Chapter 242

Silence fell over the arena, both on and off the stage. Even those who might have dared to guess Lu Xingzhou would win never imagined he would do so this quickly, in a mere three moves. The first two moves appeared to be a probing test of Shi Tielong's strength. Once the test was complete, Lu Xingzhou delivered a decisive, clean killing blow. Outwardly, he seemed to have sustained only some minor recoil injuries, essentially appearing unharmed! It truly lived up to his pre-battle promise to Shen Tang: "I'll be right back."

Members of the East River Gang went onto the stage to carry the heavily injured Shi Tielong away. Their eyes swept over Lu Xingzhou, who stood quietly to the side, and a hint of fear was visible in them. Where did such a Fourth-Grade cultivator come from... was he even human? In reality, Lu Xingzhou himself was far from as relaxed as they imagined. At that moment, his meridians felt as if they had been twisted, an excruciating pain, and his power was completely drained, not a single trace remaining.

In full view of everyone, Lu Xingzhou immediately took a pill and stood still to heal. Allowing the opponent's full damage to enter his body was no joke; mishandling it could be self-destruction. Even though his Yin-Yang Ultimate Intent cultivation technique possessed this ability, and he had adapted to it for a long time using the Yin-Yang Mill, it wasn't something to be tried recklessly. The approximate limit his technique could withstand was when the opponent's power was slightly stronger than his own. If the opponent had been even half a grade stronger, he wouldn't have dared to try it. In the future, it would be best used against opponents of the same rank or lower, where it could be considered a "god-tier" technique for dominating weaker opponents. Using it against higher ranks was still too dangerous and should only be reserved as a last resort. Only if his Bone-Forging Muscle-Strengthening technique became stronger in the future, allowing him to absorb more damage, could he then use it to challenge higher ranks more safely.

On the stage, Zhang Rongzhi let out a long sigh of relief. "The outcome is decided. Heavenly Sword Sect has three victories. Who is the East River Gang leader's next opponent?" Shi Tielong was unconscious and couldn't answer. A plain-looking man in black, with a common face, floated onto the stage. "I'll go."

Everyone exchanged bewildered glances, even the East River Gang members looked confused. They didn't recognize this person; his origins were highly mysterious, known only to their gang leader. No one could even discern his cultivation level. When one's cultivation couldn't be seen, there were usually two possibilities: either they possessed an exceptionally profound concealment technique, or their cultivation was so overwhelmingly powerful it transcended perception.

Zhang Rongzhi frowned. "Sir, please state your name first.""Just an unknown pawn," the man in black chuckled. "I'm not here for fame; I merely owe the gang leader a favor and am here to fight for him. Let's just fight; why ask so many questions?"Lu Xingzhou frowned. He had recovered somewhat after taking the pill; his disturbed meridians had settled down considerably and weren't as painful, but his strength had only returned to less than a third. Facing a battle where he didn't even know his opponent, he had no confidence. It would be best if the sect sent a Third-Grade cultivator to test the opponent's general strength before making a decision. Even if the opponent was First-Grade, a Third-Grade should still be able to glean some information.

Shen Tang was thinking the same thing and was about to speak when Ye Tinglan interjected, "I'll go." Shen Tang and Lu Xingzhou's hearts skipped a beat, and their expressions simultaneously changed. Was he truly First-Grade? In this remote little county's arena, they had managed to gather two First-Grade cultivators! This scale of power could decide most sect-destroying battles...

Zhang Rongzhi nodded and said, "And this is..."Ye Tinglan said flatly, "If he doesn't state his name, why should I?"Zhang Rongzhi maintained a very good attitude towards the Heavenly Sword Sect's people; even when challenged, he merely smiled. "Understood. Please, step onto the stage.""No need to state a name, and no need to get on the stage either. It's just a quick breath; I'm too lazy to move," Ye Tinglan said, then leisurely snapped his fingers.

