CHAPTER 77: CHAPTER 77: THE BATTLE FOR FIRST PLACE_1

SWOOSH!

The Green Lotus Earthly Fire transformed into a rain of fire, sweeping over everything.

On the Martial Arts Stage, Shen Mo’s Sword Light shattered everything.

BANG!

Everyone watched as a silhouette flew out from the Martial Arts Stage amidst the falling rain of fire, landing heavily on the ground.

It was Lv Xu.

Shen Mo’s Shangqing Swordplay had shattered all the Earthly Fire and inflicted further serious injuries on Lv Xu.

Lv Xu was covered in injuries from the sword Qi, his body riddled with shocking, mottled scars; he was incapable of continuing the battle.

"He still lost!"

"Lv Xu played all his cards but still couldn’t defeat Shen Mo?"

"What’s most astounding is, he didn’t even use any means to boost his own strength and defeated Lv Xu, who had swallowed the Demon Pill, with sheer power alone?"

"Why was this person unknown in the peripheral region before this?"

Looking at the battle unfolding before them, everyone was quite taken aback.

However, Elder Chu Chen, who was presiding over the battle, did not show much surprise or shock.

"In this battle, Shen Mo is victorious."

The calm voice slowly echoed through the entire arena, signifying the end of this competition.

「At the same time, on the high stage.」

Zhou Shili and the other Peak Masters were also paying close attention to the strength Shen Mo had displayed.

"The technique he just displayed was comparable to Qi Gathering Realm Layer III. What’s surprising is that he used our Riverside Sect’s introductory sword technique, the Shangqing Swordplay."

"Clearly, this person has cultivated the Shangqing Swordplay to the point of transforming the mundane into the magical."

Peak Master Tang Lv of Rising Sun Peak showed a rare hint of surprise, "Even when cultivated to the perfection stage, the Shangqing Swordplay shouldn’t possess such powerful sword Qi."

"Could it be... he has cultivated the Shangqing Swordplay to the point of surpassing its original creators, refining its flaws, and elevating this sword technique to an entirely new level?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the three Peak Masters fell silent.

They naturally knew that the perfection stage of magic was not the limit.

If someone possessed extraordinary talent and dedicated themselves to study, there was a chance to reach a level that predecessors had never achieved, allowing magic to exceed its original grade.

However, such a breakthrough was extremely rare and difficult.

It not only required fortuitous encounters and diligence but also exceptional innate talent. Even these highly knowledgeable figures had rarely witnessed such an occurrence.

"This prospect... is truly excellent."

Although Shen Mo’s talent was clearly not on par with Lu Ming, who possessed the Thunder Body, he was still an excellent candidate for nurturing.

...

"He’s too strong! He even won against Lv Xu!"

When Shen Mo stepped down from the Martial Arts Stage, Cao Ren immediately exclaimed excitedly, "You! You usually keep such a low profile, how did you suddenly become so formidable!"

"I didn’t intentionally hide anything. It’s just been a long time, and you haven’t had the chance to see my capabilities."

Shen Mo wore a faint smile and showed no false modesty.

Possessing strength is like being pregnant; it can’t be concealed for long.

Although he usually kept a low profile, in an event like the New Talent Competition, he knew he absolutely had to give it his all to obtain more sect resources and earn the favor of the sect’s higher-ups.

Therefore, he did not intentionally hide his skills.

"Hmm, you kid, not bad."

Chen An stood to the side, stroking his beard, his face crinkling into a smile like a steamed bun. Yet, he still tried to maintain his composure as an elder, not wanting to show too much surprise in front of Shen Mo.

"Just ’not bad’?"

Shen Mo looked at Uncle Chen and replied with a light smile.

"Excellent!" Chen An finally couldn’t maintain his composure and gave him a thumbs-up. "Are you confident you can win first place in the New Talent Competition in one go?"

"If you can make it to the top, then you’ll truly be invincible."

