Chapter 146: Chapter 146: What is Strong
"Forty-three moves, that’s seven less than last time?"
On the left side of the square, the elders, administrators, and even the disciples, all showed expressions of surprise.
The talents of a martial artist cannot be confined to a single aspect. Some easily grasp techniques, others excel in cultivating internal power, and some have fast reactions on the spot.
Li Zhongtian, is particularly adept at cultivating his internal power.
Especially in the last couple of years, his internal power has increased at an impressive pace, evolving significantly each month.
In the Grand Elder’s heart and in the minds of many who knew him, while his distance from Shangguan Yan had not necessarily shortened, it was supposed to have not widened much either. Yet who would have expected him to be defeated in just forty-three moves?
"The fourth stage of Qi Absorption!"
An elder with eagle eyes and a stable demeanor suddenly announced.
This person was the suzerain of the Left Sect and the Grand Elder of the Will Sect.
The final move with which Shangguan Yan defeated Li Zhongtian clearly revealed that she was at the fourth stage of Qi Absorption.
"Miss Yan has broken through to the fourth stage of Qi Absorption."
In contrast to the surprised expressions of the Left Sect members, the elders of the Right Sect could not help but reveal looks of joy.
Shangguan Yan, despite being the top disciple of the Will Sect, was still only nineteen years old, and given that her martial arts philosophy emphasised techniques, she was not expected to make quick progress in terms of internal power.
No one had expected that she would have had a breakthrough just recently.
"Did you use your full strength just now?" Li Zhongtian asked despondently.
"Perhaps about sixty percent."
After a moment of hesitation, Shangguan Yan replied.
Upon hearing this, Li Zhongtian heaved a sigh of resignation and appeared to shrink in defeat, turning to return to the Left Sect.
"As expected of our senior sister, she’s so strong that even our second senior brother could only force her to use sixty percent of her power. Who among the elite is her match?"
"Hmph, what does it matter to win? The final victory will belong to our Left Sect."
"Hahaha, the Left Sect can only rely on group combat for victory. If it were a successive fight, even if the three of them challenged our senior sister together they wouldn’t be able to beat her."
Because of the strength demonstrated by Shangguan Yan, the crowd briefly erupted in excitement. Some people applauded, some envied, and some felt regretful towards the match regulations.
"So delighted, let’s see how long your excitement lasts."
With a cold smile, one of the three from the Left Sect stepped into the ring. His profound gaze swept over the disciples of the Right Sect, bringing silence wherever it landed.
This person was Lv Tian from the Three Sons of the Left Sect, known as ’Little Crazy Lion’.
Lv Tian was seventeen this year, with his cultivation level in the third stage of Qi Absorption. Although his mastery of the Will Technique did not surpass Li Zhongtian, he had succeeded in exceeding the minor mastery stage. What was truly terrifying was that he was naturally gifted with immense strength.
Therefore, in serious fights, even Li Zhongtian would not dare to be careless. Lv Tian was considered amongst the most difficult person to handle in the Left Sect.
"Who dares to spar with me, come forth!"
Lv Tian shouted out loudly in high spirits, causing many people to cover their ears from the piercing sound.
"Gosh, it seems Brother Lv is quite agitated."
"An enraged Brother Lv is at least twice as terrifying as usual, I wonder who in the Right Sect will be so unfortunate."
The disciples of the Left Sect were gleefully anticipating the spectacle, dispelling their previous gloom.
Contrary to them, the disciples of the Right Sect felt their hearts jump a little.
Lv Tian was infamous for his fierce techniques. There was a tale that he had once descended the mountain with elder sect members and had shattered the entire skeleton of a gangster expert, eventually killing the opponent.
Those with weaker resolve would be fortunate to even use sixty to seventy percent of their abilities when facing Lv Tian. The crucial issue was, apart from senior sister Shangguan Yan, who in the Right Sect could possibly be Lv Tian’s match?
