231: Xuanyuan Sect vs Lu Ze

When Lu Ze returned to his position, Cheng Ran had already finished explaining the rules.

Qu Hongxi briefly repeated them to Lu Ze. The rules were actually very simple, just a one-on-one combat determined by drawing lots.

As soon as Lu Ze nodded, he suddenly sensed something and turned to look at the center of the arena.

Cheng Ran inexplicably glanced at Lu Ze in the crowd before beginning the drawing of lots.

Everyone participating in the Rookie Competition had their hearts in their throats. They were excited for their first appearance in the Rookie Competition, but also terrified, fearing they might encounter powerhouses like Lu Ze and Xuanyuan Sect.

Cheng Ran reached into the lottery box and pulled out two rolled-up slips of paper.

Opening them, Cheng Ran's eyes swept over them, then she announced in a clear voice, "First round, Xuanyuan Sect versus Lu Ze!"

"Hiss, the first round is actually a match between these two. For a moment, I don't know whether to be happy or worried."

Someone in the crowd couldn't help but exclaim, "When these two fight, only one will advance, and there will be one less formidable opponent later on. However, their match is the very first round, and no future battle will be more exciting than this one."

"Both of them have their own backgrounds, and their cultivation levels are very close. They have many techniques. In a few decades, the leading figures who will guide the world will be these two."

"Indeed."

The discussions among the crowd grew louder and louder.

Xuanyuan Sect flashed first, arriving at the center of the arena, standing with his hands behind his back, a smile playing on his lips as he looked towards Lu Ze.

"Lu Ze, come fight!"

Lu Ze also stirred his Spiritual Qi and landed opposite Xuanyuan Sect.

Cheng Ran flashed several hundred meters away, ensuring she wouldn't interfere with their normal competition.

"The match begins!"

As Cheng Ran's shout fell, everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the stage, afraid of missing anything.

Xuanyuan Sect's smile suddenly deepened, and the aura around him instantly surged forth!

"Buzz!"

A vast Spiritual Pressure rushed out with his aura, covering the arena.

"Fifth Rank Major Achievement?"

Lu Ze raised an eyebrow. The strength Xuanyuan Sect displayed at this moment was not, as Qu Hongxi had just said, Fifth Rank Minor Achievement like his own!

"You were indeed hiding your strength all along."

Lu Ze drew his sword, facing Xuanyuan Sect. Layers of Spiritual Qi quickly covered Lu Ze's body, blocking most of the Spiritual Pressure.

"Roar!"

With a low growl, the demon general swept its tail, landing beside Lu Ze, baring its fangs at Xuanyuan Sect.

"Hiding strength?"

Xuanyuan Sect smiled and shook his head, "It's not that I'm hiding my strength, but that the world is too foolish to see through me. Everyone thought I was decadent and dissolute, but they didn't know that I merely changed my method of cultivation. Lu Ze, you should feel honored. You are the first to encounter my true power."

With that, Xuanyuan Sect suddenly erupted!

A surge of Spiritual Qi violently crashed towards Lu Ze!

The speed was incredibly fast, reaching Lu Ze's face within three inches in less than a second!

Lu Ze steadied his mind, twisted the sword in his hand, and slashed upwards horizontally!

"Whoosh!"

The sword swiftly cut through the air, aiming for Xuanyuan Sect's head!

Xuanyuan Sect sneered, and his figure suddenly vanished before everyone's eyes. Lu Ze immediately retracted his strength, reversed his grip on the sword, and blocked behind him!

"Bang!"

The crisp sound of clashing weapons rang out!

Only then did everyone see that Xuanyuan Sect had somehow gotten behind Lu Ze, his long sword striking down, colliding with Lu Ze's reversed grip on the sword!

"Buzz!"

Xuanyuan Sect's left hand quickly formed a seal, which was imprinted in the air. All the runes quietly disappeared upon contact with the air!

"Lu Ze, the battle has just begun!"

After saying this, Xuanyuan Sect suddenly retreated, his long sword, in a smooth motion, plunged into the ground beside Lu Ze, humming and vibrating non-stop.

"Swish, swish, swish!"

Xuanyuan Sect pulled out several long swords, seemingly casually tossing them to stick into the ground in the arena. Then, he formed strange seals with both hands and chanted, "Ten Thousand swords, Ten Thousand Formations, Ten Thousand Intentions, Ten Thousand Thoughts!"

"Ten Thousand sword Formation, rise!"

"Buzz!"

The swords stuck in the ground instantly vibrated non-stop. A powerful Sword Qi swept out from the swords, connecting with each other. Runes suddenly appeared, filling the Sword Qi, and the sword formation thus arose!

"Clang!"

Before Lu Ze moved, a Sword Qi shot out from the sword formation, thrusting towards his face!

Lu Ze raised his sword and slashed, cutting the oncoming Sword Qi in half!

"Clang, clang, clang!"

Several Sword Qi followed one after another. Just as Lu Ze was about to raise his sword to respond, he sensed that the sword formation glowed brightly, and tens of thousands of Sword Qi vibrated densely, instantly shooting towards him all at once!

Beside him, Cheng Ran stared at Lu Ze without blinking, awaiting his reaction. The concern in her eyes had long vanished, replaced by a scrutinizing gaze.

It was as if the person trapped by the sword formation nearby was not her Disciple, but rather someone with whom she had a significant grudge.

Lu Ze was swept and enveloped by countless Sword Qi. From the outside, it was impossible to see whether Lu Ze had managed to block the attacking Sword Qi.

Everyone below the stage was holding their breath, but seeing that Revered Cheng Ran had no intention of intervening to save him, they all speculated that Lu Ze was probably just trapped.

A faint smile hung on Xuanyuan Sect's lips. He knew Lu Ze's situation best. At this moment, Lu Ze had indeed not been broken through by the Sword Qi, but he was surrounded, forced to use Spiritual Qi to create a space to protect himself.

However, this was nothing more than a dying struggle!

Xuanyuan Sect took out a blank Talisman paper and casually drew a few runes on it.

The originally white Talisman paper suddenly turned red after the runes were inscribed, and the runes quickly hid and disappeared on the crimson Talisman paper!

Xuanyuan Sect threw the Talisman paper on the ground. The Talisman paper, like it had encountered water, quickly became wet, soaked, melted, and completely disappeared.

The sword formation also emitted a bright red light a moment later, and the Sword Qi constantly pressing towards Lu Ze also turned crimson!

"Buzz, buzz, buzz!"

The continuous vibrations spread throughout the entire arena. The pressure of the Sword Qi, mixed with Xuanyuan Sect's Fifth Rank Major Achievement power, spread outwards!

Everyone below the stage felt immense pressure. Some who were seated closer even began to feel dizzy and lightheaded, their legs turning to jelly!

Qu Hongxi clenched his hands, staring intently at Lu Ze, who was locked down by ten thousand swords and continuously pressured!

"Lu Ze, you must win!"

Chi Tiandao's face was also pale, his heart pounding like a drum. He, too, was hoping Lu Ze would win!

In the arena, Xuanyuan Sect stood with his hands behind his back, looking calm and composed, as if victory was already in his grasp.

"Lu Ze, why struggle? This Ten Thousand sword Formation has already merged with my sword-Urging Talisman. At this moment, what traps you is not a mere Sword Qi formation, but the Heavenly Dao of swords! Accept your fate, Lu Ze! You are destined not to be favored by destiny, and I am the one who should be revered by all for a lifetime, the true embodiment of destiny!"