Chapter 1013: Chapter 431: Peak Faction Master, Today Is the Day! (6k)
The result on the battlefield turned out to be unexpected.
Bai Xiao lost the match at an extremely fast speed. His entire body was severely injured, with a cutting knife mark almost splitting his body from left to right in two halves. No one knew what exactly happened at that moment, but by the time everyone reacted, Bai Xiao had already flown backward, his chest splattering blood. Meanwhile, the Sword Demon had already retracted his invisible blade.
In an instant, waves of tumultuous noise erupted from the audience, combined with the echo from Yunshan Valley, creating an effect akin to a chorus at a concert. The eardrums vibrated, the uproar was overwhelming, nearly drowning the valley.
“What exactly just happened?!”
“Is it decided just like that? Isn’t Bai Xiao ranked just below the likes of Blade Demon Light Eagle in the second tier? Ranked at least fourth or fifth along the line. How could he be so easily defeated by the Sword Demon… crumbling in a single blow?”
“I can’t understand, completely can’t understand!”
Among everyone present.
A few individuals capable of discerning the situation were all waiting in the hall.
Bai Xiao slightly squinted his eyes, revealing a hint of seriousness.
He could sense that Bai Xiao wasn’t as easy to defeat as it seemed, nor was the gap with the Sword Demon as wide as it appeared. The scene that had just unfolded likely had something to do with the Sword Demon’s forbidden secret martial arts, possibly a forbidden power.
The Sword Demon undoubtedly took it seriously.
However, the battle showcased was overwhelmingly impactful. It appeared as if the Sword Demon effortlessly and directly defeated Bai Xiao, eliminating him on the spot.
“An impressive Sword Demon…”
“No wonder he is honored as a half-step grandmaster in the Eastern Secret Martial World!”
Bai Xiao slowly withdrew his gaze.
He glanced at a few others in various directions, all with solemn expressions and slightly furrowed brows. Anyone wishing to win the martial arts competition must face the obstacle ahead. Without defeating the Sword Demon, one cannot claim the ultimate crown!
Time swiftly passed, and it was twenty past six in the evening.
The dusk sky poured out its colors, layers of fiery clouds piled up at the horizon, with flame-shaped wave marks rolling along the lower edge. The sun was nearly setting, with its bottom-most part hidden beneath the horizon.
Battlefield area.
The red-clad host appeared again, then loudly announced.
“Today’s matches have concluded.”
“Tomorrow morning, the quarter-finals will take place.”
“Named, Yunshan Discourse!”
Waiting hall.
Bai Xiao’s mind was blank, he glanced at the remaining contestants beside him.
Sword Demon, Light Eagle, Spirit King.
Soul-devouring Spear Tang Qi, Blazing Heaven Pasi, Ghost Mastiff Rein, Heavenly Sound Muse.
And himself.
The candidates for the quarter-finals had all emerged.
Some among them might not have the ranking qualification to be here, but sometimes luck is part of strength.
After announcing the conclusion of the matches.
Many spectators and contestants left Yunshan Valley, appearing as small black dots from above, heading towards East Sea City.
Inside the valley.
Only the quarter-finals candidates stayed behind, awaiting their rewards.
Until six forty.
Only then did Bai Xiao sit in the Dragon Elephant Martial Arts Hall’s special car, heading towards Qunxiang Mountain outside East Sea City’s suburbs. In the back seat of the vehicle, there was a black briefcase.
…
Seven in the evening.
Qunxiang Mountain, in the brand-new mountain gate of Dragon Elephant Martial Arts Hall, at the backyard.
Bai Xiao quietly stood on a piece of open land.
He had just checked the rewards for the top eight in the martial arts competition, totaling one pound and one tael of Enlightenment Tea leaves. Converted, that’s about eleven taels.
And the quality of the tea leaves varied.
On average, it was between nine and eight years.
Unexpectedly better than Bai Xiao had previously imagined. The Martial Arts Association, as the organizer of the martial arts competition, did not just barely meet the minimum reward standard.
Perhaps it’s because this time it’s a world-class event?
In any case, it’s good news for Bai Xiao.
“Hiss…”
He slowly exhaled a hot breath, his eyes gradually gathering a gleam.
“Tap.”
Bai Xiao took a step, and his entire being soared like a rocket, instantly flying towards the mountainside area of Qunxiang Mountain.
Under a mountain cliff, an ancient courtyard stood quietly.
The entire courtyard seemed to appear out of nowhere, with no road connecting to it at the front. At the back, there was a clear mountain spring flowing down, with a verdant water pool, green stone trees. Plus, a pavilion on the side, instantly giving the feeling of a dynamic ink painting.
“Tap.”
In the pavilion at the center of the pool.
A figure wearing a black and gold combat suit suddenly appeared.
Bai Xiao took a glance at the surrounding beautiful natural scenery, quietly sitting cross-legged. He was right in the center of the pavilion, while the pavilion was at the center of the pool. The sound of water behind him, and a small waterfall splashing down.
The air was exceptionally humid.
In front, the antique courtyard lit up the area from afar. Although not as clear as daytime, it wasn’t overly dim.
“Before attempting to breakthrough to Peak Faction Master.”
“Exert all efforts to elevate myself to the true limit.”
Bai Xiao took a deep breath.
With a straight back, his whole being akin to a strong pine tree.
Within his sight, four first-rank pinnacle secret techniques quietly floated in mid-air.
“Three Flowers Gathering at the Top”,”Five Qi Towards Yuan”.
“Thunder Fire Burning Body”,”One Thought, Great Thousand”.
Especially Three Flowers Gathering at the Top, Five Qi Towards Yuan, prepared by Bai Xiao for the forbidden secret technique. He must elevate these to perfection in advance.