111: Chapter 111 Teamwork

Xu Sen's eyes were bloodshot as he stared fixedly at Li Changsheng.

It was as if he wanted to carve Li Changsheng's appearance into his very bones.

His saber technique was already in disarray, but his killing intent remained undiminished. Every strike carried a madness of mutual destruction.

Li Changsheng's expression remained calm, but his breathing had grown heavy.

He stared at Xu Sen, searching for the final flaw.

At the one hundred and fiftieth move.

An opening appeared!

Xu Sen's saber slashed through empty air, and his figure paused slightly!

Now!

A sharp light burst from Li Changsheng's eyes!

He thrust out his sword, quick as a flash of lightning!

This strike had no flourishes, only the purest speed and power!

Psh!

The tip of the sword pierced into Xu Sen's right shoulder.

The exact same spot as half a year ago!

"Ah—!"

Xu Sen let out a miserable scream, and the black saber in his hand flew out of his grasp!

He was sent flying backward by the immense force of the strike, falling heavily off the arena stage!

The entire audience was pin-drop silent!

Li Changsheng stood on the stage, holding his blood-stained green steel sword, gasping for air.

His grey robes were dyed red with blood, and his face and body were covered in wounds, but his gaze remained as calm as water.

The referee was stunned for a moment before announcing:

"Qinglan Sword Sect, Li Changsheng wins!"

From below the stage, thunderous applause erupted!

The Disciples of the Qinglan Sword Sect began to cheer.

Li Changqing's eyes were red, Shi Tiezhu pumped his fists, and Li Xiaocao jumped up in excitement.

Over at the Jinyang Sect, Lin Jingyun smiled and clapped, while Zhou Yuan nodded slightly.

Yun Yifei of the Medicine King Valley also clapped, his eyes filled with admiration.

Several female Disciples from the Qingxin Pavilion whispered among themselves, while Su Qianxue's gaze fell on Li Changsheng and did not move away for a long time.

Meanwhile, at the Blood Fiend Sect, the atmosphere was terrifyingly gloomy.

Xu Sen scrambled up from the ground, clutching his bleeding shoulder, his whole body trembling.

His eyes were full of resentment as he stared fixedly at Li Changsheng, as if he wanted to swallow him alive.

"Li Changsheng..."

He said word by word, "I will remember you."

He didn't say any more harsh words, turning around to leave.

Several Blood Fiend Sect Disciples followed and helped him away.

Li Sha still sat there, unmoving.

He looked at Li Changsheng, a dangerous glint flashing in those blood-red eyes.

That light was like a hunter eyeing its prey.

Li Changsheng also looked at him.

Their gazes met in mid-air, as if invisible sparks were flying.

After a moment, Li Changsheng withdrew his gaze and jumped down from the stage.

Li Changqing and Shi Tiezhu came forward to support him. Li Xiaocao handed over a healing Medicinal Pill, her small face full of heartache.

"Brother Changsheng, you're bleeding so much..."

Li Changsheng shook his head, took the pill, and said softly.

"It's fine. Just flesh wounds."

He looked back one last time toward the Blood Fiend Sect.

Li Sha had already stood up and was leading his people away.

His back was tall and gloomy, like a mountain weighing on everyone's hearts.

Li Changsheng withdrew his gaze and walked toward the guesthouse.

On the fourth day of the martial arts competition, the atmosphere at the Martial Arts Field was completely different from previous days.

As the Disciples of various sects arrived one after another, they found that the layout of the arena area had changed.

Eight of the ten arenas that originally stood side-by-side had been removed, leaving only the two largest ones in the center; each was ten zhang in radius, enough to accommodate multiple people fighting simultaneously.

While everyone was wondering, City Lord Zhou of Qinglan City stepped onto the high platform and announced a piece of news:

"According to the requests of the various sects, a new 'Team Battle' has been added today."

An uproar immediately broke out below the stage.

"Team Battle? That wasn't mentioned before?"

"What does that mean? We have to form teams to fight?"

"Now that's something new."

City Lord Zhou raised his hand to quiet the discussions and continued.

"The rules are simple: each sect will send a team of three to compete in a draw; the winners advance, and the losers are eliminated."

"This tests both individual strength and team coordination."

"You are all elites of your respective sects. When you travel the Jianghu in the future, you will inevitably encounter times when you need to fight side-by-side."

"Today's Team Battle shall serve as a drill."

He paused and smiled.

"Of course, there are rewards as well."

"For the Team Battle, each member of the top three teams will receive an extra bottle of Foundation Stabilizing Pills."

