Qin Chu activated his Sword Bone energy, which flowed into the Azure Spirit Sword. He then charged at Shang Tiandu, unleashing the Startling God Transformation from his Startling God Sword Art.
At this moment, Shang Tiandu's body also erupted with a powerful aura. He swung his sword, and a tiger-shaped phantom, faintly accompanied by the roar of a fierce tiger, appeared on his longsword.
Bang!
After the Sword Qi collided, a fierce roar echoed. Shang Tiandu's body was sent flying backward, and Qin Chu was also forced to retreat some distance, though only half the distance Shang Tiandu retreated.
After being forced back, Shang Tiandu's expression changed. He swung his longsword, beginning to attack with Sword Qi, no longer directly clashing with Qin Chu. The White Tiger's Roar he had just unleashed was his strongest attack, and even that had put him at a disadvantage against Qin Chu. Naturally, he wouldn't engage in a direct confrontation again, as using the White Tiger's Roar consumed a great deal of his energy.
As Shang Tiandu stopped his direct assault, Qin Chu also withdrew his Sword Bone energy. He had only used a portion of his Sword Bone energy just now, and activating it was extremely draining for him. Before his Sword Bone, or Holy Bone, was fully formed, he couldn't use it recklessly.
Qin Chu and Shang Tiandu began their Sword Qi attacks on the arena, while other teams were still fiercely battling.
There were many Loose Cultivators behind Qin Chu, and coupled with the fact that some members of the White Tiger Holy Family and Fiery Thunder Holy Family had been severely injured by Qin Chu at the beginning, the two sides were evenly matched, and people were constantly being severely injured and forced off the stage.
The same was true for the Azure Dragon Holy Family and Black Tortoise Holy Family. Shang Shuyu and the woman from the Black Tortoise Holy Family were fighting fiercely, their combat power being on par. The strength of the two families' teams was also not disparate, making it a pure head-on battle.
No one kept track of time until the drumbeat signaling a ceasefire sounded, and Ye Ming called for a halt. Only then did everyone retreat to their respective teams.
Behind Qin Chu, there were still a few members of the Vermilion Bird Holy Family: Qin Mo and a few others Qin Chu didn't recognize, as well as some Loose Cultivators.
"There are exactly two hundred people left now. Next, you will register with the Elder, then return to recover and heal your injuries, preparing for tomorrow's battle," Ye Ming announced the end of today's competition.
The members of the White Tiger Holy Family and Fiery Thunder Holy Family descended the arena first to register.
Qin Chu turned to look at the people behind him. "Qin Mo, later, take everyone to the Alchemist Guild. Everyone who fought with us can receive two top-grade Healing Medicinal Pills and a bottle of top-grade Spirit Essence Medicinal Pills, including those who failed and fell off the arena just now."
"Thank you, Young Lord Qin," the Loose Cultivators behind Qin Chu bowed their hands to him.
"To fight side by side is destiny. There's no need to be polite, everyone. Tomorrow will be the drawing of lots for individual battles. I, Qin Chu, wish everyone good luck." After speaking, Qin Chu went to register.
Zhen Han, in the Azure Dragon Holy Family's viewing seats, nodded, "This is true magnanimity, a grand vision!"
Shang Shu Tianye had a constant smile on his face. Even when his daughter was fiercely fighting up there, he still wore a smile. As for whether he was worried or not, only he himself knew.
The event dispersed, and Qin Chu arrived at the Alchemist Guild's trading hall, immediately starting Alchemy on site.
Refining Rank 4 Spirit Essence Medicinal Pills and Healing Medicinal Pills put little pressure on Qin Chu. He directly used three Pill Furnaces simultaneously for Alchemy, while Qin Mo distributed the Medicinal Pills on the side.
In just over an hour, Qin Chu had finished refining the Medicinal Pills, and Qin Mo had distributed them all.
Then, under the gaze of a group of Loose Cultivators, Qin Chu left the Alchemist Guild and headed to the Vermilion Bird Holy Family's stronghold. No one was following him now, and Qin Chu was no longer afraid of exposure. After the Azure Cloud List Grand Assembly, it would be an open battle.
