Arriving at the Fifth Match

Ku Ruo realized that his technique had developed a flaw precisely because he had been unnerved by the seventh bolt of Purple Lightning before it had fully formed, allowing Qiu Ran to break through his defenses.

In the end, that seventh bolt never even managed to coalesce.

In other words, had he held his ground with greater resolve, it would not have been long before the supervising cultivators from the Zhuhu side were forced to intervene to save him.

Qiu Ran consumed a pill, allowing the true essence of two Condensed Origin cultivators to stimulate the regeneration of his flesh.

With the outcome decided, he ignored Ku Ruo's cries.

Yet Ku Ruo, unwilling to accept defeat, refused to leave the arena until his injuries had fully recovered.

"Qiu Ran, I ask you one last time-did you truly master the seventh tribulation lightning?"

Ku Ruo demanded.

"What difference does it make?"

Qiu Ran replied indifferently.

"Of course it does!"

Ku Ruo said, somewhat agitated. "If you had truly mastered it, I would accept my loss with conviction. If not, then I merely fell for your ruse! It does not mean I am truly your inferior."

"Is that so?"

Qiu Ran glanced at him before offering a reply.

"I mastered eight."

Without another word, he turned and returned to the high platform, leaving Ku Ruo frozen in place with a dazed, vacant expression.

"Eight bolts? Who is he trying to fool?"

Xiao Yize muttered.

Yang Lingshu nodded upon hearing this, assuming his senior brother meant that Qiu Ran had indeed bluffed Ku Ruo and had not actually mastered seven bolts of tribulation lightning.

He had not expected Xiao Yize's next words to be, "He clearly mastered all nine."

"Nine bolts?!"

Yang Lingshu could not help but exclaim.

Xiao Yize grimaced and nodded. "Exactly. Do you really think seven bolts would be enough to intimidate your senior brother?"

"The ninth lightning was simply too powerful-it is beyond what any Qi Gathering cultivator could withstand."

"Oh, of course, Shen Yue is the exception. His 'Green Mountain' is even more preposterous!"

Seated below, Yang Lingrui also sensed the terrifying combat power Qiu Ran possessed.

Every technique he executed surpassed the might of his own Five Thunder Talisman.

The final few bolts of tribulation lightning could easily have obliterated an ordinary twelfth-layer Qi Gathering cultivator, body and soul.

"If he is already this strong, why is he still not the pinnacle?"

Yang Lingrui thought, looking toward the high platform where Shen Yue sat.

Everyone in the Zhuhu Wangchao knew that Li Yuande had been invincible among Condensed Origin cultivators. Since his death, no one had stood shoulder to shoulder with Shen Yue.

What terrifying strength must this figure, who stood at the summit of all geniuses, truly possess?

With the third match concluded, the Zhuhu side led by two wins to one.

If the Zhuhu side were to win the next match, there would be no chance for Shen Yue and Xue Qingluan to take the field.

Although no one spoke it aloud, there were surely many present who hoped the competition would reach a fifth match.

Wu Zhao stepped onto the platform and clasped his hands toward Lang Wuhen.

Previously, he had regarded Shen Yue as his only true rival.

But after witnessing today's three matches, his confidence had wavered significantly.

Whether it was He Shenglai or Qiu Ran, he held no absolute certainty of victory against either. And Qiu Ran had admitted himself that he was inferior to Shen Yue.

However, this was not entirely a bad thing; true strength requires one to forge a resilient Dao Heart while breaking through the doubts of the self.

The fourth match began.

Like Yu Tingzhi, Lang Wuhen practiced the Lone Moon Mountain spirit communication technique, the Lone Moon Reflecting Heaven Art.

But his mastery far surpassed hers.

The moon manifested through his Spirit Manifestation Image appeared as a true moon descending upon the world, emitting a cold, desolate, and lonely aura.

Wu Zhao used the Spirit-Commanding Method to summon a lion soul to possess his body, and amidst the boundless moonlight, he carved out a rift.

His figure flashed, delivering a fist of absolute force toward the manifestation of the moon.

Boom!

The moon shattered under the fierce power of the blow.

Seeing this, some of the disciples began to cheer prematurely, but a trace of unwillingness flickered across Wu Zhao's face.

Hum.

"Moon Like a Hook."

Lang Wuhen murmured, and in an instant, a new moon pierced through Wu Zhao's chest from behind.

The supervising cultivators immediately leaped into the arena, dispersing the technique before it could reach Wu Zhao's heart.

Wu Zhao had lost.

Upon returning to the high platform, he approached Shen Yue for the first time.

"I am indeed your inferior."

"The Dao is learned in order, and skills have their specializations. There is no such thing as absolute inferiority," Shen Yue replied, shaking his head. "It was a pity just now; it was only a hair's breadth. Had that punch been a fraction faster, Lang Wuhen would not have had time to substitute his position."

Wu Zhao nodded. "My cultivation is insufficient, both in mind and ability. I have been arrogant and provocative in the past; I hope Brother Shen does not take offense."

Shen Yue chuckled, rose, and bowed to Wu Zhao.

"The rivalry between the Martial Court and the Calligraphy Court has always existed. You need not take the blame."

"You fought a hard battle. As for the outcome of this competition, leave it to me."

With that, Shen Yue floated lightly onto the Dao Discussion Platform.

"Alright, Junior Brother, you can start thinking about what reward you want for later."

"Ah? Senior Brother, the fifth match hasn't even started yet."

Yang Lingshu gestured toward the arena.

Xiao Yize turned and patted him on the shoulder. "Junior Brother, you must know that in the history of our Zhuhu, there has never been a case of a Qi Gathering cultivator crossing realms to kill a Condensed Origin cultivator, right?"

Yang Lingshu nodded honestly. "I know. True essence is far beyond what a Qi Gathering cultivator can withstand, so such a feat has never been recorded."

"Indeed. Now, do you know what kind of achievements Shen Yue has had?"

"Is it... fighting to a draw with a Condensed Origin cultivator?"

"No, no."

Xiao Yize waved a hand and continued with a serious expression. "Once, Shen Yue was pursued by a Condensed Origin cultivator from the Blood Feather Hall into a forbidden land."

"Shen Yue returned from that land alive, but the Blood Feather Hall cultivator was never heard from again."

"He claimed the cultivator died after triggering a powerful restriction, but subsequent investigations suggested that Shen Yue had slain him. There was simply no critical evidence to confirm it."

Yang Lingshu was hearing this secret for the first time, and his heart surged with excitement.

A Qi Gathering cultivator killing a Condensed Origin cultivator!

What a feat that was!

"Watch closely, Junior Brother."

Xiao Yize led him to the edge of the platform and looked down at Shen Yue's back. "Today, you have the fortune to witness what it means to be the 'Green Mountain Unbeaten' of our Zhuhu!"

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