Wu Zheng left the arena, the echo of his victory still ringing in the air. The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement palpable as they celebrated his triumph over Wu Ping.
As the guards escorted Wu Ping out of the ring, he leaned heavily against one of them, his face flushed from the exertion. The audience watched with bated breath, whispering among themselves about the duel they had just witnessed. The tension from the fight lingered like static in the air, crackling with anticipation for what was to come.
In the midst of the fervor, Wu Rui stood off to the side, his brow furrowed in thought. He had expected to gauge out wu zheng full strength against Wu Ping's superior cultivation, yet the boy had displayed remarkable combat intelligence. But his talent being not too extraordinary. Wu Rui pondered, his mind swirling with conflicting thoughts. Wu Zheng was a wild card, full of potential yet lacking the raw ability to rise through the ranks quickly. Could he pose a threat? It was difficult to say, and the uncertainty gnawed at him.
The atmosphere shifted as the next duel fighters stepped into the arena. The crowd's energy transformed, anticipation hanging thick in the air like a storm cloud. Wu Wei, a veteran cultivator, strode forward confidently, a smile etched across his face. His relaxed posture conveyed both experience and arrogance, a stark contrast to Wu Jian, who entered with an air of calm detachment. His sharp, focused gaze scanned the arena, betraying no hint of excitement or nerves. The stark contrast between the two contenders only heightened the audience's anticipation.
The duel began with a resounding gong, signaling the start of the match. Wu Wei surged forward, a blur of movement as he unleashed a powerful swing of his sword. The audience gasped collectively, the sound echoing like a tidal wave. However, before they could fully process the action, Wu Jian seemed to dissolve into thin air, expertly evading the strike with a deft sidestep that barely registered in the chaos.
Wu Wei's sword cut through the air, the sharp whistle of metal echoing around the arena. The crowd leaned forward, breaths held in disbelief as Wu Jian landed just outside of Wu Wei's range, a flicker of motion that was almost imperceptible. In an instant, he countered, his sword flashing in a blur of silver. With one decisive strike, Wu Jian's blade found its mark, knocking Wu Wei unconscious before anyone could comprehend how swiftly the battle had turned.
Gasps filled the air, followed by a stunned silence. Eyes widened in disbelief, murmurs cascaded through the crowd, filled with a mix of confusion and awe. How had Wu Jian, a fourth-stage cultivator, defeated a sixth-stage fighter so quickly? Whispers floated through the stands, questions laced with disbelief. Some speculated about hidden techniques, while others recalled Wu Jian's rapid rise through the clan's ranks.
Elders watched from the sidelines, their expressions inscrutable. Wu Rui's eyes narrowed, dissecting the moment. He had seen it—the subtle grace, the almost supernatural speed Wu Jian had displayed. What kind of talent allows such a disparity to vanish in an instant? He felt a prick of unease, realizing that his previous assumptions about Wu Jian's capabilities might have been dreadfully underestimated.
Meanwhile, Wu Zheng stood among the crowd, his gaze fixed intently on the arena. He processed what had just occurred, his mind racing. Unlike the others, he understood the intricacies of the techniques at play. Wu Jian had used a skill to reposition himself at the last moment, a technique designed to evade lethal strikes and create openings. Wu Zheng felt a surge with excitement for the first time after the banquet started; this duel was not merely a display of power but a testament to strategy and skill.
As the audience's reactions began to settle, Wu Jian bowed respectfully, his demeanor calm and collected despite the gravity of his victory. He left the arena to a chorus of mixed reactions—some in awe, others in disbelief. The scent of sweat and tension hung in the air, thick and heavy as the crowd began to murmur again.
Just as Wu Rui prepared to address the audience and declare the end of the banquet, a voice rang out from the throng, cutting through the din like a blade. "Wu Rui, don't you also want to show your capabilities and power? Why don't we have a duel?"
All eyes turned toward the source of the challenge, curiosity swirling like a whirlwind through the crowd. The atmosphere shifted once more, crackling with renewed energy and anticipation for what was to come.