Why is it said that challenges and publicity are most effective?
After careful consideration, Zhang Yan concluded that, firstly, Shi Xuan was a ninth-level Golden Core cultivator, and as a Nascent Soul cultivator, he had no problem defeating a ninth-level Golden Core cultivator.
Secondly, Shi Xuan's position is high, thirty-sixth, and he can enter the top fifty in one battle.
And most importantly, Shi Xuan's reputation here is too great. She has defeated several experts at the peak of the Golden Core stage. Her combat power is extremely high among Golden Core cultivators. Challenging her will not make you, a Nascent Soul cultivator, seem like you are deliberately picking on the weak.
Their duel is bound to attract the attention of everyone in the outer arena, and after this battle, his fame will surely rise to a whole new level.
Therefore, challenging Shi Xuan is bound to be a win-win situation.
He never considered the risk of losing a simultaneous battle. The difference between a Nascent Soul cultivator and a ninth-level Golden Core cultivator is not just two minor levels, but a whole major realm.
Even a cultivator at the peak of the Golden Core stage, who is only a hair's breadth away from the Nascent Soul stage, is vastly different from the Nascent Soul stage if they haven't crossed that threshold. This is why all Golden Core cultivators yearn to reach the Nascent Soul stage.
Since Shi Xuan was back, she readily agreed. It just so happened that she hadn't had a competition for almost a month, and if she didn't have one soon, her ranking would drop.
Zhang Yan's challenge was highly beneficial to him, and for Shi Xuan, it was like a godsend, arriving at the perfect time. Therefore, this challenge resulted in an achievement that satisfied everyone.
On the afternoon of the second day, the duel between Shi Xuan and Zhang Yan began. This duel once again drew crowds from all the floating islands of the outer realm arena. Everyone gathered at the training ground on the central floating island to watch the duel between Shi Xuan, the strongest Golden Core cultivator, and Zhang Yan, who had just successfully formed his Nascent Soul.
The best team members arrived at the training ground looking relaxed. They had unwavering confidence in their captain. He was just a newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivator; they even felt that their Golden Core captain wouldn't be afraid of anyone in the top twenty.
However, the elders did not think so.
Ever since Shi Xuan accepted the challenge from the Nascent Soul cultivator, the elders have become tense and gathered together to give Zhang Yan a good scolding.
"Pah! This shameless man! He's at the Nascent Soul stage and doesn't dare to pick a strong opponent, so he challenges a ninth-level Golden Core cultivator. How can he even bring himself to do that!"
"Those guys on the Ten Continents aren't any good people. The Hongmeng Team is all hypocrisy; they don't have anyone who gives a good impression!"
"If he's so capable, why doesn't he challenge a Nascent Soul cultivator? Even if he insists on challenging us, isn't there still the twentieth-ranked person? He must be too scared because he sees that the other person is also a Nascent Soul cultivator!"
...
Regardless, Shi Xuan and Zhang Yan both stood on the training ground.
The two stood facing each other and bowed to each other.
Zhang Yan smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Shi Xuan, I'm sorry, but choosing to challenge you this time was a last resort."
Before Shi Xuan could even speak, the elders outside the arena started complaining again.
"A helpless move"? How hypocritical! What's there to be helpless about? There are 65 people before him, who couldn't he choose? "A helpless move"? Helpless my ass!
The cultivators around the elders could hear their whispers. At first, they thought the elders were a bit impatient, but after listening, they realized there was some truth to it.
However, according to the rules, Zhang Yan did nothing wrong; it was his freedom to choose who to challenge.
Shi Xuan didn't say anything, but simply smiled and said, "Let's begin."
After she finished speaking, she took the initiative and quickly swung out the Lianfeng Sword Sect in her hand.
This sword strike, though seemingly casual, carried the force of a thunderbolt. The incoming sword energy, imbued with a peculiar sword intent, rushed towards Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan felt a sudden jolt in his heart, sensing that if he didn't handle it properly, this one sword strike could cleave him in two.
He quickly moved aside.
But this sword strike was simply too fast; his dodging speed was nowhere near the speed at which the sword was coming.
Left with no other choice, he activated his defensive artifact, and as he dodged, a protective shield enveloped him.
The sword energy grazed his neck, not directly touching his body. However, the dissipated sword energy broke through his defensive barrier, leaving a bloody gash on his face.
Not only was Zhang Yan surprised, but the audience outside the arena also gasped in astonishment.
Such powerful sword energy!
A Golden Core cultivator at the ninth level can force an opponent's Nascent Soul to use a defensive magic weapon and draw blood in a single move. What terrifying ability that is!
It is said that sword cultivators can fight beyond their level, but a ninth-level Golden Core cultivator defeating a peak Golden Core cultivator is not the same as a ninth-level Golden Core cultivator defeating a Nascent Soul cultivator!
How did she manage to do it given such a huge disparity in abilities?
Shi Xuan was using the sect's Concealed Edge Sword Technique. Recently, she had reached the eighth level and was becoming increasingly proficient in using it.
At this point, she gained a deeper understanding of the profound meaning behind the sect's founder's creation of this sword technique.
Concealing one's edge is not about showing off one's sharpness, nor is it about having no edge at all. Its sharpness is hidden in the vast natural energy, in the casual moves, and in any intentional or unintentional moment.
It appears peaceful on the surface, but never allows anyone to explore its inner workings. It hides all its domineering power, leaving only a seemingly ordinary appearance.
Therefore, when Xuan used such a casual move, the seemingly ordinary sword energy contained an unexpected domineering aura. Only Zhang Yan on the other side could have that personal experience, a substantial threat that made people tremble with fear.
After the attack, Zhang Yan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He reassessed Shi Xuan's strength in his mind and belatedly realized that he had underestimated her.
However, the problem isn't too serious. Even though sword cultivators are strong, they are still limited by their cultivation level. Besides, although there was blood, it was only a minor injury and nothing to worry about.
After dodging Shi Xuan's attack, he launched a counterattack before Shi Xuan could make a second move.
Suddenly, two puppets appeared in the arena and attacked Shi Xuan at an extremely fast speed.
Zhang Yan is a weapon cultivator, and these two puppets were passed down to him by his master. They are of very high quality, and he can only utilize a portion of their abilities.
However, as his own cultivation improved, his control over the puppets also increased, and the two puppets were able to exert even greater strength in battle.
The two puppets, like two Nascent Soul stage cultivators, rushed to Shi Xuan's side and swung their long swords at him.
Zhang Yan thought to himself, isn't she a sword cultivator? Sword against sword, it's perfect for them to fight together.
But he soon stopped laughing.
Just as the two puppets were getting close, Shi Xuan suddenly dodged backward, and four puppets appeared in front of her at once!
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