Taking medicine pills has always been the most taboo in all the past competitions, and at this moment, Gao Qi has already consumed an Explosive Growth Pill.

Gao Qi was quick to take the pill, thinking no one noticed, but as the saying goes, "there are no secrets that time does not reveal." Though the two deacon judges did not see, the eyes of the many elders above the Southern Square were sharp. They instantly noticed Gao Qi's little action.

"And this kid dares to be called the top outer sect disciple? Using such means to deal with a disciple at the Late Embryonic Breath Stage? He should be disqualified immediately!"

A chubby elder, seeing Gao Qi's action, couldn't help but say angrily.

Hearing the elder's words, some of the other elders felt the same way and were about to send disciples to inform the judges to disqualify Gao Qi from the competition.

"Someone come..."

"Wait!"

Just as an elder was about to send someone over to disqualify Gao Qi, a deep voice suddenly rang out, momentarily stunning all the elders.

The speaker was none other than the Sect Master, He Zenfen.

Hearing the Sect Master's words, everyone was momentarily puzzled, wondering what the Sect Master intended to do.

"Let's first see where that disciple's limits are. If anything unexpected happens, we can intervene immediately."

He Zenfen said, watching Wang Hu with a very appreciative smile.

Hearing the Sect Master's words, all the elders exchanged knowing smiles, as everyone knew the Sect Master cherished talent, obviously holding high hopes for that disciple; otherwise, he wouldn't be interested in seeing where that disciple's limits lay.

"The Sect Master is wise."

"The Sect Master is wise."

"..."

All the elders couldn't help but respectfully agree with He Zenfen.

...

At this moment, Ding Fan, with his extraordinary senses, clearly saw Gao Qi's actions and couldn't help but mutter disdainfully to himself:

"Despicable!"

Ding Fan's low murmur was overheard by Lianzi and others beside him, who looked at Ding Fan with faces full of confusion, not knowing who Ding Fan referred to as despicable.

It was apparent that Gao Qi's little trick deceived most of the cultivator disciples, but not all. Besides Ding Fan, some other disciples also saw it clearly, such as Gu Feng in beast clothes and Ye Qingfeng not far away.

At this point, after taking the Explosive Growth Pill, the True Qi within Gao Qi was instantly filled, and his cultivation soared, seemingly nearing the level of the Nascent Soul Middle Stage.

Wang Hu, seeing this, couldn't help but be surprised, unable to understand why his opponent's cultivation had suddenly increased so much.

But at this moment, Wang Hu had no mood to care about these things. Facing someone who intended to harm his family, his eyes held only one thing.

Kill the opponent! Protect the family!

Aside from this, Wang Hu saw nothing else; now, his eyes were entirely focused on this matter!

At first, he was also shocked by his own performance. To know that the opponent was a cultivator at the Early Nascent Soul Stage, even reputed as the top outer sect disciple, it was something he couldn't believe he had consecutively repelled two of the opponent's attacks. Yet, the truth was laid bare before him.

Wang Hu's kind of shock was fleeting. Over the past half month of arduous training, Wang Hu himself didn't know what level his strength had reached, only remembering deeply the words of affirmation from his big brother in his mind.

However, Wang Hu did not expect his strength to become so strong at this moment. But these things now no longer concerned him. His heart was still focused on one thing: to deal with the opponent until dead, defeated, to death and no turning back, because family is his boundary; harming his family would make him willing to risk his life without hesitation!

Ding ding ding!

At this moment, Gao Qi drew his longsword, a continuous stream of sword blossoms burst forth, attacking Wang Hu with great fierceness.

"Ten-Li Sword Technique!"

The Ten-Li Sword Technique, taking enemies' heads within ten li! Unbeatable in attack!

Again, a Profound Level Upper Grade Martial Art!

In an instant, Gao Qi's sword became brilliant and magnificent, and the surrounding temperature seemingly dropped to freezing, as if at Ningbing's temperature. Sword blossoms proliferated, each capable of easily killing a cultivator at the Early Nascent Soul Stage.

Such an offensive momentarily made everyone below tense with unease!

Gao Qi looked at his opponent with a vicious and cruel face. This might be his most powerful strike, a move in which he had never lost, regardless of the opponent's cultivation level. Any strategist faced with this move had no choice but to await death.

Moreover, at this moment, having taken an Explosive Growth Pill, his cultivation had risen almost to the level of the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, evidently increasing the power of this "Ten-Li Sword Technique" greatly.

The crowd below, witnessing Gao Qi's sword, couldn't help but be very shocked.

It's just too powerful!

"Even if I'm the top outer sect disciple, how could I lose? That kid is definitely doomed now!"

