Everyone assumed the match was decided, but the Ghost Infant had no intention of stopping. His eyelids were rimmed with red, his dim pupils constricted to pinpricks.
The Ghost Realm Annihilation had three moves; the first was refining bone into a sword, which he had mastered.
From the side of his pale purple jawbone, a thin, sharp blade split forth, about a foot long. It sliced across his cheek like a crescent moon to behind his ear, as if his mouth and the flesh of his face had been rent apart. It was a terrifying sight.
He had lost his arms, which he used to maintain his balance, but his charging speed was exceptionally fast. He even knew how to sway left and right to reduce wind resistance.
Using his face-blade as a weapon, he flashed through several afterimages.
This was close-quarters combat.
He intended to engage in hand-to-hand combat, using his body as a weapon.
His cultivation couldn't match Liu Jiang Fusheng. Three years ago, Liu Jiang Fusheng was already at the Foundation Establishment stage. For years, Liu Jiang Fusheng had deliberately suppressed his cultivation, focusing instead on meticulous refinement of his spiritual power to make it purer. He then used his techniques to slowly expand and clear his meridians. With the same cultivation level, he far surpassed others.
The Ghost Infant knew he was far behind, but he still refused to give up. As long as there was a sliver of hope, he would cling to it tightly.
He figured that the person before had also anticipated his loss. They had also predicted that he wouldn't concede after losing, which was why they had forbidden him from using the Ghost Realm Annihilation.
Was she watching him at this very moment…
The thought of her indifferent, cool eyes falling upon him made the blood under his skin boil.
He would show her that he was no longer the good-for-nothing from three years ago. He still had value!
He wouldn't let her give up on him!
Perhaps… she wasn't looking at him right now.
The wind carried a chill. His spiritual energy was being drained too quickly, and he couldn't absorb new energy fast enough. This caused a tearing pain in every inch of his meridians.
But it didn't matter. He would soon stand within her line of sight.
Liu Jiang Fusheng's delicate lashes fluttered open, his eyes, clear and reflecting light, no longer showed the panic and helplessness of their first encounter. He traced a hand seal, and a light shield appeared.
A circular shield, ten feet in size, blocked his path. Within it, intricate characters and lines formed a dizzying, captivating stream of light.
But the Ghost Infant's charging momentum brought his legs forward, and a sharp, bone-white spike protruded from his knee. He twisted, and the circular shield was torn on one side. His body whipped around like a whip, and the face-blade then smoothly slashed across Liu Jiang Fusheng's upraised arm.
The fabric of his robe tore, revealing a narrow gash on the flawless skin beneath.
The next moment, blood flowed freely, staining his fair, slender fingers.
The disciples widened their eyes at the sight.
He—he had actually injured Uncle-Master Fusheng?
Daoist Zhiyang's brows furrowed tightly.
What kind of bizarre cultivation technique was this, that could use bone as a weapon, allowing it to grow and retract at will?
He had only altered two bones just now. If one were to imagine boldly, could this technique, once perfected, allow him to use all his bones as weapons, to command and reshape them for surprise attacks?
"Zi Cao, do you recognize this cultivation technique?"
Even the Purple Grass Mountain Master was stumped. He stiffened his neck and replied impatiently, "There are thousands of strange techniques in this world; how could I possibly know them all?"
This useless remark, when translated, meant: he didn't know either.
Daoist Zhiyang shot him a look. Unhappy about his disciple's injury, he turned his attention to the Nine Swallows Mountain Master. "Nine Swallows, what were you thinking? To have such a powerful disciple yet keep him hidden? Why didn't you think to recommend him for the Newcomer Ranking beforehand? Must you make people come and challenge him personally to earn a spot?"
This question was rather sarcastic.
The Nine Swallows Mountain Master's face, as hard as stone, remained taut, and he didn't even spare a glance for Daoist Zhiyang.
This display of two extraordinary techniques, coupled with his ability to reach Foundation Establishment with a five-element spiritual root and then rapidly advance to the Golden Core stage, proved that this disciple's core cultivation technique and methods were by no means taught by the Great Evolution Sect. It was likely that keeping him would not lead to easy obedience or loyalty, but rather misfortune than fortune.
