85: My Godly Father (Sixteen)

That sword strike completely locked onto Chen Xiao.

Chen Xiao felt as if he couldn't evade it.

A powerful Intent penetrated the spiritual energy, pierced through the air, and directly pressed upon his mind.

"How is this possible..."

"A wild boy from some unknown backwater... how could he unleash such a sword strike..."

These were Chen Xiao's last thoughts.

He couldn't dodge this sword strike at all.

Just as the invisible Sword Intent was about to pierce through him.

Suddenly, a jade pendant worn close to his chest erupted with dazzling light, forming a translucent shield.

Chen Xiao's pupils contracted violently, his heart filled with shock.

This was a supreme treasure bestowed upon him by his father, a Spirit King Realm expert, for self-defense.

It could withstand any attack below the Seventh Level of Spirit Transformation Realm.

Yet, this sword strike had actually triggered the jade pendant's defense!

"Then the power of this sword strike..."

Chen Xiao dared not think further.

The crowd outside the arena was even more astonished.

They asked themselves, could they block the Wooden Sword Youth's sword strike?

The answer was self-evident.

"Crack!"

A crisp sound.

The radiant shield, in front of the Sword Intent, only lasted for a single breath before it was covered in cracks and shattered with a resounding crash.

Although most of the power was negated, the residual Sword Intent still firmly struck Chen Xiao's body.

This scene was unexpected by everyone in the arena.

Quan Yun hadn't expected it either.

The spectators outside couldn't help but complain, feeling disdain for Chen Xiao.

Can a competition be like this? Isn't this cheating?

But what could they say?

Who would dare to stand up for a Wooden Sword Youth and offend the Eldest Grandson of the Duke Protector's Mansion?

This sword strike had drained all the spiritual energy that had just been born within Quan Yun's body.

He could no longer unleash a second sword strike.

Chen Xiao was sent flying backward by the aftershock, spitting out a large mouthful of blood while still in mid-air.

He finally managed to stabilize himself, looking at Quan Yun with eyes full of fear, jealousy, and malice.

How could this youth unleash such a powerful sword strike?

This sword strike... such power... even a Prodigy like him, renowned in the Empire, couldn't produce it.

He's just a Wooden Sword Youth, how dare he!

But he quickly noticed that Quan Yun's face was pale, and his aura was weak, already at the end of his rope.

The panic on Chen Xiao's face turned into a sinister sneer.

"Can't use your sword anymore, can you?"

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and approached Quan Yun step by step.

"Then be good and get lost!"

Quan Yun looked at him, his expression still calm.

He threw away the wooden sword in his hand.

"If I can't use a sword, then I'll punch."

Before his words finished, he pushed off with his feet, and his entire body shot forward.

"Punch?"

Chen Xiao hadn't yet reacted to the other party's change.

A fist was already before his eyes.

"Boom!"

Chen Xiao's body flew backward even faster than before, directly off the martial arts stage, unconscious.

At the same time, the other semi-final match had also concluded.

Lin Huanqing of the Flowing Cloud Sect, after all, was one move short, narrowly losing to Cang Ze, the First Prodigy of the Cang Yun Empire's imperial family, the Third Prince.

Thus, the final roster for the Grand Competition was settled.

Wooden Sword Youth, Quan Yun.

Versus.

The Empire's Third Prince, Cang Ze... The finals begin.

After a brief rest, Quan Yun and the Third Prince Cang Ze both recovered to their Peak condition.

The two stood on the largest central martial arts stage.

"Wooden Sword Youth, you are quite good."

Cang Ze wore a golden python robe, his face handsome, exuding an inherent royal majesty.

"I've heard about your matters."

"Your sword, it seems, is quite impressive."

"However, your path ends here."

Quan Yun looked at him, his expression resolute.

"I have reasons to continue moving forward."

"My goal is to win the championship!"

"win the championship?"

Cang Ze seemed to have heard a huge joke, a hint of disdain curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Arrogant."

The referee announced the start.

The two instantly engaged in battle.

Having broken through to the Qi Nurturing Realm, Quan Yun's strength was no longer comparable to yesterday.

The Sword Intent, empowered by spiritual energy, was even sharper. For a time, sword light and Dragon shadows intertwined, spiritual energy surged, and the entire martial arts stage trembled.

For a time, sword light and Dragon shadows intertwined, spiritual energy surged, and the entire martial arts stage trembled.

Cang Ze grew increasingly alarmed as he fought.

The youth's Sword Intent was too pure, too domineering.

His powerful cultivation base at the Spirit Transformation Realm, Fifth Level, coupled with his proud imperial family Cultivation Technique, seemed unable to fully unleash its potential in front of his opponent, constantly being suppressed.

"I cannot lose..."

"I, the dignified Third Prince of the imperial family, the Empire's First Prodigy... must not lose to a Wooden Sword Youth who appeared out of nowhere..."

Seeing the situation gradually turn unfavorable, a sinister glint flashed in Cang Ze's eyes.

He suddenly made a flaw, feigning defeat, and his body fell backward.

Quan Yun was still young and inexperienced; seeing this, he immediately pressed the attack.

The moment he approached, a fierce glint flashed in Cang Ze's eyes, and an extremely concealed silver light shot out from his sleeve.

That silver light was a poisoned fine needle hidden weapon, striking him directly in the lower abdomen.

However, the Grand Competition rules clearly stipulated that the use of hidden weapons and poisoned items was strictly prohibited during matches.

The old men on the referee's stand were first stunned, but then quickly regained their composure, as if they had seen nothing.

A strong warning sign rose in Quan Yun's heart, but the distance was too close, and it was already too late to dodge.

A numbing sensation quickly spread throughout his body, and the spiritual energy that had just begun to circulate immediately stagnated.

Seizing this opportunity, Cang Ze slammed a palm heavily onto Quan Yun's chest.

"Puff!"

Quan Yun was sent flying by the palm strike, crashing heavily to the ground, blood staining his clothes.

"Hahahahaha..."

Cang Ze let out a wild laugh.

"Wooden Sword Youth... it seems I've won!"

"You lose!"

Below the stage, there was an uproar.

"How insidious! To use such a despicable trick!"

"To scheme against a youth like this is simply shameless!"

Lin Huanqing's cheeks flushed with anger, and she couldn't help but curse, "Despicable!"

Cang Ze paid no attention to the curses around him; he slowly walked up to Quan Yun and looked down at him.

"Now, I'll send you rolling off."

Quan Yun struggled to stand up, but his body wouldn't obey.

I'm going to lose... I can't win the championship... Sister will die... The word "die" weighed heavily on his heart.

A sharp pain suddenly exploded in his mind.

Something... was about to awaken from the deepest parts of his memory.

Countless fragmented images and unfamiliar voices flashed through his mind.

Accompanying this anomaly, the mysterious small pagoda within his body also let out a faint hum and began to vibrate violently.