The nine peaks connected in a dragon vein formation, with Void Sect reportedly founded on the burial site of a true dragon from the upper realms, nestled beside a stream and lake. This explained its enduring prosperity. Atop the highest peak, elders and mentors of various sects participating in the "Rookie Ranking" observed the matches on Peak One alongside the Void Sect Master.
Every combat scenario on the "Minor Tournament" stages of Peak One was clearly visible to them.
"The Great Evolution Sect has four selected disciples?"
"Where does this Great Evolution Sect hail from? We've never heard of it!"
It wasn't just the younger generation curious about the Great Evolution Sect; these elders had no recollection of it either.
Elder Jiu Li and the elite disciples he brought were amidst the crowd, neither at the front nor the back, but in the awkward middle. Thus, he could clearly hear the surrounding discussions. From initial pride and the urge to promote his sect, he grew somewhat embarrassed by the later comments. After all, their Great Evolution Sect had stood for centuries. While they might not have achieved great success, they had participated in several "Rookie Rankings." Despite their lack of notable results, and seeing other sects rise, their own sect had declined, to the point where inquiries yielded no trace of its existence.
Fortunately, at this moment, the Void Sect Master, Shen You, spoke in a clear voice: "The Great Evolution Sect, established for eleven days? I recall their Sect Master, Wei Li, is a rare cultivator of Nascent Soul stage."
After speaking, he ignored the ensuing discussions and fell into deep thought. This year, he surmised, the Great Evolution Sect would likely rise to prominence.
Setting aside the disciple with a Heavenly Spiritual Root, Liu Jiang Fu Sheng, there was also the unexpected junior, Dan Ya, with an Earth Spiritual Root. He had witnessed Dan Ya's recent battle with Tan Yue Chi.
Dan Ya was exceptionally skilled in combat techniques, his proficiency far surpassing most disciples present. Unassuming, yet his hands bore the unmistakable ferocity honed through countless battles. Tan Yue Chi, at the peak of Golden Core stage, possessing a dark affinity Golden Spiritual Root, practicing both martial and arcane arts, was a disciple he had favored for this "Rookie Ranking." He had anticipated Tan Yue Chi securing a spot within the top ten of the finals, but he never imagined Tan Yue Chi would fall at the first stage.
The Great Evolution Sect's Dan Ya...
He recalled the previous encounter between the two.
After exchanging pleasantries, Dan Ya and Tan Yue Chi were about to engage in a true test of skill.
Dan Ya's smile was like a mask of gentle refinement, but the peaceful, almost deceptively mild aura around him began to recede. If Tan Yue Chi, standing there, was stillness and void, then Dan Ya now exuded sharpness and intensity. One moment he was calm as a placid lake, the next he could stir up a tempest. Such a transformation defied appearances.
Tan Yue Chi's brow furrowed, his gaze sharpening. Once they had exchanged signals to begin, neither was one for idle words. True strength often spoke little.
It was time!
With sleeves fluttering, Dan Ya drew the Cloud Thunder Sword from the void. Tan Yue Chi glanced at it, noting its high grade, and his pupils darkened slightly. He quickly formed hand seals, and the tight-fitting black garments he wore began to writhe and unfurl like "asphalt," transforming into numerous black whips that lashed out at Dan Ya.
Dan Ya took a light step, flashing into the air. Instead of gathering lightning, he gathered swirling spiritual energy and slashed horizontally at Tan Yue Chi. Tan Yue Chi brought his arms forward to block, and the "asphalt" on his body transformed into black wings that shielded him from either side. The sword strike met this defense and was parried. However, the force of the blow still drove Tan Yue Chi back several steps.
In this first exchange, he had a rough estimate of his opponent's strength.
Very strong.
And his methods were not those of a gradual, gentle approach. His sword, much like his temperament, seemed impatient and bloodthirsty.
"Five Elements Severing Moon - Xun Feng!"
The "asphalt" on his body shifted again. It split apart, forming thin, black, willow-leaf-shaped blades. They spun around Tan Yue Chi before darting towards Dan Ya. A black tide of sharp edges now dominated Dan Ya's vision, arriving swiftly, ferociously, and fiercely.
Dodge?
Unnecessary.
His shoulder was immediately pierced by the blades, which had morphed into flying daggers and whips, erupting in a spray of blood. His eyes seemed to redden in this crimson haze, filled with malice and wickedness.
Tan Yue Chi suddenly felt an extreme sense of danger.
The wind stilled, the clouds stopped.
A crackling sound grew louder and more intense.
"Spirit Seal!"
A faint, barely audible voice echoed. Tan Yue Chi was stunned to find his body suddenly compressed by an immense weight, making movement impossible. He looked down and realized a formation had been laid beneath his feet at some point.
How was this possible? When had he laid this formation?!
But he did not panic. Gritting his teeth, he altered the blades in the air. Black "swimming fish", buoyed by spiritual energy, began to gnaw at the spirit seal cage.
However, at this moment, a brilliant light blazed from above. Simultaneously, he heard the unavoidable crackle and explosion of electricity. Looking up, he saw Dan Ya, unfazed by his launched attacks, raise a hand high. The hand holding the sword was so fair and graceful, slender and clean like a scholar holding a brush, yet it now grasped a ferocious weapon crackling with lightning.
"Imperial Severance First Stance - Po Jun."
A dazzling bolt of lightning illuminated the sky and earth, the thunder and wind tearing the air apart, even causing the barrier around the arena to vibrate.
Then, the arena was engulfed in a blinding white glow. Those on the nine peaks could not discern the specifics of what was happening on the stage.
Only when everything calmed and quieted, did Dan Ya, with a bloodstained shoulder, remain standing, while Tan Yue Chi lay on the ground like a defeated dog. Tan Yue Chi's body was covered in scorched marks from the lightning, his face deathly pale, the mask he wore hanging precariously. He was a mess, filled with bitter resentment.
Others might not know, but Tan Yue Chi, in the midst of their fierce battle, understood how terrifying this man was. With a single sword strike, he had broken his defenses, and then, as if spiritual energy were limitless, he had suppressed him with layer upon layer of spirit seal formations. Standing was not allowed. Bending was not allowed. He had to be forced to his knees! Unwilling to yield? Then prostrate yourself! A muffled cough escaped him as he spat out a mouthful of blood. The continuously accumulating spiritual pressure within the spirit seal formation, multiplying exponentially, was nearly crushing his bones. He cultivated both martial and arcane arts, but his opponent cultivated arcane arts and formations.
No, that wasn't all. During the fight, his spiritual energy inexplicably began to wane. He hadn't seen what method was used, but perhaps his opponent was also an alchemist, skilled in poisons. By the time he realized he had been tricked, it was too late. Because from the very beginning, when his opponent made his move, he hadn't perceived the slightest anomaly. That was the fatal flaw.
"You were suppressing your cultivation?" Tan Yue Chi asked with difficulty, his expression extremely grim.
Dan Ya suddenly smiled. It seemed his expression hadn't changed from the start of the battle to its conclusion, but the malice in his eyes was blatant. "What are you implying? That I won unfairly?"
Tan Yue Chi was speechless. If they fought with the same cultivation level, there was no unfair victory. But Dan Ya's combat power was far beyond what a Golden Core stage cultivator should possess.
Dan Ya planted his sword into the stage surface and crouched before him. "Do you perhaps wish to fight me again?"
Tan Yue Chi's face stiffened. The electrical shocks had numbed his muscles. Forget fighting, he might not even be able to stand.