Chen An saw this young man he had watched grow up suddenly transform into a dark horse, competing against many renowned prodigies in the New Talent Competition. Inevitably, his expectations for him grew.

"That’s right! Winning first place is what makes a true hero! In the future, when I’m bragging to others, I can proudly say I know the top prodigy of the New Talent Competition!"

Cao Ren chimed in enthusiastically.

"First place, huh?" The smile on Shen Mo’s face slowly faded as he turned to look towards the distant Martial Arts Stage.

His gaze settled on the horse-faced young man in the green brocade robe, and he said softly, "That won’t be an easy task."

At this moment, Lu Ming had also defeated his opponent.

Despite Qian Sun relying on his profound level middle-grade magic artifact, the Chaotic Sky Silk, to overcome his opponents, he quickly succumbed when faced with a prodigy of Lu Ming’s caliber.

Like Lv Xu, Qian Sun had also swallowed an augmentation elixir to try and win this round.

But against Lu Ming, the chasm in their strength was too vast to be bridged by a single elixir.

When Shen Mo’s gaze landed on Lu Ming, Lu Ming sensed it and shifted his own gaze towards Shen Mo.

Their eyes met across the distance for a moment, but it was soon interrupted by Elder Chu Chen announcing the results.

"Lu Ming versus Qian Sun: Lu Ming is victorious."

"The contenders for first place in the New Talent Competition: Shen Mo and Lu Ming!"

After Elder Chu Chen’s announcement echoed throughout the venue, the spectators began discussing amongst themselves.

"The prodigies we favored earlier have all been eliminated."

"I never imagined two dark horses would emerge from the outer sect disciples!"

"Truly, each new generation of disciples is stronger than the last."

It wasn’t just the unaffiliated disciples spectating from the sidelines who were in awe of Shen Mo and Lu Ming’s performances on the Martial Arts Stage. Even the members from the three Main Peaks on the high platform regarded them with great importance and admiration.

"Next, only the showdown between the two strongest remains."

"Who will come out on top? We’ll find out soon."

Guo Zhao and Lu Yao stood behind Peak Master Zhou Shili, silently watching the upcoming final match.

"Begin!"

After a brief rest, Elder Chu Chen quickly announced the start of the final round of the New Talent Competition.

This time, there was no need for a draw, because only Shen Mo and Lu Ming remained.

"Come on, let me gauge your abilities."

Lu Ming was the first to step onto the Martial Arts Stage, his gaze as sharp as a knife as he spoke word by word.

"Alright."

Shen Mo nodded and also ascended the Martial Arts Stage, saying, "I look forward to learning from you."

Although Shen Mo didn’t know that Lu Ming possessed a Thunder Body, he could tell that this young man was no simple opponent.

Even he felt considerable pressure from Lu Ming’s piercing, knife-like gaze.

CRACKLE!

As soon as they exchanged formal courtesies, Lu Ming suddenly attacked.

He thrust out his palm, where dense arcs of lightning crackled in its center, coalescing into a bolt of electricity that surged towards Shen Mo.

Thunder power?

Upon seeing this, Shen Mo’s expression became much more solemn.

He had observed Lu Ming’s duels with others earlier and knew how formidable his thunder-controlling Skill was.

"Slash!"

When the lightning current transformed into a white blade striking directly at him, Shen Mo made a hand gesture, and the Dragon Sparrow Sword became a long rainbow, shattering all the lightning.

Immediately after, he stomped his foot and launched his own attack.

Sword shadows crisscrossed above the Martial Arts Stage like a vast ocean, enveloping Lu Ming within.

The sword Qi spreading densely in all directions, each strand capable of instantly inflicting grievous injuries upon a cultivator at the Body Tempering Realm Perfection Stage.

Yet Lu Ming, at the center of the sword Qi, remained completely unmoved.

Despite the endless sword Qi exploding against his body, he remained utterly unscathed.