The Ninth Bout

"Fellow Daoist Wang, is this what you meant when you said we wouldn't lose a single match?" "An unexpected variable occurred. Who knew Mi Shuhua would actually be willing to lend out that superior-grade defensive robe?" Both sides attached immense importance to this contest. Mi Shuhua had sacrificed a great deal, not only offering a Foundation Establishment Pill as a reward, but also bestowing two of his own superior-grade artifacts. Wang Haichao had prepared a high-grade exotic crescent scimitar and a superior-grade water-attribute flying sword for his subordinates. He had truly held nothing back. As for the Lianyun Merchant Alliance, they possessed deep pockets. Beyond the peculiar formation flags used in the opening match, the sword pellet Bai Qi had wielded this time was exceedingly precious. It was only a pity that after undergoing blood refinement, the sword pellet strictly could no longer be considered a magic treasure embryo. At best, it was a superior-grade offensive artifact, and with its ability to transform sword light into threads and condense it into a unified force, it could be deemed an exotic weapon. Yet when all was said and done, it remained within the scope of an artifact. As long as it stayed within that boundary, a superior-grade defensive robe could withstand it to some degree, buying sufficient time and room to maneuver in battle. This was also why defensive artifacts always commanded steep prices and were far more sought after than offensive ones. After a long silence, another voice transmission arrived. "There are a few too many 'accidents.'" "We will definitely take the final bout!" Wang Haichao asserted with absolute certainty. "Are you sure nothing unexpected will happen?" "Xiao Wuyan is one of yours, isn't he? Do you have no confidence in him?" "Heh, it isn't that I lack confidence in him—it's that I lack confidence in your intelligence-gathering capabilities!" Wang Haichao was struck speechless. Their odds of victory in this contest had undeniably been massive. Whether it was Min Longyu, Yang Rusheng, or Bai Qi, all possessed top-tier combat power at the ninth layer of Qi Refinement. Factor in Gao Tingyuan, Rakshasi, and the subordinate he had granted a superior-grade artifact, and they had a full six matchups that should have been guaranteed wins. Yet due to flawed intelligence, Rakshasi had lost to Sick Tiger Zeng Wen, and Bai Qi had perished at the hands of Jade-Snapping Tiger Qin Liangchen. They had ceded two victories for nothing. It was no wonder Elder Zhou of the Lianyun Merchant Alliance was beginning to doubt him. "Rest assured, the final bout will go off without a hitch. That Wang Yuan has cultivated for too short a time. Strong as his combat power may be, his cultivation realm is simply too low—only the seventh layer of Qi Refinement. Otherwise, Mi Shuhua wouldn't have saved him for last." "Yet he and Xu Renke, who wielded a magic treasure fragment, were both guardians of the Mountain Breaker Gang. Clearly his strength is not to be underestimated." "His combat strength may be fierce, but it's purely burst damage. Whether in explosive bursts or prolonged battles, Xiao Wuyan is an elite among Qi Refinement cultivators." "Very well! It's just a shame. If we could have secured victory before Xiao Wuyan ever took the stage, that would have been ideal. But since he was slated for last, he still has to reveal himself." Wang Haichao felt helpless. Things had already reached this point. What was the use in talking further? He could only bolster his ally's confidence. "Nothing will go wrong. Trust me!" Foundation Establishment cultivators could project their spiritual sense over vast distances, allowing near-instantaneous mental communication. Only after their exchange concluded did Wang Yuan and Xiao Wuyan appear upon the Dao Discussion Platform. However, the moment Wang Yuan mobilized his artifact, Elder Zhou's shocked and furious voice echoed once more. "Didn't you say nothing unexpected would happen? How is that fellow at the eighth layer of Qi Refinement?!" Wang Haichao froze in disbelief. The muscles in his face twitched as though he had just been slapped across the cheek. Forcing composure, he countered, "Why be so shocked? What difference is there between the seventh and eighth layer of Qi Refinement? The spiritual power within him is still worlds apart from a ninth-layer cultivator!" "Hmph!" This time, Elder Zhou couldn't even be bothered to reply. Inside a private box, Elder