Chapter 23

Zhuge Xiang faced Yuan Kai, and no one believed he had a chance of winning. Although Yuan Kai's strength was slightly inferior to that of Ling Wufeng, Lei Potian, and Lu Yuling, it was important to remember that Zhuge Xiang was severely injured and his own strength was merely at the second level of the Qi Cultivation Realm. How could he possibly have a chance of winning? With his severe injuries, it was believed that he would be at the bottom of the rankings in the upcoming top eight competition.

"Regardless, to achieve eighth place in the grand competition after comprehending Qi for only half a month is already quite impressive," although almost everyone thought Zhuge Xiang was bound to lose, some people gave a more balanced judgment.

This statement woke many people up. Indeed, Zhuge Xiang had only comprehended Qi for half a month, yet he had managed to fight his way through over five thousand disciples and make it into the top ten. Such an achievement was impressive no matter who it was. As time went on, how much stronger would Zhuge Xiang become? It wouldn't be surprising if he surpassed Lei Potian and the others.

Thinking about this, many people were secretly alarmed. Although he had comprehended Qi late, he was a true combat genius, possibly the greatest genius of this generation. If someone else had comprehended Qi for only half a month, they wouldn't even have grasped the basics of a martial art, let alone achieve such a remarkable record.

Regardless of what others thought, whether they believed he would lose or that his achievements were already impressive, it didn't affect Zhuge Xiang. His only goal was to defeat his opponent and become stronger.

The twin knives in Yuan Kai's hands were incredibly agile, and the dense attacks from the two knives made it difficult for Zhuge Xiang to keep up. After all, Zhuge Xiang only had one Blood Refining Knife, and with his third-level Qi Cultivation Realm, he was immediately suppressed by Yuan Kai. The dense attacks from the twin knives forced him to defend passively.

Facing Yuan Kai, Zhuge Xiang knew he had to unleash his full strength. However, he needed to consider how to conserve his strength and end the battle quickly. Although his fighting spirit was high, the opponents ahead were all formidable. It was necessary to conserve his strength, as even someone as strong as Lei Potian needed to activate the Bloodthirsty Technique to end battles quickly.

"Hey, you're severely injured, so don't push yourself. Save some energy; you might still get a good ranking in the top eight competition," although the twin knives suppressed Zhuge Xiang, Yuan Kai, with his boots that increased his movement speed by 30%, couldn't defeat him quickly. Frowning, Yuan Kai said to Zhuge Xiang, clearly not wanting to waste too much Qi on him.

"I'll return your words in full," although Zhuge Xiang looked somewhat disheveled, his face showed no panic. He coldly countered Yuan Kai's words.

"Combat genius? Truly a stubborn one who won't give up until he sees the coffin," Zhuge Xiang's response made Yuan Kai inwardly curse.

Yuan Kai knew that people like Zhuge Xiang, who were called combat geniuses, never gave up any hope of victory. In a less flattering light, they were stubborn and wouldn't let go. Even if he won this battle, facing Lei Potian, Lu Yuling, and Ling Wufeng, his chances of winning were slim. However, Yuan Kai wanted to try. Besides, the top four and the bottom four were in completely different leagues, and the treatment he would receive in the sect would be different.

"Hey, no matter who wins, the battles ahead will be very dangerous. How about we agree to a three-move duel?" Feeling helpless, Yuan Kai suddenly remembered the agreement between Zhuge Xiang and Ji Wuxue. Not wanting to waste time, he suggested.

"Fine!" Zhuge Xiang hesitated for a moment, then nodded, stepping back a few steps to leave the range of the twin knives.

Another three-move duel? Hearing the conversation between Zhuge Xiang and Yuan Kai, the crowd below began to discuss. The three-move duel with Ji Wuxue was very intense. Now another three-move duel? It seemed that even with his injuries, Zhuge Xiang would unleash all his strength. The most exciting part of the duel was about to begin, but many people were secretly wondering how many moves Zhuge Xiang could withstand.

"Eighteen Linked Cuts of the Mandarin Ducks Knives," delighted that Zhuge Xiang agreed to his proposal, Yuan Kai unleashed the strongest move of the Mandarin Ducks Knives. The knives came at Zhuge Xiang one after another, the dense attacks even more intense.

In a three-move duel, it wasn't necessary to defeat the opponent in three moves. It was enough to suppress or severely injure the opponent within three moves, making it difficult for them to recover or reducing their combat effectiveness. In short, the winner was the one who performed better in the three moves.

