Chapter 219: I Am a Connoisseur at This
"Yan'er!!"
Mu Tianbei's face drastically changed as he flew toward the Sword Discussion Platform. Ling Wugou also quickly moved forward, using his profound force to extinguish all the flames on Mu Xiong's body.
As the flames died down, Mu Xiong's miserable state was revealed to everyone's sight. His entire body was charred black, large chunks of flesh had been blasted open, and at his shoulders and knees, even the white of bone was exposed. Half of his hair was burnt away, and his face was a bloody mess... It couldn't have been more tragic.
However, since the explosive devices on Mu Xiong's body were all triggered by contact with fire, rather than being activated by profound force, the power of the explosions was not particularly great. Although Mu Xiong suffered extremely severe external injuries, his internal injuries were quite minor, and he wouldn't end up crippled. But recovering from such severe external injuries would likely take a very long time, and would leave ugly scars all over his body... including his face.
Mu Tianbei charged through the profound force barrier and arrived before Mu Xiong. After quickly checking his injuries, he breathed a slight sigh of relief, then cast Yun Che a look filled with venomous resentment. But he didn't say a single word as he carried the blood-drenched Mu Xiong down from the Sword Discussion Platform. The root cause of Mu Xiong's miserable state was the explosive devices he had hidden on his person. With everyone watching, if he were to attack Yun Che, it would only cause others to think less of him. And with Ling Wugou present, there was no way he could do anything to Yun Che anyway. He could only descend from the platform in silent hatred, though the killing intent directed at Yun Che was as cold and sinister as an ice prison.
"Yun Che of the Cangfeng Imperial Clan wins! Advancing to tomorrow's Top Eight Battle!"
After Mu Xiong was taken away by Mu Tianbei, Ling Wugou loudly announced the result of this match.
According to the progression of previous Cang Feng Ranking Battles, the further one advanced, the stronger the participating disciples became, and the more intense and prolonged each battle would be. This was the first match of the Top Sixteen Battle. Everyone wanted to see whether Yun Che, this dark horse, could win again and miraculously enter the Top Eight Battle. Many were willing to believe he still had a chance to win, but absolutely no one expected him to win so quickly and so easily.
This battle had barely begun before it had already ended. It was so fast that people didn't react in time. It wasn't until Ling Wugou announced the result that they accepted this incredible fact in shock.
After defeating Xiao Nan, who was at the Spirit Xuan Realm, Level 6, yesterday, Yun Che had now defeated Mu Xiong, who was at the Spirit Xuan Realm, Level 8, in just a few breaths today. Although Mu Xiong's miserable state was caused by the explosion of the devices on his body, observant people could clearly see that even without the explosive devices, Mu Xiong would have been thoroughly defeated.
That bizarre double afterimage, and that earth-shattering flame attack... The powerful figures present, amidst their shock, once again realized that they had completely underestimated Yun Che. The way Yun Che had been winning matches by surpassing levels all along, it turned out he had still been hiding his true strength. It wasn't until this match that he revealed just the tip of the iceberg in order to finish the fight quickly.
"There is actually such a person within the Cang Feng Empire. Even I cannot see his limits. Every time I think he has reached his limit, he surprises me once again." Ling Yuefeng stood up, a trace of astonishment on his calm face. "With profound force at the True Xuan Realm, Level 9, to be able to unleash such astonishing power... Not to mention the Cang Feng Empire, I have never heard of anyone in the entire Tian Xuan Continent being able to do this. What kind of freak is this child! And who is his master, what extraordinary person could train such a disciple!"
Ling Yuefeng's exclamation naturally gave Yun Che the highest possible praise. Ling Yun furrowed his brow and suddenly asked, "Father, the movement technique he just displayed, how did he accomplish it? If he used profound force to perform an instantaneous movement, it would not only produce obvious profound force fluctuations, but there would also be a clear difference between the afterimage and the real body. But when he transformed into three figures, I didn't sense any profound force fluctuation at all, and the three figures were completely identical. I couldn't distinguish illusion from reality. I have never seen such a bizarre movement technique before."
Ling Yun's words made Ling Yuefeng silent for a moment, and then he slowly shook his head. "Your father... also couldn't see clearly."
"What?!" Ling Yun turned his gaze to Ling Yuefeng, a flicker of shock crossing his face.
"This guy actually won again. And he can even control fire! Big Brother, can you tell what kind of fire he's playing with?" Fen Juebi flipped his hand, and a small flame ignited in his palm. He looked at the flame and said slowly.
"Hmph, it's nothing more than the lowest grade profound fire. Playing with fire in front of our Fen Tian Sect is like showing off before an expert." Fen Juecheng said with a darkened face and disdain.
Fen Juebi blew on his palm and extinguished the flame directly. He said with a sly smile, "Big Brother, don't be angry. On the contrary, this is a very good thing."
"A good thing?" Fen Juecheng frowned.
"Could Big Brother have forgotten who his opponent will be tomorrow after he wins this match?" Fen Juebi's voice was low and slow, and his smile turned sinister.
Fen Juecheng's eyes shifted sideways, and his expression changed slightly. "It's you!"
"That's right, hahahahaha!" Fen Juebi burst into wild laughter. "I never thought that since I didn't get to face him in the group stage, I would actually meet him in the knockout rounds. This world is truly wonderful. This is a gift from the heavens to me and Big Brother. I will personally end this so-called genius. Anyone who dares to provoke Big Brother, I will leave a permanent shadow in his heart."
The Top Sixteen Battle began with a match that surprised everyone. The second match that followed was equally jaw-dropping. Ling Jie easily defeated an opponent two levels higher in profound force with just a few sword strikes, also finishing the match in a flash. The entire process took no more than four or five exchanges.