"That kid, although also good, is ultimately lacking in cultivation, being one level lower. How could he possibly face such a fierce sword?"

"I didn't expect Gao Qi, senior brother, to have such a terrifying move, but how did his cultivation increase so much all of a sudden?"

"Yeah, it's a bit odd, but having some unknown means is normal for a genius disciple."

"Probably that seemingly simple-minded fellow will be defeated as well!"

"It's a pity, really. If that kid hadn't faced Gao Qi in the first round, making it into the inner sect might have been possible!"

"..."

The numerous disciples watching Gao Qi's sword couldn't help but chatter amongst themselves.

"Go to hell, get off now, we'll 'take good care' of your family too. Ha ha..."

At this moment, Gao Qi rushed forward with his longsword and sinisterly smiled.

Hearing the opponent's words, Wang Hu's anger reached its peak.

"For my family, you must die!"

Wang Hu roared, feeling the opponent's fierce attack. Small sword blossoms had already nicked him everywhere, and blood trickled continuously from his body. Ignoring his own injuries, Wang Hu's fury burned even brighter.

He continued to swing his fists, unleashing technique after technique, yet they seemed ineffective against his opponent.

The crowd was astonished, wondering what this guy was doing.

"Has that kid been scared stupid?"

"Why isn't he dodging at all?"

"..."

The audience was puzzled by Wang Hu's actions, unable to comprehend his intentions.

Even Lianzi was tense, knowing Gao Qi's sword was powerful. She feared Wang Hu would suffer terribly if he didn't dodge.

These thoughts made Lianzi all the more anxious.

Watching, Ding Fan's lips curled slightly. He had realized something intriguing and felt a thrill of anticipation.

Boom!

"Golden Dragon Emergence!"

Wang Hu roared, charging fiercely at Gao Qi's sword with a powerful blow.

Immediately, a massive sound echoed, and Gao Qi's sword momentum was utterly destroyed by Wang Hu. What Wang Hu had unleashed was the technique Ding Fan had taught him, "Golden Dragon Emergence." Though Ding Fan could see that Wang Hu's execution wasn't perfect, it was more than sufficient to defeat Gao Qi.

Boom!

Spurt...

In an instant, just as everyone thought Wang Hu was about to be beaten, Gao Qi stumbled back several steps, vomiting blood profusely!

Yet Wang Hu stood motionless, fiercely gazing at Gao Qi. Though unscathed, the intensity of his opponent's sword had been entirely vanquished at the cost of Wang Hu depleting much of his strength, leaving him exhausted and unable to continue.

Despite the low True Qi consumption of "Golden Dragon Emergence," its mental toll was significant. While this affected Ding Fan little, it greatly impacted Wang Hu, whose cultivation was only at the Late Fetal Breathing Stage.

Wang Hu clearly felt he could not execute it again.

Gao Qi spat more blood as he slumped weakly, supporting himself with one hand on the Martial Arts Platform. Having no battle capacity left, Gao Qi felt utterly depleted, realizing his internal organs had suffered severe damage.

His opponent's punch was astonishingly overwhelming. His sword technique caved in as though a subordinate meeting a superior, utterly powerless against Wang Hu's overwhelming force.

"Wang Hu wins!"

The elder in charge, witnessing the scene, was equally shocked, never imagining Wang Hu's punch would demolish Gao Qi's offense, seriously injuring him. What kind of martial arts was this, possessing such power?

The judging elder was stunned, not expecting such a devastating force from an apparently ordinary punch.

Gao Qi was left without any fight left in him, unable to stand. The match had a clear winner as the elder stepped up to the Martial Arts Platform to announce the results.

The crowd was bewildered, unable to process what had happened.

Wasn't Wang Hu supposed to be on the verge of defeat?

How was it that Gao Qi ended up being beaten instead?

This was simply unbelievable!

Many disciples, seeing Wang Hu's formidable punch, couldn't help but express admiration. Clearly, his technique far surpassed Gao Qi's swordsmanship. Gao Qi's defeat seemed only natural.

This match, initially believed to end quickly, left everyone profoundly astonished.

Many cultivators realized then that a dark horse had appeared in the tournament!

"Wang Hu is amazing!"

"Incredible, Wang Hu!"

"..."

Many cultivators began to cheer for Wang Hu.

Seeing this, Wang Hu forced a smile, though his gaze soon dimmed again, worrying about his family's well-being.

Gao Qi looked at Wang Hu, surrounded and celebrated, with venom and humiliation in his eyes. He had lost the first round completely!

And so thoroughly!

Despite using the Explosive Growth Pill, he still ended up defeated, which was unacceptable to him.

Being hailed as the best among the outer sect disciples seemed like a joke now...