87: Third Life: How Am I the Villain? (Fifty-One)

The points-based competition proceeded tightly and intensely, with one battle after another leaving almost no room for breath.

New match arrangements were made every hour; Golden Core True Persons no longer stepped in to help, so Cultivators could only rely on their own cultivation and Medicinal Pills to recover.

This made tactical choices, spiritual energy allocation, and injury control vital; a slight lapse in judgment could result in a major loss, affecting subsequent performance.

Relying on his deep Foundation and fierce, domineering saber techniques, Xu Yuan advanced with unstoppable momentum.

The opponents he encountered, though not lacking in skill, mostly failed to force out his true strength.

Even without using the High Grade Magical Artifact Ink Sever, Xu Yuan often decided the outcome within a few exchanges, allowing him to save a vast amount of physical and spiritual energy, maintaining a near-Peak state throughout.

The names on the points leaderboard shifted like a revolving lantern, but the small group at the top maintaining a perfect winning record remained steadfast.

Looking closely, most of the names represented the prestigious Upper Sects of the South Domain: Burning Sun Upper Sect, Mystical Heaven Sword Sect, Changqing Upper Sect, Yulong Upper Sect... Their Disciples enjoyed the best resources and top-tier Cultivation Techniques; many saw their dominance at the top as only natural.

However, amidst this list shrouded in the brilliance of Upper Sect Prodigies, a few names stood out exceptionally because they did not represent those behemoths.

Chen Yuan of the Overlord Blade Sect was one of them!

While the Overlord Blade Sect was considered a power in the South Domain, compared to those Upper Sects overseen by Golden Core True Persons, it was undoubtedly a "small Sect."

For Xu Yuan to maintain a winning streak and aggressively break into the top ranks of the leaderboard as a small Sect Disciple, standing alongside numerous Upper Sect Prodigies, was itself a massive miracle that drew countless shocked, curious, and even indignant gazes.

"Who is this Chen Yuan? How could the Overlord Blade Sect cultivate such a character?"

"His saber techniques are peerlessly domineering; he hasn't tasted defeat yet and has defeated many strong enemies!"

"It seems a true dark horse is emerging in this Elite Battle!"

"It's just a pity he comes from a small Sect after all; he might not be able to rival those true Upper Sect Prodigies..."

"..."

The surrounding discussions failed to stir even a ripple in Xu Yuan's heart; his gaze was mostly fixed on the few names at the very top of the leaderboard.

The "Sword Son" Luo Chen of the Mystical Heaven Sword Sect, whose sword heart was said to be enlightened and had reached the realm of man and sword as one; Mu Ling'er of the Changqing Upper Sect, whose Everlasting Dao Techniques were ceaseless and most difficult to endure; Long Xuan of the Yulong Upper Sect, who was said to possess a trace of True Dragon Bloodline and an incredibly tough Physical Body... What made Xu Yuan's gaze narrow slightly was that there were actually two Loose Cultivators among them with auras as deep as the sea, possessing Late Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation!

"Late Foundation Establishment Stage under fifty years old..."

Xu Yuan felt a sense of awe in his heart. Such talent would be an absolute core member in any Sect, and their combat power was by no means comparable to an ordinary Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

This South Domain Elite Battle was truly a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers!

Thirty-seventh round, Arena Thirty-seven: Chen Yuan of Overlord Blade Sect versus Xu Xingchen of Burning Sun Upper Sect!

Soon, the list for the new round appeared. Xu Yuan's opponent was none other than Xu Xingchen. Xu Yuan noticed that although Xu Xingchen's performance in battles hadn't been particularly prominent, he also held a perfect winning record.

"Has he been hiding his strength?"

The two stepped onto Arena Thirty-seven. Without a word, a murderous aura already permeated the air.

"Brother Chen Yuan, please advise me."

Xu Xingchen cupped his hands with a gentle smile.

"Please!"

Xu Yuan spoke concisely, his sharp Saber Intent instantly climbing to its Peak.