Many eyes turned towards Liu Mingqi. According to usual customs, it should be his turn as the second-ranked disciple of the Right Sect.
However, strangely enough, Liu Mingqi did not move.
Just then, some female disciples gasped in shock, their hands covering their mouths, while some male disciples gaped at the figure that had suddenly stood up.
It was a young man dressed in a blue robe. His naturally elegant demeanor was bathed in the warm sunlight, subtly hinting at his remarkable talent.
"It’s him!"
Many disciples cried out in surprise.
Wasn’t this the young man who had broken through the Iron Puppet Array? What was he doing here? Moreover, judging by the way he was slowly making his way to the ring, could it be possible that...
"Shi Xiaole, the last living disciple of Sixth Elder, is also considered a disciple of the Will Sect."
Shangguan Xing’s voice echoed throughout the square, answering everyone’s internal questions.
Watching the young man, now the center of everyone’s attention, Liu Mingqi showed a complex and indescribable smile.
Initially, upon finding out he was replaced, he felt slight resentment. But then he glanced at the irate Lv Tian and couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief.
He hoped that the young man would not be beaten too badly.
"Little brother Shi, you seem quite calm."
Lv Tian narrowed his eyes, his gaze reminiscent of a lion watching its prey.
"There’s nothing to be nervous about."
Shi Xiaole replied casually.
While Lv Tian certainly had intimidating presence, a martial contest wasn’t about intimidating presence after all. Among those present, the only ones who could truly make him feel threatened were Shangguan Yan and Li Zhongtian.
"Who is this guy, being so arrogant?"
"Such a braggart, it seems like he does not view Brother Lv with any regard."
Only a few people in the scene knew Shi Xiaole, so upon seeing his demeanor, many people started to curse at him.
In fact, even those who had seen Shi Xiaole pass the trial expressed concern for him in their hearts.
Lv Tian had also passed the fourth stage of the Iron Puppet Array, and he had done so by using his tyrannical internal power to directly overthrow sixteen Iron Puppets. The scene of his overwhelming power still lingered in the minds of many present.
"Brother Lv is already quite angry, why would anyone dare provoke him any further?"
The young man in red among the three sons of the Left Sect, Wu Zhiqiu, showed a playful expression.
"Having been entrusted with the expectations of the Sect Master, this boy must have extraordinary abilities, I’m quite keen on seeing how he performs," the Grand Elder said, laughter in his voice.
Shangguan Xing also smiled, but remained silent. Honestly, he was unsure. After all, Shi Xiaole did not grow up in the Will Sect, no one knew his true strength.
But anyway, it seemed bound to lose if anyone else was sent, so there was no need to worry.
Boom!
A large hand, the size of a palm-leaf fan, descended from the sky, bringing with it intense gusts of energy also aimed at the top of Shi Xiaole’s head.
The ’Little Crazy Lion’, Lv Tian, had made his move.
Lv Tian’s stature was over two meters tall, with a body like a tiger and bear. His arms, extending towards Shi Xiaole, were even more massive than the thighs of an average person and looked like he was preparing to catch a small chicken.
However, no one could deny that his mid-stage cultivation in Qi Absorption and natural divine strength made the power of this palm strike formidable enough to break through the defenses of most sixth-tier Qi masters.
Everyone imagined that Shi Xiaole would inevitably dodge the brute force of this attack.
However...
"Step back."
With the Purple Light Divine Skill pushed to its limit, Shi Xiaole suddenly blasted a punch out. A boxing force that was simultaneously hard and soft filled the void, like iron hidden in cotton, an expression that was indescribably wonderful.
This was the first time Shi Xiaole truly displayed his hard power in front of the people of Will Sect.
Dang!
The huge shock reverberated, like two iron hammers colliding fiercely, with the aftermath piercing the sky and spreading thousands of meters.
A figure staggered back.
Not Shi Xiaole, but Lv Tian.
"What?!"
Everyone was astonished, thinking that something was wrong with their eyes.
