Zhuge Xiang faced Yuan Kai, and no one thought he had a chance of winning. Although Yuan Kai's strength was slightly inferior to that of Ling Wufeng, Lei Potian, and Lu Yuling, let's not forget that Zhuge Xiang was seriously injured, and his own strength was only at the second level of the Qi Cultivation Realm. How could he stand a chance? With his severely injured body, it's likely that even in the battle for the last eight, he would end up at the bottom of the list, right?
"No matter what, after comprehending Qi in just half a month, securing the eighth place in the big competition is already an impressive feat." Although almost everyone believed that Zhuge Xiang was facing certain defeat, some individuals offered a more pragmatic perspective.
This statement caused many to have a sudden realization. Indeed, Zhuge Xiang had only taken half a month to comprehend Qi, and securing a place in the top eight was a remarkable achievement in itself. As time passed, how much stronger could Zhuge Xiang become? Surpassing Lei Potian might not be a far-fetched idea, after all.
These thoughts secretly startled many people. While Zhuge Xiang might have been late in comprehending Qi, he undeniably possessed exceptional martial talent. Perhaps, he was the biggest genius of the year. For anyone else, understanding Qi within such a short span, let alone achieving Zhuge Xiang's notable results, would be nearly impossible.
Ignoring the contemplations of those below, Zhuge Xiang remained undistracted. Whether people believed he would lose or considered his achievements sufficient, it had no bearing on him. His sole objective was to defeat his opponent and grow stronger.
The twin swords in Yuan Kai's hands moved with remarkable agility. His dual-blade attacks were swift and relentless. In contrast, Zhuge Xiang only wielded a single blood-refining sword, causing him to be initially dominated by Yuan Kai. He found himself passively defending against the relentless barrage of dual-blade strikes.
Faced with Yuan Kai's relentless assault, Zhuge Xiang knew he had to unleash his full strength. However, he also needed to strategize on how to preserve his energy and achieve a swift victory. After all, even someone as formidable as Lei Potian had to rely on the bloodthirsty technique to secure a quick win.
"Hey, you're seriously injured, kid, don't push yourself too hard. Save some strength, and maybe you can secure a good ranking in the duel for the top eight," Yuan Kai advised Zhuge Xiang. Although he had the upper hand thanks to his boots, which increased his movement speed by 30%, it was apparent that Yuan Kai didn't want to expend too much energy on Zhuge Xiang.
"I will return this sentence as it is," Zhuge Xiang responded to Yuan Kai's suggestion without panic, despite looking slightly embarrassed from the earlier struggle.
"A combat genius, indeed, he's a man who won't give up until he's defeated. Quite stubborn," Yuan Kai inwardly cursed in response to Zhuge Xiang's determination.
He understood that Zhuge Xiang was the type of fighting genius who would never relinquish hope of victory, even when facing overwhelming odds, or a relentless pursuer who refused to surrender even if he managed to win the duel. While Lei Potian, Lu Yuling, and Ling Wufeng might not have much of a chance against Zhuge Xiang, Yuan Kai wanted to give it a shot. Moreover, the treatment within the sect differed greatly between the top four and the bottom four.
"Hey, regardless of who wins, the subsequent battles will be extremely perilous. How about we agree to a three-move showdown? Three moves to decide the outcome?" Yuan Kai proposed, hoping to avoid a prolonged and wasteful confrontation.
"Okay!" Zhuge Xiang agreed with minimal hesitation. He took a few steps back, distancing himself from the range of Yuan Yang Saber.
Another three-move showdown? Hearing the exchange between Zhuge Xiang and Yuan Kai, the onlookers began to discuss. After witnessing the intense conflict between Zhuge Xiang and Ji Wuxue, and now another three-move showdown, it was evident that even with severe injuries, Zhuge Xiang was prepared to go all out. The anticipation for the duel's outcome was palpable, and many secretly pondered how Zhuge Xiang would withstand Yuan Kai's attacks.
"Mandarin Duck Saber Technique, Eighteen Chain Slashes!" Yuan Kai was elated when Zhuge Xiang accepted his proposal. He unleashed the most powerful technique of the Mandarin Duck Saber, slashing towards Zhuge Xiang with the speed of a knife. Each strike was delivered with precision and ferocity, all within the span of three moves.
Determining the outcome in three moves didn't necessarily mean one side had to defeat the other within that time frame, as it was a challenging feat. Rather, it meant that within three moves, one side had to either subdue their opponent or inflict significant damage, making it difficult for the opponent to continue the fight or reduce their combat effectiveness. Essentially, it was about who could perform better in these three decisive exchanges.
