A max-level player in Jade Dynasty: Awakening the Innate Dao at the start.

The afternoon sun was scorching, making the white jade arena shine brightly; you could feel the heat even through your shoes.

Master Zeng Shuchang's deep voice came down from the high platform, seemingly carrying a hint of inexplicable helplessness:

"Eighth match: Zhang Xiaofan of Dazhu Peak versus Peng Chang of Fenghui Peak."

A murmur of discussion immediately arose from the crowd.

Many people have heard of the name Peng Chang.

He is one of the most outstanding young talents on Feng Hui Peak, with a cultivation level at the peak of the eighth level of the Jade Purity Realm.

He received the true teachings of Master Zeng Shuchang in his fire-based Taoist magic.

As for Zhang Xiaofan... his clean and decisive performance this morning, sending Chu Yuhong flying off the stage with a single sword strike...

This allowed everyone to "get to know" this Dazhu Peak disciple who was said to have "gone mad with his cultivation and lost all his power" all over again.

Zeng Shushu squeezed through the crowd and approached Zhang Xiaofan.

His face was all smiles, but he looked a little sneaky.

"Senior Brother Zhang,"

He lowered his voice, like a thief, "I saw the whole thing this morning."

Zhang Xiaofan raised an eyebrow, remained silent, and just looked at him.

"Amazing!" Zeng Shushu gave a thumbs up, exclaiming sincerely.

"Chu Yuhong's skills are like a child playing with a wooden stick in front of his senior brother; he is utterly helpless."

So...it's my senior brother Peng Chang's turn later, do you think you could...?"

As he spoke, he held up two fingers.

He rubbed them together and made a gesture that is universally understood.

Zhang Xiaofan laughed and imitated him.

She rubbed her fingers together and looked at him with a half-smile.

Zeng Shushu was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized what was going on.

He quickly pulled a heavy embroidered money pouch from his pocket and stuffed it in.

"Show some mercy and give your senior brother some face."

Senior Brother Peng is a good person, but he's a bit too competitive.

If we lose too badly, it might take me at least six months to recover.

Zhang Xiaofan weighed the money pouch in his hand, then casually stuffed it into his sleeve.

He nodded: "Don't worry, it's safe and secure, and you'll be given plenty of face."

Zeng Shushu finally breathed a sigh of relief and was about to turn around and head back to Huifeng Huifeng when...

Then Zhang Xiaofan slowly added another sentence:

"However... if your Senior Brother Peng wants to hold on a little longer..."

"To demonstrate the ultimate techniques of Feng Huifeng, the price... well, that'll have to be set aside."

On the arena, Peng Chang had already taken his place.

He was around thirty years old, stocky, with a square face tanned dark red.

At this moment, watching Zhang Xiaofan slowly walk onto the arena, his eyes held a complex expression—

There was wariness, apprehension, and a touch of awkwardness mixed in.

As the two bowed to each other according to custom, Peng Chang, using the gesture of clasped hands,

He took half a step forward, his voice extremely low, almost squeezed out between his teeth:

"Junior Brother Zhang, that... that kid Shushu, he told you everything, right?"

Zhang Xiaofan nodded slightly.

"Then... could we play a little longer?"

Peng Chang rubbed his hands together, a pleading look appearing on his dark face.

"I know I can't beat you if I lose."

But if I were to collapse in just a few moves, I'd be utterly humiliated.

So many junior brothers and sisters on and around Feng Hui Peak are watching.

"How long is considered a long time?" Zhang Xiaofan asked.

"Half an hour... what do you think?"

Peng Chang asked tentatively, but seeing that Zhang Xiaofan's face didn't show any expression, he quickly changed his mind.

"Four-quarters of an hour! Four-quarters of an hour will do!"

If all else fails... wait until an incense stick burns!

It can't be any shorter, or I really won't be able to explain it!

Zhang Xiaofan didn't speak, but simply tucked his hands into the sleeves of his Taoist robe.

He secretly made a gesture as if counting silver.

Peng Chang's face fell, and he hissed as if he had a toothache.

Then, gritting his teeth, he quickly pulled a smaller money pouch from his pocket.

Taking advantage of the moment when the two bodies crossed, he quickly stuffed it into Zhang Xiaofan's hand.

The movement was so fast that almost no one in the thousands of eyes watching from below the stage noticed it.

"There's...there's more..."

After handing over the money, Peng Chang added quietly, with a hint of lingering fear.

"Junior brother, that time you sent Chu Yuhong flying with your power this morning..."

It looks painful just watching it. Let's stop here, stop here.

Zhang Xiaofan felt the new weight in his sleeve and nodded in satisfaction.