Third match: Fen Juebi won easily.
Fourth match: Ling Feiyu won.
Fifth match: Opponent conceded directly, Ling Yun won.
Sixth match: Shui Wushuang fought fellow disciple Wu Xuexin. After an intense battle, Shui Wushuang won by a narrow margin.
Seventh match: Xia Qingyue won.
Eighth match: Xiao Kuanglei of the Xiao Sect fought fellow disciple Xiao Zhen and won by a narrow margin.
With that, the Top Sixteen Battle was complete. The top eight of this Ranking Battle had been decided. The match schedule for tomorrow's Top Eight Battle was also displayed on the central profound stone after the conclusion of the Top Sixteen Battle.
First match: Yun Che of the Cangfeng Imperial Clan vs. Fen Juebi of the Fen Tian Sect.
Second match: Ling Jie of the Tian Jian Villa vs. Ling Feiyu of the Tian Jian Villa.
Third match: Ling Yun of the Tian Jian Villa vs. Shui Wushuang of the Bing Yun Fairy Palace.
Fourth match: Xia Qingyue of the Bing Yun Fairy Palace vs. Xiao Kuanglei of the Xiao Sect.
The eight people who had emerged from the Ranking Battle up to this point represented the strongest strength of the younger generation in the Cang Feng Mystic Palace at this stage. Among these eight, the disciples of the Four Great Sects accounted for a full seven. Yun Che, the only one who didn't belong to any of the Four Great Sects, was undoubtedly the most conspicuous.
The history of the Ranking Battle ultimately becoming a competition among the Four Great Sects repeated itself again, but Yun Che had undoubtedly become the most unusual presence in this Ranking Battle. Ever since entering the Top Thirty-Two, he was already destined to become famous throughout the land after the Ranking Battle. The Cang Feng Mystic Palace would also hold its head high because of him, restore its prestige, and attract more profound practitioners to join.
"Entering the top eight also means we have firmly secured the qualification to enter the 'Heavenly Lake Secret Realm' after the Ranking Battle. This really feels like a dream." Back in the courtyard, Qin Wushang looked up at the sky and said with infinite emotion. This was indeed a result he never would have dreamed of.
"Heavenly Lake Secret Realm? What's that?" Xia Yuanba asked curiously.
"I've heard it's a separate space created by ancient mysterious powerhouses, filled with countless opportunities and treasures. It opens once every three years, and those who enter the secret realm always come back with great gains." Cang Yue said with great longing. "Lord Qin, after the Ranking Battle is over, you can enter the Heavenly Lake Secret Realm together with Junior Brother Yun. That's wonderful."
"Yes." Qin Wushang smiled. "It's a pity that Lord Dongfang doesn't have this fortune. He didn't follow us this time, and he dreams every day of being able to explore the legendary Heavenly Lake Secret Realm. But speaking of which, I never imagined that Yun Che would be able to go this far..."
He took a deep look at Yun Che and said, "Cross-level challenges are common, but to repeatedly defeat opponents at the later stages of the Spirit Xuan Realm with True Xuan Realm profound force is something I have never heard of. Although I don't know what method you used to achieve this, whether it's talent or opportunity, what can be certain is that after this Ranking Battle, your name will spread throughout the entire Cang Feng Empire, and even the entire Tian Xuan Continent. Have you prepared yourself for that?"
"It shouldn't be that exaggerated, right?" Yun Che said casually.
"No! It will be even more exaggerated than what I've described. If you had won with overwhelming profound force, then you would simply be a new rising star. But winning streak after streak with True Xuan Realm profound force completely breaks history and surpasses almost everyone's understanding. Right now, all the sects, including the Four Great Sects, must have their eyes on you, investigating your background and origins, and probing for all information about you. After the tournament, like Mu Tianbei, there will definitely be no shortage of people trying to recruit you to join their sects. Whether you go or stay is your freedom, and I have no right to interfere. But I hope you remember, no matter who you face, don't offend them like you did yesterday. Because every person you offend is like burying a danger that could erupt at any time. You embarrassed Mu Tianbei yesterday, and today you severely injured his son Mu Xiong. He will definitely not let it go. Within the Tian Jian Villa, he doesn't have the courage to make a move. But after the Ranking Battle, the Tian Qiang Lei Huo Fortress should also have the qualification to enter the Heavenly Lake Secret Realm. At that time, he might very well seize the opportunity to retaliate."
"Lord Qin, I fully understand your words. Although I am never afraid of offending anyone, I don't go out of my way to offend others either. If Mu Tianbei hadn't mocked the Cang Feng Mystic Palace and disrespected the Cangfeng Imperial Clan first yesterday, I wouldn't have made him look bad. As for severely injuring Mu Xiong, I did that intentionally. But since I've done it, I have no regrets. If he wants revenge, I'll take it." The corner of Yun Che's mouth twitched, forming a dangerous, cold smile. "It's still uncertain who will end up in whose hands."
Qin Wushang knew he couldn't persuade Yun Che and could only sigh slightly. "Be very careful in tomorrow's match. Although Fen Juebi's profound force level is the same as Mu Xiong's, having inherited the profound arts of the Fen Tian Sect, his strength is on an entirely different level from Mu Xiong's. Moreover, Fen Juebi is ruthless and cruel, and he enjoys humiliating his opponents. The reason Fen Juechen left the Fen Tian Sect, vowing to defeat Fen Juebi and wash away his shame, was because of the tremendous humiliation he suffered after being defeated by him. When you fight him, you must, absolutely must, be careful."
Yun Che recalled Fen Juecheng's eyes filled with murderous intent, smiled coldly, and muttered to himself in a voice only he could hear, "Mm... humiliating opponents... I am a connoisseur at that..."
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