Chapter 823
Bye Signing, Great Fortune
The outcome of the battle ultimately did not exceed everyone's expectations.
The two fought for a short time, and the outcome was decided in just a few quarters of an hour. The lingering aftertaste of the laws dissipated, leaving only the shattered spatial barrier silently telling the story of the fierce battle.
There was no true winner in this battle; whoever it was, paid a heavy price.
Ling Xiao exhausted his potential and fell into a coma, while Long Han had his arm severed. Although the arm was preserved intact, even if it was successfully reattached, he wouldn't be able to use it freely for a while.
Moreover, that sword strike was not just a simple severing of his arm; the sword energy had already entered his internal organs through the wound, and was tormenting him every moment.
This is not the most serious problem that Long'an is currently facing.
After careful examination by the elders of the Beast Taming Sect, it was discovered that due to the excessive stimulation of the power of the precious blood in its body, Long Han's body had shown some signs of "demonic transformation," with several blue scales growing on its back.
Just as the Dragon Elephant True Lord said, if he hadn't intervened, the Dragon An would have already become a half-demon.
"The only way is to ask the Supreme Elder to take action personally," the Beast Taming Sect's leading elder said in a deep voice.
Compared to their worries, the cultivators of the Ji Clan of Tianshui were overjoyed. Ling Xiao and Long An had both suffered heavy losses, but they were the ones who benefited the most.
"Ling Xiao's progress over the years has already been astonishing, but I never imagined that Long Han's utilization of the precious blood would reach such a level. Fortunately, this hidden danger was eliminated in advance," said an elder of the Ji clan with a face full of relief.
Ji Liangyu's expression remained as calm as ever, as if these news could not stir any waves in her heart at all.
In reality, she didn't really care about these messages; neither Long Han nor Ling Xiao's performance caught her eye.
For her, there was only one opponent on this trip, and unless a stronger opponent appeared, it wouldn't pique her interest at all.
"Om..."
The five True Lords worked together to unleash the power of the laws, quickly repairing the shattered spatial barrier.
Immediately, True Monarch Yingyue took out two jade slips from the divination tube and announced loudly, "The next match will be between Cai Die, an instructor from the Myriad Elephant Palace Academy, and Qin Zhengdao, a battle formation instructor from the Deer Chasing Academy."
"Qin Zhengdao is a general of the border army of the Great Zhen Immortal Dynasty, who commands the Broken Wing Legion. He is proficient in battle formations, experienced, and ruthless. He is a man who has fought his way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood."
"You're injured, so be careful and don't linger in battle," Ji Shinian solemnly advised.
"Uncle-Master, please rest assured, I will absolutely not allow him to have any chance to threaten Fellow Daoist Zixu."
If she were at her peak, Cai Die could have given this broken-winged general a run for her money, but now she has no chance. She can only choose to severely injure him to clear the threat ahead for Song Changsheng.
After Cai Die entered the arena, Song Changsheng looked at Baili Yuntu beside him and said, "Fellow Daoist Cai Die is facing Qin Zhengdao, so your opponent will be the Sixth Prince Zhao Quan. He is also a swordsman with superb swordsmanship, and you are a kindred spirit."
"I do not follow the ordinary path of swordsmanship."
"Fellow Daoist's sword control technique is the only one I have ever seen in my life. If I am not mistaken, the array diagram you are using should be the [Nine Profound Extinction Sword Diagram], which requires at least nine flying swords to unleash its full power."
However, due to the restrictions of the competition rules, only two flying swords can be used. Therefore, the fellow Daoist made some slight changes to the sword diagram, transforming it into the [Two Elements Sword Formation] to maximize the power of the sword formation.
"Given your mastery of formations, I shouldn't be interfering. However, I feel there's room for improvement in your sword formation," Song Changsheng said softly, carefully choosing his words.
He had wanted to say these words the first time he saw Baili Yuntu use the sword formation.
The reason it has been delayed until now is mainly because this is a taboo matter. Their cultivation levels are similar, and their array formation skills are both at the middle level of the fourth rank, with no difference in their strength.
However, these words inevitably carried a condescending tone, as they were all proud and arrogant individuals. It was a small matter if they were met with indifference, but they were afraid of causing unnecessary misunderstandings and affecting the normal progress of the competition.
It wasn't that Song Changsheng was being petty; if it were Ling Xiao or Ji Shinian, he certainly wouldn't have kept these words bottled up for so long. The main problem was that he didn't know the other person's character. Despite having spent so much time together, they hadn't actually exchanged more than ten sentences.
