The first match was between Guan Xian and Ju Yian, any normal person would expect Ju Yian to win, but it was up in the air slightly.
Both Guan Xian and Ju Yian were of similar build. The only thing separating them was their time spent as a disciple of the sect.
Both male around 5'6 with black hair tied back in a bun they'd meet each other in the middle of the platform, both staring at each other with horrifying intensity.
Whoever lost this match would be cemented as one of the bottom 5 of the top 10. Whoever one would be basically guaranteed to get into the top 5.
The match started with Elder Xian's normal routine, both disciples introducing each other and waiting for the match to start.
Elder Xian: "Begin"
As Elder Xian spoke both disciples sprinted towards each other Guan Xian's Eyes began glowing a beautiful sky blue before he launched a powerful palm strike towards Ju Yian, everyone would watch as it seemed like a dragon made of water was coiled around Guan Xian's palm strike roaring out to strike Ju Yian.
Ju Yian himself would be well prepared for Guan Xian, he had gotten to see him fight earlier and knew a small bit about Guan Xian's technique. That and Ju Yian was a stage above Guan Xian and was quite powerful in his own right.
Ju Yian seemingly vanished in front of Guan Xian, barely any watchers could see where he went, but Tai Bàoli and a few of the other disciples with outstanding perception could see that Ju Yian had executed a movement technique that made him move faster than most eyes could see.
It was a subtle technique and if you weren't paying the utmost attention or weren't perceptive enough you would have never been able to see him move.
Ju Yian had appeared behind Guan Xian and done a sweeping low kick, the kick itself seemed to be enhanced in some way as it made a horrifying slicing sound as it passed through the air.
CRAAA...A.ACKK!
Guan Xian was grossly unprepared and got caught off guard, falling to the ground. If someone had a look at the main leg that was hit to sweep him they'd see that his leg was deformed clearly the bones in that leg had been broken.
Ju Yian then continued spinning out of his sweep and stood up straight continuing his onslaught he'd stomp down swiftly towards the same leg of Guan Xian's that had already been broken, aiming at the thigh this time, clearly aiming to completely take the leg out of any equation.
And of course it was successful, not everyone was like Seung Duang, or Tian'Jun Jun or Tai Bàoli. The Gap between Altering Muscle Stage Disciples and Viscera Training Stage Disciples were quite large, especially this far into the competition.
SHA...AATT..ERR!
Ju Yian's attack landed shattering Guan Xian's femur.
Guan Xian screamed in pain while launching a palm strike at Ju Yian's Leg he had just stomped with.
Ju Yian was quite cocky and assumed Guan Xian would forfeit because of the pain, and he didn't think Guan Xian would try to attack him after his attack.
which meant Ju Yian was caught by Guan Xian's last ditch attack. The water dragon from Guan Xian's palm strike tearing at Ju Yian's Leg.
it was quite bloody, it looked like Ju Yian's Leg had been hit with some sort of flail or mace, it was bloodied up and looked slightly deformed.
Ju Yian was no amateur however and quickly retreated upon Guan Xian's attack hitting.
Ju Yian now stood 10ft away from Guan Xian and looked at him intensely.
Ju Yian: "Forfeit. My next attack will make you unable to continue cultivating."
The audience gasped and began murmuring, Ju Yian had basically said he was going to destroy Guan Xian's Dantian
Guan Xian grit his teeth and thought hard for a moment.
Guan Xian: "I..... forfeit."
Guan Xian knew Ju Yian, Ju Yian had been vicious in all his attacks during the previous rounds so he knew Ju Yian was not lying.
As soon as Guan Xian forfeited Elder Xian immediately appeared and declared the winner. at this time he also fed Guan Xian a rejuvenation pill.
The next couple fights went similar to this, Yi Yuan vs Huang Yin - Huang Yin won. Seung Duang fought Zhan Tiang and won easily, Tian'Jun Jun fought Jiu Xi and won easily. All that was left was Tai Bàoli and Xi'an Zi, it was quite annoying, Tai Bàoli was hoping to fight him at a later time.
Both Tai Bàoli and Xi'an Zi took the stage, Xi'an Zi was another rather tall and bulky disciple just like Tai Bàoli, it was weird. Tai Bàoli hadn't seen anyone else near his size especially as a disciple since he'd came into the sect.
Xi'an Zi stood 6'4 and was extremely muscular, he had black hair with slightly bluish green tips, and his eyes were a fascinating amber color. His hair itself wasn't long just spiked up ever so slightly. He had no facial hair.
Tai Bàoli: "Tai Bàoli, Viscera Training Stage, Disciple for 2 and a half months."
Xi'an Zi: "Xi'an Zi, Altering Muscle Stage, Disciple for 2 and a half months."
Tai Bàoli assessed the screens that had presented themselves to him.
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-Mission-(Defeat Xi'an Zi)
-Mission Outline-(Be the last remaining fighter on the platform)
-Mission Difficulty-(Hard)
-Experience Payout- 30 experience.
