The Perfection Battle Begins

Most of the spectating disciples had no idea what had actually transpired at the very end of that duel.

When the pale moonlight that filled the field receded like a tide, they could only watch as the Moon-Grasping Sect's guardian cultivator stepped forward with an overcast face. He took Yu Tingzhi-whose face was as white as paper and whose spirit was utterly listless-back onto the cloud boat.

Her Innate True Essence remained undamaged, but having her Spirit Manifestation Image violently shattered by Zi He had severely ruptured her Qi Channels. It would take at least a month of convalescence before she could fully recover.

This was precisely why Zi He had targeted her Spirit Manifestation Image rather than her physical body.

An arrow of True Essence fired directly at her would have threatened her life, forcing the Moon-Grasping Sect's guardian cultivator to intervene immediately.

It would have been just like when he stepped in to save Zheng Han earlier.

In that scenario, though Yu Tingzhi would still have lost, she would have suffered nothing more than superficial flesh wounds-a punishment far too light.

Zi He intended to strike a heavy blow to Lone Moon Mountain's reputation while forcing Yu Tingzhi to pay dearly for her earlier sneak attack on Chu Hao.

Thus, he had not hesitated to obliterate her Spirit Manifestation Image, ensuring she endured the agonizing pain she deserved.

With this defeat, the four Northwest Sects had lost every single match against the Zhuhu Wangchao in the first three rounds.

This outcome was entirely different from what they had envisioned when they first arrived to challenge the mountain.

In their original plans, even if unexpected variables arose in the first three rounds, securing at least two victories should have been effortless.

Yet the reality was that the surprises today were simply too numerous.

In the early-stage duel, Lü Fangxuan had emerged with an impeccable mastery of both mind and technique.

In the mid-stage duel, Qi Wei had disrupted everything with her ability to swallow lightning.

And in the late-stage duel, they believed Yu Tingzhi, armed with her Innate True Essence, would be an invincible force capable of securing an easy victory.

Who could have anticipated encountering Zi He, a cultivator who had inherited the hidden techniques of the Demon-Slaying Bureau?

The final result was devastating: three rounds, three consecutive defeats, and not a single victory for the challengers.

Leaving the other three sects aside, even the cultivators of the Moon-Grasping Sect found it difficult to comprehend.

In their memories, the Zhuhu Wangchao of twenty years ago had been nothing like this.

Back then, whenever they visited to challenge the local sects, they did so with the proud posture of a superior sect. The talent and caliber of their disciples had been an entire tier above anything the dynamic within Zhuhu could produce.

How had the young geniuses of the Zhuhu Wangchao managed to spring up like bamboo shoots after rain in a mere twenty years, each possessing several extraordinary hidden talents?

There was no one they could even ask for answers.

What they did not know was how many years the Zhuhu Wangchao had secretly plotted and orchestrated to create the grand martial atmosphere seen today.

Nor could they guess the immense price the dynasty had paid to ignite the flame within the imperial dragon vein deep beneath Chongtian City.

The leading cultivator of the Moon-Grasping Sect looked profoundly grim, the calm indifference he had maintained while confronting the Daoyuan Mountain elders completely shattered.

Losing the early and mid-stage duels was acceptable.

But losing Yu Tingzhi's match-a battle they considered an absolute certainty-was truly intolerable.

Three consecutive losses amounted to an absolute disgrace.

To come to their gates to challenge their martial standing, only to be beaten black and blue-where would the honor of the four Northwest Sects rest now?

In the upcoming Perfection Battle, they could not afford to lose under any circumstances.

He whispered a few urgent words to the cultivator beside him, who immediately took flight, stepping through the air toward the opposite high platform.

"Incredible," Yang Lingrui praised silently from the spectator seats.

Amidst the blinding light of the Clear Radiance Chasing the Moon technique earlier, he had utilized the strand of consciousness left by Chen Yang in his Sea of Consciousness to clearly perceive the final moments of their clash.

Based on that perception, he had formed a clear judgment.

With his Golden Aspect Dharma Body, External-Aspect Dao Art, and that bizarre Eye Technique combined, Zi He was essentially invincible among anyone below the Perfection stage within the Zhuhu Wangchao.

Yu Tingzhi, relying on that single strand of Innate True Essence, would likely rank second.

Yang Lingrui estimated his own current strength to be slightly greater than Chu Hao's, though he had not yet reached Zi He's level.

As for how he would fare against Yu Tingzhi, the outcome would hinge entirely on a single factor:

Whether or not he could evade her lethal, hidden arrow of True Essence.

If he could successfully dodge that single strike, Yang Lingrui was ninety percent confident he could slay her with his own hands.

On the Dao Discussion Platform, Zi He swallowed a healing pill to regulate his breathing before being escorted off the field by the guardian cultivator.

Following brief consultations between the four Northwest Sects and the various representatives of the Zhuhu Wangchao, the format for the final Perfection Battle was established.