The competition officially began.

Peng Chang took a deep breath, calmed himself, and quickly formed a complex hand seal with his hands.

With a clear "hum," the crimson immortal sword at his waist was drawn from its sheath.

A three-foot-high flame suddenly shot up from the sword, and a scorching wave of heat instantly hit us.

This is the fire-based Daoist technique passed down directly from Feng Hui Peak. It is said that when practiced to a high level, it can truly possess the power to burn metal and iron.

"Junior Brother Zhang, watch out!"

With a loud shout, he swung his flaming immortal sword and slashed fiercely at Zhang Xiaofan!

A blazing, solid sword aura of fire tore through the air, accompanied by a piercing shriek, heading straight for Zhang Xiaofan's face!

This move was extremely impressive, and the disciples of Feng Hui Peak below the stage immediately cheered in unison.

Everyone felt that Senior Brother Peng had gone all out from the start, and his momentum had already firmly overwhelmed his opponent.

Zhang Xiaofan raised his right hand, too lazy even to draw his sword.

Simply extend your index and middle fingers casually and point them lightly forward.

A slender, azure sword aura shot out from his fingertips, only as thick as a chopstick.

Mixed in with Peng Chang's imposing fiery sword aura, it appeared inconspicuous, even somewhat shabby.

But this seemingly insignificant, slender sword aura, at the instant it came into contact with the fiery sword aura—

"puff."

A soft sound, like a red-hot needle piercing a full balloon.

The incredibly powerful fiery sword aura shattered instantly, turning into countless sparks that quickly vanished into the air.

However, the wisp of cyan sword energy continued its momentum, still carrying a chilling aura, heading straight for Peng Chang's vital throat!

Peng Chang's face turned deathly pale in an instant.

My mind went blank for a moment, and only one thought remained:

Oh no! I've wasted my money! I'm going to be bedridden now!

He instinctively closed his eyes tightly.

However, the expected excruciating pain and shock did not materialize.

The wisp of azure sword energy seemed to strike an invisible wall just three inches from his throat.

It stopped abruptly, then made a soft "pop" sound.

It vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed.

Peng Chang opened his eyes in shock, his forehead already covered in a fine layer of cold sweat.

He looked at Zhang Xiaofan opposite him, and saw that the other person was tilting his head slightly.

With a faint smile on her face, she subtly rubbed her hands together inside her sleeves.

Pay more!

Peng Chang instantly understood the meaning of that gesture.

He gritted his teeth and nodded forcefully—Add! Add more, please! But please be careful!

Zhang Xiaofan then slowly drew the sword from his waist.

When the spirit sword given to him by Tian Ling'er was drawn, its blade emitted a warm, pale blue light.

He swung his sword forward, his movements neither fast nor slow, one could even say somewhat "lukewarm".

Each sword strike was delivered with ample room for maneuver, the pace deliberately slowed.

This would give Peng Chang on the other side ample time to block, dodge, and even organize a counterattack.

In an instant, sword light and flames clashed and intertwined on the arena, and shouts and the clang of metal filled the air.

The fight was incredibly lively and exciting.

The many disciples below the stage, unaware of the facts, watched with great interest, all feeling that the competition was evenly matched.

The two sides were evenly matched, and this was much more interesting than the battle that ended with a single sword strike this morning.

A back-and-forth battle is what a real martial arts competition is all about!

Only a few people with keen eyesight or inside knowledge noticed something amiss.

Tian Ling'er couldn't help but roll her eyes from below the stage and muttered under her breath:

"They're putting on quite a convincing act."

Not far away, Lu Xueqi frowned slightly, a hint of confusion flashing in her clear, beautiful eyes.

She could tell that Zhang Xiaofan was holding back his strength in every sword strike.

The transitions between moves also appear deliberate and loose, like an adult playing with a child.

The fight appeared intense and exciting, but in reality, everything was under control, and the team was in complete control.

On the ring, Peng Chang felt increasingly uncertain and apprehensive as the fight progressed.

Each time, he mustered all his strength and unleashed his most powerful moves.

The black-clad youth opposite him always managed to defuse the situation with ease, without even disrupting his breathing.

On the contrary, he himself was already a little out of breath.

On one occasion, he went all out and used one of Feng Hui Peak's signature techniques, "Blazing Sky Burning Technique."

In an instant, the entire arena was engulfed by a raging sea of ​​fire, and scorching heat waves spread outwards violently.

The disciples near the arena were forced to retreat repeatedly, exclaiming in surprise.

However, in the very center of the sea of ​​fire, Zhang Xiaofan simply swung his sword lightly.