Others only heard a "snap," but the black-clad man's expression drastically changed. It was as if a thunderclap had exploded in his Sea of Consciousness, giant drums roared, and heaven and earth howled. His head felt like it was splitting open; immediately, blood gushed from his seven orifices, and with a scream, he collapsed to the ground, unconscious. The spectators below the stage were all dumbfounded. They watched someone swagger onto the stage, acting all formidable, only to be taken down by a mere finger snap? Spiritual attacks were truly something laypeople couldn't even understand; it was less entertaining than the back-and-forth fisticuffs of Ninth-Grade cultivators.

The arbitrators on stage were not as ignorant as the spectators. Chu Zheng, the Grand Elder of the Ruanhua Sword Sect, invited as chief arbitrator, was drenched in cold sweat. "Such a soul tremor... peak First-Grade...""The opponent, surviving such an attack, must also be First-Grade, though the specific sub-grade is unknown.""Damn, who could have known that a martial arts competition in this remote county would feature a peak First-Grade cultivator? That's one of the top figures in the entire Great Gan!"Commander Tu Yugui of the county garrison nearly slipped from his seat, almost daring not to sit comfortably. He hailed from a Sacred Land and could discern the truth. What soul tremor, peak First-Grade... that was the Sacred Land's ultimate technique, the Sky Quake Blast. Even a First-Grade cultivator, if they could use it, wouldn't do so with such effortless ease. She was a Transcendent-Grade... This unmasked woman was the Imperial Advisor! They had said the Heavenly Sword Sect pitifully had only one external helper, but no one said that helper was the strongest in the world! By what right was he sitting on the arbitration panel, allowing the Imperial Advisor to be a contestant below? Was he insane? No, if you have the Imperial Advisor, what's the point of this fight? Wouldn't it be simpler to just beckon for the other side to come at once?

Shen Tang quietly asked, "Mr. Ye, what was that?"Ye Tinglan replied calmly, "That was Lei Chong, the Shocking Thunder Divine Sword, ranked twentieth on the Heroes' List. He's known as the Lone Divine Sword, and it seems he has most likely joined Prince Jin's faction."Shen Tang narrowed her eyes slightly. Ye Tinglan then asked, "Are you still going to shred me apart?"Shen Tang's pretty face flushed crimson; she never imagined the Imperial Advisor would bring that up directly!

"The opponent has no one stronger left. The strongest is Shi Zhong's junior brother, a peak Third-Grade. The rest are all low Third-Grade, which you can handle yourselves... Hmm, among them, Daoist Jingxu of the Lingyun Sect, though also a low Third-Grade, is somewhat stronger than the others and might have more tricks up his sleeve."Shen Tang quietly responded, "Thank you, Imperial Advisor."Ye Tinglan said blandly, "If you truly want to thank me, don't reveal my identity to Lu Xingzhou."Shen Tang cautiously asked, "Imperial Advisor, is it for...""Originally, it was for the Hall of Yama," Ye Tinglan stated frankly. "But I genuinely cherish talent. Lu Xingzhou and Lu Nuonuo are both top talents of this era. If they can be guided onto the right path, it would be a great service to the nation and its people."Shen Tang immediately declared, "Xingzhou is a good person!"Ye Tinglan glanced at her askance, the mockery in her gaze making Shen Tang's face burn red. "What 'good person' would be so shameless with his own sect leader, and even cast such regretful glances at his own teacher? Pitying and cherishing beauties? Ha."

Regardless of their internal thoughts, in the eyes of the crowd, this was the most uninteresting battle, and some were already urging, "Take him away, take him away! Who's next for the East River Gang, hurry up!"Zhang Rongzhi also said, "Heavenly Sword Sect has four victories. Who is next for the East River Gang?"East River Gang members silently went onto the stage and carried away the black-clad man, Lei Chong. For a while, no one dared to step onto the stage again. Are you kidding? There's a monster sitting over there who can make someone bleed from all seven orifices with just a finger snap. Who would want to go up and get snapped at?Then, Ye Tinglan's calm voice drifted across, "As an external helper, I only promised one move." The East River Gang members collectively breathed a sigh of relief, only then realizing they were drenched in cold sweat.

