CHAPTER 139 – NEXT!

Li Guanqi had defeated three disciples of the Profound Gate Pavilion in a row. His strength was undeniable.

Everyone present acknowledged his power. He remained calm no matter who stood before him. News of his prior feats had spread like wildfire, and now, all eyes were on him—everyone wanted to see just how far he could go.

Soon enough, the fourth disciple stepped onto the stage. He was a muscular youth.

He gave Li Guanqi no time to breathe, launching a violent flurry of attacks. His gaze sharpened with each strike, as if he didn’t care what injuries he suffered, as long as he could kill Li Guanqi in exchange.

But Li Guanqi moved like he was out for a stroll, slipping effortlessly through the storm of blows. The moment an opening appeared, he struck—three swift slashes with the sword in his right hand. His sword sliced through the youth’s palm, the tip of the blade halting just a finger’s length from his eye.

The youth gulped and said hoarsely, “I’ve lost...”

Fifth opponent! Three moves!

Sixth opponent! Seven moves!

The audience watched with bated breath. The Profound Gate Pavilion disciples fought harder than ever, spurred by their elders’ fury and scoldings. These were no ordinary cultivators—they were the elite of their sect.

Spells! Talismans! Sword techniques!

They threw everything they had at Li Guanqi. His vital force drained rapidly under the relentless pressure, and wounds began to accumulate across his body.

After severing the ninth disciple’s hand, Li Guanqi, now swaying on his feet, plunged his sword into the ground to steady himself and straightened his back proudly. His face was as pale as a sheet, but his blurry gaze swept across the stage as he roared, “Next!”

Whoosh!

A cold-faced youth leaped onto the stage. His aura was powerful. He looked solemnly at the wounded Li Guanqi, not daring to underestimate him. Whenever the crowd thought Li Guanqi would fall, he proved them wrong.

Li Guanqi’s mind remained clear as he strolled toward his next opponent. He resisted the urge to switch the Emerald Wolf Sword to his left hand. The battle would be tough, but it still wasn’t time to use his trump card.

Boom!

The instant Ge Qing signaled the start of the match, the opponent unleashed his strongest attack. Despite standing more than ten zhang away, the edge of his metal vital force stung Li Guanqi’s skin.

Li Guanqi stood motionless. The crowd tensed.

Ge Qing, who was up in the air, narrowed his eyes slightly. Even Long Qu, hidden in an illusory space, gasped softly.

The cut-ridden Li Guanqi slowly raised his sword, and his entire aura transformed instantly. The calm youth who once seemed like still water now surged with power, like a tsunami rising from the sea.

Sword force!

The Nascent Soul Realm cultivators were stunned. Even the most skilled sword cultivators only achieved sword intent after years of training and enlightenment, which was preceded by mastering sword force. Yet this youth already grasped it.

How could they not be shocked?

The Profound Gate Pavilion disciple sensed the immense sword force. The sword force before him felt like a crashing tsunami threatening to engulf his fragile self.

Li Guanqi’s brow furrowed slightly. Determination flared in his eyes, and his unshakable fighting spirit stirred unease in the hearts of many.

Arcs of purple lightning burst from his body like a raging river, crackling and layering over one another. His sword let out a resonant cry.

With one step, Li Guanqi raised his sword and swung with terrifying strength, boosted by his last shred of vital force. A spray of blood erupted from his right arm.

He had been too weak to maintain his spirit void after the sixth disciple. This was going to be his last strike.

Boom!

Li Guanqi roared, “Lightning Tide!”

Lightning Tide was a sword technique he formulated while training under the Millennium Waterfall. It was the crystallization of his insights.

His opponent, still several zhang away, had no time to dodge. All he could do was pour his vital force into his sword, which blazed with a blinding golden light. He quickly retreated seven steps to evade Li Guanqi’s attack.

Boom!

Sharp metal vital force erupted from his sword, aimed directly at Li Guanqi’s spirit void.

Li Guanqi’s spirit void trembled.

The youth shouted, “Thousand Sword Slash!”

His sword split into over one hundred holograms that shot toward Li Guanqi.

Boom!

The stone tiles within a dozen zhang of Li Guanqi exploded. The entire arena quaked as a figure was blasted dozens of zhang away.

Boom!

The figure lay on the ground, unmoving. His breath was very weak.

Amidst the settling dust, a lone figure stood upright at the center of the stage.

Drip. Drip!

Blood soaked through Li Guanqi’s clothes. Every wound on his body had opened anew. His long black hair hung in damp strands over his face.

All eyes were on him.

And then, his voice rang out.

Heavenly Tiger Mountain fell utterly silent. No one dared breathe. Everyone listened.

“N... next... one...” Li Guanqi muttered, his voice faint and slurred.

Even Qin Xian, whose heart was like steel, burst into tears.

Li Nanting turned into a ray of light, rushing toward the stage. He caught the battered youth in his arms, holding him close. Gently patting his back, the old man choked out, “There... there’s no next one. You’ve won... You’ve won.”

Only then did the full weight of the battles crash upon the crowd. Li Guanqi had single-handedly defeated ten cultivators of equal realm in succession.

The first round of the Hell Challenge had ended in absolute triumph. And the opponents were from the Profound Gate Pavilion, part of the renowned Three Sects and Six Pavilions.

Countless people erupted in cheers.

Incredible!

That was the word on everyone’s lips. As for Li Guanqi himself, they spared no praise. He had earned it. Every voice called him a once-in-a-lifetime prodigy.

Upon hearing Li Nanting’s words, Li Guanqi finally let go. His eyes fluttered shut, and he collapsed into the old man’s arms.

Cradling the unconscious youth, Li Nanting soared into the sky and left Heavenly Tiger Mountain.

Meanwhile, the Daxia Sword Sect’s ranking shot up to twelfth place.