"Alright, you hold the Southern King's Seal. Since you've called for a halt, I shall stop!"
Meng San said indifferently. After all, it was just a spar. Although it was about guarding the Southern Border, at his age, many things were becoming less important, and he valued his life more.
The two sides then agreed to a draw, making the first round a tie!
"A draw. Although we didn't lose, the pressure is even greater now. Let's not even talk about the second match, especially the third. That Dharma Protector of the Brahma Kingdom is so strong. Does King Xiao Bei have a chance of winning?"
"How is that possible? Even if he started practicing martial arts from the womb, he would absolutely not be a match for that Dharma Protector of the Brahma Kingdom. We're doomed to lose this time, absolutely doomed!"
The surrounding guards of the Southern Border camp lamented in secret, as did the soldiers standing in front of the large projection screens in various parts of the Southern Border camp. They all discussed amongst themselves.
At the same time, in the residence of the Zanggu Ridge Lord, Ridge Lord Zha Geboya was having a light breakfast of congee. In front of him was a large screen that was also synchronously broadcasting the situation on the camp's arena.
Zanggu Ridge Lord Zha Geboya was a bald old man, appearing to be around sixty years old. Although he looked thin, his hawk-like nose was sharp, giving him a commanding presence.
Beside Zha Geboya sat two other elders. These two were even older, estimated to be around a hundred years old. Their skin was as wrinkled as ravines, but their auras were strong. They were the remaining two guardian elders of the Southern Border camp, and also the most powerful two. At this moment, all three were quietly watching the screen, not offering any opinions. Their indifferent expressions suggested that the events on the stage had nothing to do with them.
The second match of the arena had now begun, with Wu Si and the other Dharma Protector Elder leaping onto the stage.
"Senior Wu Si, please win this round no matter what! That way, even if we lose the third round, it will still be a draw, and our Southern Border camp won't be disgraced!" shouted Miao Rencheng, the Ridge Lord of Guiyun Ridge.
"Don't worry, I'm confident I can win this round. You can all rest assured!" Senior Wu Si smiled faintly, his smile filled with confidence.
"Confident you'll win? Sir, aren't you speaking a bit too soon!" the Dharma Protector Elder standing opposite sneered.
"Enough nonsense, let's begin!"
Wu Si said sternly, then stomped his foot, and his entire body shot forward. In mid-air, with a clang, a silver light flashed as he instantly drew his sword.
The Dharma Protector Elder opposite held an ancient and peculiar vajra pestle, which appeared to be a Dharma artifact of the Brahma Sect. However, this vajra pestle was likely forged from special materials, making it very hard.
Instantly, the arena was filled with clanging sounds as the silver sword and the vajra pestle clashed, emitting piercing impacts. Shockwaves spread out like tides.
Both were experts at the Half-step Innate Aperture Opening realm, with extremely powerful martial arts cultivation. The fight was fierce and evenly matched.
"From what we can see now, their combat power should be roughly equal. But why was Senior Wu Si so confident earlier?" Deputy Zhou Yun muttered to himself.
Even Xiao Yunlong was surprised. Based on the current situation, the outcome would likely be a draw.
In the blink of an eye, they had exchanged over a hundred blows. Both were breathing heavily, sweat appearing on their foreheads. Such intense combat was taking a significant toll on them.
The Dharma Protector Elder snorted coldly, "With this little ability, you still want to win against me? How ridiculous!"
"I said I would win, so it wasn't an empty boast. Looking at your current state, you must be close to your limit. Next, I'll show you my true skills!"
As he spoke, Wu Si flicked his long sword, and his entire demeanor changed instantly.
His martial arts cultivation remained the same, but at this moment, he felt like a sword himself, a sharp and overbearing treasure sword.
"Is this... sword energy?" Zhuge Wushuang and the others below the stage exclaimed when they saw this.
"This isn't sword energy, this is the Way of the Sword. This old fellow Wu Si has actually comprehended the Way of the Sword. Although he has only touched the threshold, the Way of the Sword is a level higher than sword energy. His combat power has naturally increased by a level!"
Xiao Yunlong sighed deeply, even he was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Wu Si to have such profound swordsmanship attainments.
"So, you have comprehended the Way of the Sword!" the Dharma Protector Elder of the Brahma Kingdom said coldly.
"Of course. Otherwise, where would I get my confidence? Now, surrender, or I won't hold back!"
Wu Si snorted, and his entire body suddenly soared into the air.
At this moment, his person seemed to have completely merged with the sword in his hand. Not only had his speed become strangely fast, but his swordsmanship had also become incredibly sharp.
The crowd below the stage could barely track Wu Si's movements.
"What incredible speed, what sharp swordsmanship! As expected of someone who has comprehended the Way of the Sword. It seems Senior Wu Si's Way of the Sword is the 'swift' technique!"
Deputy Zhou Yun couldn't help but marvel again.
