230: Sixth floor

Xiao Weiqing lowered his head.

A few seconds later, he selected a target.

A virtual screen appeared on the arena stage.

An electronic voice sounded.

"Spiritual Energy Cave competition: Challenger Xiao Weiqing, ID 115432."

"Challenged: Bi Hansheng, ID 114963."

"Xiao Weiqing, you're crazy," Liu Mo exclaimed.

Fan Bai's expression was also solemn as he said in a deep voice, "Xiao Weiqing, this isn't a joke. Are you sure?"

"Don't worry, Brother Bai, Brother Mo, I know what I'm doing."

Su Yunfei was puzzled. "What's wrong?"

"Is there something wrong with the person Xiao Weiqing is challenging?"

Liu Mo said, "Bi Hansheng, from the Tianlang Empire. A Genius who entered the Training Camp six months ago, he's at the Peak of the Third Realm. Although his total combat power value is only 5,680, he's in a sixth-level Spiritual Energy Cave."

Being able to occupy the sixth level of a Spiritual Energy Cave was itself a testament to one's strength.

In the Tianlang Empire camp.

The young men who had been mocking them earlier suddenly burst into laughter.

"Hahaha... I thought he was a Genius, but it turns out he's not right in the head, actually challenging Brother Sheng."

"Indeed. Does he think having a high combat power value means he can look down on everyone? Ah Sheng can pin him down with one hand."

Suddenly.

"Swoosh—"

Shenxiang Mountain, sixth level.

A figure shot out, and with a few leaps, arrived at the arena.

At this moment.

Bi Hansheng's face was cold, and his gaze was murderous. "You're the one who wants to challenge me?"

Xiao Weiqing didn't waste words.

He stepped onto the arena.

"50 units of divine charm."

"Brother Mo, sorry to trouble you. When the divine charm is distributed tomorrow, I'll pay you back."

According to the Spiritual Energy Cave rules, a challenger must pay a challenge fee. If the challenge is successful, the fee is waived, but if the challenge fails, the fee is not refunded. The higher the level being challenged, the more it costs.

Liu Mo sighed.

He walked over to a stone pillar on the side, operated it for a bit, and 50 units of divine charm were added to the virtual screen.

Then.

Liu Mo operated it a few more times.

He spent another 30 units of divine charm.

Within seconds.

A figure appeared out of thin air, standing in mid-air—a Seventh Realm Expert.

The expert said:

"Fighting for a Spiritual Energy Cave? I've received the 30 units of divine charm. If there's a life-threatening danger, I will intervene."

This was a referee Liu Mo had hired for 30 units of divine charm substance. Normally, such a contest wouldn't require one, but Liu Mo was afraid something might happen to Xiao Weiqing; this move was mostly to protect him.

"Brother Mo, do you distrust me that much?"

"I trust you, but just in case. I'm telling you, these 30 units of divine charm have to be paid back."

The expert in mid-air said loudly:

"Spiritual Energy Cave competition: Challenger Xiao Weiqing, Challenged Bi Hansheng."

"According to the rules, the challenger must defeat the challenged within 10 minutes for the challenge to be successful. Any questions?"

Xiao Weiqing didn't speak, only looking at the opponent indifferently.

Bi Hansheng crossed his arms over his chest, seemingly not taking Xiao Weiqing seriously.

"Then, let the challenge begin!"

At the command.

Xiao Weiqing's entire body was wrapped in crimson flames. Leaving several afterimages on the arena, he rushed toward Bi Hansheng.

"Decent speed!"

Bi Hansheng's eyebrows shot up; he didn't underestimate Xiao Weiqing.

The next moment.

A booming sound seemed to resonate within his body as his muscles swelled, bulging against his combat suit. His arms grew a size larger, and a pair of bracers appeared on his forearms at some point.

Facing Xiao Weiqing's slash, Bi Hansheng took the initiative to meet him.

Clang!

The thousand flame blade struck the bracers, producing a sharp sound.

"Break!"

Bi Hansheng took a small step forward and threw a simple straight punch with his right hand. It seemed to carry the power to split mountains, blasting out with a sonic boom.

