Chapter 76: The Oath of a Single Battle

This blow not only wrapped the fist in layers of crimson force light, but also caused a cracking sound to echo through the air!

Nangong Wanyun’s expression changed immediately. Just by looking at the power of this punch, she did not dare to receive it head-on! She could only dodge and retreat.

Qianye caught up with flying steps, sweeping a leg that also crackled like thunder. This time, Nangong Wanyun had no place to retreat. Gritting her teeth, she launched a kick as well, clashing with Qianye!

A muffled boom echoed, and both staggered back, their faces instantly pale.

Despite her delicate appearance, Nangong Wanyun’s force was also on the fierce and powerful side, resulting in a stalemate. Qianye felt as if he had collided with a piece of equally hard alloy, and the rebounding force left him feeling unwell for a moment.

However, such a backlash was nothing compared to the brutal combat on the battlefield. Almost unimpeded, Qianye once again rushed towards Nangong Wanyun, using every part of his body—fists, feet, shoulders, and elbows—as weapons.

Nangong Wanyun suddenly found all her combat techniques useless. Faced with such ferocious power and speed, her only choice was to endure each blow.

This round of intense fighting lasted for over ten minutes. Nangong Wanyun suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, her force finally depleted, and her offensive and defensive momentum slackened. Seizing the opportunity, Qianye lunged into her embrace, delivering a powerful strike!

Nangong Wanyun flew backward, crashing out of the arena.

Qianye stood still, a strange flush crossing his face, and he too spat out a mouthful of blood.

Nangong Wanyun, who had just struggled to her feet, was extremely frustrated. She had only managed to use one secret technique at the beginning, and then was completely dominated by Qianye’s relentless assault, turning the fight into a close-quarters brawl. Despite having a two-level advantage, she was thrown out of the arena.

However, seeing Qianye also spitting blood, Nangong Wanyun felt better, realizing he hadn’t won as easily as it appeared. She smoothed her hair behind her ears, regaining her composure and elegance, and waved goodbye to Qianye before leaving.

Qianye slowly walked to the side of the arena, found a spot, and sat down to rest, waiting for the next battle.

After five rounds, only sixteen contestants remained, and the virtual screen at the edge of the arena displayed the new match schedule. At this point, the true strength of the aristocratic families became evident. Two-thirds of the top sixteen were from aristocratic families, while scholars, commoners, and the lower classes made up the remaining third.

The sixth round was also the last match of the day. It was a relatively easy one for Qianye, as his opponent, a member of an aristocratic family, had faced equally matched opponents in the previous two rounds and had barely won with minor injuries. The opponent only managed a few exchanges with Qianye before being forced to block a heavy punch, adding to his injuries and forcing him to concede.

At this point, many spectators noticed Qianye’s success. The Duke Wei, who knew of Qianye’s talents, nodded slightly, his expression not changing much.

The advisor next to him noticed and said, “That No. 163, to reach this stage at only level five, must have special talents. Perhaps worth cultivating?”

The Duke stroked his beard and said, “It is said that the ‘Dawn Enlightenment’ is known for its ability to win with weaker force. Indeed, it lives up to its name. If this boy had not only practiced the Bing Fa Jue, he would not be limited to this.”

The advisor, understanding the Duke’s meaning, replied, “Your Grace’s discernment is impeccable!”

But the Duke shook his head, saying, “Unfortunately, in the abandoned lands of the Evernight Continent, such talent is wasted. He is merely a few times more powerful in terms of force thickness than the standard level.”

Realizing the Duke was not interested in recruiting him, the advisor changed the subject, “Apart from him, there are several other promising young talents in this Spring Hunt. The young masters from the aristocratic families might be suitable matches for Lady Xin’er.”

The Duke simply said, “Let’s wait and see. There are still three rounds left. Xin’er is still young; we can take our time.”

The advisor understood that the Duke had not yet decided, so he remained silent, waiting for the end of the battles.

In the afternoon, the rear garden of the Yin family’s courtyard was unusually quiet.

Qianye sat among the dense treetops, holding his right hand up, as sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting mottled light spots on his palm. He suddenly looked to the right, where, amidst the rustling of the mountain breeze, a few fallen leaves drifted down, revealing a figure.

Song Zining found a branch and sat down casually, holding a cylindrical silver teapot, pouring out clear, fragrant water, though it was still tea.

Qianye accepted the cup Song Zining handed to him and couldn’t help but laugh, “Really, no more alcohol? I’ve seen Qi Qi busy these past two days, don’t you have any social obligations?”

“The evaluation and recruitment of the scholar families are handled by others,” Song Zining said casually, “I still need to prepare for the fights!”

