My Five Bigshot Seniors: I am The Most Coddled Junior!

Chapter 253 - 121: The Third Event

On the morning of the second day, the White Tiger Sacred Land indeed announced the results of the second competition, and Gu Qingqing’s team was far ahead, again securing the first place.The third competition was an individual match. The top ten teams from the group competition remained, leaving about seventy people.

These people would next face off in pairs, with the winners continuing to duel each other, until the final victor emerged, who would be the ultimate winner of the tournament.

The competition wouldn’t start until the next day, and today was mainly for drawing lots to decide the match-ups. Gu Qingqing and the others drew lots, and fortunately, none of them drew each other.

Gu Qingqing drew a disciple from the first-class force Xuanyun Sect, named Zhou Lin.

Zhou Lin was an excellent disciple in Xuanyun Sect, already at the ninth level of cultivation. Upon learning that he would face Gu Qingqing, he was both worried and excited. Worried because Gu Qingqing was formidable and might defeat him, excited because he could spar with the Spirit Fox Saint Master’s disciple, which would be something to brag about even if he lost.

Jun Wu drew a disciple from the White Tiger Sacred Land named Hua Qing, who was the eldest disciple of an elder from the White Tiger Sacred Land, also at the ninth level of cultivation.

Jun Wu’s fame far surpassed that of Gu Qingqing. Although Hua Qing knew in his heart that he most likely couldn’t defeat Jun Wu, he still wanted to give it a try, as losing to the Saint Son of Yunlan Sacred Land was not disgraceful.

Yue Zhao drew an elder’s disciple from Yunlan Sacred Land, Nan Hua drew a direct disciple of an elder from Li Huan Palace, Mu Chen drew the direct disciple of the Sect Leader of Shangyun Sect, Yun Ran drew another direct disciple of an elder from Li Huan Palace, and Zhuo Tingqiu drew a direct disciple of an elder from Purple Cloud Pavilion.

After returning to their residence, they gathered in Yue Zhao’s room to discuss the competition.

"I know a bit about this Zhou Lin. Xuanyun Sect is considered quite powerful among the first-class forces, and Zhou Lin is the Sect Master’s direct disciple with a ninth-level cultivation. He’s quite a formidable opponent, so Geng Geng, don’t underestimate him, and try to avoid using the Word Spirit Technique during the match," Yue Zhao, being a living encyclopedia with some understanding of the disciples from major forces, earnestly advised Gu Qingqing.

Compared to them, Gu Qingqing had relatively little interaction with the forces of the Sub-immortal Realm. Yue Zhao worried that Gu Qingqing might get injured due to underestimating the enemy, hence he gave such advice.

Gu Qingqing nodded, and spoke seriously, "I know, Second Senior Brother, I won’t underestimate the enemy."

Yue Zhao nodded again, "The same goes for Nan Hua and Mu Chen. Don’t underestimate the enemy, and if you can solve it quickly, just do so. It doesn’t count unless you win."

"Of course, I’ll make sure my opponent remembers me." Nan Hua shook his fan arrogantly.

"Me too, who says Medicine Cultivators can’t fight?" Mu Chen was equally proud.

Yue Zhao knew both of them well and was aware of their personalities, so he said no more. Most of his attention was on Gu Qingqing, and despite being confident in her abilities, he still worried about her getting hurt.

Despite his concerns, he didn’t say more to avoid putting additional pressure on Gu Qingqing, and he suggested she go and rest well to prepare for tomorrow’s match.

During the competition, the use of things like talismans and elixirs was not allowed, to prevent one side from winning by relying on auxiliary methods, ensuring the comparison was based on the true skills of both sides.

The seventy people were paired into thirty-five groups, and all matches needed to be completed within a day. Fortunately, the Cloud Ascension Platform was large with many areas like arenas, allowing seven matches to be conducted simultaneously, enabling five matches per platform, which was manageable timewise.

Gu Qingqing was at the third arena, set for the second match. The previous match was between a disciple of Lingxi Sacred Land and a disciple of White Tiger Sacred Land, with the Lingxi Sacred Land disciple slightly edging out the White Tiger Sacred Land disciple for the win.

The second match quickly arrived.

Gu Qingqing took a deep breath, lightly tapped her toes, and simultaneously landed on the arena as Zhou Lin, maintaining a five-meter distance between them. The referee stood in between, and after announcing their names, both performed a salute. Once the referee finished stating the rules and precautions and announced the start, Gu Qingqing and Zhou Lin moved at the same time.

