On the stage, Wen Jueyuan spoke coldly, "Although your martial arts progress has been significant lately, challenging me is still beyond your abilities."
Huang Qianjun wiped the bloodstains from the corner of his mouth and struggled to stand up. His voice was hoarse as he said, "One year from now, I will make sure you are no match for me."
With that, he turned and left the stage.
Wen Jueyuan furrowed his brow and shook his head dismissively.
Just empty threats from the loser.
Not worth paying attention to.
Huang Qianjun staggered over to Huang Yunchong's side and shrugged, pretending to be relaxed. He said, "Father, this is all the skill I have for now. I hope you're not disappointed."
Huang Yunchong stood up and tightly embraced Huang Qianjun's shoulder, his face filled with a proud and gratified expression. He said, "I didn't expect you to hold on until now. Even in defeat, you have reason to be proud!"
Huang Qianjun grinned, showing his teeth.
He scanned the surroundings but was disappointed not to see the figure he most wanted to see at the moment.
Inside and outside the banquet hall, the cheers for Wen Jueyuan continued.
In Guangling City, whether it was the people watching from boats on the river or the ordinary folks gathered by the riverside, they all discussed animatedly.
Some important figures sighed, "With such momentum, the first place in the Longmen Grand Competition will undoubtedly be taken by the Wen family."
Someone chuckled while stroking their beard, "That's only natural. No matter what, Wen Jueyuan is an inner disciple of the Qinghe Sword Academy, a young talent at the peak of the Blood Moving Realm. If he can't take the first place, that would be a joke!"
"Senior Ni, what do you think of Senior Wen? He has really made a name for himself today, unmatched and glorious."
The captivating eyes of Nan Ying flowed as she leaned close to Ni Hao's ear, speaking softly and gently like the scent of orchids.
Feeling the enchanting and beautiful face before him and smelling the alluring fragrance emanating from her, Ni Hao's heart burned with desire.
A proud and disdainful look appeared in his eyes. "Wen Jueyuan practices in the West Court, while I am an Eastern Court disciple. How can Senior Sister compare him to me? If I were to go on stage, I could easily defeat him!"
Nan Ying smiled lightly with her eyes and mouth, her expression filled with affection. "My favorite thing is Senior Brother's confident and disdainful look. That's the spirit a man should have."
Ni Hao felt incredibly comfortable in his heart, but he sighed, "Unfortunately, we are just guests this time. According to the rules, people from Guangling City and Luoyun City cannot participate. Otherwise, I would show Senior Sister how I could defeat Wen Jueyuan within ten moves!"
On the side of Luoyun City, discussions were also in full swing.
"Wen Jueyuan is too strong, isn't he?"
"He is an inner disciple of the Qinghe Sword Academy, yet he still participates in the Longmen Grand Competition. Isn't that bullying?"
"Alas, does that mean the first place in the competition will be taken by Guangling City?"
... Compared to the excitement in Guangling City, there was a sigh of resignation in Luoyun City.
Many young people who had originally planned to participate had already changed their minds and didn't dare to step forward
In Guangling City, someone shouted loudly.
The crowd followed with jeering voices.
This displeased the important figures from Luoyun City.
Only the City Lord, Li Jianyu, remained calm.
However, when he saw this scene, he pondered for a moment and then said to Mo Haolong, the clan leader of the Mo family beside him, "Brother Mo, it's getting late. Why don't we let Fu Shan and the others showcase their skills?"
Mo Haolong nodded with a smile and said, "As you wish, my lord."
He took a deep breath and shouted, "Tian Ling, where are you? Why don't you show yourself?"
His voice was like thunder, overpowering the murmurs in the arena.
People were puzzled. Could it be that Li Jianyu had arranged for another powerful individual to appear?
No one understood what was happening.
Unnoticed by anyone, Fu Shan clenched his fists tightly, his eyes flickering.
Only he knew that Li Jianyu had played his true trump card in order to seize the Lingzhu Island!
"Just participate in the battle and yet act so arrogantly. How boring."
At the same time, sensing something, Su Yi looked towards the distant surface of the river and shook her head.
"Hmm?"
Soon, Zhou Huaiqiu, Li Tianhan, Huang Yunchong, and other important figures in attendance all turned their heads, looking in the same direction.
At this moment, the others in the arena also sensed that something was amiss, and the discussions grew quieter.
Then, from the distant surface of the Da Cang River, a cry of surprise suddenly echoed.
Amidst the myriad of lights, a swift water wave suddenly surged forward at an incredible speed, like a dragon breaking through the waves of the river.
As it passed by, numerous boats were impacted, moving aside to both sides, causing countless lights to sway violently as if a fire dragon was flipping over.
This commotion attracted countless gazes.
People could now clearly see that the water wave was, in fact, a person standing on it, running swiftly on the river's surface, as if gliding through the water.
Under the reflection of the scattered lights, it seemed as if a divine being was walking on water!
"Is... is that a person?"
Someone exclaimed in astonishment.
Even the important figures couldn't help but be amazed, showing expressions of disbelief.
Walking on water, treading on waves?
This is something that can only be accomplished by someone at the level of Qi Gathering Stage, forming the Gang Qi layer!
Among the people present at the banquet, only Zhou Huaiqiu possessed such ability.
