Immortal Sword Master

Chapter 236: Chapter 233: Ning Jiang versus Yuwen Chi

”You’re next.”

When those words rang out, everyone could feel Yuwen Chi’s hostility toward Ning Jiang. The air between them crackled with tension.

”My defeated foe.” Ning Jiang uttered the three words lightly.

”Interesting. Looks like those two are definitely heading for a vicious battle.”

”Yuwen Chi lost to Ning Jiang last time. He must have cultivated some kind of trump card to be this confident now.”

”The fights to come are getting more and more exciting.”

After the battle between Yuwen Chi and Ying Yuxiao ended, only two people among the top ten had yet to fight.

One was Ning Jiang. The other was the person who had advanced from the ninth group—the only one among the ten who had not reached the level of a young giant.

On the tournament stage.

”Give me your best shot,” Ning Jiang said.

”Please, guide me.”

The young man’s name was Zhou Qing. He wielded a dark-green iron rod. His figure flashed, and when he was still three zhang from Ning Jiang, he smashed the iron rod down with all his might.

The heavy sound of it tearing through the air was like a mountain, like a great peak. It didn’t feel like a Silver Extinguishing Rod, but a massive mountain—a Heaven-Reaching Stone Pillar.

Ning Jiang stood motionless. Only when the iron rod was about to land did he meet it with a punch.

”BOOM!”

A tremendous rebound force shot back. The web between Zhou Qing’s thumbs and forefingers split open, dripping with blood. The entire iron rod was knocked from his grasp and sent flying backward.

Zhou Qing was utterly shocked. ’Such tyrannical physical power?’

His strike was powerful and heavy enough to split a mountain. When he had fought other Half-Step Giants, none of them had been able to withstand this blow.

It was an attack of the purest power, incomparably fierce and powerful, yet before Ning Jiang, it was shattered with a single blow.

”Could this guy’s physique actually compare to Li Kuangba’s?” the other Martial Artists muttered amongst themselves.

”Senior Brother Li, what do you think of his physique?” Over at the War Elephant Sect’s area, the disciples were discussing it.

Li Kuangba’s gaze sharpened. As a Body Refiner, he was extremely familiar with physical power and naturally understood the strength of Ning Jiang’s punch.

”Very strong.”

After a moment of contemplation, he gave his assessment. ”If it were the old me, my body might not have been able to win against him. But I’ve recently had a breakthrough in my War Elephant Body Refining Technique. When it comes to pure physique, I fear no one.”

”Since Senior Brother Li says so, there’s definitely no problem.”

The few War Elephant Sect disciples had great confidence in Li Kuangba.

Without any suspense, Ning Jiang won the fifth match.

By now, all ten contestants had fought, and the crowd had a general impression of their respective strengths.

The most unfathomable were undoubtedly Jian Xinghe and Ning Jiang.

Next were the established giants like the Twin Sword Sons and Li Kuangba, who all possessed Top Level strength. Finally, there were the few newly promoted giants.

Ge Changming stood up and announced in a clear voice, ”Based on the performances just now, after consulting with the ten judges, we have decided to first determine the rankings for the bottom four. These four are Meng Ji, Gao Yun, Ying Yuxiao, and Zhou Qing.”

The strength of these four was obvious to all; they were at the bottom of the top ten. Therefore, their rankings would be decided first, allowing the four of them to fight it out for their placements.

After their rankings were settled, the ranking battles for the top six would begin.

This would also significantly reduce the time needed.

”Of course,” Ge Changming added, ”if any of you four believe you can break into the top six, you may challenge any of those six.”

”I accept this arrangement.”

”I accept as well.”

”Me too.”

”I have no objections.”

The four stated their positions one after another. Among them, Zhou Qing, with only the strength of a Half-Step Giant, was the weakest and naturally would not object.

As for the other three, although they were newly promoted giants, there was still a clear gap between them and the established ones. They were all aware of this. To challenge the top six now would be overestimating their own abilities and wasting everyone’s time.

”In that case, the four of you will fight to determine the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth places.”

The ranking battle for four people was much simpler.

The first match was Gao Yun versus Meng Ji.

Gao Yun was the second woman in the top ten, so this battle garnered a lot of attention. She wielded a black curved saber, and her Saber Technique was incredibly strange and unpredictable, appearing and disappearing like a phantom, making many spectators’ hearts pound with fear.

But Meng Ji was not weak either. He unleashed his Two-headed Tiger Scorpion, its Demon Qi astonishing, to face Gao Yun.

”This Meng Ji is so powerful! He has Gao Yun completely suppressed.”

”At this rate, I think Gao Yun is going to lose,” the crowd discussed, guessing the outcome.

”Ninth Elder, who do you think will win?”

Over at the Yanyue Sect’s area, Zi Yunfei asked. The other Elders also looked at Ning Jiang. They all knew his Eye Power was extraordinary and that he would surely be able to see the truth of the matter.

”Gao Yun will win,” Ning Jiang said without hesitation, giving his decisive conclusion.

”Why? From the looks of it, Gao Yun is clearly at a disadvantage, isn’t she?” Zi Yunfei was puzzled. On the stage, after Meng Ji unleashed his Two-headed Tiger Scorpion, its might was fierce and domineering, firmly suppressing Gao Yun.

Anyone watching would have thought Gao Yun was going to lose.

”A warrior’s spirit is sharpest on the first charge, wanes on the second, and is exhausted by the third. Meng Ji has already lost because he failed to defeat Gao Yun with his initial explosive burst. Gao Yun may seem to be at a disadvantage, but she’s actually fighting defensively and waiting for a counterattack. The moment Meng Ji’s momentum fades, she will immediately erupt and deliver a counter-kill,” Ning Jiang explained calmly.

