novelraw Chapter 44 – Ranked first
Chapter 44 – Ranked first
After enduring the first wave of mental impact, a more ferocious force surged forward.
Luo Xiu, standing within the formation, swayed but gritted his teeth to hold on.
"Boom!"
It felt as if a sword had pierced Luo Xiu's soul, and in an instant, his will collapsed, his vision went dark, and he fainted.
"Buzz!"
The formation ceased its operation, and figures leaped out, carrying the unconscious Luo Xiu and others out of the formation.
After half an incense stick's time, everyone gradually awoke from their unconsciousness, many still shaken, their faces pale.
Luo Xiu's mental state was not optimistic either. The moment his will was shattered by the impact, the excruciating pain of tearing and crushing was something no one would want to experience a second time.
Zhang Lüliang stepped forward to announce the scores for this assessment. In the Ninefold Illusion, each level counted as one point, and those who could withstand the first wave of mental impact would directly receive ten points!
Zhang Lüliang's old face looked grim because Luo Xiu's performance was once again unexpected. Even the Outer Sect Master was moved, feeling a great threat.
In this assessment, only Luo Xiu received 10 points, surpassing Xu Ping and Wang Can, temporarily ranking first!
With this, only the final assessment remained: the duel!
When it was announced that Luo Xiu had once again achieved a perfect score, all eyes turned to him.
Especially Xu Ping and Wang Can, whose faces darkened. As geniuses of their families, they were extremely proud, yet now they were overshadowed by someone with a lower cultivation level, feeling a deep sense of crisis.
"In the duel, I will surely defeat you because the first place will definitely be mine!"
Wang Can approached Luo Xiu, his face full of arrogance, his eyes cold.
Luo Xiu could sense Wang Can's hostility, but he understood. After all, the reward for the entry assessment was only for the first place, especially the Grade-Five martial arts reward, which was far more valuable to the other martial artists participating in the assessment than three Qi Refining Pills.
However, understanding was one thing; Luo Xiu despised those who were arrogant and condescending.
So, Luo Xiu ignored Wang Can's challenge, closing his eyes, not even bothering to respond.
Due to the previous will assessment, everyone's state was not very good, so the final duel assessment was scheduled for the afternoon.
After two or three hours of rest, fifty Qi Sea martial artists gathered again at the Martial Practice Field.
The rules for the duel assessment were that the winner could take the loser's points. For example, if someone could defeat Luo Xiu, they could gain 28 points from him!
The dueling method was still by drawing lots, and Luo Xiu's first opponent was a sixteen-year-old boy, strong and muscular, with bronze skin shining with a metallic luster, at the peak of the Qi Sea Realm, Second Layer, named Zeng Kun.
"Haha, I didn't expect to be so lucky to meet you!"
Zeng Kun stepped onto the dueling platform, full of spirit and confidence, with the same Qi Sea Realm, Second Layer cultivation, believing he could defeat Luo Xiu!
What truly excited him was that if he could just defeat this guy, he could gain the highest 28 points from him!
"It's Zeng Kun from the Zeng Clan of Gao Yi City!"
"Hehe, I've heard the Zeng Clan has a Grade-Four Body Refining martial art called Bronze Head Iron Bone Art, which once defeated a Qi Sea Realm, Third Layer. He's a formidable opponent who can challenge higher levels!"
"Luo Xiu's performance in the first three assessments was excellent, but this time facing Zeng Kun, who is two years older, he might lose here."
The spectators below the dueling platform watched intently, eagerly anticipating the match.
Of course, given Luo Xiu's previous performance, with his Pure Yang Technique and Grade-Four martial arts at Grand Perfection, most believed Luo Xiu had a higher chance of winning.
But as for the actual strength, it still depended on the battle. Some people had high talent but poor combat power.
"Vajra Hand!"
Zeng Kun charged at Luo Xiu with great momentum like a fierce tiger, his palms and fingers glowing with golden light, executing a Grade-Three martial technique with power comparable to a Grade-Four martial art at Major Achievement!
Clearly, Zeng Kun had cultivated the Grade-Three martial technique Vajra Hand to the level of Grand Perfection, earning a score of 9 in the second assessment!
However, surprisingly, Luo Xiu did not draw his sword but instead flashed his figure and punched out.
A Grade-Two martial technique, Dragon-Tiger Fist?
Clearly, he had a Grade-Four perfected sword technique, yet he used a Grade-Two martial technique punch?
"This guy is so arrogant?" Many people's expressions changed, thinking Luo Xiu's unwise move was foolish.
On the dueling platform, Zeng Kun's lips curled into a cold smile. He initially thought his chances of winning were slim, given his opponent had perfected a Grade-Four sword technique.
But this guy actually used a Grade-Two martial technique against him?
"Luo Xiu, you're doomed!" Zeng Kun laughed heartily, pushing the power of Vajra Hand to the limit.
Yet before his attack could reach Luo Xiu, his left cheek was already struck hard by Luo Xiu's Tiger Stance.
Zeng Kun's expression froze instantly.
"Bang!"
He felt as if his face had been hit by a hammer, his strong body flying sideways, a bloodied tooth flying out.
Moreover, Luo Xiu's punch contained pure and vigorous True Qi, causing Zeng Kun to see stars as he lay on the ground, trying several times to stand up but failing.
The arena fell into dead silence, a pin drop could be heard!
One move! Just one move, and Luo Xiu defeated Zeng Kun?
"Zeng Kun's Bronze Head Iron Bone Art has strong defense, yet it couldn't withstand even one punch from Luo Xiu?"
