148: misfortune

Xie Xingchen retreated rapidly, his wooden sword drawing a brilliant sword arc before him.

Countless tiny strands of Sword Qi erupted from the blade, forming an airtight net of swords that swept toward Feng Chenxiao's vital points.

Yet Feng Chenxiao neither dodged nor avoided them, allowing the Sword Qi to slash against his body. A series of crisp "clangs" rang out incessantly. Those Star Sword Qi, sharp enough to sever refined iron, left only faint white marks on his dark-golden skin, which vanished in an instant.

Feng Chenxiao praised, "Fellow Daoist's swordsmanship is indeed exquisite. Unfortunately, if it cannot wound your opponent, what use is it?"

"You should stop dodging; I strike very cleanly."

At that moment, Xie Xingchen suddenly stopped his movements. He no longer used his agile movement techniques to dodge but stood firmly in the center of the Arena Stage, his emerald wooden sword pointing diagonally at the ground as stardust-like luminescence flowed slowly along the blade.

Faced with this sudden change, Feng Chenxiao also halted his attack and grew wary.

Xie Xingchen's gentle voice drifted over, "I am standing still now. Why doesn't Fellow Daoist attack? Didn't you say just now that you would give me a swift end?"

Feng Chenxiao observed him closely. Feeling nothing unusual, he quickly reassured himself.

This kid is only at the Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer. Below the Golden Core, no one can possibly break my Diamond Indestructible Body.

Feng Chenxiao was about to retort when he caught sight of that emerald sword. It no longer emitted a clear, faint shimmer; instead, it became as blinding as the midday sun. It was as if a miniature starry sky had unfolded around him, with countless tiny specks of light revolving and buzzing.

Inside Xie Xingchen, the Star Radiance Sword Canon continued to circulate, channeling the power of the stars into the bamboo sword. Holding the sword in his right hand, he slashed directly at the man before him.

The sword strike seemed simple, yet it carried a feeling that was difficult for human strength to resist.

It was as if a star had fallen from the heavens, intending to grind all obstacles in the world into dust.

Feng Chenxiao's pupils constricted sharply. The spiritual energy within him accelerated abruptly, and the dark-golden light flowing over his skin intensified as he prepared to face the strike head-on.

A chilling cold surged from his spine straight to his brain.

His survival instinct drove him to dodge.

"Boom!"

The Sword Qi grazed the edge of Feng Chenxiao's robes and slammed into the Arena Stage, producing a deafening explosion.

Dust billowed as the entire Arena Stage shook violently. When the dust cleared, a terrifying sword gash half a foot deep and over a zhang long appeared on the stage. The bluestones around the mark had been scorched black by the power of the stars, emitting a pungent burnt smell.

Had Feng Chenxiao been half a second slower, he would have been turned into a pile of minced meat.

He gasped for air, cold sweat soaking his robes, his face as pale as paper.

Looking at the terrifying sword mark, a sense of relief welled up in his heart. Seeing the man before him preparing to swing a second time, Feng Chenxiao said without hesitation, "I... I concede!"

With that, he leaped off the Arena Stage and left without looking back!

"This... the Dao Seeking Sect actually won again. This Holy Son of the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion is too spineless, conceding without even being injured."

"Isn't the Diamond Indestructible Body supposed to be invincible below the Golden Core Realm? Why didn't that Holy Son dare to take that strike?"

"Quick, look at Arena Number Three! Fairy Sue's match is about to begin."

Watching the tall figure depart, Xie Xingchen let out a soft breath and then turned to leap off the stage.

Mu Wanqing praised with a giggle, "Wonderful swordsmanship, Junior Brother! Even the Holy Son of the Myriad Manifestations Holy Land is no match for you."

Xie Xingchen shook his head, "It's all thanks to Revered Master helping me activate my Physique and bestowing a God-tier Cultivation Technique upon me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to defeat this Holy Son today."

Mu Wanqing looked up at the high platform floating in the sky, her almond eyes curving into crescents as she sighed, "It's so good to have met Revered Master!"

Right then!

A loud "Boom!" echoed from Arena Number Three.

Mu Wanqing's group looked toward the sound and saw that Arena Number Three was shrouded in dust. A figure could be vaguely seen lying motionless on the ground.

As the dust gradually cleared and everyone saw the scene on the stage...

The one lying on the ground was none other than the Holy Son of Tianji Pavilion, Wu Feng.

His silver-white brocade robes were now soaked in blood. His aura was so weak it was almost undetectable, his face was as pale as paper, and a section of his chest had collapsed—clearly, he had suffered a fatal blow.

His paper-pale face trembled as his raspy voice came out in fits and starts, "I... I con..."

Before the word "cede" could leave his mouth, an embroidered shoe stomped down ruthlessly on his chest without hesitation!

"Puchi—!"

A dull sound followed as Wu Feng's body jerked violently. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes wide open, as his last breath was completely extinguished.

Dressed in a pink silk skirt, the graceful Sue looked down at the corpse beneath her feet, a cold curve touching the corners of her mouth before she leaped down!

After the crowd saw the scene on the stage, the entire venue fell into a deathly silence, followed by an explosion of unbelievable uproar!

"Wha... what happened? Isn't this Holy Son of Tianji Pavilion already at the Second Layer of Golden Core Stage? Why did he lose to the Saintess of Profound Moon Palace? If I remember correctly, this Saintess is only at the Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer."

"Is... is this still Fairy Sue? Why are her strikes so ruthless today? Could there be some hidden secret between the two of them?"

"Did any Fellow Daoists watch this match? Come and give us some details."

Although life and death are at one's own risk in this third round, those from the Ten Great Sacred Lands usually hold back a bit when facing each other, as they are bound to cross paths again.

Only arch-enemies like the Blood Shadow Holy Land and the Zixia Holy Land would resort to lethal strikes.

Profound Moon Palace has always avoided trouble; today's occurrence was truly too abnormal.

Of course, if they were of Rogue Cultivator origin, there wouldn't be so much fuss; a death would just be a death, only making the spectators feel it was an exciting show.

On the high platform of Profound Moon Palace.

Sect Master Xiao Yue, whose silver hair reached her waist, looked at the scene on the stage. Her expression betrayed no emotion, showing more of a hint of confusion instead.

"That child Sue is a bit off today. That power she just displayed, how could it be from someone at the Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer? It clearly carried the spiritual energy pressure unique to the Golden Core Realm."

"Could she have been hiding her Realm within the Sect before?"

Elder Yun Yao stood to the side, her brows knitted into a tight knot.

She gazed at the pink figure below, her heart heavy.

Her own Saintess had shown no mercy, killing the Holy Son of Tianji Pavilion in public. They would certainly have to provide a proper explanation afterward; any slight mistake could lead to a conflict between the two Sects.

After all, such a Prodigy, even if not chosen by the Mysterious Realm Emissary, could still be nurtured as a pillar of strength for the Sect.

"Reporting to the Sect Master, I also do not know why Sue is acting this way," Elder Yun Yao's voice carried a hint of strain. "Before we set out, she showed no abnormalities. Who would have thought that at this Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony, she would become so ruthless, showing not even a shred of mercy?"

It was a pity they could not interfere with the Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony; otherwise, she would have certainly brought Sue back for questioning.

Sect Master Xiao Yue remained silent for a moment, her beautiful eyes watching intently.

"There are too many unforeseen changes in this year's Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony." She sighed softly, her tone tinged with helplessness. "Had I known it would be so treacherous, I wouldn't have let Profound Moon Palace get involved. It would have been better to stay at the Sea of Clouds Immortal Mountain and enjoy the peace."