Genius Lin Feng voluntarily admits defeat

“Boom!”

An earth-shattering explosion suddenly erupted on the high platform.

At the collision point of the Great Sun Fire Pillar and the Five-Colored Sword Shadow, firelight mixed with sword might, directly creating a small mushroom cloud.

Then, the powerful and domineering aftermath of the collision swept out like a floodgates breaking open, crazily engulfing the surroundings.

Under the shock of the collision’s aftermath, the sturdy high platform was literally shaved down by more than three feet, almost collapsing on the spot!

As for the disciples watching the battle below the platform, they were even worse off.

They were like withered grass in a gale, swaying violently from the shockwave, and some of the weaker ones were even thrown out of the plaza!

Seeing this.

Grand Elder Su Tianming in the distance acted in time, using his powerful strength to forcibly suppress the astonishing aftershocks, which allowed the chaotic scene to return to normal.

After the firelight and sword might dissipated, everyone quickly looked towards the high platform.

Xiao Ming stood with his sword, still as upright as a pine tree.

Meanwhile, Lin Feng swayed, as if he were drunk, then sat down with a thud.

“I… lost!”

Lin Feng slowly uttered a few words, then jumped down, voluntarily leaving the high platform.

Although he was extremely unwilling, he had to admit that he was no match for Xiao Ming.

After the recent competition, Xiao Ming still had reserves of strength, while he, Lin Feng, was at the end of his rope.

If they continued to fight, he would only be blasted off the high platform by Xiao Ming; since that was the case, it was better to admit defeat proactively and cleanly.

On the high platform.

Xiao Ming silently watched Lin Feng descend.

In his heart, there was both the satisfaction of defeating Lin Feng, this peerless genius, and a deep sense of apprehension.

Lin Feng was actually not weak!

After going all out, his combat power could even defeat an ordinary Danhu Realm Great Perfection cultivator!

The reason Xiao Ming was able to win was mainly due to the enhancement of his cultivation technique, the Five Elements Saint Body, and his Cultivation Level.

“It seems I still can’t underestimate these Sons of Destiny. If given time to grow, their future achievements will still shock the world,” Xiao Ming mused.

“From this, it’s clear that if I want to suppress these geniuses, I must put in even more arduous effort!”

“Furthermore, Lin Feng’s combat power is so explosive that, barring any accidents, he should also be able to enter the top three in this Sect Competition.”

After a moment of thought.

Xiao Ming looked around, quietly awaiting the next challenger.

Below the platform.

Upon seeing Xiao Ming’s gaze sweep over them, most of the disciples lowered their heads.

They did not dare to meet Xiao Ming’s eyes.

The five-colored sword shadow that Xiao Ming had just unleashed was truly astonishing; the power it erupted with was unparalleled, so much so that even a Danhu Realm Great Perfection expert would likely not dare to face it head-on.

Under such circumstances, who would still dare to step onto the platform?!

Who was still qualified to step onto the platform?

The disciples below remained silent, no one daring to speak, with only a handful of them still stirring restlessly.

A long-haired young man, gripping a cyan steel spear, had an extremely conflicted expression, seemingly wanting to go up and compete but also fearing something.

Ultimately, this spear-wielding youth abandoned the idea of going up to compete.

In the crowd.

Wang Hao, also a Son of Destiny, gripped the dragon sparrow blade in his hand. He also wanted to go up and contend with Xiao Ming, but upon recalling Xiao Ming’s earlier performance, Wang Hao felt hesitation rise within him.

A moment later.

Wang Hao sighed inwardly and also gave up on ascending the platform.

Just as everyone was silent and hesitant, a young man carrying a large yellow axe slowly stepped out from the crowd.

His emergence immediately drew countless gazes.

“It’s Li Bairen, Senior Apprentice Li!” a disciple exclaimed.

“Senior Apprentice Li was the first place winner of the last Sect Competition and represented our Spirit Sword Sect in the Eight Sects Tournament. I knew he would definitely step forward again!”

“How strong is Senior Apprentice Li? Can he beat Senior Brother Xiao? That move Senior Brother Xiao just used was something even Danhu Realm Great Perfection experts wouldn’t dare to underestimate!” a new disciple asked curiously.

“Hmph, you underestimate Senior Apprentice Li too much. Senior Apprentice Li already advanced to Danhu Realm Great Perfection two years ago!”

“So that’s how it is. It seems we’ll have a good show to watch in the upcoming competition.”

Under the gaze of numerous eyes and amidst the discussions, Li Bairen stomped heavily on the ground, then shot towards the high platform like a giant boulder.

With a “bang”!

Li Bairen landed heavily on the high platform, the powerful impact shaking the platform.

Xiao Ming, holding his sword with one hand, watched the ascending Li Bairen with interest.

Li Bairen exuded an extraordinary aura, standing there like a massive stone, his entire being radiating a dense, heavy presence.

It was evident that Li Bairen cultivated a profound and enduring Earth-elemental cultivation technique.

The characteristics of Earth-elemental cultivation techniques are that they can develop solid defensive power, and battles can last for a very long time. As long as they are on land, martial artists who have cultivated Earth-elemental techniques can continuously absorb the power of the earth to sustain their combat.

However, similarly, the shortcomings of Earth-elemental martial artists are also very obvious.

That is, they do not possess formidable offensive power.

“Junior Apprentice Brother Xiao, I’ve come to experience your methods,” Li Bairen said in a deep voice after ascending the platform, gripping his large yellow axe. “Although there are many disciples in the Spirit Sword Sect, few have caught my eye.”

“And you are one of them!”

With that said.

Li Bairen’s body trembled, and instantly, his Danhu Realm Great Perfection aura was fully revealed.

“Senior Apprentice Li flatters me. I have also heard much about your great name,” Xiao Ming said with a smile, performing a sword flourish.

As the first-place winner of the Spirit Sword Sect’s last grand competition, Li Bairen’s reputation naturally far surpassed that of ordinary sect disciples, and Xiao Ming had, of course, heard of him.

It was said that.

Ten years ago, in the Sect Competition, Li Bairen, with his Danhu Realm Mid-stage strength, defeated other true disciples and won first place in the competition.

Then, along with two other disciples, he participated in the Eight Sects Tournament.

The result.

He was defeated in one move.

From these events, it could be seen that while Li Bairen might dominate within the Spirit Sword Sect, his weakness was exposed when he encountered powerful experts from other sects in the outside world.

Furthermore.

Ten years had passed since the last Sect Competition; in a full decade, Li Bairen had only cultivated from Danhu Realm Mid-stage to Great Perfection.

This cultivation speed was a bit slow.

Li Bairen was not a genius; he was just a little stronger than ordinary disciples.

While he was pondering.

Li Bairen slowly said, “Junior Apprentice Brother Xiao, unleash all your abilities. Even that five-colored sword shadow from earlier, I will face it head-on!”

With that said.

Li Bairen let out a loud shout, and dazzling yellow light instantly surged from his body. After the light converged, it formed a thick yellow protective shield around Li Bairen’s body.

The protective shield was like a large turtle shell, firmly protecting Li Bairen within it.