Among all weapons, the whip is considered the nemesis of the sword.
It counters rigidity with flexibility and uses long-range attacks against short-range strikes.
At this moment, Hong Tao stood more than ten meters away, but he was still able to launch attacks at Zhang Ruochen. His whip techniques were unpredictable, and it felt as if he were wielding a golden serpent. The whip curved and twisted through the air, producing sharp, piercing sounds as it cracked with incredible speed.
The tip of the golden whip was equipped with a three-inch-long spike, sharper than a sword's point.
"Interesting," Zhang Ruochen finally remarked.
He activated the True Qi within his body, circulating it into his legs. All 27 of his meridians began to operate simultaneously. In a flash, his body turned into a shadow, darting through the spaces between the strikes of the golden whip.
In just a split second, Zhang Ruochen closed the distance of over ten meters, appearing right in front of Hong Tao.
Hong Tao's expression changed instantly as he tried to retract his whip to defend himself against Zhang Ruochen.
Smack!
Zhang Ruochen swung the sheath of his sword, striking Hong Tao on the neck.
Hong Tao lost his balance and tumbled off the platform.
However, just as he was about to fall, Hong Tao managed to twist his body mid-air, landing firmly on his feet below the stage, avoiding the embarrassing defeat that had befallen the previous six challengers.
Standing below the platform, Hong Tao gazed intently at Zhang Ruochen. "I've lost!"
Zhang Ruochen's footwork was too fast. Even if they fought again, Hong Tao knew the outcome would be the same—he would lose.
Another victory with a single strike!
"Even with Hong Tao's level of cultivation, he couldn't withstand a single move from him? That's just insane!" someone in the audience exclaimed.
Xue Bingsheng, twirling his folding fan, let a sly smile play on his lips. "Interesting."
"For the eighth match, allow me to put an end to your winning streak," Xue Bingsheng announced, transforming into a white blur as he gracefully leaped onto the stage like a leaf floating down from a tree.
"Xue Bingsheng," Zhang Ruochen muttered.
Zhang Ruochen had witnessed Xue Bingsheng's earlier match against Nie Heng, where he had killed his opponent with a single move. Xue Bingsheng's speed was incredibly fast—he was undeniably a formidable foe.
Xue Bingsheng smiled, "Among all the geniuses I've encountered, besides the Seventh Prince, you rank the highest, Ninth Prince. It's impressive that you've advanced by two levels in under two months since the year-end assessment, reaching the advanced stage of the Yellow Realm. Truly admirable!"
"You're from the National Teacher's Manor?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
"Yes," Xue Bingsheng replied.
"Are you confident you can defeat me?" Zhang Ruochen asked calmly.
With a sly grin, Xue Bingsheng responded, "Your greatest strength lies in your swordsmanship, having reached the high level of Sword Follows Heart. But your weakness is your limited True Qi. You've just broken through to the advanced stage, haven't you?"
Zhang Ruochen remained silent.
Xue Bingsheng continued, "Your speed is indeed impressive, but mine is not inferior. While your speed might give you an edge against others, it won't work on me. And when it comes to strength, with my cultivation at the peak of the Yellow Realm, I likely surpass you."
"Is that so?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Xue Bingsheng nodded, "Ninth Prince, you should draw your sword when facing me."
"I'll draw my sword when I deem your strength worthy," Zhang Ruochen replied.
"You should be cautious, Ninth Prince. My Iron Bone Fan is a third-rank True Martial treasure, and nine peak-stage Yellow Realm martial artists have already died under it."
As he spoke, Xue Bingsheng opened his previously folded fan with a sharp swish. From each fan blade extended a three-inch-long sharp blade.
Swish!
Xue Bingsheng moved with incredible speed, like a ghostly white shadow, and in an instant, he was in front of Zhang Ruochen.
He employed a human-tier high-grade footwork technique called Eight Steps to the Void. Each step covered a distance of one zhang (about 3.33 meters).
Within moments, eight shadows of Xue Bingsheng appeared on the stage, all attacking Zhang Ruochen at once.
Zhang Ruochen stood firm like an immovable divine tree, his legs rooted in place as he swiftly swung his sword sheath in response.
With each swing, the sound of metal clashing echoed through the air, and sparks flickered around them.
Bang! Bang!
In an instant, Zhang Ruochen and Xue Bingsheng exchanged more than 20 blows, their movements so fast that to the untrained eye, it was a blur of shadowy figures colliding on the stage.
Standing on the highest platform, Liu Chengfeng scowled, watching the battle unfold below. "Even Xue Bingsheng is only managing a stalemate with him. This match could go either way."
"Greetings, Young Master Liu!" Han Fu kneeled before Liu Chengfeng, bowing respectfully.
