On the challenge stage, Li Xuan directly sat down cross-legged and continued to temper his sword energy.
To prevent anyone from disturbing his tempering, Li Xuan specifically asked the referee if he could wait on the challenge stage. Upon receiving the referee's permission, Li Xuan was naturally too lazy to wait on the top-ranked seat any longer.
Time passed, and by the evening of the second day, Li Xuan's eyes slowly opened. At the same time, a figure arrived at the challenge stage.
"You want to challenge?" Li Xuan asked directly upon seeing the arrival.
The man was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "War Sect, Zhan Yi."
"I'll unleash one sword, and if you can withstand it, I'll admit defeat," Li Xuan stated directly.
Zhan Yi's expression immediately turned grim. He was, after all, a cultivator at the intermediate Martial God realm. How could Li Xuan be so arrogant?
"Alright." Zhan Yi quickly composed himself. No weakling could achieve such fame; Li Xuan's reputation was built on countless battles. Though Zhan Yi felt indignant at Li Xuan's words, he dared not show any contempt in his heart.
Hearing this, Li Xuan immediately acted. The Soul Shocking sword in his hand slashed down. Then, Li Xuan directly put away Soul Shocking, and without even looking at Zhan Yi, he sat down cross-legged on the spot.
*Pfft!*
A piercing sound rang out, and Zhan Yi was sent flying. Zhan Yi staggered to regain his footing and then looked down, his face filled with terror. The protective mirror on his chest had been shattered.
"I lose."
Zhan Yi looked at Li Xuan, who had already sat down cross-legged with his eyes closed, his expression complex. He had never expected to be unable to withstand Li Xuan's single sword strike.
If he hadn't been wearing a Heaven-grade protective mirror, he would have likely perished from that sword strike. Even with the protective mirror, Zhan Yi's chest still bore a sword mark an inch deep. Zhan Yi knew that Li Xuan had held back.
"This battle, Li Xuan of the Southern Region wins," the referee announced. Zhan Yi clasped his hands in a salute to Li Xuan and then turned to leave.
"Li Xuan has won again," someone in the crowd commented with a complicated expression.
"Only two people have challenged Li Xuan, but both were prodigies and Holy Sons from the Six Great Sacred Lands. Moreover, both were at the intermediate Martial God realm, yet neither could withstand Li Xuan's single sword strike."
"Could the top spot this time belong to the Southern Region?"
"..."
Everyone looked at Li Xuan with complex expressions, and after a period of discussion, they fell silent.
"Did you see clearly?" Zi Ru Lai, seated on the high platform, suddenly spoke.
Xuan Ye's expression turned serious. "The sword energy superimposed in that strike reached at least six hundred and fifty strands. Even I, if caught off guard, would likely be injured instantly."
"Six hundred and fifty strands of sword energy superimposed. Although this child only employed the most basic Sword Qi Stacking technique, achieving such a quantity indicates a mastery that is almost at the level of minute control," Luo Xing said solemnly.
"Do you think anyone else can be his opponent?" Hong Xing Yi asked with a helpless sigh.
"Perhaps no one in our Five Regions is his match," Xuan Ye shook his head. His gaze then shifted to the six elders seated behind them. "Esteemed seniors, how are the prodigies from your Sacred Lands?"
"Li Xuan is indeed not weak, but whether he can hold on until the end remains to be seen," one of the elders replied slowly.
Xuan Ye and the others exchanged glances. Could there be some hidden trump cards among the prodigies of the Six Great Sacred Lands?
"In that case, I am quite curious. Let us watch this good show unfold," Xuan Ye said with a smile.
Compared to allowing the prodigies of the Six Great Sacred Lands to claim the top spot, Xuan Ye favored Li Xuan. Even though Li Xuan was from the Southern Region, he was at least still under their jurisdiction. The Six Great Sacred Lands, however, were outside their control.
The challenges continued, and the ranking seats changed hands. As time grew closer to the end, the challenges became even more frequent. Even Li Xuan received no less than ten challenges in a single morning.
