CHAPTER 102: CHAPTER 101: PRELIMINARY ROUND (PART 19)

Ye Qingting cleared his throat and said loudly, "Everyone, the badge is indeed with us. If you want to snatch it, no way!"

Ye Qingting drew his Ice Sword, Cui Tianxiao drew his bow and arrow, Qi Ming’s talisman array formed into a rain of gold, and even the three members of the Fierce Dragon Team showed off their skills to cheer for the Challenge Breakers Team.

Ye Qingting: "But since you’ve come all this way, I presume you won’t be content leaving just like that. You might even spread rumors that the Challenge Breakers Team is too cowardly to accept a duel."

"Why don’t we have a fair competition? Any team wanting the badge can send a representative to challenge any member of the Challenge Breakers Team. If you lose, leave immediately. If we lose, we’ll hand over the badge."

The crowd began to discuss, and after some deliberation, many teams turned and left silently. Ice, Thunder, and Gold elements are formidable opponents, better not to seek trouble. If they can’t secure an advancement spot, grabbing a few more Crystal Stones isn’t a wasted trip.

"Can we challenge anyone from your team?" A gloomy-looking blond boy asked mockingly.

Ye Qingting nodded, "Of course."

"Hey, what’s your attribute?"

Li Xing was overjoyed inside that another blind fool had chosen her. She put on a timid face and responded weakly, "Me? I’m Fire Element, but after the recent battle, my Fire Elemental Spirit is depleted and can’t be used."

The blond boy, overjoyed, immediately said, "I want to challenge you!" He added after a thought, "You can’t use that same potion from before!"

Li Xing nodded expressionlessly, "Okay."

Some from other teams who recognized Li Xing intended to warn the blond boy but regretted it when hearing her Fire Elemental Spirit was exhausted.

What a great opportunity! Even with Double Heaven Armor, without the offensive prowess of the Fire Element, what can she achieve with just the Wood Element Spirit?

However, Li Xing’s teammates weren’t worried in the least. Cui Tianxiao gave Qian Xiaowu a knowing look and whispered, "This is going to be a good show."

Seeing someone about to fall into the same trap, Qian Xiaowu felt pleased, secretly turning on the camera of his device.

The blond boy’s choice to challenge a weaker opponent bred scorn, but he possessed notable talent and strength, being an A-rank Golden Elemental Spirit Warrior wielding a battle axe. Yet, as soon as Li Xing revealed the Heavenly Wolf Saber, a bad premonition arose within him.

A slender girl, wielding such a large saber as a weapon, it might either be hollow, or the girl isn’t as frail as she appears. Judging by the howling wind as she swung the Heavenly Wolf Saber, the latter seemed more probable.

Indeed, Li Xing proved the blond boy’s theory correct. Without using her Elemental Spirit, she forced him into a pitiful state with just her martial arts prowess.

After losing a lock of hair toyed by Li Xing again, the blond boy roared in anger and shame:

"Cross Slash—!"

Nine basin-sized Cross Blades whirled towards Li Xing. Some in the audience gasped, while more were disgusted by the blond boy’s actions.

The girl had already said she couldn’t use her Elemental Spirit; if he had any honor, he wouldn’t resort to it either. Clearly, he was taking advantage.

Li Xing snorted coldly, gripping her saber with both hands. She pivoted with her feet, using her waist to powerfully drive her arms, slicing swiftly nine times. The intervals between cuts were so brief that all the spectators heard was a single "clang—" as the nine Cross Blades almost simultaneously hit the ground.

In the hall, Luo Jun clapped thunderously, shouting, "Beautiful—!"

Wendao stroked his beard and said, "Teacher Luo, is this your unique skill, All Nines Return to One? You finally have a successor, congratulations."

Luo Jun chuckled, turning his head to provocatively look at Zhou Song, openly flaunting — you have a talented student like Qi Ming, but I’m not worse off with Li Xing to carry on my legacy, how about that? Zhou Song snorted and turned away, choosing not to engage.

In the valley, everyone was also stunned by Li Xing’s perfect strike. Although they were competitors, a strong warrior always deserves praise and respect.

"Bravo—!"

"Did I see that right? Isn’t this Teacher Luo’s signature skill, All Nines Return to One?"

"Yes, indeed it’s All Nines Return to One, and she’s actually mastered it!"

"Amazing, girl—!"

"Go, knock him down!"

"Challenge Breakers Team, we’re rooting for you!"

In a world where strength reigns supreme, exceptional individuals are never short of supporters, even if they are rivals.

Seeing his Cross Slash being easily countered by Li Xing, the blond boy unleashed his Elemental Power again. The air around him twisted eerily as thousands of silver needles formed, their tips trembling dangerously towards Li Xing.

"Thousand Face Needles, go—!"

All the silver needles shot towards Li Xing. She narrowed her almond-shaped eyes, wielding the Heavenly Wolf Saber into an impenetrable dance. After a series of clinking sounds, the silver needles fell to the ground.

Frowning, Li Xing stowed away her saber, lightly vaulting towards the blond boy, swiftly seizing his wrist.

The next second, the blond boy was being swung around by Li Xing, pounding left and right into the ground. Each thud sent shivers down the onlookers’ spines as pebbles bounced off the ground.

Initially, the blond boy could still scream, but eventually, he went silent.

Everyone around was dumbfounded, thinking, hey, this is a person, not a feather pillow. This girl’s strength is considerable, but wasn’t that too ruthless?

After a good seventeen or eighteen swings, Li Xing finally released him. The blond boy’s face was covered in blood, his nose twisted, missing two front teeth, his body riddled with fractures, and his device embedded in his forearm, already passed out.

"What are you doing!" A girl from the blond boy’s team burst from the crowd, angrily accusing Li Xing. "We’re all classmates; why did you have to be so vicious?"

Those who were just cheering for Li Xing exchanged glances, casting disapproving gazes.

As the blond boy’s teammate attempted to retrieve him, Ye Qingting blocked their way. Knowing Li Xing, there must be a reason for her harsh treatment. Until the situation was clarified, they couldn’t let them take him away.

Ye Qingting checked the blond boy’s breath, finding it was all external injuries. Suffering was inevitable, but his life wasn’t in danger.

"Ah Xing, what’s going on?"

Li Xing signaled him to remain calm and addressed the crowd loudly, "Everyone, though my Elemental Spirit is exhausted, I accepted the challenge out of respect for our classmate relationship. But he treated me as a fool and attacked from behind, should I not retaliate?"

Gasps arose from the crowd, "An attack? Really?"

"Li Xing can’t use her Elemental Spirit anymore. Victory was only a matter of time, why bother with a sneak attack?"

"Stop squabbling, let’s hear what she has to say!"

The girl from the blond boy’s team immediately countered, "Don’t lay false charges; during a duel, moves are unpredictable. Just because you can’t defend doesn’t make it a sneak attack, ridiculous!"

Li Xing replied, "You’re right; moves from behind can’t be universally labeled as sneak attacks. But what if they’re poison needles?"

Saying that, Li Xing held up a metal needle for everyone to see.

This needle was identical to those used in the blond boy’s Thousand Face Needle technique but appeared in an eerie blue color, clearly problematic.