Chapter 748: 748 - Fa Yun
After the intense battle between Long Qingyi and Feng Wuji, the fights that followed seemed far less exciting by comparison.
Qingyi even recognized a few names on the list Xue Hua had prepared for him, but unfortunately, he ended up not having the opportunity to face any of them in person.
The only match that rekindled interest after that was yet another display by Bai Hu Lie, which once again ended in just three moves, with the opponent hastily surrendering to avoid being torn to pieces.
Qingyi also participated in another match shortly thereafter, the second of seven matches he would need to win to reach the eighth and final battle.
This one, however, was quick and casual, ending after only ten exchanged blows. With a light punch to his opponent’s abdomen, Qingyi put an end to the matter.
The opponent bowed, thanking him for the lessons before leaving the arena, clearly relieved that he hadn’t suffered anything worse.
After that, several other battles took place between great talents, some of them capable of destroying the entire arena with ease, but it wasn’t until the fourth round that Qingyi truly paid attention to a match again.
On one side of the arena stood Bai Hu Lie, excited for the battle as always, his white tail slowly whipping the air behind him.
On the opposite side waited that young man whose face practically begged for a good punch—the same one Bai Hu Lie had nearly killed during the friendly sparring match among the disciples.
"You bastard, last time you caught me off guard! This time, I guarantee I’ll make you pay!" The young man growled, flashing that same arrogant smile that made everyone present squirm with the urge to punch his face.
Bai Hu Lie, of course, was no exception.
"Pathetic little human from the central region, at least have the decency to take your beating in silence!" Bai Hu Lie replied coldly, his feline pupils contracting as his white fur rippled around his muscular body.
He was going to relish that opportunity to beat him up.
This time, the young talent from the central region was far better prepared than before, but it did him little good in the end.
The moment the two collided, the brutal difference in their strength became evident, with the young man being hurled backward like a leaf caught in a storm.
When he tried to get back up, the gigantic, terrifying tiger was already upon him, its sharp claws slicing through the air repeatedly, each movement carving deep cracks into the surrounding marble.
What followed was an endless game of cat and mouse, the arena being destroyed piece by piece as the young man desperately fled from Bai Hu Lie’s ferocious blows.
He realized he was no match for the tiger, but in the end, what good was that realization?
He was arrogant.
Never, not even in death, would he admit defeat to Bai Hu Lie.
In the end, he stumbled and found himself pinned to the ground, while a devastating punch from Bai Hu Lie landed squarely on his face.
The sight of that face sinking into the marble with every new blow was terrifying.
The dull sound of fists colliding against flesh and stone echoed through the arena, each powerful impact making the spectators’ hearts tremble.
Fortunately, the Peacock Patriarch soon intervened, ending the fight and revealing the pitiful state of the young man from the central region.
He was in a truly pitiful state, his face pressed into the arena floor while the rest of his body lay exposed, motionless.
Fortunately for him, Bai Hu Lie had used only brute force, without resorting to Qi.
Because of this, those injuries would be simple to heal.
In the end, with a victorious roar echoing through the arena and amid the excited shouts of the audience, Bai Hu Lie declared himself the winner and returned to his father’s side, who waved to his son with clear satisfaction etched on his face.
And so, many other matches followed until, finally, only eight participants remained.
These eight warriors would face off against one another, and from there, only four would advance to the semifinals.
Qingyi wasn’t particularly interested in this round, at least not until he saw who he would be fighting: the monk Fa Yun.
Qingyi’s lips curved into a smile as he realized he would be the first fighter in that round.
With a broad smile on his face, he stood up and leaped toward the arena, landing softly on the opposite side from Fa Yun, who awaited him with a calm expression.
"Greetings, fellow Taoist Qingyi. I am glad we can face each other here, though saddened that I won’t have the chance to advance to the semifinals," Fa Yun said, pressing his palms together and bowing respectfully.
"Are you really that lacking in confidence, Brother Yun?" Qingyi replied softly, assuming his fighting stance, fists raised to chest height.
Unlike when he fought Feng Wuji—on that occasion, Qingyi had left his sword sheathed to show disrespect—in this battle he kept the blade in its sheath precisely to demonstrate the opposite: respect.
Fa Yun was someone for whom he harbored genuine respect, and that was why he wanted to engage in a fistfight with him.
"It’s not that I lack confidence; I simply know my limits well." Fa Yun smiled bitterly, moving his right fist in a subtle gesture.
His hand clenched tightly, and a powerful golden aura enveloped his fist, spreading in waves around his body in a veritable explosion of spiritual power.
"Ah... That aura doesn’t seem to be that of a man resigned to defeat." Qingyi laughed, raising his own fist in response.
A thunderous aura engulfed him instantly, sparks crackling around him as his eyes shone with pure battle intent.
"Hahaha, how could I bring shame upon my sect by accepting defeat so easily?" Fa Yun laughed as well, the sound echoing through the air.
The two exchanged glances, and in the next instant, charged at each other.
This would be Qingyi’s last battle before he could finally settle his affairs with Long Aoxue, so he would make sure to enjoy it to the fullest.
