Li Cheng was the first of the two to get up, blood still spilling from his mouth.
“I won. I won!”
He spoke through the blood, paying no attention to his disheveled clothes.
He had lost face, but at least he had won. His Dantian was injured; he needed to return and heal quickly, before the damage left lasting effects.
The sight of Qin Xiao lying motionless eased Li Cheng’s mind a little. Humiliated or not, he was the one still standing.
Li Cheng was very confident in his final strike. Even if Qin Xiao didn’t die, he would be seriously injured. This also vented some anger. This kid was really too strange; if there’s a chance, he must be killed.
Once Li Cheng stood, Zuo Hongcai stopped examining Qin Xiao. The fighter on his feet was the winner. He would announce the result, then treat the injured; other peaks still needed the platform for their matches.
“Wait, the match isn’t over yet, I haven’t lost.”
Just as Zuo Hongcai was about to announce Immortal Sword Peak’s victory, Qin Xiao slowly stood up.
That final blow had gravely injured Qin Xiao and knocked him unconscious. Fortunately, his body had been healing furiously, and he woke before the result was announced.
“How is this possible? How can you still stand up?”
Looking at Qin Xiao standing up, the first one unable to accept this was Li Cheng. This was his full-power strike!
“What’s going on? This Qin Xiao is actually still alive?”
“Just now, even I might not necessarily have been able to withstand that punch from Senior Brother Li. Why can he still stand up?”
“Forget late Foundation Establishment. Even at early Golden Core, I wouldn’t dare take that punch head-on. There’s something strange about Qin Xiao.”
The match had seemed over. Many disciples had already been impressed that Qin Xiao had lasted so long, but none had expected him to get up again.
“Trash, trash, Li Cheng you trash.”
Yao Kaidong in the preparation seat finally couldn’t hold back anymore, cursing at Li Cheng on the stone platform.
“Ah, this Senior Brother Li really isn’t up to it.”
This time even Liu Xueyue no longer spoke up for Li Cheng. Such a result really disgraced Immortal Sword Peak’s face.
“Shut up! Stop making a scene. Hasn’t Immortal Sword Peak given them enough to laugh at?”
After scolding them, Great Elder Yao Tiansheng half closed his left eye, as though trying to see through Qin Xiao. He had never imagined a body-refinement technique that could let a mortal withstand a Golden Core cultivator.
“Possible or not, we’re both still able to fight. Let’s continue.”
Qin Xiao then assumed a fighting stance again, saying to Li Cheng.
The corner of Li Cheng’s eye twitched. He could barely force himself to stand. His Dantian was unstable and his spiritual qi in chaos; he had no strength left to fight. Bluffing Qin Xiao was all he could do.
“Let me leave? Then I should thank you for your kindness. Enough nonsense. After this battle, I really will have to thank you. Right now, I feel power surging through my whole body.”
Qin Xiao did not know what state Li Cheng was in, but after this recovery, aside from the lingering pain, his body was brimming with power. His fighting spirit burned fiercely. He had never imagined that body refinement could be cultivated like this.
“You truly seek death?”
Seeing he couldn’t bluff the other party, Li Cheng planned to forcibly circulate his energy. At worst, in the end he’d choose self-destruction to take someone with him.
“I do. Hurry up. If you won’t attack, I will.”
Qin Xiao was unmoved by Li Cheng’s threats. All he ever did was talk big.
“Good, since you seek death, then today no one can save you.”
Li Cheng had no way out. A shameful surrender would cost him his place at Immortal Sword Peak, and the Li Family its protection. But if he died fighting, the peak would surely look after his family.
“Alright, this first match, my Immortal Sword Peak loses.”
Just as Li Cheng prepared to take Qin Xiao down with him, Great Elder Yao Tiansheng called out.
“Master, I haven’t lost yet, I can still fight.”
Hearing his master concede, Li Cheng hurriedly explained to Yao Tiansheng.
“Shut up and get down. I know what you’re planning. Go back and heal your injuries!”
Yao Tiansheng also guessed Li Cheng’s plan, so he scolded out.
“Yes, Master.”
Li Cheng originally wanted to argue a few more words, but seeing Yao Tiansheng’s gaze, he obediently walked off the stone platform.
“Then I announce Seven Stars Peak the winner of the first match.”
Zuo Hongcai had also understood Li Cheng’s plan. He had stayed on the platform, ready to intervene. A peaceful resolution was far better.
“What? Immortal Sword Peak lost? Golden Core mid stage Senior Brother Li lost?”
“And he lost to Seven Stars Peak—to Qin Xiao! Senior Brother, slap me. I need to know I’m not dreaming.”
“How can this be real? After all our cultivation, we’re no match for a mortal? Everything I thought I knew is falling apart!”
The announcement sent the spectators into an uproar. It shook their view of the world; they could scarcely accept it.
Only now did Lin Shimeng properly glance at Qin Xiao.
She was Sect Leader Lin Tiancheng’s daughter, possessed a Heavenly Spirit Root, and had just broken through to Nascent Soul. With her talent and status, she would normally give little attention to someone like Qin Xiao, even if he was the Seventh Elder’s disciple.
But Qin Xiao’s actions today made her a bit curious.
Though the first match’s result was hard to accept, the competition continued. In the second match, the main peak defeated Immortal Beast Peak, as expected.
The third group was Immortal Cloud Peak versus Immortal Artifact Peak, and ultimately Immortal Cloud Peak narrowly won.
The fourth match dragged on. Apart from the main peak, Immortal Spring Peak had the densest spiritual qi, so its disciples were strong. Immortal Medicine Peak offered the best supply of pills, making its disciples strong as well.
The disciples from both peaks finally fought until exhaustion, considered a draw. This concluded the first round.
Then came the second round’s drawing of lots. Coincidentally, in the second round, Seven Stars Peak’s opponent was the third elder’s Immortal Artifact Peak.
“Seriously? An enemy both times?”
Qin Xiao felt helpless at the draw. Surely his luck could not be this bad.
Normally, each peak sent its weakest contestant for the first round, then adjusted its choice for the second based on the results. The second round’s battles were therefore more spectacular.
But Qin Xiao had no desire to watch. Fortunately, his Seven Stars Peak second round was in the fourth group, meaning the last group, which also gave him enough rest time.
However, the battles were also quick. The first three groups didn’t fight long, quickly determining victory and defeat. Next was the fourth group.
“Qin Xiao, come up and receive a beating.”
Immortal Artifact Peak’s Luo Qi jumped and arrived on the stone platform.
“It’s Senior Brother Luo Qi, Immortal Artifact Peak’s second senior brother. His strength reached the Golden Core mid stage long ago, not far from the late stage. He’s not like Senior Brother Li who just broke through. This time Qin Xiao is in trouble.”
“Yes, before he could gain an advantage through cleverness, but with Senior Brother Luo here, I’m afraid he can’t gain any advantage at all.”
Everyone recognized Luo Qi, and they pitied Qin Xiao. In both talent and strength, Luo Qi far surpassed Li Cheng.
His body refinement had improved, but this opponent was stronger too. He would try, then concede if necessary. They had no private grudge, did they? Surely Luo Qi would not try to kill him.
Qin Xiao took a deep breath, planning to walk onto the stone platform.
“Wait, Master. Let me fight.”
Just as Qin Xiao got up, Yun Man’s voice came from behind.