’Tell him, the rules say killing is not allowed.’
Just as Qui Ronghai didn’t know how to answer Wu Zhen, he suddenly heard a voice in his mind. And it was from none other than Elder Hua, who was hiding in the shadows.
Surprisingly, he once again interfered in the match just like before.
"Cough...Elder Hua already said that killing is never allowed in battle. Do you understand?"
Since the message had arrived, Qui Ronghai looked at Wu Zhen and Mo Zhiran and conveyed what he was told with a light cough.
Of course, he could understand what Elder Hua meant by this. He meant that as long as Wu Zhen didn’t kill Mo Zhiran, he could do anything.
’Sigh... Mo Zhiran, it is not I who is against you. You shouldn’t have provoked someone out of your league.’
Now it was clear that Zhiran was being sniped.
"Haha... good, good. Then, let’s begin the match. Don’t worry, Elder Qui, I’ll make sure he won’t die."
Wu Zhen was a little excited to hear the confirmation, or rather, the hidden meaning behind it.
So, he couldn’t help but look at Zhiran with a cold grin and release his thick aura at the Ninth Layer of Qi Condensation, ready to fight.
Although he didn’t take someone like Zhiran seriously, if there was a chance to have a little fun, he’d never turn it down.
Not to mention, he could take revenge for his brother, hitting two birds with one stone.
’So, it is indeed Elder Hua. But what the heck is he planning?’
Zhiran didn’t care about the predatory eyes of Wu Zhen, as his attention was fully on Qui Ronghai when he paused lightly just now.
From his subtle expression, it was clear that he was being guided from behind.
But he really had no idea how he provoked that elder. He didn’t even know him before today.
"Are you two ready?"
Elder Qui’s voice echoed through the entire arena, bringing Zhiran to his senses.
"Of course. Let’s start the match."
While Wu Zhen replied immediately, Zhiran just nodded with a calm look, readying his sword.
Even after hearing Elder Qui and Wu Zhen’s implied meaning, he didn’t falter, surprising everyone a bit.
For someone who was quite weaker than Wu Zhen, his composure was really something else.
"Is that guy an idiot? Why doesn’t he just withdraw from the match? He’s clearly being reckless..."
Mei Xuan couldn’t help but remark after seeing how easily Zhiran nodded his head for the match to begin.
If Zhiran still had a chance before, now that he had agreed, he might not get that chance again.
"Heh... he’s just overconfident because of his sudden rise in strength. He’s now at the Ninth Level of Qi Condensation after all."
Tianyu heard Mei Xuan’s words and said lightly,
"But he doesn’t know that Wu Zhen isn’t some average cultivator. Realm isn’t the only thing that matters. With just his meager Basic Mastery of the technique, let’s see how he fares. Maybe he’ll learn something this time."
Mo Tianyu spoke with a sneer, clearly looking down on his clan brother.
"What? Mo Zhiran is already at the Ninth Level?"
But Mei Xuan was shocked by what he had inadvertently revealed. She thought Zhiran was at the Eighth Level of Qi Condensation, just like her.
But now...
’No wonder I lost. Tch... this guy was clearly cheating. How many things is he hiding?’
She thought while gnashing her teeth in hate, looking at the arena, ready to see Zhiran in the same state he had left her before. In fact, she hoped it would be worse than her own state.
’Zhiran... be careful!’
While Tianyu and Mei Xuan were ready to see Zhiran’s fall, Su Ruyue, on the other hand, bit her lips anxiously, feeling troubled.
In fact, she wanted to go to Tianyu and ask him to save Zhiran in case something happened, but knowing how much Zhiran hated him, she stopped herself.
Still, if push came to shove, she would definitely ask for help, as she didn’t want anything to happen to him.
After all, only when there is life... can there be hope.
[Mo Zhiran vs. Wu Zhen—start!]
Just as everyone was lost in their own thoughts, Elder Qui Ronghai’s voice rang out, cutting through the noise as he loudly announced the start of the match.
"Swish!"
As soon as he did, Wu Zhen directly vanished from his spot, reappearing instantly in front of Zhiran.
His speed was so incredible that he left nothing but a shadow in his wake, rivaling even Liang Feng and Mo Tianyu.
"Obsidian Strike!"
He then suddenly grinned at Zhiran, and in an instant, his fist blurred as it shot straight toward Zhiran’s chest.
Even before it landed, the air around it seemed to crackle and warp, and a low roar of energy echoed from the point of impact.
From how much force he used, it was clear what his motive was. Wu Zhen was too ruthless.
"Bang!"
Unfortunately for him, although the loud sound of the collision shook the entire arena due to the sheer force, to everyone’s surprise, Zhiran stood tall against all odds. It was as if he wasn’t affected at all.
And it was all because Zhiran stopped such an incredible punch with his own, meeting the force head-on.
"Mountain Splitter!"
"Thud!"
Such a powerful punch, suddenly stopped midway by another equally powerful one. For a moment, a vortex of Qi whipped through, ruffling both of their clothes and displacing the air across the entire arena.
"..."
"What?"
"How is this possible?"
"Damn..."
"Hey...Zhiran is at the Ninth Level of Qi Condensation?"
"Why didn’t I know that?"
"Did you see that? His Mountain Splitter Strike has already reached the realm of Skilled Proficiency!"
"Is he a... monster?"
Just one move. It took just one move from Zhiran to send the entire crowd into shock.
No one expected him to be at the Ninth Level, let alone to have mastered such an advanced-stage attack technique.
Everyone knew this outer sect wasn’t that large. They all knew what realm Zhiran was in just a month ago.
So seeing him go head-on with Wu Zhen now, they were, of course, shocked beyond belief. His progress was simply too fast, even for a genius.
"Swish!"
Zhiran didn’t care what others thought, though, as the moment he stopped Wu Zhen’s punch, he swung his sword at his right hand, aiming straight for his neck with a graceful swipe.
It was as if he were slicing through a chicken’s head.
"Clang!"
Unfortunately, Wu Zhen was on guard and quickly dodged his blow, appearing a little further from him.
Then, he looked at the calm figure of Mo Zhiran and grinned widely,
"Interesting... no wonder you’re so calm. So, you’re in the Ninth Layer too?"
Surprisingly, while the crowd and even his own brother were shocked by Zhiran’s revealed realm, Wu Zhen remained largely unmoved.
Although he didn’t know the full truth, he could sense something from Zhiran’s calm demeanor from the beginning.
He wasn’t foolish; he just chose not to show it, opting to test him when the match first began.
And just like he thought, Zhiran was really hiding his true strength. No wonder he was full of confidence even against him.