Gu Junshi's gaze fixed for a moment on Liu Jiang Fusheng's injured arm, then he turned his head. He saw Wei Li, looking at the Ghost Infant from diagonally above with a stern expression, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. With a moment's thought, he understood Wei Li's intentions.
Those in positions of power never needed beings they couldn't control. If one became too much, they would be prematurely broken.
"Enough, Ghost Infant."
"Not enough!"
The Ghost Infant retorted defiantly.
"The Ghost Realm Annihilation was taught to you for self-preservation. Do you want everyone to suspect you are a ghost cultivator? You have one more chance. Defeat others on the Invitation List to earn a spot on the Newcomer Ranking."
"I only want to defeat him!"
Gu Junshi's brows suddenly darkened. Because of his stubbornness, she finally spoke the most cruel truth: "He only used half of his strength, but Ghost Infant, you should know that you have already used twelve percent of your power."
The Ghost Infant's body seemed to recoil as if struck hard, and his face turned ashen.
She spoke calmly, "Liu Jiang Fusheng is not your current target. The Newcomer Ranking is what you should pursue. The gap between you and him is still too vast. However, by injuring his arm, you have proven yourself to the people of the Great Evolution Sect. You possess far more perseverance and courage than anyone else present."
Upon hearing her words, he finally stopped.
She acknowledged him…
It was as if a water bubble had suddenly burst. The chilling aura around the Ghost Infant gradually softened in the breeze.
She had given him everything; he couldn't harm her. He couldn't use the Ghost Realm Annihilation again.
He steadied himself, retracting his bone blade, and his face returned to normal.
He bit his cheek, the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth. The pain helped him regain his focus. He bowed and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Uncle-Master Fusheng."
Liu Jiang Fusheng's killing posture froze midway. He stared at the Ghost Infant inquiringly for a long time, then said in a soft, flat voice, "Nephew, are you admitting defeat?"
"...Yes."
After the bow, he straightened his proud chest, his voice deep and resonant, "Next, I wish to challenge Uncle-Master Fang Rui."
As soon as he said this, there was a moment of silence, but then the crowd erupted in a clamor, like a boiling pot.
No one had expected that after injuring Uncle-Master Fusheng, he would, despite his own injuries and depleted spiritual energy, challenge another disciple on the Newcomer Invitation List.
Seeing that the Ghost Infant conceded, Daoist Zhiyang lowered his expectations and challenged Fang Rui, who was of similar cultivation. This young man was indeed arrogant, but he understood how to gauge his progress.
Fang Rui stood on the high platform, her elegant skirt flowing gracefully. She pinched her fingers, her face also looking unsightly.
Having witnessed the perilous fight just now, she realized that this Ghost Infant was like an unkillable monster. Although she was one realm higher than him as they were both in the Golden Core stage, the combat power he had displayed gave her no confidence that she could win.
If she lost in front of everyone, her reputation…
The Nian Hua Mountain Master was enraged. Who did he think he was, challenging one after another!
She was about to refuse without a second thought, but at that moment, a heavy, irrefutable gaze fell upon her shoulder.
It was the sect leader of the Great Evolution Sect, warning her.
Any disciple who met the criteria could challenge the selected individuals on the Invitation List. The rule of survival of the fittest was an age-old principle.
Moreover, this Ghost Infant had already challenged once. In all aspects, he was not as strong as he was at his peak. If she refused the challenge at this time, wouldn't it make the people of Nian Hua Mountain seem afraid of him?
The words caught in her throat, making her unable to speak comfortably, yet she couldn't make a decision.
Because Fang Rui's victory or defeat concerned the reputation of the entire Nian Hua Mountain.
At this moment, everyone was waiting.
Waiting for Fang Rui to come forward to reply, for the Nian Hua Mountain Master to respond, and for the outcome of the second challenge.
Just as the situation reached an impasse, a voice as pleasant as a lark's call rang out: "I am willing to forfeit my qualification for the Newcomer Ranking. I have only recently joined the sect, and these past years, I have been cherished and cared for by my master and elders. In terms of practical combat, I admit I am inferior to this nephew. I am willing to let the capable take precedence."
Zi Ying leaped down from a height, her peach-pink skirt fluttering. She looked like a kind and understanding little fairy, offering everyone a sincere and innocent smile.