The golden barrier Zhao Dazhuang condensed was the strongest defensive form activated by the Diamond Indestructible Body. Withstanding Xiao Zuiji’s wild bombardment while remaining unscathed—he was indeed extremely strong!

However.

No matter how strong the defense, it couldn’t withstand frenzied attacks.

So Zhao Dazhuang could only take his strongest defensive form and be forcibly pounded outside the arena by Xiao Zuiji.

In a life-or-death battle, this would be irrelevant.

But in combat limited to the arena platform, once you left the designated area, it meant losing the match.

Both sides had agreed before the battle to decide everything in one match, so the referee directly announced: Iron Fist Sect eliminated, Eternal Sect advances!

“Ah.”

Zhao Dazhuang sighed.

Though quite unwilling, since he’d lost then he’d lost—he must accept reality.

“Good!”

He struggled to straighten his body, “Let’s fight another match when we have time!”

Both had fought very satisfyingly, but because they had to consider their respective sects, there were inevitably many regrets. If there was a chance in the future, they would definitely spar properly!

“It’s a promise.”

“It’s a promise!”

Xiao Zuiji and Zhao Dazhuang looked at each other and smiled.

This kind of promise between men commanded solemn respect!

“Tsk tsk.”

City Lord Han exclaimed in admiration, “Sect Master Jun, your disciple’s physical body is not only strong, his power is also formidable.”

As an expert, he could see that though Zhao Dazhuang was excellent, he only had defense. In all those previous matches, he’d relied entirely on charging straight through, with opponents helpless against him.

Xiao Zuiji was different.

Not only was his defense strong, he also had offensive power.

Even if both sides went up at full strength to fight another match, the result would definitely still be the same.

No matter how formidable the defense, without offensive power, you’re just a mobile sandbag.

A brilliant smile appeared on Jun Changxiao’s face, “So I’m proud of my disciples.”

Vaguely, he recalled the scene of first meeting Xiao Zuiji, and remembered him ceaselessly shedding tears day and night in the Body Forging House and Trial Tower.

If this were an anime, just Xiao Zuiji and Zhao Dazhuang’s duel, simply recalling their past efforts and the silhouettes of continuously refining their bodies under the setting sun would take two or three episodes.

…

Qingyang Province.

When the referee announced Eternal Sect’s victory, it once again became a boiling ocean. Countless men excitedly tore off their upper garments and even embraced their companions.

“They won again, they won again…”

Xie Guangkun stood in the City Lord’s Manor, his heart’s excitement beyond measure.

In the Authentication Hall of Sky Decree Royal City, before the referee had even announced the result, Elder Zhou had the foresight to urgently stuff a pill into Yi Tianxing’s mouth.

It was a pill to prevent qi and blood attacking the heart, thus producing sudden death.

On Earth, this would be called—

“Huff!”

“Huff!”

Having taken the medicine, Yi Tianxing lay in his chair, supporting the armrest, his emotions extremely agitated, “Tomorrow… tomorrow prepare a bed for me… I… I want to watch lying down…”

“Swish!”

Elder Zhen urgently stuffed another pill, thus providing double activation to protect the Hall Master’s heart.

…

The match between Eternal Sect and Iron Fist Sect had ended.

However, that manly combat between Xiao Zuiji and Zhao Dazhuang still surfaced in their minds. The more they thought about it, the more excited they became, the more they thought about it, the more satisfying!

“Three Thousand Sword Shadows!”

Just then, a cold shout came from the arena platform.

Swish! Swish!

Dense sword qi instantly erupted, the sheer quantity making everyone’s eyes widen.

“Clang!”

Jian Feiyun sheathed his sword.

“Thump!”

The sect disciple he’d been fighting directly collapsed on the ground.

Behind him, the ground showed dense sword marks, but the center had an empty space in the shape of a person.

This proved that though the sword qi was numerous, it hadn’t brought him any harm—it had merely brushed past him.

This extremely strong control made the watching warriors’ eyes widen.

“Continue.”

Jian Feiyun raised his head, his narrow eyes radiating sharp brilliance like swords, causing the opposing sect disciples to all retreat two steps in fright.

What’s there to fear!

We’re a second-rate sect from Central Exalted Province!

“I’ll go!”

“Clang—”

“Thump!”

That disciple again sat down hard on the ground. Though there were no wounds on his body, the sensation of countless sword qi brushing past felt like experiencing death again and again!