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-Xi'an Zi-
-Occupation- (Hidden Mountain Tiger Sect Outer Disciple)
-Previous Occupation- (Slave)
-Cultivation Stage-(Body Refining 4/9, Altering Muscle)
-Strength-4.9(+1.5 from Muscle Control Technique, +1.5 from Blood Control Technique)
-Dexterity-4.9(+1.5 from Muscle Control Technique, +1.5 from Blood Control Technique)
-Comprehension-10(+5 from Mind Enhancement Technique)
-Martial Arts-
-Blood Control Technique: Mastery ~Mid~
-Muscle Control Technique: Mastery ~Mid~
-Mind Enhancement Technique: ~High~
-Viper Palms: ~High~(Induce poison with each palm strike, numbing the striked area and rotting away the flesh. Must first have a minimum of 6 Strength and Dexterity to use.)
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Tai Bàoli was sweating bullets while paying extreme attention to Xi'an Zi, Tai Bàoli had never seen anyone with 15 comprehension. He had also never seen anyone with 4 techniques mid mastery or higher.
And on top of this the screen had shown an additional line of info, Xi'an Zi was a slave before? That must have been horrifying, at least he had freed himself and joined the sect. Tai Bàoli wondered what his background was for him to have been a slave.
Tai Bàoli spoke again before Elder Xian started the match.
Tai Bàoli: "I hope we have a good match! You're quite strong!"
Tai Bàoli was smiling and gave of the feeling of someone genuinely excited, I mean he was afterall there was another Disciple that had come from little background and was as strong or stronger than those with immense background.
It made him super happy.
Xi'an Zi was slightly confused, he didn't know if Tai Bàoli was messing with him or trying to get into his head. Usually people just mocked him or put their clan background in the forfront explaining how "their clans technique is gonna destroy him". It made Xi'an Zi despise those of big backgrounds even more than he already did.
Elder Xian: "Begin!"
Before Xi'an Zi had time to put his thoughts together the match had started.
Tai Bàoli didn't immediately want to reveal his new techniques benefits so he stuck with normal movement which was akin to the esoteric ghost steps at High mastery, so Tai Bàoli still moved quite fast, however it was a step below Xi'an Zi.
Xi'an Zi's body seemed to have bulked up even more and veins appeared all over like his blood was flowing faster and thicker then ever. It honestly looked a little frightening.
Tai Bàoli and Xi'an Zi would exchange a couple blows, and naturally Tai Bàoli would be on the losing end, everytime Xi'an Zi hit him the area hit would numb up. On top of this Tai Bàoli could feel the skin slightly sizzling as flesh rotted off of it.
Tai Bàoli couldn't keep going like this, he was going to have to either use his new movement technique or use his hammer. Tai Bàoli hesitated on using his hammer as then he'd had only a small window of opportunity before he began declining, and he wasn't sure if Xi'an Zi would even be taken down by the hammer.
With that in Tai Bàoli's mind all that was left was to break out his new technique.
While everyone was watching Tai Bàoli and Xi'an Zi exchange blows they'd watch as Tai Bàoli seemingly phased in and out of sight. None of the disciples here could see what was happening, all they could see was that Tai Bàoli would seemingly phase out of existence and reappear behind or around Xi'an Zi and even when Xi'an Zi miraculously guessed where Tai Bàoli was going to be Tai Bàoli would simply phase away again.
Of course all the elders at Qi Gathering Realm or above could see what Tai Bàoli was doing, and they all had quite solemn expressions. This technique was extraordinary. They all thought the same thing, they must let some of their clansman learn this technique, it's simply too amazing.
With Tai Bàoli's newfound Advantage Xi'an Zi couldn't handle it anymore. He was constantly bombarded by Tai Bàoli with no chance to counter attack. it was unbelievably frustrating.
Tai Bàoli's attacks would eventually begin dealing quite serious damage, breaking ribs and cracking other bones. Xi'an Zi would be forced down on to a knee.
At this point Tai Bàoli would appear about 10ft away and bow towards Xi'an Zi.
Tai Bàoli: "Please Forfeit! I believe I can win first place."
Xi'an Zi stared into Tai Bàoli's eyes deeply. could he really win first place? Xi'an Zi knew Tai Bàoli wasn't of a big clan background, so him winning would still achieve Xi'an Zi's goal.
Xi'an Zi: "You must not lose. I forfeit."
Xi'an Zi then stood up even with all his broken and cracked bones and walked towards the edge of the arena, Elder Xian threw him a rejuvenation pill and declared Tai Bàoli the Winner.
as Tai Bàoli walked off the platform Seung Duang was there waiting with a mocking expression and then spoke in a mocking tone.
Seung Duang: " "I bEliEvE I cAn WiN fIrSt PlAcE", whatever loser, you won't even make it into the top 3."