Chapter 34: The Art Astonishes All!
“Lin Xiong is defeated! Spirit Field Bureau’s Lu Qingyang, victory, one match!”
The Foundation Establishment True Person presiding over the duel announced the result.
Lin Xiong was carried away grimacing and baring his teeth.
He had not managed to use his ultimate secret technique even at the moment he surrendered.
Under a rain of Dharma Artifact strikes, Lin Xiong had not even a single gap to breathe.
If he had used his secret technique from the start, supplemented by the Primordial Shield for defense, perhaps he would have had a sliver of a chance at victory.
But now…
His defeat was thorough.
Fortunately, the various Bureau Directors and Vice Bureau Chiefs were not at the Peak Selection Gathering.
Otherwise, Lin Xiong would surely have been cursed bloody by his own elders.
…
Lu Qingyang walked slowly up to the arena platform, his gaze sweeping in a circle.
He waved his hand to retrieve the Nightshade Shuttles that had scattered and shattered across the ground, then sat down cross-legged, closing his eyes to recover.
And that silent crowd, after a long silence, finally erupted into an uproar like a landslide and tsunami.
“Deacon Lu is truly domineering!”
“Senior Brother Lin was practically courting death!”
“Indeed, Deacon Lu’s mastery of spiritual power is simply heaven-defying. Even the Primordial Shield was helpless against it — he could only surrender!”
…
The crowd discussed animatedly.
“This boy is called Lu Qingyang? A disciple of my Flame Grass Peak’s Spirit Field Bureau?”
Wang Tiande stroked his beard, his eyes showing appreciation.
“Yes, Peak Lord. This boy rose to fame recently. In the Outer Gate, he made a small name for himself among the Outer Gate disciples by teaching techniques.”
“Oh? So this person’s mastery of techniques is also quite high?”
Wang Tiande’s gaze flickered several times.
He turned back to look at Song Ge.
Song Ge nodded ingratiatingly.
“Yes, Peak Lord. Congratulations, Peak Lord. Our Flame Grass Peak will be able to bring home a treasure this time.”
“Hahahaha.”
Hearing Song Ge’s flattery, Wang Tiande was in an excellent mood and laughed heartily.
The other hidden-cultivating True Persons of Flame Grass Peak also nodded in satisfaction.
Off to the side, Zhao Jianfeng heard this and glanced sideways at Song Ge.
Then, without betraying any emotion, he took out a messaging jade talisman and began contacting someone…
After Lin Xiong was carried away, the duels resumed.
In the crowd, Zhang Luanfeng saw that the means arranged by his backer had failed, and he was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
No good! I must advance to the Inner Gate!
Otherwise, once that surnamed Lu establishes his Foundation, I’m dead for certain!
Zhang Luanfeng gritted his teeth, a thick killing intent flashing through his eyes.
He very much wanted to challenge Lu Qingyang, but seeing that even a rich young master like Lin Xiong had lost, he was probably no match at all.
But I can wait. Once this kid is exhausted, I’ll go test him!
Zhang Luanfeng’s gaze turned vicious as he fixed his eyes on Lu Qingyang.
In truth, his thinking was not wrong. Every Peak Selection Gathering, several fierce individuals would be exhausted after consecutive victories.
But unwilling to give up all their previous efforts, they were ultimately worn to death on the platform…
On the other side, Lu Qingyang was recovering his spiritual power.
The white-robed disciples below the platform also began stepping forward to challenge others.
One after another, the Outer Gate prodigies who took the stage first fought desperately.
It had to be said that almost every disciple who dared to boldly take the stage and set up their own arena was no simple character.
Especially that Li Buqun of the twelfth layer of Qi Refining.
This person had already participated in the previous Peak Selection Gathering and even obtained a Foundation Establishment Pill.
It was just a pity he had not succeeded in establishing his Foundation, and thus was not accepted into the Three Peaks.
But who would have thought that Li Buqun, having failed to establish his Foundation, would forcefully raise his cultivation to the twelfth layer of Qi Refining!
That was what everyone called the False Foundation Realm!
At this realm, if one still attempted to establish their Foundation, there were only two outcomes.