…

“Junior Brother Zhou.”

Li Qingyang said, “This person is very strong.”

“Mm.”

Zhou Hong said, “I hope we can meet him in the next round.”

This guy had appeared on stage every previous round but hadn’t made many moves, so everyone’s evaluation of him was—Eternal Sect’s strongest slacker.

“Why don’t you draw lots next round?” Li Qingyang said.

Before Zhou Hong could respond, Ye Xingchen said coldly, “Let me do it instead!”

Proud World Sacred Sect had already successfully advanced to the next round, so he had to draw them tomorrow and personally finish off that “dead man”!

…

Dusk arrived, the matches ended.

The six sects advancing were Eternal Sect, Spirit Sword Sect, Proud World Sacred Sect, and three first-rate sects that had been present throughout but never had names.

“Tomorrow’s competition for the top three will definitely be more spectacular!”

“These three sects might be matched with first-rate sects.”

“Hard to say. In the next round, first-rate sects won’t have protection rights anymore—they might very well match up.”

“Tsk tsk, first-rate against first-rate combat should also be quite spectacular, right?”

…

The next day.

When Ye Xingchen again stood before the lottery box and again drew out a plaque, he almost threw it down and viciously stomped on it twice!

Let me abuse him.

Is it really that difficult?

“Eternal Sect’s opponent is—” City Lord Han stood behind Jun Changxiao, one hand pressing on his shoulder, “Spirit Sword Sect!”

“Senior Brother Ye.”

Zhou Hong cast a grateful look, “Thank you.”

Ye Xingchen: “…”

The lottery drawing ended. Eternal Sect would fight Spirit Sword Sect, Proud World Sacred Sect would fight a first-rate sect, and the other two first-rate sects would face each other.

…

“Begin!”

The referee shouted loudly.

“Ahh!”

Su Xiaomo yawned, then squatted at the arena platform’s edge with Li Fei and the others.

Spirit Sword Sect’s disciples did likewise.

Why?

Because Eternal Sect and Spirit Sword Sect had chosen one-on-one single combat. The first to battle were Jian Feiyun and Zhou Hong. When both unleashed their sword momentum, it was destined to be a tedious match.

How tedious?

The two stood motionless on the platform for more than ten minutes, until even the audience was yawning with teary eyes.

Laymen watch the excitement, experts watch the technique.

Many warriors knowledgeable in sword dao could deduce at this moment that this Jian Feiyun and Eternal Sect’s slacker king had probably already engaged using sword momentum.

It was just invisible and formless, unable to provide the author with water-padding opportunities.

“Clang!”

“Clang!”

After half an hour, Zhou Hong and Jian Feiyun finally moved. Two matchless sword qi streaks cut through the void and shot forth.

Both swords were extremely dazzling, as if descending from beyond the heavens!

However.

They vanished in a flash…

“Clang!”

“Clang!”

Simultaneously, both sheathed their swords.

“Swish!”

Jian Feiyun turned and left, jumping down from the arena platform, “Your sword is faster.”

Su Xiaomo stared wide-eyed, “That’s it?”

Careful observers could notice that after the Spirit Sword Sect disciple left the stage, one side of his neck showed an extremely fine sword mark. Because the size was just right, no blood seeped out.

“Next one!”

“Ding! Ding! Ding!”

The matches continued.

Spirit Sword Sect’s remaining disciples had decent understanding of sword dao, but were defeated one by one by Li Qingyang and the others equipped with excellent sword weapons.

“Spirit Sword Sect eliminated, Eternal Sect advances!” the referee loudly announced.

Upon hearing this, Yi Tianxing peacefully took several pills, then lay on the prepared bed, “If this is a dream, let me keep dreaming forever.”

The matches continued.

Proud World Sacred Sect, led by Ao Wushuang, successfully killed their way into the top three.

But in another match, two first-rate sects were evenly matched. They fought until everyone lay on the ground, and both were announced to go home together.

“Finals!”

City Lord Han pressed down on Jun Changxiao and announced loudly, “Eternal Sect versus Proud World Sacred Sect!”

“Swish!”

Ye Xingchen jumped onto the arena platform, looking at Ao Wushuang, “Trash, I’ve put up with you for too long!”

“Junior Brother.”

The corner of Li Qingyang’s mouth twitched, “The final match is tomorrow!”