Chapter 118: Double Swords
After the first two rounds of screening, the remaining 5,000 geniuses were all true elites. The third round was a ring match, using a single-elimination system. The winners advanced, and the losers were eliminated directly.
The arena was set up on nine massive stone platforms suspended in mid-air, each protected by a formation to prevent energy leakage. Surrounding them were countless cultivators watching the battle, and the atmosphere was extremely heated.
Ye Li’s first opponent was a physical cultivator from the Vajra Temple in the Western Regions. He was in the late Yuandan stage and had an extremely strong body.
"I am Jinyan, the monk. Please give me some advice." The monk put his hands together, and his whole body was shining with golden light, as if he was cast in gold.
Ye Li returned the greeting, Xuanbing Sword in hand.
At the start of the match, Jin Yan shouted loudly, his body suddenly expanded by three points, and he punched out with a golden fist force that was as solid as a substance!
Ye Li did not dodge or evade. He lightly tapped the Xuanbing Sword and a ray of ice-blue sword energy came forward.
"boom!"
When the fist force and sword energy collided, Jin Yan's face changed. He felt an extremely cold force spreading along his arm, which even made his indestructible body feel stinging!
"What a strong cold air!" He did not dare to be careless and used all his strength to practice his skills, and the golden light became even stronger.
However, Ye Li no longer wanted to waste time. Her figure flashed, transforming into nine phantoms, the highest realm of "Universe Traceless Step" - Nine Shadows!
Jin Yan was dazzled and couldn't tell which one was the real one. The next moment, nine figures drew their swords simultaneously, and the sword energy was like a net, completely enveloping him.
"I surrender!" Jin Yan shouted hastily. The sword energy dissipated the moment it touched his body, but the biting cold had already made him stiff.
Ye Li sheathed her sword and gracefully stepped off the stage. The entire process took no more than ten breaths.
There was silence in the spectator seats, and then heated discussions broke out.
"Too fast! Jin Yan is one of the strongest physical cultivators of this generation in Vajra Temple!"
"That movement is so strange, I can't see it clearly!"
"The Northern Territory Ice Phoenix lives up to its reputation!"
In the next few matches, Ye Li won easily. Whether it was the disciples of the Ten Thousand Poison Valley who were skilled in strange poison techniques or the descendants of the Heavenly Sword Sect with their sharp swordsmanship, they could not withstand more than a hundred moves in front of her.
Qin Yixuan's performance was equally stunning. Her profound water arts had reached pinnacle, and combined with the Cang Hai Ming Yue Pearl and the Buddhist Treasures Rosary, she combined offense and defense, becoming virtually invulnerable. Most remarkable of all, she never seriously injured her opponents, always achieving victory with the most gentle means, earning her the reputation of "Merciful Mysterious Lady."
The two of them made rapid progress and soon entered the top 1,000.
That night, Ye Li was regulating her breathing at home when Qin Yixuan knocked on the door and came in.
"Tomorrow's opponents have been revealed." She placed a list on the table. "I might be facing off against the Saint Son of the Southern Wilderness Ten Thousand Demons Valley, Yao Lietian."
Ye Li opened her eyes: "Are you sure?"
Qin Yixuan shook his head slightly: "His body is too strong. Although my Xuanshui Dao can restrain most monsters, it is hard to predict the outcome when facing such a top monster."
Ye Li pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "I have a set of combined attack techniques, perhaps I can teach you."
"Combined attack technique?" Qin Yixuan's eyes lit up.
Ye Li nodded: "I learned this from the Ice Emperor's Sealing Heaven Art and the Netherworld Emperor's Scripture. Combined with your Mysterious Water Dao, its power should be doubled."
In the following time, Ye Li explained in detail the key points of this combined attack technique. Surprisingly, Qin Yixuan learned very quickly, understanding many parts immediately, as if this technique was tailor-made for the two of them.
"We... seem to have a special understanding." Qin Yixuan couldn't help but say.
Ye Li looked at her, a complex expression flashing in his eyes: "Perhaps, this is fate."
The next day, Qin Yixuan faced Yao Lietian. This battle attracted countless attention, as it was a showdown between the top human prodigy and the demon saint.
Yao Lietian stood nine feet tall, his body muscular and radiating a terrifying demonic aura. He grinned, revealing his sharp white teeth. "My little beauty, it's not too late to admit defeat. I don't want to hurt you."
Qin Yixuan said calmly, "Please."
The match began. Yao Lietian roared to the heavens, revealing part of his demonic form. His hands transformed into sharp claws, and he tore at the opponent! Five black marks were carved into the air!
Qin Yixuan remained calm. The Cang Hai Ming Yue Pearl shone brightly, transforming the Mysterious Water into waves, gradually weakening the power of the claws. At the same time, she activated her sword technique, and the Mysterious Water Sword Intent, like a thread, coiled around the demon Lie Tian.
"What a trifle!" Yao Lietian roared, his demonic energy erupting, shattering the sword intent. He swung his claws, sending a series of demonic wind blades whistling out!
Qin Yixuan fought and retreated, seemingly at a disadvantage, but in reality she was looking for an opportunity. Finally, when Yao Lietian's old strength was exhausted and his new strength had not yet been regenerated, a gleam of light flashed in her eyes, and she used the combined attack technique she had practiced with Ye Li last night!
"Mysterious ice turns to water, water condenses to ice—ice and water are born from each other!"
Her sword's momentum changed, and the originally gentle Xuanshui sword intent suddenly became extremely cold! This was exactly the true meaning of ice that she had learned from Ye Li!
Yao Lietian's expression changed drastically. It was too late to retreat. The intertwined sword energy of ice and water was like a net that completely trapped him. No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't break free.
"I... give up." Yao Lietian said with difficulty, his eyes full of unwillingness, but also with a hint of admiration.
Qin Yixuan sheathed her sword, and the sword energy dissipated. She panted slightly, this battle had taken a toll on her.
The whole audience was silent, and then broke into thunderous cheers!
"Win! Xuannv defeated Yao Lietian!"
"That move just now was amazing, a perfect fusion of ice and water!"
"The two prides of the Northern Territory, each one more formidable than the other!"
On the high platform, the Demon King of the Ten Thousand Demons Valley had an ugly expression on his face, while Mr. Shui Jing, the master of the Bishui Pavilion, was all smiles.
Ye Li looked at Qin Yixuan from the audience, her eyes full of praise. She had just been taught the combined attack technique last night, and she had already mastered it to such an extent today. Qin Yixuan's comprehension was truly astonishing.
In the following matches, Ye Li and Qin Yixuan continued their impressive performance. Ye Li defeated the Young Palace Master of Xing Palace, while Qin Yixuan defeated the Buddhist disciple of Leiyin Temple. Their names had already become the most dazzling presences of this year's Tianjiao Conference.
As they fought side by side time and time again, their bond grew. Each time they stepped off the stage, they were always the first to greet each other; each time they were injured, they were the most nervous and worried. Their tacit understanding and concern transcended the boundaries of ordinary friendship.
That night, Qin Yixuan came to Ye Li's room and bandaged the wound on her hand - it was left from the duel with a sword cultivator during the day.
"Don't try so hard next time." Qin Yixuan said softly, her movements gentle.
Ye Li looked at her focused profile, and a warm feeling surged in his heart: "With you here, I will be fine."
Qin Yixuan looked up, their eyes meeting, and a subtle atmosphere filled the air. Both of them blushed and looked away at the same time, their heartbeats accelerating.
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