Daoist Jingxu, the sect master of Lingyun Sect, stood before Lu Xingzhou, his eyes unmasked in their malice. "Lu Xingzhou, this is the consequence of your wickedness: losing the Dao and having few to help you. Even your external helper is only willing to make one move for you. You are truly a failure as a person."Lu Xingzhou cast a resentful glance at Ye Tinglan, who looked up at the sky, ignoring him. During the Heavenly Sword Sect's founding ceremony, the Lingyun Sect provoked them and suffered the consequences of Lu Xingzhou's Profound Gold Thunderfire Formation, resulting in four deaths. There was a blood feud between the two sides, and Lingyun Sect's animosity was even deeper than that of the East River Gang, as the East River Gang's conflict was merely over industry, with no deaths on either side.

Lu Xingzhou sighed. "Back then, the East River Gang, Incense Burner Pavilion, Azure Mountain Sword Sect, and your Lingyun Sect—so many factions provoked us. Aside from Incense Burner Pavilion, who genuinely launched a surprise attack on us, do you know why I only killed your people, while letting the East River Gang and Azure Mountain Sword Sect off lightly?"Daoist Jingxu stared at him coldly. "Who would know why? Everyone knows you wanted to unite some and strike others, but why did you strike *me*?"Lu Xingzhou said blandly, "It's actually very simple. It's just that the East River Gang was stronger than us back then, so we didn't dare to act against them. The Azure Mountain Sword Sect, though weaker, acted honorably and possessed the integrity of swordsmen, so I couldn't bear to harm them. Only you—neither strong nor good people—if not you, then who would I use to make an example and raise our banner?"Jingxu exploded in rage. "Lu Xingzhou!""See, your Daoist name is Jingxu (Still Void), yet you're irritable and prone to anger. Truly, you shout about what you lack," Lu Xingzhou said with a smile. "What's so special about an external helper only making one move? As a guest elder, I also only make one move. The Heavenly Sword Sect has many talented people; they should also get a chance to show their faces, shouldn't they?"

With that, he lightly flicked his robe and turned to step off the stage. "For this kind of opponent, our Heavenly Sword Sect can just send out a child... Ah Nuo, it's for you to play with."People watched wide-eyed as a chubby five or six-year-old girl, eating a candied hawthorn skewer, hopped onto the elevated stage. "Hello, old grandpa! My name is Lu Nuonuo."

Whatever others felt, Daoist Jingxu only felt naked humiliation. This little girl, has she even had her diaper changed? And she's coming to fight a Third-Grade! Although everyone inwardly knew about "Lu Xingzhou and his disciple jointly slaying Ye Wufeng," meaning Lu Nuonuo was no ordinary child, her appearance was simply too deceiving. No one dared to imagine that during that battle, Ah Nuo was actually stronger than Lu Xingzhou; people only thought she could manage some distraction at best.

Ah Nuo smiled ingratiatingly. "Old grandpa, my master told me to come up, and I wouldn't dare disobey... How about you let me make one move, and once I've done my part, I'll go down."Jingxu sneered, "Even if I were to let you make a move, with so many people watching, I couldn't afford to lose face like that! If you, little child, can even hit a piece of my clothes, then I'll..."Before he could utter the word "lose," his vision blurred. The ingratiatingly smiling Ah Nuo had vanished from her spot, and her small fist had already landed on his lower abdomen.

What speed! Jingxu was horrified. A shield of hooked vines rapidly formed in front of him, while grass and plants on the ground grew wildly, grabbing at Ah Nuo's ankles. A rare wood-element cultivator. But they would never know why Lu Xingzhou wanted Ah Nuo to fight this battle. The plants on the ground touched Ah Nuo's ankles but suddenly released their grip as if obeying an unseen command, feeling like mere tickles. The vines in front of her even proactively dispersed, the seemingly layered, hooked, and barbed, offense-and-defense-integrated protection becoming wide open. Daoist Jingxu hadn't even figured out what went wrong when the small fist heavily struck his stomach.

As if struck by an ancient beast, Daoist Jingxu flew into the air as if on clouds, plummeting directly towards his own spectator stand. In mid-air, blood sprayed out like a rainbow. *Bang!* His body slammed into the stand, creating a massive crater. The East River Gang and Lingyun Sect, two Third-Grade sect masters, had unexpectedly met the same end – smashed into the ground, leaving enormous pits. The difference was that Ah Nuo had only used one move.