169: Nanjun – Xiao Jue!

Wang Teng's pupils suddenly constricted into dangerous pinpoints!

The confidence and pride on his face shattered completely at this moment!

Impossible!

This is absolutely impossible!

This spear strike was his strongest attack!

It was the very Foundation of his title as the Invincible Meridian Opening Realm!

How could it be that he couldn't even touch the opponent's skin?

He could clearly feel the defense radiating from the center of the other's brow.

What kind of defense was that?

To be able to withstand his Star-Chasing Spear head-on?

You've got to be kidding me!

Is this something a human can even do?!

"Invincible Meridian Opening Realm?"

Li Qing looked at the horrified youth before him and slowly uttered four words.

"Not too bad!"

"..."

Wang Teng felt as if his heart had been struck hard by a heavy hammer!

Damn it!

I didn't even break your defense, and you're praising me??

Wang Teng felt incredibly aggrieved!

He was a favorite to win the championship.

Yet he couldn't even break through a defense!

An unprecedented sense of unwillingness surged into his heart!

"I don't believe it!"

He let out a roar of frustration, and the Yuan Qi within his body erupted frantically, without reservation!

He tried to push the long spear in his hand forward another inch! Even if it was just a millimeter!

However, it was useless.

No matter how he channeled his Yuan Qi, that silver spear seemed to be welded into the air, remaining motionless.

"Alright, stop fooling around!"

Li Qing shook his head, seemingly losing the last of his patience.

Even an invincible Meridian Opening Realm is still just in the Meridian Opening Realm; he could kill those in the Spirit Transformation Realm!

A mere Meridian Opening Realm was naturally not worth his attention.

In Li Qing's eyes, it felt like child's play!

He extended two fingers.

His index and middle fingers.

Under Wang Teng's terrified gaze, he casually pinched the spear tip that was flickering with endless cold light.

Then, he gave it a slight twist.

"Crack—!"

A crisp sound of shattering rang out, enough to make one's teeth ache.

That Star-Chasing Spear, which had accompanied Wang Teng for over a decade, forged from North Sea Cold Iron Essence and hailed as indestructible—a High Grade Yellow Rank Treasure Artifact.

It was actually snapped in half by him using just two fingers!

"Pfft!"

With his Soul-bound weapon destroyed, Wang Teng was struck as if by lightning. He spat out a mouthful of blood and staggered back a dozen steps before barely stabilizing himself.

He lowered his head, looking at the half-spear shaft remaining in his hand, and then at the youth opposite him who remained calm and collected.

His mind went blank.

Although a Yellow Rank High Grade spear was no longer suitable for him.

It was still a Treasure Artifact that had followed him for over ten years.

He had developed a special attachment to it!

And yet.

It was snapped by Li Qing with his bare hands!

A complete defeat.

Utterly humiliated.

"I..."

He opened his mouth to say something, but found his throat blocked as if by something, unable to utter a single word.

"Step down."

Li Qing didn't look at him again, only waving his hand casually.

A gentle yet irresistible force enveloped Wang Teng.

In the next second, he flew uncontrollably off the arena and landed softly back in his original seat in the preparation area.

He wasn't injured.

But his heart had already died.

Li Qing wasn't a mindless killer; as long as someone didn't act pretentious in front of him, he could treat them well!

Those who died in battle: Did we act pretentious???

"..."

The entire Martial Arena once again fell into a long, deathly silence.

If instakilling Ghost Shadow and defeating the Black Wind Twin Fiends had only surprised them,

Then this time, casually defeating the publicly recognized Invincible Meridian Opening Realm, Wang Teng,

Caused them to feel a shock that originated from the depths of their Souls!

Strong!

Too strong!

Terrifyingly strong!

With this strength, he must be in the Spirit Transformation Realm!

But the Realm sensed from Li Qing was only the Late-stage Condensing Yuan Realm!

He hadn't even reached the Peak!

"Who else?"

Li Qing's voice rang out again.

But this time, no one dared to have the slightest complaint or dissatisfaction.

In the preparation area, all the Prodigies lowered their proud heads.

In the face of absolute, matchless strength, any pride seemed so laughable.

In the stands, the hundreds of thousands of spectators also shut their mouths.

The way they looked at the black-clothed youth had changed from watching a spectacle to looking up in awe!

On the Viewing Platform.

Crown Prince Xia Yuan let out a long breath, his face filled with unconcealable shock and wild joy.

As for Grand Princess Xia Qingyue, her beautiful face had completely lost its color.

She slumped on her Phoenix chair, her eyes vacant.

"Even Wang Teng lost?"

He managed to show off again!

Just when everyone thought this farce would end in such an anticlimactic manner,

A cold yet infinitely Battle Intent-filled voice slowly rang out.

"South County, Xiao Jue."

"Coming to seek guidance!"

As that cold voice sounded, everyone's gaze shifted in unison to the furthest corner of the preparation area.

There, a youth in a green robe with a handsome face and an elegant temperament slowly stood up.

He held no weapon in his hand.

Nor did his body emit any powerful Aura.

He just stood there quietly, yet he seemed to have merged with the entire world, giving off a feeling of being as lofty as a mountain and unfathomably deep.

South County, Xiao Jue!

In this Great Xia Martial Selection, besides Wang Teng, he was the other publicly recognized peerless Prodigy most likely to win the championship!

Unlike Wang Teng's overbearing and matchless spear techniques, Xiao Jue followed the path of overcoming hardness with softness and the unification of all laws.

It was said that he was born with a "Clear Sword Heart," and his understanding of all things in heaven and earth far exceeded that of ordinary people.

Any Martial Skill in his hands could turn the mundane into the miraculous, erupting with terrifying power far beyond its own rank!

His strength had long reached the Peak of the Meridian Opening Realm!

He was only one step away from drawing Spiritual Qi into his body and stepping into the Spirit Transformation Realm!

He was publicly recognized among all the top hundred contestants as the one closest to Li Qing!

"Xiao Jue! It's Xiao Jue!"

"He's finally going to make a move!"

"This is the true Peak confrontation!"

"I wonder if he can force out Li Qing's true strength!"

Seeing Xiao Jue take the stage, the entire Martial Arena boiled over once again!

A final, faint glimmer of hope ignited in everyone's hearts.

They didn't expect Xiao Jue to win.

They only hoped that Xiao Jue could make that black-clothed youth, who had been calm from beginning to end, be just a little bit serious!

Even if it just meant making him use both hands!

On the arena.

Xiao Jue's figure appeared opposite Li Qing silently, as if he had teleported.

He looked at Li Qing, and in those eyes as deep as an ancient well, there was no fear, only a pure Battle Intent of having met a worthy opponent.

"Brother Li."

He cupped his fists slightly toward Li Qing, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.

"Your strength exceeds my imagination."

"I admit, I am not your match."

"However, as a Martial Artist, one should have the courage to swing a sword at those who are stronger."

"In today's battle, I only seek to validate my Dao and witness the scenery at the mountain Peak."