Elderly Martial Saint: Sixty Times the Cultivation Speed at the Start

Chapter 190 The Only Hope

Pei Zongyue raised his hand to signal the start of the competition:

"The first match begins."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Hechang moved.

His left foot stepped into the platform, and the yellow soil collapsed half an inch.

He charged toward Xu Yu at the other end of the arena, his fists striking out alternately, each punch carrying the full power of a True Qi cultivator who had completed the Hundred Refinements stage.

Before the force of the punch even arrived, the debris on the table was already being pushed around by the energy.

boom! boom! boom!

He unleashed three punches in quick succession, pressing forward head-on. Wang Hechang's approach was the same as when he defended his title before: no fancy moves, just pure, overwhelming force.

Xu Yu turned to the side, his narrow sword pressed against the outer edge of his fist, and with a flick of his wrist, he redirected the force of his fist to the left.

Wang Hechang's punch missed, and after only taking half a step, his left fist shot out from under his ribs.

Xu Yu still didn't take the bait.

The sword tip struck the opponent's elbow, using the force to retreat three steps.

"So, you think the Xuanjian Pavilion can teach you to hide?"

Wang Hechang grinned and threw out two punches in quick succession.

Xu Yu did not answer.

The narrow sword circled around the fist, only touching it slightly with each collision.

No matter how powerful Wang Hechang's qi was, when it landed on his sword, it was always carried away into nothingness.

Ten moves.

Twenty moves.

Thirty moves.

The arena was covered with the fist marks left by Wang Hechang, but Xu Yu's cloth boots were not covered in much dust.

The discussion among the audience grew louder and louder.

"If Xu Yu keeps retreating, he'll eventually be forced to the edge of the stage."

"Wang Hechang's punches are powerful enough, but what's the use if he can't hit his target?"

"What's the rush? Martial artists who practice external martial arts have no shortage of strength."

Yi Yang stood below the stage, but his mental energy probed the arena.

He saw things that others couldn't.

Xu Yu's sword was covered with an extremely thin layer of qi. When the sword's edge touched the qi of the fist, a very small amount of force would always remain on the surface of the qi, without dissipating. That force was so subtle that it was difficult to detect, yet it became sharper with each strike.

The scratches on the sword's edge were very shallow.

But after thirty moves, Wang Hechang's protective aura had more than a dozen cracks.

This kid is using his sword intent to wear down his opponent's defense.

After thirty-five moves, Wang Hechang's breathing rhythm changed. The interval between each punch increased by half a breath.

Xu Yu, who had been waiting for this moment, had not yet made a move.

The narrow sword trembled.

The sword intent was suddenly released.

A flash of sword light shot out from the narrow blade, moving at an absurd speed. It grazed Wang Hechang's right arm, then turned to his left rib, and then to his back.

Three shallow marks appeared on Wang Hechang's skin.

Thin beads of blood seeped from that sculpted body, as fine as needle tips.

Not breached?

No, the opponent's protective aura has been broken!

However, the physical body was too tough, and the sword intent only cut through the surface.

Upon seeing this, Wang Hechang's expression changed.

He stopped his attack and took two steps back.

The three shallow marks on his body sent a chill down his spine. This kid had appeared to be dodging during those thirty moves, but in reality, he'd been searching for weaknesses in his internal energy.

Can't delay any longer.

Wang Hechang lowered his legs, pushing his own cultivated skill, "The Fierce Mountain Journey Technique," to its limit. Earthy yellow qi surged from his skin, flesh, and fascia, flowing into his arms.

Two fists strike together.

"Mountain-Defending Fist!"

The table shattered, and the force of the punch was like a mountain, covering three zhang in front.

This strike was the same move that Yi Yang used against Xue Muci before. Yi Yang had personally witnessed the power of this punch on the rocky slope.

However, Wang Hechang's skill was more profound, and his stance was more stable.

Facing this powerful punch, Xu Yu, who was standing with his sword, did not retreat.

Instead, he took a step forward, sheathing his narrow sword at his waist, the tip of the sword aimed directly at the center of his fist.

"The very center? That's not where Wang Hechang's strength is at its peak."

Yi Yang narrowed his eyes and thought to himself.

But the next moment, Xu Yu drew his sword.

The point where the sword tip pierces is not the center of the fist's movement, but two inches below the center.

That point is the junction where the two streams of energy meet, the weakest gap between them.

"Broken Army Stance".

The moment the narrow sword pierced the gap, all the sword intent accumulated on the blade for thirty-five moves was unleashed.

Wang He, struck by a sword, did not stop his forward steps.

The next instant, the fist energy dispersed from within.

The energy scatters to both sides, and the fragments hit the table surface, creating dozens of small craters.

The remaining sword energy pierced through Wang Hechang's arms, causing him to stagger back five steps.

When he landed on the fifth step, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

Wang He looked down at the crisscrossing cracks on his arms, then at Xu Yu, who was sitting opposite him, whose breathing was perfectly steady, and reluctantly admitted defeat:

"I lost."

