Chapter 134 - 133: Want a Draw? Too Late

CLANG CLANG! BOOM BOOM BOOM!

Luo Tian channeled a portion of his Divine Vein Power. After executing Seven-stars in a Row, he reversed his suppressed situation and showed signs of a counterattack.

Overlord Dragon Ascending to Heaven!

Xu Mengxin’s eyes turned cold. The vast True Qi of the Spirit Sea Realm erupted from her as she whipped out a turquoise lash over ten meters long in the shape of a dragon. The air cracked, and a piercing whirlwind blasted toward Luo Tian.

The terrifying power of this move startled the numerous students in the other three arenas.

"What’s going on? Why are Xu Mengxin and Luo Tian fighting so ferociously?"

On Xuanwu Square, Senior Jin, Xie Lin, Nangong Yu, and other students of the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion looked over in surprise.

On the viewing platform in the center of the square, the members of the Royal Family and the Holy Mansion’s high-level officials all turned their attention to the fight.

This was only the first round of the grand tournament. A Spirit Sea Realm Level battle was still a rare sight.

’Hmph! That brat refused to follow orders! He’s just going to suffer a loss and waste Xu Mengxin’s energy in the process.’

Vice Manor Master Yue was displeased.

When Luo Tian had first faced Xu Mengxin, he had sent a mental transmission telling Luo Tian to give up.

After all, Xu Mengxin was a Sunshine Student, a pillar of the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion who was expected to achieve great results in the Wu Mansion Grand Tournament.

In his eyes, Luo Tian’s actions were selfish, showing no regard for the group’s honor.

BOOM! CLANG CLANG! HISS!

Xu Mengxin’s Overlord Dragon Ascending to Heaven was unstoppable, forcefully shattering Luo Tian’s Seven-stars in a Row.

WHOOSH! CRACK CRACK!

The turquoise, dragon-shaped whip shadow stirred up a whirlwind, forcing Luo Tian into a defensive disadvantage.

’Hmph! Let’s see how long you can last!’

Xu Mengxin’s attacks were ferocious, a murderous glint hidden in her eyes.

She guessed that for someone of Luo Tian’s Cultivation to exhibit Spirit Sea Realm combat power, he must be relying on a Secret Technique or a special move to punch above his weight.

The moment Luo Tian showed any sign of weakness, she would find an opportunity to severely injure or cripple him.

’Sunshine Students truly live up to their reputation.’

Luo Tian appeared to be at a disadvantage, but he remained calm and unhurried, first probing his opponent’s true capabilities.

Suddenly, he channeled up to fifty percent of his Divine Vein Power.

"Celestial Star Four Techniques, Star Fall and Cloud Disperse!"

Luo Tian leaped into the air, swinging his sword to unleash magnificent, dazzling blades of starlight. Like meteors streaking across the night sky, they bombarded Xu Mengxin in a continuous stream.

SWISH! HISS! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Each of those meteor-like blasts of Starlight Sword Light contained an overbearing Cold Power. The Cold Mist they released on impact was incredibly potent.

’This brat’s power—’

A look of shock appeared on Xu Mengxin’s face. As she was battered by the streams of Starlight Sword Light overflowing with cold energy, frost began to form on her whip, and her arm grew stiff and cold.

In an instant, her assault was shattered, and she was forced to retreat repeatedly.

’How can this be! Luo Tian actually has enough combat power to nearly suppress a Sunshine Student.’

Liu Ziyan’s lovely face paled in disbelief.

She herself could only achieve the combat power of a Weak Spirit Sea Realm cultivator by going all out and using her Martial Vein Power.

And yet, Luo Tian had just unleashed a terrifying power that could match, and even suppress, a Sunshine Student.

In a way, Luo Tian had now truly surpassed her.

Her repeated attempts to obstruct and plot against him were ultimately unable to stop Luo Tian’s meteoric rise.

’Stay calm. I can win! For someone with Luo Tian’s Cultivation to unleash such power, it definitely can’t last long.’

Xu Mengxin’s heart filled with resentment, and she gritted her teeth.

Those in the Spirit Sea Realm have opened their Qi Sea and possess a Qi Sea Spiritual Vortex. Their True Qi is vast, far surpassing the Qi Veins of the Meridian Opening Realm.

’In a battle of attrition, she would definitely win.’

Immediately, Xu Mengxin changed her strategy. She switched from offense to defense, her Soft Whip creating an impenetrable barrier to block Luo Tian’s attacks.

’Trying to drag this out? A battle of attrition?’

