Ying Yao’s expression changed. Da Si’s attack was incredibly fast, leaving Ying Yao no time to react. Every move, every action was decisive and accompanied by a gust of wind.
“So strong!” Ye Bufan squinted, observing that Da Si’s comprehension of the dao of the blade seemed significantly stronger than Ying Yao’s.
“It’s over.” Qu Fei watched the battle between Ying Yao and Da Si from afar and sighed.
Song Mingqin spoke, attempting to comfort him, “Da Si has high talent in blade dao comprehension, but he’s a bit inferior to you. Ying Yao is at a disadvantage here.”
“It seems I need to give this kid Ying Yao some special training. Otherwise, when we face foreign cultivators, it’s hard to say what will happen,” Qu Fei said to Song Mingqin.
As the two finished their conversation, Ying Yao was heavily struck by Da Si’s blow, ultimately crashing onto the floor.
“I lost,” Ying Yao declared, unwilling to accept defeat.
Noda, upon seeing this, excitedly applauded. But he quickly realized he had forgotten to place a bet again. Otherwise, he could have won back his own belongings in this round.
“Third round, Da Si wins!” Noda announced. “Ye Bufan, in the next round, I will wager this jade ruyi.”
Noda extended his right hand. Ye Bufan felt a very unique formation emanating from the jade ruyi. It contained a small storage space and was also a magical artifact.
“This magical artifact is a low-grade Profound tier artifact. It’s a protective artifact and also a portable storage space,” Noda introduced to Ye Bufan.
Ye Bufan looked at the jade ruyi, mentally estimating its value. Simultaneously, he searched through his personal jade pendant and the Ring of Taiyi for items of equivalent worth.
“Got it!” Ye Bufan took out a low-grade Profound tier Profound Iron Sword from the Ring of Taiyi.
“This sword is a low-grade Profound tier magical artifact,” Ye Bufan stated.
“Who will participate in the next match?” Noda turned to look at the overseas cultivators behind him.
Bai Zizhen glanced at Yan Se, who quickly understood Bai Zizhen’s intention.
“I’ll go next,” Yan Se leaped up and onto the martial stage. The restrictions had largely disappeared, and the disciples of various sects had achieved qualitative leaps in their cultivation. Yan Se was now a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator at his peak.
“Yan Se of the Heavenly Star Sect, I welcome challenges,” Yan Se cupped his fists and bowed to the overseas cultivators.
Johanson of the United Kingdom cast a cold glance, then looked back at the cultivators he had brought. The latter immediately understood Johanson’s meaning and rose, flying onto the martial stage.
“United Kingdom – Knights Association – Joseph.”
“Land of Kyushu – Heavenly Star Sect – Yan Se.”
Joseph’s cultivation was significantly higher than Yan Se’s; he was at the half-step Core Formation stage, while Yan Se was at the peak of late-stage Foundation Establishment, placing him at a disadvantage against a half-step Core Formation cultivator.
“Wait a moment, I want to make a bet too,” Johanson said.
Ye Bufan turned to look at Johanson. The latter took out thirty spirit stones from his pocket.
“Joseph, it’s up to you,” Johanson said to Joseph.
“Thirty spirit stones, what a generous wager,” Bai Zizhen remarked. It was clear that Johanson’s bet at this moment showed his full confidence in Joseph’s strength. If Joseph won, those thirty spirit stones would become sixty.
Ye Bufan looked at Johanson and casually placed thirty spirit stones on the table.
Yan Se looked at Ye Bufan in disbelief and transmitted his voice, “Ye Bufan, are you crazy? This is clearly Johanson setting a trap. I know my own strength. That opponent must have something unusual about him. This is a scheme to swindle spirit stones, quickly take your spirit stones back.”
“Sect Master Yan, acquaintances should not lose face. I believe in you,” Ye Bufan replied.
Thirty spirit stones were considered a great deal for many cultivators, but for Ye Bufan, it was like plucking a few hairs from his head, especially since he had the spirit veins of the entire Taiyi Divine Sect behind him.
Johanson looked at the spirit stones in Ye Bufan’s hand, his eyes gleaming as if those thirty spirit stones were already his.
Yan Se and Joseph exchanged glances, bowed to each other, and then engaged.
Joseph initiated the attack first. Yan Se realized his opponent’s speed was incredibly fast.
“Boom!”
Joseph unleashed a palm strike. Yan Se barely had time to dodge, and was sent flying back several meters. He managed to land on one foot, finding his footing and redirecting the force, before somersaulting in mid-air and charging towards Joseph.
“I heard Yan Se is the Sect Master of your Heavenly Star Sect in the Land of Kyushu. How can the dignified sect master only have this much strength?” Johanson deliberately spoke to provoke Yan Se.
“Johanson, shut up!” Bai Zizhen sternly reprimanded him. “Your words will affect their battle.”
“There’s an old saying in your Land of Kyushu: When heaven is about to confer a great responsibility upon a person, it first puts his mind through suffering. I am currently helping the future pillar of your Heavenly Star Sect temper his will,” Johanson spoke defiantly.
Yan Se took a deep breath, a sword appeared in his hand, and he moved towards Joseph.
Joseph’s fingernails suddenly turned black, and his skin became covered with black scales. His fists collided with Yan Se’s sword, creating sparks.
“Crack—”
Yan Se’s long sword developed a nick in its blade from Joseph’s attack.
“These scales are a bit strange,” Ye Bufan frowned.
“Hahaha, Joseph’s black scales were extracted from a Black Gold Snake, a demonic beast. They were then forged by the artifact refining masters of our United Kingdom into gauntlets,” Johanson laughed. “The Black Gold Snake’s scales possess hardness comparable to a Earth tier artifact. These gauntlets can rival Earth tier artifacts.”
Ye Bufan frowned, and then the Xuanwu Sword appeared in his hand.
“Yan Se, take the sword!” Ye Bufan lent the Xuanwu Sword to Yan Se. Yan Se accepted the sword and nodded heavily at Ye Bufan, filled with gratitude.
Whether it was the spirit stones or the weapon, Yan Se stood before Joseph, took a deep breath.
“Kill! Kill! Kill!” Yan Se roared, his aura completely transformed from before.
“Magnificent Sword!” Yan Se wielded his sword and descended from the sky. The sword tip traced a perfect arc in the air, and the sword energy was more potent than ever.
Seeing this, Joseph used his black gauntlets, gathering strength, and unleashed another punch towards Yan Se.
“Carefree Fist!”
As this punch was thrown, Joseph’s movements had a feeling of unrestrained grace.