The next day arrived.
The Heavenly Alliance Grand Competition entered its second day. The focus shifted to the battles among the B-tier cultivators, masters of the Longevity Realm.
At this level of cultivation, one could already move mountains and fill seas, altering the very landscape. On the vast Xuan Ying continent, they were absolute pillars in any faction, holding esteemed positions.
Their battles, though lacking the raw, earthy intensity of yesterday's C-tier arena fights, possessed a breathtaking grandeur all their own.
"Boom!"
On a medium-sized arena, two Longevity Realm cultivators clashed violently. A violent shockwave of spiritual energy slammed against the barrier surrounding the arena, causing the light screen to ripple violently and buzz incessantly.
Though protected by the barrier, the audience below could still feel the faint tremors beneath their feet, their faces paling in shock.
The glow of spells was dazzling. At times, it transformed into the phantom of a roaring beast; at others, it condensed into giant blades that tore through the sky, or evolved into complex formation arrays that trapped enemies.
Every exchange caused the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to surge violently. The magnificent display far surpassed yesterday's.
Most cultivators and ordinary people, who had never witnessed such a spectacle, were mesmerized. Though they did not understand the profound techniques, they knew it was incredibly powerful. Cheers rose higher and higher.
Yet, among the many arenas attracting attention, one medium-sized arena at the edge of the C-tier zone drew increasingly surprised gazes.
On it, a tall, dark-skinned young man stood proudly. Bare-chested, his muscles were knotted like cast iron, crisscrossed with old scars that told countless tales of brutal combat. His surging blood and qi roared like a tide, emitting a faint dragon and elephant's roar. His cultivation had actually reached the pinnacle of the Longevity Realm!
Even more shocking was his identity.
"That... is that Hong Long Xiang?"
"Which Hong Long Xiang? Could it be the Hong family from Ling Zhou?"
"That is right! It is him! The direct heir of the Hong family! Did he not go missing long ago? I heard after the Hong family's ancestor fell and they were driven out of Ling Zhou by the Zhao family, he vanished without a trace!"
"He is not dead? He actually cultivated to the pinnacle of the Longevity Realm! This aura is terrifying!"
Whispers erupted from the crowd. Many older cultivators who knew the old story stared in shock.
Hong Long Xiang's opponent was a middle-aged cultivator in the robes of a Heavenly Alliance elder, also at the late stage of the Longevity Realm. He held a brilliant spiritual sword, his expression grave.
"Hong boy, I did not expect you to achieve such heights. But this is the Heavenly Alliance Grand Competition! You will not be allowed to run wild!" the elder said sternly.
With a flicker of his hand, forty-nine sharp sword lights condensed before him, spreading out like a peacock's fanning tail and shooting toward Hong Long Xiang. This was his signature move, the "Flowing Light Shadow-Splitting Sword."
Hong Long Xiang faced this sword rain capable of tearing apart mountains, yet showed no fear. A fierce battle intent flickered in his eyes. He let out a low roar and clenched both fists.
"Buzz!"
An ancient, vast, and overwhelmingly domineering fist intent erupted! His blood and qi shot up like smoke, forming the faint phantoms of a coiling dragon and a stepping elephant behind him! The dragon and elephant converged, their power immense!
"Heavenly Extreme Dragon Fist: Shake the Mountain!"
He took a step forward, and the arena floor cracked. He threw out a simple, direct punch. No flashy techniques, only ultimate power and a domineering fist intent that crushed all before it!
Where the fist wind passed, the forty-nine sharp sword lights shattered like fragile glass! The terrifying fist continued unabated, heading straight for the Heavenly Alliance elder!
The elder's face changed drastically. He hastily raised his spiritual sword to block, pouring all his spiritual energy into the defense.
"Clang!"
The fist slammed into the sword with a deafening sound. The elder felt an irresistible force surge over him like a tidal wave. His tiger's mouth instantly burst open, and the spiritual sword let out a mournful cry as it bent into a terrifying arc. He was blasted off his feet, flying backward and crashing into the barrier before sliding to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood. He was defeated.
The entire audience erupted in an uproar!
Just one punch!
With a single punch, he had defeated a veteran late-stage Longevity Realm elder from the Heavenly Alliance!
Hong Long Xiang retracted his fist and stood as his surging blood and qi, along with the dragon and elephant phantoms, slowly receded. He did not even glance at the defeated elder, nor did he pay any mind to the shocked, awestruck, or complex gazes from the crowd below.
His gaze seemed to pass over the noisy crowd, over the tiered stands, and toward a direction far in the distance. Behind the main platform, where the seats for the core disciples of the Xian Ling Holy Land were located.
In that section, Chen Xingcai had just withdrawn her gaze, her beautiful profile betraying no emotion.
Sitting beside her, Xi Yan caught the subtle movement and leaned over curiously. "Xingcai, what were you looking at just now? That big, dark guy seems incredibly powerful. He won with just one punch!"
Hearing this, Chen Xingcai's lips curled into a faint, almost lazy smile. Her tone carried a hint of teasing, as if speaking of a trivial matter:
"Hmph. Nothing much."
"Just an unworthy younger brother, that is all."
Meanwhile, Ji Yunshu had witnessed another young prodigy from her realm descend, similarly crushing a mid-stage Longevity Realm opponent with overwhelming ease. The prodigy stepped off the stage with an arrogant expression and a sneer on his lips.
Another companion beside him snorted softly, a sound just loud enough for Ji Yunshu to hear. "Lower-realm cultivators are truly nothing. They may have the realm, but they are utterly worthless."
Ji Yunshu remained silent, her heart calm. She was about to leave with the others to watch other, more promising matches.
Suddenly, from another, even livelier arena nearby, a clear and booming announcement from an official echoed like a stone thrown into still water, instantly capturing her attention and making her freeze in her tracks.
"Next match: Xian Ling Holy Land, Jiang Che, versus, Tian Xing Sect, Zhou Xingxing!"
Jiang Che?!
The name struck Ji Yunshu like a thunderbolt, freezing her in place.
...
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