Luo Tian’s gaze was sharp; he saw right through Xu Mengxin’s intentions.

He cultivated the Guiyuan True Skill. The sheer volume of his True Qi far surpassed that of others at his level who practiced an Earth Level Cultivation Technique.

Coupled with the advantage of having his Qi Veins opened by a Divine Vein, his endurance wasn’t much different from someone at the Spirit Sea Realm First Layer.

He could last for at least a hundred breaths and secure a draw without any problem.

However, would Luo Tian accept a draw?

He had already given Xu Mengxin a chance. He wouldn’t show any mercy now.

"Celestial Star Five Techniques, Starry Array!"

Luo Tian’s eyes grew profound. His Swordsmanship style shifted, following the mysterious principles of the sun, moon, and stars. He sketched out shimmering, shifting streams of Starlight Sword Aura, dotting them around Xu Mengxin.

’Not good! What kind of Swordsmanship is this!’

Xu Mengxin’s expression changed.

She felt as if she were trapped on a celestial chessboard, her movements sealed off by shifting illusions of starlight sword phantoms.

HSSSSSS!

Those star-like chess pieces of Starlight Sword Qi pulsed with wisps of cold energy that slowly eroded Xu Mengxin’s body.

Compared to when he fought Elder Du, Luo Tian had improved across the board, in his Cultivation, Swordsmanship mastery, and Divine Vein Power.

The improvement to his Divine Vein was especially massive.

Right now, Luo Tian had only used fifty percent of his Divine Vein Power, yet he had successfully trapped Xu Mengxin and was causing her condition to steadily decline.

"What profound Swordsmanship!"

"Luo Tian is actually suppressing a Sunshine Student?"

This battle not only shook Arena 1, but it also drew the attention of some of the geniuses in the other three arenas.

On the viewing platform, the members of the Royal Family and the high-level officials from the Three Great Holy Mansions couldn’t help but take notice.

"To possess such mastery of Swordsmanship with a Cultivation below the Ninth Layer of Meridian Opening... he’s no worse than Xia Bingyue was at the same age."

Someone from the Cloud Heaven Holy Mansion exclaimed in amazement.

"Your Sun Chasing Holy Mansion has produced a top-tier prodigy. Why haven’t we heard of him before?"

The Poison Dragon Mansion Master of the Martial Kun Holy Mansion said casually.

The two Masters of the Holy Mansions were full of praise for Luo Tian.

Vice Manor Master Yue couldn’t help but feel awkward. His old face burned as if he’d been slapped.

Before this, he had sent a mental transmission telling Luo Tian to surrender. He never expected the boy to have the combat power to rival the top ten on the Human List.

"Ahem! He is a genius our Sun Chasing Holy Mansion secretly scouted..."

Vice Manor Master Yue gave a dry cough, feigning composure.

...

On Martial Combat Platform 1.

Under the envelopment of the Starry Array, in less than ten breaths, the True Qi and blood in Xu Mengxin’s body grew sluggish, and a trace of anxiety appeared on her face.

Her physical condition, especially her speed and agility, had sharply declined.

At this moment, Xu Mengxin couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret.

’If this continues, forget a hundred breaths—she might be defeated within twenty or thirty.’

"Luo Tian! There’s no point in us wearing each other down. How about we end this in a draw?"

Xu Mengxin forced a smile and proposed via mental transmission.

If they continued to fight like this, she would likely lose and be completely exhausted, leaving her with no strength to compete for the top ten in the grand tournament.

"Luo Tian, why not just let it be a draw."

From the viewing platform, Vice Manor Master Yue also sent a mental transmission.

Since Luo Tian also possessed the combat power of a Sunshine Student, a draw was the best solution for both sides.

"A draw? Too late!"

Luo Tian sneered.

WHOOSH! SWISH SWISH! HISS!

The shifting, shimmering streams of Starlight Sword Aura, filled with an overbearing chill, constricted like a celestial chessboard, further shrinking Xu Mengxin’s room to maneuver.

SHLICK!

One of the illusory sword auras, shining like a star, left a bloody gash on Xu Mengxin’s shoulder.

HISS!

Xu Mengxin let out a muffled grunt, her face contorting in pain.

"Luo Tian! You forced my hand! It won’t be that easy to defeat me!"

Xu Mengxin’s eyes filled with killing intent, and her expression turned ferocious.

BUZZ! WHOOSH!

The Qi Sea Spiritual Vortex inside her body spun wildly, unleashing a tidal wave of True Qi.

In that instant, Xu Mengxin’s aura surged dramatically.

’A Secret Technique? Squeezing power from her Qi Sea Spiritual Vortex...’

