Chapter 231: Chapter 228: Targeting _1
On the duelling platform, Qin Wudao and Su Wen Yi faced each other. The former appeared nonchalant, while the latter had a serious expression on his face.
"Get on with it, why haven’t they started yet?"
The martial artists watching the battle all hoped for the confrontation to end sooner rather than later because they didn’t find this match interesting at all. Su Wen Yi, despite standing at the Peak of the Realm, was simply no match for Qin Wudao.
After breaking through to the Saint Realm at Qilin Tour Peak, Qin Wudao’s name became known to all the major powers.
Even though I can’t defeat you, don’t think it will be easy to win against me! Su Wen Yi roared inwardly. During yesterday’s rest, a Semi-Emperor powerhouse had sought him out to do a task. If successful, he would be rewarded by becoming a Core Disciple of the Kylin Holy Land.
The task was to force Qin Wudao off the stage early!
However, this would doubtlessly result in his defeat, and he would certainly lose his spot in the genius ranks competition.
But when he thought of becoming a Core Disciple of the Kylin Holy Land, he immediately disregarded the idea of victory and defeat. Considering his level of cultivation, even if he participated in the genius ranks competition, he would only ever rank in the lower positions and receive minimal Fortune.
It would be better to become a disciple of the Holy Land, gain more resources, and stronger Cultivation Techniques!
As for becoming a disciple of the Holy Land, it would mean giving up his identity as a disciple of the Langya Sect. He hadn’t considered this a downside at all; in fact, he was somewhat eager.
"Literary Marquis Divine Skill, Cloud-Rain Dragon Transformation Art!"
Su Wen Yi’s hands formed quick seals. Traces of Literary Dao energy pierced the air, merging into an ancient hovering book from which numerous arcane characters appeared.
Each glyph contained mysterious energy!
The next moment, all the characters exploded.
Each character transformed, stirring wind and clouds!
The sky above the duelling platform filled with thick, accumulating clouds. Lightning flashed and thunder roared as countless raindrops fell, converging in the Void to form a Water Dragon that roared towards the heavens.
"All show and no substance!"
Qin Wudao wore an indifferent expression. He quickly drew his battle sword, his body slowly treading upon the air. His Imperial Dao Intent pierced the Void, and the surrounding world seemed to transform, making him its center.
Everything had to submit to him, recognizing him as their sovereign!
The might of his Imperial Dao howled, empowering his Emperor Sword. It formed a Sword Qi carrying supreme power and indomitable will as it slashed towards Su Wen Yi.
"Go!"
Su Wen Yi’s eyes widened. He controlled the Water Dragon with all his might. The dragon opened its massive maw, revealing chillingly sharp teeth as it lunged to bite the Sword Qi.
The dragon aura was formidable, not weaker than a Martial Artist in the Saint Realm!
But when it faced the Sword Qi unleashed by Qin Wudao, it seemed utterly feeble. The moment the two forces collided, the Water Dragon was slashed apart by the Sword Qi, water splashing everywhere.
Beneath the Emperor Sword, the dark clouds scattered, and the heavy rain vanished!
"So strong! PTAH—"
Su Wen Yi was sent flying backward, crashing to the ground. He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. Gazing at the resplendently mighty Sword Qi, an overwhelming sense of his own insignificance washed over him.
The fierce Sword Qi fell straight down!
Su Wen Yi’s pupils contracted sharply. He hurriedly shouted, "I admit defeat!" He had a premonition: if that Sword Qi struck him, he would undoubtedly die, with no chance of survival.
BOOM!
The referee standing by intervened. He stretched out his right hand, and a stream of grey energy shot from his fingertip, shattering the Sword Qi.
"DING! Congratulations, Host. You have defeated the 1,039th special constitution, the ’Literary Marquis Constitution.’ The sign-in reward is Zhang Fei. Do you wish to summon him?"
Accompanied by the shattering of the Sword Qi, the system’s prompt echoed in Qin Wudao’s mind.
Zhang Fei? I won’t summon him for now!
Qin Wudao was secretly pleased. Another character! Although he was eager to summon him, being on the battlefield was clearly not the right time, so he chose against it.