Pei Zongyue announced that Xu Yu had advanced to the semifinals.

The audience erupted in uproar.

Yi Yang shifted the tiger's roar from his shoulder to the other side, a hint of seriousness appearing in his eyes.

Xu Yu's swordsmanship style is completely opposite to mine.

His Four Symbols and Six Harmonies Blade technique relied on accumulating power and overwhelming force head-on, while Xu Yu's approach was precise cutting and using skill to overcome strength.

If I meet him in the semifinals...

Yi Yang suppressed this thought and decided to look at what came next.

In the second match, Gu Zhang from the Zhiwen Division faced off against Kong Wu from the Jinyang Temple.

As soon as the fat monk named Kongwu stepped onto the stage, the entire arena shook.

This man weighed at least 300 pounds, his belly stretched his monk's robes to a full circle, the flesh on his belly layered upon layered, but under the cover of true qi, that fat was as hard as an iron plate.

Kong Wu was broad and stout. After standing on the platform, he put his hands together in prayer, his belly making his monk's robe look round.

Gu Zhang circled him twice and asked in confusion:

"Master Kongwu, you must eat a lot to get that much fat on you, right?"

Kong Wu lowered his eyelids and responded indifferently:

"The temple serves vegetarian food."

"The radishes in your temple must be quite nourishing."

A few low chuckles came from the audience.

Kong Wu looked up at him and slowly asked:

"Mr. Gu, shall we fight or not?"

"beat."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Zhang flashed forward and was already close to Kong Wu's right side.

He unleashed six palm strikes in succession, each one avoiding the front and targeting the armpits, sides, and back of the neck.

The palm strike may not appear strong on the surface, but the underlying force is layered upon layer.

However, Gu Zhang's hidden force had no effect on Kong Wu.

Golden energy circulated along the skin and flesh, blocking all the hidden force.

After unleashing twenty consecutive attacks, Kong Wu's golden aura was worn down layer by layer, but it recovered even faster than it was worn down.

Gradually, Gu Zhang's internal energy began to stagnate.

Kong Wu was waiting for this moment.

"Mr. Gu."

"It's my turn."

After speaking, the fat monk clasped his hands together and struck out with one palm.

At this moment, Gu Zhang had exhausted his old strength. He had only taken half a step back when the golden palm force had already reached his chest.

Mighty Vajra Palm.

Gu Zhang's protective aura was broken after only a short while.

Gu Zhang left the arena and landed three zhang away. He tried to push himself up twice with his hands, but failed.

Kong Wu put his palms together and said:

"Thank you for your concession."

Gu Zhang, lying on the ground, raised his head and said helplessly:

"Master, your radish is really strong."

Kong Wu put his hands together and recited a Buddhist chant.

In the third match, Zheng Yan from Cangwu Mountain faced off against Wu Dingshan from the Wu family.

When Zheng Yan stepped onto the stage, his whisk hung at his side. Three thousand silver threads clung to the pole, unfolding one by one as true energy flowed into them.

Wu Dingshan cultivated the "Turtle Spirit Suppressing Mountain Skill," possessing a robust inner energy. He launched a close-quarters attack as soon as he stepped onto the stage, giving Zheng Yan no chance to create distance.

The two exchanged more than fifty blows.

Wu Dingshan pressed his fists down, while Zheng Yan swung his whisk back and forth, the silver threads wrapping around his wrists and shoulders several times, only to be forcibly broken off by Wu Dingshan.

The tabletop was uneven from the two people stepping on it.

After another ten moves, Wu Dingshan's breathing slowed down, and the protective aura on his shoulders and back thinned by three-tenths.

Zheng Yan finally stopped retreating.

He turned his wrist, and the silver threads of the whisk split into dozens of strands, which flowed around Wu Dingshan's sides.

"Dragon-Binding Rope"

Three thousand silver threads are gathered together.

Wu Dingshan's arms were trapped at his sides, and the qi from his body kept attacking him, but the more he struggled, the tighter the defense became.

The silver threads cut into his protective aura, gradually consuming his strength.

Wu Dingshan held on for more than ten breaths, bending his knees down half an inch.

The Wu family elder sat on the edge of the high platform, his dough taut.

"Dingshan, I admit defeat."

Wu Dingshan gritted his teeth and struggled again.

The silver threads had already pressed down onto her clothes.

He closed his eyes.

"I surrender."

Zheng Yan put away his whisk, bowed, and stepped back.

Pei Zongyue announced that Zheng Yan had advanced.

The first three games have ended.

Xu Yu from Xuanjian Pavilion, Kong Wu from Jinyang Temple, and Zheng Yan from Cangwu Mountain—three representatives from external forces—occupied three of the top four spots.

The patrols of the various departments of the Sky Patrol Bureau became much quieter.

Someone couldn't help but mutter under their breath, "If we choose our own commanders, we can't let an outsider take both the top and deputy positions."

The person next to him chimed in.

"The last battle is a civil war; at least one of them can survive."

"Why does what you're saying make me feel even more aggrieved?"