Previously, the situation at Wanxiang Palace was excellent, so there was no need to say these things. But now that the situation has taken a sharp turn for the worse, he needs to make full use of all available resources.
Simply put, he needs a teammate to weaken the power of the Great Zhen Immortal Dynasty.
Cai Die has already lost her chance to advance. If Bai Li Yun Tu is also defeated by the Sixth Prince Zhao Quan, it means that among the seven people in the next round, three will be contestants from the Great Zhen Immortal Dynasty. At that time, his situation will be very passive.
He is not incapable of handling pressure, but as the only player with a chance of entering the Wanxiang Palace, he must be extremely cautious. He doesn't have to win the championship, but he must at least make it into the top three.
This was a promise he had made to Yi Tianzheng before he came; he would do his best to win a [Earth Infant Fruit] for the Myriad Manifestations Palace.
Hearing his words, Baili Yuntu felt slightly displeased, but he didn't show it. He nodded and said, "What insightful opinion does Fellow Daoist Zixu have?"
Song Changsheng frankly said, "Although you have modified it into the Yin-Yang Sword Formation, you still feel a bit awkward when using it. This is because your own Dao is not compatible with it."
As the saying goes, the primordial chaos gives rise to the two polarities, and the two polarities divide into Yin and Yang. If the principles of Yin and Yang are integrated into the sword formation, these problems will be easily solved, and the power of the sword formation can be maximized.
Coincidentally, Song had some insights into the "Yin-Yang principle."
Baili Yuntu's eyes flickered, and he remained silent, seemingly considering the feasibility of the plan. After a long while, he finally spoke, "What does Fellow Daoist intend to do?"
"If you trust me, please hand over the sword diagram to me. I will definitely complete it before Fellow Daoist Caidie's battle ends."
“Of course it is.” Baili Yuntu took out his sword diagram and handed it to Song Changsheng.
With time running out, Song Changsheng could only choose the simplest method: to directly integrate his own Daoist essence of the Yin-Yang Laws into it.
Just as he was trying it out, a sudden commotion arose in his ears. He looked up and saw a huge [Phantom Winged Butterfly] that had appeared in the sky at some unknown time. Its vibrant colors and perfect arrangement were breathtakingly beautiful, radiating a dreamlike light.
The phoenix wings trembled slightly, releasing a rainbow of fluorescent powder that enveloped Qin Zhengdao like an elf.
Although Qin Zhengdao had been on guard, Cai Die had hidden herself too well, and her Dharma form was different from ordinary people. Caught off guard, he still fell into the illusion created by the [Dream Law].
His facial expressions shifted between seriousness, grief, and maniacal laughter, sometimes uncontrollable.
One illusion after another appears, seemingly without end.
After an unknown amount of time, Qin Zhengdao's face suddenly turned bright red, and then he abruptly spat out a mouthful of blood. His originally red cheeks turned pale in an instant, and his aura plummeted. He staggered and almost fell from the sky.
But the butterfly fell before him.
Maintaining an illusion places an unimaginable burden on the caster. With her injuries, Cai Die simply couldn't sustain the illusion for long. If she had been given another incense stick's time, the outcome of the battle would have been uncertain. Although somewhat regrettable, she had still executed her strategy, successfully crippling Qin Zhengdao and ensuring that even if he advanced to the next round, he would no longer pose a significant threat to Song Changsheng!
The final match of this round was between Baili Yuntu and Zhao Quan, the sixth prince of the Great Zhen Immortal Dynasty.
After several hours of fierce fighting, Baili Yuntu unexpectedly won the battle and successfully advanced into the top seven.
In this match, he deliberately concealed his true strength, not using his full power at all. He didn't even use the [Two Elements Sword Formation] that Song Changsheng had improved for him, or more accurately, the [Yin Yang Two Elements Sword Formation], which was quite impressive.
In Song Changsheng's opinion, if Baili Yuntu had the cultivation level of the late Golden Core stage, his strength would probably not be weaker than Ling Xiao's.
The Moon Reflection Monarch announced loudly, "The second round of the Five Academies Tournament has come to an end. We will rest for three days, after which the competition for the semi-finals of the top seven to the top four will be held."
The competition was like a great wave sifting through the sands; after several rounds, the number of participants plummeted from twenty-five to just seven.
The Great Zhen Immortal Dynasty and the Myriad Manifestations Palace have the upper hand, with two people each making it into the top seven, while the other forces each have only one person left.
Li Yufeng has only gotten to where he is now through his own luck in the lottery, and he poses no threat. Long Han and Qin Zhengdao are both seriously injured. Unless they use some heaven-defying item or have an explosive luck in the lottery during these three days, it will be difficult for them to achieve anything further.
