51: Easily advanced to the semi-finals! Qingfengmen's nighttime event!

Zhang Yang pulled back his fist and returned to the observation platform under countless shocked or inquisitive gazes.

Along the way, the gazes of the Clear Wind Sect Disciples followed him like shadows, all focused on him.

Upon returning to the observation platform, the surrounding Disciples were discussing fervently, their eyes full of curiosity about Zhang Yang's current Realm.

Spirit Aperture Realm Ninth Level? Could he truly crush Wei Chen so effortlessly with only this level?

High on the observation platform, Sect Master Ling Yue witnessed Zhang Yang blast Wei Chen off the Martial Arts Stage with just three punches, a hint of astonishment flashing across his face.

Although he had some estimation of Zhang Yang's potential, he hadn't expected him to be this formidable!

Facing a Genius like Wei Chen, he actually settled the matter with three punches, crushing him instantly.

He had thought it would be a fierce struggle between a dragon and a tiger, lasting at least ten minutes... had Wei Chen's reputation been unearned?

No, absolutely not!

Wei Chen was a renowned Genius among the younger generation of the Clear Wind Sect!

One who could condense a high-grade profound pill was an undisputed top-tier Prodigy in the entire Southern Region!

Moreover, Wei Chen had cultivated for several years longer than Zhang Yang, yet he still lost to those three punches!

It wasn't that Wei Chen was weak, but rather that Zhang Yang's strength was too shocking!

"How is he, Sect Master?" Elder Wang at the side said with a smile in his eyes and joy on his brow.

"This lad... is indeed extraordinary!"

Ling Yue nodded slowly; even he had to admit that the talent Zhang Yang displayed surpassed his own from back then!

To reach such a Realm in just over a year was simply Heaven-Defying!

On the other side, the various Nascent Transformation Realm experts invited to the event also had their gazes locked on Zhang Yang below, not moving an inch.

With Wei Chen's age and such cultivation battle power, he would undoubtedly be treated as a precious treasure in any of their respective Sects or clans!

They would exhaust all resources to cultivate him with the highest standards, and could even directly designate him as the future successor of their lineage!

He never expected that such a person would be easily eliminated by the unknown Zhang Yang with just three punches!

Just who on earth was this Zhang Yang?

The experts had also checked the intelligence of the Clear Wind Sect grand competition before watching; Wei Chen was a favorite to win the top spot, while Zhang Yang had been unknown until now.

"Is the Clear Wind Sect truly so blessed with talent to this extent?"

Many Nascent Transformation Realm experts looked at Ling Yue, unable to hide the envy in their eyes.

As the number one Sect in the Southern Region, its foundation was indeed unfathomably deep, with talents as bright as the stars.

Unlike their Sects, where even obtaining a Disciple who could condense a medium-grade profound pill was considered a precious treasure.

With Zhang Yang's battle decided, it was then number five Du Qi's turn to take the stage.

This battle also ended incredibly quickly; Du Qi used only one move, and his opponent was already defeated.

The battle for number six that followed was the same, with victory or defeat decided in a flash.

As for number seven and eight, their contest appeared deadlocked, as their cultivations were evenly matched!

They moved and shifted on the Martial Arts Stage, with energy surging as they fought relentlessly.

It wasn't until the sun was setting that the final spots for the top eight were settled.

At this moment, the giant protective formation above the Martial Arts Stage hummed into operation, and the light barrier shone brightly!

A soft yet powerful glow poured down, illuminating the surrounding miles as bright as day.

The battle for the top four will begin tomorrow.

However, within the Clear Wind Sect, the nights were never silent.

Array patterns shifted on the Martial Arts Stage, instantly dividing it into sixteen small arena areas.

The inner Sect elites of the Clear Wind Sect and the young Disciples from various invited factions stepped onto the stage one after another to spar in pairs and verify their learning.

This was a traditional side event during the Clear Wind Sect's Inner Sect Grand Competition, using an arena system.

Those who could hold their ground on the arena and win more matches would receive generous rewards provided by the Clear Wind Sect.

Zhang Yang stopped to watch for a moment and saw that most of those fighting on the stage were Spirit Aperture Realm Cultivators.

