, this battle may be anything but ordinary. Liu Hongzhuang is full of schemes and ruthless by nature. We must both give it our all."
Qin Yu nodded, his voice resolute. "Don't worry, Senior Brother. This battle... will end in their certain defeat."
Across from them, Liu Hongzhuang and Yue Linmeng stood together, their figures graceful but their presences cold as venomous snakes. Liu Hongzhuang chuckled softly. "Linmeng, today we stand together. We must make these two men kneel at our feet!"
Yue Linmeng's eyes were cold as frost as she answered icily, "Don't worry. They're certain to die today."
During the ten-minute rest, the air held the tension of mountains awaiting a storm, and an unprecedented strain settled over the entire arena.
Throughout the ten-minute rest, the square's clamor did not diminish. Instead, the approaching two-on-two battle brought it to a fever pitch.
On Cloud-Leveling Hall's side, the grand elder looked solemn. He swept his sleeve, shutting out the surrounding noise. His eyes blazed as he stared firmly at Qin Yu and Nangong Heyao, his deep, weighty voice carrying irresistible authority:
"Yu'er, Heyao, you must both remember this! Pure Fragrance Garden does not cultivate the righteous path, but wicked arts and beguilement. They do not excel at direct confrontation, but are skilled at disrupting minds and controlling Spiritual Sense. However strong your cultivation, a moment's lapse may leave you trapped in mortal peril. Remember-rankings come second. Preserving your lives comes first!"
Qin Yu cupped his fists, his expression firm. "Rest assured, Grand Elder. This disciple will be careful and won't act rashly."
Nangong Heyao answered gravely, "This disciple understands. If they truly dare use vicious methods, I will spare no regard for my life and slay them on the platform!"
The grand elder gazed at them both, sighed deeply, and said softly, "You are both Cloud-Leveling Hall's future. Do not speak lightly of sacrificing your lives."
With that, the elder swept his sleeve and withdrew, his lingering gaze still weighing heavily upon their backs.
Qin Yu and Nangong Heyao stood shoulder to shoulder. The instant their eyes met, further words were unnecessary.
Nangong Heyao smiled faintly, his tone carrying an elder brother's assurance. "Junior Brother Yu, the edge of that sword strike has already shaken everyone here. But this battle is different. If we don't work together, we may let them exploit an opening."
Qin Yu nodded, his gaze like lightning. "Don't worry, Senior Brother. I know what they're planning. Liu Hongzhuang will certainly use beguiling arts to disrupt my mind, while Yue Linmeng is more skilled with cold poison Qi. Our roles are clear-I'll confront Liu Hongzhuang head-on, and you'll suppress Yue Linmeng. If they want to disrupt our minds, they'll first have to ask whether my sword agrees!"
Approval flashed across Nangong Heyao's brow, and he laughed heartily. "Good! In that case, your senior brother will follow you even at the cost of his life! Today, the two of us will forge Cloud-Leveling Hall's renown together!"
Qin Yu smiled too and gently tightened his grip on the Spirit Annihilation Sword. Blue light flowed along its blade, as though answering its master's vow.
Their intentions were now in harmony, and their presences gradually merged into one, like twin peaks standing side by side and soaring into the highest heavens.
At that moment, the watching disciples of Cloud-Leveling Hall felt their blood boil. All raised their arms and shouted:
"Senior Brother Qin! Senior Brother Nangong! You must win!"
"Victory to Cloud-Leveling Hall!"
Their cries surged skyward and pierced the clouds. Even the White Cloud Sect elders on the distant raised stand nodded slightly, quietly observing Qin Yu's and Nangong Heyao's expressions.
Elsewhere, the atmosphere in the Pure Fragrance Garden camp was entirely different.
Liu Hongzhuang reclined against a stone chair, her slender fingers slowly stroking a pitch-black magical artifact, a cold, sinister smile curling her lips. Her beautiful eyes were half-lidded, gleaming with an eerie light that seemed capable of stealing hearts and capturing souls.
"Hehe, I never expected them to have Qin Yu and Nangong Heyao join forces. They really have laid all their trump cards on the table." Liu Hongzhuang spoke softly, her voice as supple and seductive as water, yet laced with bone-piercing venom.
Yue Linmeng sat cross-legged, Spiritual Qi circulating between her palms with a faint, chilling cold, thin ice forming even in the surrounding air. She said coldly, "Hongzhuang, don't waste your breath. I saw Qin Yu's sword edge just now, too. The might of that strike against Luo Yilin truly surpassed the ordinary Major Accomplishment of the Qi Condensation Realm. If we let our guard down, we might fall at his hands."
Liu Hongzhuang giggled, a bewitching crimson light flashing through her beautiful eyes. "Don't worry, I have my ways. His sword may be fierce, but he's young, after all, and his state of mind is unsteady. I'll first use Soul-Bewitching Sound to disrupt his mind, then use Demonic Eye Illusion Realm to shake his will. Once his mind falls into turmoil, we'll have him dancing in the palms of our hands."
Yue Linmeng nodded and gently brought her hands together. A crystalline ice dagger appeared in her palm, cold air spreading from it. "Once you breach his mind, I'll use Frost Soul-Severing Slash to deal him a grievous wound in a single blow. As for Nangong Heyao, my cold poison will be enough to suppress the circulation of his vital Qi. Then he'll have no choice but to watch Qin Yu fall."
Liu Hongzhuang lightly extended the tip of her tongue and licked her red lips, whispering seductively, "Hehe, Qin Yu... you may seem composed, but you're actually the perfect prey for this big sister. When you fall, I want to see just how desperate the faces of the Cloud-Leveling Hall disciples will look."
As she finished speaking, she abruptly rose and flicked her sleeves. A strange, bewitching fragrance spread, and several nearby Pure Fragrance Garden disciples who caught its scent involuntarily grew dazed, their faces flushing.
Yue Linmeng frowned slightly and reminded her coldly, "Hongzhuang, stop wasting your spiritual power. Save it for the arena."
Liu Hongzhuang replied with a smile, "Don't worry, I know what matters."
She raised her eyes toward Qin Yu, her gaze mingling amusement, malice, and traces of an indescribable desire, and murmured softly:
"Qin Yu, Nangong Heyao, you two... will become the most dazzling sacrifices on this big sister's stage."