"What did Zhuge Xiang take out?" As the EXP scroll was torn and a faint light enveloped Zhuge Xiang, the spectators below the dueling platform engaged in animated discussions. They clearly did not anticipate that Zhuge Xiang still possessed a trump card at this stage.
"Is that so?" Lu Yuling's eyes flashed slightly. There was a faint smile at the corner of her mouth, with a hint of anticipation. She wondered what effect Zhuge Xiang's item would have.
Lei Potian's expression darkened, but he had no way out now. Regardless of the trump cards Zhuge Xiang held, Lei Potian had to defeat him. He tightly gripped his axe and commanded the Blood-sucking Vines to sweep toward Zhuge Xiang. As long as the vines managed to restrain him, victory would be assured.
In that moment, the aura surrounding Zhuge Xiang suddenly underwent a transformation. It was as if he had surpassed a critical point, and his aura experienced an immense surge. His previously weaker aura in comparison to Lei Potian now possessed the qualifications to contend against him. The scarlet Qi Force grew even more violent, engaging in a distant confrontation with Lei Potian.
"He broke through? He actually reached the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage?" Lei Potian's pupils contracted as he sensed the change in Zhuge Xiang's Qi Force. The aura of the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage was unmistakable. However, someone who had only grasped Qi Force for half a month had managed to attain the third level?
"I-Is my perception playing tricks on me? Zhuge Xiang seems to have broken through to the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage?" Not only others, even Niu Geng's eyes widened as if he were seeing Zhuge Xiang for the first time.
Having lived under the same roof as Zhuge Xiang for a year, Niu Geng believed he knew him well. Zhuge Xiang had always diligently pursued the comprehension of Qi Force and had been more diligent than others. Yet, he did not possess remarkable talent. How could he appear as a completely different person now? Could it be… was he a combat genius?
Even Lu Yuling could not hide the surprise in her clear and beautiful eyes. While she held high expectations for Zhuge Xiang, she never anticipated that he would directly elevate his cultivation level to the third stage of the Qi Nourishing stage. However, Lu Yuling swiftly regained her composure, speculating that the item he had just used must have facilitated his breakthrough.
Ding… Received 100 EXP.
"Ding! Level increased. Current level: Level 3 of the Qi Nourishing stage. Obtained 1 skill point."
"Ding… Successfully learned Violent Steps."
Regardless of how surprised others were, Zhuge Xiang remained undistracted in the midst of the battle. With his cultivation level breaking through to the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage, he naturally obtained a skill point. Zhuge Xiang chose to learn the skill book "Violent Steps," which required one to be at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage. A sense of enlightenment washed over him, and he effortlessly grasped the essence of this skill.
Violent Steps (Beginner): Increases movement speed by 100%. Movement distance of five meters. Description: Channel Qi Force to the soles of the feet, utilizing it for swift attacks. Instantly grants a significant boost in speed. Consumes 10 MP. Cooldown time: 10 seconds.
Zhuge Xiang was overjoyed when he saw the information on the Violent Steps skill. Although it was merely a beginner-level skill, it could instantly enhance movement speed by 100%. While not as enduring as Ghostly Steps, which only lasted for an instant, this sudden burst of speed proved highly practical in combat.
A confident smile played on Zhuge Xiang's lips as he faced the Blood-sucking Vines and Lei Potian. He raised the Blood Refined Saber in his hand, fixing his gaze on his opponent. Within his heart, he exclaimed, "Violent Steps…"
How fast was Zhuge Xiang now? Being at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage, his speed was already impressive. When coupled with the Bloodthirst Technique's effects, which increased his speed by 50%, and the boost from the Star Chasing Boots by 30%, Zhuge Xiang, utilizing Violent Steps, unleashed an explosion of speed. Although limited to a movement distance of five meters, his speed increased by another 100%.
The calculations were straightforward. With Violent Steps, Zhuge Xiang's instantaneous speed reached approximately four times that of a disciple who had broken through to the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage. How fast was this?
With a resounding bang, the green stone floor beneath Zhuge Xiang's feet cracked. The force generated by the Qi Force under his feet when executing Violent Steps was truly formidable. Zhuge Xiang transformed into a blood-colored shadow, appearing before Lei Potian like a lightning bolt.
With Zhuge Xiang's explosive speed, he left behind an afterimage at his original position. While the disciples who had comprehended Qi Force could still track his movements, those who hadn't were unable to perceive Zhuge Xiang's swift figure clearly. It appeared as if he had teleported, materializing right in front of Lei Potian.
The Blood Refined Saber in Zhuge Xiang's hand turned into a fierce saber light and slashed down viciously in front of Lei Potian.
