C22 Lau Qi Showed His Might in the Grand Competition

A disciple from the Tyrant Blade Sect leaped onto the stage with a swagger and declared, "Today, I'm eager to test the mettle of a Profound Heaven Sect Disciple. Who among you dares to step forward and enlighten me?"

He finished his challenge with a provocative stare at the disciples of the Profound Heaven Sect below. As if their recent ascension to a Grade Eight Sect mattered when they had the backing of another Grade Eight Sect.

This provocation from the Tyrant Blade Sect disciple was no doubt orchestrated by Chu Huaiyu. With the Blazing Fire Sect's support, they had no fear of any reprisal from the Profound Heaven Sect, regardless of their Sect Master being a Golden Core Stage powerhouse.

Xiao Yan, known for his fiery temper, was incensed by the Tyrant Blade Sect's taunts and was about to step up and put this arrogant fool in his place when Dao Kun held him back.

Dao Kun, brimming with battle will, faced the Tyrant Blade Sect disciple and proclaimed, "My blade has been craving action for too long."

Xiao Yan was taken aback. This junior brother, usually as aloof as their eldest senior sister, Lu Xueqi, had surprisingly volunteered to fight. Xiao Yan couldn't dismiss his junior brother's initiative; after all, anyone who could give the Tyrant Blade Sect a good thrashing would do.

Lau Qi, watching Dao Kun, remarked with a hint of amusement, "Who would've thought my reticent junior brother had such bold words in him?"

Dao Kun ascended the stage to confront his opponent from the Tyrant Blade Sect.

Chen Feng, observing the scene, murmured with interest, "Now, this could be intriguing."

Despite Dao Kun's cultivation being only at Body Refining Level Five, a notch below the Tyrant Blade Sect's representative on stage, the true measure of a Profound Heaven Sect disciple couldn't be gauged by levels alone. Lau Qi himself wouldn't dare to face Dao Kun's blade technique head-on.

The crowd below, however, was not pleased to see only a Body Refining Level Five youngster representing the Profound Heaven Sect. They voiced their discontent, clamoring, "What's the deal with the Profound Heaven Sect? Sending a mere Body Refining Level Five kid to face Qi Yuan, the Tyrant Blade Sect's True Inheritance Disciple at Body Refining Level Six? We were hoping to see Lu Xueqi take the stage."

"Swap them out, swap them out!"

The audience was chanting in unison.

Qi Yuan from the Tyrant Blade Sect was sweating bullets. The eldest senior sister of the Profound Heaven Sect possessed the strength of the Body Refining Peak. If she stepped into the arena, what chance would he have left?

Luckily, the competition rules stated that a contestant could only be replaced if defeated.

The crowd eventually calmed down, clearly aware of this stipulation.

The referee, a seasoned elder at the Body Refining Peak from the City Lord Mansion, looked at Dao Kun with concern. He was well aware of the pact between the City Lord Mansion and the Profound Heaven Sect but had to maintain impartiality. He announced the start of the match.

Dao Kun faced the Tyrant Blade Sect disciple before him and said coolly, "Show me your strongest strike, or you won't get another opportunity."

Qi Yuan bristled at Dao Kun's words. How could this Body Refining Level Five upstart be more presumptuous than him? Did he truly not understand the gravity of his situation?

With a frosty stare, Qi Yuan retorted, "Are you certain? If you get hurt, don't accuse me of picking on the weaker."

The spectators burst into laughter upon hearing Dao Kun's audacious tone. They were surprised by the brashness of the Profound Heaven Sect disciple. With the Profound Heaven Sect Master known for his boldness, it seemed his disciples were cut from the same cloth.

Chen Feng, witnessing Dao Kun's demeanor, nodded in approval. A Profound Heaven Sect Disciple should indeed carry such swagger.

Dao Kun simply nodded in response.

Qi Yuan, done with words, decided to let his actions speak. If Dao Kun was oblivious to his own good fortune, Qi Yuan would enlighten him. He drew his Essence Steel Blade and took aim at Dao Kun.

"Yellow Level High Grade Martial Skill - Mountain Splitting Slash!"

Chen Feng watched Qi Yuan's display with a hint of incredulity. If you're going to use it, just use it. Flaunting a Yellow Level High Grade Martial Skill as if it were something extraordinary.

The connoisseurs in the crowd exclaimed,

"The Tyrant Blade Sect's signature martial art - Mountain Splitting Slash! It's said that at its peak, it can cleave mountains and shatter stones. It's incredibly powerful. The young man facing it is in peril."

Dao Kun stared at Qi Yuan and said dismissively, "Is that all?"

Aside from its impressive display, Qi Yuan's swordsmanship lacked any remarkable qualities.

