Chapter 183
by post_apiChapter 183: The Perfect Battle Begins
Most watching disciples couldn’t grasp what had occurred in the final moments of this duel.
As the pale moonlight withdrew like retreating tides, they only witnessed the grim-faced guardian from Lanyue Sect escorting the ashen, weakened Yu Tingzhi back to the cloud ship.
Though her innate true essence remained intact, the violent destruction of her Spirit Projection by Zi He’s arrow had ravaged her Qi meridians. Complete recovery would require over a month.
This explained Zi He’s choice to strike her Spirit Projection rather than her physical body.
A direct attack with that true essence arrow could have been lethal, forcing Lanyue Sect’s guardian to intervene – just as he’d rescued Zheng Han earlier.
While Yu Tingzhi still lost, this approach left her with only superficial flesh wounds rather than permanent damage.
Zi He sought both to humiliate Solitary Moon Mountain and make Yu Tingzhi answer for her cheap shot against Chu Hao.
His decisive aim at her Spirit Projection served one purpose – making her endure proper retribution!
This defeat marked three consecutive losses for the Four Sects of the Northwest against Tiger-Chasing forces.
Their crushing performance starkly contradicted the confident predictions made before this challenge.
Originally, they’d assumed securing two victories from three rounds would be effortless even with complications.
Yet reality proved harsher – today’s "complications" had snowballed beyond measure.
First came Lv Fangxuan’s flawless techniques in the opening match.
Then Qi Wei’s thunder-devouring surprise during the mid-battle.
Finally, their supposed trump card – Yu Tingzhi’s invincible innate true essence – met its match in Zi He’s Exterminate Evil Division Inheritance.
The outcome? Three rounds fought, three rounds lost.
Even Lanyue Sect members struggled to comprehend this, let alone the other three doors.
Their memories of Zhuhu Dynasty from twenty years prior showed utterly different circumstances.
Back then, they’d visited as superior sect members, their disciples eclipsing Zhuhu’s by entire tiers.
How could Zhuhu’s youths now sprout like spring bamboo shoots, each brandishing unique talents?
Who could possibly explain this absurdity?
They remained ignorant of Zhuhu’s decades-long scheming to forge this new era.
Nor did they know the staggering costs paid to ignite Chongtian City’s subterranean dragon vein flames.
Lanyue Sect’s leader now bore a thunderous expression, his earlier composure before Daoyuanshan elders evaporated.
Losing initial matches was tolerable, but Yu Tingzhi’s guaranteed victory becoming their third defeat? Unthinkable.
Three consecutive losses spelled utter humiliation.
They’d come to assert dominance, only to be bloodied and beaten. What dignity remained for the Northwest sects?
The impending Perfect Battle must not – could not – end in defeat.
He whispered to the person beside him, who then flew through the air toward the opposite high platform.
"Impressive!"
From his observation seat, Yang Lingrui silently marveled. During the radiance of Clear Radiance Chases the Moon, he’d tapped into the awareness Chen Yang left in his sea of consciousness to perceive the final clash between the two individuals.
His conclusion was firm:
The fusion of Golden Body, external manifestation skills of Tao, and that uncanny pupil technique made Zi He unrivaled below the Perfection Realm within the Zhuhu Dynasty. Yu Tingzhi, with her strand of innate true essence, likely claimed second place. Though slightly stronger than Chu Hao now, he still fell short of Zi He’s prowess.
As for Yu Tingzhi herself, victory hinged on one factor—whether he could evade her lethal true essence arrow. Dodge that, and Yang Lingrui believed he had over ninety percent chance to slay her.
On the Debate Platform, Zi He swallowed elixirs to recover before being escorted off by attendants. The Four Sects of the Northwest and Zhuhu representatives finalized the Perfect Battle format: five matches, three victories needed.
The matchups were swiftly decided:
Wukui Sect’s Deng Jin vs. He Family’s He Shenglai
Gentleman Mountain’s Tang Ming vs. Feng family’s Feng Lan
Blood Shadow Sect’s Ku Ruo vs. Daoyuanshan’s Qiu Ran
Solitary Moon Mountain’s Lang Wuhen vs. royal martial academy’s Wu Zhao
Lanyue Sect’s Xue Qingluan vs. ChengTian Academy’s Shen Yue
Xiao Yize grinned wider than anyone at the list. Since Wanhuamen had gained direct disciple slots during the northern campaign, they’d avoided the three doors’ resentment—sparing him from conflict.
"Excellent! May you friends enjoy abundant martial fortune. I’ll cheer you on!"
"You spineless worm!" Mo Xian roared. "Hiding from challenges? Your cultivation level might as well feed dogs!"
"Master misunderstands," Xiao Yize drawled. "Shouldn’t we cultivators prioritize longevity while pursuing the Dao? Recognizing danger and avoiding harm—that’s true wisdom for lasting survival."
"Master, you still care too much about winning and reputation. You should know the path of cultivation focuses most on…"
Before he could finish, Mo Xian’s palm was already flying toward him.
Xiao Yize clearly had rich combat experience.
He reacted instantly, pushing off the floor to slide his chair backward and evade the strike.
When the first slap missed, Mo Xian raised his hand again only to find Xiao Yize dragging Yang Lingshu as a human shield.
Yang Lingshu hastily stepped forward to calm Mo Xian before the elder could strike again.
Mo Xian took several deep breaths before gazing at Yang Lingshu with approval in his eyes.
"At least this second disciple doesn’t take after that troublemaker. With proper training, he might actually carry Heavenly Travel Peak’s legacy."
This thought soothed his temper.
Unbeknownst to him, Yang Lingshu’s striking appearance merely served the dynasty’s scheme to flush out hidden enemies.
In truth, comparing their natural laziness, it remained unclear whether Yang Lingshu or Xiao Yize would prove more indolent.
As the trio bantered, the first Perfect Battle contestants ascended the Debate Platform.
"Wukui Sect’s direct disciple Deng Jin, eleventh-level Gathering Qi. It’s good to see a friend."
"He Family of Wanzhong Forest’s He Shenglai, eleventh-level Gathering Qi. It’s good to see a friend."
Watching their formal exchange, Yang Lingshu nudged Xiao Yize: "Senior Brother, who’ll win this match?"
"Why ask? Brother Shenglai obviously."
Xiao Yize lounged in his chair. "Poor Wukui disciple picked the worst opponent. In wilderness maybe, but here?"
"On this Debate Platform? No chance against Shenglai."
Yang Lingshu nodded understandingly, watching the platform with renewed interest.
As the Yang Family’s main supporter, he naturally desired He Shenglai’s continued strength.
The battle concluded exactly as predicted.
Within moments, He Shenglai’s victory became undeniable.
His Spirit Projection "Cangmu Biyi" transformed the Debate Platform into shadowy woodland within a breath.
Watching disciples only heard muffled technique explosions through the dense foliage.
Soon Deng Jin came tumbling from the forest, blood spraying as he crashed to the ground.