"Bang, bang, bang..." Facing Yuan Kai's Eighteen Linked Cuts, Zhuge Xiang staggered backward, his Blood Refining Knife swinging to block the attacks. The dense attacks clearly worsened his injuries. He groaned, his face pale, and a trickle of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Not letting up, seeing Zhuge Xiang at the end of his strength, Yuan Kai's Mandarin Ducks Knives moved even faster. "Secret Technique: Mountain-Crushing Strike."

Taking advantage of the situation, seeing Zhuge Xiang's injuries flare up, Yuan Kai activated his combat technique that instantly boosted his fighting power. With a whistling sound, the knife in his hand transformed into a fierce blade of light, clearly aiming to secure victory with this move.

"Ice Frost Headband," seeing this move coming, Yuan Kai, eager for victory, relaxed his vigilance. Instantly, he activated the Ice Frost Headband's slowing effect.

"Here it comes..." Seeing Yuan Kai's speed suddenly drop, whether it was Lei Potian, Ling Wufeng, or Lu Yuling, their eyes narrowed. They had seen this move before. Zhuge Xiang's mysterious ability to instantly slow down his opponent was intriguing, but no one knew how he did it. The unknown was what made it most concerning.

Bloodthirsty Technique!!!

The opportunity was here, and Zhuge Xiang was also very decisive. Almost as soon as he activated the Ice Frost Headband, he activated the Bloodthirsty Technique, instantly increasing all his attributes by 50%. A fierce aura suddenly emanated from him. However, at that moment, Yuan Kai's Mountain-Crushing Strike was also in front of Zhuge Xiang.

"Zhuge Xiang has lost..." many people shook their heads.

Although the Ice Frost Headband's effect was alarming, the Mountain-Crushing Strike was too powerful, especially with Yuan Kai's third-level Qi Cultivation Realm. Even with the Bloodthirsty Technique, Zhuge Xiang couldn't activate the Blood Lightning Slash in time. He had no means to block Yuan Kai's fierce attack.

Yuan Kai's strongest attack, in terms of destructive power, was not something Zhuge Xiang could block even with the Bloodthirsty Technique and the Blood Lightning Slash.

Although he burst forth at the last moment, Zhuge Xiang still couldn't block Yuan Kai's attack, so many believed he was bound to lose. However, Lu Yuling was closely watching Zhuge Xiang, knowing that he had been acting all along. Zhuge Xiang's burst at this moment couldn't fail so easily.

Ding!!!

A clear sound, the clash of metal. Holding the Blood Refining Knife in his right hand, Zhuge Xiang swung left and right. A dagger appeared in his palm, effortlessly blocking Yuan Kai's fierce Mountain-Crushing Strike. It was a Blocking Blade.

Impossible!!!

His strongest attack, which even Lei Potian would have to avoid, was easily blocked by a second-level Qi Cultivation Realm disciple with a dagger. Yuan Kai's eyes widened in disbelief.

Similarly, Lei Potian, Ling Wufeng, and the spectators like Hua Nongying and Ji Wuxue all stared in shock. Successfully blocking this attack was completely unexpected. It was like a lion's full-force attack being easily blocked by a goat.

"Is this his trump card? How did he do it?" Even Lu Yuling, who had confidence in Zhuge Xiang, was puzzled.

A second-level Qi Cultivation Realm disciple easily blocking a third-level disciple's strongest technique was a complete subversion of everyone's common sense.

Would Zhuge Xiang's attack slow down because of others' shock? Clearly not. As soon as the Blocking Blade successfully blocked Yuan Kai's attack, Zhuge Xiang's Blood Refining Knife slashed at his opponent's chest. Blood splattered, and several ribs were severed. A gruesome wound appeared on Yuan Kai's chest, shocking many of the new disciples of the Asura Sect.

The Asura Sect, a demonic sect, where even killing on the dueling field was only blamed on the victim's lack of skill. At least a hundred disciples had died in the grand competition today. The sect had given everyone a profound lesson: the Asura Sect was not a place where one could happily enjoy cultivation like in a righteous sect.

"I concede," the intense pain in his chest made Yuan Kai realize he had been distracted by the shock of his attack being blocked. Coming to his senses, he quickly called out.

If the opponent didn't concede, Zhuge Xiang would have finished him off, knowing that he had to ensure the opponent was incapacitated or dead. He didn't want to let his guard down and suffer a setback. However, since the opponent conceded, Zhuge Xiang stopped his attack.

"Ding, defeated a third-level Qi Cultivation Realm disciple, gained 142 experience points, and an experience scroll."

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