Chapter 186

Ku Ruo realized he’d panicked at the incomplete Seventh Purple Lightning, creating an opening in his technique that Qiu Ran seized.

Yet the Seventh Purple Lightning never fully materialized.

This meant had he held firm a moment longer, Tiger-Chasing’s guardians would’ve intervened to rescue him.

Qiu Ran swallowed elixirs while two Condensing Essence cultivators channeled true essence to regenerate her flesh.

With victory decided, she ignored Ku Ruo’s continued protests.

The defeated monk stubbornly remained until fully healed.

"Qiu Ran," he demanded, "answer truthfully – did you truly master the Seventh Calamity Lightning?"

"What changes either way?" Qiu Ran responded lightly.

"Everything!" Ku Ruo’s voice shook. "If you achieved it, I’ll accept defeat. If not, you tricked me! That’s different from true defeat!"

"Really now?"

Qiu Ran studied him before replying.

"I attained Eight Strikes."

She ascended to the High Platform without glancing back, leaving Ku Ruo gaping like a stranded fish.

"Eight Strikes? Ridiculous!"

Xiao Yize snorted under his breath.

Yang Lingshu nodded, assuming his senior meant Qiu Ran had bluffed about seven strikes. He nearly choked when Xiao Yize added:

"Obviously she’s mastered Nine!"

"Nine?!"

Xiao Yize grimaced. "You think seven strikes could intimidate me? That ninth strike transcends Gathering Qi defenses."

"Except Shen Yue’s ‘green mountain’ nonsense, of course."

Below them, Yang Lingrui trembled at Qiu Ran’s displayed combat strength. Each attack surpassed his thunder talisman’s might, those final Calamity Lightning strikes enough to annihilate any twelfth-level Gathering Qi cultivator.

"Someone this powerful… still not the strongest?"

His gaze drifted toward Shen Yue’s seat on the High Platform. All Tiger-Chasing Dynasty knew the truth – below Condensing Essence realm, none surpassed Li Yuande.

After his death, no one could rival Shen Yue.

What fearsome power must this man possess, standing atop all geniuses?

With three matches concluded, the Tiger-Chasing faction led two to one.

Another Tiger-Chasing victory would eliminate the need for Shen Yue and Xue Qingluan’s final clash.

Though unspoken, many secretly hoped to witness a fifth battle.

Wu Zhao ascended the platform, exchanging bows with Lang Wuhen.

He’d long considered Shen Yue his sole rival.

Yet after witnessing today’s three battles, his confidence wavered.

He doubted his ability to defeat either He Shenglai or Qiu Ran.

Moreover, Qiu Ran herself had openly admitted inferiority to Shen Yue.

This wasn’t entirely bad – true strength emerges through overcoming self-doubt to forge unyielding resolve.

The fourth battle commenced.

Like Yu Tingzhi, Lang Wuhen practiced Solitary Moon Mountain’s Spirit Communication technique – the Solitary Moon Reflects Sky Technique.

But his mastery dwarfed hers.

The Spirit Projection moon he conjured radiated desolate loneliness, mirroring the real celestial body.

Wu Zhao summoned a lion martial spirit through Spiritual Manipulation, tearing through moonlit radiance with a ferocious strike.

As he surged forward, his ultimate punch connected with the glowing orb.

Crash!—

The bright moon shattered beneath devastating force.

Spectators began premature cheers, but Wu Zhao’s face betrayed frustration.

Hummm—

"Moon as hook."

Lang Wuhen’s whisper summoned a crescent blade that pierced Wu Zhao’s back.

Two guardians intervened, dispersing the technique before heart damage occurred.

Defeated, Wu Zhao later approached Shen Yue first on the High Platform.

"I’m truly not your match."

"Paths differ in timing, skills in specialization – no true comparison exists." Shen Yue shook his head. "A near victory – slightly faster and Lang Wuhen’s substitution trick would’ve failed."

Wu Zhao nodded. "My cultivation level and mentality remain lacking. I apologize for past provocations."

Shen Yue rose with a smile, returning the bow.

"The martial institute-academy rivalry predates us. No apology needed."

"Rest now. Leave the outcome to me."

Shen Yue floated down to the Debate Platform.

"Junior brother, consider your desired reward."

"But senior brother! The fifth match hasn’t—" Yang Lingshu gestured below.

Xiao Yize patted his shoulder. "In Tiger-Chasing history, has any Gathering Qi cultivator ever slain a Condensing Essence cultivator?"

"Never. True essence overwhelms Qi."

"Know then – Shen Yue once survived Blood Feather Hall’s Condensing Essence hunter in forbidden lands."

"He returned to ChengTian Academy. The hunter vanished."

"Officially, the hunter triggered a deadly restriction. But evidence suggested Shen Yue’s hand – lacking proof for confirmation."

Yang Lingshu’s eyes shone. Slaying Condensing Essence with Gathering Qi!

"Watch closely." Xiao Yize guided him to the railing. "Today you’ll witness Tiger-Chasing’s ‘Unbroken Green Mountain’!"