"So, it's time for the final showdown." Li Xuan's expression grew solemn as he sensed the changes in the surroundings. This aura of the Profound Transformation realm was indeed something he couldn't contend with at his current level.
However, the thought of admitting defeat and handing over the Rakshasa Fruit was utterly against Li Xuan's nature.
"Since it has come to this, let's see who can endure longer!" Li Xuan's eyes flashed with determination, and he began to compress his spiritual energy with all his might.
Watching from the high platform, Bai Suxin Bai Zun and Mo Ningxiang both peered intently at the screen projection. A clash of spiritual energies was a move that invariably harmed both sides, a thousand injuries for a thousand wounds.
And if the power disparity was significant, it was akin to a suicide mission. Li Xuan's current action bore a hint of that.
"Sister Suxin, aren't you going to intervene?" Seeing the spiritual energy surrounding Li Xuan and Qiu Jiugian growing brighter, Mo Ningxiang turned her head, her brows furrowed, and asked Bai Suxin Bai Zun via telepathic transmission.
"If he can win, I doubt anyone will object to his appointment as leader. Moreover, it would also serve as a pass for your test. If he loses, then he loses. However, I have a feeling he won't act so impulsively," Bai Suxin Bai Zun replied with a slight shake of her head, transmitting her thoughts.
"To face an opponent two full realms stronger and still possess the resolve to win, I acknowledge this Li Xuan even if he loses."
Mo Ningxiang sighed softly. After all, Li Xuan was the one chosen by her scribe, and his performance during the recent assessments had been outstanding.
All he lacked was time to develop.
Similarly, on the high platform, Supreme Jin Guangshuo also observed the projection of Li Xuan and Qiu Jiugian's battle.
Among all the contestants, Qiu Jiugian's strength had already caught Supreme Jin Guangshuo's attention. The position of leader already had a rough candidate in mind, and Qiu Jiugian was undoubtedly one of them.
As for Li Xuan, despite possessing strength nearing the mid-stage of the Boundless realm, he was merely at an intermediate level among the millions of contestants. Reaching the top two hundred had indeed surprised Supreme Jin Guangshuo.
Ssss!
While Bai Suxin Bai Zun, Mo Ningxiang, and Supreme Jin Guangshuo watched closely, the light emanating from Li Xuan and Qiu Jiugian seemed to reach its zenith.
Two distinct waves of light, belonging to different energies, collided, one after another. Accompanied by sizzling sounds, the spiritual energy lights around them began to fade rapidly.
However, the light around Li Xuan's body faded at a much faster pace.
Although the process appeared calm, it was fraught with immense danger. A single misstep could allow the opponent's pressure to intrude and stir up chaos, like a fuse that would ignite everything.
Both were channeling their spiritual energy to its limit. If ignited, the consequences were unimaginable. Therefore, as their spiritual energies clashed, they were constantly wary of the opponent's pressure intruding.
After more than a hundred breaths, Li Xuan's face turned pale. Large beads of sweat dripped down, and the spiritual energy light around his body was almost negligible, barely capable of defense.
In contrast, although Qiu Jiugian's light was much stronger than Li Xuan's, he too was at the end of his tether. If this continued, Li Xuan was destined to lose.
"Sword, come!"
Seeing the spiritual energy light around his body dwindle to a mere wisp, Li Xuan let out a low cry, and his sword, Shi Jian, flew out from within him.
"Sword cultivator?" Just as victory was within his grasp, Li Xuan's sudden move caused Qiu Jiugian to frown. However, Qiu Jiugian wasn't surprised; this precisely explained why Li Xuan dared to clash with him in such a manner.
"Setting Sun Melting Gold!"
Qiu Jiugian immediately formed a hand seal, and a golden light flashed from his chest. The now sparse spiritual energy light immediately brightened. At first glance, the spiritual energy lights of Li Xuan and Qiu Jiugian appeared to be nearly equal.
"This kid named Li Xuan, he actually has some tricks up his sleeve." On the high platform, Supreme Jin Guangshuo's eyes showed a hint of surprise. Bai Suxin and Mo Ningxiang exchanged glances and then shifted their gaze back to the screen projection.
"Slash!"
Li Xuan shouted fiercely, and in the air, Shi Jian seemed to possess a tacit understanding, charging directly towards Qiu Jiugian to attack.
Boom!
With a resounding boom, both Li Xuan and Qiu Jiugian were thrown to the ground by the shockwave of the explosion.
Supreme Jin Guangshuo, Bai Suxin Bai Zun, and Mo Ningxiang all narrowed their eyes, waiting.
Time passed slowly. After a full two minutes, there was still no movement from either of them. And the end of the match was only three minutes away.
"Cough, cough..." After another minute passed, a light cough echoed across the land.
Bai Suxin Bai Zun and Mo Ningxiang exchanged a smile upon hearing the sound, their expressions visibly relaxing. Supreme Jin Guangshuo's eyes, however, revealed shock.
Because at this moment, Li Xuan, who appeared to be the weaker one, had actually stood up. And now, holding Shi Jian, he was staggering towards Qiu Jiugian.
"Cough, cough..." Just as Li Xuan was about to reach Qiu Jiugian, Qiu Jiugian also woke up with a violent cough.
But the next instant, Qiu Jiugian's coughing ceased abruptly, as a gleaming spiritual sword was already placed at his throat.
"I never thought I, Qiu Jiugian, would be defeated by your hands. Cough, cough... I, I concede." Qiu Jiugian looked at Li Xuan's pale but resolute face, let out a bitter smile, and then tossed out the ring containing the Rakshasa Fruit he had obtained.
Li Xuan looked at Qiu Jiugian, who had given up and closed his eyes, and the spiritual sword in his hand instantly vanished. He then took a deep breath and slumped onto the ground.
"I should return this Rakshasa Fruit to you. If you lose this Rakshasa Fruit, you'll be eliminated." After a few moments of silence, Li Xuan's eyes looked at Qiu Jiugian as he spoke slowly.
"What?!" Qiu Jiugian, who had already given up, immediately sat up, looking at Li Xuan with an incredulous expression.
"I said, I don't want your Rakshasa Fruit." Li Xuan pointed at the ring beside Qiu Jiugian with some helplessness and then said word by word.
"Why?" Qiu Jiugian asked, confused.
Li Xuan smiled upon hearing this, "I've already entered the top twenty thousand anyway, so there's no additional reward for your Rakshasa Fruit."
Qiu Jiugian looked at Li Xuan with a complex expression, then straightened his demeanor and said to Li Xuan, "Thank you."