As Qin Long found himself with no words to retort Shen Lang, Meng Xinghun on the stage made his move.
Meng Xinghun's gaze was sharp and cold, like a falcon's. A glint of cold light flashed, and the Western sword in his hand was already before Qin Yidao.
This thrust was swift, fierce, and precise. A cold point guided the way, and then the sword, like a venomous dragon with its jaws agape, lunged directly at Qin Yidao.
Facing this venomous strike, Qin Yidao appeared composed and calm. Just as Meng Xinghun's sword was about to reach his throat, Qin Yidao’s Tang sword was drawn from its sheath.
The Tang sword unsheathed, like a pearl covered in dust being washed by heavy rain, instantly radiating brilliant light.
Qin Yidao's strike was not fast, but it was imbued with immense power. With a single blow, he severed Meng Xinghun's Western sword.
"What?"
Witnessing Qin Yidao's counterattack and the shattering of Meng Xinghun's sword, everyone present was struck with astonishment.
"Brother Shen, how does this strike compare to your Sword Drawing Slash?"
Qin Long also felt the might of Qin Yidao's blow. He smiled at Shen Lang and said.
"A good strike, but he's going to lose."
Shen Lang looked at Qin Yidao on the stage and smiled, saying.
"Lose?"
Qin Long's face was full of disbelief. "He clearly has the advantage now, how can he possibly lose?"
"No, what you're seeing is an illusion."
Shen Lang continued, "Don't blink, and watch closely what happens next."
"What?"
Qin Long paused at Shen Lang's words, then looked up at the high platform.
However, upon looking, Qin Long's pupils dilated, and his face was filled with terror.
After severing Meng Xinghun's Western sword, Qin Yidao swiftly brought his blade down towards Meng Xinghun in mid-air.
The rules of the grand martial arts competition stipulated a point where the fight stops. However, for these warriors who lived by the blade, once they committed to a fight, there was no holding back.
Long Feng and Ma Feng had no personal animosity, yet Ma Feng injured him severely every year. Once the fight began, they would enter a frenzied state, unable to stop.
Qin Yidao's sword was fast and fierce. If this strike had landed on Meng Xinghun, it would have instantly split him in two.
Yet, facing this strike, Meng Xinghun appeared calm and collected.
The next second, Meng Xinghun flicked his sword-wielding wrist, and suddenly, a segment of the sword body shot out from the broken weapon.
Meng Xinghun slid his body to the ground, swiftly moving behind Qin Yidao, and then plunged his sword directly into Qin Yidao's lower back.
Fast, the speed was too fast.
The turn of events was so rapid that not only did the others present fail to react, but Qin Yidao himself was caught off guard.
"Bang—"
Injured in the waist, Qin Yidao let out a muffled groan and then knelt directly on the ground.
"Brother Shen, shall we make a bet?"
Looking at the injured Qin Yidao on the stage, Qin Long smiled and said to Shen Lang.
"What's the bet?"
Shen Lang asked with curiosity.
"I bet that Qin Yidao will be the ultimate winner of this match."
Qin Long took a walnut from his pocket, cracked it open with his hand, and then popped the kernel into his mouth, saying.
"But he's already lost."
Shen Lang was a bit confused by Qin Long's words and replied.
"Lost? He hasn't left the stage, he hasn't conceded, and the Thunder God hasn't declared him defeated, so how can he be considered lost?"
Qin Long smiled, "Brother Shen, you don't understand Qin Yidao, but I do. Today, he will definitely win this match."
"What?"
Shen Lang was astonished at Qin Long's words. At this moment, Qin Yidao, who was clearly heavily injured from Meng Xinghun's sword thrust to his waist, slowly rose from the ground.
Qin Long tied his clothes around his lower back to slow the bleeding, then, with eyes like an enraged fierce tiger, he turned and slashed at Meng Xinghun.
"What?"
Meng Xinghun had not expected Qin Yidao to counterattack so quickly after taking a sword strike. His expression instantly changed, and in a moment of panic, he swung his sword to block.
However, Qin Yidao's sword was too sharp, too domineering. Coupled with Qin Yidao's current state, like an enraged beast, the blade swept through the air with a whistling sound. With a single downward strike, Meng Xinghun's sword was once again severed into two pieces.
"Your twin swords are broken, do you have any more?"
After shattering Meng Xinghun's Western sword with a single blow, Qin Yidao did not press his attack. He quickly retracted his sword and retreated three steps, creating distance between himself and Meng Xinghun.
Qin Yidao knew that if he had continued his attack, Meng Xinghun would have lost by now. But he was unwilling to take advantage of the situation. Because after Meng Xinghun had stabbed him, he had not pressed his attack further, giving him a chance to recover. He now wanted to repay that kindness.
"I have one more sword, let's continue."
Meng Xinghun glanced at Qin Yidao, then drew a flexible sword from his waist. Meng Xinghun gripped the hilt and gave it a forceful shake, instantly straightening the flexible sword.
Without a word, Meng Xinghun thrust his sword directly at Qin Yidao.
Meng Xinghun's sword was as fast as a shooting star, arriving before Qin Yidao in the blink of an eye.
However, facing this strike, Qin Yidao neither dodged nor parried. Instead, he closed his eyes tightly.
Meng Xinghun's sword was as fast as a shooting star, but the moment Qin Yidao closed his eyes, he drew his blade, sending Meng Xinghun's sword flying from his grasp. The tip of his sword then rested at Meng Xinghun's throat.
"My apologies, you lose."
Looking at Meng Xinghun, Qin Yidao said with a slight smile.
"My apologies, you lose."
Upon hearing Qin Yidao's words, Meng Xinghun showed no signs of disappointment. Instead, he began to smile.
"What?"
Hearing Meng Xinghun's words, everyone present changed their expression, unable to comprehend what had happened.
Seeing the confusion on everyone's faces, Meng Xinghun pointed to Qin Yidao's chest.
Qin Yidao and the others looked and saw a small red mark on Qin Yidao's chest, near his heart, where the sword tip had pierced through.
Only then did everyone notice that Meng Xinghun was holding a short sword in his left hand, and its tip was adorned with a single drop of blood.
"When did that happen?"
Seeing this, Qin Yidao and everyone present simultaneously wondered.
"This is my real strike."
Meng Xinghun did not answer Qin Yidao's question. After a slight smile, he walked off the stage.
"In this match, Meng Xinghun wins."
The Thunder God also saw the situation on the stage and stood up, directly announcing the result of the match.
"Cheating, this is cheating!"
Qin Long was furious upon seeing this. "It's a competition, and Meng Xinghun used a trick. If this isn't cheating, what is?"
"This is not a trick, it's a killing move. Fortunately, they are both gentlemen, otherwise Qin Yidao would be dead by now."
Shen Lang looked at Qin Long and smiled, "It seems Brother Qin's luck is not good, you've lost again."
"By the way, you forgot to mention earlier, what was the stake for the bet you lost this time?"