However, without exception, Li Xuan ended each battle with a single sword strike. During these bouts, Li Xuan discovered that his Sword Qi Stacking technique seemed to have room for further improvement. If it weren't for the fact that the Five Regions Prodigy Ranking competition was still ongoing, Li Xuan would have long ago wished to enter the Town Prison to meditate.
"There is only half a day left until the end," Nan Hao Tian said, looking at the hundred seats suspended in the air.
Xuan Ye and the others nodded in agreement. None of the prodigies from the Six Great Sacred Lands had challenged Li Xuan yet. However, given what the leaders of the Six Great Sacred Lands had said, the next half-day would likely be when the real show began.
The scorching sun hung high in the sky, but the battles in the Wending Plaza were even more intense. However, compared to the previous day, the number of participants had significantly decreased. After three failed challenges, one would be eliminated, leaving fewer than a thousand participants by this point.
"That Li Xuan is truly formidable, sitting there from day one until now."
"With less than half a day remaining, those who wish to contend for the top spot are likely to launch their challenges."
"Only two prodigies from the Six Great Sacred Lands have made their move so far; perhaps it's their turn now."
"..."
The eliminated participants and the spectators all looked towards the Wending Plaza above.
Li Xuan, at this moment, paid no mind to the gazes of the crowd. Instead, he looked at Jian Chi on the challenge stage. By now, Jian Chi had dropped from his previous ranking seat to fifty-fourth place.
However, it was worth noting that Jian Chi, through an unknown number of battles, had managed to break through to the early Martial God realm, which was beyond Li Xuan's expectations.
Soon, Jian Chi defeated his challenger with a single sword strike. However, judging by his pale complexion, he had clearly expended a great deal of energy.
As Jian Chi returned to his seat, Li Xuan's gaze shifted to the two individuals seated below him.
The second-ranked individual on the left displayed the insignia of the Bai Yu Sacred Land on their chest. The third-ranked individual on the right was a prodigy from the Seven Stars Sacred Land. Both were currently meditating with their eyes closed, but the aura they exuded was infinitely close to the advanced Martial God realm.
*Boom!*
At that moment, both individuals simultaneously opened their eyes. The next instant, to Li Xuan's astonishment, they both broke through to the advanced Martial God realm.
"On-the-spot breakthrough. So this is the trump card of your Six Great Sacred Lands," Xuan Ye's pupils contracted slightly. Previously, Xuan Ye had sensed all the participants. If their strength were as it was before, no one would have been Li Xuan's match.
But now, two prodigies from the Six Great Sacred Lands had broken through mid-competition. Although it was only a single realm increase, the difference in strength between the two stages was multiplied by several times.
"An on-the-spot breakthrough does not seem to violate the rules, does it?" the elder who had spoken earlier said with a slight smile.
Xuan Ye was rendered speechless. An on-the-spot breakthrough indeed did not violate the rules of the Five Regions Prodigy Ranking. Although the unspoken rules prohibited cultivators above the advanced Martial God realm from competing, breaking through during the competition was not considered a violation.
"Brother Zuo, do you go or do I?" the prodigy from the Bai Yu Sacred Land, ranked second, looked at Li Xuan and then smiled at the third-ranked man.
Zuo Yi Ming inwardly cursed the old fox but maintained a smile. "Brother Bai is currently second. How could the opportunity to challenge for the top spot fall to me? However, if Brother Bai concedes, I would naturally be willing to give it a try."
Bai Zhan Peng's eyes twitched slightly. Conceding would be a disgrace to the Bai Yu Sacred Land.
"In that case, I shall go first. I am rather keen to sit on that top spot," Bai Zhan Peng said with a smile.
"Then I wish Brother Bai swift success. However, I shall have to ask for your guidance then," Zuo Yi Ming replied with a smile.
Watching the subtle maneuvering between Zuo Yi Ming and Bai Zhan Peng, Li Xuan was left speechless. He then sighed slightly and slowly said, "How about you two come at me together?"
As Li Xuan's words fell, Zuo Yi Ming and Bai Zhan Peng's expressions froze slightly. The spectators below gasped in unison.
That Li Xuan actually wanted to fight them both at once?