Based on this calculation, the semifinalists are practically already decided.
Of the remaining contestants, only Ji Liangyu and Zhao Yin could pose a threat to Song Changsheng, which greatly reduced the pressure on him.
However, there was one thing that had been weighing on his mind.
Before the competition officially began, Ji Shinian asked Marquis Zhenyuan to help him find Zhuang Yuechan, but there has been no result yet.
She vanished as if she had evaporated into thin air, her whereabouts unknown.
"Fellow Daoist Ji, still no news?" Song Changsheng had asked this question for what felt like the umpteenth time.
"Not yet. The Supreme Elder has personally inquired about this matter. He has some connections in the Great Zhen Immortal Dynasty."
"It is a sin of Changsheng to have troubled the True Lord to spare his attention."
Ji Shinian shook his head slightly and said, "You fought for the Wanxiang Palace, risking your life. It's just a small matter, what's the big deal?"
After saying that, he changed the subject and said, "I have come here because I have some new information to share with you."
"Fellow Taoist, please speak."
"True Monarch Tianpeng of the Beast Taming Sect is personally healing Long Han. There may be changes in the competition the day after tomorrow. Fellow Daoist, please be mentally prepared."
Song Changsheng frowned slightly. Long Han's strength was undoubtedly formidable, but could he really recover from such severe injuries in just three days?
"The Beast Taming Sect has a profound foundation, and True Monarch Tianpeng is a veteran True Monarch with unpredictable methods, so it's not impossible."
However, as you saw in Long'an's previous state, we've come up with a solution: to 'delay' it.
Although the precious blood within him is strong, it is always in danger of going out of control. The longer the time is dragged out, the greater his chances of winning will be.
Most people might not be able to do it, but your understanding of the [Spatial Laws] has reached perfection, so it's not difficult for you, and the success rate is very high.
"I understand. Is there any news about Zhao Yin and Ji Liangyu?"
Compared to Long Han, whose weaknesses were obvious, these two had never revealed their true strength, which was what he feared most, as they had no idea where their limits lay.
"Although these two have been famous for a long time, they don't act as high-profile as Long An. They are very well hidden and it's difficult to find out any useful information. You'll have to rely on your own judgment."
"I understand."
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. When everyone gathered again at the Cloud Arena, the previously dying Long Han appeared before them as if nothing had happened.
His severed right arm has been reattached, and all the remaining sword energy in his body has been removed. There is no indication that he was just seriously injured.
Even though they were mentally prepared, everyone was still shocked by the profound foundation of the Beast Taming Sect.
"The Five Academies Grand Competition, the third round, the draw for the seven to four, will now begin. Please draw lots in turn. Those who draw a lot with a character on it will receive a bye in this round."
As soon as he finished speaking, the white jade divination tube appeared in front of Song Changsheng for the third time.
Just as I was about to reach out and draw a lot.
Baili Yuntu suddenly said, "Let me go first."
As he spoke, he reached out and pulled out a cigarette, but his mind went blank.
Song Changsheng followed closely behind and took one, on which were clearly written the words "bye-bye".
The moment he saw those two words, even Song Changsheng was stunned. He never expected that he would draw a "bye" at this time.
The people of Wanxiang Palace were overjoyed, as this meant that Song Changsheng would avoid all risks and directly enter the top four to compete for the top three.
Three more people need to be eliminated in this round. If another seeded player is eliminated, Song Changsheng will be able to win the top three without lifting a finger.
"It's finally over." Li Yufeng sighed inwardly. He had reached a position that was not originally his due thanks to luck. For him, the further he went, the greater the psychological pressure became.
He was just one who got lucky.
Stopping in the top seven is actually a good thing for him.
"In this round, Song Changsheng, the instructor of Wanxiang Palace Academy, received a bye and directly advanced to the semi-finals."
The first match of this round will feature Li Yufeng, an instructor from Baidingge Academy, against Qin Zhengdao, a battle formation instructor from Zhulu Academy!
As Yingyue Zhenjun finished speaking, a strange look appeared on the faces of everyone present. Even the Zhenjuns in the air and even the Human King couldn't help but glance at Li Yufeng a few more times.
Of the remaining cultivators on the field, Qin Zhengdao was the most seriously injured, and this was also Li Yufeng's only way to advance. Unexpectedly, he had grasped this opportunity precisely.
Once or twice is a coincidence, but the third time... it's a stroke of great fortune!
...(End of chapter)