Chapter 521 - 40: Peak Showdown, Part 2

The Golden Crow Sect had prepared a double insurance policy for this occasion. That was why Bai Zimo had Zhang Yuheng challenge Yinn Shang; even if he was defeated, the other policy would ensure it didn’t impact the finals.

And that insurance policy was Xia Qingxue.

Bai Zimo knew Xia Qingxue’s strength full well. With her in the running, the Golden Crow Sect’s victory was practically a sure thing.

Of course, unless it was a last resort, he had no desire to play this card...

Seven days passed in a flash. During that time, Zhan Tianxia had provided Song Changsheng with the best possible medical care. His injuries fully healed within three days, and he spent the remaining time adjusting his condition.

When the time for the finals arrived, Dingyuan City was already overflowing with people. Many had come, drawn by the event’s reputation, including a One-armed Swordsman and a Little Fatty dressed in golden brocade.

"It’s been years, and look at the stir Changsheng has caused. He even defeated Jin Yue. It really makes you see him in a whole new light," the Little Fatty said to the one-armed cultivator beside him, wiping the nervous sweat from his brow with his sleeve.

"He was never one to settle for mediocrity. There’s a saying in the Mortal Realm that fits perfectly: cream always rises to the top. Changsheng is like that—even with his humble origins, nothing can stop him from shining."

"It’s been so long, and now you’re starting to sound more and more like Changsheng," the brocade-clad Little Fatty chuckled, the muscles on his round, chubby face jiggling slightly.

"Enough about us. What about you? Where have you been all these years? You have no idea how much effort we spent looking for you."

The brocade-clad Little Fatty looked wistful upon hearing this. He sighed. "It’s a long story. Even I find my experiences over the past few years hard to believe."

Just then, the road ahead was completely blocked by a crowd. A tall, lanky, middle-aged cultivator stood atop a stone block, surveying the crowd and announcing gleefully, "Fellow Daoists, esteemed seniors, I’ve just received reliable intel!

In today’s final battle, the Golden Crow Sect will be represented by Xia Qingxue, the Direct Disciple of Su Ding Master! And representing Luoxia City is the current Clan Leader of the Moon Viewing Song Clan, disciple of the Great City Lord, and the man who defeated Jin Yue seven days ago!"

As soon as he said this, most people in the crowd looked utterly astonished.

Everyone had originally thought Luoxia City had no hope left of winning the championship. No one expected Song Changsheng’s injuries to have been healed in just seven short days.

If no one had thought much of Song Changsheng at the start, from the moment he defeated Jin Yue, he was considered on par with Yinn Shang in the public’s mind.

"Fellow Daoists, step right up, don’t miss out! The final battle between the Golden Crow Sect and Luoxia City is in just one ancient hour! Place your Spirit Stones in the left copper bowl to bet on the Golden Crow Sect, or in the right copper bowl to bet on Luoxia City!"

The lanky cultivator’s enthusiastic shouting attracted many Loose Cultivators, including the One-armed Swordsman and the brocade-clad Little Fatty.

"Changsheng is in the finals? Well then, I have to back him up!" With his eyes gleaming, the Little Fatty squeezed into the crowd and bet the entire one hundred thousand Spirit Stones he had on Song Changsheng.

Soon, the lanky cultivator closed the betting. The total wagers for the Golden Crow Sect reached over eight hundred thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones, while Luoxia City’s supporters had only put up a little over two hundred thousand—a nearly four-to-one difference.

The Little Fatty had bet one hundred thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones. If Song Changsheng won, he stood to collect around four hundred thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones—an enormous sum.

"You have that much confidence in Changsheng?" the One-armed Swordsman asked, looking surprised at the betting slip in the Little Fatty’s hand.

"Heh, that kid’s sharper than anyone. If he’s fighting in the finals, it means he’s confident he can win. My odds are looking pretty good this time," the Little Fatty said, patting his chest with a voice full of self-assurance.

The One-armed Swordsman smiled knowingly. The Little Fatty hadn’t changed a bit.

The two quickly made their way to the viewing stands. They were a bit late, and the venue was already a sea of people; at least ten thousand had come to watch this climactic duel.

In the center of the venue, the two original Fine Iron Arenas had been removed. In their place stood a single, much larger arena over a thousand zhang in diameter.

