64: Heavy damage to Zhou Qian

Turning to look, he saw a young man in white standing not far away, about eighteen or nineteen years old, with a figure as tall and straight as a pine tree.

A snow-white longsword hung at his waist, its scabbard wrapped with silver threads that shimmered in the sunlight.

The young man’s face was handsome, his features like a painting, but what was most striking were his eyes—inky black and unfathomably deep, as if they could see through people’s hearts.

“Cloud Soaring Sect’s Zhou Qian…” Wu Guohua’s heart tightened, and the hand gripping his long spear unconsciously clenched.

The opponent’s aura was as steady as a mountain; he was indeed in the Early Stage of Fifth-Rank, beyond a doubt.

Even more alarming were his eyes—cold and profound, completely different from the arrogant person Lin Xiao had described.

Zhou Qian stood there quietly, his white robes as pure as snow, unstained by dust, his entire being like a drawn sword, its sharpness contained yet commanding respect.

“Platform Three, Qinghe Prefecture’s Wu Guohua versus Cloud Soaring Sect’s Zhou Qian!” As the referee announced, the gong let out a deafening sound.

A commotion broke out in the stands; people whispered and discussed animatedly.

As a second-rate power in the capital, Cloud Soaring Sect’s Genius Disciple Zhou Qian’s reputation had long spread throughout the Jianghu.

Wu Guohua’s continuous victories had also garnered considerable attention.

This match, even before it began, had already become the focal battle of the Hundred Sects Tournament.

Both ascended the platform simultaneously.

Zhou Qian cupped his hands in a salute, his voice clear as a spring: “Your Excellency’s spear techniques are exquisite; I am fortunate to experience them today.”

His voice was as warm as jade, and his demeanor was composed and graceful, showing no hint of arrogance.

As Wu Guohua returned the salute, he noticed a green jade thumb ring on the opponent’s thumb—the mark of a Core Disciple of the Cloud Soaring Sect.

In the sunlight, clouds seemed to flow within the thumb ring, clearly indicating it was no ordinary item.

The jade was as warm and smooth as water, and the cloud-like patterns within it seemed to flow slowly as if alive, instantly marking it as a priceless treasure.

“Begin!” The referee’s gong struck again; before the sound faded, Zhou Qian had already made his move.

The white sword unsheathed with a Dragon’s roar, a brilliant flash of Sword Qi striking directly at Wu Guohua’s throat.

This sword strike was as fast as lightning, yet carried the graceful fluidity of clouds unfurling and gathering, precisely the opening move of Cloud Soaring Sect’s ultimate technique, “Nine Revolutions of Yunxiao.”

The sword’s edge cut through the air, emitting a sharp whistle, and the Sword Qi surged, shaking even the surrounding air.

Wu Guohua dared not be careless; his long spear finally thrust out.

Spear and sword clashed, sparks flew, and the clang of metal against metal made nearby spectators cover their ears.

He felt the force transmitted through the sword and was secretly astonished—though Zhou Qian had just entered Fifth-Rank, the purity of his Internal Energy was no less than that of an ordinary Fifth-Rank Peak.

Every time their weapons collided, a soft yet lingering force traveled up the spear shaft, numbing his tiger’s mouth.

“Good spear technique!” Zhou Qian’s eyes flashed with admiration, but his white sword did not stop, transforming into a sky full of sword shadows that enveloped him.

Each sword strike was like clouds and mist, seemingly gentle but concealing Killing Intent.

The sword moves were unpredictable, sometimes ethereal like flowing clouds, other times fierce like a torrential downpour.

Wu Guohua calmly responded, quickly recalling the Cracking Tips (breaking essentials) provided by Lin Xiao in his mind.

The annotations on those yellowed pages now appeared incredibly clear before his eyes; every red-marked flaw became his lifeline.

After three moves, Wu Guohua keenly noticed that when Zhou Qian transitioned from “Clouds Unfurling and Gathering” to “Clouds Parting to Reveal the Moon,” his right shoulder would have a barely perceptible delay—precisely the flaw Lin Xiao had mentioned!