As the battle began, Xu Xingchen displayed strength far exceeding his previous matches.

His Fen Yang True Qi was blazing and domineering, golden flames churning between his palms and fingers, transforming into various profound attacks—some like a falling sun, others like a celestial fire strike—an unending and powerful offensive.

Seeing this, Xu Yuan no longer held back. Ink Sever was already in his hand. With no fancy moves, he delivered a direct, pure, and most domineering vertical cleave!

"Strike!"

The saber light condensed into substance, turning into a thirty-meter-long pitch-black ribbon. Carrying the will to cleave mountains and part rivers, it descended upon Xu Xingchen with unstoppable force!

Facing this world-shaking strike, Xu Xingchen's pupils constricted as he shouted, "Good timing!"

He neither dodged nor avoided it. His hands traced a profound trajectory in front of his chest as pure, vast Fen Yang True Qi surged out, instantly condensing into a solid flame shield burning with golden Dao patterns!

"Fen Yang True Stellar Shield!"

Boom—!!!

The saber light and the giant flame shield collided violently!

A terrifying explosion of energy erupted, the blinding light causing many to instinctively close their eyes.

The violent shockwave spread outward like a literal tsunami, slamming hard against the arena's strongest protective Formation, triggering countless intense ripples. The Formation's light screen flickered, emitting an overburdened hum!

Cracks spread across the giant flame shield until it finally exploded, turning into a sky full of drifting fire.

However, Xu Yuan's indestructible and domineering strike was successfully blocked by this solar-as-it-gets defensive Divine Ability!

Xu Xingchen used the force to drift back dozens of meters before neutralizing the terrifying impact, leaving two clear gouges on the arena floor.

His internal blood and Qi surged slightly, but the gentle smile on his face remained unchanged. Only the gravity in his eyes deepened as he praised sincerely, "What a great Ba Dao! Its sharpness is truly the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment!"

Before his voice finished echoing, his hand seals changed, and his aura suddenly became grand and ethereal: "However, my Fen Yang Dao is the righteous fire of Heaven and Earth, unending! Nine Suns Ascending!"

The True Qi within Xu Xingchen's body erupted without reservation, and raging golden flames ignited around him as if he had transformed into a true scorching sun!

Nine spheres of golden fire, compressed to the extreme, emerged behind him, emitting terrifying heat that even caused the Restrictions on the arena floor to turn slightly red!

Xu Yuan suddenly felt as if he were trapped in a furnace, and his Saber Intent was also suppressed.

But the Battle Intent in Xu Yuan's eyes burned even brighter. He gave a wild laugh: "Good timing!"

In the next moment, the True Qi in Xu Yuan's body surged like a river, and a more solid, larger illusory saber shadow emerged behind him.

Xu Yuan became one with his saber, his body turning into a phantom. As he swung Ink Sever, it was no longer a single saber light but layers upon layers of black saber light like crashing waves, carrying a resolute will to cleave the sun, moon, and stars as it swept toward Xu Xingchen!

The two figures flickered and crossed paths at high speed within the chaos, every collision causing the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to vibrate violently.

Ultimately, Xu Yuan's Ba Dao proved superior. Seizing a fleeting opening, Ink Sever turned into a dark line that tore through space, piercing through layers of flame defenses. The tip of the saber stopped steadily right before Xu Xingchen's brow.

The sharp Saber Qi stung the skin, but it did not advance another inch.

Xu Xingchen dispelled all his defenses and said frankly, "I lost. Brother Chen's saber techniques are divine. I... am thoroughly convinced."

Xu Yuan sheathed his saber and nodded slightly: "Daoist Xu, thank you for the match. Your Fen Yang Technique is profound and exquisite; I have benefited greatly from this battle."

The two looked at each other and smiled. The intensity and tension of the previous duel completely transformed into the candidness of heroes respecting one another.

At this time, the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion deacon also announced loudly: "Arena Thirty-seven, the winner: Chen Yuan of Overlord Blade Sect!"