During the three days of rest, Li Hao had successfully advanced his Carving Arts to Sixth Stage Perfection, just shy of Spirit-Entering.
Now, his courtyard was filled with various carvings, many of which depicted acquaintances from the Mortal World, and half of them were figures like the Yao Ancestor, Sword Saint, and Sword Master, all Semi-Saints or Saints.
Sitting at a floating table, Li Hao joined Lin Shanhai and other Alchemists in quietly watching the battles.
The atmosphere of the top ten fights was evidently more intense, with the audience from various Holy Lands invigorated by the earlier losers’ bracket clashes, looking forward even more to these matches.
Unexpectedly, Lin Qingyue’s opponent was again Bian Ruxue, which caused many spectators to exclaim and silently mourn for Ruxue.
After fighting her way out of the losers’ bracket, she faced the very person who had beaten her before, leaving them all feeling despair on her behalf.
Bian Ruxue hadn’t expected to draw the same opponent again, her expression slightly changing.
This seemed like a fateful rematch, giving her an uncomfortable feeling.
Although her master had guided her, her Ice Sword Intent had not instantly advanced to Perfection; she was still progressing on the path of understanding, with slight improvements from before.
Lin Qingyue was also surprised, but her expression remained unchanged.
Others envied Lin Qingyue, equating it to an automatic advancement.
Seeing this pairing, the Sword Saint sighed lightly. He could have discreetly interfered with the laws, but chose not to, as it was unnecessary.
The closer one is to being a Saint, the more they believe in fate.
For they can barely glimpse into it.
Destiny cannot be defied!
In the Four Stands Realm, although the Defying Fate Realm claims to defy destiny, it cannot defy destiny when obscured by the Tao Comprehension Realm.
So-called defiance of fate is merely ants toiling to this level—a chance bestowed by the heavens.
A chance to plead with the heavens for a change of fate.
It’s not defiance, but a substitution.
True destiny cannot be defied!
As battle commenced, Haoyue Saint Son continued to dominate victoriously, his Sun and Moon Divine Eye tracking traces of the Returning Ruins, coupled with his own Returning Ruin Instantaneous Movement and Dao Domain, gave him an invincible feeling in his realm, virtually showing no weaknesses.
The duel between Lin Qingyue and Bian Ruxue began, and this time Ruxue unleashed a stronger Sword Gang with more robust power, but still was easily defeated by Qingyue’s Ultimate Soft Sword Intent.
After being defeated twice, Bian Ruxue felt bitter, but her Dao Heart wasn’t too affected. She was still too young; her earlier cultivation in the Mortal World and despite the excellent resources from the Divine General Mansion and being taught by Sword Master Jian Wudao, compared to these prodigies, her starting point was still too low.
Other Saint Sons and saintesses were mostly born in the Land of All Saints, some even being reincarnations of Saints, so losing was expected.
Bian Ruxue sheathed her sword and returned to the Saint Platform where she would compete against other prodigies from the Canglan Realm during this period, aiming to perfect her Sword Intent.
“Qingyue has made it to the top five, she’s incredible!”
“However, tomorrow’s competition will be tough, the others also possess Perfected Sword Intent, who is stronger or weaker, now depends on other factors.”
Zhao Yingzhen and others were happy for Lin Shanhai; reaching the top five was a great honor, making it to the top three would be extremely remarkable.
Lin Shanhai’s face was filled with smiles, though his eyes carried some concern.
The next day.
Competition for the top five.
This round’s rules were not simple pairings, but allowed the five to choose their opponents!
Those not chosen would automatically advance to the top three.
Such a method seemed arbitrary, but it also tested one’s judgment of character.
After so many fierce battles, to still misjudge one’s capability in choosing an opponent would also mean a clear loss.
The current top five competitors were Haoyue Saint Son, Lin Qingyue, Qiu Wuheng, Spiritual Fantasy Holy Son, and Red River Holy Maiden.
On the Saint Platform, Lin Qingyue and Qiu Wuheng exchanged glances; due to Li Hao’s influence, they had interacted before in front of the Sword Tower and now understood each other’s intentions, avoiding choosing each other.
Their gaze fell on the others but avoided Haoyue Saint Son.
Haoyue Saint Son appeared indifferent, seemingly predicting this, revealing a subtle smile.
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Soon, the outcome of the mutual selections was revealed.
Qiu Wuheng chose Spiritual Fantasy Holy Son, while Lin Qingyue chose Red River Holy Maiden.
However, because Spiritual Fantasy Holy Son and Qiu Wuheng had chosen each other, as did Red River Holy Maiden and Lin Qingyue, this left Haoyue Saint Son without an opponent.
No one had chosen him, making his selection void, and he automatically advanced.
The spectators exclaimed at this outcome, but it was within their expectations.
Since the grand battles began, Haoyue Saint Son’s reputation was immensely prominent; regrettably, among the other saintly competitors, although some dark horses emerged unexpectedly, none were strong enough to contend with Haoyue Saint Son.
With the commencement of fighting, Qiu Wuheng and Spiritual Fantasy Holy Son erupted into intense battle, both at Five Extremes Realm, ferociously clashing until the very end with their Heaven and Earth Dharma Aspect, where Sword Intent clashed tumultuously on the battlefield.
If not for the Array set up by the Semi-Saint, such power would have impacted hundreds of miles away.
Spiritual Fantasy Holy Son’s Sword Intent was illusory; his sword strikes blurring the line between real and unreal, hard to defend against. Amidst the fierce battle, Qiu Wuheng’s Thousand Strands Sword, unfortunately, met its defeat.
The second match between Lin Qingyue and Red River Holy Maiden was equally intense, culminating in a battle of Dharma Aspects. Red River Holy Maiden’s Sword Intent was also Perfected with a scorching Flame Sword Intent transforming the entire battlefield into a blazing inferno.
Yet even under such fierce Sword Intent, Lin Qingyue held her ground, and with both sides fighting with all their might, she narrowly triumphed.
Subsequently, the losers’ battles determined the fourth and fifth places, with Qiu Wuheng competing against Red River Holy Maiden.