The new Zongqi, Ning Yue, cut down Mo Yingshuo's old prestige. This was a changing of the guard, and also a result of their respective strengths.
Most of the dozens of 'heroes' waiting below the stage had disappeared, having very wisely left at some unknown point.
On the stage, Ning Yue's dark hair fell to his shoulders, his eyes were bright, and his silver robe was flamboyant. Illuminated by the sunlight, he looked as if he was draped in celestial garments.
The long battle just now, and Mo Yingshuo's seemingly endless array of Earth-grade blade techniques, seemed to have transformed into sustenance for his cultivation.
Ning Yue's martial arts aura was even more arrogant than when he first stepped onto the stage!
He looked down on all his opponents, without a trace of fear on his face.
"This child is fearless in battle and rejoices at the sight of a hunt. The Xue Family has truly found a treasure," Han Zhenfu, the eldest, spoke at this moment, his tone reminiscent, as if recalling his own youth.
As one ages, words become fewer.
Han Zhenfu's eyebrows and beard were completely white. He appeared old, but in reality, he was quite ancient, well past seventy. If not for his Acquired Realm cultivation, he would have long since retired.
A martial artist who breaks through the inner world, connecting the innate vital energy internally and externally, grasping the initial path, gains a lifespan of one hundred and fifty years. However, military martial artists, fighting year after year, accumulate countless hidden injuries, causing their vitality to decline earlier than ordinary people.
Han Yu saw his father speak, which was rare, and chimed in, "Earlier, this child also tried to recruit him, but his Dao Heart is very firm and he was unmoved."
Han Zhenfu nodded at his words, sighing, "A newborn calf fears no tiger. Fifty years ago, this old man was also so spirited, also full of patriotic fervor for his country and family, but…" His voice trailed off, almost inaudible.
......
Below the high platform, another tall, thin young general, at this moment, rolled up his silver robe, as if thousands of flowing lights were drawn into it. Then, with a turn of his body, the silver robe hung solitarily on the ground, and the figure had already flown into mid-air.
His movements were graceful, swift as a bird, and in his hand, a bright silver spear gleamed, as if tempered by the heavens, exuding boundless, sharp keenness.
At this moment, it pierced the air, the spear tip carrying layers of air waves, rapidly striking towards Ning Yue!
"This general, Cheng Zhi, will meet Ning Xiaoqi's blade techniques today!"
Seeing this, Xue Youwei silently exhaled a turbid breath, no longer worried.
He had met the person in front of him yesterday at his mansion.
Although Cheng Zhi's strength was not bad, he was still inferior to the skill of the Mo Family's direct descendant, and naturally, he was also inferior to Ning Yue, who had cut down Mo Yingshuo on the battlefield.
Seeing this, Xie Yanming was anxious. When did this 'passing three challenges' become a race?
If he acted too late, he wouldn't even get in line.
He was about to urge Zhu Qimo, who was beside him, but saw that his eyes were still tightly closed, as if he was asleep.
And three others, seeing Cheng Zhi's sudden emergence, also flew forward, unwilling to be left behind, rushing towards the stage without yielding an inch.
Mo Yingshuo's defeat had deterred many who harbored lucky, but it also made the Dao Heart of those who remained even firmer.
Regardless of their purpose, each one vied for position, fearing to fall behind and lose the opportunity to act!
The four's movement techniques were either strange and unpredictable or agile, and their speed was not slow.
In the blink of an eye, four weapons attacked Ning Yue simultaneously, sealing off all his dodging routes from top, bottom, left, and right.
The four even developed some combat chemistry during the battle!
As Ning Yue hesitated, he saw a majestic Tiger Might City-Breaking Halberd, about three meters long, fly across the air, blocking the four in front of him.
Zhu Qimo's figure was still silent below the stage a second ago, but with a flash, he stood on the high platform, gripping the flying halberd in his hand.
His phoenix eyes merely glanced, making the four standing in a row tremble.
"Scram!"
Zhu Qimo snorted coldly, and with a casual swipe, the halberd carved a chilling, crescent-shaped cold light across the air!
A ghost-wailing, god-howling sound echoed in everyone's ears. The four's faces changed color, and they were all forced to retreat.
The halberd's edge was pressing, forcing the few to retreat all the way below the high platform before its sharp edge slowly dissipated.
"Such caliber as yours, are you even worthy of sharing the stage with me?!"
Zhu Qimo's cold voice made the four's faces turn pale, yet not one dared to retort!
"Holy cow, Zhu Zongqi is even entering the fray? This is only the second challenge, Ning Yue is so lucky!"
"Zhu Zongqi was among the top ten in last year's grand competition. His martial arts have long reached a divine level. He has been at the peak of the Outer Heaven and Earth Realm for a full year, constantly refining his martial way, hoping to become stronger. Now, among the three hundred Zongqi, I'm afraid no one can control him anymore."
"Hehe, I don't think so. You see, after Ning Yue defeated Chief Mo, he still had energy to spare, clearly indicating his strength far surpasses these direct descendants of aristocratic families! Rather than Ning Yue being instantly killed, I think it's more likely to be a clash between two tigers, with an evenly matched outcome."
Hearing this, many Xiaoqi officers secretly nodded. Although unwilling to admit it, Ning Yue's strength indeed far surpassed theirs, and even surpassed the likes of the Mo and Xie Family's direct descendants.
With his commoner background, he had single-handedly cut down Mo Yingshuo from the stage. Such a record had already earned the recognition of most of the soldiers.
If not for Zhu Qimo's appearance, Ning Yue's promotion to Zongqi would have been a sure thing.
The Xue Family brothers' hearts tightened again with Zhu Qimo's appearance.
"Entrusted by others, loyal to the task! I hope Ning Zongqi will not take offense."
"Clang!"
The Tiger Might City-Breaking Halberd struck the green jade stone, clanging loudly.
Zhu Qimo's dark robe was like cast iron, and his slightly darkened cheeks had lines as rigid as if carved by a knife and axe.
His martial arts aura was contained within him, not a trace escaping, but his recent act of forcing everyone back with the halberd had changed the expressions of many below the stage.
Ning Yue's hand held the whisper, preventing its strange sound from being heard externally. His gaze was serene, and he gently shook his head, saying, "Today, Ning Yue is fortunate to obtain the position of Zongqi, and naturally, he does not fear challenges from all sides. Regardless of why Brother Zhu takes the stage today, there is no question of taking offense."
"I only ask if my blade is sharp enough, and if I myself am strong enough!"
A flicker of surprise flashed in Zhu Qimo's eyes, and he nodded.
Even if there hadn't been a request from the Xie Family today, seeing Ning Yue's strength, he would have resolutely stepped onto the stage.
To break through the martial arts shackles and the barrier of the Outer Heaven and Earth Realm, Zhu Qimo was determined to walk the path of the strongest martial arts. Medicine could not help, others could not be relied upon, only battle!
Opponents were, of course, very important. Too weak was boring, too strong meant he couldn't win. Only an evenly matched, strong-on-strong clash could shatter the barrier and achieve the strongest promotion.
To use the opponent's blade to temper his own undefeated martial Dao Heart!
Zhu Qimo commanded Zhao City Lord's direct subordinate, the Heavenly Strategy Army, and was a battle-hardened general, yet he had hidden his blade in the Yijin (Tendon Changing) Realm for a year. The last time he drew his blade was on the fifth day of the fifth month, the day of the military's grand competition.
No other reason, opponents were hard to find, leaving his halberd's edge to be sharp in vain!