I manage female characters in all the heavens.

Ma Xiaotian, Mu Nianci, Yang Tiexin, Zhou Botong, Hong Qigong, Qiu Qianren, Aldashir, and others have all found their own adversaries.

The entire arena instantly transformed into a chaotic battlefield.

Of the sixteen people, some were locked in combat with each other, some were launching a coordinated attack, some were watching from the sidelines, waiting for an opportunity, and some were even fighting two or three people at the same time.

This is a completely chaotic free-for-all with no rules.

One second, I might be hitting you; the next second, it might be you and me hitting him together; and the next second after that, it might be you and him teaming up to hit me.

Each of them possesses unique skills and distinct styles, yet they have all honed their martial arts to the pinnacle of their time. Every move they make is full of mystery and destructive power, making their battles dazzling and spectacular.

This is a completely unregulated free-for-all. You can use any dirty tricks or magical techniques you want, even lime powder, and no one will say anything against you. Everything is for the sake of victory.

The thick bluestone floor tiles quickly began to crack during the fierce battle between the sixteen people.

With each collision of energy, cracks spread rapidly, shattering pieces of bluestone, lifting them up, and then turning them into dust by the scattered energy.

Dust and gravel filled the air, enveloping the entire arena like a sandstorm.

Various kinds of energy, sword energy, palm force, finger force, and flying pebbles scattered and flew everywhere like a storm.

The rubble was carried away by the strong wind and flew out of the arena, even flying to the stands more than ten feet away, hitting the stands and leaving them riddled with holes.

The expressions of the hundreds of martial artists watching the battle immediately changed.

"Retreat—retreat quickly!"

"This arena is no longer safe!"

"Run!"

The martial artists who were originally sitting in the stands no longer cared about spectator etiquette and stood up to retreat to the back of the stands.

Some were slower to run and were hit by flying stones, vomiting blood and collapsing on the spot, looking quite pathetic. Some were even unlucky enough to be hit on the head and die on the spot.

Even just watching a sword duel carries the risk of death.

The hundreds of martial artists on the stands retreated to a safer area further away, gazing at the arena that had been turned into a rubble field, their faces showing expressions of shock and disbelief.

Only that magnificent golden palace still stands in the same place.

Not a single pebble could get within three zhang of the palace.

All the flying stones, dust, and even the various sharp energies that were heading towards the palace disappeared silently three zhang away from the palace, as if they had been swallowed up by an invisible force.

Inside the palace, the figure in white remained seated quietly on the throne.

She didn't even look up at the ring where the fighting was taking place.

He would only occasionally pick up his wine glass, take a sip, and then continue stroking the Listening Rain Sword on his lap, seemingly unconcerned about the lively melee.

To show off, you have to go all out. At times like this, you can't look at anything, no matter how much you want to, or your coolness will plummet!

Soon, the first person to give up was defeated.

Mu Nianci.

Her martial arts skills were indeed the weakest among the sixteen. Although she had been taught a lot by "Li Mochou", her foundation was still shallow. In the melee, she was hit on the shoulder by Qiu Qianren's iron palm, and she spat out a mouthful of blood on the spot. She flew off the stage and fell heavily to the ground. She struggled for a few moments before she could barely stand up.

She bit her lip, her face full of resentment.

But she knew she had done her best.

Yang Tiexin followed closely behind.

Although his Yang Family Spear and Wind and Thunder Break techniques were quite powerful, his foundation was too shallow. In a clash with Dorje Tenzin's Vajra Pestle, the iron spear finally couldn't withstand the immense force and broke in half, sending him flying off the stage.

He knew he had lost, and he accepted it wholeheartedly.

Next came Xiao Hong, Ma Xiaotian, Wu Santong, and Huang Rong, who were also defeated one after another in the melee, either being blasted off the stage by their opponents or voluntarily jumping off the stage to admit defeat.

Soon after, Qiu Qianren, Dorje Tenzin, and Ardashir also succumbed to their injuries, retreating repeatedly in the ensuing battles and eventually being knocked off the stage, spitting blood and collapsing to the ground.

Only four of the Five Greats – Huang Yaoshi, Ouyang Feng, Master Yideng, and Hong Qigong – and three other recently rising stars – Lin Yunshuang, Guo Jing, and Zhou Botong – remained on the field.

Chapter 146 If this is martial arts, then what am I practicing? (I'm being lazy today, so this is only 4,000 words)

The number of experts was reduced from sixteen to seven, but the intensity of the battle actually increased.

The seven of them went all out without any reservations, throwing themselves wholeheartedly into the duel.

As their moves clashed, their thoughts and beliefs also clashed fiercely.

Each contact is like two flints rubbing together, sparking brilliant and dazzling flashes of thought.

All sorts of inspirations are born in battle, and are quickly integrated into one's own moves in the fierce confrontation, making oneself stronger and more perfect.

Their movements became faster and faster, their techniques more and more exquisite, and their power more and more concentrated.

The same martial art can have drastically different power and variations when used at different times.

The seven fought more and more fiercely, becoming increasingly engrossed in the battle.

They seemed to have forgotten that this was a sword competition to determine the best in the world, and were completely immersed in the world of martial arts.

