As the person in charge of the Great Xia Martial Palace's Martial Artist District, Gao Feng's job was to match every Martial Artist with an opponent.
His judgment was naturally incredibly sharp.
Although Chu Qingyun had only shown a fraction of his skill, Gao Feng keenly perceived the casualness deep in his bones.
"Gao, you can't be unfair! Lord Qingyun shouldn't be facing a Level Eight Martial Artist so early."
Mo said, glaring at Gao Feng with a wary expression.
Gao Feng gave a wry smile and said, "You silly girl, don't worry. According to the Martial Palace's rules, he won't be matched with a Level Eight Martial Artist for his first three fights."
"But this way, the kid is guaranteed a three-win streak."
After easily winning his first match, Chu Qingyun returned to the back area and received his first reward.
However, the reward for a single victory was just a measly piece of Middle Grade Primordial Stone.
Over the course of the morning, Chu Qingyun fought two more matches. His opponents were both Level Seven Martial Artists, and he won both fights with ease.
Chu Qingyun didn't even draw his sword. Relying purely on his control over his Martial Soul, no Level Seven Martial Artist could last a single exchange against him.
The reward for a three-win streak was 50 Middle Grade Primordial Stones.
However, compared to what Chu Qingyun needed, this was just a drop in the bucket—far from enough.
In the afternoon, he faced his fourth battle. This time, his opponent was another Martial Artist on a three-win streak: a Level Eight Martial Artist!
"Qiu Yan, Level Eight Martial Artist, Tier One Bluestone Martial Soul."
On the battle stage, a burly man standing two meters tall with a formidable build cupped his fist and spoke from across from Chu Qingyun.
Although he was one level higher than Chu Qingyun, Qiu Yan didn't dare to be the least bit careless after watching his previous fights.
"Chu Qingyun, Level Seven Martial Artist, Tier Two Martial Soul, Five-Star Vine."
Chu Qingyun returned the courtesy.
"Come on!"
"Bluestone!"
Qiu Yan roared, and a Martial Soul in the shape of a cyan stone materialized before him.
Waves of cyan light emanated from the Martial Soul, coalescing into a protective cyan film around Qiu Yan's body.
"A Defense Martial Soul?"
"Take this!"
Chu Qingyun grunted in surprise. Immediately, a vine shot out like an iron whip, lashing fiercely at Qiu Yan.
CRACK!
With a crisp sound, the vine was repelled. The protective film, however, was like a rock, completely unmoved.
'What powerful defense. If this Qiu Yan were paired with a teammate with long-range attacks, they'd be a perfect match!'
"Strangulation!"
Chu Qingyun controlled his five vines, wrapping them tightly around the cyan protective film and constricting with all their might.
The protective film shuddered violently under the pressure but refused to break. The two were locked in a stalemate.
After a moment's deadlock, Chu Qingyun smiled and said, "Yan, that's some impressive defense. But you're about to lose."
Qiu Yan gave a helpless, wry smile, nodded, and said, "Go ahead."
Chu Qingyun's five vines exerted their strength in unison, forcibly lifting Qiu Yan, along with his Soul Technique, off the stage and tossing him down.
Defeated, Qiu Yan shook his head helplessly and walked away.
"That fellow, Qiu Yan, certainly had strength. Unfortunately, his Martial Soul isn't suited for one-on-one combat or arena battles."
In the back area, Gao Feng helplessly crossed Qiu Yan's name off the tournament bracket.
"The winner is Chu Qingyun!"
"Congratulations to Chu Qingyun for achieving a four-win streak!"
After the third consecutive victory, the referee would announce the result of every match aloud.
At this point, the people in the audience had stopped underestimating Chu Qingyun. Even members of the various major and minor powers had begun to ask about him.
To achieve a four-win streak on one's first visit to the Great Xia Martial Palace was not something just anyone could do.
Before long, Chu Qingyun's next fight began—his final battle of the day.