At that moment, Zhou Qian’s right shoulder would slightly drop, and his sword momentum would experience an extremely brief stagnation, making it nearly impossible to detect unless specifically observed.

“Now!” A cold glint appeared in Wu Guohua’s eyes, and his previously suppressed Qi suddenly erupted.

The long spear, like a venomous snake striking, accurately pierced towards Zhou Qian’s vital point on his right shoulder.

This spear strike was as fast as lightning, its tip tearing through the air with a piercing shriek.

Zhou Qian’s face changed dramatically; he tried to change his move in haste but it was too late.

Wu Guohua’s spear tip penetrated his defense, aiming directly for his Jianjing acupoint.

In the nick of time, Zhou Qian barely managed to turn sideways, his sword edge deflecting, but it still cut a deep, bone-visible wound on his right arm.

“Ah!” Zhou Qian cried out in pain, his white sword almost slipping from his grasp.

Blood dripped down his snow-white sleeve, blooming into red plum blossoms on the bluestone platform.

The crimson bloodstains quickly spread on the pure white fabric, a shocking sight.

The audience below erupted in an uproar; no one expected the situation to suddenly reverse.

The Elders of Cloud Soaring Sect suddenly stood up, their faces ashen, but bound by the tournament rules, they could not intervene.

Wu Guohua pressed his advantage, his spear moves suddenly becoming ruthless.

He remembered Lin Xiao’s request—to severely injure Zhou Qian.

Although a flicker of reluctance crossed his mind, thinking of the Top-Grade Secret Manuals in the Ghost Market, he gritted his teeth, spun his long spear, and aimed directly for Zhou Qian’s vital points.

The spear tip gleamed with cold light, carrying a sharp Killing Intent, pointing directly at Zhou Qian’s heart.

“Brother Wu, why…” Zhou Qian’s eyes were filled with shock and confusion; he barely managed to raise his sword to block.

His face had turned pale, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, but the hand holding the sword remained steady.

Spear and sword clashed, emitting a harsh clang.

Wu Guohua’s Internal Energy suddenly erupted, shaking Zhou Qian back several steps, a trace of blood spilling from his lips.

That streak of crimson was particularly striking on his pale face.

The audience below was silent; everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events.

The once noisy martial arts arena was now so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

The Cloud Soaring Sect Elder stood up abruptly, but was restricted by the tournament rules from intervening, only able to watch his beloved Disciple get injured.

The Grand Elder, with white hair and beard, gripped the railing tightly with both hands, his knuckles turning white from the effort, his eyes almost bursting with rage.

Wu Guohua gave Zhou Qian no chance to breathe, his spear moves pouring down like a violent storm.

Each spear thrust aimed for a vital point, showing no mercy.

Zhou Qian barely parried, but the injury to his right arm severely affected his performance.

His white robe was already largely stained crimson with blood, but he still gritted his teeth and persisted, an unyielding light flickering in his eyes.

After ten moves, Wu Guohua seized an opening, his left hand forming a sword-finger, accurately tapping Zhou Qian’s Dazhui acupoint on his back.

This finger strike contained seventy percent of his Internal Energy, and the finger wind cut through the air, emitting a sharp whistling sound.

“Pfft—” Zhou Qian spat out a mouthful of blood, his entire body flying out like a kite with a broken string, heavily crashing onto the edge of the platform.

His body slid several feet across the iron-wood platform, leaving a shocking trail of blood.

He struggled to get up, but found that the Meridians in his right arm had been severed, and the circulation of his Internal Energy was severely impeded.

His handsome face was contorted in pain, yet he still maintained his last shred of dignity, not uttering a single groan.

The referee hurried forward to check, then announced loudly: “Qinghe Prefecture’s Wu Guohua wins!” The gong sounded again, but this time its sound was particularly jarring in the silent martial arts arena.

Wu Guohua put away his long spear, watching Zhou Qian being carried off the platform by his fellow Disciples.

The opponent’s eyes were now filled with pain and confusion, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he just slumped his head weakly and fainted.

His white robe was completely stained with blood, like a withered snow lotus.

“Well done.” A familiar voice sounded in his ear.