"Six Foundation Establishment cultivators and two Golden Cores... what kind of lineup is this..." The Foundation Establishment cultivators fortunate enough to make it into the top eight wore troubled expressions.
According to past custom, the top eight would engage in a free-for-all on the arena stage, and the order of elimination would determine the top three.
To that end, with the help of their sect elders, they had drawn up plans and calculated how to eliminate their rivals so that they could remain standing as long as possible.
The plans included, but were not limited to: feigning cooperation, backstabbing, playing double agents, turning coat at the critical moment...
In the current situation, no scheme would work. The only way to win was for the six Foundation Establishment cultivators to join forces against Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou.
Just as the seeded cultivators were racking their brains for a countermeasure, a composed voice rang out: "Only if you follow my command will there be any chance of victory."
The seeded cultivators looked over. The speaker was the only middle Foundation Establishment cultivator among them.
"So it's Heir Yan."
The Yan family was an eminent clan of Qingzhou, with an unbroken lineage spanning six thousand years. The clan boasted three Body Integration stage ancestors; even the provincial governor had to treat the Yan family with utmost courtesy.
"If Heir Yan takes command, that wouldn't be a bad idea."
With someone taking the lead, the seeded cultivators nodded in agreement. Heir Yan had the highest cultivation among them, was backed by the Yan family, and held the greatest prestige. Under his command, everyone was fully convinced.
"Zhou Fangge, what about you?" Heir Yan fixed his gaze on the black-robed youth.
"Naturally, I have no objections," Zhou Fangge said with a smile. "However, I have only one condition: the five of you take on the one named Meng Jingzhou, while Lu Yang is left to me alone."
The others flared with anger, thinking Zhou Fangge was utterly ignorant of the heights of heaven and the depths of the earth. "Are you joking? Your performance earlier was completely ordinary, yet you dare dream of taking on Lu Yang by yourself?!"
Right now, their only hope of defeating Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou lay in the six of them uniting as one. With one person insisting on throwing his life away, how could they not be furious?
Suddenly, Zhou Fangge unleashed his true cultivation, causing everyone's expressions to change drastically. This cultivation was even stronger than Heir Yan's.
"Late Foundation Establishment!?"
None of them had expected this person to be at late Foundation Establishment. He had concealed it so deeply!
Without Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, he would have been the greatest threat.
Just think: in an eight-man melee on the arena stage, if Zhou Fangge revealed his true cultivation at the final moment, who could possibly withstand him?
Zhou Fangge had anticipated their reaction long ago, and said unhurriedly, "Now do I have the qualifications to take on Lu Yang alone?
"In truth, I could have already formed my core, and it would be a guaranteed upper-three-grade Golden Core. It was only to form a first-grade Golden Core that I held back my steps."
Heir Yan frowned and cautioned, "Pardon my bluntness, but even if you are at late Foundation Establishment, your chances of victory against Lu Yang are still not very high."
Zhou Fangge wore an amused smile. "Facts speak louder than words. Since Heir Yan doesn't believe it, then let us wait and see.
"Enough, the finals are about to begin. Let's head onto the stage."
Zhou Fangge laughed heartily and walked up to the arena stage.
Seeing Zhou Fangge so confident, Heir Yan set his mind at ease. For the other party to dare speak like this, he had to have something to rely on. Whatever that was, as long as he could defeat Lu Yang, it was fine.
"As everyone knows, my Yan family is most renowned for *A Hundred Expositions on Weaponry*, peerless in offense. Having been tutored by my great-grandfather since childhood, I understand *A Hundred Expositions on Weaponry* best, so I will take the vanguard.
"Gu Qisheng, your Mystic Yin Physique naturally infuses your attacks with biting chill; even if I fought you, I wouldn't necessarily gain the upper hand. You and I will attack Meng Jingzhou together.
"Shi Xuan, you are well-versed in formations; use formations to disrupt Meng Jingzhou.