Returning to the Vermilion Bird Holy Family's stronghold, Qin Chu entered the main hall.
Inside the hall, Qin Longhan, Qin Longxuan, and Qin Lingxi were conversing, and Qing Yi was also present.
"Qin Chu, be careful. The White Tiger Holy Family hides very deeply. That Shang Tiandu was someone we hadn't investigated before," Qin Lingxi said to Qin Chu.
"That guy's strength is indeed very strong," Qin Chu said.
"According to our deductions, he is the youngest son of the White Tiger Holy Family's former Clan Chief, whom your mother killed. He is Shang Tianhua's younger brother. Both he and Shang Tianhua have awakened the White Tiger Soul, which is the second form of the White Tiger Bloodline. Their combat power will increase by three layers," Qin Longxuan said to Qin Chu.
"Based on his strength, he will likely clash with me in the end," Qin Chu said.
Qin Longhan looked at Qin Chu, "Your Holy Bone hasn't fully formed yet, so you can't over-activate it. Occasional use is fine, though. It can restrain his White Tiger Soul state, unless he can reach the third form of the White Tiger Soul, otherwise he will be suppressed by you."
"There's a third form?" Qin Chu looked at Qin Longhan in surprise.
Qin Longhan nodded, "Holy Bloodlines vary in strength according to their Rank. A strong Bloodline means strong talent. Our Vermilion Bird Holy Family is the same. The Vermilion Bird Body is the first form, and the second form is the Vermilion Bird Armor. With your Bloodline talent, reaching the second form would be very easy. It's because you've condensed a Holy Bone that the second state of the Vermilion Bird Bloodline cannot form. Of course, the Holy Bone is much more important than the Vermilion Bird Armor. Your current situation is to wait for the Holy Bone to form, and once your Bloodline Power is no longer absorbed by the Holy Bone, the second form of the Vermilion Bird Bloodline will arrive very quickly."
Seeing Qin Chu deep in thought, Qin Longhan told him about the White Tiger Holy Family's third form. The third form was the White Tiger Claws, where the White Tiger Soul energy formed a pair of energy claws, making attacks extremely sharp. However, Qin Longhan also said that Shang Tiandu would definitely not reach the third form of the White Tiger Soul in a short period.
After exchanging a few words with the Elders, Qin Chu went to meditate and Cultivate. Today's events made him realize that the Azure Cloud List arena battles were not just about the Azure Cloud List, but also involved Family interests. They were battles to the death, and those who could kill their opponents would not hold back.
Inside the Azure Dragon Holy Family's castle, Shang Shu Tianye took out a soft armor and handed it to Shang Shuyu. "This is a Golden Silkworm Armor. It can absorb the energy of attacks, helping you resist some of them. But you must promise Father, if things become impossible, retreat. We are not like those other families. If you can win the Azure Cloud List, take it; if not, then so be it."
"Father, rest assured, Yu'er understands," Shang Shuyu said.
"This time's Azure Cloud List competition has indeed seen some rather unusual individuals. Qin Chu, for instance, is difficult for anyone of the same Rank to defeat. That Shang Tiandu isn't capable of it either, unless he can Cultivate the third form of the White Tiger Bloodline, which is impossible at the moment. Additionally, there's the woman from the Black Tortoise Holy Family named Zhen Ji. You didn't fight with full strength in that battle, and she also conserved her strength. The Black Tortoise Holy Family is also coming on strong this time, having endured for twenty years. They might be brewing something sinister," Shang Shu Tianye said.
"Husband, they unsealed their mountain only after seeing the Vermilion Bird Holy Family emerge. Is it aimed at the Vermilion Bird Holy Family?" Zhen Han asked Shang Shu Tianye.
"It's hard to say. I'll investigate later. For now, let's see tomorrow's battles and who truly is the overlord of the younger generation." Shang Shu Tianye sized up his daughter. His purpose in letting Shang Shuyu participate in the Azure Cloud List was to broaden her horizons, not to have her achieve any particular ranking. In his heart, as long as his daughter was happy, that was enough.