"It's not that Zeng Kun is too weak, but that Luo Xiu is too strong. His True Qi is pure and vigorous, Zeng Kun's Bronze Head Iron Bone Art couldn't defend against it."
"Luo Xiu's speed is too fast, countering with one move to win?"
Thinking of this, many people's expressions stiffened again, becoming strange.
Logically, Luo Xiu had perfected a Grade-Four sword technique, so he should be best at swordsmanship, yet he executed a Grade-Two punch technique so powerfully. How strong and fast would his swordsmanship be?
"If he used a sword, he might have killed Zeng Kun with one strike!"
"No wonder he didn't draw his sword, was it to avoid harming others?"
The high-ranking Lu Sect Master couldn't help but reevaluate Luo Xiu.
"Mengyao, you have a good eye." He suddenly said to his daughter beside him.
Lu Mengyao was taken aback, "Father, you..."
"A father knows his daughter best. How could I not see your thoughts? But to match my daughter, he must become the top of the Outer Sect before eighteen and enter the Inner Sect!" Lu Feichen said with a smile.
"Father..." Lu Mengyao understood her father's meaning, her cheeks blushing.
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Luo Xiu walked off the dueling platform, ignoring the envious, jealous, or respectful gazes, and instead looked at Lu Mengyao sitting beside the Outer Sect Master.
He was confident in his strength, and without Zhang Lüliang's interference, he was sure he could take first place in the assessment.
"You left me a message saying you'd wait for me at the Free Spirit Sect, and now I'm here..." This was Luo Xiu's current thought!
Lu Mengyao also saw Luo Xiu's gaze, her blush deepening, seemingly hesitant to meet his eyes.
She had thought Luo Xiu would take another year or two to enter the Free Spirit Sect, but the day came so quickly and unexpectedly.
"Is this what it feels like to like someone?"
Lu Mengyao couldn't help but think, despite being nine years older than Luo Xiu, for martial artists, reaching the Innate Realm meant a lifespan of three to five hundred years, so a nine-year difference was insignificant.
With her Severed Fire Yang Meridian no longer an issue, Lu Mengyao was confident she could reach the Innate Realm and even the Spirit Refining Realm.
And Luo Xiu's talent was even better than hers. If her father approved, there was a great chance for them to be together.
As Lu Mengyao pondered these thoughts, the dueling assessment continued on the platform.
The defeated were directly eliminated, while the victors gained more points.
Soon, the first round of duels ended.
Zhang Lüliang stood up to announce the rules for the second round, "The remaining twenty-five, those ranked lower can challenge those ranked higher. If successful, they can take their place. The top three will become official disciples of the Free Spirit Outer Sect!"
Currently, Luo Xiu was ranked first, followed by Wang Can and then Xu Ping.
Undoubtedly, those ranked lower would challenge these three to secure a spot as Outer Sect disciples.
First, a girl ranked twenty-fifth stepped onto the platform to challenge Xu Ping, ranked third.
In a short moment, she failed!
Next, those ranked twenty-fourth, twenty-third, twenty-second... each took the stage, challenging either Xu Ping or Wang Can.
However, the result was the same, all challenges failed!
Xu Ping and Wang Can were both at the Qi Sea Realm, Third Layer, with Grade-Four martial arts at Major Achievement, making them top-tier among the participants.
But among the lower-ranked challengers, there were also Qi Sea Realm, Third Layer experts, though they were older, around seventeen or eighteen.
At this moment, another girl stepped onto the platform, none other than the genius girl from New Stone Martial Hall, Nie Xiaodie!
Her points ranked her thirteenth!
Holding a long spear, Nie Xiaodie, in red, was valiant and heroic, capturing the attention of the entire audience.
A woman with high talent, strong strength, and stunning beauty was undoubtedly more of a focal point than Luo Xiu!
As everyone speculated who Nie Xiaodie would challenge, she raised her jade hand, pointing at Luo Xiu, "I challenge you!"
"She's challenging Luo Xiu?"
The crowd erupted in surprise. After several challenges, no one chose to challenge Luo Xiu, given his formidable display against Zeng Kun.
Luo Xiu was not surprised by Nie Xiaodie's challenge, as she had vowed to defeat him after losing to him at Qingyun Martial Hall.
This battle was inevitable.
Luo Xiu stepped onto the platform, saying calmly, "Make your move."
Previously, he had defeated her without drawing his sword, relying solely on the Pure Yang Technique's powerful internal force. Now, his strength had greatly improved, making Nie Xiaodie even less of a match.
However, Luo Xiu wouldn't say such words, as it would be disrespectful and humiliating to Nie Xiaodie.
"Endless Azure Clouds!"
Nie Xiaodie's graceful figure leaped, her red dress fluttering, the spear in her hand glowing azure blue, thrusting like a blue line, slicing through the air with a sharp whistle.
She had cultivated the New Stone Martial Hall's Grade-Four spear technique to Major Achievement, and apart from slightly lower cultivation than Xu Ping and Wang Can, she was on par in other aspects.
Luo Xiu shifted laterally, his figure disappearing instantly, causing Nie Xiaodie's fierce thrust to miss.
"So fast!"
Nie Xiaodie realized the situation was bad. Since losing to Luo Xiu, she had trained diligently, believing her strength had greatly improved, yet Luo Xiu's movement speed was even faster than before!
"Grade-Four Movement Technique at Perfection!?" Another wave of astonished exclamations rose from the crowd.
A person mastering two Grade-Four martial arts to perfection—what kind of monstrous talent was this?
"Tiger Stance!"
Luo Xiu's figure appeared to Nie Xiaodie's right, his punch roaring forth.