Luo Tian’s expression shifted slightly.

His Spiritual Sense was locked onto Xu Mengxin, tracking her every change.

’Not good! She’s aiming for mutual destruction!’

On the viewing platform, Vice Manor Master Yue’s expression changed drastically.

He was filled with endless regret.

Before the match, Luo Tian had taken a step back and proposed a draw.

Thinking back now, what a perfect choice that had been.

Now that Xu Mengxin had used a Secret Technique, she would be weakened afterward and would likely be unable to compete for the top ten.

"Luo Tian! If I can’t compete for the top ten, then neither can you!"

A hint of madness and resentment shone in Xu Mengxin’s eyes.

WHOOSH! SWOOSH! CRACK CRACK!

She whipped out a whirlwind of dragon-shaped lash shadows. Empowered by the Secret Technique, her frenzied assault broke through Luo Tian’s Starry Array.

In this situation, Luo Tian had two conventional ways to win.

First, he could use the Blood Burning Technique to boost his combat power and defeat Xu Mengxin head-on.

Second, he could fully unleash his Divine Vein to defeat her.

However, a thought crossed Luo Tian’s mind. Seeing Xu Mengxin’s crazed and resentful expression, he decided against both methods.

Both of those methods would consume a great deal of energy.

It wasn’t worth it for her.

"Xu Mengxin! You are fated to never reach the top ten in this grand tournament!"

Luo Tian’s Swordsmanship paused as his Body Technique shifted elusively.

Demon Thought Technique!

A strange, dark light emanated from Luo Tian’s pupils as his eyes met Xu Mengxin’s. A low, muddled voice escaped his lips.

In that instant, Luo Tian seemed to transform into an Evil Monarch. His hair and clothes whipped about as he exuded a sinister and unfathomable spiritual aura.

"I want you dead..."

Xu Mengxin’s body shuddered. The resentment and madness in her eyes amplified several times over.

Instantly, her Body Technique and Whip Technique both revealed huge openings. With the grace of a brawling fishwife, she lunged at Luo Tian.

"Lose!"

Luo Tian flickered like smoke and clouds. A flash of an afterimage was all that remained as he easily dodged Xu Mengxin’s attack.

At this moment, Xu Mengxin’s reason had been consumed by her negative emotions. She was full of openings, her attacks like a child swinging a hammer—her threat was greatly diminished.

Celestial Star Second Technique, Star Shifting Shadow.

Several streams of Starlight Sword Aura, shifting between illusion and reality, stabbed toward Xu Mengxin.

In her frenzied state, Xu Mengxin couldn’t distinguish real from fake. She subconsciously blocked a few streams of Sword Light.

CLANG! SHLICK!

One of the streams of Sword Light solidified from illusion to reality. It slashed across her wrist, sending blood flying as her whip clattered to the ground.

’Not good—’

The cold pain in her hand brought Xu Mengxin back to her senses.

She attempted one last struggle.

Suddenly, Xu Mengxin felt her neck tighten. A hand like a steel claw had seized it forcefully.

"Guh..."

Xu Mengxin’s face turned crimson. Her legs kicked out as she choked continuously, as if she were drowning.

"Stop!"

The referee for Platform 1 shouted in alarm, a mountain-like pressure descending upon them.

But he didn’t dare act rashly.

Luo Tian was holding Xu Mengxin by the neck as if she were a little chick. If he used just a bit too much force, he could end the life of a Sunlight genius.

WHOA!

The students outside the platform were in an uproar, every one of them looking utterly stunned.

"Luo Tian! Stop!"

On the viewing platform, Vice Manor Master Yue’s expression changed drastically.

"Guh... no..."

Xu Mengxin choked continuously, a look of terror and pleading on her face.

A bottomless regret bloomed in her heart.

A duel that could have ended in a draw had come to such a miserable and humiliating conclusion.

"Luo Tian! Don’t..."

In one of the other arenas, Senior Jin’s body trembled in disbelief.

Nangong Yu, Xie Lin, and the others were also completely shocked.

Since when had Luo Tian grown so terrifyingly strong that he could forcefully defeat a Sunshine Student?

’This Luo Tian...’

Liu Ziyan’s delicate body trembled, her spirit on the verge of collapse.

At this moment, it was as if Luo Tian’s hand was also wrapped around her own tender neck, bringing with it a suffocating pressure and terror.

If even a Sunshine Student ended up like this... she, who had plotted against Luo Tian multiple times, would surely face his retaliation. Perhaps one day, an even more terrifying nightmare awaited her.