Zhou spoke with a dark scowl to his companion: "I fear Xiao Wuyan won't be able to conceal himself any longer. When the time comes, we must go to the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect to shield him." ... "Brother Qin, are you all right?" Watching Qin Liangchen being supported as he walked over, Luo Chen asked with concern. Qin Liangchen had popped a healing pill into his mouth, and his spirit was temporarily recovering. Hearing the question, he looked at Luo Chen as if looking at a foolish child. "My arm was chopped off. Do you think I'm all right?" Luo Chen chuckled sheepishly and muttered a few times, "As long as you're alive, as long as you're alive." Qin Liangchen didn't mind. He nodded toward Mi Shuhua, then cast his gaze onto the arena. "I won you your ninth bout—don't let me down!" Countless people were following the situation on the stage just as intently as he was. Luo Chen was among them. He had continually heard of how incredibly strong Wang Yuan was, rising with startling speed and possessing formidable prowess, hailed as a legendary figure among the rogue cultivators of Dahe Market today. Yet in truth, he had never seen Wang Yuan fight in person. His only fleeting glimpse had been that moonlit night when the man had approached with a saber in one hand and a severed head in the other. Just how had he forged such a towering reputation? Under his watchful eyes, the battle on the Dao Discussion Platform erupted immediately, without a single wasted word. A snow-white saber and a crystal-clear sword—both were unmistakably superior-grade artifacts. Once unleashed, their overwhelming might seemed peerless. Luo Chen couldn't help but marvel. Looking at Dahe Market on ordinary days, it seemed populated entirely by low-tier rogue cultivators. Yet those who managed to reach the absolute pinnacle of that crowd were genuinely extraordinary. Superior-grade artifacts that were normally hard to come by had made back-to-back appearances today, repeatedly redefining his perception of his current environment. Perhaps it also had to do with the abundant resources of this world! Of course, what he didn't realize was that virtually all the superior-grade artifacts on the stage had originated from two Foundation Establishment cultivators alongside the Lianyun Merchant Alliance. Rather than the power of the artifacts, he paid closer attention to Wang Yuan's fighting style. After watching for a short while, he couldn't help but inwardly applaud. *He truly is my elder brother. His combat style is grand, majestic, and imposing. Whether the enemy relies on artifacts or talismans, he shatters them with a single stroke.* His wide, sweeping movements were even more ferocious than Qin Liangchen's earlier unyielding aggression. In front of them, Mi Shuhua let out an audible sigh of relief. "It wasn't in vain that I tracked down this Dragon-Decapitating Saber for Wang Yuan. Combining the might of an artifact with his past comprehension of the saber dao, he has carved out a unique path where he can slash up close or strike from afar." "If he can reach Foundation Establishment or Golden Core, his majesty will rival any sword cultivator." "As for right now, within half an incense stick of time, that Xiao Wuyan is bound to lose!" Qin Liangchen praised as well, "With an offensive like this, it's already no weaker than mine. Being placed last—he truly has the credentials for it." It seemed he had previously harbored some resentment over being sent out second to last. Hearing the two men's assessment, Luo Chen relaxed. It seemed the situation wasn't bad; he wouldn't have to collect Wang Yuan's corpse after all. Yet some things in life were just that bizarre. The moment one believed nothing could go wrong, the unexpected inevitably struck. The very next instant, the entire audience erupted in an uproar! *Boom!