"Foundation Stabilizing Pills!"

"Those are good items that even Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators use!"

The area below the stage immediately became lively.

Disciples from various sects began to form teams, some discussing tactics, some arguing over candidates, and some trying to recruit experts from all over.

On the Qinglan Sword Sect's side, Mo Han, Lu Yu, and Li Changsheng were called together.

"Just the three of us."

Mo Han got straight to the point.

"One Qi Refining Level 9 Late Stage, one Qi Refining Level 9 Middle Stage, and one Qi Refining Level 9 Early Stage.

Our cultivation levels aren't top-tier, but they aren't bad either."

Lu Yu smiled.

"Senior Brother Mo, the three of us have never coordinated before. Are you sure this will work?"

Mo Han looked at Li Changsheng.

"What do you think?"

Li Changsheng was silent for a moment before saying,

"Coordination can be practiced. But it takes time."

"There's no time."

Mo Han said.

"The draw is about to start. We'll have to improvise."

Lu Yu shrugged.

"Then we'll just have to leave it to fate."

Li Changsheng shook his head.

"It's not leaving it to fate. It's each of us performing our duties."

He looked at the two of them and said slowly,

"Senior Brother Mo's sword techniques are fierce, suitable for frontal suppression. Senior Brother Lu is fast, suitable for flanking harassment. I will stay in the center to provide support and look for openings. The three of us will each use our strengths and cover for one another."

Mo Han and Lu Yu looked at each other and both nodded.

"Alright."

Mo Han said.

"We'll do as you say."

The results of the draw were quickly announced.

The Qinglan Sword Sect's first opponent — Medicine King Valley.

Arena Number Two.

Three Disciples from the Medicine King Valley were already standing on the stage.

The leader was Yun Yifei, at the Qi Refining Level 9 Peak.

Behind him were two Junior Brothers at the Qi Refining Level 9 Early Stage, one holding a sword and the other a saber.

The three of them stood in a triangle, faintly forming a Formation.

"Three Talents Formation."

Mo Han's brow furrowed slightly.

"The Medicine King Valley's signature skill. It's balanced in offense and defense, and not easy to deal with."

Lu Yu also put away his usual relaxed expression.

"I've heard they've practiced this Formation for three years and have great chemistry. The three of us... this is our first time coordinating today."

Li Changsheng said nothing; he just gripped his green steel sword and was the first to leap onto the stage.

Mo Han and Lu Yu followed closely behind.

The two sides faced off.

Yun Yifei looked at the three of them with a smile, cupped his hands, and said,

"Friends from the Qinglan Sword Sect, please show some mercy."

Li Changsheng ignored his pleasantries and merely whispered,

"Act according to the plan."

Mo Han nodded, his sword already unsheathed.

Lu Yu took a deep breath, his body crouching slightly like a leopard about to pounce.

The referee looked at both sides and raised his hand—

"Dang!"

The gong resounded!

Yun Yifei's trio moved instantly!

Their Three Talents Formation went into motion; the three of them moved with synchronized steps, their offense and defense in perfect harmony!

The swordsman's blade-light was fierce, the saberman's technique was steady, and Yun Yifei provided support from the center; the three moved as one, pressing down on the Qinglan Sword Sect trio!

Mo Han met them, thrusting out his sword!

Dang!

Sword met sword, sparks flying everywhere!

Mo Han felt a massive force transmit through his sword, and he was actually shaken back half a step!

"What powerful coordination!"

He was startled inwardly.

Lu Yu rushed out from the side, intending to harass them, but was forced back by a single strike from the saberman!

That saber technique was steady and powerful, perfectly sealing off his line of attack!

As soon as they engaged, they fell into a disadvantage!

Li Changsheng did not rush to strike; instead, he maneuvered around the edge of the battlefield, observing the operation of the Three Talents Formation.

The Three Talents Formation—Heaven, Earth, and Man—the three participants supported each other like horns, unified in offense and defense.

To break this Formation, one had to find the formation's eye.

The person in the center providing support and controlling the overall situation.

Yun Yifei.

But Yun Yifei was protected in the middle by the other two, making it impossible to get close to him.

On the stage, Mo Han and Lu Yu found the fight increasingly difficult.

The pressure from the Three Talents Formation grew heavier; the two were struggling to cope, and the situation became perilous.

Below the stage, the hearts of the Qinglan Sword Sect Disciples tightened as they watched.

"Oh no! Senior Brother Mo won't be able to hold on!"

"Senior Brother Lu too, he's being suppressed!"

"If this continues, they'll lose!"