It would consist of five duels, with each side deploying five cultivators. The first faction to secure three victories would claim overall dominance.

Under the tense, expectant gazes of the crowd, the final match list was quickly announced:

Deng Jinzhi of the Wu Kui Sect versus He Shenglai of the He Family.

Tang Ming of Gentleman Mountain versus Feng Lan of the Feng Family.

Ku Ruo of the Blood Shadow Sect versus Qiu Ran of Daoyuan Mountain.

Lang Wuhen of Lone Moon Mountain versus Wu Zhao of the Wangchao Martial Academy.

Xue Qingluan of the Moon-Grasping Sect versus Shen Yue of the Chengtian Academy.

If anyone was thoroughly delighted by this arrangement, it was undoubtedly Xiao Yize.

Because the Myriad Transformations Sect had received direct disciple slots as their reward during the northern encirclement campaign, they had avoided the deep-seated resentment of the other three sects.

Consequently, he was spared from having to participate in these bitter grudge matches.

"Splendid, truly splendid. May your Martial Fortune flourish, fellow Daoists! I shall be cheering for you from the sidelines," Xiao Yize said with a broad grin.

"You utterly worthless wretch! The moment trouble arises, you think of nothing but hiding and fleeing! A lifetime of cultivation would be better spent fed to the dogs!" Mo Xian barked, thoroughly infuriated by his disciple's shameless display.

"Ah, Master, your words are wide of the mark," Xiao Yize replied leisurely.

"It is true that we cultivators must forge ahead with courage, but isn't our ultimate objective to seek the Dao and attain longevity?

"A wise man adapts to his circumstances. Only by seeking advantage and avoiding needless harm can one live a long life, no?

"Master, you still place far too much weight on victories, defeats, fame, and fortune. You must understand that on the path of cultivation, what matters most is..."

Before he could finish his thought, Mo Xian's heavy palm was already swinging toward his face.

Having survived countless such encounters, Xiao Yize was well-prepared. His reaction was instantaneous; he dug his heels into the ground and sent his chair sliding backward, narrowly evading the blow.

Seeing his strike miss, Mo Xian raised his hand to strike again, only to find that Xiao Yize had already pulled Yang Lingshu over to serve as a human shield.

Taking advantage of the moment Mo Xian froze to avoid hitting his other disciple, Yang Lingshu quickly stepped forward with soothing words, finally managing to suppress the raging fire in the elder's heart.

Mo Xian exhaled several deep breaths, turning his gaze toward Yang Lingshu with an expression filled with immense relief.

"At least this second disciple of mine does not share that scoundrel's wretched nature. With proper guidance in the future, there is still hope for him to shoulder the heavy burdens of Heavenwalk Peak."

With that thought, his frustration eased considerably.

However, he remained entirely unaware that Yang Lingshu's stellar performance up to this point was merely a calculated front to cooperate with the dynasty's covert operations to draw the enemy out.

If one were to look at his true disposition, it was highly debatable whether he or Xiao Yize was the greater master of slacking off.

As the master and his two disciples finished their quiet antics, the combatants for the first match of the Perfection Battle stepped onto the Dao Discussion Platform.

"Deng Jinzhi, direct disciple of the Wu Kui Sect Master, eleventh layer of Qi Gathering. Greetings, fellow Daoist."

"He Shenglai of the Ten-Thousandfold Forest He Family, eleventh layer of Qi Gathering. Greetings, fellow Daoist."

Watching the two exchange formalities, Yang Lingshu turned to Xiao Yize with curiosity. "Senior Brother, who do you think will emerge victorious in this match?"

"Hah? Is there even a need to ask? Brother Shenglai will undoubtedly win," Xiao Yize said, leaning comfortably back into his chair.

"That fellow from the Wu Kui Sect is simply unfortunate. Of all the opponents he could have drawn, he had to run into Brother Shenglai.

"If this were a battle out in the wild, he might stand a ghost of a chance. But on this closed Dao Discussion Platform, he has absolutely zero probability of winning."

Yang Lingshu nodded thoughtfully, his gaze turning back to the platform with heightened anticipation.

As the current primary backer of the Yang Family, he naturally desired He Shenglai to demonstrate the most overwhelming strength possible.

The final outcome of the match unfolded precisely as Xiao Yize had foretold.

In less than half the time it took for an incense stick to burn, He Shenglai claimed victory with utterly crushing dominance.

His Spirit Manifestation Image, known as 'Azure Woods Blotting the Sun', manifested instantly, transforming the entire expanse of the Dao Discussion Platform into a dense, primordial forest within a single breath.

The watching disciples could discern nothing of the clash within, hearing only the muffled, heavy detonations of powerful Dao arts echoing from the thicket.

It was not long before the dense foliage parted, and Deng Jinzhi was sent flying from the tree line, coughing up a torrent of blood from the brutal battering he had received.

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