Han Fu was a giant of a man, standing at around 2.6 to 2.7 meters tall. His fists alone were bigger than an average person's head, and his body was covered with yellow leopard-like spots.
He was not a pure human but a half-beast from the Fire Leopard tribe. Half-humans like Han Fu, descendants of beast-human unions, formed their own distinct races. In the Kunlun Realm, there were many such half-human tribes, including the powerful Barbaric Dragon and Barbaric Elephant tribes, as well as the famously beautiful Jade Fox and Moon Fish tribes.
Half-humans often had low social status, with many captured and enslaved.
Han Fu was one such slave, purchased by Liu Chengfeng after setting a record of nine consecutive wins in the Yellow Stage Martial Palace.
"Stand up! Do you see that youth on the stage?" Liu Chengfeng asked, pointing toward Zhang Ruochen.
Han Fu stood, his gaze landing on Zhang Ruochen. "He's strong!"
"Of course, he is. That's why if Xue Bingsheng loses, your next task will be to kill him on the stage," Liu Chengfeng ordered coldly.
"I won't disappoint you, Young Master Liu. Even if it costs me my life, I'll make sure to kill him," Han Fu responded with firm resolve.
Liu Chengfeng nodded. "Watch the fight between him and Xue Bingsheng closely. It will give you an advantage in the next battle."
Han Fu nodded obediently.
"The stakes are too high," the Ninth Princess murmured worriedly. "Xue Bingsheng is too strong. What if something goes wrong?"
Xue Bingsheng might not dare kill Zhang Ruochen outright, but accidents could happen. He was a real threat, a formidable warrior who countered Zhang Ruochen in many aspects. Victory seemed almost impossible for Zhang Ruochen.
The entire Yellow Stage Martial Palace was on edge, with everyone eagerly awaiting the outcome. Could Zhang Ruochen defeat Xue Bingsheng? Could he win his eighth consecutive match?
"It's time to end this!" Zhang Ruochen's eyes sharpened, and with a thrust of his sheath, he unleashed the technique Heavenly Heart Pierces Plum.
His speed tripled, and in an instant, his sword energy turned into a beam of white light, streaking through the air, aimed at Xue Bingsheng's brow.
Xue Bingsheng's expression changed drastically as he tried to retreat, but it was too late!
Smack!
The tip of the sheath struck Xue Bingsheng's brow.
His vision blurred, and he lost all balance, collapsing onto the stage, unconscious.
Luckily for him, Zhang Ruochen had only used the sheath. If it had been the sword itself, Xue Bingsheng's forehead would have been pierced through.
An old servant from the National Teacher's Manor rushed onto the stage, bowing deeply to Zhang Ruochen. "Thank you, Ninth Prince, for sparing his life!"
After bowing, the old servant quickly carried the unconscious Xue Bingsheng off the stage and left the Yellow Stage Martial Palace.
Eight consecutive victories!
The entire Yellow Stage Martial Palace erupted into cheers. At only sixteen years old, Zhang Ruochen had set a record with eight consecutive wins—a truly extraordinary feat.
Even the Yellow List martial artist Liu Chengfeng had not been so powerful at sixteen.
"Ninth Brother is incredible! If Father learns about this, he'll throw a grand feast for sure," the Ninth Princess exhaled in relief, her heart finally calming down.
However, she soon noticed that Zhang Ruochen, after winning eight matches, wasn't stepping down from the stage. Did he intend to fight the ninth match as well?
At that moment, a massive figure—Han Fu—began ascending the stage.
He carried a battle axe weighing 1,200 pounds, his entire body clad in metal armor that was embedded into his flesh and bones, fused with his body.
"It's… Han Fu! This is bad!" The Ninth Princess's face paled. She quickly called out toward the stage, "Ninth Brother, you must forfeit! Han Fu is a battle-crazed monster, and no one who's fought him has survived!"
Shangguan Ling, too, turned pale. "Han Fu is Liu Chengfeng's servant. He'll surely kill you, Ninth Prince! Please, give up now. There's no need to risk your life against this bloodthirsty madman."
Standing on the stage, Han Fu laughed loudly. "Boy, did you hear that? Those two ladies are begging you to forfeit. If you don't, I'll split you in half with my battle axe!"
Zhang Ruochen's gaze shifted to the highest platform, where Liu Chengfeng was watching. Their eyes met.
Liu Chengfeng sneered and called down loudly, "Ninth Prince, if you're afraid of death, you'd better forfeit now. If you die on the stage, it'll be hard for me to explain to the Lord of Yunwu."
"Is that so? We haven't fought yet. Who lives and who dies is still uncertain," Zhang Ruochen replied.
"You don't know your limits," Liu Chengfeng snarled. "Han Fu, show the Ninth Prince your strength. Don't let him underestimate you!"