Wu Kehang sensed an unprecedented spiritual pressure and the oppressive force of my sword strike.
It was only then that Wu Kehang truly understood.
Why I had smiled earlier.
Everything I had done previously, feigning injury, creating openings, yielding, was all to lure him into attacking with his full might.
At this moment, he was trapped, with no choice but to face my sword head-on.
Below the stage, countless people widened their eyes.
"The oppressive force is immense. From this distance, I feel a sense of dread!"
"Qin Ze was retreating repeatedly just now, how can he unleash such power now?"
"He was faking it! Qin Ze was faking it!"
"..."
Many people began to realize the truth.
However, my sword had already been unleashed.
Facing the Qingcheng Sect's ultimate technique, the Golden Light Sword Qi Profound Strike, Bursting Slash.
The sword qi unleashed by the "Destroy" character technique appeared even more ferocious and unrestrained.
A "bang" sound echoed again.
This strike was even more powerful than the one where I clashed swords with Wudang's senior disciple, Li Chunlong.
The turbulent qi current rippled outwards with a "whoosh."
Many people turned pale, finding it hard to imagine that at our age, in our early twenties, we possessed such cultivation.
Following the violent explosion.
Despite Wu Kehang using his full strength, he still found it difficult to withstand the terrifying power of the "Destroy" character technique.
His face contorted, and he let out a scream:
"Ah!"
The long sword in his hand was directly shattered, and Wu Kehang was sent flying backward.
His body, like autumn leaves in the wind, slammed onto the ground with a series of "bangs," tumbling seven or eight times before coming to a halt.
He slightly raised his head, attempting to get up, but instead spat out a mouthful of blood.
His body, once again, lay prostrate on the ground.
"Senior Disciple Brother!"
"Brother Kehang!"
"..."
The Qingcheng Sect disciples cried out in alarm.
The referee flew onto the stage to check the situation.
Simultaneously, he waved his hand, signaling that Wu Kehang was unconscious and unable to continue fighting.
"In this match, Qin Ze wins. Seven consecutive victories."
The crowd below the stage erupted in a clamor.
Exclamations continued to pour forth.
"Holy hell, he won again!"
"My god, all seven consecutive victories were against the top experts of each sect."
"Hahaha, he's truly bringing honor to us rogue cultivators."
"..."
Amidst the cheers, my own condition was not good.
I stood rooted to the spot.
The stone bricks beneath my feet were already shattered and cracked.
Sweat streamed down my forehead, and I gasped for breath.
Although I had won, this single sword strike had drained ten percent of my spiritual energy. The aftereffect of insufficient qi and blood left me feeling intensely dizzy.
My footing felt unsteady.
But I knew that at times like these, I absolutely could not show any weakness.
Because according to the competition rules, one had to achieve ten consecutive victories to win, or no one would dare to challenge.
Having reached this point, if I showed that I was severely weakened.
My deterrent force would continuously diminish.
Hold on, hold on...
I constantly admonished myself, while steadfastly maintaining my stance on the stage.
I also continued to regulate my breathing, stabilizing my heart meridians and dantian.
Wu Kehang, like Li Chunlong, was carried off the stage.
However, Wu Kehang was in a better state than Li Chunlong when he was carried away; he had already woken up.
But seeing the people pointing and whispering around him, he simply closed his eyes and pretended to be unconscious.
After all, his defeat had been rather embarrassing.
And looking across the entire Daoist sects, almost all the young generation's experts had already stepped onto the stage.
The remaining were disciples with very low cultivation.
"Hey, is there anyone else? Qin Ze is at the end of his rope."
"Exactly, we've all fought on the stage.
Don't let a rogue cultivator win.
Where does that leave the disciples of our major sects?"
"..."
The disciples of the major sects were now murmuring amongst themselves.
But after much shouting, no one stepped onto the stage.
Although many people could see that I was now at the end of my rope.
I was not so weak as to be unable to fight.
I still possessed the strength to fight.
They also knew that a starving camel is still bigger than a horse.
Those who hadn't stepped onto the stage were generally disciples in the Qi Gathering realm, or even younger fellow Daoists with lower cultivation.
What was the difference between such cultivation levels stepping onto the stage to fight against a strong cultivator who could unleash the early stage of True Radiance with a peak sword strike? Wasn't that akin to seeking death?
Therefore, even though many wanted to step onto the stage to pick me off while I was weak, they lacked the ability.
They shook their heads one after another.
On the stage, Realist Liuyun saw that five minutes had passed and no one had challenged.
He immediately called out:
"I will count down from ten. If no one responds, the victor will be Qin Ze."
After speaking, Daoist Liuyun scanned the surroundings.
Then he began to count.
Ten, nine...
As I heard each countdown, I felt extremely nervous, and subconsciously glanced at the White Bone Soul Returning Grass.
As long as I won, Qing Dai's injury could be treated.
This competition was not for fame, but solely to obtain that medicinal herb.
Below the stage, many people looked around.
Hoping for a new challenger to step onto the stage.
Some even joined the countdown.
Three, two...
As I heard this number, my eyes lit up.
Just one more countdown, and I would win.
I clenched my fists tightly.
I even saw Old Mo below the stage laughing heartily, making the gesture of opening champagne to celebrate for me.
However, just as Realist Liuyun was about to count the last number.
From the foreign guests' section, on the Japanese seats, the thin, dark man who had appeared earlier suddenly stood up.
His gaze sharp and piercing, he looked at the stage and the entire arena, and loudly shouted:
"Yamete!"