For them, it was normal for the Holy Son of the Earth Sect to back down, as Duan Shikong, a genuine Dao Integration realm cultivator, had died at Hu Lifu's hands.
Although they knew the Holy Son of the Earth Sect was different now, his image as a good-for-nothing was too deeply ingrained in everyone's minds.
To the point that when he asked this question, everyone naturally assumed he was chickening out, that he was trying to curry favor with the opponent.
Hu Lifu glanced at Chen Xiao dismissively, a sneer on his lips. "If it were anyone else, I might truly need to rest for a moment, but if the opponent is you… then forget it. The big bald guy just said that dealing with you only requires one finger."
"Oh, and if you don't want to die, just surrender. Although you are the last hope of the Three Sects, your life is still more important, right?"
The art of war is about striking the enemy's plans. Hu Lifu was a prime example of this.
He used his contempt and confidence to put pressure on his opponent, making them lose confidence, even collapse.
It was a pity he chose the wrong target.
"Since you don't need to rest, we can begin? Is that right?"
Chen Xiao asked expressionlessly.
"Of course…"
*Swish—*
As Hu Lifu uttered "Of course," before he could finish his sentence, his head flew off.
Chen Xiao stood in place, the Heaven Reliant Sword in his hand tracing a sword flower.
Everyone was stunned. What was going on? What just happened?
Hu Lifu was dead? How did he die?
This… such a fast sword!
After Chen Xiao killed Hu Lifu with a single strike, gasps of amazement erupted from the crowd!
However, amidst the amazement, there were more voices of concern.
"That sword from the Holy Son of the Earth Sect was quite satisfying, but doesn't he know Hu Lifu has nine lives? Even if he lost two, he still has seven left!"
"And this surprise full-power attack will only enrage the opponent!"
"Alas, the Holy Son of the Earth Sect is in danger! Unless he surrenders and admits defeat now, with Hu Lifu's vengeful nature, he will definitely not let him go!"
…
Amidst the discussions, Chen Xiao stood with his sword, waiting for Hu Lifu's revival.
In the crowd, Li Miaozhen's eyes were almost heart-shaped. "Wow, Senior Brother Holy Son is so cool!!!"
*Gulp… chirp chirp…*
A soft, mud-like sound came from Hu Lifu's neck cavity, and then his head emerged… it was a newly grown head.
"Heh, a very fast sword…"
Hu Lifu licked his lips. "I really underestimated you!"
"I never expected that after seeing so many storms, I would capsize in such a small ditch!"
"But, it's all over now…"
*Buzz—*
Hu Lifu's body trembled, and at the same time, behind him, the five evil entities of the Five Spirits Sect appeared: Yellow Fox, White Willow, Grey!
"Kid, are you ready to die!"
Hu Lifu shouted arrogantly. Compared to the caution he showed towards Duan Shikong, he was now clearly more arrogant and overbearing.
From this perspective, it was evident that he did not take the Holy Son of the Earth Sect seriously!
*Swish—*
The same sword, the same angle, the same surprise attack, and ultimately, the same result.
*Thump thump thump…*
Hu Lifu's head fell to the ground once again, lying alongside the previous one.
Instantly, the entire venue erupted in an uproar.
What, what, what was going on?
If it was understandable that the Holy Son of the Earth Sect had caught Hu Lifu off guard the first time, and Hu Lifu was still unstable, thus losing his head… but now, Hu Lifu had already summoned all his Martial Venerable Dharma Idols, yet he still had his head lopped off?
"I understand, this must be the Holy Son of the Earth Sect's strongest trump card: the swift sword!"
"The speed of this sword is indeed fast enough. With my eyesight, I couldn't even capture how he drew his sword. This is truly a bit uncanny."
The speaker was a cultivator at the peak of the Void Transformation realm, and his words resonated with everyone.
"Indeed, as expected of the Holy Son of the Earth Sect, he does have some hidden strength. However, no matter how fast his sword is, you can't do it once, twice, but not thrice. He succeeded twice, the next time Hu Lifu will definitely be on guard!"
"So what? Killing Hu Lifu twice with the same move is already a win for the Holy Son of the Earth Sect. Now he just needs to find a way to kill him six more times, and the Holy Son of the Earth Sect will win!"
"Kill him six more times? Heh, you really dare to say that!"
Some people in the crowd had already started to support and favor the Holy Son of the Earth Sect, but the majority still did not.
After all, Hu Lifu had proven himself.
And the Holy Son of the Earth Sect was still lacking.
*Gulp… chirp chirp…*
With another soft, mud-like sound, Hu Lifu's head grew back.
And this time, anger had appeared on his face.
Moreover, he directly took out his White God Armor this time, to prevent the Holy Son of the Earth Sect from sneak attacking him again.
"Damn it, to waste two lives on trash like you is truly unlucky, spit!"
Hu Lifu spat.
"Two lives? Heh heh…"
Chen Xiao let out two cold, disdainful laughs.
Then, *thump thump thump thump…*
Hu Lifu's head fell to the ground again, three heads lined up.
