Chapter 525 Top 10 Match

After the Hundred Stances Returning to Storage Technique reached the entry-level, Su Yu resumed practicing this Cultivation Technique. The next step was to project the Performing Stance of the Demon-Vibrating Stance and the White Ape Extreme Stance.

[Hundred Stances Returning to Storage Technique Skill Level +5]

[Hundred Stances Returning to Storage Technique Skill Level +3]

…

Although this Cultivation Technique only had a maximum Skill Level of one thousand, the difficulty of practicing it was still quite high. After several hours, Su Yu had only managed to raise his Skill Level by a little over fifty points.

“This Cultivation Technique has an extremely high ceiling, and since it is a top-quality Profound Tier technique itself, it’s normal for it to be this difficult,” Su Yu mused. “Furthermore, practicing it requires an incredibly powerful Divine Sense and a profound understanding of Martial Force. It can be said that it is very hard to master.”

Thinking of this, Su Yu roughly understood why the Tiemu family had offered this Cultivation Technique. They likely handed it over because they were certain he wouldn’t be able to learn it.

He thought, “Unfortunately for them, they had no idea that my Divine Sense is this astonishing, nor that I possess peerless talent. The conditions that would stump all kinds of geniuses are absolutely no problem for me.”

Returning to the stone table, Su Yu took inventory of the good items in his Storage Ring once again. This time, he had also gained a stalk of the Xuan-grade Treasure Medicine, the Dragon Bone Medicinal Lingzhi. Added to the previous Hundred-Year-Old Red-Scaly Ginseng, the Wind-Thunder Vine, and the two Nine-Turned Cyan Lotus Seeds harvested from the lotus pond, he now carried five or six Treasure Medicines on him.

“With these Treasure Medicines, combined with my Divine Law Blood and Flesh Self-Healing, I will have enough to survive even if I truly encounter a life-or-death crisis,” he thought. “It’s a pity that more powerful Profound-tier Treasure Pills are still hard to find. Otherwise, if these Treasure Medicines were refined into Treasure Pills, the effects would probably be much better.”

He continued inspecting the Storage Ring. Inside, there was only one Profound-tier Treasure Pill—the White Jade Antitoxic Pill, which could cure a hundred poisons. The remaining most valuable items were the three leftover Dragon Tendon Pills, along with some commonly used pills for cultivation and recovery.

“It’s too late for me to learn Alchemy from scratch,” he pondered. “Besides, Alchemy is a time-consuming craft that requires massive investment. Dedicating time to it right now simply isn’t worth it. It seems I’ll just have to build good relationships with Alchemists instead.”

The next day.

The Martial Examination continued, beginning the selection of the top ten martial arts experts. The number of spectators had grown even larger that day, and the atmosphere grew increasingly fervent. The entirety of Black Stone City was swept up in the excitement.

During the first round of the draw, Su Yu was matched against an expert from a Noble Family named Hong Yifei. This man was at the Middle Dragon Tendon Realm—an entire Realm higher than Su Yu—and excelled at an astonishing Tiger Roar Spear technique! However, after exchanging dozens of blows with Su Yu, he was defeated and had no choice but to resign in frustration.

Because this round was meant to determine the top ten rankings, several matches were fought to a bitter, inseparable standstill, proving exceptionally fierce. Eventually, however, the top ten spots were firmly finalized.

Aside from Gu Changfeng and the other three True Dragon Seed Candidates, Su Yu, Li Jingfeng, and Wen Lichu were the three with the most resounding reputations. Although the remaining three experts were also at the Great Dragon Tendon Realm, they were a tier below these three.

Another new day dawned.

The top ten matches finally began, pushing the Black Stone City Martial Examination to a boiling point of excitement. The entire city was decorated with lanterns and colored banners, while experts gathered like clouds to spectate. The First Lady, Mrs. Bai, made another appearance, and the three major families, along with hundreds of Noble Families, all dispatched their forces to watch the battles.

Mrs. Bai, wearing an elegant black dress that exuded a dignified yet subtly glamorous aura, addressed the crowd. “Everyone, the top ten martial competition of Black Stone City begins today! It will decisively determine the Martial Examination Champion Scholar, who will serve as the leading figure of the new generation!

“I declare the top ten arena battles officially open!

“Match one: Gu Changfeng versus Lin Bo!

“Match two: Li Lishu versus Xie Zhou!

“Match three: Zhao Qingyue versus Guan Kun!

“Match four: Wang Jifan versus Li Jingfeng!

“Match five: Su Yu versus Wen Lichu!”

As the drawing of lots concluded, the crowd immediately erupted into a lively clamor, buzzing with eager discussions.

“Li Jingfeng has some terrible luck, running into Wang Jifan of the True Dragon Realm!”

“What a pity. Otherwise, with his strength, he could have definitely fought for a spot in the top five!”

“Haha, but I’m really looking forward to the battle between Su Yu and Wen Lichu! The two of them had some grudges before the tournament even started. Today, they’ll finally settle the score!”

“Su Yu is bound to lose! Although he defeated Lu Xu, all of his trump cards have been exposed. Fairy Wen has probably prepared specific countermeasures against him long ago!”

The matches began swiftly. In the first match, Gu Changfeng remained as wildly aggressive as a barbarian bull king, sending his opponent flying with a direct tackle. Watching from below, Li Ningcai was exasperated by his lack of finesse. Yelling angrily, she gave Gu Changfeng a vicious beating the moment he stepped off the stage.