Zhou Lin’s weapon was a long spear, slightly inferior to Mu Chen’s Red Flame Spear, a Sub-Immortal Artifact. His spear technique was broad and open, yet no less lethal. Meanwhile, Gu Qingqing’s Mixed Immortal Silk was extremely agile. In battle, the scene became lively.

The white silk attacked Zhou Lin from various angles, while Zhou Lin’s spear shifted angles to block and attack Gu Qingqing. However, Gu Qingqing’s movements, like her weapon, were incredibly agile. On the arena, she resembled a fluttering butterfly; her actions and posture were graceful yet carried hidden lethal intent. Zhou Lin felt this most acutely, aware that a single lapse in concentration could result in being grazed by Gu Qingqing’s Mixed Immortal Silk.

Within just a dozen rounds, wounds appeared on his shoulders, cheeks, and waist. The arena floor bore the brunt, becoming potholed with dust settling on Gu Qingqing, causing her to frown slightly.

Zhou Lin had never seen Gu Qingqing fight, although he was aware of her cultivation level. He presumed she might lack battle experience, but to his surprise, her cultivation was high and experience abundant. Her strikes were decisive and crisp.

Their match was intensely exciting, yet overall, Gu Qingqing maintained the upper hand, rendering the situation quite incredible to onlookers.

"I used to think Miss Gu maintained her top position due to the Spirit Fox Saint Master’s favor and the support of her senior brothers. But now it seems her strength is formidable, managing to suppress Zhou Lin effortlessly. Zhou Lin is injured, yet his spear hasn’t touched Miss Gu at all. Impressive!"

"How could a disciple of the Spirit Fox Saint Master be weak? Clearly, the Saint Master has good eye, and it’s no wonder all his disciples are amazing."

"Looks like Miss Gu might end up facing her senior brothers. Matches between the same sect are intriguing to anticipate."

"Considering how much Young Master Yue Zhao and the others dote on Miss Gu, would they let her win if they end up facing each other?"

"I doubt it. Even if they want to, Miss Gu might not agree. What would people say of her then?"

"Not necessarily. The rewards for the first place in this competition are bountiful."

"Come on, that’s appealing to us. Do you think a direct disciple of the Spirit Fox Saint Master lacks such things?"

"..."

Unbeknownst to these discussions, Gu Qingqing had been probing and searching for Zhou Lin’s weaknesses. After dozens of exchanges, she found a flaw. When Zhou Lin thrust his spear again, she used a sharp angle with her Mixed Immortal Silk to ensnare Zhou Lin’s spear, then forcefully snatched it from his hands.

With a flick of her hand, the spear was tossed off the stage. As Zhou Lin moved to retrieve it, the Mixed Immortal Silk swiftly wrapped around his body, tightly binding him head to toe. Despite Zhou Lin’s struggles, he couldn’t break free. Then, Gu Qingqing approached from behind him and, holding one end of the Mixed Immortal Silk, exerted force, tightening around his neck. With a bit more force, Zhou Lin could be strangled on the spot.

"You lost." She stated calmly from behind Zhou Lin.

Zhou Lin was taken aback, his face flushed red.

"In this match, Gu Qingqing from Lingxi Sacred Land is victorious!"

As the referee’s voice fell, Gu Qingqing also released Zhou Lin, and the Mixed Immortal Silk returned to her waist.

"I apologize for the offense just now." She politely apologized for having just put Zhou Lin in a chokehold.

Zhou Lin clutched his neck, the shadow of death still lingering in his mind. He instinctively shook his head, indicating it was fine.

Gu Qingqing nodded towards Zhou Lin, tapped her toes, and descended back to her previous seat. Then she went with Yue Zhao to watch the other competitions.

Yue Zhao’s match was the last one on Ring Five, so he could accompany Gu Qingqing for hers.

A day later, the first round of matches concluded. The winners from the thirty-five groups were gathered to draw lots for the second round, with all seven members of Gu Qingqing’s group advancing.

Since the number of competitors was odd, there would be one person who drew a bye. Just as everyone speculated who would be so fortunate, Yun Ran drew the bye, becoming the lucky one who could directly advance to the third round.

This time, Gu Qingqing’s opponent was a disciple from Yunlan Sacred Land named Hu Tian, who was also said to have ninth-level cultivation.

When Hu Tian learned he drew Gu Qingqing, he felt his fate was sealed.

