Hua Nongying had a cheerful and lively personality. Combined with her mastery of the ever-changing Ghostly Steps, she moved like an untouchable lark. Her temperament differed greatly from Lu Yuling's, but they both possessed unique strengths. Not only their talents and abilities, but even their looks and temperament were pleasing to the eye.
Lu Yuling did not have any ill intentions towards Hua Nongying. Or rather, although Lu Yuling was cold by nature, she was kind by nature. She smiled and nodded in response to Hua Nongying's words, and then they began to move, their shadows darting around.
Although Hua Nongying's cultivation level was only at the second stage of the Qi Nourishing stage, her mastery of the Ghostly Steps was exceptional. Even though her Qi Force cultivation level was one level lower, disciples at the Qi Nourishing stage lacked strong physical resistance. With her ghostly movement technique, it was not surprising for Hua Nongying to defeat disciples at the third or even fourth stage of the Qi Nourishing stage. After all, for disciples at the Qi Nourishing stage, higher cultivation levels merely indicated stronger Qi Force. Their attack power was high, but their defense against attacks was weak.
However, despite Hua Nongying's ghostly movement technique, Lu Yuling was still an outstanding and brilliant genius disciple. When she executed the Clear Wave Palm, the Qi Force spread out like a wide net. Although it did not come into direct contact with Lu Yuling, the Qi Force affected Hua Nongying's speed, making her feel unable to fully exert herself. In her astonishment, Hua Nongying did not dare approach Lu Yuling casually, fearing she would become ensnared in the Clear Wave Palm and unable to escape.
However, if she did not dare to get close to Lu Yuling, how could Hua Nongying defeat her? Facing Lu Yuling, Hua Nongying really found it difficult to swallow her.
Against other opponents, she could rely on the Ghostly Steps to catch them off guard and secure victory with a few strikes. However, Lu Yuling's presence prevented her from getting close. Otherwise, she would be trapped by the Qi Force of the Clear Wave Palm, hampering her speed and ensuring her defeat.
Hua Nongying felt helpless against Lu Yuling, but Lu Yuling was equally stymied by Hua Nongying. After all, when faced with the mastered Ghostly Steps, if the other party refused to approach, Lu Yuling could not catch up at all. Thus, Lu Yuling focused on her own strategy, using the Clear Wave Palm as an offensive measure to prevent Hua Nongying from launching a sneak attack. Simultaneously, as Hua Nongying's speed decreased, Lu Yuling closed in on her, forcing her to rely on the Ghostly Steps to dodge and preventing her from stopping.
Neither could gain an advantage over the other. Zhuge Xiang and the others observed this stalemate, leading to secret discussions. Realizing that neither side could determine the victor, they expected the match to end in a draw. Once it reached that point, both participants would be considered defeated. Once Zhuge Xiang's battle concluded, the top three would be decided.
"A draw? That's impossible." Most people believed that Lu Yuling and Hua Nongying would be unable to overcome each other, resulting in a draw. However, Zhuge Xiang shook his head, disagreeing with that notion.
Although Hua Nongying was very strong and her Ghostly Steps were very ghostly, in Zhuge Xiang's opinion, Lu Yuling was not someone who would fail so easily. Zhuge Xiang would not believe it if he did not see her fail.
While Lei Potian and Ling Wufeng swiftly ended their battles, Lei Potian with three strikes of his axe and Ling Wufeng with a flying dagger, the duel between Hua Nongying and Lu Yuling had been going on for over an hour and was still ongoing. However, the spectacle of the two beautiful women engaged in combat was captivating, so nobody grew impatient.
Just as everyone thought that the battle would continue, it suddenly came to an end. Despite Lu Yuling being unable to lay a finger on Hua Nongying with her Ghostly Steps, after battling for less than an hour, Lu Yuling, at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage, still had ample strength. Meanwhile, Hua Nongying, at the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, had already expended a significant amount of Qi Force.
When Lu Yuling rushed towards her again, Hua Nongying, accustomed to her movements, instinctively retreated. However, she immediately felt her feet tighten. Looking down, she discovered several hair-thin but remarkably tough threads tightly bound around her feet. Such thin threads were difficult to detect amidst the chaos of the battle.
"When?!" Hua Nongying's pupils contracted as she observed the silk threads constricting her feet. However, it was evident that while dodging Lu Yuling, she must have unknowingly stepped into the trap of these silk threads placed by Lu Yuling when she was not paying attention.
