Why is it Qiu Zhang Jue again? Why is it always Qiu Zhang Jue?

Seriously, are there no other top-tier cultivation techniques in this world? Why is it that every time a top-tier cultivation technique appears, it's this one?! Youyou and her friends couldn't suppress their inner complaints.

But Du Liang, who had been somewhat worried, suddenly brightened up and became excited. What? Qiu Zhangjue!

Holy crap, he knows this guy well!

He can! He really can...

Almost reflexively, Du Liang stepped back three inches, easily dodging his opponent's sword strike with a sideways movement. Then, he leaped up and counterattacked. At first, he was a little cautious, habitually wanting to see which version of Qiu Zhang Sword Technique his opponent was using. But after two rounds, he was surprised to find that it was actually the weakest 1.0 beginner version!

Even Master Qiu no longer teaches this version; it's only been included in the library's collection. Are other sects so slow at updating their techniques? Modifying cultivation methods must be so easy for them, right? Du Liang felt a pang of envy for no apparent reason.

But he will definitely win this game!

With his confidence soaring, Du Liang no longer held back after understanding the opponent's sword technique. In an instant, he switched to a similar sword move, unleashing a modified version that shattered the opponent's attack. He then followed up with a flying kick, sending the completely unsuspecting opponent crashing to the ground.

The victory was simple and quick! The opponent didn't even have time to take advantage of their cultivation level.

Du Liang wins!

"How is this possible?!" The Heavenly Maiden of the Heavenly Martial Sect stood up in disbelief. How could someone with such a vast difference in cultivation level see through Wei Xiao's sword technique at a glance?

Before she could think it through, another celestial maiden suddenly turned around and said, "Chen Tiannu, your Tianwu Sect disciple just used the Qiuzhang Technique! How come your sect also has this technique?"

As soon as the other party finished speaking, half of the celestial maidens on the stage were startled and looked at each other in bewilderment.

"What do you mean by that, Heavenly Maiden? Could it be that you also have such a sect?"

"What?! You have some too! Where did you come from?"

"My item was acquired from a high-priced auction at the Treasure Pavilion."

"The disciple I sent received instruction from a master by chance!"

"Our sect exchanged three high-level cultivation techniques with a rogue cultivator for them."

"Huh? Wasn't this cultivation technique bought for 50,000 spirit stones at the market? I heard it's been discounted recently."

"..."

The celestial maidens were stunned. They quickly exchanged information and learned that most immortal sects possessed this cultivation method. Moreover, they all treasured it and only taught it to their elite disciples.

Youyou and Fengrong exchanged a glance, their faces showing the same guilty conscience, instantly sensing an ominous premonition of a major exposure. No, they absolutely couldn't admit to this, so to show they fit in, Youyou solemnly raised her hand and joined the Heavenly Maidens' group chat.

"Yes, that's right, I also bought it at the market, it cost me five cents... fifty thousand spirit stones!" As long as I act innocent enough, no one will be able to tell that I'm an undercover agent!

No! She had to immediately inform Ling Qi to expedite the promotion of the numerous improved versions of Qiu Zhang Jue. Right now, it was just a competition, and those unfamiliar with Qiu Zhang Jue might not be able to distinguish the differences. But once this was discussed openly, each sect would definitely practice Qiu Zhang Jue on a large scale upon returning home. If their sect practiced it differently, it would be too obvious.

The entire group of celestial maidens' faces darkened. After learning that everyone possessed the Qiu Zhang Jue, including some little-known immortal sects, their expressions became increasingly complicated. This was especially true for the sects that had paid a high price to acquire it; their faces were a mix of all sorts of colors, from pale and green to gray and black.

The entire room fell into an eerie silence for a moment.

Wu Yue tugged at her sleeve and whispered with some sympathy, "Sister You, I've seen my disciple bring back that Qiu Zhang Jue you mentioned... but he said he only spent five thousand spirit stones to buy it. It was so cheap, I didn't think it was any special technique, so I didn't let the disciples practice it." As she spoke, she handed her one, with an expression that seemed to say, "Sister You, you're so pitiful, you actually paid ten times the price to buy it."

Youyou: "..."

Feng Rong: "..."

How can I subtly tell my teammates that it wasn't them who were wronged, but rather she herself?

Knowing that Qiu Zhang Jue was a widely used, common technique, the celestial maidens watching the competition on the stage lost their enthusiasm. However, Du Liang below was surprised to find that the further he progressed in the competition, the more his opponents used Qiu Zhang Jue, giving him the illusion of being back in the Zhenyan Sect's martial arts arena.

What's even more amazing is that most of these fellow cultivators' Qiu Zhang Jue techniques were beginner versions, with the better ones being versions 2.0 or 3.0. Given that the sect's teachings were updated monthly, even though his cultivation level was low and he had only practiced the first few chapters of basic moves, he had seen a lot of things, and he had been tested on how to break through those moves countless times, so winning was almost effortless for him.

However, Du Liang was only at the seventh level of Qi Refining, and the other participants were elite disciples from various sects. Naturally, some people noticed something was amiss and switched to other sword techniques. This made it difficult for him to cope, and he ultimately finished third, defeated by a cultivator at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, and left the competition with regret.

You You glanced at the Heavenly Maiden from the Heavenly Martial Sect and saw that the other woman's face had turned green, but she didn't continue to attack her. After all, Du Liang had defeated her disciple but lost to a cultivator of the same cultivation level from another sect, which clearly showed that her disciple was not only inferior to Du Liang, but also to someone of the same level. Compared to her previous arrogance, this time it was like... she had asked for a beating and got it.

The Qi Refining disciples, with their lower cultivation levels, finished their competitions quickly, while the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core disciples required much longer. Therefore, while the finals had already concluded for the Foundation Establishment disciples, only the top five had been selected, and for the Golden Core disciples, only the top ten.

As expected, Liu Qing and Yin Fan both made it into the top five of the Foundation Establishment stage, while Lin Feng and Shui Yan were among the top ten of the Golden Core stage. Apart from some top-tier immortal sects, their True Evolution Sect actually had the most members in the top ten.

In an instant, not only the Heavenly Martial Sect members, but also the celestial maidens on the stage, all turned their heads to look at her, intentionally or unintentionally.

Yu You didn't pay any attention, instead focusing on the match in the arena. Soon it would be the hookah girl's turn, and if she won this match, she would directly enter the top five. But... she seemed to be in a slightly off state?

He seemed to be in poor spirits. Although he still stood up straight and stared ahead with a cold expression, a hint of fatigue appeared between his brows, and he even took several deep breaths.

Youyou frowned, thought for a moment, and before she could go on stage, she activated a communication talisman, "Shuiyan, what's wrong? You don't look well?"

"Sect Master!" Shuiyan's eyes lit up instantly, and the fatigue on her face vanished. She turned back in surprise to look at the stands, then immediately looked down at the communication talisman in her hand. "Sect Master, don't worry, I'm just a little tired from competing in several matches in a row. It's alright, I'll definitely win!"

For the Sect Master!