Tianmen disciples were gripped with worry, fearing Lin Xiao might impulsively challenge Gu Xuanyuan now. In his current state, fighting Gu Xuanyuan was clearly unwise.
If Lin Xiao waited for the next round, he could recover much of his strength.
Under the concerned gazes of the Tianmen disciples, Lin Xiao’s eyes finally shifted away from the two, prompting a collective sigh of relief. Thankfully, Lin Xiao was rational.
Then, Lin Xiao’s gaze settled on Lai Shufeng. “Senior Brother Lai Shufeng, please step forward for a fight.”
“I concede!” Lai Shufeng surrendered without hesitation. What a joke—Lin Xiao had crushed Lei Kuang and Luo Zhong. Lai couldn’t even beat Luo Zhong, let alone Lin Xiao.
Going up to fight Lin Xiao now would be asking for a beating unless he’d lost his mind.
As Lin Xiao called out one opponent after another, everyone except Xiahou Jing and Gu Xuanyuan conceded. Lin Xiao’s ranking was now locked in the top three.
This result was a miracle for a new disciple, an unprecedented achievement in past competitions.
After sweeping through over twenty opponents, everyone assumed Lin Xiao would leave the stage. If he intended to challenge the two, he would have done so already.
Calling out the conceding opponents was merely a formality before stepping down.
Moreover, the battles among the three were expected to determine the champion and would likely be saved for last.
But a shocking scene unfolded. Lin Xiao didn’t leave the stage. Instead, his gaze fixed on Gu Xuanyuan, and he suddenly said, “Senior Brother Gu Xuanyuan, dare to step forward for a fight?”
The crowd froze. Lin Xiao was challenging Gu Xuanyuan now? This was tantamount to diving straight into the pinnacle showdown of the ranking competition.
Lin Xiao, Gu Xuanyuan, Xiahou Jing—any clash between them would be an earth-shaking battle.
But what baffled everyone was that Lin Xiao, in his current state, clearly couldn’t perform at his peak, yet he directly challenged Gu Xuanyuan. Was he overly confident?
The Tianmen disciples’ expressions grew heavy. Their earlier relief had been premature.
Even Ma Bi and the others were worried, sensing Gu Xuanyuan’s formidable aura, unmatched by other disciples. He was a true contender for the championship.
Seeing Lin Xiao choose him now, Gu Xuanyuan was momentarily stunned, unable to comprehend why Lin Xiao would pick him at this moment.
“Heavenly thunder exists in the heavens and earth, its energy inexhaustible. But in one area, using a certain force depletes it temporarily, making it hard to summon the same strength again. You’ve summoned thunder twice, its power halved. Summoning again would yield even less. Your sinister power, used twice, is now strained. Are you sure you want to fight me?”
Gu Xuanyuan was in no rush, speaking slowly to Lin Xiao.
“I don’t need such trouble to fight you.”
Meeting Gu Xuanyuan’s faintly disdainful gaze, Lin Xiao smiled lightly. “To defeat you, I need only one strike. If I can’t bring you down in one move, consider it your win.”
Lin Xiao’s calm words exploded in the crowd’s ears like a thunderclap.
They already found it unbelievable that Lin Xiao challenged Gu Xuanyuan now, at a disadvantage. But to claim he’d defeat Gu Xuanyuan in one strike, and if he failed, he’d concede…
What was Lin Xiao playing at?
This was simply impossible!
Gu Xuanyuan froze, stunned for a long moment.
Lin Xiao claimed he’d defeat him in one strike?
Or else he’d lose?
“I’ve seen arrogance, but never this brazen. Since you’re so confident, let’s fight. And I’ll tell you this—if this strike doesn’t defeat you, it’s not your loss, but mine.” Gu Xuanyuan retorted, striding towards the arena.
He had always been a top contender, brimming with confidence and pride.
How could he tolerate such provocation from Lin Xiao?
Naturally, he fired back. Those arrogant words should have come from his own mouth.
“Very well, let’s settle this with action!”
Lin Xiao sighed lightly, his inner power condensing. Gripping his sword with both hands, a formidable aura radiated from him.
“Hmph, I’ll send you a Xuanyuan Sword!”
Gu Xuanyuan struck first, unleashing the Xuanyuan Sword. He raised his greatsword high, an awe-inspiring aura surging forth. He seemed to transform into an ancient war god, his long hair flowing, his presence earth-shaking.
As Gu Xuanyuan gathered his power, the sky turned crimson, as if day had shifted to twilight.
Soon, a red greatsword coalesced in the void, its oppressive might dominating the heavens, its grandeur overwhelming mountains and rivers, as if one strike could collapse the world. Its power was unmatched, its terrifying shockwaves enveloping the arena.
The Xuanyuan Sword, fearsome beyond measure!
“Swish!” The sword slashed down, dimming sun and moon, trembling the earth, as if the heavens were collapsing, an endless force bearing down.
At that moment, Lin Xiao raised his sword to the sky, his hair flowing without wind, a towering aura erupting from him.
In an instant, his body turned translucent, unparalleled shockwaves radiating outward from him. A supreme, eternal aura of sole dominance spread, making him seem like a peerless master standing alone, as if his presence could shake the heavens.
An ancient pressure enveloped all directions.
“Swish!”
A dazzling white light bloomed from Lin Xiao, illuminating the entire arena. Every inch of the square was bathed in this blinding radiance, so intense that no one could keep their eyes open or look directly at it.
Unseen by the crowd, Lin Xiao slashed his sword, a radiant white sword beam carrying world-annihilating force, crashing towards the Xuanyuan Sword.
This strike was called Yaoguang!
“Swish! Swish!”
Their clash produced no deafening boom, no violent collision, and the crowd couldn’t see what happened.
After a long moment, the blinding light faded, revealing both figures to the crowd.
They stood as if unmoved, neither showing any sign of injury.
“What happened? Did they tie?”
“What was Lin Xiao’s attack? It was terrifying. That aura made me feel like bowing in reverence.”
“Gu Xuanyuan’s at the third level of Martial King, with immense power and the fearsome Xuanyuan Sword. A tie makes sense.”
The crowd’s astonished discussions rose, but at that moment, a spurt of blood sprayed from Gu Xuanyuan’s mouth. Leaning on his sword, he sank to one knee.
