This time, Ghost Spear Tianwen did not disappoint him.
Jiang Tian's sharp sword energies were all blocked by Ghost Spear Tianwen.
"Heavens, look, Zhang Ergou's black iron spear can actually block the power of the Green Cloud Sword."
"It's truly terrifying. This kid Zhang Ergou is too unbelievable; he always surprises us."
"Who isn't saying that? This guy brings us a different feeling every time."
"Simply monstrous. Already so powerful, and he possesses such great might with just a random iron spear."
"How are we supposed to live?"
Below the battle platform, the observing inner disciples chattered amongst themselves, their minds numb to Zhang Ergou's constant subversion of their understanding.
The scene on the battle platform, however, told a different story.
Seeing his sword techniques fail once again, Jiang Tian was filled with rage.
He had not expected Zhang Ergou to be so difficult to deal with, and his previous underestimation of Zhang Ergou had significantly diminished.
But these feelings could not suppress his hatred for Zhang Ergou, who had caused him to lose so much face in the inner sect. He had to have revenge.
Without a moment's pause, Jiang Tian's attacks became even fiercer, streaks of sword energy charging towards Zhang Ergou recklessly.
Clang, clang, clang...
The sound of metal colliding echoed, as each of Jiang Tian's attacks was blocked by Zhang Ergou wielding his iron spear.
"Kid, are you made of turtle shells?"
Jiang Tian shouted coldly, continuing to wield his long sword with his left hand, sending out dazzling sword flowers carrying sharp sword energy towards Zhang Ergou.
In his right hand, he produced a longbow without strings.
He unleashed another fierce sword energy strike towards Zhang Ergou, then sheathed the Green Cloud Sword.
At this point, it seemed that if he couldn't get close, his swordplay would be useless against Zhang Ergou, merely draining his spiritual energy in vain.
But it was different for Zhang Ergou; Jiang Tian had yet to detect him using any spiritual energy.
Blocking his attacks solely with physical strength was not what Jiang Tian wanted to see.
The speed at which he expended spiritual energy by performing those dazzling sword techniques was far greater than the speed at which he could recover it.
If this continued, he would be exhausted to death before he could even injure Zhang Ergou.
Even though this was Zhang Ergou's fourth match today, his agile movements showed no sign of fatigue.
The more he fought, the more astonished Jiang Tian became.
He was not one to waver; having made up his mind, he switched his long sword for the bow.
Archery was not Jiang Tian's preferred weapon, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
Seeing Zhang Ergou nimbly dodging his sword techniques and blocking the sharp sword energies with that black iron spear, Jiang Tian would no longer waste his efforts.
Whoosh!
An arrow-like sound rang out, and a solid arrow of spiritual energy shot towards Zhang Ergou.
Zhang Ergou, still busy blocking the lingering sword energies with Ghost Spear Tianwen, seemed to have noticed nothing amiss.
"Zhang Ergou is in danger now. Look, he doesn't seem to have heard Jiang Tian's arrow."
"Jiang Tian's bow is extremely peculiar. It's said his master taught him. The arrows he shoots are condensed from spiritual energy, colorless, odorless, and without a physical form, making them difficult for most people to detect."
"Yes, I saw Jiang Tian drawing the bow just now, but no arrow flew out. I thought he was simply enraged into confusion!"
"That's just your ignorance. It's said that Jiang Tian's arrow only solidifies when it reaches the enemy, making it too late to dodge by then."
"Such skill might even allow him to contend with those at the Golden Core middle stage."
Below the battle platform, some disciples with extensive knowledge explained the mystery and power of this arrow to those who had never heard of it.
Hiss!
A collective gasp of cold air swept through the crowd.
To be able to contend with those at the Golden Core middle stage, who were already the cream of the early Golden Core cultivators.
No wonder Jiang Tian had risen from an ordinary inner disciple to a prominent figure on the inner sect rankings in just three years.
"Hmph, kid, let's see how you dodge this!"
After firing the arrow, Jiang Tian sneered. He was extremely confident in this shot; many opponents had fallen before it.
People believed this bow was a gift from his master.
Little did they know, this bow was one of his family's heirloom treasures. As the eldest son of the clan leader,
This bow had been cultivated as Jiang Tian's Natal Artifact. Since he could remember, the bow had been inseparable from him.
As he grew older, Jiang Tian gradually used the bow less, not wanting to attract the attention of those with ill intentions.
A crucial aspect of a Natal Artifact is that
If the artifact is damaged, the host, as the owner of the Natal Artifact, will suffer a severe backlash.
The reason Jiang Tian gradually stopped using this Natal Artifact as he aged and his cultivation grew was to prevent it from being harmed.
But today, he was determined to defeat Zhang Ergou, no matter what.
His own spiritual energy had been depleted by nearly half due to the continuous condensation of spell techniques, yet Zhang Ergou remained unharmed.
Jiang Tian had become desperate and seemed to have lost some of his reason.
Whoosh!
Another arrow, formless and colorless, was shot out...
"Hmph, let's see if you can dodge this one now!" Jiang Tian said with a cold smile. The second arrow he fired was much faster than the first.
Even if Zhang Ergou could sense the first arrow, the second, launched later but arriving sooner, would strike him directly in the chest.
The two arrows Jiang Tian fired were vicious, not aimed at Zhang Ergou from different directions.
Instead, they traveled along the same path, one after the other, straight towards Zhang Ergou's heart.
If Zhang Ergou were hit, he would be severely injured.
He would either die or be gravely wounded...
Straining to wield Ghost Spear Tianwen, Zhang Ergou clearly felt the abnormal shift in the atmosphere.
Although he hadn't used his spiritual energy, he was acutely aware of the changes in the surrounding spiritual energy.
Zhang Ergou sensed the spiritual energy around him rapidly converging in one direction.
However, he assumed Jiang Tian was recovering his spiritual energy while attacking him, absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy. He paid no heed to this change.
The sharp sword energies before him lessened, and Zhang Ergou began to relax.
Then, with a sweep of his spear, he blocked a few more fierce sword energies and stood firm, glaring at Jiang Tian.
"Jiang Tian..."
He had only uttered two words when two consecutive powerful forces struck him in the chest.
Boom!
With a deafening thud, Zhang Ergou's body slammed heavily onto the bluestone battle platform.
Dust billowed, and the bluestone ground was cracked by the impact.
"What? Why did Zhang Ergou fall suddenly?" Wang Teng exclaimed, watching Zhang Ergou collapse.
"It seems he suffered a powerful attack!" Lin Yichen's expression was grim and uncertain.