The next day.
As the first ray of dawn illuminated the land, the entire Seventh Peak seemed to awaken like a slumbering beast. Figures shot out from various pavilions across the peak, all converging towards the Seventh Peak’s sole challenge arena.
“Today is the day when Elder Li Xuan of the First Line and Ma Huayun, a disciple of Elder Hu Yulong’s lineage, will clash. I wonder who will emerge victorious.”
“I heard that Ma Yuanhua once defeated a strong practitioner of the True Self realm, early stage, when he was only at the Void Self realm, middle stage. Now that he’s reached the Void Self realm, advanced stage, his strength has likely increased considerably.”
“I’m leaning towards Elder Li Xuan. Not to mention Elder Li Xuan securing a spot in the top ten of the Spiritualist realm during the disciple sparring, and receiving the red light empowerment during the Spiritual Dragon Anointment. Coupled with the spiritual medicine bestowed by the Sect Master, his current strength is likely terrifying.”
“Alas, the disciples of the Seventh Peak are currently divided, each following their respective elders. This poses a significant obstacle to the Seventh Peak’s development. Moreover, Elder Su Yueze’s lineage has already lost several times. If they lose again in this battle, Elder Luo Kang’s lineage’s morale will be dealt an unprecedented blow.”
“…”
Ma Yuanhua arrived early at the challenge arena. Seemingly brimming with confidence, his attire was exceptionally dazzling. His violet-gold jade robe was adorned with the motif of dragons and serpents in motion. His gaze upon the crowd below held a trace of impatience.
“Strange, wasn’t it said that Elder Li Xuan had already accepted the challenge? Why hasn’t he appeared yet at this hour?”
“Indeed, could he be afraid of losing and is trying to delay the match?”
“But if he doesn’t answer the challenge, the challenger will be declared defeated once the appointed time passes.”
“…”
As a quarter of an hour passed, the sunlight grew intensely hot, yet Li Xuan’s figure remained conspicuously absent. Even Song Wuwen and Su Yueze, who were already present, wore expressions of confusion.
“Fourth Brother, go and see if Fifth Brother is delayed by something.” Hearing the whispers of the disciples around him, Su Yueze quietly said to Song Wuwen.
“Alright.” Song Wuwen nodded in response.
These were not ordinary times, so caution was naturally exercised.
Just as Song Wuwen was about to move, a figure rapidly shot forward and landed steadily on the arena. Accompanied by the newcomer’s arrival, a strong scent of alcohol permeated the air.
The newcomer was, in fact, Li Xuan.
“My apologies, I drank a bit too much last night and lost track of time. Hmm, Ma Yuanhua, you haven’t been waiting impatiently, have you?” Li Xuan glanced around before fixing his gaze on Ma Yuanhua.
Hearing Li Xuan’s explanation, Ma Yuanhua’s lips twitched. He had spent the entire night meticulously adjusting his state, while Li Xuan claimed to have been drinking all night.
Even Su Yueze and the others present could only offer wry smiles. In the past, Song Wuwen was a heavy drinker, and now it seemed their new fifth junior brother was just the same.
“Not impatient, no. I was merely concerned that Elder Li Xuan might have forgotten about this matter, and if he were to be directly declared defeated, then I, as a disciple, would feel I had won unfairly,” Ma Yuanhua thought with a cold sneer, though outwardly he feigned nonchalance.
“Hmm, if that’s the case, let’s begin. By the way, where is the referee?” Li Xuan nodded and asked, scanning the surroundings.
Ma Yuanhua felt a pang of annoyance, but given the presence of so many Seventh Peak disciples, he patiently continued, “This challenge arena was established by the Peak Master. The challenge ends when someone concedes or falls unconscious. Of course, whoever is first forced out of the challenge arena also loses. Elder Li Xuan, do you have any further questions?”
Li Xuan shook his head. “It seems your homework was done thoroughly. Hmm, in that case, let us begin. After this is over, that jar of wine I was saving should be ready to drink.”
As Li Xuan finished speaking, Ma Yuanhua’s temper flared. However, Ma Yuanhua did not retort further. His figure flickered, and an incredibly potent aura instantly spread out. Then, like an arrow loosed from a bow, he shot rapidly towards Li Xuan.
The crowd held their breaths as they witnessed this disciple-challenges-elder duel, considering it a rare privilege.
Li Xuan, seeing Ma Yuanhua attack directly, moved his mind and vanished from his original spot.
“Teleportation?” Ma Yuanhua exclaimed in surprise as Li Xuan disappeared. However, he quickly recovered from his shock. After pausing for mere an instant, he unleashed a punch towards the front right.
*Bang!*
A collision sound immediately rang out as Li Xuan’s figure emerged from the void. Li Xuan was somewhat surprised that Ma Yuanhua could detect his whereabouts. However, this initial exchange revealed that Ma Yuanhua’s strength was indeed not weak.
After the exchange of punches, they separated. After pausing for three breaths each, they shot towards each other once more.
*Rumble!*
With a roar, Li Xuan and Ma Yuanhua engaged in several rounds of combat in mid-air. Initially, their figures could still be distinguished, but as the fight progressed, the onlookers could only discern blurry afterimages. The intensity of their collisions, however, grew increasingly frequent, clearly indicating a fiercer engagement.
“Ma Yuanhua’s defense is incredibly strong, and he possesses a killing move. It is precisely because of this that he was able to defeat a practitioner of the True Self realm, early stage, before. It appears this Ma Yuanhua is no simple opponent.”
“Elder Li Xuan is also quite formidable. If they’ve been clashing head-on like this, they must have exchanged at least fifty blows by now.”
“This battle is quite engaging. If it continues like this, it’s likely only one of them will falter under the opponent’s onslaught, thus ending this close-quarters combat.”
“…”
As Li Xuan and Ma Yuanhua’s heated exchanges continued, the surrounding Seventh Peak disciples began to discuss the match.
Su Yueze and Song Wuwen, watching from the spectator seats, initially frowned but soon relaxed their expressions. While others might not know the resilience of Li Xuan’s physique, they were well aware. They would never believe that Ma Yuanhua could surpass Li Xuan’s physical prowess.
“Senior Brother, I feel like Fifth Junior Brother is intentionally lowering his defenses,” Chai Jingyuan said softly to Su Yueze after five minutes had passed, his brow furrowed.
Su Yueze nodded subtly and replied in a low voice, “Fifth Junior Brother is likely feigning weakness. Let’s just watch patiently. Given Fifth Junior Brother’s character, he would certainly not let Ma Yuanhua have an easy time.”
Song Wuwen and the others nodded in agreement and then turned their attention back to the challenge arena.