Qianye shrugged, finding this excuse too flimsy. Qi Qi had also advanced to the sixth round.

Song Zining leaned back, resting his hands behind his head, and said, “Zhao Junhong told me he agreed to fight you with only level five force.”

Qianye was surprised, “Why did he say that?”

“Because he originally wanted to request a match with you in the same group.”

Qianye immediately understood. It seemed Zhao Junhong was determined to fight him, fearing he might not make it to the final, and thus wanted to secure the match through the designated rights. But Zhao Junhong was not wrong; after seeing Song Zining’s secret techniques and the dazzling gunshots, even Qianye himself wasn’t sure he could win.

But Qianye asked, “Then why is the grouping still like this?”

Song Zining smiled and said, “Because I also have a match with Prince Wei!”

Qianye suddenly felt a malicious intent in his friend’s smile.

Next, Song Zining discussed the evaluations and discussions he and Zhao Junhong had about Qianye’s previous performances, immediately diverting Qianye’s attention. Both Song and Zhao were talented members of the nobility, capable of mastering warlord-level techniques at the warrior stage. Their insights were naturally profound, each comment hitting the mark.

Qianye listened carefully, realizing his shortcomings after encountering various secret techniques in the Tianxuan Spring Hunt. His military combat skills, forged in the heat of battle, and the deep force gained from practicing Bing Fa Jue, had always given him a distinct advantage. However, his lack of secret techniques and fine control over elemental forces greatly limited his tactical options.

Zhao Junhong had pointed out that Qianye’s combat style was unsuitable for tournament fights. Qianye had only one tactic: to overwhelm with sheer force. This tactic left no room for retreat, and once stopped, the counterattack was even more severe.

After the third round, Qianye had to exchange blows with a scholar youth, suffering significant injuries. Earlier, Ji Yuanjia had even disrupted his Bing Fa Jue, though Qianye never repeated that mistake. As a result, he had not yet used the Kingly Strike on the platform, partly to keep a reserve move and partly because it was his last card. If he failed, he would lose the initiative.

Only when he saw the virtual screen the next morning did Qianye realize that this round was between Song Zining and Wei Po Tian?

But Qianye soon couldn’t afford to be distracted. He faced a tough battle. In the seventh round, his opponent was a scholar warrior, one of the strongest remaining contestants.

The fight lasted nearly an hour, with both nearly depleting their force. Finally, Qianye seized a small opportunity, severely injuring his opponent and winning the match.

After the fight, Qianye realized he was not the last to finish.

On another field, a thunderous roar echoed, along with the familiar ochre glow of the Thousand Mountains. Occasionally, bursts of star-like light exploded in the air. Wei Po Tian, under the pressure of the Thousand Mountains, charged and roared, relentlessly pursuing his opponent. And that opponent was none other than Song Zining!

Around Song Zining, there was no sign of the eerie beauty of the Three Thousand Drifting Leaves, but his movements were equally elusive, as if weightless, zipping around the field. The only way to track him was through the afterimages he left, reminiscent of that ghostly apparition.

Wei Po Tian’s attacks were fierce and swift, occasionally making a sharp whistling sound, indicative of his incredible speed and power. Yet, Song Zining always managed to evade, not letting a single blow land.

After exactly ten minutes, the Thousand Mountains’ glow on Wei Po Tian flickered and disappeared, his force exhausted. Exhausted to the point of near collapse, he supported himself on his knees, gasping for breath, sweat pouring down his face.

Song Zining, a few steps away, flashed and appeared behind Wei Po Tian. With a gentle push, the already half-exhausted Wei Po Tian fell, sliding out of the arena, half his body outside the boundary.

Song Zining won the match.

Thus, Qianye faced his old friend, Song Zining, in the semi-finals.

Song Zining was clearly in high spirits, his usually unchanging gentle smile now revealing genuine joy, sending a chill down Qianye’s spine. It reminded him of when someone had been on the receiving end of Song Zining’s retribution in the Yellow Springs training camp.

From the tail end of the match, Qianye clearly understood that Song Zining’s tactics were the most effective against his and Wei Po Tian’s hard and fierce fighting styles.

But there was no fear, and Qianye’s fighting spirit only grew stronger. It had been years since they had fought.

The battle horn sounded, and Qianye quickly cycled through two rounds of the eighteen layers of Bing Fa Jue. He stepped forward, roaring, and threw a punch!

Song Zining’s body glowed with a faint green light, and he pushed his palm to block. In an instant, they exchanged over ten moves, their familiarity with each other’s close combat techniques evident. Despite the years apart, they were as adept as ever, and not a single blow landed solidly.