After a full day of competition, only two Martial Artists with four-win streaks remained. The two of them would now face off in a final showdown.
The winner would achieve a five-win streak and await their next battle.
The loser, however, would have to start all over again from the first match.
"Zhu Yuanzhi, a Level Eight Martial Artist, possesses a Tier Two Beast Martial Soul: the Iron Claw Eagle."
Facing this opponent, Chu Qingyun dared not be careless.
Anyone who could get a four-win streak in the Great Xia Martial Palace was bound to be a formidable expert.
"Heh heh, you Level Seven brat. Running into me, your luck has finally run out."
Zhu Yuanzhi said with a cold, mocking laugh.
"It seems a bit early to be making such bold claims, don't you think?"
"Three-Star Vine!"
Chu Qingyun's eyes narrowed. A single vine shot toward Zhu Yuanzhi like a sharp arrow.
"Nice try!"
"Iron Eagle Claw!"
Zhu Yuanzhi let out a low growl. A cold glint flashed from his hand, and with a single swipe, he tore the vine apart.
His Iron Eagle Claw Soul Technique was famous for its sharpness. Backed by the Primordial Power of a Level Eight, not even a Five-Star Vine with Tough Soul Techniques could withstand such a claw.
'This is trouble…'
Chu Qingyun placed a hand on his sword hilt, silently calculating.
'If I don't draw my sword, I probably won't be able to win this match.'
"Hahaha, brat! If that's all you've got, you can get the hell off the stage!"
Zhu Yuanzhi laughed boisterously. His hands shimmered with a cold light, vaguely forming the shape of eagle talons as he lunged straight for Chu Qingyun.
SWISH, SWISH, SWISH…
The five vines of the Five-Star Vine whipped and coiled, but whenever they got close to Zhu Yuanzhi, he tore them apart with ease, only managing to delay him for a moment.
"That kid, Chu Qingyun, is finished."
"Yeah, if he were Level Eight, his vines might have held on for a few more seconds. What a pity, what a pity."
In the stands, people began to shake their heads.
"Gao, can Lord Qingyun win?"
In the back area, Mo stared at the battle stage without blinking and asked.
Gao Feng narrowed his eyes and said, "I don't know. That fellow Zhu Yuanzhi is very strong. Not only does he have the Tier Two Soul Technique, Iron Eagle Claw, but he also has the Iron Sand Palm Secret Technique. When he uses both together, even a Level Nine Martial Artist wouldn't dare to underestimate him."
"However, I can't quite see through that kid, Chu Qingyun. There's no way his abilities are limited to just the Five-Star Vine..."
On the stage, facing Zhu Yuanzhi's ferocious assault, Chu Qingyun finally drew his longsword.
"In that case, I'll show you what I'm capable of."
"Winter Wind Frost!"
Chu Qingyun thrust his sword. A brilliant Sword Aura tore through the air, passed through the vines, and accurately struck Zhu Yuanzhi's right hand.
The power of an entire set of swordsmanship techniques was condensed into a single strike, erupting in an instant.
Under the might of that Sword Aura, Zhu Yuanzhi's Tier Two Soul Technique was instantly shattered and disintegrated. Even his hand was left with a bloody gash.
"Sword Momentum!"
The usually calm and composed Gao Feng couldn't help but exclaim in shock.
And on the Observation Platform, many people were so excited they shot up from their seats.
"What is it, Gao? Was that sword strike very strong? Why are you all so surprised?"
Mo asked, confused.
"Strong? That strike wasn't strong. It was just barely enough to block a Tier Two Soul Technique."
"What's strong, however, is that kid's comprehension of the Sword Dao. A mere Level Seven Martial Artist has actually comprehended Sword Momentum."
"In other words, your Lord Qingyun could be considered a Quasi-Martial Artist."
"Hmph. A future Martial Artist! It'd be strange if those guys didn't jump up in excitement!"
Gao Feng came back to his senses and said with a smile.