117: Chapter 117 The Match Ends

At the two-hundredth move, Li Changsheng was covered in wounds, his blood staining his entire gray robe red.

His breathing was heavy like an ox's, his vision began to blur, and the hand holding his sword was trembling.

Yet, he remained standing.

Li Sha looked at him, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes, immediately replaced by a deeper murderous intent.

"Interesting."

"You are the first to hold on until now."

He raised his blade, and the blood-colored runes on the blade lit up with a blinding light!

"This strike will send you on your way!"

The blade light, like blood, slashed toward Li Changsheng's head!

Just at this moment.

A sharp light burst from Li Changsheng's eyes!

This was the opportunity he had been waiting for!

He did not dodge or parry, but instead threw a punch!

Green Wood Fist, 13th Form — Withered Wood Meets Spring!

This punch condensed all of his power, all the persistence he had from walking from Qinghe Town to this day, and his deepest understanding of "vitality"!

As he punched, vitality burst forth!

That surging power of vitality, like the first rain of spring, washed away the erosion of the Blood Fiend Sect's Qi!

Li Sha's expression changed!

He had not expected Li Changsheng to counterattack at such a moment, nor had he expected the power of this punch to be so terrifying!

He had no time to think; he shifted his blade's momentum and met the attack with all his might!

Bang!

Fist and blade collided!

With a loud boom, a wave of Qi exploded outward!

Both retreated several steps at the same time!

Li Changsheng fell to one knee, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

On his right hand, a blade wound, deep enough to see the bone, extended from the back of his palm to his wrist, dripping with blood.

Li Sha also retreated three steps, his face slightly pale.

He looked down and saw, to his surprise, a crack on the blade in his hand!

He raised his head, looking at Li Changsheng, a dangerous light flashing in his eyes.

"Good fist technique."

"However, do you still have the strength to continue fighting?"

Li Changsheng did not answer.

He just took a deep breath, braced himself to stand up, and assumed his starting stance once more.

Those eyes remained as calm as water and as firm as iron.

Beneath the stage, everyone fell silent.

They looked at the blood-covered youth, looked at his determined gaze, and an indescribable emotion surged in their hearts.

At this moment, no one cared about winning or losing anymore.

They only wanted to watch this person finish this fight.

Just then, a figure leaped onto the stage.

The referee, Tian Jun.

He looked at the two of them, then looked at the stick of incense that had already burned out.

He announced:

"Time is up. According to the rules, it is a draw."

A draw?

The entire arena was in an uproar.

"A draw? How is it a draw?"

"They haven't finished fighting yet!"

"Time is up?"

Li Sha stared at Li Changsheng, a complex light flashing in his blood-red eyes.

There was unwillingness, murderous intent, and also a trace of... an emotion he had never experienced before.

He was silent for a moment, then suddenly sheathed his blade.

"A draw."

He said, his voice hoarse.

"Let it be this way."

He turned and left the stage without looking back.

Li Changsheng stood where he was, watching his back, remaining motionless for a long time.

It wasn't until Li Changqing rushed onto the stage and supported him that he finally couldn't hold on any longer and slowly collapsed.

"Brother Changsheng!"

"Brother Changsheng!"

"Brother Changsheng!"

Three figures surrounded him, supporting him, feeding him medicine, and bandaging his wounds.

Leaning against Shi Tiezhu's shoulder, Li Changsheng gazed at the gray sky, a helpless smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

A draw.

Perhaps this was the best result after all.

On the afternoon the exchange meeting concluded, the sun was exceptionally bright.

On the Martial Arts Field of Qinglan City, Disciples from various Sects left one after another.

The Jinyang Sect's flying boat was the first to take off. Lin Jingyun stood at the ship's railing, waving at Li Changsheng and shouting something loudly, but his voice was blown away by the wind.

The Disciples of Medicine King Valley carried their bountiful harvests on their backs, smiles on their faces.

Before leaving, Yun Yifei specifically came over to bid farewell to Li Changsheng and agreed to visit Medicine King Valley in the future.

The female Disciples of Qingxin Pavilion departed gracefully. Before boarding their flying boat, Su Qianxue turned to look at Li Changsheng. There seemed to be something she wanted to say in those clear eyes, but she ultimately did not speak.

