Zhong Changsheng in the crowd was furious. After being repeatedly provoked, he finally couldn't hold back. According to the rules, he had to accept the challenge. If he didn't, he would lose his third spot on the Divine Daoist List, and Li Cai would take his place.
Originally, the Divine Daoist Ranking could only be challenged at the beginning of each month, but this month was special and held in the middle of the month.
Today is the monthly ranking competition. Everyone is waiting for news about the elite group, while they are watching closely, because once a position is taken, there will be a chance to defend the arena.
In other words, after securing a leaderboard, a person must face another challenge and win two matches to secure their position. Choices and calculations are crucial here.
"If you want to die, I'll grant your wish."
Zhong Changsheng walked up. As soon as he entered, the runes on the barrier shifted, turning it into a sealed space where only sound could be transmitted.
"Did Long Chen have the nerve of a bear or a leopard for you?" How dare you challenge me? Although killing is not allowed here, fighting half to death is still not a problem. Zhong Changsheng's face darkened. He didn't take Li Cai seriously. He thought Long Chen was deliberately humiliating him, and even if he won, it would be unhonorable.
"If I lose, I don't care if I lose with my life. But Third Master said that if I don't defeat you, I'll just buy a block of tofu and crash myself into it."
I'm the leader of the elite squad, so I can't afford to lose face. So, sorry, I'm going to hit hard later. Be careful—if you get killed, don't blame me. As he spoke, Li Cai produced a broad sword as wide as a palm.
That was the weapon Long Chen had chosen for him, perfectly suited to his strength. He pointed his broad sword at Zhong Changsheng, his body slightly bent, his gaze sharp as an eagle's, and he invisibly radiated the aura of a master.
As soon as Li Cai took up his stance, both disciples and mentors were in an uproar. Li Cai's aura was so impressive that even outside the arena, it could be felt.
"How is this possible? How could this group of useless beings possess such overwhelming momentum? "
What exactly have they been through this month? It was as if he had been completely transformed. Although
it was just a posture, his movements, gaze, and steady sword-wielding stance were deeply moving, and people turned to look at Long Chen.
But they found Long Chen sitting in the seat of a mortal-level mentor, dozing off with his eyes closed, not even glancing at the arena. For a moment, people grew even more curious about Long Chen.
"Boom!"
At that moment, the stage had already begun. Li Cai exhaled loudly, gripping his broad sword with both hands, and charged straight at Zhong Changsheng. With a loud explosion, Zhong Changsheng was sent flying backward by Li Cai's sword.
"What?"
Everyone was shocked—Zhong Changsheng had actually been forced back by Li Cai's sword strike, suffering a loss in the very first move.
Zhong Changsheng was both shocked and furious. Li Cai's strength was astonishing; he was unable to withstand the attack and was forced back with a single blow.
Li Cai repelled the enemy with a single strike, and the elite disciples erupted in cheers. Li Cai's sword strike gave them tremendous confidence.
Because these last ten days were like hellish training, and Long Chen had almost completely worn down the confidence they had built up before.
"Sss..."
Light flickered on Zhong Changchang's long sword. With one thrust, hundreds of beams of light bloomed like a lotus, ever-changing and exquisitely crafted.
"He actually pulled out his ultimate move."
Mu Qingyun was startled. She had fought Zhong Changsheng several times and knew this was his killing move, yet he used it so quickly.
This move was unpredictable, full of illusions and reality, extremely difficult to resist. It was one of Zhong Changsheng's strongest moves.
To everyone's surprise, facing Zhong Changsheng's powerful attack, Li Cai did not retreat but advanced, charging into the sword light with his broad sword, slashing down like lightning.
With a loud explosion, the sword lights vanished. Zhong Changsheng was sent flying by Li Cai's sword, crashing into the barrier and bouncing back, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
"How is this possible?"
People exclaimed in shock, and even Mu Qingyun and the others looked shocked, unable to believe their eyes. Zhong Changsheng's ultimate move had been broken so easily?
"Whew!"
Li Cai's broad sword was already pressed against Zhong Changsheng's neck.
"You lost." Li Cai's words shocked the entire audience.
Two moves, just two moves—the third place on the Human Dao Ranking, and it actually changed hands like that? The entire venue fell silent.
"Good!"
The disciples of the elite group erupted in thunderous cheers, overjoyed. They finally understood that not all opponents were as monstrous as Long Chen.
Li Cai couldn't last three moves against Long Chen, and Zhong Changsheng, ranked third on the Human Dao List, hadn't lasted three moves either. This gave them a rough assessment of their own strength, and their previous frustration was gone.
They finally understood why, after returning, Long Chen never said any words of encouragement or gave them any instructions—because Long Chen knew their strength best.
"I refuse to accept this!"
Zhong Changsheng roared, his face twisted with ferocity. His shout made countless people look down on him. People who can't accept defeat like this are the ones to be looked down upon most.
"You don't accept it?" It's fine, I'll beat you until you admit defeat. I was taught by Third Master, I can't embarrass him.
I heard you even provoked Third Master? Then today I'll show you the dimensional gap between you and Third Master. After saying this, Li Cai actually withdrew his broad sword and stepped back a few paces.
Li Cai was filled with admiration for Long Chen and understood just how terrifying his progress had been over the past month. At this moment, he was full of confidence.
Seeing that Li Cai had actually given Zhong Changsheng a chance, the disciples present erupted in an uproar. Was this confidence or arrogance? He actually treated the third spot on the Divine Daoist Ranking like a joke. You have to understand, that position is envied by countless people—isn't he afraid of the duck he got flying away?
People looked at Long Chen, who was still dozing off with his eyes closed, indifferent to the outside world, as if he had truly fallen asleep.
"I was careless just now. This time, let's see how you can beat me."
Zhong Changsheng roared, his long sword radiating brilliantly, and a sharp glint appeared on the blade.
"Divine power outward?"
The disciples present exclaimed in surprise.
"Could it be that he has already ignited the seed of divine fire?"
You have to understand, only those who ignite the seed of divine fire can begin to unleash divine power, which is equivalent to having half a foot in the Divine Fire Realm.
"Die!"
Zhong Changsheng roared, his long sword soaring through the air, sending countless sword shadows flying across the sky. In an instant, they swallowed the entire arena. Even Mu Qingyun was startled. She hadn't expected that after just a month apart, Zhong Changsheng would condense a seed of divine fire.
"Buzz"
Facing the Sky-Filled SwordShadow, Li Cai shouted sharply, charging forward without hesitation, only to be instantly swallowed by the sword light.
"Boom!"
Another explosion rang out, and the sword lights in the sky vanished. Li Cai's chest was pierced, while Zhong Changsheng lay far away. He struggled to get up, but after several attempts, he suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and his body began to convulse.
"Quick, save them!"
Instructor Mingze shouted. Immediately, medical experts stepped forward to examine their bodies. On one hand, they were saving lives; on the other, since sometimes battles could result in mutual casualties, the one with the lighter injuries would be the winner.
"Zhong Changsheng has been defeated, and the third place on the Divine Daoist List has changed hands." After the inspection, the examiner announced on the spot.
"Next, let's continue competing for the leaderboard."
Mentor Yunyang looked at Li Cai, then at the dozing Long Chen, a meaningful smile appearing on his face as he spoke.
For a moment, the disciples of the elite group became excited, and it was time for them to perform.