Every exchange is a collision of hearts, a testament to and inspiration for each other's martial arts.

Seven figures crisscrossed on the shattered arena, fighting fiercely and dazzlingly.

The audience watched from afar, filled with amazement.

"This...this is a true martial arts master!"

Compared to them, I've wasted decades practicing martial arts!

"To witness such a showdown in my lifetime, even death would be worthwhile!"

And just as this fierce battle reached its climax—

A long howl suddenly rang out from the horizon!

The howling sound grew louder and brighter as it approached from afar, like a giant dragon roaring in the sky.

The sound contained an extremely pure and powerful surge of true energy, causing everyone present to feel a pain in their eardrums and a surge of blood and qi.

The owner of that howling sound also pierced the sky at an extremely fast speed, instantly arriving above the summit of Mount Hua from the distant horizon!

It was a figure dressed in green.

He wore a blue robe, had a handsome face, and looked to be no more than thirty years old, but his eyes were extremely deep, as if they contained countless years of vicissitudes.

His movements were as graceful as an immortal, like a large blue bird that swooped down from the sky and directly entered the gap between the seven people fighting!

Then--

A dazzling sword light exploded out!

The sword light was as dazzling as a shooting star, as if it illuminated the entire sky.

A concentrated, pure power appeared within the sword light. That power was not domineering, but it carried a sharp penetrating force, as if it could pierce through everything!

"boom--!!!"

The sword light collided violently with the seven people's energy, producing a deafening roar!

Lin Yunshuang, Guo Jing, Huang Yaoshi, Hong Qigong, Zhou Botong, Master Yideng, and Ouyang Feng—the seven of them simultaneously felt a terrifying killing intent approaching and instinctively retreated several feet!

The newcomer was a complete stranger, someone no one recognized, but his strength was astonishing, capable of forcing Huang Yaoshi and his seven companions to retreat with just one sword.

The dust on the arena gradually dissipated, revealing the figure of the man in blue.

He stood in the center of the arena, holding an unremarkable longsword that could be bought for just five taels of silver. His clothes fluttered in the wind, and his expression remained calm.

The sword light just now was stunning, but his expression was as if he had just casually swung the sword, not caring at all.

However, upon seeing the newcomer's appearance, "Li Mochou" sat up straight. She recognized him as the person standing next to Liu Zhifei in the photo that had been found in Liu Zhifei's house.

So that means he's a time traveler.

"Excuse me, everyone, for disturbing your enjoyment." He clasped his hands in greeting, looked around, and smiled slightly. "I am Gu Xilou, the owner of Zuixianlou Restaurant in Jiaxing. I have come here today to participate in the Huashan Sword Competition."

These words caused an uproar in the audience.

"The owner of Zuixianlou?"

"The one who gave the Immortal Venerable the Listening to Rain Sword?"

"The person who got the Immortal Venerable to advertise?!"

"...How can he be so strong? He single-handedly forced back seven top experts?!"

"What's going on? Wasn't Drunken Immortal Pavilion just a joke the Immortal Venerable was playing on everyone? Is there really a master here?"

Gu Xilou noticed the scrutinizing gaze from the throne, turned around, and looked towards the palace: "Miss Li, it's been over a year since I last saw you, and you've become even more charming."

Li Mochou raised an eyebrow: "I didn't expect you to have such strength. Why did you give me the Listening Rain Sword in the first place?"

Gu Xilou smiled slightly and said that the reason he gave Li Mochou the Listening to Rain Sword was because he saw at a glance that Li Mochou was extraordinary and had a limitless future.

He had long since mastered martial arts to an extraordinary level. He had secretly observed the Five Greats, renowned throughout the world, and they were no match for him.

So he lost interest, sheathed his sword, and lived a leisurely life as a shopkeeper, no longer concerning himself with the martial world. He didn't even ask the Quanzhen Sect about the death of his good friend Liu Zhifei.

However, upon seeing "Li Mochou," his long-dormant fighting spirit was reignited, and he felt that "Li Mochou" had reached his level and would give him a chance to fight to his heart's content.

So he took his sword, Tingyu Sword, from the armory and presented it to her. This was both an investment in "Li Mochou" and a declaration of war.

He originally thought that, no matter what, it would take Li Mochou at least ten or twenty years to reach a level where she could fight him.

Only a few months later, before he could even react, "Li Mochou" had grown into the Great Sun Immortal Venerable, capable of destroying a country single-handedly, her strength clearly far surpassing his own.

He can't fight to his heart's content now, and he's not willing to just take a beating.

Fortunately, he saw another opportunity at the Mount Hua Sword Tournament today. He wanted to fight against Huang Yaoshi and the other seven on his own, to elevate himself in the battle, and to reach a higher level before fighting against "Li Mochou". He hoped everyone would grant his request.

He turned his gaze to the throne: "After I break through, Miss Li, let us have a final battle at the peak, without regrets even if it means death."

His words were clearly heard throughout the entire summit of Mount Hua.

Everyone was stunned.

This guy wants to take on seven people at once?!

One against seven! And these were Huang Yaoshi, Guo Jing, and Master Yideng!

Everyone present knew that these people were already beyond the level of the Five Greats!