Chapter 52: A Bizarre Match

The people around were unaware of Qingxi’s inner turmoil. Their attention was wholly fixed on the young man who had ascended the stage.

Wang Le, a disciple of the Wang family, hailed from the renowned cultivation clan of the Eastern Domain. The prodigy Wang Miao, blessed with a spiritual-grade spiritual root, also originated from this lineage. Wang Miao, possessing such a rare spiritual root, was the most dazzling talent of his generation in the Wang family. If he hadn’t entered the Lingyuan Sect with ambitions for its sect leader’s position, his aptitude would have made him the natural candidate to helm the Wang family in the next generation.

Yet, not even the Wang family members knew that their foremost genius was currently being battered within the Lingyuan Sect to the point of doubting his own path.

“So it’s Wang Le from the Wang family. They say he’s got a mortal-grade spiritual root. Though he hasn’t joined any of the Four Great Sects, he’s a direct descendant of the Wang family and receives guidance from his grandfather, a cultivator at the Innate Realm. That’s likely why he’s reached the twenty-sixth level of Qi Refinement at such a young age.”

“Who do you think will challenge Wang Le?”

“In these arena bouts at the Heroes’ Gathering, it’s usually peers or those who challenge across ranks. I’d wager someone with similar cultivation will step up.”

The disciples of various factions chatted and ate, perfectly content to play the role of idle spectators. Every year, hundreds of young talents attended the Heroes’ Gathering, yet fewer than one-fifth truly took the stage to compete.

Most had come merely to watch the spectacle. They understood well that their own abilities would never allow them to stand out. It was far better to enjoy the feast quietly, cheer at opportune moments, and savor the drama.

“So it’s Wang Le—I shall challenge you!”

From the Scarlet Flame Sect’s ranks, a young man, also at the twenty-sixth level of Qi Refinement, leapt onto the stage. The aura he radiated was no less impressive than Wang Le’s.

“That’s Wang Chui of the Scarlet Flame Sect. He’s also a direct descendant of the Wang family—cousins with Wang Le, in fact.”

“A family feud, eh? How entertaining!”

“Enough chatter, eat your food!”

The spectators below the arena had no fear of stirring trouble, shouting and hollering without restraint.

Wang Le stared at his cousin Wang Chui, eyes narrowed. “I heard you joined the Scarlet Flame Sect and became a disciple of an inner elder at the Innate Realm. I’d like to see how much your strength has grown.”

Wang Chui drew the medium-grade spiritual sword strapped to his back. “Last year, I lost to you at the clan gathering. Now I’ll defeat you in front of all the Eastern Domain’s geniuses!”

“Losers remain losers forever!” Wang Le’s gaze cooled. He raised both hands—his left wielded the perfected Giant Rock Palm, his right summoned a hook of vital energy, a martial technique perfected to the Golden Hook.

“Fight!”

Wang Chui raised his spiritual sword high. The vital energy within him surged like a great river, pouring into the blade as he prepared to unleash a perfected sword technique.

But what happened next left everyone stunned.

With a thunderous bang, the supposedly indestructible medium-grade spiritual sword exploded in Wang Chui’s hands, scattering fragments of iron in all directions.

Wang Chui’s face was sprayed with debris, and he froze in bewilderment.

“What’s going on?”

“Did his spiritual weapon self-destruct at the start?”

“That’s... that’s outrageously extravagant!”

The crowd of spectators were struck dumb. Qingxi, mid-bite into a golden roasted fish, spat out his food in shock, unable to suppress a burst of laughter.

The others remained mystified, but Qingxi knew the truth. The spiritual artifacts exposed by the Scarlet Flame and Bliss Sect disciples had already been stripped of their internal essence by him, leaving only useless scrap. The moment vital energy was channeled into them, they would inevitably shatter.

Feeling the gazes of those around him, Qingxi, disguised, faced no panic. He clapped vigorously, raising his voice: “I get it! Wang Chui wants to fight Wang Le barehanded. Truly a hero among men! Don’t just stand there—give him a round of applause!”

Everyone’s breath caught; the explanation seemed reasonable. Applause erupted, growing louder with each wave.

Wang Chui, already stunned, was now utterly dumbfounded. His mind spun in confusion.

Did I shatter my spiritual artifact just to spar with Wang Le barehanded?

How could I not have known?

In truth, I have no idea why my spiritual artifact broke in the first place!

Wang Chui raged and puzzled inwardly, instinctively turning to look for the speaker, but he could not identify the source among the crowd.

Not far away, Wang Le narrowed his eyes and called out, “Lost in thought during a bout? You’re too arrogant!”

He darted forward, moving with light and speed, and brought down a stone-like palm the size of a fan upon Wang Chui.

“You dare sneak attack!”

Still fixated on his shattered artifact, Wang Chui was caught off guard by Wang Le’s sudden strike. He instinctively raised his hands to defend, but having lost his sword, his strength was greatly diminished. He stood no chance against Wang Le’s perfected Giant Rock Palm.

With a dull thud, Wang Chui crashed beneath the stage, his nose bruised and face swollen. The crowd watched his expression of existential doubt, drawing sharp breaths.

Yet few felt pity. Instead, they tore into their delicious roasted fish, finding the spectacle far more amusing than the usual violence of past years.

“My, the Wang family’s genius indeed! One move and the Scarlet Flame disciple is turned into a pig’s head—remarkable!”

A voice rose from the crowd, igniting the fury of the Scarlet Flame Sect disciples. They searched but could not locate the speaker.

Within the ranks of the noble clans, Qingxi covered his mouth, snickering quietly. He had deployed a martial technique called “Voice from the Four Directions,” which scattered his words throughout a wide area, making it impossible to pinpoint his location.

Unable to find the culprit, the Scarlet Flame disciples could only carry back the crestfallen Wang Chui.

Li Xingyao glanced at Wang Chui, his tone dripping with disappointment. “You didn’t even realize your artifact had reached its limit. Remember to spend your sect points to exchange for a better one when you return.”

Wang Chui’s lips quivered, desperate to explain, but he found no excuse and could only lower his head in silence.

On stage, Wang Le, having successfully defended his position, cupped his hands toward the Scarlet Flame Sect. “Cousin, you lost only because you weren’t focused—thank you for the match!”

“You...!” Wang Chui’s mouth twisted in agony. Winning and then feigning humility—it was a blow to both body and soul.

From the Scarlet Flame Sect’s ranks, another youth at the twenty-sixth level of Qi Refinement threw aside a long cloth, letting it flutter, and leaped onto the stage.

“Yuan Shi, inner disciple of the Scarlet Flame Sect, twenty-sixth level of Qi Refinement, wielding the medium-grade spiritual weapon Gale Spear, here to challenge!”

He drew a two-meter-long, dark red spear from his back, ready for battle.

Wang Le nodded, once again employing the Giant Rock Palm with his left hand and the Golden Hook technique with his right, his gaze earnest. Though he had not joined any sect, his instruction from the Innate Realm was as good as any, and his combat experience was rich.

“Fighting barehanded?”

Yuan Shi narrowed his eyes.

Wang Le nodded. “I don’t favor artifacts—I’ve yet to find one to my liking.”

“Then don’t blame me for using one against you!” Yuan Shi bellowed, forming seals with his left hand and wielding the Gale Spear in his right. Vital energy poured into the spear as he prepared to unleash the martial technique “Edge Split,” relying on its formidable penetration to tear through Wang Le’s defenses.

Yet, the now-familiar sound of shattering rang out.

The Gale Spear dissolved into a shower of iron fragments, falling like a black snow across the arena.

Once more, silence reigned.