The wizened figure of the chief referee, Luu Yuming, descended from the sky. Channeling his Mana, he announced in a deep voice, "The final arena battle between the Golden Crow Sect and Luoxia City begins now! Each side will send forth one combatant. The winner will receive ownership of Tuo Province.

This match is to be fought with restraint! You are not to take a life or destroy a Dantian. Violators will be severely punished!"

After the events of seven days prior, it was clear that few people believed Luu Yuming’s words. Some even scoffed openly. After all, Jin Yue, the first to break the rules, was still perfectly fine. The referee’s words carried little weight.

Hearing the surrounding chatter, Luu Yuming’s expression soured. He shot a dark look at Bai Yan before suppressing his anger and announcing, "Contestants, to the stage!"

"I’m going," Song Changsheng said, nodding to the others. With a light tap of his foot, his figure drifted like a swallow onto the arena.

On the other side, Xia Qingxue emerged from her group and landed gracefully on the arena. Her breathtaking beauty and cold, aloof aura instantly captured everyone’s attention.

"Song Changsheng of Luoxia City. I ask for your instruction." Song Changsheng cupped his hands in a slight bow. He already knew who his opponent would be, so he wasn’t surprised to see Xia Qingxue.

At once, he felt a sense of relief, but also secretly raised his guard.

He was relieved because, given Xia Qingxue’s character, she was unlikely to resort to any dirty tricks during the match.

But he remained wary of her sheer power.

As the saying goes, to know your enemy is to be halfway to victory. But information on Xia Qingxue was too well-guarded. Her fighting style, preferred Magical Artifacts, Divine Techniques—Song Changsheng knew none of it, which added to the pressure he felt.

"Xia Qingxue, of the Golden Crow Sect." Her voice was chillingly calm, as terse as ever, and it seemed to make the temperature around the arena drop by several degrees.

"Fellow Daoist Xia, my apologies!" Song Changsheng’s voice boomed like thunder as his body shot forward like a cannonball. He planned to use the superiority of his Physical Body to seize the initiative.

Xia Qingxue’s expression remained unchanged as a single word escaped her lips: "Swift!"

Countless icicles materialized from thin air, raining down upon Song Changsheng.

WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH!

In an instant, the icicles filled Song Changsheng’s entire field of vision.

Song Changsheng roared, his body surging with vital energy. He punched out with his right fist in mid-air, creating a violent sonic boom. The sky full of icicles shattered into a fine, crystalline powder that drifted down like snow.

Suddenly, Xia Qingxue’s figure vanished amidst the falling "snow."

’Alarm bells screamed in Song Changsheng’s mind.’ He immediately executed Stepping on Snow Without Trace and Fleeting Shadows, weaving across the arena, but there was still no sign of Xia Qingxue.

Just then, a slender arm shot out, clad in a white silk glove that emanated a faint, chilling mist.

Song Changsheng reacted instinctively, lashing out with a punch. The moment his fist met the glove, a bone-deep chill shot through him, from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. A layer of Ice Crystals visibly formed over his fist.

With a slight shake of his arm, the Ice Crystals shattered. Song Changsheng flicked his sleeve, and the Book Language Sword transformed into a streak of light, thrusting directly at Xia Qingxue’s face.

Xia Qingxue neither dodged nor retreated. With a light flick of her finger, a shield of Ice Crystal condensed in the air. The Book Language Sword pierced through it, but Xia Qingxue was already gone.

CLANG!

Just as the Book Language Sword was returning to Song Changsheng’s hand, Xia Qingxue appeared like a phantom and snatched it out of the air with her silk-gloved hand.

No matter how Song Changsheng tried to command it, the Book Language Sword remained completely still, quickly becoming encased in a solid block of ice.

’What kind of Magical Artifact is that?’ Song Changsheng’s expression turned grim. Xia Qingxue wasn’t a Body Refiner, yet with those gloves on, she could directly grasp a Top-Grade Spiritual Artifact.

Furthermore, the layer of Ice Crystal on its surface blocked his Divine Sense, causing him to temporarily lose control of the Book Language Sword.

Song Changsheng shot backward. The Spirit-Slaying Gourd appeared in his hand, and he unleashed an eerie blue flame...

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