Ma Hai only saw a flash appear in front of him, and before he could even process what had actually happened, Ye Tian Yun appeared from behind and slapped Ma Hai's body.
Ma Hai was sent out flying with just a single hit, he still could not believe that he was not able to block even one move from Ye Tian Yun. A moment later, Ma Hai smiled bitterly while cupping one hand over the other across the chest, he said to Ye Tian Yun, "Brother Fang, many thanks for showing mercy, it was me who was ignorant."
Ma Hai then returned to the stands. Ye Tian Yun too didn't bother replying and came back to the stands in a flash.
"What! How is this possible? How could Fang Chen be so powerful? Even Ma Hai was not his opponent, he was unexpectedly thrown out of the ring in one move, it's really incredible!"
"The fact that we couldn't even sense Fang Chen's cultivation is even more incredible. Has he already mastered Qi control?"
"Qi control? Impossible! You should know that it is one of the important prerequisites to break through to the Qi Condensation Realm, and before the Ninth Level of Qi Refining Realm, it is impossible to comprehend."
"Yes, and this Fang Chen was only at the third level of Qi Refining Realm when he entered the Sect, and to break through six levels in five months is impossible!"
"Then how do you explain the current situation? Is he using a treasure to hide his cultivation?"
"Must be. And I think he has focused on his physical strength more than Qi cultivation. And since he also suffered Qi deviation, I think it must be true."
"Yeah, I don't see any other option too. He must be using treasure to hide his cultivation and has increased his physical strength, thinking that this will create a facade and intimidation."
"Hm, and this will also explain why he has so many beast cores. Physical strength."
The swift outcome of this fight caused a lot of disturbance, a lot of disciples had not expected that Ye Tian Yun could actually defeat MA Hai so easily, without even fighting as they had imagined even though Ye Tian Yun had acquired the most beast cores.
"This battle, Fang Chen wins!"
Elder Mu announced the result, with a hidden elation in his voice. Though, these emotions didn't go unnoticed by the other elders, who were also surprised at the outcome of the battle.
Elder Wu was surprised at the swiftness of the battle and Fang Chen's hidden cultivation, while Elder Lai Chang was surprised by Mu Hai's defeat.
Right now, even the disciples did not know the hidden undercurrents happening in the Gracious Sword Sect, but all opposing factions were slowly preparing for the worst and recruiting high potential disciples by their side. For the Seventh Peak, Elder Lai Chang had been assigned to recruit high potential disciples and he had offered an olive branch to Ma Hai and even given him resources to cultivate so he could get him on his bandwagon.
However, looking at the scene, it seemed like he had fired the arrow at the wrong target. Though Ma Hai wasn't the only disciple he had recruited in the Top Ten, the two disciples he definitely hadn't recruited were Fang Chen and Zheng Xiang.
Zheng Xiang has already proved his worth in the last two rounds by defeating two very talented disciples and jumping from the last rank to the top ten.
While Fang Chen's case was different. It seemed there was something that he still hadn't seen even though it was lying in front of him.
First, Fang Chen scored so many points that no one could come even close to the number of beast cores he had acquired. But now, he had even defeated one of the most sought after disciples of the Seventh Peak with ease.
These two cases clearly showed his oversight in recruitment, and this was frustrating him. Now, when the higher ups get to know of his misjudgement, he may face some serious trouble.
...
With Mu Hai's defeat, it was now the turn of eighth-ranked disciples, Wu Qing.
Elder Mu questioned him, "Disciple Wu Qing, who do you wish to challenge?"
Wu Qing stood up and said, "This disciple doesn't wish to challenge."
Elder Mu sighed, "Alright, next, Disciple Jin Hai, who do you wish to challenge?"
Jin Hai had a thin but fit physique, and as soon as his name was called out, he jumped on the battle stage, and called out, "I challenge Fang Chen."
Ye Tian Yun who was somehow expecting another challenge got up and rushed to the battle stage as soon as he was challenged.
Jin Hai made a battle stance, and his aura exploded, revealing cultivation of Eighth Level of Qi Refining Realm, shocking the crowd of disciples. Elder Lai Chang took a deep breath as his chest broadened in pride. Jin Hai was one of his greatest discoveries in the Seventh Peak, and with Jin Hai's talent, Elder Lai Chang was sure that Jin Hai will surely be promoted to Core Disciple in near future.
Jin Hai wasn't an old disciple. Like Fang Chen, he also entered the Gracious Sword Sect in the last Entrance Exam and had the cultivation of only fifth level of Qi Refining Realm. He came second in the entrance exam, just behind Hou Xing, but unlike his counterpart, Jin Hai didn't go around fighting and making a name for himself among all the Outer Court disciples of the Seventh Peak. One day in a friendly sparring match between disciples, Elder Lai Cheng noticed his talent in sword cultivation, and without hesitation recruited him and offered him cultivation resources the very next day.
Jin Hai didn't hold back, he didn't care about internal conflict ongoing in the sect, what he cared about was his cultivation.. He knew his talent and wasn't going to let an opportunity knocking at his door go away.