As a disciple of Yunlan Sacred Land, he naturally knew the Saint Son often followed Gu Qingqing around and favored her greatly. If he injured Gu Qingqing during the match, wouldn’t the Saint Son bear a grudge against him forever?

However, he was reluctant to give up the match entirely. In the end, he could only agonize as he returned to the Yunlan Sacred Land disciples’ quarters.

After Jun Wu finished his match, he stayed with Gu Qingqing and also saw Gu Qingqing’s opponent, raising an eyebrow.

"Do you need me to go easy?" Gu Qingqing looked at Jun Wu and asked.

"No, just compete normally." Jun Wu shook his head. He also knew Hu Tian, a more outstanding figure among the younger disciples. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have made it this far, though he believed Hu Tian wasn’t likely to be a match for Gu Qingqing, so he had no intention of asking Gu Qingqing to hold back.

Gu Qingqing nodded, as she only asked out of courtesy. When competing, how could she truly hold back? That would be disrespectful to her opponent.

This time Jun Wu drew Chuyun Sect master’s direct disciple Qin Yang, a renowned talent in the Sub-immortal Realm. His performances in the previous matches were commendable, but drawing Jun Wu was simply bad luck.

Yue Zhao drew a direct disciple of an elder from White Tiger Sacred Land, Mu Chen drew a direct disciple of an elder from Yunlan Sacred Land, while Nan Hua drew the Palace Master’s direct disciple from Li Huan Palace. Zhuo Tingqiu drew a direct disciple of an elder from Chuyun Sect. All their opponents were quite formidable.

The contestants had only one night to rest before the second round of matches continued the next day.

This time the thirty-five groups transformed into seventeen groups, maintaining the previous seven arenas, with the first three arenas hosting three matches each, and the remaining four arenas hosting two matches each.

Gu Qingqing was first to appear on Ring Two this time.

Like yesterday, after she and Hu Tian took the stage, the referee introduced their sects and names. The two exchanged greetings, and upon the referee’s start signal, they moved simultaneously.

Hu Tian had thought about it all night and still decided to take the match seriously. Otherwise, it would be disrespectful to Gu Qingqing, and if Gu Qingqing and Jun Wu knew, his ending might be worse.

Hu Tian’s weapon was a Sub-Immortal Artifact treasure sword. The sword looked very lightweight, and his swordsmanship was very graceful, coupled with a very agile movement technique, matching Gu Qingqing evenly. Their match did not appear like a fight, but rather a dance, offering a visual enjoyment.

Of course, the pits and crevices on the ground proved it wasn’t a dance, and both were giving it their all.

Gu Qingqing’s combat talent was very strong, her learning ability equally robust, and she was highly perceptive. As she did with Zhou Lin yesterday, she quickly identified Hu Tian’s shortcomings. When Hu Tian was distracted by the Mixed Immortal Silk’s attack, she swiftly maneuvered behind him, and a Spiritual Power-infused palm struck his back, causing him to vomit blood on the spot.

Immediately, the Mixed Immortal Silk deftly coiled around Hu Tian’s neck. Just like when she had Zhou Lin in a chokehold the day before, Hu Tian had no choice but to concede.

"Thanks for going easy on me." Gu Qingqing retracted the Mixed Immortal Silk, flicked her sleeves, and spoke with great courtesy.

"Miss Gu is too modest. You are incredible; my loss is well deserved." Hu Tian touched his own neck and sincerely acknowledged.

Gu Qingqing smiled at him, then turned and walked off the ring.

This time, Yue Zhao and Gu Qingqing’s matches were simultaneously ongoing, hence it was Jun Wu who accompanied Gu Qingqing. As Jun Wu’s match was also about to start, Gu Qingqing promptly accompanied Jun Wu to the fourth ring.

Seeing Jun Wu, Qin Yang became fully spirited, clearly unimpressed by Jun Wu’s status as Yunlan Saint Son, instead becoming eager to try himself.

"Saint Son Jun, I will give my all in this battle. Please be careful." Of course, Qin Yang also didn’t wish to offend Jun Wu, so he reminded him before starting.

"So will I." Jun Wu glanced at Qin Yang, speaking in a calm tone.

When the referee announced the start, both moved at once.

Their actions were swift, such that ordinary people could hardly capture their movements, only seeing shadows. In truth, they had exchanged three or four dozen moves in a short time.

Qin Yang’s weapon was a pair of swords, an uncommon choice. The two short swords were wielded skillfully in his hands, making a dazzling display.