Chapter 206 - 174: Battle with Ling Xuzi

The Grand Arena is specifically designed for cultivator battles, making it more suitable for watching martial demonstrations than the Multi-Purpose Hall, with a more grandiose design.

This is an open-air venue without a dome. In the central field, eight huge platforms were originally established for the Qi Cultivation Stage practitioners’ matches, but today, these platforms have all been dismantled. The entire central circular stone field is directly used for the Foundation Establishment Level’s competition.

Currently, the tiered seating surrounding this area is filled with excited spectators, the air abuzz with noise, and flags flying. Even the private boxes at the top of the stands, costing five hundred Spirit Stones each, have long been sold out.

All sects of Chongming County have sent representatives to witness this grand event, and also to spy on the true capabilities of Yunshan Sect’s highest strengths, Guh Nishang and Lu Qian’s illusion and reality.

Spirit Talisman Sect’s Yinn Hongbo and Shahe Gang’s Han Wen have even come to the scene in person. The two exchanged veiled and sarcastic words, full of hostility, but fortunately, they remember this is Shuangye Square and are wary of each other. Eventually, they each sit in their own box, drawing the curtain of the array, out of sight, out of mind, without any physical confrontation.

Lu Qian has no time to entertain them at the moment; he has dismissed everyone, quietly adjusting his breath alone, to greet the next challenge in his most perfect state.

However, as he awakes from meditation, he sees Guh Nishang leaning against the door frame.

"The methods of Divine Flood Dragon Sect are strange, but you must win," Guh Nishang says, "If you can’t win, I’ll break your leg when you return."

Lu Qian helplessly nods, taking it as encouragement: "I’ll do my best."

At this moment, cheers explode in the venue as the referee loudly announces the results. The match between the two Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators has ended.

It’s Lu Qian’s turn to go on stage. He walks out, passing by Guh Nishang.

Watching Lu Qian’s back, Guh Nishang hesitates for a moment, her bright eyes dropping: "Forget it, if you can’t win, it’s fine. I won’t beat you, don’t risk your life."

Lu Qian pauses, turns back, and gives a radiant smile: "Alright, thanks for the concern."

"Get out of here quickly." Guh Nishang suddenly grows irritated, turning her head away, "Just kidding earlier, if you lose, I’ll still beat you."

Ignoring the suddenly split-personality Guh Nishang, Lu Qian walks out of the contestant tunnel, the massive open venue and surging audience waves appearing before him, and the bright sunlight bathes his body.

The moment of Lu Qian’s appearance prompts deafening waves of sound to erupt in the arena.

Yunshan Sect Leader, Shuangye Alliance Leader, Market Master... are all with Qi Cultivation Perfection, facing off against Foundation Establishment Feather Scholar!

This is the battle everyone’s been waiting for, talking about for a long time. Now, seeing the protagonist step onto the stage, how could they not be thrilled?

Roaring waves of sound envelop them, heavy gazes converge. Dressed in a Gold-Threaded Moon White Crane Robe, with a Red Gold Pixiu Cloud-Stepping Belt at his waist, Lu Qian respectfully salutes the surroundings, calm and natural, showcasing his demeanor.

A bald cultivator murmurs: "This kid is indeed outstanding, even I had to make way for him in my youth."

A female cultivator, eyes ablaze with affection, lets out an excited scream. Her fellow sect brother beside her looks displeased: "Junior sister, let me analyze for you, in this battle, Lu Qian is bound to lose..."

"Don’t talk, you’re so annoying!"

The sect brother’s eyes are moist: "Lu Qian, you have to lose! Lose! Lose!"

More coveting Ling Xuzi’s cultivators tightly grip their betting slips, secretly cursing.

Just because you look handsome, if you don’t lose it’s against heaven’s will.

Therefore, when Ling Xuzi, with a dark expression, wearing black robes, takes the stage, he too receives enthusiastic cheers and applause.

Several male cultivators shout: "Give Lu Qian a couple of punches, we support you; Ling Xuzi will definitely win!"

However, Ling Xuzi is indifferent to the audience’s shouts, even lazy to bow, his gaze locked firmly a hundred lengths away on Lu Qian.

The audience’s cries slowly quieted down, Ling Xuzi sneered: "Lu Qian, you still have time to admit defeat, suffer some physical pain and lose face, it’s nothing much, just afraid I might not hold back and crush you."

Lu Qian slightly furrows his brow, seems Ji Yunrou that woman has come up with a plan yet hasn’t informed Ling Xuzi about the current partnership.

"You are welcome to try. Let me say in advance, I won’t spare you because your brain doesn’t work well."

Upon hearing this, Ling Xuzi’s face contorts, his pupils suddenly transform into green snake pupils, a giant phantom of a black-scaled python appears behind him, screaming at the sky, the rolling spiritual pressure makes the surrounding audience’s faces pale, instantly lose color.

"Little bastard! I will kill you!"

A small part of the cultivators who bet on Lu Qian also start whispering; this is the Divine Flood Dragon Sect’s Third Elder? Such spiritual pressure, how can a Qi Cultivation Stage practitioner win? Alas, I’m really a fool, looks like I’ll lose everything this time.

The referee for this match is Spirit Talisman Sect’s Grand Elder Zhuang Qing, and standing beside him is Chongming’s First Qi Refining Loose Cultivator, Xiao Tianci. He is here at Lu Qian’s invitation, directly watching the match from the sidelines.

Zhuang Qing originally had some interest in this proud Sword Cultivator with a slightly arrogant demeanor, asked with a smile: "Young friend, what do you think of this battle’s outcome?"

Xiao Tianci snorted: "The result of this battle does not concern me, the winner among them will become my sharpening stone, making my Sword Heart shine brighter!"

Zhuang Qing remains silent, secretly thinking how Lu Qian managed to find such a weirdo. He focuses on the match, enters the field making the final confirmation: "Are you two ready?"

Lu Qian offers a respectful nod, and Ling Xuzi gives a slight nod.

Zhuang Qing extends his right hand amid the thousands of concentrated spectators, heavily swings down: "Begin!"

The arena’s copper gongs rang heavily!

At this moment, five Jade Seals flicker out from Lu Qian’s arms, standing at five corners, Five Elements Spiritual Qi rolls, the entire venue enclosed within a Five Elements Grand Array. As dense fog rises, the clanging sounds of chains echo through the field, twelve green chains shoot forth, directly toward Ling Xuzi.

Ling Xuzi’s body just moved, Earthly Branch Xin Metal Divine Lock had already tackled his front!

How fast!

In an instant, forming array formation, expanding array realm, initiating array transformation, how could it be so fast!

Shock flashes in Zhuang Qing’s eyes. He considers himself knowledgeable, having seen many array cultivators in action, having exchanged blows with Lu Qian once before, how could he be this fast?

In just less than three years, Lu Qian’s expertise in arrays has progressed so significantly!

In the private box, Master Xuan Ji contentedly strokes his goatee, the wrinkles on his face converging in laughter. Lu Qian’s advancement in arrays surpasses the master, making this guide immensely proud and delighted.

Lu Qian once shared with him the "Wave Array Secret Manual," but due to his old age, Master Xuan Ji lacks the energy to learn more.

It’s truly wonderful, Lu the Kid now has finished the first level "Mirror Lake" and has taken a big step in the second level "Illusion and Reality."