The sudden change in the situation on the battlefield also shocked the onlookers.
In the eyes of many, one moment they were evenly matched and entangled, but the next moment, the two were facing each other head-on.
Then, Jiang Heng seized the opportunity, delivering a series of punches that killed Wu Mingxuan.
The speed of those punches was so fast that almost none of the disciples present could see clearly; they could only hear a series of low, thunderous sounds of fists hitting flesh.
That was the sound of fists striking the body.
But across the entire martial arena, which spanned several kilometers, everyone could hear it clearly.
The damage caused by such a terrifying attack was equally frightening.
When Jiang Heng stopped, everyone could see that Wu Mingxuan's body had become like a tattered sack.
"He's too powerful!"
Finally, someone couldn't help but speak up.
"Clearly, he's only at the True Qi Realm, yet even the top core disciple at the Innate Realm pinnacle had no chance against him. I never thought that one day we would witness such an extraordinary genius!"
"But, unfortunately, he's the opponent..."
As they felt a mixture of emotions, people couldn't help but reflect.
Witnessing such an unparalleled genius was a source of pride, but this genius had killed their sect's genius, their future pride.
Anyone could guess that this battle would spread throughout the entire Tianyuan Empire.
From now on, Jiang Heng would become a world-renowned genius.
And the Tiangang Sect would become a stepping stone to his fame, bearing the shame.
On the stage, Jiang Heng heard Elder Qin's words but didn't respond. Instead, he looked at the lifeless Wu Mingxuan and said with relief:
"You killed your own sister, your two nephews, and the dozens of people in your sister's family."
"Although I don't know why you did this, it doesn't matter to me."
"What's important is that one of them was my junior brother."
"So today, you pay for him!"
He then stood up, glanced at Elder Qin, and politely said:
"Wu Mingxuan deserved to die, but the current evidence is insufficient, so I had to take matters into my own hands like this."
"If Elder Qin has any objections, I can come challenge your sect again once I break through to the Innate Realm."
"Now, please announce the result of the battle, Elder Qin."
Elder Qin's face was cold as he looked at the mangled corpse beside Jiang Heng and loudly declared:
"The victor is Jiang Heng!"
Then he turned back to Jiang Heng and said coldly:
"Since you've won, the challenge is over. Return to your Dalu Sect!"
Jiang Heng raised an eyebrow, his expression a mixture of amusement and mockery as he said:
"I remember the rule is that you have to challenge at least ten people, right?"
"Surely, the mighty Heavenly Sword Sect, with hundreds of core disciples, isn't cowering below and refusing to step onto the stage against a Qi Refinement realm nobody like me, right?"
"Or is it that Elder Qin, on behalf of the Heavenly Sword Sect, admits defeat?"
Elder Qin remained silent, then turned and leaped off the arena.
Elder Zhou turned to give Jiang Heng a glance, smiled, and followed suit.
Two attendants quickly ascended the stage to handle Wu Mingxuan's body and tidy up the arena.
"Next contestant!"
Jiang Heng announced loudly, his voice echoing across the spacious martial arts arena.
The audience below once again fell silent, their gazes fixed on the seven in the spectator area.
Although everyone knew that with Jiang Heng's overwhelming strength and ruthless methods, no one would dare to step up again, there was still a glimmer of hope in their hearts.
The prestigious Heavenly Sword Sect, facing the taunts of a Qi Refinement realm martial artist, would be a source of shame and disgrace if no one dared to challenge.
Of course, when the sky falls, it's the tall ones who should bear it.
With their ordinary disciple status, they had no qualifications to confront him. Only the core disciples with positions should fight for the honor of the sect.
At this moment, many ordinary disciples secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The seven in the spectator area exchanged glances but remained silent, and none of them dared to step onto the stage.
Thousands of eyes were watching them, and what used to be their pride had now turned into discomfort.
Although no one said anything, they seemed to hear countless voices:
"You cowards, hurry up and step onto the stage!"
"Facing the taunts of a Qi Refinement realm martial artist, you're all shrinking back. It's a disgrace to the Heavenly Sword Sect!"
"It's incredible how arrogant you used to be, and now you're cowering like bears."
But compared to these strange looks, going up on the stage to be humiliated or even killed would be an even greater humiliation.
On the arena, Jiang Heng smiled faintly as he looked at the seven in the spectator area.
"What's the matter? None of you want to come up?"
"Or maybe, I'll give you a chance; all of you can come up together!"
"Otherwise, just admit defeat to me!"
The seven exchanged glances.
Some of them seemed tempted, while others remained resolute in their refusal.
"No one can break through his defense. Going up there, even with more people, would be suicidal."
Someone murmured quietly.
Upon hearing this, several others abandoned their thoughts of stepping onto the stage.
"I'll count down from ten. When the time is up, it'll be considered as your surrender."
"Ten!"
"Nine!"
In the spectator area, Elder Qin's face turned even darker, his murderous intent boiling within.
"A mere Qi Refinement realm kid dares to insult the Heavenly Sword Sect like this!"
"After this, I'll take your life for sure!"
Around the arena, all the spectators watched as Jiang Heng slowly counted down, and a sense of urgency began to well up within them.
Someone suddenly shouted, "Step onto the stage!"
"Step onto the stage!"
More and more people began to echo the call.
They didn't want to witness such arrogance from others within their own sect.
The seven individuals in the spectator area also grew increasingly displeased.
Some with hot tempers even stood up abruptly, but realizing Jiang Heng's strength, they sat back down with grim faces.
In the face of life and death, pride and honor meant nothing.
On the arena, Jiang Heng continued his slow countdown.
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
As the countdown reached its conclusion, the voices of the crowd below also dwindled until they fell completely silent.
"It seems that the core disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect have surrendered."
"You've all disappointed me."
Jiang Heng shook his head, stepped down from the arena, and joined Elder Zhou in the spectator area. They accepted the chips and spoils handed to them by Elder Qin and left without a word.
The onlookers watched their departing figures in long-lasting silence.
For the disciples, this was a day of disgrace for the Heavenly Sword Sect.
The top core disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect had been killed by an inner disciple of the Dalu Sect on the arena, and it had even reached a point where no one dared to challenge him.
It was as if they had trampled the face of the Heavenly Sword Sect beneath their feet.
Meanwhile, on the side of the Dalu Sect, this inner disciple, Jiang Heng, would rise to fame from this day forward.
...
In the main hall of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
"Worthless!"
"Absurd!"
Upon receiving the report from Elder Qin, Sect Master Kang was furious.
"The core disciples of the prestigious Heavenly Sword Sect were unable to challenge an outer disciple of the Dalu Sect?"
"How will others perceive our Heavenly Sword Sect when this news spreads?"
"Spread the word: within one year, all the benefits for core disciples will be revoked!"
"Furthermore, appoint ten elders to supervise the training of all core disciples and organize ten high-intensity trials!"
"All these inadequate wastes will be put through rigorous training!"