Chapter 104: Quarterfinals Matchup, Battle Against Yu Shaoqing

The quarterfinal draw was soon announced.

Pure Yang Sect drew Tianyi City, and the Immortal Dao Merchant Association drew Mysterious Yin City. The Mysterious Yin Sect was lucky enough to draw the old family ranked eighth. Tianyuan Sect faced Pure Yang City.

“Damn it, right off the bat we’re facing Pure Yang City. The top four is hopeless now; we can only conserve our strength and compete for fifth place.”

Lin Tiancheng’s hopes sank at the draw. Their very first opponent was Pure Yang City, with its late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. If necessary, they should concede and preserve their strength for fifth place.

“Qin Xiao, let’s just concede this match to avoid any injuries. We’ll preserve our strength, and perhaps we can still fight for fifth place.”

Lin Tiancheng went to Qin Xiao to discuss their strategy.

“Sect Leader, there’s no need for that. Apart from that Deputy City Lord, Pure Yang City’s other two fighters are only at the early Nascent Soul stage. We have a fair chance of winning too. Why concede?”

Qin Xiao knew they had a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, but even if his side could not win, could they not defeat the other two?

Qin Xiao did not want to fight for fifth among the lower four. Reaching the top four would secure their place. Even if they finished fourth and lost a challenge, they would remain in the top five. That was the safest approach.

Challenges could only be made in sequence, and only the fifth-ranked competitor could challenge the fourth. Even a loss would leave them at fifth.

Qin Xiao was only being this cautious because he had never fought a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator and could not guarantee victory. Otherwise, he would be aiming for first. Since reaching the fourth layer of Body Refinement, he had spent another two months in Secluded Cultivation. Against mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, at least, he was already invincible.

“Then what are your thoughts?”

Seeing Qin Xiao reject his strategy, Lin Tiancheng turned to Yun Man and Lin Shimeng.

“I’ll follow Master’s lead.”

Yun Man naturally stood by Qin Xiao.

“Father, I think we should try too. If we really can’t beat them, we’ll preserve our strength.”

Lin Shimeng knew how strong her master and Eldest Senior Sister were. She had no wish to concede either.

“Fine. You are the ones competing, so I respect your opinions. But you must be careful-if you cannot win, surrender immediately and avoid injury at all costs.”

Lin Tiancheng had been unsure from the start. Now that all three insisted on fighting, he could only remind them to be careful.

Before setting out, Lin Tiancheng had given Qin Xiao the authority to make decisions, and Qin Xiao had given him his word. He could not interfere by force now. Otherwise, if they failed to secure a place, he would be blamed.

On the other side, City Lord Yu Chengfeng was in high spirits upon seeing the draw results. Drawing Tianyuan Sect meant securing his spot without a hitch.

As far as he was concerned, Tianyuan Sect had no hope of making the top five this time. He had worried about drawing Tianyi City or Pure Yang Sect, either of which would mean a hard fight with no guarantee of victory. Now his place in the top four was secure.

The first match soon began between the Pure Yang Sect and Tianyi City.

The result was no surprise. Tianyi City had two peak Golden Core cultivators and one at the late Nascent Soul stage. Cang Chen defeated the first two alone, but did not last long against Fang Xiuxian.

Cang Chen did not prolong the fight. To preserve his strength, he stepped down once he knew he could not win. Cang Xing went next to wear Fang Xiuxian down. Find the original chapter at novelping . com.

The older brother had cultivated for many more years and naturally had plenty of combat experience. Even if he could not win, he could wear his opponent down considerably.

In the end, Gong Yuankui stepped up at peak condition and defeated Fang Xiuxian with minimal effort.

“Forget it. I’ll conserve my strength for Qin Xiao. If an opening appears, killing him would be best.”

Aware that his current state was no match for Gong Yuankui, Fang Xiuxian conceded after a brief exchange.

The Immortal Dao Merchant Association and the Mysterious Yin Sect enjoyed favorable draws, facing opponents whose highest cultivation reached only the early Nascent Soul stage. A single fighter from each side swept three opponents in a row to end the battles swiftly.

Next came the centerpiece of the tournament: Pure Yang City versus Tianyuan Sect.

