Chapter 49 – First match
The man with triangular eyes was drenched in cold sweat, sensing the chilling intent to kill emanating from the woman.
His legs trembled as he stammered, "Fellow... fellow cultivator, let's talk this over."
Clang!
Wenxin returned to its sheath!
The man with triangular eyes fled in panic, disappearing into the crowd.
"Brother Lin!" Leng Fengchun clasped his hands in greeting, dimples appearing on his cheeks.
"Long time no see," Lin Hao replied with a gentle smile, as warm as jade.
He had always had a favorable impression of this valiant woman, and now, having stood up for him, he felt a sense of gratitude towards her.
"Brother Dao, I hope to face you again on the stage."
Leng Fengchun's slender frame erupted with overwhelming battle intent.
Lin Hao patted the sword sheath on his back and said with a smile, "This sword sheath is still quite empty."
Leng Fengchun laughed heartily, "If I win this time, I'll take back the Bluebird; if I lose, I'll give you this Wenxin."
"Agreed."
The two admired each other but were not close friends. They exchanged challenges and began preparing for the upcoming competition.
Lin Hao found an empty spot, sat cross-legged, and took out the Magical Treasure his master had given him.
It was a sword pill!
Similar to a sword talisman treasure, the sword pill could unleash a sword light. However, unlike the talisman treasure, which loses its spiritual essence after multiple uses, the sword pill could be used indefinitely.
Even more precious, a sword pill required an Elemental Infant cultivator to spend decades of effort to refine, and they would only do so for their own kin.
His master's gesture was deeply meaningful.
Lin Hao held the sword pill, unable to part with it.
Although he couldn't unleash its full power yet, it would have miraculous effects in critical moments. Moreover, this sword pill was a killing sword, full of ferocity.
Offensive Magical Treasures emphasized a single strike to cut down everything!
He felt that using such a strategic trump card in the inner sect competition would be a waste, so he carefully stored it back in his Storage Bag.
He looked up at the stage and then patted the sword sheath on his back.
"Xiang Xiaoyuan, join me in battle."
This competition adopted a pure knockout system, one-on-one, with the winner advancing and the loser being eliminated.
Moreover, the match arrangements were handled by a mysterious elder, and participants only knew their opponents when they were about to step onto the stage.
Despite the large number of participants, the competition progressed quickly due to the varying levels of strength among individuals.
Lin Hao was drawn to appear in the third batch, which meant he waited for an hour before stepping onto the stage.
Seeing his first opponent, he was quite surprised.
Wang Jingzhan... They had faced each other not long ago, and Lin Hao had been the victor.
He hadn't expected to encounter the man who had once defeated him in the first match.
Wang Jingzhan's heart surged with battle intent, feeling that fate had given him a chance to reclaim his honor.
So, he exclaimed passionately, "Let's fight!"
Lin Hao's lips curled slightly, and he said somewhat helplessly, "It's really unnecessary; you can't beat me."
He was stating a fact without any exaggeration because... he had sensed that Wang Jingzhan's cultivation was still at the early Foundation Establishment stage.
The gap in their realms was like an insurmountable chasm!
However, Wang Jingzhan thought Lin Hao was being overly arrogant, believing that he was only a step away from matching him.
With a bit more effort, he could win!
He even believed he could achieve victory with overwhelming strength!
Because he had gained new insights into swordsmanship, he was confident he could defeat any opponent of the same level!
"Lin Hao, come fight!"
"Let's fight."
Facing an opponent as eager as a fighting cock, Lin Hao said helplessly.
Below the stage, Han Liyue had come to watch the match.
She hadn't expected her son to face Lin Hao in the first match. She knew Lin Hao's strength well, and her son was no match for him.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel a bit helpless. After this battle, her son's Dao heart might be damaged.
However, without destruction, there can be no construction.
A true man should have the courage to face death and be reborn!
"Go, Zhan'er!"
Hearing his mother's encouragement, Wang Jingzhan was even more excited and launched the first attack.
He gathered all his spiritual energy and unleashed a brilliant sword light.
Seeing Lin Hao about to be engulfed by the sword light, a confident smile appeared on Wang Jingzhan's lips.
However, the result was far from what he imagined.
Behind Lin Hao, two large hands of spiritual energy formed, crushing the sword light he had unleashed with overwhelming force.
And then... and then a palm came slapping towards him.
It was too fast, impossible to dodge!
Bang!
Wang Jingzhan was directly slapped off the stage, flying backward.
In mid-air, his mind was a muddled mess, with only one thought remaining.
Has the gap between us really grown this wide?