The arena was still buffeted by the "whoosh" of the wind, applying pressure on me.
Wu Kehang pressed with his sword strikes, occasionally erupting with beams of golden sword energy.
Furthermore, he deployed some talismans.
Concurrently, I continuously unleashed my 'Chi' character technique to counter him.
The entire arena was a scene of intense battle.
However, it wasn't close-quarters combat but rather semi-close combat and sword duels.
Compared to the previous fight with Li Chunlong, though not entirely close combat, it felt even more ferocious...
Many watched with blood boiling.
The older generation also nodded frequently, praising both Wu Kehang and me.
Our combined strength represented the peak of the younger generation within the orthodox Taoist sects of Zhongtu today.
Foreign guests from various countries also wore grim expressions.
In this Dharma-ending age, the cultivation inheritances of almost every country were nearing extinction.
Originally, the foreign guests invited to the Zhongtu Taoist Alliance大会 believed their disciples would undoubtedly overpower all contenders and become legends.
But now, they realized Zhongtu was still Zhongtu.
Even in this Dharma-ending age, the strength of the younger generation was still beyond what these foreign states could match.
On the arena, Wu Kehang pressed forward step by step, giving me no openings.
He was very cautious and calm.
His attacks were as fierce as Wudang's Li Chunlong, and his defense as solid as Shaolin's Kong Ming.
Making it difficult for me to find an opportunity.
As for me, due to insufficient blood qi and earlier injuries,
my heart rate had risen, and my body was experiencing fatigue from the strain.
My spiritual energy was also running low.
Approximately twenty percent remained and was being rapidly consumed under the full activation of the Qin Kun True Scripture.
No, I couldn't drag this on any longer.
If I continued to stall, Wu Kehang would exhaust me into defeat.
I surmised this was Wu Kehang's tactic against me.
It seemed I had to unleash my next trump card and end this quickly.
I thought to myself.
And the next trump card was the third profound mystery of the Qian Kun True Scripture, the 'Mie' character technique.
Although the 'Mie' character technique, when unleashed, was immensely powerful,
it also consumed a tremendous amount of spiritual energy.
It would deplete ten percent of my spiritual energy in an instant.
Moreover, the 'Mie' character technique required a direct hit.
If I failed to defeat Wu Kehang with it,
then I might not have another chance to win against him.
Continuing this attrition would certainly lead to my defeat.
With this thought, I secretly took a deep breath.
Simultaneously, I exposed a vulnerability.
I needed to lure Wu Kehang into close combat, to narrow the distance.
Not continue with the current exchange of spells and techniques.
I had to entice him to take the bait, otherwise, the 'Mie' character technique might miss.
Seeing me expose a vulnerability, Wu Kehang's eyes narrowed, and he raised his hand, unleashing a beam of golden sword energy.
With a "boom," it cleaved towards me.
I feigned a block, but it wasn't a complete defense.
With a "crack," I retreated backward repeatedly.
The golden sword energy grazed my left arm.
However, Wu Kehang didn't fall for the bait and continued to suppress me with talismans, golden sword energy, and the Great Wind Art.
Below the arena, many exclaimed in surprise:
"What's happening? Qin Ze was just breached!"
"It must be due to excessive spiritual energy depletion! Look at his panting; he's probably out of energy."
"I agree. His movements seem to have slowed down, and he's not even using his sword to fly anymore."
"..."
Below the arena, many were discussing.
Several venerable elders were also conversing:
"Elder Long, what's your assessment?"
"Both these individuals are outstanding talents of this era, with considerable cultivation.
However, this Qin Ze has depleted too much spiritual energy.
He is now clearly showing signs of insufficient spiritual energy and weakened Taoist aura.
This round, this Qingcheng disciple is likely to win!"
"I don't think so. Look at that young man; although his breathing is rapid, his aura is stable and rhythmic.
His rhythm hasn't been broken.
I suspect this young man is deliberately feigning.
He's trying to lure that Wu Kehang forward.
Instead of this current semi-engaged, retreating spellcasting and attrition!"
"..."
On the arena, I had already created multiple successive openings.
Allowing Wu Kehang to gain several advantages, each time causing me minor injuries,
but they were superficial, and I simultaneously feigned expressions of pain.
All to lower Wu Kehang's guard.
Wu Kehang was truly cautious, not engaging directly several times.
Maintaining a posture of continuing to wear me down.
The disciples of the Qingcheng sect, in disbelief and confusion, shouted from below the arena:
"Senior disciple brother, he's out of spiritual energy, defeat him!"
"Senior disciple brother, don't hesitate, beat him!"
"Senior disciple brother is just too steady; winning like this lacks flair!"
"..."
The Qingcheng disciples shouted themselves hoarse.
Only Xia Qiu Xi, who was familiar with me, knew I still had means to deploy, and the outcome remained uncertain.
At this moment, I had exposed my fifth vulnerability.
And this vulnerability was significant.
Although Wu Kehang was cautious, after four consecutive probes, coupled with the incessant shouts from the numerous junior disciples below the arena,
his inner thoughts had begun to shift.
Moreover, the vulnerability I exposed this time was even greater.
And my acting was quite convincing.
Wu Kehang could no longer sit still; he leaped forward, shouting:
"Golden Light Exploding Slash!"
As soon as he spoke, Wu Kehang suddenly leaped up and swung his sword at me.
Seeing this, I abandoned my previous fatigued demeanor, and a faint smile finally touched my lips.
Wu Kehang saw it and was alarmed, feeling a bad premonition.
My expression just now was clearly feigned.
But once the arrow was shot, there was no turning back; there was no retreat.
He could only grit his teeth and continue his downward slash.
And I had been waiting for him to close in.
The 'Mie' character technique had been ready for a long time.
I dared to say that within the same cultivation level, unless one cultivated special Taoist techniques,
no one could forcibly block or contend against a single strike of my 'Mie' character technique.
I rapidly formed hand seals, pushed off with my feet, and thrust my sword upward:
"Heaven and Earth, Infinite; Qian Kun, Without Law; Mie!"
In an instant, terrifying Taoist aura erupted like a tsunami.
The sword edge, from bottom to top, slanted upward, pointing directly at Wu Kehang.
With a "boom."
A terrifying sword energy instantly burst forth.
Not only that, but the moment the incantation was spoken,
an invisible, powerful mental pressure enveloped Wu Kehang.
Wu Kehang felt a surge of dread.
Facing the dual pressure and impact of both mental and physical force,
Wu Kehang, in that moment, felt as if Mount Tai was crushing him, as if he were falling into an abyss...