"So fast!" Lei Potian's pupils constricted, shrinking to the size of needles. Zhuge Xiang's unimaginable speed had clearly startled him.
A terrifying and swift blade of light came crashing down. Having fought with demonic beasts in the Endless Mountains for half a year, Lei Potian's body reacted instinctively. He hastily raised his arm, using the surface of the massive axe as a shield. However, an indescribable impact forced Lei Potian to take several steps back involuntarily.
Despite both of them being at the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage and utilizing the Bloodthirst Technique at the Advanced level, Lei Potian could only hurriedly defend against Zhuge Xiang's full-strength attack. As time passed, the discrepancy between their abilities became apparent. Additionally, with Zhuge Xiang's astounding speed and the impact generated by his strength and velocity, how could Lei Potian hope to resist?
Seeing that Lei Potian was forced back by his attack, Zhuge Xiang retracted the Blood Refined Saber in his hand and lowered his center of gravity slightly, like a cheetah that was ready to attack. Evidently, with Lei Potian losing control of his momentum after being forced back, Zhuge Xiang decisively began gathering energy, preparing to unleash the Blood Lightning Slash.
Halting his body was no easy task. When Lei Potian glanced at Zhuge Xiang again, the Blood Lightning Slash was nearly complete. It was too late for him to charge forward. Without waiting for Zhuge Xiang's attack, Lei Potian took the initiative to shout, "I concede!"
Lei Potian recognized that he would not be able to defeat Zhuge Xiang in his current state. Zhuge Xiang's incomprehensible speed had crushed Lei Potian's fighting spirit. Although the Blood-sucking Vines remained, they were futile against Zhuge Xiang's swiftness. Instead of prolonging the fight, it was better to surrender promptly. Moreover, the one-minute cooldown period of the Bloodthirst Technique was nearing its end.
Zhuge Xiang also needed to conserve his strength for the final battle, so upon hearing Lei Potian's concession, he swiftly dissipated his Qi Force and deactivated the Bloodthirst Technique. As his level had increased, all his attributes had fully recovered. Since he had only activated the Bloodthirst Technique for a brief period of two to three breaths after leveling up, the removal of the technique had little effect on him. However, Lei Potian was already panting, indicating that the aftereffects had taken a toll on him.
"He won? Zhuge Xiang actually defeated Lei Potian? Am I hallucinating?" The spectators below erupted into an uproar as the host took the stage and announced Zhuge Xiang's victory. They believed that this battle was the pinnacle of excitement, surpassing all the previous clashes.
"Of course. Zhuge Xiang broke through to the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage at the last moment. Coupled with his astonishing footwork and incredible speed, it's no wonder he emerged victorious." As some people marveled at Zhuge Xiang's strength, they recalled the speed at which he left behind afterimages, concluding that his victory was well-deserved.
"Goodness, with Zhuge Xiang's current strength, first place is undoubtedly his." Even Lei Potian had been defeated. Lu Yuling and Ling Wufeng were likely on par with Lei Potian. Who among them could prevent Zhuge Xiang from claiming the top spot?
The people below discussed animatedly, but Zhuge Xiang ignored them. He slowly walked down the arena, and the pain in his feet slowly disappeared.
Although Violent Steps was formidable, gathering Qi Force at the soles of one's feet and expending it in one swift movement exerted considerable strain on the foot meridians. Consequently, using Violent Steps would result in intense pain in the foot meridians. Fortunately, this discomfort would quickly subside and vanish. Presumably, this was why the system skill had a 10-second cooldown period.
After defeating Lei Potian, Zhuge Xiang only received 70 EXP, with no rewards for battling opponents above his level and no drops. This left him feeling helpless as he glanced at his EXP bar, realizing that he needed a total of 4,600 EXP to advance to the fourth level of the Qi Nourishing stage.
"That's amazing! You actually won and broke through to the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage. It's truly unbelievable," Niu Geng exclaimed happily as he observed Zhuge Xiang descending from the stage. His joy seemed as if he had won the match himself.
"Congratulations on your victory. Your ascent is imminent. I look forward to competing against you," Lu Yuling approached Zhuge Xiang and congratulated him.
"Oh? It appears you have confidence in defeating Ling Wufeng," Zhuge Xiang's eyes sparkled as he smiled at Lu Yuling. Since she expressed her anticipation for a battle with him, it was evident that she believed she could overcome Ling Wufeng.
"The second round of the semifinals, Ling Wufeng versus Lu Yuling." At this moment, the Blood-sucking Vines on the arena had already been eliminated. The host's voice sounded.
Smiling back at Zhuge Xiang, Lu Yuling remained silent and gracefully made her way to the dueling ring. Simultaneously, Ling Wufeng also stepped forward. The second and final round of the semifinals had begun…