A clear, moonlit blue sword light shimmered out, seemingly carrying an invisible coolness.

Wherever it passed, the raging flames seemed to have met their nemesis.

It automatically and quickly went out, as if it had been extinguished by an invisible hand.

The moment their figures passed each other again, Peng Chang heard Zhang Xiaofan whisper in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"One-tenth."

"Wh-what?" Peng Chang was a little confused.

"I said, I haven't even used 10% of my strength yet."

Zhang Xiaofan had that unsettling smile playing on his lips, a smile that sent chills down Peng Chang's spine.

"So, the little bit of money you just added... was actually a loss."

Peng Chang: "..."

He suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and wanted to cry.

On the high platform, Master Cangsong's face was so gloomy it could drip water.

He stared intently at the seemingly "intense" fight on the stage, his fingers cracking under his sleeves.

After a moment, he suddenly turned his head and looked at Tian Buyi, who was leisurely drinking tea beside him.

The voice was as cold as ice shards in the dead of winter.

"Junior Brother Tian, ​​your disciple... is truly skilled!"

Tian Buyi slowly put down his teacup and raised his eyelids:

"Oh? What makes you say that, Senior Brother Cangsong?"

"Taking bribes to facilitate illegal activities, blatantly cheating in public—this is utterly outrageous! What kind of behavior is this!"

The old man, Cangsong, spoke sternly.

"Cheating?" Tian Buyi's face immediately broke into a smile, as if he had heard something amusing.

"Senior Brother Cangsong, you can't say things like that carelessly."

Which eye of yours saw my apprentice cheat?

Swords and blades have no eyes on the arena, but my disciple, out of consideration for our shared sect, held back.

Giving Junior Brother Peng ample face and opportunities to showcase his abilities clearly demonstrates loyalty, righteousness, and friendship among fellow disciples.

How did it become such a vile act of cheating in your mouth, senior brother?

"You—!" Master Cangsong was so angry at his twisted logic that his chest heaved, and he pointed at him.

Tian Buyi, however, was not finished. He stroked his short beard and continued with a smile:

"Besides, Peng Chang can spend money to save face."

If your Dragon Head Peak disciple faces my Xiao Fan later, it's the same.

"As long as the price is right, my apprentice will definitely cooperate. But..."

He paused deliberately, then smiled like a cunning old fox:

"You'll have to pay more."

Otherwise, with my Xiaofan's abilities,

I'm afraid that if he strikes, your precious disciple from Dragon Head Peak will be lying on the ground."

"Arrogant!"

Master Cangsong suddenly stood up, his finger almost touching Tian Buyi's nose.

"The disciples of my Dragon Head Peak are highly skilled and have a solid foundation. How can they be compared to the likes of Peng Chang!"

If your disciple were to encounter my disciple Qi Hao, he might have to beg Qi Hao to show mercy!

"Oh? Is that so?"

Tian Buyi also stopped smiling, raised his eyebrows, and looked back at him without backing down.

"Then shall we... wait and see?"

Their eyes met in mid-air, as if sparks were crackling out of thin air.

The other leaders nearby all kept their eyes down, pretending not to hear anything, and focused intently on the audience.

Shuiyue Zhenren picked up her teacup, subtly concealing the barely suppressed smile on her lips as she drank.

Dao Xuan Zhenren, seated in the main seat, remained expressionless, as if he were an old monk in deep meditation.

But a faint trace of helplessness flashed across the depths of his deep eyes.

This little guy... he really knows how to cause trouble.

On the ring, Peng Chang finally reached his limit.

For a full half hour! He used all the moves he had learned and mastered over the years.

It was used over and over again from beginning to end.

Feng Huifeng unleashed his fire-based magic with unparalleled skill, with flames soaring into the sky.

But the black-clad youth opposite him remained calm and composed, his breathing unchanged.

On the contrary, he himself was now panting heavily and sweating profusely.

His Taoist robe was soaked with sweat and clung tightly to his body.

His hands were shaking so badly that he could barely hold the crimson immortal sword that had been with him for many years.

In the final showdown, Peng Chang gritted his teeth.

He squeezed out the last bit of spiritual power from his meridians and unleashed the strongest move he had ever mastered.

A sword aura of fire, more solid and intense than ever before, flew out of his hand.

As the sword energy left his body, his legs went weak, and he collapsed to his knees with a thud.

He only managed to stay upright by using his sword to support himself on the ground.

Zhang Xiaofan simply flicked his sword, precisely shattering the formidable fiery sword aura.

Then he took two steps forward and used the tip of his longsword.

He skillfully supported Peng Chang's arm and helped him up from the ground.

"Can it hold on?"

