66: Chapter 66 Now that the top eight have been determined, they will be divided into four groups for the final showdown!

This time, Su Rui's appearance caused a sensation throughout the entire venue.

Even the leaders of the major powers sitting in the front row stood up one after another to smile and nod in greeting.

This was a sign of respect for the strong.

Su Rui maintained a calm expression, leading the women beside him through the crowd.

Those who had previously been attracted by Su Rui's world-shaking Kunpeng movement technique and followed him out of the city felt an instinctive shiver the moment they saw him now.

Then, someone noticed that there was another woman by Su Rui's side.

It was Xu Weixiong, who had previously lost to Shi Feixuan in the competition.

“Has she joined the martial arts hall? Does this mean the Hall Master has relaxed his standards for taking Disciples?”

These people naturally didn't know that Su Rui's true goal in accepting Xu Weixiong was actually her younger brother, Xu Longxiang.

“Greetings, Hall Master. I hope to include you in the guanjue ranking.”

Ji Ruofeng walked over slowly and spoke after giving a respectful bow.

“No need, I don't care about such things.”

Su Rui shook his head and refused without hesitation.

Ji Ruofeng was not surprised upon hearing this.

“As long as you are on the guanjue ranking, the world's talents will naturally flock to you.”

Thinking about the Hall Master's penchant for taking Disciples, he spoke accordingly.

“Those who run here of their own accord cannot be considered true geniuses.”

Su Rui remained unmoved.

In fact, the people currently in Snow Moon City clamoring to join the martial arts hall were already annoying Su Rui to no end.

If he were to appear on the guanjue ranking, things would likely become even more chaotic.

Seeing that Su Rui had no intention of relenting, Ji Ruofeng felt regretful but did not press further.

However, if this man did not enter the list, then whoever topped the guanjue ranking next would seem somewhat unworthy of the name.

In that case, he would release the liangyu list first.

As for the Divine Weapons List, he had already planned to rank the Cheng Ying Sword at the top.

But seeing this man's firm attitude, he felt a bit uncertain and didn't dare make a decision lightly.

If the Cheng Ying Sword and its master weren't included, the hundred weapons ranking and the guanjue ranking would likely fail to convince the public.

After Ji Ruofeng left, Yin Luoxia couldn't help but ask curiously:

“Teacher, why didn't you agree? People in the Jianghu highly prize the rankings from The Knower of Everything.”

“Others are others, I am me.”

Su Rui responded flatly, though he obviously couldn't say it was because he feared the trouble.

Wouldn't that destroy the majestic image he had worked so hard to build?

Li Hanyi and the others went to draw lots for the matches.

Only Yin Luoxia, Wang Yuyan, and Xu Weixiong remained by Su Rui's side.

Wang Yuyan didn't know much about things like rankings.

After all, in the Great Song, there was no such Concept.

On the contrary, Xu Weixiong was quite interested.

Although she didn't know the specifics of Northern Li's rankings, what surprised her was that one actually needed the person's consent to be listed?

That was never the case back in the Liyang Dynasty.

Moreover, there were numerous rankings, even sub-rankings.

But no one would ever ask if you were willing to be on them.

She looked at Su Rui's profile and silently decided:

“Is this the privilege of the strong? I want to become a person like this too!”

The match pairings were quickly decided.

In the previous rounds, whether by coincidence or arrangement,

Su Rui's Disciples had not met each other early and had all successfully advanced.

Now that the top eight were decided, they would face off in four groups.

This also meant that among Su Rui's five Disciples, at least one pair would encounter each other early.

In the first match, Li Hanyi would face Wanwan.

After Sikong Changfeng made the announcement, two graceful figures leaped lightly down from the stands.

The onlookers were immediately excited.

They would get to see Li Hanyi fight again; they wondered what kind of brilliant duel it would be.

Expectation was written all over everyone's faces.

Of course, the quirky and beautiful Wanwan also had a large following.

They were currently cheering for her with great enthusiasm.

When Wanwan turned to look at the group shouting the loudest, her expression immediately darkened.

A group of burly men were shouting their lungs out for her, making for a rather comical scene.

It drew many sidelong glances, leaving Wanwan speechless for a moment.

After adjusting her emotions, Wanwan looked at Li Hanyi, who stood opposite her with sword in hand, and smiled softly.

“Senior Sister, please go easy on me.”

Li Hanyi was slightly taken aback.

“When did you join the martial arts hall as well?”

If these words came from someone else, they might be sarcastic.

But Li Hanyi's tone was calm and her gaze serious; she was simply stating a fact.

“Not yet, but I will in the future.”

Wanwan's lips curled up as she took her stance.

The Heavenly Demon Strategy's Cultivation Technique slowly unfolded.

Her already charming figure became even more enchanting.

But she was facing Li Hanyi.

That kind of soul-capturing secret technique had no effect in the other's eyes.

Li Hanyi, dressed in green, moved her long sword with light and airy grace, neutralizing every trick Wanwan employed.

She did not take the initiative to attack, yet just by countering, she gradually made it impossible for Wanwan to hold her ground.

“I have one last move. If you can take it, I will be completely convinced.”

Li Hanyi's expression grew a bit more solemn as she mentally prepared herself, wondering what kind of ultimate technique Wanwan would use.

Wanwan had not truly achieved Major Achievement in the Heavenly Demon Great Art; even the Queen of Yin, Zhu Yuyan, had only scratched the surface.

Li Hanyi's eyes flashed, and the long sword in her hand suddenly traced a dazzling arc of light,

like the light of dawn, unstoppable, as if all obstacles in front would be shattered.