First, successfully forging a True Person’s position. Second, death!
And Li Buqun of the twelfth layer of Qi Refining was also extremely ferocious in battle, defeating his opponent almost in an instant.
This scene left everyone amazed.
…
“These fellows are all tough customers.”
Lu Qingyang shook his head inwardly, somewhat displeased.
Because no one had come up to his arena.
This won’t do… Never mind twenty victories, I’m afraid I won’t even be able to gather ten.
Seeing no one paying attention to his arena, Lu Qingyang frowned slightly.
Today he had intended not to hold back at all, to properly display himself.
Yet no one challenged him…
This really was an old lady twirling a broadsword and throwing out her back.
No good, I have to think of a way.
Lu Qingyang frowned in thought. After a moment, inspiration suddenly flashed in his mind.
He subtly reversed the spiritual power within his body.
A stifled sensation lodged in his throat, then he violently spat it out.
“Wah!”
Lu Qingyang spewed a mouthful of blood, his whole body looking withered and weak!
“Look! Deacon Lu is vomiting blood!”
“Hisss, could he have been injured in the fight with Lin Xiong just now?”
“That’s right, it must be so! That Lin Xiong was holding a top-grade Dharma Artifact after all. How could he possibly be defeated without injury!”
The crowd turned to look, discussing animatedly.
Among the crowd, dozens of people saw this and their eyes lit up, as if they had seen an opportunity.
Only Lu Qingyang, upon seeing everyone’s reaction, curled the corner of his mouth slightly upward…
“Spell Art Bureau, Zhou Er greets Deacon Lu!”
After a moment, someone in the crowd finally could not hold back.
A male disciple with a refined face and flowing robes stepped forward.
He cupped his hands toward Lu Qingyang with a humble expression.
“Oh? So it’s Junior Brother Zhou.”
Lu Qingyang clasped his hands weakly in return.
Seeing this, the disciple named Zhou Er grew even more delighted.
As the Foundation Establishment True Person presiding over the duel gave the order.
He unhesitatingly formed hand seals.
For a time, spiritual qi surged on the arena platform, spiritual power crisscrossing.
The spectators around the platform also retreated one after another.
Some disciples who were too close could barely even stand.
“What a powerful technique!”
“I long heard that Zhou Er of the Spell Art Bureau has a remarkable grasp of techniques. Seeing it now, his reputation is well-deserved!”
“Indeed, but if we’re talking techniques, Deacon Lu is probably even stronger…”
The crowd discussed animatedly.
Lu Qingyang watched the other party form hand seals without stopping him, merely waiting for him to make his move.
He had learned his lesson this time. He had to figure out a way to exchange blows with the opponent.
If he was too terrifying, probably no one would be willing to challenge him.
“Bzzz~~”
The other party formed seals with both hands, and circles of pale blue ripples appeared on his body, rippling outward like water.
“This is…”
“Water Burst Technique! It looks like Zhou Er has comprehended it to the advanced level!”
“Indeed, look! Advanced Water Burst Technique can already turn water into ice!”
“Now this will be a good show!”
Seeing Zhou Er form seals, everyone’s expressions changed drastically, and they whispered excitedly.
“Water Burst Technique?”
Lu Qingyang’s gaze focused.
He had not learned the Water Burst Technique, but he did know a Flame Burst Technique.
Then let me see whether your technique is fiercer, or mine is mightier.
Lu Qingyang’s heart was calm as his fingers moved.
“Bzz~”
At the very instant the Water Burst Technique formed.
A ball of flame suddenly appeared in Lu Qingyang’s palm. Amidst the wreathing firelight, it transformed into a fiery red fireball!
The fireball rapidly expanded, becoming three meters tall in the blink of an eye.
As the fireball grew, a scorching wave of heat spread outward, distorting the air on the platform as if it were about to boil.
Feeling this heat wave, everyone instinctively closed their eyes, not daring to look directly.
They felt as though a blazing sun had appeared before their eyes, and they could see nothing else.
Only Lu Qingyang on the platform suddenly snapped to his senses after getting carried away, inwardly exclaiming.
Damn! I held back again!