"Donglin City is but a small city in the Cloud Province, and the stage here is too limited. Would you be willing to go to the North Gate?"
Xu Madman's second statement further astonished everyone. He, Xu Madman, was actually personally inviting Lu Li to the North Gate.
That is a bona fide Second Star Sect, and a Second Star Sect is truly a colossal entity.
Even more incredulous at this moment is the head of the Xu family. He knows that Wind is not just speaking idly. Wind, upon returning, had told him that he had gained the attention of an elder in the sect, becoming a direct disciple. This time, he returned for the grand competition to help the Xu family expand its influence and to scout for talent in Donglin City to bring back to the North Gate.
However, when Lu Li heard Xu Madman's words, he shook his head. Facing the olive branch extended by Xu Madman towards the North Gate, Lu Li surprisingly shook his head without hesitation.
Many aspire to join a Second Star Sect, and it's difficult even to get in. In the many years Donglin City has existed, only two people have entered a sect of that caliber.
Yet, Lu Li, without hesitation, rejected the offer. It's truly unclear what he is thinking.
"Oh, shall we cease at this point then?"
This is already the second time Xu Madman has said this, and it's after Lu Li explicitly refused to go to the North Gate.
Previously, when Xu Madman suggested ceasing at this point, everyone could understand, thinking that he valued Lu Li's talent and wanted to bring him back to the sect. However, this time, people found it hard to comprehend because Lu Li had already declined the invitation to the North Gate.
Lu Li looked at Xu Madman.
"Very well!"
With a single word, Lu Li made his move.
The blade gleamed like a shooting star. Suddenly, a long sword appeared in Xu Madman's hand, directly cutting through the blade light.
Lu Li's blade was fast, but Xu Madman's sword was faster.
"A storage pouch! Xu Madman actually has a storage pouch!"
"What's so strange about that? He is a disciple of the North Gate; having a storage treasure is commonplace!"
"Commonplace? That's a treasure that can hold a considerable number of items! How many storage treasures do we have in Donglin City?"
"As far as I know, at most five, and only the heads of major families possess such treasures."
Lu Li naturally noticed Xu Madman's storage pouch at this moment, but he didn't care. At this moment, his mind and body were focused on the blade in his hand. A storage pouch? Could it be more impressive than his system space?
Facing a sixth-stage opponent, Lu Li dared not be careless. Eagle against rabbit, he exerted his full strength, especially when facing a stronger opponent.
Lu Li fully deployed his Swift Wind Blade Technique, and at this moment, the blade light was like a storm, sweeping towards Xu Madman.
There, Xu Madman's sword repeatedly broke through the blade light. In the blade light, he moved as if he were taking a leisurely stroll.
A sword in hand seemed impervious, as if it could remain untouched even in the midst of thunderstorms.
"Your blade is decent, but if that's all you've got, you'll lose today!"
After saying this, Xu Madman suddenly changed from defense to offense. The sword light disdainfully looked down, agile and rapid as a silver dragon.
One sword, cold and sharp. Lu Li's blade moves were broken layer by layer. There, Lu Li's Swift Wind Blade Technique, in its perfected state, couldn't withstand this one sword.
The gap between the fourth stage and the sixth stage was too significant. The disciples from an authentic Second Star Sect like the North Gate, whether in martial techniques or cultivation methods, were beyond the reach of the offspring of Donglin City.
At this moment, the audience below believed that Lu Li would surely be defeated. If it weren't for the previous agreement to cease at this point, everyone would think Lu Li was destined to die this time.
And there, Xu Madman suddenly frowned, looking at Lu Li in disbelief. His sword had been blocked by Lu Li.
The Yellow-level Advanced Sword Art, the Wandering Dragon Sword Art of the North Gate, had been cultivated to a state of minor accomplishment. Even under the same cultivation level, few could withstand Xu Madman's attacks. Yet now, Lu Li, a fourth-stage martial artist, blocked Xu Madman's sword.
"No, Lu Li, your Swift Wind Blade Technique is different from the one commonly circulated in the market!"
At this moment, deep in Lu Li's mind, the system's voice echoed.
"Congratulations to the host for successfully blending the Breaking Waves Seven Blades with the Swift Wind Blade Technique, reward: one lottery draw!"
In Lu Li's mind, the first move of the Breaking Waves Seven Blades and the techniques of the Swift Wind Blade continually flashed, constantly merging. At this moment, the Swift Wind Blade Technique unexpectedly contained a hint of the intent from the Breaking Waves Seven Blades.
"I didn't expect it, Lu Li. I underestimated you. The modifications you made to the Swift Wind Blade Technique are indeed impressive, much stronger than before."
Delighted by the unexpected turn, Xu Madman's sword momentum surged forth. Meanwhile, Lu Li's Swift Wind Blade Technique and the first move of the Breaking Waves Seven Blades became more harmonious.
The two clashed in terms of techniques, surprisingly evenly matched.
Lu Li's blade increasingly astonished Xu Madman, who couldn't help but marvel.
"Well, I didn't expect that a Yellow-level Low-tier blade technique could be used like this. This trip to Donglin City is not in vain!"
All present heard Xu Madman's words, never expecting him to speak so highly of Lu Li. A single Lu Li made Xu Madman say that this trip to Donglin City was not in vain.
Seeing Lu Li's blade technique, it was indeed worth the trip.
"Lu Li, I didn't want to overpower you, but it seems I have no choice. Otherwise, losing to you would be too unsightly! After all, I'm two realms higher than you."
Xu Madman laughed heartily, and Lu Li also laughed.
Xu Madman was quite straightforward. Previously known only as a martial fanatic, it now seemed that this person was indeed not bad.
The two laughed heartily, appreciating each other.
Xu Madman's sixth-stage strength burst forth, immediately overpowering the blade technique. Lu Li's fourth-stage cultivation, equivalent to an ordinary fifth-stage, was still inferior when facing Xu Madman at the sixth stage.
Lu Li's blade technique was broken layer by layer, as the gap in realm and spiritual power was too great.
"Xu Madman truly deserves to be a master at the sixth stage. With his strength fully unleashed, Lu Li can't resist!"
"I don't know why Xu Madman wants to cease at this point against the Lu family. Strange!"
"I wonder how many moves Lu Li can withstand under Xu Madman's hands?"
"This time, in the grand competition, it seems that Xu Madman is undoubtedly the first!"
The audience below at this moment all believed that Xu Madman would win. On the stage, Lu Li's blade technique was indeed
almost unable to continue against Xu Madman's Wandering Dragon Sword Art.
Then, Lu Li's eyes suddenly burst with brilliance.
The blade in Lu Li's hand suddenly changed. With one slash, it was no longer as nimble and swift as the Swift Wind Blade Technique. This time, Lu Li's strike carried an unstoppable momentum, as if it could cleave mountains and split seas.
"Good blade technique!"
Even Xu Madman couldn't help but exclaim, his Wandering Dragon Sword Art fully exerted as the sword moved like a wandering dragon, entwining toward Lu Li's forceful strike.
With one slash, a burst of sparks erupted in front of Lu Li. There, Xu Madman was forced to retreat a few steps by Lu Li's strike, and the sword in his hand had already broken.
"Good blade technique, Lu Li. I concede this match. May I ask what technique this is? I have never seen it before!"
"Breaking Waves Blade Technique!"