"You see, the one currently ranked first has already amassed nine hundred and seventy-five Rakshasa Fruits."
"The one in second place is only nineteen fruits behind the first. With half an hour still remaining, we don't know how many fruits the final tally will reach."
"What we are curious about, and what they are likely worried about, is that as more people obtain Rakshasa Fruits, they naturally become scarcer. Those who don't want to be eliminated will have to target other participants. The next phase will undoubtedly be a free-for-all."
"..."
On the plaza, although it was filled with eliminated contestants, the screen projections floating in mid-air and the real-time changes on the Rakshasa Fruit leaderboard sparked curious discussions. Naturally, seeing more people eliminated brought them a sense of comfort.
Within the Illusory Realm of Rakshasa Light.
Boom!
The moment Li Xuan arrived at the edge of the combat zone, a violent roar announced the end of the fight. The defeated contestant, with extreme reluctance, produced a Rakshasa Fruit and tossed it to a man standing not far away, before quickly shooting off into the distance.
Li Xuan looked at the man remaining on the spot with some surprise. The Rakshasa Fruits in his hand numbered one hundred and seventeen.
"What a shame, to have worked for someone else," Li Xuan sighed faintly. He then prepared to leave the area with a thought. But in an instant, a sense of crisis surged through Li Xuan, and he immediately shifted his position.
"Interesting, you actually dodged my attack." As Li Xuan appeared, the victorious contestant also materialized where Li Xuan had just stood.
"I was merely observing, and you would launch a sneak attack?" Li Xuan asked calmly, glancing at the other man before speaking slowly.
"If I were injured, or if the fight hadn't ended before you arrived, would you truly have just watched silently? Now that you see you can't gain an advantage, you're preparing to leave. Boy, you've played your hand cleverly. If you know what's good for you, hand over the Rakshasa Fruits you have!"
The man sneered upon hearing this.
"What if I refuse? What will you do then?" Li Xuan countered with a smile, not anger. Did this man think he was an easy target?
"Then I'll send you out!" The man's aura shifted instantly, and he charged at Li Xuan like a hurricane.
"Fine. Since you've set your sights on my Rakshasa Fruits, then I shall see how many Rakshasa Fruits you possess!" Li Xuan's gaze sharpened at this, and he moved, also lunging towards the man.
Bang bang bang!
In a flash of lightning, though only a few breaths passed, Li Xuan and the man exchanged dozens of punches. The terrifying aftershocks swept away everything around them, forcing some nearby contestants to retreat far away, not daring to approach.
"Interesting. No wonder you dared to act so recklessly, it turns out you rely on your physical strength. But unfortunately, you have no more chances!" Gong Hanfeng retreated, using the force of a palm strike to push himself back. He looked at Li Xuan's face and spoke slowly.
In fact, Gong Hanfeng was also deeply shocked. He clearly hadn't expected Li Xuan's physical defense to be so formidable. Moreover, the sheer force of their dozens of exchanges was terrifying even to Gong Hanfeng, who felt his tiger's mouth growing numb.
However, Gong Hanfeng knew that there were indeed powerful cultivators who trained their physiques in the Cloud World. But in terms of spiritual energy, they were somewhat inferior. Thus, Gong Hanfeng immediately circulated the spiritual energy in his dantian and surged it towards Li Xuan.
"Does he think he can suppress me with spiritual energy?" Li Xuan's lips curled slightly as he watched Gong Hanfeng's movements.
Boom!
With a thought, Li Xuan circulated the spiritual energy in his dantian. Like a volcanic eruption, it surged towards Gong Hanfeng. The ground shook with mighty roars, and an area of several miles was instantly flattened by the impact.
As the dust settled, the two figures in the air gazed at each other. After this clash, their spiritual energies were once again evenly matched.
"I underestimated you. You are indeed a tough opponent. But even so, you are only at the intermediate stage of the Boundless Realm." Gong Hanfeng took a deep breath, then rapidly formed seals with his hands.
"Autumn Wind Sweeps Fallen Leaves, Thousand Armies Swept Away!"
As Gong Hanfeng's voice fell, a terrifying hurricane erupted, engulfing the heavens and earth. An incredibly formidable aura, like a breached flood, surged towards Li Xuan, attempting to suppress him.
"Vast Void Thunder Technique, Yin Yang Intertwined!"
Seeing this, Li Xuan also formed seals with his hands. Then, with a pointed finger, two bolts of lightning, as thick as a waist, shot towards the hurricane.
Boom!
The lightning bolts, imbued with all of Li Xuan's spiritual energy, shot out and collided with the hurricane. Spiritual light flashed everywhere, and both figures were repelled.
"Cough cough... This time, I'll see you defeated!" Gong Hanfeng coughed violently several times, his gaze then falling upon the scene where the spiritual light was gradually dissipating.
"How is this possible?!" In the next instant, Gong Hanfeng's eyes widened with disbelief. Li Xuan's figure was slowly walking towards him.
"It seems I had the slight edge in the end. How about it, do you wish to continue?" Li Xuan walked leisurely to Gong Hanfeng's front and spoke calmly.
"I... I concede." Gong Hanfeng shook his head helplessly. His previous attack had been his all-out effort. His spiritual energy had not yet recovered, so how could he continue fighting Li Xuan, whose physical body was so formidable?
He had lost this battle.
"Very well, hand over your Rakshasa Fruits." Li Xuan nodded slightly and said to Gong Hanfeng.
Gong Hanfeng chuckled bitterly. He didn't hesitate and directly produced his Rakshasa Fruits, tossing them to Li Xuan.
"You are very powerful. Someone who can cultivate both their physical body and spiritual energy to such a degree is the first person I have ever seen. Looking at you, I was too arrogant before. But I will not be discouraged. I will surely get back at you someday."
Gong Hanfeng stood up and looked at Li Xuan with a determined expression.
"I await that day. But on that day, I believe I will still be able to defeat you." Li Xuan nodded slightly.
The spirit masters of this Cloud World were indeed extraordinary. Their fighting spirit was considerably stronger than others. However, Li Xuan was no ordinary person and would naturally not become arrogant because of this. Besides, his trump cards had not yet been truly revealed.
"You are even more confident than I am," Gong Hanfeng said with a bitter smile. After walking away for a few steps, he stopped. "What is your name?"
Li Xuan smiled upon hearing this. "Li Xuan."