If this were a matching game, they would have been cleared!
And this time, the sound of the head falling to the ground was particularly clear.
It wasn't that the way it fell was different from the previous two times, but rather that this time, the entire audience was silent, completely stunned.
What happened to "once, twice, but not thrice"?
Why could one person be defeated three times in the same way?
Most importantly, this person had just killed a powerful expert in the Dao Integration realm!
An expert with the Martial Venerable Dharma Idol!
The scene before them rendered everyone unable to think, unable to make sense of it.
So they all stood there, as if their brains had short-circuited.
Only Li Miaozhen, with her heart-shaped eyes, continued to stare at Chen Xiao, murmuring, "My Senior Brother Holy Son is truly so handsome!"
On the high platform, the big shots of the super sects could no longer sit still.
Because the combat style displayed by the Holy Son of the Earth Sect was too overwhelming!
Although Duan Shikong was also strong, his strength was visible and tangible. But the Holy Son of the Earth Sect's strength was a formidable power mixed with an aura of demonic energy, a ghostliness that was impossible to grasp.
Duan Yanzhuo couldn't care less. Seeing Hu Lifu on the arena have three heads lopped off, he couldn't help but laugh heartily. "Hahahaha, satisfying, truly f*cking satisfying! Junior Sister Ziwei, you've really taken a good disciple!"
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Duan Yanzhuo adhered to this principle. Hu Lifu had killed his beloved disciple, so seeing Hu Lifu have three lives directly killed by the Holy Son of the Earth Sect naturally gave him great pleasure.
Ziwei Dao Master didn't say anything, but a look of suspicion appeared in her eyes.
Why did he seem to have become stronger again? It was too effortless…
Ziwei had originally worried that Chen Xiao wouldn't be Hu Lifu's match without summoning the Seven Spirits Dharma Idol, but now it seemed she had worried unnecessarily.
Could it be that he had absorbed the soul crystal of the Earth Demon?
But he had been with me all these days… where did he find the time?
This man was truly terrifying. Fortunately, I am with him.
Thinking of this, a hint of bashfulness appeared on Ziwei Dao Master's face, which was as cold as ten thousand years of ice.
At this moment, Yun Lan, standing beside her, gave Ziwei Dao Master a meaningful look and said softly, "Junior Sister Ziwei, I don't recall your Earth Sect having such powerful sword techniques?"
Ziwei Dao Master frowned coldly. "As you said, these are our Earth Sect's sword techniques. No one from your Heavenly Sect has seen them, so is it that strange? Don't you think only your Heavenly Sect is skilled in swordsmanship?"
Yun Lan awkwardly touched his nose. "Junior Sister Ziwei, I was just asking casually. Why do you have such great hostility?"
Ziwei Dao Master ignored her, because on the arena, Hu Lifu had grown another head.
"Bastard, who exactly are you?"
Hu Lifu gritted his teeth, his eyes splitting with rage. If the first two times he could attribute it to his carelessness or being slightly lax after a recent battle.
But the third time, he had made all preparations and even summoned the White God Armor.
Yet, he was still beheaded by the opponent with a single sword?
If he still couldn't realize by now that the opponent's beheading wasn't a fluke, then he wouldn't deserve the strength he currently possessed.
"Holy Son of the Earth Sect, Li Shouzheng."
Chen Xiao said faintly.
"Nonsense!"
Hu Lifu glared with a frown. "Do you think I don't know Li Shouzheng's strength? I had already figured out the strength of your Holy Sons and Holy Maidens before the Heavenly Pride Battle, and I even knew exactly when Duan Shikong entered the Dao Integration realm!"
Hearing this, the entire venue was in an uproar. They hadn't expected this kid to know so much.
No wonder he seemed so effortless when facing each opponent.
Fortunately, the Holy Son of the Earth Sect had been hiding his strength and hadn't had his true capabilities revealed to him.
"You say I'm not Li Shouzheng? Then who do you think I am?"
Chen Xiao suddenly asked with a playful expression.
"How the hell would I know who you are? I only know you're definitely not…"
*Swish—*
Before Hu Lifu could finish speaking, his head fell to the ground again.
*Thump thump thump thump…* At this point, he only had four lives left.
"Adults must take responsibility for their words. This is the consequence of talking nonsense and making baseless accusations."
Chen Xiao's tone was casual, and he maintained his posture of holding his sword.
Up to this point, no one had seen how he drew his sword, but everyone knew that he had drawn it!
*Gulp… chirp chirp…*
Hu Lifu's head grew back.
And this time, in addition to anger, a hint of fear appeared on his face.
"I won't fight, I surr…"
*Swish—*
Before he could utter the word "surrender," his head fell to the ground again.
Everyone was bewildered. What did this mean?
The Holy Son of the Earth Sect didn't give his opponent a chance to surrender?
This was too overbearing!
But… it was so enjoyable!
The most thrilled was none other than Duan Yanzhuo. In his eyes, the Holy Son of the Earth Sect was openly avenging his beloved disciple!
And by now, Hu Lifu only had three lives left!