The last to leave was the Blood Fiend Sect.

As that black flying boat slowly rose into the sky, Li Changsheng was standing at the entrance of the inn.

He felt a gaze land on him and looked up — Li Sha was standing at the railing, those blood-red eyes staring right at him.

Their eyes met.

A meaningful smile slowly curled at the corner of Li Sha's mouth.

That smile was different from the one on the stage.

It was not murderous intent, not unwillingness, but a look... like a hunter eyeing its prey.

The flying boat rose higher and higher, gradually disappearing into the clouds.

Li Changsheng stood there, remaining motionless for a long time.

"Brother Changsheng."

Li Changqing walked to his side and said softly, "It is time to leave."

Li Changsheng nodded, turned, and boarded the Qinglan Sword Sect's flying boat.

On the journey back, Li Changsheng remained silent.

He sat in the corner of the cabin with his eyes closed, appearing to be resting.

But Li Changqing knew he was not sleeping.

His brows were slightly furrowed, and his fingers were unconsciously stroking the jade bottle containing the foundation establishment pill in his embrace.

"Are you still thinking about Li Sha?"

Li Changqing asked softly.

Li Changsheng opened his eyes, looked at her, and did not answer.

Li Changqing sighed.

"I know what you are worried about. But that is a matter for the future. For now, you have won."

Li Changsheng shook his head.

"I did not win. It was a draw."

"That is still first place."

Li Changqing said earnestly.

"You, at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining Level 9, fought to a draw against someone at the Peak of Qi Refining Level 9; isn't that enough?"

Li Changsheng was silent for a moment, then suddenly said.

"That last look of his was not admitting defeat."

Li Changqing was stunned.

Li Changsheng continued.

"That was... the look of a hunter eyeing its prey. He will not let it go."

Li Changqing's expression changed slightly, but she quickly returned to calmness.

She patted Li Changsheng's shoulder.

"Then become stronger. Strong enough that he dares not eye you."

Li Changsheng looked at her, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"You are right."

He closed his eyes and continued to regulate his breath.

The flying boat passed through the clouds, flying toward the Qinglan Mountains.

When they returned to the Qinglan Sword Sect, it was already evening.

In the Hundred Herb Garden, Manager Qin was waiting at the entrance.

Seeing the four of them walk off the flying boat, his eyes lit up, and he hurried over to greet them.

"Good lad!"

He slapped Li Changsheng on the shoulder, causing Li Changsheng to stumble.

"Middle Stage of Qi Refining Level 9, fought a draw against the Blood Butcher, and even beat the Pill Addict of Medicine King Valley!"

"Good! Good! Good!"

He said the word "good" three times in a row, smiling from ear to ear.

Li Changsheng took out the foundation establishment pill and the three bottles of peiyuan pill from his embrace and handed them to him.

"This is the reward for this competition."

Manager Qin took them, glanced at them, and a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.

"A foundation establishment pill?"

"This is good stuff."

"However, according to the Sect's rules, the rewards for this competition belong to you. You keep them all."

Saying this, Manager Qin returned all the Medicinal Pills in his hand to Li Changsheng.

"By the way, how do you plan to use this foundation establishment pill?"

Li Changsheng said.

"Go into seclusion to break through to Foundation Establishment."

Manager Qin nodded and looked at Li Changqing.

"Changqing, your performance this time was also not bad."

Li Changqing only made it into the top thirty this time, ranking twenty-seventh, and also received a reward of one bottle of qi gathering pill.

She also handed the Medicinal Pill to Manager Qin, but he waved his hand.

"You keep it yourself. This is what you deserve."

There were more foundation establishment pills in this competition than the last; the top five all received a foundation establishment pill.

Mo Han ranked seventh and missed out on a foundation establishment pill. He received two bottles of peiyuan pill and one Low Grade Magical Artifact.

Lu Yu ranked fifteenth and also received one bottle of peiyuan pill.

Zhao Yuan and others outside the top thirty only received ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

"I came this time mainly to give you the contribution points for participating in the exchange meeting this time."