Luckily unlike during his fight with Feng Rong, his conscious wasn't affected.
Feeling his body turn hotter by the second, Jian Shen felt that his movements were faster than usual. At the same time, he realized how bad the wound on his back was.
If he dragged the match for a long time, Jian Shen would definitely faint from the loss of blood.
Therefore he had to finish it as soon as possible, even if it meant he had to bear with the pain by overexerting himself.
Trying his best to not focus on the pain, Jian Shen didn't hold back at all as he executed the God Slaying Inferno Slash.
At once the atmosphere around the arena and stands turned very hot, and the ordinary humans were already sweating due to it.
"What splendid flames! The Myriad Flame Sect is definitely the right place for him."
"Huh? Whom are you kidding Liang Cheng? Look at the way he is welding his sword! The Thousand Sword Sect is where he can show his true potential."
Ignoring the two arguing elders, Wu Ah couldn't help but admit that Jian Shen wasn't just a handsome boy. His talent was too great to focus on a single aspect.
In fact, he might possibly be someone who can train in both the Path of Sword, and elemental.
Unfortunately, there was no place suitable for him which could teach Jian Shen the both of them. Therefore he'd have to give up on one of the two, and focus on a single path.
As Wu Ah felt a little pity towards Jian Shen who had talent, but no way to fully our it to use. The boy himself was standing in front of the wounded Liao He with his sword ready to strike.
Noticing how powerful the sword was, Liao He wanted to give up right away. But he knew that only by winning the tournament would he have a chance to become a core disciple.
Raising his spear hastily, Liao He used the spear's shaft to try and block the incoming attack.
As the blazing white sword approached him, Liao He could only grit his teeth to bear with the hot temperature. Unfortunately, the real pain hit him when the sword hit the spear.
With how strong the move was, when Liao He tried to defend against it, the bloody gash on his shoulder instantly started profusely bleeding.
But now was not the time to pay attention to it, because the God Slaying Inferno Slash wasn't something which focused on strength or power, but penetrativeness.
Therefore with how hot and sharp the Heavenly Dragon Sword was right now, it showed no signs of stopping and cut through the heavy spear's metal shaft like a hot knife through butter.
Seeing this Liao He's eyes turned wide and began shaking with fear. If this kept on he would die!
"Stop! I surrender!"
While Liao He did suddenly gave up, Jian Shen couldn't immediately stop himself and therefore the sword had completely split the spear and was approaching Liao He's face.
Luckily the referee who was unable to make a move fast enough didn't need to regret anything, because Jian Shen had managed to stop before the sword landed on Liao He.
Once the sword stopped the referee breathed a sigh of relief, while Jian Shen was filled with a sense of accomplishment and happiness due to having won his first ever tournament.
…
Om the other side Xinyi and the Myriad Flame Sect's, Sect Master had managed to arrive just in time to witness the final bout between Jian Shen and Liao He.
"So? What do you think Sect Master?"
"Hmmm... He is indeed very talented to be able to control such hot flames. But, I think his talent in using a sword is much better. Maybe..."
Realizing what the Sect Master was about to say, Xinyi hastily shook her head and said, "Never! I'm not going to let Jian Shen join the Thousand Sword Sect! If needed I'll learn how to use a sword, and train him on my own!"
Shaking her head towards Xinyi who seemed determined, the Sect Master was just about to say something when she noticed something on the stage.
"Be careful!"
...
While Jian Shen did hear someone shouting to warm him, the warning came too late for him who hadn't experienced the true cruelty of the world.
Liao He already knew that his age wasn't enough to become anything more than an outer disciple at any of the sects, therefore he placed all of his bets on obtaining the first spot.
Because only that way could he try and become a core disciple. But now that his only chance had been destroyed, just like his favourite spear, Liao He had given up on all hope.
"If I can't obtain the first place... I won't let you who stole it from me live!"
Since he wasn't prepared for it, by the time Jian Shen could react, Liao He was using the broken spear tip like a knife to pierce his heart.
In that instant, Jian Shen felt like time had slowed down and all he could do was stare at the spear tip which was aiming to kill him.
Not just the Myriad Flame Sect's Master, but the elders and referee had noticed what was happening on the stage as well.
Unfortunately, while all of them were confident in killing Liao He from where they stood, none of them had any way to ensure that Jian Shen wouldn't be harmed, or killed.
Therefore all of them could only try and rush towards the centre of the stage and try to arrive on time. But in the end, they could also only stare at the spear tip which was an inch away from piercing into Jian Shen's flesh.
It seemed like this was where the talented boy's journey would end. Even before it began.
Looking at this Xinyi was filled regret towards the fact that she brought Jian Shen with her, when she couldn't even keep him safe.
Just when all hope seemed lost, and everyone could picture Jian Shen dying, the surrounding air which was burning hot until now, suddenly turned deadly cold and terrifyingly quiet.
No one knows why, but everyone including Jian Shen and Li Hao looked above for some reason where a woman too beautiful to be considered a mortal was descending onto the stage.