"Bang bang bang..." Confronted with Yuan Kai's Eighteen Chain Slashes, Zhuge Xiang staggered backward, desperately wielding his blood-refining knife to block the relentless onslaught. His efforts were met with exhaustion as he struggled to cope with the barrage. The intensive offensive further exacerbated Zhuge Xiang's injuries, causing him to groan, his face turning pale, and a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
Witnessing Zhuge Xiang's diminishing strength, Yuan Kai intensified his dance with the Mandarin Duck Saber, executing his secret skill, "One Blow Through the Mountain." Seizing the opportunity of Zhuge Xiang's weakened state, Yuan Kai unleashed a powerful knife technique, aiming to secure an instant victory.
"Frost Headband!" Upon seeing this move, Yuan Kai, driven by his eagerness for quick victory, sought to secure an instant triumph. However, his intense desire for victory led to a lapse in his vigilance, triggering the deceleration effect of the Frost Headband.
"Here it comes..." As Yuan Kai's speed abruptly dropped, the attention of Lei Potian, Ling Wufeng, and Lu Yuling was fixed on the unfolding move. The enigmatic ability displayed by Zhuge Xiang could instantaneously reduce the opponent's speed, but the mechanism behind it remained a mystery. It was the unknown that intrigued them the most.
Bloodlust!
When the opportune moment arose, Zhuge Xiang acted with decisive precision. Nearly simultaneously with the activation of the Frost Headband's function, he triggered the bloodthirsty technique, causing his overall attributes to surge by 50%. At this instant, Yuan Kai's earth-shattering strike reached Zhuge Xiang.
"Zhuge Xiang is done for..." Many observers secretly shook their heads.
Despite the Frost Headband's vigilance effect, the might of the "Mountain-Breaking Blow" martial skill was overwhelming. Moreover, Yuan Kai was at the third level of the Qi cultivation stage. Even with the bloodthirsty technique activated, Zhuge Xiang was in a dire situation. He had no time to employ the Blood Thunder Slash, and it seemed he lacked the means to block Yuan Kai's ferocious assault.
Yuan Kai's most powerful attack, purely in terms of destructive force, might prove unstoppable by Zhuge Xiang, even with the Blood Thunder Slash activated in a bloodthirsty state.
Yet, just when it appeared Zhuge Xiang was fated to fall, Lu Yuling kept her gaze fixed on him. She remained attentive throughout, knowing that Zhuge Xiang, in his final surge, would not succumb so easily.
Ding!
A clear, metallic clang resonated in the air—a sound of steel against steel. Holding the Blood-Refining Blade in his right hand, Zhuge Xiang swiftly maneuvered it, and, seemingly out of nowhere, a dagger materialized in his palm. With a fierce parry, he met the Mountain-Breaking Blow, effortlessly thwarting Yuan Kai's assault.
Impossible!
Yuan Kai unleashed his most formidable attack, a strike even Lei Potian had to momentarily evade, but Zhuge Xiang, at only the second level of the Qi Cultivation Realm, swiftly intercepted it with his dagger. The sight left Yuan Kai wide-eyed, shaken and lacking confidence.
Lei Potian, Ling Wufeng, and the audience members Hua Nongying and Ji Wuxue, all stared in disbelief. Successfully blocking this strike had exceeded their expectations. It was akin to a lion's fierce strike being effortlessly halted by a goat.
"Is this his trump card? How did he manage it?" Even Lu Yuling, who held immense faith in Zhuge Xiang, found herself at a loss.
Zhuge Xiang's cultivation at the second level of Qi cultivation had easily withstood the most potent martial arts technique of a third-level Qi cultivator, shattering everyone's preconceived notions.
Did the astonishment from others slow down Zhuge Xiang's attack? Absolutely not. Just as his parrying blade skillfully halted Yuan Kai's lightning-fast assault, Zhuge Xiang's blood-refining knife landed on the opponent's chest, sending blood spurting as it sliced through several ribs. A gruesome gash appeared on Yuan Kai's chest, prompting horrified screams from many recently arrived Shura Sect disciples.
In Shura Sect, a sect of demons, death during a duel was solely attributed to one's own lack of skill. Today's grand competition alone had already claimed over a hundred disciples. The sect was determined to impart a profound lesson to those who hadn't yet become official disciples: Shura Sect wasn't a place for carefree cultivation.
"I concede defeat!" The searing pain in his chest jolted Yuan Kai to his senses. The realization that Zhuge Xiang had thwarted his attack shattered his mental composure. In his awakened state, Yuan Kai hastily declared his surrender.
If the opponent doesn't acknowledge defeat, Zhuge Xiang will continue his assault relentlessly. He understands that he must incapacitate the opponent or continue his attack until the opponent is incapable of fighting or succumbs.
"Ding, defeated a third-level Qi Cultivation Realm disciple, earned 142 experience points and obtained experience scrolls."