Could it be that a high-level Qi Gathering Stage figure had arrived?
Under the astonished gazes of everyone, the man who appeared to be a deity walking on water laughed out loud, seemingly amused, and said, "Don't think too much, everyone. I simply stepped on a wooden board. I'm not a Qi Gathering Stage cultivator."
He had a bronze complexion, wore a black military uniform, carried a sheathed battle sword on his back, had a slender figure, and a long scar between his eyebrows that exuded a ferocious and iron-blooded aura.
Only then did the crowd notice the floating wooden board on the river surface.
Evidently, the man had been running madly on the river surface by stepping on the wooden board, rather than truly walking on water.
After everyone breathed a sigh of relief, they couldn't help but be shocked.
Even to run on the river surface by stepping on a wooden board, one still needed to activate their own cultivation.
To achieve this level in the Blood-Shedding Stage indicated that this man's foundation was incredibly profound and terrifying!
"So it's this evildoer!"
At his seat, Zhou Huaiqiu frowned, his expression darkening.
Ni Hao and Nan Ying also recognized the newcomer and showed surprise.
Mo Tianling!
Originally a disciple of the Qinghe Sword Mansion, he was expelled from the sect due to his violent and fierce temperament after cutting off the arm of a fellow disciple during a sparring match, which angered the higher-ups.
Later, he left Yunhe County and joined the Red Scale Army under the command of Marquis Yun Guang. He had been fighting on the frontlines ever since.
No one had expected him to appear here.
"So it's him, the 'ferocious brat' of the Mo family in Luoyun City!"
"Wasn't he serving in the Red Scale Army? Why did he suddenly come back?"
At the same time, discussions broke out in the crowd, all talking about Mo Tianling.
"This guy carries a strong aura of killing. It seems he has killed quite a number of people in the Red Scale Army..."
Fu Shan frowned.
At this moment, even the important figures of Guangling City realized that the situation had become delicate.
Originally, the first place in the Longmen Grand Competition was supposed to belong to Wen Jueyuan.
But clearly, Mo Tianling's arrival had introduced a variable to this competition!
"Tianling, don't waste any more time. Join the battle quickly!" Mo Haolong, the head of the Mo family in Luoyun City, said in a deep voice.
"Although the Longmen Grand Competition is boring, since you, old man, have spoken, how can I refuse?" Mo Tianling laughed and strode onto the arena.
All eyes in the venue shifted towards him.
"Come, I'll give you a chance to make the first move. If I attack first, you won't even have a chance to draw your sword." Mo Tianling glanced at Wen Jueyuan and spoke with a playful smile.
He stood lazily, his eyes full of frivolity, appearing carefree and casual.
This attitude and tone were incredibly arrogant.
Wen Jueyuan frowned slightly, but he was not provoked. Instead, a trace of determination appeared between his brows, sensing the formidable aura emanating from the other party.
However, this only ignited his fighting spirit.
Clang!
Wen Jueyuan unsheathed his sword, its blade sharp and intimidating.
"Draw your blade," Wen Jueyuan said with a solemn expression, his voice cold.
"You're not worthy of my blade," Mo Tianling shook his head casually, as if stating a fact.
Wen Jueyuan couldn't help but feel his anger rising.
He no longer hesitated and stepped forward, his figure shooting out like an arrow, incredibly fast.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
In his hand, he instantly thrust out twelve swords, each sword faster than the previous one, sharp and dazzling, captivating and soul-snatching.
The Twelve Swords of Radiant Light.
This is Wen Jueyuan's ultimate sword technique, which has already reached the level of mastery, just a step away from perfection!
"Not bad, I suppose," Mo Tianling's lips curled slightly.
He didn't dodge or evade, remaining calm and composed. As the sword shadows unleashed by Wen Jueyuan approached, Mo Tianling suddenly let out a loud shout:
"To defeat you, one punch is enough!"
In an instant, his momentum changed drastically. His previously lazy figure burst forth with a fierce and intimidating force.
With his shout, he clenched his right hand and threw a punch.
In the eyes of many, Mo Tianling seemed to transform into a ferocious beast, opening a monstrous mouth ready to devour its prey. The intense and bloody aura made people tremble.
A harsh clash resounded on the arena with a "clang!" sound.
Where the fist and sword collided, first, Wen Jueyuan's long sword was sent flying, followed by his body uncontrollably retreating backward.
Step! Step! Step!
After retreating five steps, Wen Jueyuan's face turned pale, and his chest heaved rapidly. Unable to hold it back any longer, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Splatter!
His clothes were stained with blood, hot and glaring.
One punch!
Wen Jueyuan, who was favored by everyone in Guangling City and believed to be able to win the first place, was unexpectedly defeated!
His sword slipped from his hand, his figure retreated five steps, and blood spilled from his lips!
The whole venue fell silent, not even a sound from a pin dropping.
The impact of that single punch was too overwhelming!
It was almost unbelievable.
On the arena, Mo Tianling shook his head and said, "Too weak. Are the successors of the Qinghe Sword Pavilion still so lacking in progress?"
After speaking, he turned around and swept his gaze around, deliberately looking at Zhou Huaiqiu, Ni Hao, and Nan Ying, his lips curved with undisguised mockery.