"Qin Wudao of the Great Qin Divine Court wins! He is the new platform champion! The first round of challenges begins now!" the referee, having landed on the ground and released a powerful force to remove Su Wen Yi from the platform, announced loudly.
"I’ll challenge him!"
A resonant voice immediately followed.
As soon as the words fell, a disciple from the Kylin Holy Land landed on the platform. He looked to be around twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old and wielded a ghost-headed saber that radiated a dazzling, bloody light. His chilling murderous intent caused the temperature to drop sharply.
The Saint Realm aura caused the pupils of many spectators to contract sharply, and they focused their full attention on the fight.
"Could this kid have offended the Kylin Holy Land?" a viewer muttered to himself.
"In previous East Border Grand Ceremonies, Saint Realm experts usually entered later, choosing weaker opponents and advancing after a token exchange of blows. It was rare for two geniuses, both in the Saint Realm, to clash this early."
Breaking through into the Saint Realm meant they could achieve good results in the genius ranking competition!
Geniuses cherished their reputations and wouldn’t waste unnecessary energy in the free-for-all challenge matches!
"Li Gu of the Kylin Holy Land challenges Qin Wudao of the Great Qin Divine Court! The match officially begins!" The referee glanced at Li Gu, showing a brief flicker of surprise before recovering his composure and announcing nonchalantly.
"Kid, you’re out of luck running into me!" Li Gu rested the ghost-headed saber on his shoulder. He didn’t attack immediately but spoke with fierce, overbearing killing intent.
Is the Kylin Holy Land targeting me? Qin Wudao frowned slightly. He was currently in the Kylin Holy Land. If he was targeted by people from the Kylin Holy Land, that wouldn’t be good. But throughout his journey, he hadn’t offended anyone from the Kylin Holy Land! Could it be...
’The tree that stands tallest in the forest is the first to be battered by the wind!’ Suddenly, this saying surfaced in Qin Wudao’s mind, and his inner doubts were instantly resolved. My breaking of Shen Youlin’s record must have displeased some people!
In that case, I’d like to see just how magnificent and resourceful the number one power in the East Border truly is!
Qin Wudao let out a cold sneer, his fighting spirit soaring to the heavens. Wisps of faint Sword Qi materialized around him, each carrying a hint of supreme sharpness.
Countless Sword Qi converged into one.
It formed a brilliant beam of Sword Qi that pierced through the air.
"Ghost King Saber Art!"
Li Gu roared. The ghost-headed saber in his hand pulsed with billowing, blood-red light, forming a skeletal phantom. Its terrifying power seemed capable of causing even the Void to disintegrate.
BOOM!
One sword, one saber collided!
Countless minute shockwaves radiated outward, striking the air. The dueling platform, which had remained unscathed through numerous previous battles, was now marred with countless fractures where these energies landed.
"To withstand Li Gu’s attack... it seems Qin Wudao’s strength is indeed commendable." From the viewing seats, Shen Youlin watched the battlefield intently, muttering to himself.
Li Gu was a cultivator of a Forbidden Technique from the Kylin Holy Land. He had broken through to the Saint Realm at twenty-three and was now at the peak of the early stage of the Saint Realm, just one step from the middle stage. Against an ordinary Martial Artist who had just advanced to the Saint Realm, Li Gu would typically only need a few moves to win.
"Your Highness the Saint Heir, to deal with Qin Wudao, who has only just broken through to the Saint Realm, is such a grand display truly necessary?" a disciple asked in confusion, feeling that it was a bit of an overkill.
"Even when hunting a rabbit, a lion uses its full strength!" Shen Youlin said indifferently. "Qin Wudao managed to break this Saint Heir’s record. He is worthy of me making such elaborate preparations!"
He was cautious by nature. In everything he did, he aimed for absolute certainty, leaving no room for error. Dealing with Qin Wudao was no exception.
In his eyes, Qin Wudao was more than just an early-stage Saint Realm Martial Artist!
He was a formidable future threat!
"The Saint Heir is truly wise!" the disciple quickly flattered him.