"Yang Xianyi, you have mastered the true teachings of talismans; provide us with support using talismans as the situation demands.
"Sima He, your Jishi Manor is famous for its Sweet Dew techniques. In the earlier bouts, your opponents couldn't even deal damage as fast as you healed yourself. Stand in the back row and recover wounds for Gu Qisheng and me!"
Heir Yan laid out the arrangements one by one. In no time, a temporary team with clearly defined roles was assembled.
...
"Senior Brother Meng, please guide us!" Heir Yan cupped his fists firmly, his expression resolute.
"Senior Brother Meng, please guide us!" the four behind him shouted in unison.
Meng Jingzhou was startled. Before the match, he and Lu Yang had agreed to take three each. Why were there five on his side?
Heir Yan gave Meng Jingzhou no time to think. Holding an axe in his left hand and a battle-axe in his right, he rapidly swung his weapons. Like swimming dragons parting clouds or eagles striking the vast sky, his moves were fierce and swift, leaving onlookers stirred.
Gu Qisheng tensed every muscle in his body. The tip of his spear quivered slightly, and with a whoosh, he thrust toward Meng Jingzhou. True qi surged, and a wild wind erupted—the scene was remarkably magnificent.
The other three were not idle either. A dazzling formation rose beneath Meng Jingzhou's feet, making it feel as if both his feet were trapped in a quagmire, unable to move.
Paper swallows folded from talismans flew out from Yang Xianyi's sleeves, sealing off every possible angle of evasion for Meng Jingzhou.
Sima He silently chanted an incantation that transmitted into the ears of Heir Yan and Gu Qisheng. The minds of the two cleared completely, and their divine sense surged temporarily. Casting aside all external distractions, they threw themselves wholly into battle, the power of their weapons rising yet another notch!
The five's seamless cooperation drew gasps of admiration from the audience below. Even Golden Core cultivators turned slightly pale at the sight, finding the situation exceptionally tricky and doubting they could emerge unscathed.
For a Golden Core cultivator to be injured by a Foundation Establishment cultivator was an utterly humiliating affair in the first place.
Lu Yang withdrew his gaze and looked at Zhou Fangge, somewhat puzzled. "Only you? You seem to be only at late Foundation Establishment, aren't you?"
Zhou Fangge was taken aback. Ever since he began walking the world, this was the first time he had met someone capable of seeing through his cultivation realm. Yet he remained unfazed, chuckling coldly, "I alone am enough."
He had defeated an early Golden Core before, and that was without using his trump cards, relying solely on solid foundations and technique. Against an elite cultivator like Lu Yang, he naturally couldn't win so easily.
Therefore, he decided to use his trump card.
He understood the mentality of high-cultivation cultivators. The higher their cultivation, the higher their standards. They only traded blows with peers of equal realm and generally looked down on cultivators of lower realms. When facing an opponent below their realm, they would subconsciously slacken their guard. This was his opportunity!
He would show Lu Yang that realm did not dictate everything! Combat strength was what truly mattered!
Seeing Zhou Fangge so confident, he likely possessed quite remarkable means. Lu Yang did not let down his guard. He drew the Green Blade Sword from his identity jade token, prepared to meet him with full strength, and then activated the Invincible Core to seek a countermeasure.
The Invincible Core drew a thread of Lu Yang's spiritual energy, spun rapidly, and soon yielded an analysis:
"The opponent has a late Foundation Establishment cultivation. The touch of gray in his black eyes is a hallmark of the Boundless Dao Physique. The Boundless Dao Physique is vast and limitless, boundless and unending. The spiritual energy reserves within his body are ten times that of his peers. He excels in protracted battles; the longer the fight drags on, the more disadvantageous it becomes. He can hardly find rivals at his level, and fighting above his realm is second nature to him."
Lu Yang followed up, "Then how should I fight him?"
"Fight however you like."
Chapter 356