Zhang Xiaofan asked in a low voice, his tone even carrying a hint of "professional" inquiry.

"If you pay a little more, I'll play with you until sunset."

Peng Chang: "..."

He wanted to cry but couldn't, he barely had the strength to shake his head, and could only manage a hoarse gasp from his throat:

"Enough...enough...enough indeed..."

If he continued fighting, he feared he would be worked to death.

It means being completely drained and becoming penniless.

Zhang Xiaofan nodded, deftly sheathed his sword, took three steps back, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said loudly:

"Brother Peng's cultivation is profound and his fire magic is superb. I admire him greatly."

Those were very well said, and they gave the person plenty of face.

Peng Chang opened his mouth, wanting to say something polite like "You're too kind,"

But my throat was so dry it felt like it was on fire, and I couldn't utter a single word.

He could only manage a bitter smile that was even uglier than crying.

He clasped his hands in a fist salute, then turned around and staggered off the stage.

That figure looked like it was walking on cotton, as if it might fall apart at any moment.

Below the stage, the disciples of Feng Hui Peak looked at each other, the atmosphere somewhat awkward.

They witnessed a "spectacular" and "evenly matched" protracted battle.

I think that although Senior Brother Peng lost, he was definitely a glorious one!

To be able to fight Zhang Xiaofan, who is so powerful, for so long...

Forcing the other party to use all their skills (as they thought) is already quite remarkable!

Only Zeng Shushu, who knew the inside story, covered his forehead in anguish, unable to bear to look any longer.

Money spent, and I'm exhausted. This "decency"... well, I guess I managed to salvage a tiny bit of it.

Master Zeng Shuchang announced the result at the opportune moment: "The winner of this battle is Zhang Xiaofan of Dazhu Peak."

Before his words had even finished, another, louder voice, carrying a certain expectation, resounded throughout the hall:

"As determined by drawing lots, tomorrow's quarterfinals will feature the first match between Zhang Xiaofan of Dazhu Peak and Lu Xueqi of Xiaozhu Peak!"

An eerie silence suddenly fell over the entire room.

Immediately afterwards, an even more heated discussion erupted, like a thunderous roar!

Zhang Xiaofan and Lu Xueqi, putting these two names together is like Mars colliding with Earth!

One is the biggest dark horse who suddenly appeared in this year's Seven Veins Martial Arts Tournament, whose sword skills amazed the audience and are unfathomable;

The other is a once-in-a-century genius of the Qingyun Sect, the master of the Tianya Divine Sword.

He had already mastered the "Divine Sword Thunder Control Technique".

This is definitely the most anticipated match of tomorrow!

Almost everyone's attention instantly returned to the arena.

Before Zhang Xiaofan could even get down, a figure as serene and aloof as moonlight appeared.

They had already climbed up the white jade steps, one by one.

It was Lu Xueqi.

The moon-white Taoist robe was dazzlingly white under the scorching afternoon sun, as if it had a cool filter on it.

Her ink-black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, making her exquisite face appear even more translucent, with her brows and eyes always displaying aloofness and coldness.

She stopped just three steps away from Zhang Xiaofan, cupped her hands in greeting,

The sound wasn't loud, but it reached the ears of everyone present clearly:

"Senior Brother Zhang, please enlighten me tomorrow."

Zhang Xiaofan looked at her and suddenly smiled.

Instead of returning the bow as customary, he took half a step forward, closing the distance between them.

"We're all old acquaintances, Junior Sister Xueqi, there's no need for such formalities."

His voice was low, carrying a familiar tone that only the two of them could understand, "Just call me Xiao Fan. Or..."

He seemed to suddenly recall some extremely ancient and somewhat wicked name.

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he suddenly stopped, as if he had choked on them.

He coughed lightly and quickly changed his words:

"——"

Lu Xueqi's long eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly.

She didn't respond immediately, but subconsciously looked up.

His gaze quickly swept towards the high platform, where the head of Xiaozhu Peak, Master Shuiyue, was located.

As expected, Master Shuiyue was staring intently in their direction, his gaze as sharp as a tangible blade.

It looked as if she was about to leap off the platform at any moment and tear this brat who dared to "tease" her precious apprentice to pieces.

Zhang Xiaofan, however, seemed completely oblivious to the murderous glare, and not only did he not soften his stance, he also...

Instead, he waved brightly towards the platform, calling out a greeting:

"Uncle-Master Shuiyue, it's been so long! How have you been?"

On the high platform, Master Shuiyue's hand, which was holding a teacup, suddenly tightened.

With a soft, crisp "crack," a clear crack appeared on the wall of the fine celadon teacup in her hand.