The two established factions usually ranked fourth and fifth. In previous years, a mid-stage Nascent Soul Holy Maiden would have assured Tianyuan Sect of victory. This time, however, Pure Yang City had a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Tianyuan Sect appeared to have almost no chance.

Worse, Tianyi City also had a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator and had lost its match. That would leave Tianyuan’s team without even fifth place, costing it a place in Spirit Medicine Valley.

“Qin Xiao, you still wanted to cross swords with us? It seems you won’t get the chance now. We’ll just have to settle things in a private match after the tournament.”

Luo Yunshuang did not believe Tianyuan Sect could beat Pure Yang City either. Their wager would have to be settled in private.

Ling Ruoxue, however, believed in Qin Xiao. Anyone who could casually produce Saint Origin Spirit Fruits could hardly be as simple as he looked. Qin Xiao surely had plenty of trump cards.

“Shimeng, you’re up first as usual. Clear out the two small fry quickly, and try to wear down Yu Heguang if you can. If not, fall back and let Yun Man take over.”

Qin Xiao assigned the opening slot to Lin Shimeng once again.

“Understood.”

Lin Shimeng could only accept it. She was the weakest of the three. If she did not go first, did she expect to be their secret weapon?

“Father, let me take the first match.”

Seeing Lin Shimeng take the stage, Yu Shaoqing stepped forward to volunteer.

Yu Shaoqing did not have a Heavenly Spirit Root, but his family was rich. With Spirit Stones and resources poured into him, he had reached the Nascent Soul stage. He also had plenty of treasures, so he could put up a fight against a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

“Go on, then. Treat it as a lesson. Don’t think you’re the only one with treasures. She’s a Sect Holy Maiden, and she has no fewer than you do. Step down if you can’t win.”

Yu Chengfeng had planned to send his twenty-seventh brother up for a clean sweep. Since his son wanted to show what he could do, he agreed.

“Junior Sister Lin, please offer your guidance.”

Yu Shaoqing maintained a polite demeanor.

“Cut the chatter. Get ready and start.”

Having fought all day, Lin Shimeng was in no mood for pleasantries.

“Since Junior Sister Lin doesn’t want to waste words, go ahead.” Read the latest chapters at novеlping.com.

Meeting a cold reception, Yu Shaoqing drew a Middle Grade Dharma Treasure sword and assumed an attacking posture.

Lin Shimeng put away the sword she wore and drew the fine sword her father had given her, also a Middle Grade Dharma Treasure.

Without further words, the two charged at one another simultaneously.

With no advantage in his Dharma Treasure and cultivation one stage below hers, Yu Shaoqing was driven back more than ten meters in the first exchange.

“So this is the difference in cultivation?”

Yu Shaoqing’s fingers were numb. A single exchange had made the difference clear.

He did not lose heart. He moved about rapidly, producing countless phantoms. This time, he gave up a frontal attack and relied on agility.

His father had paid dearly to obtain this movement technique. It could produce many phantoms, with the real figure and the illusions constantly switching places, making it difficult to guard against.

“Fancy tricks.”

Lin Shimeng raised her sword horizontally before her chest. Spiritual Qi gathered throughout her body, and the blade trembled slightly. She seemed to be preparing a powerful attack.

“Not good! I cannot let her strike first.”

Yu Shaoqing hurried to attack her.

Phantoms rushed at Lin Shimeng from every direction, each giving off a powerful aura. There was no telling which was his real body.

“Mountain Severance.”

Lin Shimeng ignored the phantoms. As she spoke the two words, she spun once in place, sending a ring of sword energy spreading outward.

The phantoms shattered beneath the attack. Then a figure flew backward and fell to the ground, spitting blood.

“That was close. Thank goodness my Protective Dharma Treasure saved my life.”

The fallen figure was none other than Yu Shaoqing. Despite his speed, he had failed to outpace Lin Shimeng’s sword energy.

“Shaoqing, you have lost. Step down.”

Seeing his son defeated, Yu Chengfeng spoke up immediately.

He knew his son’s temperament. Unless stopped, Shaoqing would keep fighting to save face and might suffer a serious injury. He had also realized that Lin Shimeng was no easy opponent; his son could not handle her.

“Yes, Father.”

Yu Shaoqing had indeed planned to keep fighting. He still had plenty of trump cards, but at his father’s words, he could only withdraw obediently.