In the second match, Li Lishu held a copy of the Military Books in his hand, his long spear resting behind his back. He looked calm and scholarly. His opponent, Xie Zhou, wore a grave expression and immediately unleashed his ultimate move. His sword shot out like a sweeping rainbow, aiming straight for Li Lishu’s throat. Unfortunately, the gap between the two was simply too vast. Li Lishu casually put away the Military Books, and the long spear behind him thrust forward like a flood dragon bursting from the sea, effortlessly launching his opponent into the air with a single strike.

In the third match, Zhao Qingyue’s signature Qingyue Swordsmanship showcased the absolute pinnacle of simplicity and slaughter. With a seemingly ordinary thrust of the treasured sword in his hand, he knocked his opponent’s weapon away and simultaneously pierced right through the man’s chest, splattering blood across the stage.

“What a powerful Sword Technique of Slaughter! When it comes to pure lethality, this Zhao Qingyue might just be number one!”

“It’s a real shame. Guan Kun is also an expert at the Great Dragon Tendon Realm, yet he couldn’t even withstand a single move. In my opinion, the first place will very likely go to Zhao Qingyue!”

The fourth match featured Wang Jifan against Li Jingfeng.

Li Jingfeng showed absolutely no fear. Instead, he wore a cold, arrogant expression as he found a good angle on the arena and faced his opponent sideways. “Wang Jifan, today I will strike you down!”

Wang Jifan’s broad, thick figure stood towering before him. His two massive, callus-covered hands—as large as palm-leaf fans—rubbed against each other, making a rough, scraping sound. “Li Jingfeng, since you dare spout such arrogant words, then don’t blame me for going all out!”

As the match commenced, Wang Jifan wasted no time, immediately unleashing a Mountain-Suppressing Coiling Dragon Hand to crush his foe. His right hand descended like the Five Finger Mountain, pressing down toward the top of Li Jingfeng’s head.

Although Li Jingfeng looked cold and arrogant on the surface, he didn’t dare to be the slightest bit careless in his heart. He immediately countered with the seventh sword of the Dragon-slaying Nine Swords.

BOOM!

In their first clash, Li Jingfeng’s previously indestructible Sword Technique of Slaughter felt as if it had slammed into a towering mountain. It was effortlessly suppressed and rebounded right back at him. However, this brief exchange immediately sent the entire crowd into a shocked uproar of cheers.

“Li Jingfeng has broken through to the True Dragon Tendon Realm!”

“He actually took one of Wang Jifan’s moves head-on! Good heavens, another True Dragon Tendon seed candidate has emerged!”

“That makes five True Dragon Tendons! This generation of Black Stone City is exceptionally dazzling. Our city is surely on the verge of unprecedented prosperity!”

“Haha! Wang Jifan, watch me strike you down!” Li Jingfeng laughed. Having achieved the desired dramatic effect with his first move, his face lit up with delight as he immediately followed up with the eighth sword!

He knew that since he had just broken through, his Realm foundation was still lacking compared to his opponent. His only chance was to decide the victor within a few moves by fighting with everything he had!

BOOM!

The two clashed once more. This strike was even stronger than the last. The shockwaves from their collision caused the arena to tremble as dust and dirt filled the air. Using retreat as a method of advance, Li Jingfeng rode the momentum to launch his strongest move.

Flying Sword Inquiry!

The treasured sword in his hand transformed into what looked like a cyan True Dragon. Roaring with sweeping sword energy, it flew out, aiming straight for the opponent’s vital throat!

Wang Jifan’s expression darkened. He never expected Li Jingfeng to have broken through, meaning he had run into a remarkably tough opponent. But as a True Dragon Seed, how could he possibly be weak? His hands transformed into a golden mountain, pressing down heavily to suppress the incoming cyan flying sword.

BOOM!

Another violently astonishing collision erupted. Relying on his profound foundation and formidable strength, Wang Jifan ultimately managed to block the sword. However, his Mountain-Suppressing Coiling Dragon Hand was broken in the process, and blood began dripping from his hands.

Seeing his strongest sword strike shattered, Li Jingfeng turned around and leaped off the arena on his own accord. With a tall, arrogant posture, he flicked his sleeve grandly. “Wait until I consolidate my Realm, then I shall return to strike you down!”

Those who didn’t know better might have genuinely believed he had won the spar. Nevertheless, the spectating crowd watched with surging emotions. The three-move exchange between two True Dragon Tendon experts carried a destructive power far beyond what ordinary people could muster. The final move, in particular, left everyone’s hearts racing with excitement.

“Next match: Su Yu versus Wen Lichu!”

“Wow, it’s finally Fairy Wen’s match! Go, Fairy! Cripple that Su Yu!”

“Haha, Fairy Wen is going to clean Su Yu’s clock! Step on him and stomp his head into the ground!”

“Su Yu, hurry up and surrender, lest Fairy Wen has to teach you a lesson personally!”

The crowd’s support was almost entirely one-sided in favor of Wen Lichu. After all, Su Yu was an outsider from the Outer City, whereas Wen Lichu was a great beauty from the Inner City. The choice of whom to root for was self-evident.

However, Su Yu remained completely unfazed by the crowd’s atmosphere. Wearing a white Martial Arts Robe meticulously prepared by Yang Ai, with the pitch-black Mo Yuan strapped to his back, he slowly stepped onto the arena.

His calm, confident aura caused many in the audience to fall silent, their expressions turning grave as they watched him.