To him, there was nothing new or interesting about it, so he directly took the jade box containing the Purple Sun Pills and turned to return to Xuan Yuan Peak.

However, middle-aged and elderly Martial Artists like Jiang Haochuan and Cang Lingchuan were full of interest.

They went one after another to challenge and defend the arenas.

Returning to the quiet room on Xuan Yuan Peak, Zhang Yang sat cross-legged and began to refine the Purple Sun Pills, absorbing the elemental energy within to increase his cultivation.

Although these four thousand Purple Sun Pills weren't enough to help him Breakthrough to the Profound Core Realm Third Level in one go, they were enough to advance most of his cultivation and make the Profound Core in his body more solid.

As the first light of dawn appeared, Zhang Yang pushed open the door of the quiet room and stepped out.

After a night of bitter cultivation, he had successfully refined over a thousand Purple Sun Pills.

Stepping onto the Martial Arts Stage again, the place was still bustling with people; the stage was filled with the flashes of sabers and swords and constant shouting, as challengers and defenders fought heartily.

Zhang Yang saw an acquaintance, Cang Lingchuan; he truly lived up to being an old fellow who had stayed at the Spirit Aperture Realm Ninth Level for nearly two hundred years.

At this moment, he was sitting steadily on an arena, his demeanor calm and heavy.

There was still some time before the battle for the top four.

Zhang Yang wasn't impatient either; he found a spot at the edge of the observation platform, and while focusing his mind to comprehend Saber Intent, he quietly waited for the great battle to begin.

As the morning sun rose, ten thousand golden rays pierced through the clouds and spilled onto the vast land.

"Clang—!"

With the sound of a bell, the struggle for the top four began.

There was no need to draw lots again today.

The match order directly followed the numbering from the previous round of sixteen: number one against number two, number three against number four, and so on.

"In that case, is Du Qi's opponent also a Profound Core Realm Martial Artist?" Zhang Yang thought to himself.

He remembered that number six was also a Profound Core Realm Cultivator, though his aura seemed slightly inferior.

The first two battles were Xiao Yu and Zhang Yang each facing off against two Disciples of the Spirit Aperture Realm Ninth Level.

The battles ended with no suspense; both were one-move victories, the outcome decided instantly.

They didn't expend even a bit of extra energy.

Next was the main event: Du Qi versus another Profound Core Realm expert, Zhong Xiuyuan!

"That is Zhong Xiuyuan; he should have just recently broken through to the Profound Core Realm and is in the same class as Du Qi. This match should be Du Qi's victory!"

Yu Feng had walked to Zhang Yang's side at some point, his gaze fixed on the field as he analyzed with a certain tone.

Zhang Yang turned his head to look.

Although he had heard of the Clear Wind Sect Disciples, he didn't know all of them except for a few prominent ones.

Yu Feng smiled slightly and explained, "Back then, Du Qi was the undisputed leader of their class, suppressing his entire generation."

"This Zhong Xiuyuan was no match for Du Qi in the past, and although he has now formed a Profound Core, it is only of Medium Grade talent; it's even more impossible for him to shake Du Qi in the slightest."

Zhang Yang nodded in understanding. So he was a newly advanced Profound Core Realm; no wonder when this person made it into the top sixteen, his robes were slightly dusty, clearly showing that his win had been quite difficult.

On the Martial Arts Stage!

Zhong Xiuyuan looked at the composed Du Qi opposite him, feeling only bitterness in his heart.

Ever since the results of the top sixteen draw were revealed, he knew his path in this grand competition had reached its end.

However, such was fate; luck is also a part of strength.

At the highest point of the observation platform, the gazes of many Great Experts of the Nascent Transformation Realm were all focused on Du Qi.

This Genius's reputation had long since resounded throughout the Southern Region, and he had made a great name for himself during his years of tempering outside!

For such a peerless unpolished jade, they were all envious.

If no accidents occurred, Du Qi would very likely be the best candidate for the future Sect Head of the Clear Wind Sect.

Thump!

The Battle Bell rang again, its sound shaking the fields!