Xiao Yunlong's gaze was always on the opponent. At this moment, he was certain that Deputy Zhou could probably clearly track Wu Si's movements.
In an instant, with a clang, the vajra pestle fell to the ground.
The Dharma Protector Elder of the Brahma Kingdom retreated step by step. Only then did everyone notice that the shoulder of the hand holding the vajra pestle was bleeding.
It seemed he had been injured by the sword. It was only then that Wu Si's figure reappeared, standing on the stage.
"I've knocked your weapon away. If you hadn't reacted quickly just now, your right hand would likely have been severed by me. What do you say, are you still not surrendering?"
Wu Si held his long sword, his robes fluttering in the wind, his long hair flying, exuding the demeanor of a master of the Way of the Sword.
However, to everyone's surprise, the Dharma Protector Elder of the Brahma Kingdom threw his head back and burst into laughter, sneering, "Comprehending the Way of the Sword is indeed impressive. Against ordinary Quasi-Innate experts, you would indeed be an opponent. But unfortunately, you've met me today..."
"It seems your trump cards are almost exhausted. In that case, I shall let you see my trump cards as well!"
As his voice fell, the Dharma Protector Elder of the Brahma Kingdom's expression darkened, and his internal aura instantly surged. Faintly, strands of Innate True Qi began to swirl around him.
"What? This is... this is Innate True Qi! You... you've actually cultivated Innate True Qi, which means you've already reached the complete Innate Aperture Opening realm?"
At this moment, Wu Si's eyes widened in shock, his face filled with disbelief and even horror.
The crowd below was also startled, exclaiming, "Damn it, this Dharma Protector Elder of the Brahma Kingdom was hiding his martial arts cultivation! He had already cultivated to the Innate Aperture Opening realm, a genuine Innate expert!"
"Judging by the Innate True Qi swirling around him, it's already quite substantial. He must have broken through at least half a year ago!" Deputy Zhou said.
"This is going to be difficult, isn't it? Even though Wu Si has comprehended a trace of the Way of the Sword, his current combat power is still far from enough to contend with a true Innate expert!" Meng San also sighed.
Even Xiao Yunlong was slightly surprised. He hadn't perceived the opponent's hidden cultivation just now.
"The Southern Border camp is going to lose this time!"
The soldiers watching this scene on the large screens in the camp lamented. Although they were a hundred percent unwilling to admit it, the facts were laid out before them, and there was almost no suspense.
"Now, Sir, do you still think you'll win? Or do you think there's any need to continue this fight?"
The Dharma Protector Elder of the Brahma Kingdom sneered mockingly. He beckoned with his hand, and the vajra pestle that had fallen to the ground returned to his hand. This feat was achieved by channeling the Innate True Qi swirling around him to grasp the vajra pestle and pull it back.
From this, it could be seen that the Dharma Protector Elder had already achieved considerable mastery in controlling Innate True Qi.
Wu Si gritted his teeth and said, "Even if you are an Innate Aperture Opening realm expert, you can't make me surrender just like that. It's impossible, I can't do it!"
The Dharma Protector Elder snorted, "You should be well aware of the gap between us. Moreover, I guarantee that if I go all out, your life might be in danger!"
"So what? Bring it on!" Wu Si roared through gritted teeth, instantly unleashing his full internal energy, and then swung his sword.
This was his all-out strike. In an instant, a rainbow of sword energy shot towards the opponent.
However, the Dharma Protector Elder sneered, and with a rumble, he struck down with his vajra pestle, empowered by his Innate True Qi, shattering the sword energy on the spot.
Immediately after, his figure flickered, and he instantly appeared before Wu Si.
"Since you refuse to surrender, then die!" With that, the Dharma Protector Elder raised his vajra pestle to strike down on Wu Si's head.
His speed was incredibly fast, and his aura was overwhelmingly powerful. The Innate True Qi swirling around him completely suppressed Wu Si, making him feel momentarily dazed, unable to even retreat or dodge.
If this vajra pestle were to strike, Wu Si would undoubtedly die.
Seeing this, many people in the arena even closed their eyes in fear, unable to bear watching.
However, at this very moment, a black shadow suddenly flashed and appeared beside Wu Si. Then, he reached out with a large hand and firmly grasped the black vajra pestle.
Only then did everyone react. Unbeknownst to them, Xiao Yunlong had already appeared on the stage!
Seeing this, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
However, they soon became dejected again, because according to the rules of the competition, if a third party intervened to help, it would be considered an unconditional loss for that round.
"Although we lost, at least Senior Wu Si's life was saved!" Southern King Lu Zheng Tong said with lingering fear.
As for Deputy Zhou Yun beside him, he looked meaningfully at Xiao Yunlong and couldn't help but think, "His... his movement speed just now was truly astonishing. Even I couldn't truly see it clearly. That speed is simply unbelievably fast!"