At that moment, everyone was dumbfounded, their expressions completely frozen.
Zhan Lan, whose strength had surged, ultimately lost to Jian Wudi, sustaining severe injuries.
Moreover, this was merely the activation of his bloodline.
If Jian Wudi combined his bloodline with sword momentum and the mid-level Earth-tier Lingjian phenomenon, how terrifying would that be?
Lin Xiao’s brows furrowed deeply, his face showing an extremely grave expression.
Possessing a mid-level Earth-tier phenomenon and sword momentum, Jian Wudi’s combat power was fearsome to an unimaginable degree.
Challenging Jian Wudi in the short term was, perhaps, impossible.
Lin Xiao’s fists were tightly clenched.
“Swoosh!”
At that moment, a figure streaked across the sky, appearing before Zhan Lan in an instant. With a casual wave, the surging waves dissipated.
This person was none other than Zhan Lan’s master, Yun Jing, the Grand Elder of the Spear Dragon Sect.
“Serious injuries!”
Seeing Zhan Lan’s wounds, Yun Jing frowned, feeding him a pill and placing a hand on him. His internal energy surged, flowing into Zhan Lan’s meridians to aid the pill’s effects.
Soon, the bleeding stopped, surface wounds healed, and a hint of colour returned to Zhan Lan’s face.
“Cough, cough!” Zhan Lan coughed up two mouthfuls of blood, waking from his unconsciousness with a look of shame. “Master…”
“Victory and defeat are common in battle, no need to dwell on it,” Yun Jing interrupted, his energy enveloping Zhan Lan, supporting his body.
Yun Jing turned, his gaze fixed on Zhe Renfeng, and said, “Elder Zhe, in this battle of prodigies, you’ve won.”
“Just won?”
Before Zhe Renfeng could respond, Jian Wudi spoke first, countering with a question.
As he spoke, an even stronger aura emanated from Jian Wudi, spreading in all directions, enveloping the onlookers.
This aura was immensely powerful, its level clearly at the seventh stage of the Martial Lord realm.
At this, everyone was shocked, their expressions even more stunned.
Then, exclamations arose.
“Seventh-stage Martial Lord! Jian Wudi’s cultivation has reached the seventh stage!”
“At twenty-eight, he’s reached the seventh stage of the Martial Lord realm. What terrifying talent!”
“Defeating Zhan Lan with just sixth-stage Martial Lord strength, how fearsome would he be if he unleashed his seventh-stage power? He could probably crush Zhan Lan with ease!”
Waves of astonished voices echoed around.
With seventh-stage Martial Lord cultivation, yet defeating Zhan Lan using only sixth-stage power, this clearly showed absolute confidence.
As Jian Wudi said, his victory over Zhan Lan wasn’t just a win. It carried contempt, a blow to morale, and an intent to dominate all prodigies.
Zhan Lan’s gaze hardened.
Li Yunxiao and the others were even more shocked. Against Jian Wudi at the sixth stage, they were far outmatched.
At the seventh stage, the gap was even wider, likely insurmountable.
The young disciples of the Spear Dragon Sect were stunned, and even those from the Lingjian Sect were astonished.
Even they hadn’t known Jian Wudi possessed seventh-stage Martial Lord cultivation.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have worried for him earlier.
If he unleashed his seventh-stage power, he could surely defeat Zhan Lan in three moves.
In other words, Jian Wudi had the strength to beat Zhan Lan in three moves but chose to toy with him for a few more.
Lin Xiao’s expression grew even graver, his fists clenched tightly.
A seventh-stage Martial Lord made catching up even harder.
Moreover, if this continued, Jian Wudi might reach the ninth stage within a year.
By then, Lin Xiao would have no chance.
He had to accelerate, break through his cultivation faster.
“And…” Jian Wudi spoke again, his gaze sweeping over Zhan Lan, then Lin Xiao. “Let me be frank, my talents aren’t limited to these!”
At this, the crowd was stunned again.
Beyond the Holy Sword bloodline, Lingjian phenomenon, and sword momentum, Jian Wudi had other talents?
Did that mean his true combat power was far more terrifying than what he’d shown today?
Jian Wudi then turned to Lin Xiao and asked, “Lin Xiao, do you think you can still catch up to me?”
Lin Xiao’s expression darkened, his fists clenched tightly.
Jian Wudi had other talents, possibly even more terrifying than the Holy Sword bloodline.
Combined, his combat power would be unimaginable.
Of course, it was also possible he was bluffing to break Lin Xiao’s will.
Regardless, Jian Wudi’s fearsome nature was undeniable.
But Lin Xiao’s resolve would not be shattered by Jian Wudi.
Staring intently at him, Lin Xiao replied coldly, “On the day we fight, I’ll kill you!”
“Good, I’ll be waiting,” Jian Wudi replied with disdain, saying no more.
The onlookers no longer saw hope for Lin Xiao.
Catching up to such a powerful Jian Wudi, with such a vast cultivation gap, in just two years, seemed impossible.
“Elder Yun Jing, Elder Zhong, surely you now admit that your Spear Dragon Sect’s prodigies are inferior to our Lingjian Sect’s?” Zhe Renfeng’s smug voice rang out.
This time, the Lingjian Sect had regained its pride.
Jian Wudi had greatly boosted their reputation.
“You’ve won this time, but isn’t there still one more battle between our sects’ disciples?” Zhong Moyang replied irritably.
Zhe Renfeng glanced at Lin Xiao, chuckling, “Him? Ha, we’re ready anytime.”
“Let’s go!” Zhe Renfeng waved decisively, leading his group away to avoid being escorted out by the Spear Dragon Sect.
The Lingjian Sect disciples, along with the Xing and Duan families, boarded the Sky Imperial Boat.
“In the duel with Jian Wudi, Lin Xiao is doomed!” Watching Jian Wudi’s battle, Yang Lan felt satisfied, brimming with confidence in Jian Wudi.
At most, Lin Xiao had less than two years before joining her husband and son in death.
Duan Tianya shared the same thought.
After glaring viciously at Lin Xiao, they too boarded the Sky Imperial Boat.
“Lin Xiao, you’ll die by my master’s hand!” Cao Tianchao glared at Lin Xiao with murderous intent.
“Exactly, you’ve got just over a year before my master kills you!” Lu Yuan said coldly.
“Lin Xiao, you’re dead!” Xu Zilan added grimly.
The Martial Lords of the three families all glared at Lin Xiao.
“Lapdogs!” Lin Xiao replied coolly to their threats.
“You…” Cao Tianchao and the others nearly exploded with rage.