“Her Sword Intent has become even more pure!”

This sword strike seemed ordinary and without flourish, yet it contained immense power.

No matter how many transformations you have, I shall break them all with a single sword.

The Concept contained within the sword's momentum left many sword masters on the stands shocked.

“Brother Xie, look at Li Hanyi's Sword Intent; it seems to have deepened even further?”

“Brother Wen, you have the most right to speak on this matter.”

Xie Xuan suddenly turned to look at the Head of the Wen Family, who was momentarily stunned, not understanding the implication.

“I heard that Baili Dongjun's sword can be called immortal, and his saber has also achieved Immortal Ascension!”

As soon as Xie Xuan finished speaking, his gaze fell upon Baili Dongjun.

“Brother Baili, I heard you have quite a history with the Wen Family?”

The Head of the Wen Family sighed softly and nodded slightly.

This was no secret.

Baili Dongjun's mother was from the Wen Family, and several Elders of the Wen Family were also Baili Dongjun's uncles.

“It's just that I ultimately don't understand sword techniques; I am more adept at using poison.”

Xie Xuan chuckled upon hearing this; it was indeed true. The Wen Family had been famous for their poison arts for generations and were naturally most skilled in that path.

Baili Dongjun and Sikong Changfeng looked at each other, their eyes filled with shock.

Li Hanyi's growth was simply too fast!

At this moment, Wanwan's expression changed slightly as she stared at the sword tip before her.

The gap was actually this large!

They had only exchanged a few moves, yet the outcome was already decided.

“You lost.”

“Indeed, I lost.”

Wanwan smiled bitterly, taking a step back to avoid the sword tip. Her expression was slightly dejected, but she quickly became reconciled to it.

She had performed the Heavenly Demon Strategy once through, yet it failed to have any effect.

The magnitude of the gap was shocking.

Then, a playful look reappeared in Wanwan's eyes as she said softly:

“It seems I should also return to my Sect to regroup and train again.”

Seeing others' strength advance by leaps and bounds while she remained stagnant made her feel inevitably embarrassed.

The two of them leaped off the stage one after another, returning to the crowd.

The people in the stands had various expressions, and many felt like withdrawing.

Wanwan's strength was not bad, yet she didn't even have the power to fight back.

What was the point of this competition anymore?

“Sigh, Li Hanyi hasn't even used her full strength yet!”

While everyone was lamenting, Sikong Changfeng's voice rang out, breaking their reverie.

“Li Hanyi wins. Next match: Sikong Qianluo versus Su Hongxi!”

“Finally, the Disciples of the martial arts hall are going to face off directly!”

Someone couldn't help but whisper.

In the previous matches, the other contestants hadn't truly forced out the full strength of the women from the martial arts hall.

Now, with two of Su Rui's Personal Disciples clashing, they might catch a glimpse of their true limits.

Su Rui's sudden appearance had brought countless variables.

The martial arts he taught were all rare in the world, some even unheard of.

No one knew Su Rui's true strength, let alone how many techniques he possessed.

The only certainty was that his martial arts attainment was extremely profound.

Sword techniques, spear techniques, movement techniques, and even the Qi-snatching art Li Hanyi once used, along with the Divine Ability to transform into a Kunpeng, were all inconceivable.

Perhaps he still held even deeper hidden trump cards.

No one expected to learn these martial arts from him, as that was unrealistic.

Anyone who wanted to challenge him was just looking for trouble!

And now, as Su Rui's Disciples began to compete against each other in a clash of the strong,

would this match provoke their true trump cards?

Wanwan returned to the stands and turned to look at Li Hanyi, seeing that she had already returned to Su Rui's side and was respectfully reporting something.

Sikong Qianluo and the others beside her were all smiles, clearly gratified by this victory.

Wanwan felt no dejection in her heart, only a bit more contemplation.

After all, she had been mentally prepared, knowing she was far from being Li Hanyi's match.

She just hadn't expected that once the Heavenly Demon Strategy was deployed, it would have absolutely no effect on Li Hanyi.

She hadn't even managed to force her to use that incredibly powerful Ten Thousand Swords Art.

A wave of disappointment couldn't help but rise in her heart.

“Her strength is far beyond our expectations. If you were facing the Hall Master's other Disciples, you might have had a chance, but Li Hanyi—”

Shi Feixuan's gaze seemed to be on the stage, but she spoke softly.

“Her Realm has already exceeded the limits of our generation; even among the previous generation, she is an outstanding figure. Once she breaks through to Great Grandmaster, it is highly likely she will touch the Land Immortal Realm!”

The words seemed like a monologue, but they were actually meant to comfort Wanwan.

Wanwan looked at Shi Feixuan in surprise, her expression somewhat complex.

She was, after all, a member of the demonic Sect, while the other was from the Quiet Temple of Compassion; why would she offer comfort at this moment?

“Are you comforting me?”

Wanwan smiled lightly, looking at Shi Feixuan's delicate profile with a hint of playfulness in her tone.

“No, I am just stating a fact.”

Shi Feixuan still didn't turn her head, but her slightly trembling eyelashes betrayed her inner agitation.

Having grown up in the Quiet Temple of Compassion, she was used to hearing her Elders' evaluations of the demonic Sect—that those people were brutal, murderous, eccentric, and should be killed by everyone.

But now, having spent time with Wanwan, she found that although the other girl was mischievous and tricky in her actions,

she was far from being as cruel and vicious as the rumors suggested.