Sure enough, just three breaths after Ning Jiang finished speaking.

Unable to break through after a long assault, Meng Ji’s momentum gradually weakened. Seizing the opportunity, Gao Yun let out a sudden long cry. She swung her curved saber in a deadly chop, and the black saber light shot out like a bolt of silk, breaking through his defenses with unstoppable force.

”Break!”

The Two-headed Tiger Scorpion was shattered by the single blow. A sweet taste rose in Meng Ji’s throat, and he retreated while spitting up blood.

”Gao Yun actually won.”

Many people were astonished, finding the result unexpected.

”The Ninth Elder is truly farsighted, seeing things with such clarity!” The Elders of the Yanyue Sect exclaimed in admiration. Even Grand Elder Meng Nanfeng was surprised by Ning Jiang’s Eye Power.

Ning Jiang didn’t think much of it. ’With my experience as a Venerable, if I can’t even tell who will win or lose, wouldn’t all those years I lived have been for nothing?’

The second match was Ying Yuxiao versus Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing only had the strength of a Half-Step Giant. This duel held little suspense and was easily won by Ying Yuxiao.

The third match was Gao Yun versus Ying Yuxiao.

Ying Yuxiao’s specialty was the agility of his Body Technique. When he used it, the entire stage filled with his afterimages.

However, Gao Yun was clearly not afraid of his type. Her Saber Technique also excelled in agility, and when she used it, the light from her blade enveloped her body in a defense so tight not even water could seep through, giving Ying Yuxiao no opportunity to attack.

After several hundred moves, Gao Yun won the match.

”It looks like seventh place will go to Gao Yun.”

Gao Yun had already defeated Meng Ji and Ying Yuxiao. The only one left was Zhou Qing, who only had the strength of a Half-Step Giant and was naturally not a threat.

Next up was Meng Ji versus Ying Yuxiao.

”ROAR!”

The Two-headed Tiger Scorpion flared with power, letting out a heaven-shaking roar.

Ying Yuxiao once again used his Top Level Body Technique, fully leveraging his strengths.

”Hmph. You have speed, but not enough power. What’s the use? Tiger’s Tail Swing, break for me!”

Just as Meng Ji said, speed was not enough; one also needed sufficient power. Otherwise, what was the point if you couldn’t even injure your opponent?

Although the Tiger’s Tail Swing had been defeated by Li Kuangba, when used against Ying Yuxiao, it truly showcased its domineering power.

On the stage, all of Ying Yuxiao’s afterimages were swept away in an instant. The very air on the stage was blasted apart, creating a vacuum.

”PFFT.”

Ying Yuxiao spat out a mouthful of blood as he was sent flying.

”I can’t believe the Tiger’s Tail Swing is so domineering. And yet Li Kuangba was able to take that move so easily. The established giants are truly tyrannical.”

After seeing the power of this move, the many Martial Artists felt an even greater sense of awe toward Li Kuangba.

After those two, Gao Yun fought Zhou Qing and won easily. Then Meng Ji also fought Zhou Qing, and Zhou Qing was defeated again.

At this point, the ranking battles for the bottom four were over.

Among the four, Gao Yun had won all three of her matches, accumulating three points.

Meng Ji lost to Gao Yun but defeated Ying Yuxiao and Zhou Qing, accumulating two points.

Ying Yuxiao lost two matches and won against Zhou Qing, accumulating one point.

Zhou Qing lost all three matches, earning zero points.

”Gao Yun is seventh, Meng Ji is eighth, Ying Yuxiao is ninth, and Zhou Qing is tenth,” Ge Changming announced loudly.

”It’s finally over! Now for the real heavyweight showdowns!”

”That’s right. Although their battles were exciting, they’re just child’s play compared to what’s coming next!”

A clamor of voices echoed throughout the arena as countless Martial Artists chattered endlessly.

”It’s finally starting!” In the viewing stands of the major Sects, numerous Elder Level figures wore looks of anticipation.

Beyond them, the many Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm experts in the audience also fixed their gazes on the six remaining contestants.

Jian Xinghe, Ning Jiang, the Twin Sword Sons, Li Kuangba, Yuwen Chi, and Liu Bingxue.

Among these six, who would take first place?

Who would make it into the top three?

And who would end up at the bottom?

What changes would Ning Jiang’s appearance bring to this year’s ranking battles?

”Whew... This year’s Qing Province Grand Tournament is truly packed with masters. Even an old man like me is getting a little nervous.”

Feeling the fiery atmosphere in the arena gradually heat up, Ge Changming took a deep breath.

Everyone was looking forward to these battles, and he was no exception!

”Mr. Ge, it’s time to draw the lots,” a judge reminded him from the side.

Ge Changming nodded. Under countless unblinking gazes, he drew two Jade Tokens and then slowly read the names on them.

”The first battle: Ning Jiang versus Yuwen Chi!”

When this announcement rang out, the entire arena fell silent for a moment before a massive cheer erupted, like boiling water blowing the lid off a pot.

”How interesting! To think it would start with such an explosive match right off the bat! This is a grudge match; neither of them will hold back.”

”Yuwen Chi was just provoking Ning Jiang earlier. He must have prepared some kind of trump card specifically to deal with him, right?”

”Ning Jiang was able to step into the Nine-Miles Region, so he must be extraordinary. But as for his actual level, we’re about to find out.”

Amid the uproar, Yuwen Chi transformed into a streak of fiery light, soaring into the air and landing on the tournament stage.

”Ning Jiang, get your ass up here and die!” Yuwen Chi bellowed, his voice booming like thunder.