* A dense, crimson radiance abruptly burst forth with Xiao Wuyan's body at its epicenter. On the Dao Discussion Platform, after the beast fights, the clash between Foundation Establishment cultivators and second-rank demonic beasts, and the eight battles between the two gangs, the arena had long been battered into utter ruins. Even though it had been hurriedly swept, generous traces of fresh blood, minced meat, and bone fragments still remained. Now, under that thick crimson light, streaks of bloody radiance lit up from all directions. Like ten thousand streams returning to the sea, these bloody lights converged on Xiao Wuyan. His expression twisted into something eerie, as if blood-red dragons were squirming beneath every inch of his skin. "Die!" Wang Yuan roared, and the snow-white saber suddenly unleashed a blade beam over ten meters long. Its ferocious might went even beyond the typical limits of a superior-grade artifact. At this moment, it was as if he were no longer the cultivator Wang Yuan, but had returned to the secular realm of his past, standing once more as the undefeated Grandmaster of the Saber. Yet facing this terrifying slash, Xiao Wuyan merely raised his head and pointed his right hand from afar. A crimson flood dragon detached from his body, soaring forth with bared fangs and brandished claws. The ten-meter blade beam shattered instantly! "A demonic cultivator!" "A blood dao cultivator!" Both terms were shouted almost simultaneously from several corners of the arena. Luo Chen was baffled. Mi Shuhua was filled with shock and fury. "Vile scoundrel! To think he is a blood dao cultivator, the most cruel among the demonic path! This man does not belong to our Jade Cauldron Domain!" At the very same moment, on the grandstand occupied by the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, Pang Renxiong opened his eyes once more. He fixed his gaze upon Xiao Wuyan on the platform, then swept a chilling look toward the Great River Gang and another section of the stands. "Luo Tianhong, Zhang Ran. Once the ceremony concludes, apprehend this man. Then, hold the Great River Gang and the Lianyun Merchant Alliance accountable for daring to harbor a Western Domain demonic cultivator!" "By the Elder's decree!" "By the Elder's decree!" The two answered resolutely, their faces flushed with righteous anger. As for whether Wang Yuan would win, that was no longer part of their considerations. The combat power of demonic cultivators had always surpassed their peers at the same realm, with only sword cultivators able to rival them. Furthermore, the Thirty-Six Domains of the Eastern Wasteland had long enforced strict prohibitions barring any sect from having contact with the demonic dao of the Western Domain. Wang Yuan was bound to lose! At this moment, everyone in the arena seemed certain of Wang Yuan's defeat. Only one person still held onto a shred of hope. Mi Shuhua's shock and fury melted away, his expression recovering its composure. Upon the Dao Discussion Platform, bloody light roiled like an ocean of gore, accompanied by the ceaseless roars of the crimson flood dragon. Yet Wang Yuan's expression remained calm. Gripping his long saber, he took strange, rhythmic steps as he continually slashed at the beast. *Boom!* Another collision ensued. Yet this time, there was no repeat of his previous defeat. With one hand, he pressed down atop the crimson flood dragon's head and sneered coldly. "Break!" *Rumble!* Surges of formidable, bizarre force pounded out in rapid succession. The crimson flood dragon roared as it was forced backward step by step, until it finally shattered into pieces. Xiao Wuyan's face changed drastically. "How can this be? You're actually immune to boiling vitality?!" Even as he spoke, colossal blood hands manifested one after another, slamming down to blot out the sky. Wang Yuan paid them no heed. With a slash here and a punch there, he continuously shattered the bloody palms. This fierce exchange dragged on for half an incense stick of time. It continued until the bloody glow upon Xiao Wuyan faded to the point of being nearly invisible. Wang Yuan strode directly before him, his bare torso gleaming with the golden luster of a vajra. He looked down at Xiao Wuyan, who was half-kneeling on the ground, gasping for breath. "Boiling vitality?" "My vitality is far above yours!" As the words fell, the blade fell, and a severed head tumbled to the ground. At this sight, the entire arena went dead silent, followed by an earth-shattering roar of cheers. Upon the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect's grandstand, Luo Tianhong and Zhang Ran froze where they stood, momentarily at a loss for words. Seated above them, Pang Renxiong furrowed his brow. "This young fellow actually walks the path of the ancient body cultivators. No wonder a blood dao cultivator couldn't do a thing to him." "Very well. An ending like this serves nicely to demonstrate the truth that though evil ascends one foot, righteousness ascends ten." "The opening ceremony of the Dao Discussion Platform concludes here!" With that, he soared up and flew away from the stands.