Upon hearing Dao Kun's taunt, Qi Yuan bellowed, "You're asking for it!"

Dao Kun swiftly drew an Essence Steel Blade from his storage bag, his movements a blur as the blade shadow flickered. In one fluid motion, he sheathed his weapon.

The crowd gasped in surprise, not expecting an obscure Profound Heaven Sect Disciple to possess a storage bag. The Profound Heaven Sect really did spare no expense.

The strike was lightning-fast, yet Qi Yuan remained unscathed. Why had Dao Kun sheathed his blade so soon? It seemed overly confident.

Lie Huo eyed Qi Yuan's storage bag and realized it belonged to the Great Elder Wey Feng. Chen Feng had actually rewarded it to a mere Body Refining Level Five youngster.

Dao Kun turned to the referee and said, "Announce the outcome."

The referee hesitated, taken aback.

Then came a resounding clang!

The audience erupted as they witnessed Qi Yuan and the Essence Steel Blade split neatly in two, blood drenching the arena—the clang originating from the blade itself.

The onlookers inhaled sharply, stunned by the sheer power of the strike that had not only slain Qi Yuan but also cleaved through an Essence Steel Blade. Could this really be the strength of someone at Body Refining Level Five?

The referee, regaining his composure, declared, "In the first match, Dao Kun of the Profound Heaven Sect claims victory!"

Immediately, personnel from the City Lord Mansion stepped onto the stage to clean up. On the Holy Profound Continent, where bloodshed was a daily occurrence, Dao Kun's brutal tactics were not out of place in the arena. Stepping into the ring meant being prepared for the possibility of death.

The Tyrant Blade Sect members could hardly utter a word of defiance, and their sect master's face was etched with terror. Qi Yuan's challenge against the Profound Heaven Sect had clearly been at the sect master's behest. Now, he was consumed with regret. Not only had Qi Yuan perished, but he had also drawn the ire of a Profound Heaven Sect powerhouse. They would now have to face the sect's retribution.

Chu Huaiyu, too, was impressed by Dao Kun's prowess. Yet, admiration aside, he feared no one from the Profound Heaven Sect—as long as Lu Xueqi didn't step in.

Dao Kun descended, his interest in the now feeble Tyrant Blade Sect completely waned. The only person who could catch his eye was Chu Huaiyu from the Blazing Fire Sect. Yet, he wasn't Dao Kun's target, as Lau Qi and others were still above him. With a sigh, Dao Kun resigned himself to this reality.

Lau Qi and his companions cheered for Dao Kun, who acknowledged them with a nod. To Dao Kun, besting Qi Yuan was trivial, hardly worth a second thought.

"I'll take the next match," Lau Qi announced to the Profound Heaven Sect members with a smile.

Lu Xueqi, Xiao Yan, and the rest were indifferent. If Lau Qi wanted to have some fun, they were all for it.

With a graceful leap, Lau Qi landed elegantly in the martial training field, eliciting cheers from the crowd. His fair visage and white attire gave him the air of a noble scion, captivating countless women.

From the audience came exclamations:

"Who is this man? He's even more handsome than Brother Chu!"

"He smiled at me! Someone support me; I think I'm going to swoon."

"I'll marry no one but him. I must join the Profound Heaven Sect!"

Lau Qi reveled in the women's adoration, playfully tossing his hair and sending many more into raptures.

Chen Feng slapped his forehead in exasperation. How did he end up with a disciple who constantly overshadowed him?

Chu Huaiyu's expression darkened. Scenes like this were typically reserved for him, and now Lau Qi had usurped his spotlight. The urge to confront and chastise him was almost irresistible.

Addressing the crowd, Lau Qi introduced himself, "I am Lau Qi, the Eldest True Inheritance Disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect, also known as the Jade Face Gentleman, the White Dragon amidst the waves of love."

The women below responded with fervor, "So he's the Eldest True Inheritance Disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect! It's no wonder he's so dashing and debonair."

Lee Tongxuan and Lie Huo turned to Chen Feng. This man was the Eldest True Inheritance Disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect, and so was Lu Xueqi.

Chen Feng was well aware of their skepticism, yet he offered no explanation. At the moment, his sole focus was on giving Lau Qi a thorough thrashing.

The referee regarded Lau Qi with due respect, not underestimating him in the slightest. After witnessing Dao Kun's prowess, no one would dare belittle a Profound Heaven Sect Disciple.

With reverence, he inquired, "Mister Lau, whom would you like to challenge?"

Lau Qi, leisurely unfolding his fan, declared, "I'm not singling anyone out. Aside from the Profound Heaven Sect, everyone here is rubbish. If you disagree, feel free to step onto the stage."