"Impossible. Brother Lv’s internal skill cultivation level is second only to Li Zhongtian and the senior Sister. How could he..."
"A Qi Absorption Early Stage Second Tier, retreating Qi Absorption Mid-Stage Third Tier, what exactly is going on?"
The disciples of Will Sect were in turmoil, totally unable to accept this reality.
"What are you panicking about? Haven’t you looked at Brother Lv’s appearance? He must’ve been careless just now, which gave the opponent a chance."
Someone suddenly shouted.
"Exactly, it must be like this."
As if they found the reason, many disciples of the Left Sect calmed down.
"Raging Lion Divine Halberd!"
Having been retreated by the person he despised in a manner that showed his own disdain evoke Lv Tian’s anger. His eyes lit up dramatically as he fiercely drew back his massive halberd, without further thought, and swung it ruthlessly at Shi Xiaole.
From within the halberd, an illusory giant lion roared skywards. Its body was exceedingly fuzzy. But those eyes, however, bore a formidable aura that made one’s flesh crawl.
Having attained just the Divine Harmony Perfection level in the second-rate lower-grade halberd method, Raging Lion Divine Halberd made Lv Tian even more formidable. Despite this, with his strength and momentum, the damage caused even surpassed his previous punch.
Such a strike was enough to make most of the disciples of the Will Sect present despair.
Shi Xiaole secretly shook his head.
Lv Tian’s strength was definitely among the top in the Floating River Area and could be compared to the early-stage of the sixth-tier Qi masters. This even surpasses ’Yama Gun’ Ling Tianyu.
However, after his cultivation level broke through to the early-stage of the second-tier Qi Absorption, Shi Xiaole’s internal power was not inferior to Lv Tian. In terms of purity, it was even far superior.
After all, he had perfected the Fuyang Qi Skill and was nearing mastery in the Purple Light Divine Skill.
Holding his sword hilt and facing the wild wind, Shi Xiaole unsheathed his sword. Amid the clangs, he swiftly dissolved Lv Tian’s offensive into nothingness.
"Raging Lion’s Fury Roar!"
After Lv Tian’s consecutive attacks failed, bloodshot strained his eyes. His arms swelled, and he flew upwards to attack, using his most powerful move.
Boom!
As if heaven and earth caved in, like space shattered, Lv Tian’s heavy halberd, tinged in golden light, smashed towards Shi Xiaole, as if intending to split him in two.
The green robe fluttered, the golden light shone on Shi Xiaole’s face, his eyes were calm. Only when the heavy halberd was merely one foot away from his head, he leisurely pulled out his sword and lightly passed it through.
Dang.
Lv Tian retreated staggeringly, then immediately rushed forward again, like a lion out of control.
In contrast with Shi Xiaole, his feet remained on the ground from beginning to end, and any killing moves were neutralised by his sword strokes.
"This kid is using Lv Tian to polish his Sword-Spirit Integration realm."
The Grand Elder’s hand clenched, his cup suddenly turned to dust. But what shocked him even more was that, for Shi Xiaole’s age, his internal skill level was even stronger than Lv Tian.
Hearing the Grand Elder’s words, the crowd was moved. Seeing Lv Tian’s howls of despair, despite his struggles, they couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pity.
What is strength?
Looking at Shi Xiaole, who was treating the rainbow-like, explosive Lv Tian as a tool to practice, everyone had their answer.
"Sword-Spirit Integration is not something that can be easily achieved, seems like my imagination ran wild."
Incorporating Sword-Spirit Integration into his swordplay didn’t help his cause – Shi Xiaole knew this was because his realm was too low. He sighed softly, this time, he changed his tactic to hold the sword with both hands and flicked it towards the front.
The line of life.
Pfft.
Lv Tian retreated more than ten steps, fell to his knees. His face was blank.
"Brother Lv."
Wu Zhiqiu, among the three sons, trembled in heart and soul. At this moment, it seemed as if something inside him quietly shattered and drifted away with the wind.