Pei Zongyue picked up the last two wooden sticks.

"The fourth match."

"Xiao Yunhe, the Judge of Punishment."

"Youquan Si Yiyang".

All eyes in the training ground were on the two of them.

Xiao Yunhe took the stage first.

She wore a form-fitting outfit with a narrow belt around her waist, and her long hair was tied in a high ponytail. Her right hand rested on the soft sword at her waist, and she looked at Yi Yang after standing still.

Yi Yang carried the Tiger Roar onto the arena.

The 72-pound knife landed on the ground, and a section of the table surface dented downwards.

All eyes in the room immediately turned to him.

civil war.

The last two people in the Sky Patrol system met.

But no matter who wins, at least one spot in the Sky Patrol Division will be secured among the top four.

Xiao Yunhe clasped his hands in a fist and tentatively said:

"Lord Yi, I was itching to fight back when I saw that strike you used to defeat Jingchen."

"I guess I'm lucky to have run into this today."

Yi Yang glanced at the soft sword at her waist and praised it:

"Lord Xiao first concealed his cultivation level, then sent Zhou Fangyu off the stage with a single punch."

"I remember this skill very clearly."

Zhou Fangyu, sitting in the audience, clutched his chest, looking very distressed.

"You can fight all you want, but can you please stop bringing me up all the time?"

Xiao Yunhe drew her soft sword.

The sword hung down to the ground, emitting a continuous hum as the wrist flicked.

"Then don't be shy."

Pei Zongyue waved.

"start."

Xiao Yunhe stomped the ground and charged forward.

The soft sword turned repeatedly in mid-air, and several sword energies attacked Yi Yang's shoulder, waist, and knees simultaneously.

Yi Yang unleashed his spiritual power, and the sword path became clearly defined within his spiritual platform.

The tiger roared and swept across.

The soft sword touched the blade, but instead of bouncing off, it wrapped around the back of the blade. The tip of the sword circled halfway around and headed straight for Yi Yang's wrist.

Yi Yang loosened his left hand and activated his true energy with his right arm.

The tiger's roar reverberated continuously.

The soft sword was knocked away by the force.

Yi Yang took half a step forward and slashed down with his heavy sword.

"Houfeng".

Xiao Yunhe stepped aside.

The tiger's roar struck the tabletop, and the cracks extended forward.

Just as she was about to create some distance, Yi Yang's blade had already slashed diagonally across her.

"Ruifeng".

Their escape route was blocked.

Xiao Yunhe could only parry with his sword.

Swords clashed, and the soft sword bent into a crescent shape. Xiao Yunhe took three steps back, swinging her right arm down twice.

This old man's strength is unreasonable.

In his hands, the 72-pound heavy sword was as fast as an ordinary horizontal sword.

If you stay close, she'll be forced off the ring.

Xiao Yunhe adjusted the Qi mechanism.

Dozens of tiny strands of qi extended from her body, spreading towards Yi Yang along the ground and into the air.

Xiao Zhengyan looked at the arena, his hand on the hilt of his sword stopping.

"A net of a thousand threads."

Someone in the audience recognized this as a genuine skill.

"Xiao Yunhe has even mastered this?"

"The qi transforms into threads, which will entangle the meridians upon contact. No matter how heavy Yi Yang's sword is, it will be unable to be lifted once it is trapped."

The protective energy threads sealed off the surrounding area.

Yi Yang did not retreat.

The true energy of the Yi Wood penetrated into the tiger's roar, and the azure energy clung to the blade, layer upon layer.

The Four Symbols and Six Harmonies Knife.

A blue dragon emerges from the abyss.

The heavy sword slashed forward.

The dark green blade pressed down on the arena, and the opposing energy threads snapped one after another.

The ease in Xiao Yunhe's eyes vanished.

She gripped the soft sword with both hands and poured all her remaining true energy into the blade.

The curved soft sword straightened.

"The Heart-Piercing Rope!"

The sword's edge was aimed straight for the throat.

That sword strike was too fast.

Yi Yang focused his mental energy three feet in front of him, capturing the trajectory of the sword tip's deviation.

Turn your neck half an inch to the right.

The sword's edge grazed the flesh, leaving a thin cut.

At the same time, the tiger roared and flipped.

The back of the knife struck Xiao Yunhe's wrist.

The soft sword flew from her hand and stuck in the edge of the arena. The True Qi of the Wood on the back of the blade then pressed into her shoulder and arm.

Xiao Yunhe took five steps back, blood seeping from her lips.

After she regained her footing, she glanced at her empty hands, then looked at the tiger's roar that was held in front of her shoulder.

"OK."

"Lord Yi is a cut above the rest."

"I surrender."

Pei Zongyue raised his hand to announce.

"Yi Yang wins, advancing to the semifinals!"

Cheers erupted from the Sky Patrol Division's ranks.

Yi Yang sheathed his sword and stepped down from the stage.

The final four teams have been determined.

Xu Yu of Xuanjian Pavilion.

Kōbō-ji Temple.