NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25 – Abandon defense and face the enemy with full force
The next day's competition began, with a sea of people gathering as disciples from various peaks arrived. Many inner sect disciples and direct disciples came to watch, along with quite a few elders.
Standing amidst the crowd, Lin Hao suddenly sensed a venomous gaze fixed on him.
Turning his head slightly, he couldn't help but smirk inwardly.
As expected, it was Jiang Mingfei. Unable to win on the stage, he was resorting to underhanded tactics?
Lin Hao was unafraid. The Xuan Yin Sect had strict rules, and within the sect, Jiang Mingfei wouldn't dare to openly attack him. Even if he left the sect, Lin Hao wasn't too worried.
Not to mention whether Jiang Mingfei could track him down, Lin Hao believed that after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, seeking higher-level female cultivators would rapidly enhance his strength. Why would he fear a mere Qi Refining cultivator, even if the opponent had an elder as a grandfather?
"The top three of the competition, please come up to draw lots."
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Lin Hao slowly ascended the high platform. The top three battle was a round-robin tournament, where each of the three would face off against the others.
Glancing at the bamboo lot in his hand, Lin Hao saw the number three, which surprised him. He had expected to be in the first match, which would have meant facing a fully restored Foundation Establishment cultivator.
The audience below saw Lin Hao draw the number three lot and began to discuss.
"Lin Hao's luck is really something, drawing the number three lot and getting to rest."
"What good is luck? He's just a Qi Refining cultivator; can he really defeat someone at the Foundation Establishment stage?"
"He's just relying on luck to hang on."
"You're too focused on appearances. For us cultivators, fortune is also part of cultivation."
"Although I can't say whether Wang Jingzhan or Leng Fengchun will be the champion, Lin Hao is definitely third."
"Exactly, a Qi Refining stage cultivator reaching this point is already the end of the line."
Amidst the noisy chatter, Lin Hao remained indifferent, retreating to the sidelines and watching the two on stage.
For a whole stick of incense, the two remained motionless.
Just as the audience was about to get restless, Wang Jingzhan moved, like a sharp spear, unstoppable!
On the other side, Leng Fengchun also moved. It was hard to imagine how a seemingly delicate woman could unleash such a powerful momentum!
Boom!
The two collided like two dazzling balls of light.
Wang Jingzhan stepped on a large spear, his movements extremely agile, flashing behind his opponent, and unleashed a surge of spiritual energy with his palms.
Facing the massive light palm, Leng Fengchun was unafraid, also condensing a large hand of spiritual energy to counter.
Unexpectedly, Wang Jingzhan's move was a feint. He lifted his foot, retrieving the spear into his hand.
Soul-Breaking Spear, a yellow-grade magical treasure!
He thrust out like a rainstorm, creating an unstoppable rainbow that pierced through the spiritual energy hand, falling like a rain of light.
Leng Fengchun responded hastily, summoning a ribbon to deflect the deadly spear and, with a stroke of genius, threw out an ice talisman.
Hundreds of icy arrows shot out!
But Wang Jingzhan's spear was impenetrable, and the ice arrows couldn't break his defense.
However, Leng Fengchun hadn't counted on the talisman to succeed. Seizing the brief moment, she gathered several sword energies in front of her.
The sharp sword energies seemed to carry an invincible belief, flashing instantly before Wang Jingzhan. He remained calm, and a jade pendant at his waist raised a pale blue light barrier, a magical treasure protecting its master!
Bang!
The unmatched sword energies rippled the light barrier like water waves.
Defense wasn't Wang Jingzhan's style. He let the sword energies and the barrier dissolve on their own, raising his spear to thrust out a dazzling cold light.
"Wang Jingzhan is so strong!" someone exclaimed from below.
The spear's spiritual energy thrust towards his opponent's heart like a storm.
This move... Lin Hao was startled. He knew he couldn't defend against it unless...
Seeing Leng Fengchun abandon defense and instead slash out several sword energies, each carrying an unstoppable momentum, he couldn't help but nod slightly. He would also abandon defense and face the enemy with full force!
However, in front of Wang Jingzhan, another golden light barrier rose, blocking the cold sword energies like a shield.
"Golden Shield Talisman, a second-tier low-grade talisman," Lin Hao muttered, silently mocking.
"Is Wang Jingzhan a turtle?"
Despite his mockery, Lin Hao took Wang Jingzhan very seriously. This person's strength was formidable, and among those at the same level, he was undoubtedly outstanding.
Watching the two unleash their full abilities in battle, Lin Hao pondered how he would defend if it were him.
Boom!
On the stage, the two's spiritual energies collided, crackling like oil on fire.
The battle grew faster, and Qi Refining cultivators could no longer see their moves, only listening to Foundation Establishment cultivators explain, indulging their ears.
Lin Hao sighed softly. When would these two determine a winner?
Would they wait until their spiritual energy was exhausted?!
A quarter of an hour later.
"Hmm..." Lin Hao was slightly surprised. Unexpectedly, Wang Jingzhan was the first to falter, taking out a red pill and swallowing it.
His previously weakened aura suddenly surged.
After dozens more rounds.
Leng Fengchun finally took out a Spirit Recovery Pill and swallowed it, immediately revitalizing.
Lin Hao was shocked. In his understanding, Wang Jingzhan was slightly superior, yet he was being suppressed.
...
As expected, the two fought until they were exhausted and their spiritual energy was depleted before a winner was decided.
"Leng Fengchun, wins."
With the announcement from the competition steward, the scene erupted in heated discussion.
"Wang Jingzhan lost..."
"I always thought Wang Jingzhan's combat skills were superb, able to outmatch Fairy Leng."
"Sigh, can't even beat a woman?"
Hearing the discussions around him, Wang Jingzhan's face turned as dark as water, releasing an intimidating pressure.
He had lost by a single move, but the crowd's comments were too harsh, making him furious.
The pressure silenced the crowd.
Wang Jingzhan took out a pill from his storage bag, sat cross-legged, and began to recover his spiritual energy.
After half an hour, he returned to the stage, looking at his opponent with a disdainful smirk.
A Qi Refining stage cultivator, standing on the finals stage of the competition?
"Lin Hao is in for it. Senior Brother Wang just lost and is holding a grudge. He's likely to take it out on him."
"Such a handsome face, it'd be a shame if he gets beaten beyond recognition."