87: A peerless beauty, Qin Shuang's grace
They stood in a row, receiving the cheers and inspection of the entire audience.
This was their moment of glory.
However, today, their radiance was somewhat dimmed, overshadowed by the youth on the viewing platform.
The gazes of many couldn't help but drift towards Li Qing, filled with complex emotions.
There was resentment, Battle Intent, curiosity, and... a trace of disdain!
Peak of Body Refining Realm!
He hasn't even stepped into the Condensing Essence Realm yet!
Where did this privileged brat come from?
Li Qing remained calmly seated beside City Lord.
His gaze swept lightly over the ten people on the stage.
When his line of sight met Chen Meng's at the edge of the arena, who was looking at him with a complicated expression, he gave a slight nod.
It was a form of greeting.
After all, Uncle Chen had shown him kindness back then.
If he could help in the future, of course he would.
However, they would have only one chance, nothing more!
Then, without the slightest pause, his gaze swept past her.
Seeing this, Chen Meng trembled all over, her face flushing even redder.
He... remembered her!
And he greeted her!
How lucky!
An immense wave of joy washed over her.
Now, he was the City Lord's favorite, a Genius who would soon represent Jinling City in the Great Xia Martial Selection.
And she was just an ordinary contestant fighting desperately for a spot.
Why would he still bother to greet her!
A powerful surge of emotion welled up in Chen Meng's heart, bringing her almost to tears.
Li Qing's gaze finally settled on the most eye-catching figure among the ten.
Qin Shuang.
Even with Li Qing's previous life experience of having seen countless beauties,
this woman truly deserved to be called a peerless beauty.
She wore a plain white martial dress, its hem swaying gently in the breeze, untouched by a speck of dust.
Her long, black hair cascaded like a waterfall, tied at the back with a simple white jade hairpin, revealing a smooth, full forehead and an elegant swan-like neck.
Her features were exquisite, like the most perfect masterpiece from heaven.
Her skin was whiter than snow, her eyebrows like distant mountains, her lips red without any rouge.
A pair of eyes, calm to the extreme, resembled the clearest lake water in autumn, without a single ripple.
While the other nine contestants were all affected to some degree by Li Qing's presence,
only she, from beginning to end, had not cast even one superfluous glance towards the viewing platform.
In her world, it seemed there was only herself and the ancient longsword at her waist.
This aura was aloof, proud, yet carried a kind of pureness that was utterly captivating.
She was like a lotus blooming atop a snowy mountain, to be admired from afar, but not to be trifled with.
"Peak of Condensing Essence Realm, Sword Intent contained within, Qi and blood pure, Foundation solid."
City Lord gave his evaluation at this moment.
This Qin Shuang was indeed someone special.
To Cultivate to this level in a small place like Jinling City, her talent and Heart-Nature could both be considered top-tier.
She was more than a level above that wild-eyed Duan Lang beside her and that cold-aura Zhao Feiyun.
"Young friend Li Qing, what do you think of this girl?"
City Lord beside him suddenly asked with a smile. His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached Li Qing's ears.
"Not bad." Li Qing replied succinctly with two words.
City Lord laughed heartily, stroking his beard.
"This is Lingxiu Hall's chief Disciple, Qin Shuang."
"She is also the strongest contender for the remaining spots this time. If nothing unexpected happens, one of the two remaining spots will surely be hers."
Li Qing gave a noncommittal nod.
Qin Shuang's strength was far ahead of the other ten.
Just then, an official on the central high platform announced loudly.
"Next, we begin the first round of draw-based duels!"
As his words fell, the names of the ten contestants began to scroll rapidly on a huge dark crystal stele in the center of the arena.
The entire audience held its breath at this moment.
Who one faced in the first round was crucial.
If two strong contenders met early, one would inevitably be eliminated prematurely, which would be unacceptable for the martial arts schools behind them.
The masters of all the martial arts schools stared nervously at the stele.
Finally, with a flash of light, two names were fixed on the stele.
[Baizhang Martial Arts School, Duan Lang]
[Versus]
[Qingmu Martial Arts School, Lin Tao]
"Hah..."
Seeing this result, many people let out a sigh of relief.
Duan Lang was one of the favorites to win, while Lin Tao's strength was relatively low among the ten.
This seemed to be a fight without much suspense.
In the seating area of Baizhang Martial Arts School, the master's face revealed a cruel smile.
"Duan Lang, cripple him for me!" He mouthed silently.
On the arena, the burly Duan Lang grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth, his eyes filled with bloodthirsty excitement.
He turned to look at his opponent, that delicate-looking youth named Lin Tao, and crooked his finger, the provocation clear.
"Kid, roll off by yourself, and you'll suffer less pain."
Lin Tao's face paled somewhat, but he mustered his courage and drew his longsword.
He never expected to run into a top contender right from the start.
Originally, he had hoped that if Qin Shuang and Duan Lang fought, he might benefit from their conflict.
But having come this far, if he didn't try, how could he face his own martial Dao heart!
"Please enlighten me!"
"You don't know what's good for you!"
Duan Lang snorted coldly, stomped his foot heavily, making the entire arena tremble.
He shot towards Lin Tao like a cannonball, his iron fists wrapped in a powerful white Protective Aura, bringing a wave of scorching heat through the air.
The battle was about to erupt!
On the viewing platform.
City Lord watched the fight below with great interest and said to Li Qing,
"This is Baizhang Martial Arts School's 'White Fist,' fierce and domineering, with considerable power. Young friend Li Qing, how many moves do you think it will take to decide the outcome?"
This was both casual conversation and a kind of test.
Li Qing's gaze calmly watched the arena.
"Three moves."
He uttered two words faintly.
Hearing this, a flicker of surprise flashed in City Lord's eyes.
Although Lin Tao on the arena was slightly weaker, he was still a skilled fighter at the Late Stage of Condensing Essence Realm, with nimble sword techniques and a watertight defense.
Although Duan Lang's offense was fierce, defeating Lin Tao within three moves was by no means easy.
Was this Li Qing's vision sharp, or was he just a brash youth?
However, the situation on the arena was beginning to confirm Li Qing's judgment.
First move: Duan Lang's heavy punch was deflected by Lin Tao's clever sword technique, but Lin Tao was still shaken, his Qi and blood churning, forced back three steps.
Second move: Duan Lang's offense grew even fiercer, his fists raining down like hail. Lin Tao's sword net was instantly torn apart, a crack appeared in his Protective Aura, and a trace of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.
Third move!
Duan Lang let out a furious roar, gathering all the Protective Aura in his body into his right fist, transforming it into a roaring white lion that smashed out fiercely.
"White Fist Protective Aura!"
A flash of despair crossed Lin Tao's eyes. He poured all his Internal Energy into his longsword and blocked with all his might.
"Crack!"
The longsword snapped in response.
The force of the white lion's punch landed squarely on his chest.
"Pfft!"
Lin Tao flew backwards like a kite with a broken string, landing off the arena. His chest was a ghastly white; he was already severely injured and unconscious.
The entire venue fell into a deathly silence.