Ji Mingkong sneered and said, “Then watch closely how I defeat him. To be honest, my goal has long moved beyond Tianlong Continent. I aim to become the Chosen One, leave Tianlong Continent, and head to the stronger Shenhuang Continent to learn superior martial arts and compete with greater talents. Only then can I grow faster.”
These words were not mere boasts.
Among the thirteen continents of the Mysterious Realm, Tianlong Continent not only had the weakest martial artists but also the harshest cultivation conditions.
Ji Mingkong felt there was nothing on this continent worth pursuing, so she naturally set her sights on the more powerful Shenhuang Continent.
“Is that so? Then I look forward to your peak duel with Ling Xiao!” Bai Qianjiao said no more.
In truth, she didn’t know whether Ling Xiao or Ji Mingkong was stronger.
Both gave her the impression of being invincible and enigmatic.
“Peak duel? You overestimate him. Don’t worry, I’ll end this fight quickly,” Ji Mingkong said, her words dripping with disdain and confidence.
Bai Qianjiao said nothing further, only offering a faint smile as she stepped down from the arena.
Having absorbed Bai Qianjiao’s luck, Ji Mingkong’s ninth cauldron was now ninety percent complete, just one step away from perfection.
After Ji Mingkong and Bai Qianjiao’s battle, Qin Bixue faced Fire Demon Lord.
This time, Fire Demon Lord didn’t concede, but against Qin Bixue’s formidable strength, he was steadily pushed back and ultimately defeated.
“Damn it! How are these youngsters so strong? It seems I’ll have to take matters into my own hands!” From the spectator stands, Demon Flame Heavenly Lord was inwardly shocked.
His earlier concessions could be seen as part of his strategy, but this time, he had genuinely lost to Qin Bixue, leaving him deeply displeased.
Yet displeasure changed nothing. A loss was a loss, and he had underestimated the strength of these top-tier geniuses.
The sixteenth round of matches ended quickly.
After a break, the seventeenth round began.
The first match pitted Ling Xiao against Hong Li.
“I’ll avenge my senior sister!” Hong Li wasted no words upon entering the arena, launching a ferocious attack to defeat Ling Xiao on behalf of her senior sister, Bai Qianjiao.
For a moment, it seemed she had suppressed Ling Xiao.
But regrettably, this advantage lasted fewer than ten moves before Ling Xiao’s sudden burst of sword light sent her flying out of the arena.
“You’ve certainly grown stronger since the start, but in my eyes, you’re still nothing,” Ling Xiao said. After defeating Hong Li, his luck reached seventy percent of the ninth cauldron, nearly catching up to Ji Mingkong.
Perhaps because Ling Xiao’s earlier performances had been so shocking, his victory over Hong Li didn’t cause much of a stir.
Only the Palace Master of Bishui Divine Palace was livid with rage.
“To rule over humanity, such a genius must be eliminated!”
After Ling Xiao easily defeated Hong Li, Long Chen faced Qin Bixue.
This was arguably Long Chen’s toughest opponent since Ling Xiao, as he had previously conceded against Ji Mingkong.
Despite Long Chen’s best efforts, after a hundred moves, Qin Bixue’s superior cultivation at the Heaven-Human Realm completely overwhelmed the tenacious fighter.
Next, Mo Wushang faced Bai Qianjiao.
Mo Wushang had lost to Ji Mingkong, Ling Xiao, and Qin Bixue.
Bai Qianjiao had also lost to these three.
Their battle drew considerable attention as a result.
However, after her fight with Ling Xiao, Bai Qianjiao had broken through in cultivation, far surpassing Mo Wushang.
Though Mo Wushang’s demonic eye was formidable, against a Heaven-Human Realm opponent, he could only hold out for nearly two hundred moves before narrowly losing.
The final match of the seventeenth round saw Ji Mingkong against Hong Li.
This fight held no suspense. Ji Mingkong’s overwhelming strength left Hong Li breathless.
Perhaps because Ling Xiao had defeated Hong Li in ten moves, Ji Mingkong took only three to do the same.
She wanted to prove she was stronger than Ling Xiao.
Though she claimed to dismiss him, Ling Xiao’s displayed strength forced her to take him seriously.
“Sigh, it seems Ling Xiao really isn’t a match for the Holy Son. You can tell from their fights with Hong Li.”
“The next round will either be Ling Xiao versus the Holy Son or Ling Xiao versus Qin Bixue. With only two rounds left, we’ll soon know who’s stronger.”
“I reckon Ling Xiao will struggle to beat Qin Bixue.”
“Yeah, Qin Bixue only lost to the Holy Son once, winning all other matches. Even against a dark horse like Fire Demon Lord, she didn’t have much trouble.”
“That’s a true genius.”
After the break, the eighteenth round officially began.
As the second-to-last round, the Martial Arts Festival’s final showdown was drawing closer.
Currently, Ji Mingkong led in both points and luck.
Ling Xiao was second.
Qin Bixue was third.
Following them were Bai Qianjiao, Mo Wushang, and Long Chen.
Regrettably, Lan Yuer seemed to have little hope of joining the Six Young Masters, though she had a strong chance of ranking in the top ten.
This already exceeded her initial expectations.
Before this round began, the spectator stands were buzzing with excitement.
The contest among the top three might be decided this round.
Ling Xiao had only two opponents left: Qin Bixue and Ji Mingkong.
Either matchup would be a classic duel, thrilling the audience.
Amid the fervent anticipation, the matches proceeded smoothly.
Long Chen defeated Hong Li, securing his place among the Six Young Masters.
Mo Wushang and Bai Qianjiao each defeated their opponents, solidifying their rankings.
Lan Yuer also won against her opponent, who was, surprisingly, Dao Wuming of Tianwang Gate.
Dao Wuming had long lost his initial arrogance.
Now, he couldn’t even compare to Ling Xiao, let alone defeat Lan Yuer. His face was a picture of humiliation.
“Next, Ling Xiao versus Qin Bixue!” As the referee’s voice rang out, the stands erupted in cheers of delight.
The audience loved this matchup.
If Ling Xiao faced Holy Son Ji Mingkong too soon, it might not be as exciting.
With the matches at this stage, the Six Young Masters were mostly confirmed, but the second and third rankings remained unclear.
Ling Xiao and Qin Bixue had yet to face each other.
As for first place, most believed it belonged to Ji Mingkong, untouchable by others.
Of course, the anticipation for this fight had another layer.
Many wanted to know if Ling Xiao was qualified to challenge the Holy Son.
If he beat Qin Bixue, there would be something to watch.
But if he lost to Qin Bixue, there would be no suspense.
After all, Qin Bixue had lost to Ji Mingkong. If Ling Xiao couldn’t even defeat Qin Bixue, how could he hope to challenge Holy Son Ji Mingkong?