Although Lu Yuling's silk threads were resilient, no one could guarantee that Hua Nongying did not have any other tricks up her sleeve. Seeing her silk threads successfully bind Hua Nongying's feet, Lu Yuling didn't hesitate and swiftly closed in on her.
With Lu Yuling closing in, Hua Nongying recognized that she had no chance of turning the tables and decisively admitted defeat.
"Hehe, Senior Lu is truly formidable, but Little Ying will surely strive harder." Despite her loss, Hua Nongying didn't appear disheartened. Her clear voice and lively, energetic demeanor made Zhuge Xiang secretly nod in approval. Hua Nongying's temperament was truly unique.
The final match was Zhuge Xiang's match. His opponent was a disciple at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage.
With the Clear Wave Palm and the help of the silk threads, she had been like this ever since she met Lu Yuling. Did she have any other trump cards? Zhuge Xiang was unsure but he was very vigilant.
With Lu Yuling's reputation, Zhuge Xiang truly did not want to believe that she lacked powerful trump cards. However, this only heightened Zhuge Xiang's vigilance. Despite reaching the top four without revealing his own trump cards, he recognized the undeniable strength of Lu Yuling.
"Hey, Zhuge Xiang, are you pondering on how to lose more gracefully?" While contemplating Lu Yuling's question, Zhuge Xiang stepped onto the dueling platform. Simultaneously, an arrogant and gleeful voice resounded. It belonged to Zhuge Xiang's opponent.
Zhuge Xiang's opponent was a 15 or 16-year-old youth named Yuan Kai. He had secured a spot in the top eight due to being one of the most exceptional genius disciples of the year. Zhuge Xiang naturally recognized him. However, Yuan Kai's jubilant expression secretly amused Zhuge Xiang. Clearly, his previous performance had led the other party to perceive him as the weakest among the top eight.
Yuan Kai was at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage. He held a pair of short knives in his hands. The martial art he practiced was the Yuenyeung Saber Technique from the Martial Storage Pavilion. However, the short knives in his hands were merely ordinary steel blades. They lacked the capabilities and special functions of Dharma artifacts.
Despite the absence of Dharma artifacts, Yuan Kai had his own methods to secure a place in the top eight. His mastery of the Yuenyeung Saber Technique had reached an advanced level. Additionally, he possessed a saber technique capable of instantly enhancing his attack power, which Zhuge Xiang had witnessed before. When employed, the power of this technique surpassed even Zhuge Xiang's Blood Lightning Slash.
Zhuge Xiang did not dare to underestimate the disciple at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage who had his Yuenyeung Saber Technique at the advanced level and martial arts that could instantly erupt with offensive power. He realized that his previous act of showing weakness had come to an end, and if he wanted to defeat his opponent, he would have to give it his all. Pretending to be injured was no longer an option.
"I'm contemplating how to defeat you with honor," Zhuge Xiang calmly responded to Yuan Kai's arrogant remarks while gripping the Blood Refined Saber in his hand.
"I can't deny your strength. If you weren't injured, I would indeed feel some pressure. However, given your current condition, wanting to overcome me is as difficult as reaching the heavens."
Yuan Kai's words were filled with arrogance, and in his eyes, Zhuge Xiang's response couldn't be anything but arrogant as well. Yuan Kai laughed and spoke candidly, implicitly acknowledging Zhuge Xiang's abilities.
"It's as difficult as ascending to the heavens, but it's not impossible. Victory and defeat will be determined after fighting." Zhuge Xiang stated without wasting any words. He was a man of action. Wielding his Blood Refined Saber, he swiftly launched an attack against Yuan Kai.
"Haha, let's see how formidable you are now, with your serious injuries," Yuan Kai laughed as the Yuenyeung Sabers in his hands transformed into a flurry of saber lights, welcoming Zhuge Xiang without hesitation. The battle for a spot in the top four had just begun.
"You are Yuan Kai? I wonder if we'll have a chance to face each other after this battle," Lu Yuling, resting and recovering her Qi Force, briefly opened her eyes and glanced at the scene below the dueling platform. She then closed her eyes again, seemingly uninterested in the clash between Zhuge Xiang and Yuan Kai. In her heart, the outcome of the battle had already been determined. Rather than wasting time watching the spectacle, she preferred to focus on regaining her strength.