The audience erupted in disbelief. They had thought Dao Kun was full of himself, but Lau Qi was taking it to a whole new level.

The members of the other sects, upon hearing Lau Qi's bold proclamation, seethed with rage, brandishing their weapons and hurling insults at his arrogance. Yet, not a single one dared to ascend the stage.

Chen Feng couldn't help but mentally applaud, "That's a Profound Heaven Sect Disciple for you. I'd give you 99 points for that display of confidence, sparing one to keep you from becoming too conceited."

"I'll take you on," announced a disciple from Sword Soaring Pavilion, stepping forward with his sword drawn.

Lau Qi simply shook his head, dismissing him, "You're not up to it."

In a blur of motion, he sent the Sword Soaring Pavilion disciple tumbling down with a swift flick of his fan, his speed so incredible that not even the leaders of the various sects could catch a glimpse.

Addressing the remaining sects, Lau Qi proclaimed, "Anyone below Body Refining Level Six need not waste their time or mine by stepping up."

Given that the Sword Soaring Pavilion disciple was at Body Refining Level Six, Lau Qi's challenge indicated he possessed the strength to back up his words.

The crowd below burst into laughter at Lau Qi's audacious challenge—it was as if he was throwing down the gauntlet to the Blazing Fire Sect. They were in for quite the spectacle.

In Essence Opening City, only the Blazing Fire Sect boasted a disciple at Body Refining Level Seven.

The Blazing Fire Sect disciples could no longer contain their indignation, and one leaped onto the stage.

This was Wang Tong of the Blazing Fire Sect, a man of formidable physical strength, his power just shy of Chu Huaiyu's.

Lau Qi, eyes narrowed, assessed him coolly, "You're not even close to Chu Huaiyu's level."

With a deft tap of his foot, he materialized behind Wang Tong and with a single palm strike, sent him flying off the stage, where he collapsed, unconscious.

The imposing presence of someone at the Body Refining Level Eight burst forth as he bellowed, "Chu Huaiyu, come forth and meet your end!"

There was no reason to show mercy to members of the Blazing Fire Sect. Thus, Lau Qi didn't hold back and struck with full force right from the start, leaving Wang Tong, if not dead, then certainly incapacitated.

The Blazing Fire Sect had previously instructed Chu Huaiyu to never concede defeat upon encountering a Profound Heaven Sect disciple. They failed to heed the advice, foolishly squandering the talents of Wang Tong. Lau Qi's hands were taut with veins, signaling his resolve that the Profound Heaven Sect must be eradicated. After the Grand Competition, he planned to launch an assault on them.

Chu Huaiyu was now fearful and dared not utter a word, realizing that Lau Qi, at Body Refining Level Eight, was a match for both himself and Wang Tong. To face Lau Qi on the stage would be akin to seeking death.

Regardless of what Lau Qi said, Chu Huaiyu refused to take the stage.

From this day forward, Chu Huaiyu would have no standing in Essence Opening City.

Lau Qi, seeing Chu Huaiyu's defiance, felt undeterred and addressed the judge, "How shall we resolve this?"

The judge, taken aback by the Prodigy of the Blazing Fire Sect's reluctance to fight, could only respond to Lau Qi with a sense of resignation, "Naturally, the victory goes to the Profound Heaven Sect."

The judge announced, "Since there are no challengers, Profound Heaven Sect's Lau Qi is declared the victor of the Grand Competition."

Lau Qi interjected, "Wait, I cannot accept being the champion of the Grand Competition."

The crowd was bewildered. With his Body Refining Level Eight prowess, if not Lau Qi, then who else could claim the title?

The judge remembered that the Profound Heaven Sect had Lu Xueqi, a formidable practitioner at the Body Refining Peak.

He ventured a guess, "Could it be your sect's Lu Xueqi?"

Upon nodding in affirmation, he added, "If it's her, that explains it."

The realization dawned on everyone. With Goddess Lu's capabilities, it was unanimously agreed that Lu Xueqi deserved to be the champion.

Lau Qi's fanbase was not having it. They believed no one should overshadow Lau Qi, who they hailed as the true champion.

The judge declared with authority, "First place goes to Profound Heaven Sect's Lu Xueqi, and second to Profound Heaven Sect's Lau Qi."

But Lau Qi interjected, "Wait a moment."

The crowd was getting irritated. They thought, just because you're a disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect doesn't mean you can do whatever you want.

Unfazed by their stares, Lau Qi spoke with composure, "Senior Sister Lu deserves first place, and Senior Brother Xiao should be second. That leaves me in third place."

The judge, puzzled, asked Lau Qi, "And who is Senior Brother Xiao?"

"Naturally, it's Xiao Yan, Senior Brother Xiao," Lau Qi replied, casually fanning himself.