CHAPTER 289: CHAPTER 289, THE RANKINGS CLEAR

The technique "Cloud Ascension," cultivated by Chu Ming, had reached the realm of Mastery. Once unleashed, countless clouds transformed into swords!

Puff puff puff...

In an instant, the blue waves were shattered into pieces by the countless sword lights, scattering in all directions.

"Puff..."

Bai Hanyan’s eyes flashed with a hint of unwillingness and was immediately blasted off the stage.

Chu Ming, victorious!

With the completion of the fourth day’s competition, numerous disciples exited the Central Hall, heading towards their respective courtyards.

Returning to his courtyard, Chu Ming entered into a state of cultivation!

On the fifth day, the competition began early.

In the six hundred and twenty-third match, Ning Fei encountered Gu Muling. Though Gu Muling was quite strong, to date, everyone still didn’t know the limits of Ning Fei’s abilities and hoped Gu Muling would probe a bit.

"Perhaps only you can compete with him this year."

Gu Muling glanced down at Mo Ling, indifferent and expressed with some regret. He believed his own strength was inferior to Ning Fei.

"His strength is formidable. I probably can’t defeat him either."

Ning Fei shook her head. She had originally thought that by cultivating "Cold Ice-Breaking Fist" to the Transformation Realm, she could contend with Mo Ling. But seeing it now, though she had made significant progress, Mo Ling had made even greater strides.

"If I am not mistaken, you still have a trump card you haven’t used. Show it, otherwise, it won’t be easy for you to beat me."

Gu Muling’s body emitted a faint blood aura as he slowly spoke.

Boom!

Just as his words fell, Ning Fei’s body moved, a dark shadow rushed directly towards Gu Muling, enveloping Gu Muling completely with a terrifying blue fist force.

Boom!

Gu Muling’s expression did not change, his foot lightly trembled, and his short stature turned into a puff of green smoke dissipating into the air, reappearing behind Ning Fei.

Boom!

A palm strike sent blood aura roaring, the air exploded piece by piece, with terrifying white waves radiating in all directions. The faces of the spectators below all changed at this moment, as Gu Muling’s strength was obviously much more powerful than before.

"Hiding his strength?"

Chu Ming squinted his eyes, unfazed. When he faced Gu Muling, he felt an implicit sense that Gu Muling had hidden his strength.

Crack!

However, even though Gu Muling hid his power, he was still not Ning Fei’s match. In just over twenty moves, Gu Muling fell completely into a passive state!

Boom!

Gu Muling’s blood palm flew out, simultaneously his body flew backward, countless streaks of blood oozing from around him, making him look exceptionally terrifying.

"Blood Demon Devouring God!"

A blurry blood-colored silhouette emerged from Gu Muling’s body, transforming into a remnant shadow that swelled in the air, almost instantly engulfing Ning Fei with its wide-open mouth!

The spectators’ faces changed dramatically, as this move was clearly prepared just for Ning Fei.

Having used this move, Gu Muling didn’t dare be complacent and quickly retreated!

"Cold Ice-Breaking Fist! Explode!"

A delicate shout echoed from within the blood shadow, followed by a terrifying blue fist shadow bursting out from inside. Almost instantly, the blood shadow was shredded to pieces.

Ning Fei emerged slowly from the blood shadow, unscathed. Gu Muling sighed lightly and directly conceded.

In the six hundred and fifty-second match, Ning Fei faced Qi Long, Ning Fei won!

At this moment, Qi Long’s rank was determined as sixth!

Among the top five were Mo Ling, Ning Fei, Chu Ming, Gu Muling, and Bai Hanyan!

Based on the previous matches and accumulated points, the fourth and fifth ranks were between Gu Muling and Bai Hanyan, while Mo Ling, Ning Fei, and Chu Ming contended for the top three positions.

Among the three, Mo Ling was undoubtedly the favorite to win, given his strength and reputation. If there were no surprises, Ning Fei probably wouldn’t be his match!

As for Chu Ming, he was the least favored to win. Having joined the Celestial Travel Sect just months ago, reaching this stage was already an incredible achievement, further progress would match the heights of Ancient Sword Peak.

In the six hundred and ninety-third match, Gu Muling faced Bai Hanyan!

Gu Muling’s "Blood Demon Devouring God" was powerful, but Bai Hanyan’s special constitution made Gu Muling slightly inferior in terms of endurance in battle.

Gu Muling ranked fifth, Bai Hanyan ranked fourth!

At this moment, in the arena, Mo Ling, Ning Fei, and Chu Ming stood in a triangular standoff!

In the seven hundred and twenty-third match, Mo Ling faced Ning Fei!

The two stood ten steps apart on the stage, one was last year’s champion, the other last year’s runner-up.

In the high guest seats, a row of young men and women sat. The oldest among them was no more than twenty years old, the youngest only seventeen or eighteen, all wearing the Celestial Travel Sect’s attire, though theirs appeared more elegant.

The aura of these individuals was immensely pure and vast, almost half of them could contend with Mo Ling, and a few even far surpassed him. They sat casually, chatting and laughing, unaffected by the intense atmosphere on stage, giving off a deeply oppressive feeling.

"Liu Feng, who do you think will win between these two?" asked a delicate-looking youth to the cold-faced boy beside him.

The cold-faced boy replied indifferently, "Boring!"

The delicate youth smiled bitterly, "No need to be so cold!" Turning to the white-robed youth beside him, he asked, "Hua Senior Brother, what do you think?"

Hua Dong pondered momentarily and said, "Mo Ling’s ’Black Jade Body Refining Technique’ has reached Perfection; he will surely win. However, Ning Fei’s strength is not to be underestimated. Mo Ling may win, but it won’t be easy."

"So Mo Ling will be the Inner Sect champion again this year?"

The delicate youth muttered discontentedly.

Though they were true disciples, few had become Inner Sect champions. After all, the Inner Sect tournament was held only once every three years, encountering it once was considered fortunate. Seeing Mo Ling compete twice made them envious.

This time, Hua Dong remained silent. In fact, he could discern subtle details about Ning Fei and Mo Ling’s strengths, but among the three, Chu Ming was the one he couldn’t fathom.

"If I am not mistaken, your ’Black Jade Body Refining Technique’ has reached Perfection."

Ning Fei frowned slightly, even standing apart from Mo Ling, she could clearly feel the terrifying pressure emanating from him!

"Hasn’t your ’Cold Ice-Breaking Fist’ also reached Transformation Realm?"

Mo Ling said coldly, his body slightly trembling, a black light coursing swiftly under his skin, appearing profoundly deep.

"Feel free to make your move, perhaps you can force me to use my tenth strike!"

Mo Ling spoke slowly again.

"Hmph!"

Ning Fei snorted coldly. Although she believed herself to not be Mo Ling’s match, his attitude made her exceptionally uncomfortable.