However.

Xiao Weiqing was prepared.

"Illusionary Light!"

A flame afterimage was left in place, while his figure already appeared ten meters away. His hands weren't slow as he pushed out a palm.

"Fire Owl!"

A beam of fire pierced across the stage, creating a visible shockwave that spread to both sides of the arena.

"Holy crap!"

"I'm just watching the show, what's this?"

An older Trainee was nearly hit by the Fire Owl the moment Bi Hansheng dodged, and he hurriedly scrambled away.

On the stage.

Bi Hansheng smelled his singed hair, and his expression grew increasingly dark.

"You have some skill."

"But that's not enough capital for you to provoke me."

Bang!

With a stomp on the arena, Spiritual Qi erupted.

Bi Hansheng charged forward like a high-speed train.

"Fire Domain!"

Brilliant flames suddenly expanded with Xiao Weiqing at the center, presenting a sea of fire before everyone.

It caused the temperature on the stage to soar.

"Great Mudra!"

Bi Hansheng didn't slow down as he threw a palm strike forward.

Rumble!!!

A series of palm strikes, like overwhelming waves, slammed toward Xiao Weiqing.

A pure confrontation of Innate Skills.

Bang!! Bang! Bang~~

After several explosions, Xiao Weiqing remained unmoved.

He raised the thousand flame blade and slashed toward Bi Hansheng.

In Bi Hansheng's vision, his Great Mudra was easily blocked by this sea of fire.

Furthermore, a golden blade-light slashed out from within, seemingly intent on splitting him in two.

"Hmph!"

"To think I'd be looked down upon."

An Aura suddenly erupted. The Spiritual Qi around Bi Hansheng's body retracted, condensing on his surface without dispersing.

"This... Fourth Realm?"

Liu Mo's eyes narrowed.

Su Yunfei exclaimed, "What? Bi Hansheng has liquefied his Spiritual Qi and entered the Fourth Realm?"

Fan Bai said, "Indeed. The Spiritual Qi in his acupoints has liquefied, and Qi is condensing on his body without dispersing—Qi Gathering into Astral. He has truly entered the Fourth Realm."

"It's going to be hard for Xiao Weiqing."

Before the Fourth Realm, one opens the main acupoints of the human body.

Starting from the Fourth Realm, first comes Spiritual Qi liquefaction, then the Spiritual Liquid forms veins. Cultivation progresses stage by stage. If one forms Spiritual Veins in the body, every movement can draw upon the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

"Brother Sheng is too amazing, breaking through to the Fourth Realm so quickly. Hmph, he must teach that kid who doesn't know the heights of the heavens a good lesson."

Seeing Bi Hansheng reveal his Fourth Realm strength, the people around the arena sentenced Xiao Weiqing to death in their hearts.

There was simply no way to fight.

The veterans on Shenxiang Mountain also returned to their Spiritual Energy Caves, believing there was no longer any suspense in the match.

Even the Seventh Realm Expert in mid-air was ready to save Xiao Weiqing at any moment.

"This is bad. Maybe we should tell Xiao Weiqing to forfeit," Su Yunfei advised.

Dongfang Xuan chuckled. "Forfeit? Why?"

"He doesn't even need Innate Skills, just Qi Condensation into Astral. How can he fight?"

"You guys underestimate Xiao Weiqing too much. Have you forgotten what Xiao Weiqing's Innate Skill combat power value was?" Dongfang Xuan reminded them.

Liu Mo shook his head. "Of course we know, but the Fourth Realm's Qi Condensation into Astral is a qualitative change."

"You must understand, a basin of water can move a brick, but it cannot destroy a brick."

Dongfang Xuan said, "Brother Mo, I know what you mean. But what you don't know is the true power of Xiao Weiqing's Extraordinary Talent."

Bang!

On the stage.

Bi Hansheng stepped forcefully into the Fire Domain and knocked Xiao Weiqing back with a punch.

"This power."

Xiao Weiqing naturally noticed Bi Hansheng's change, and it wasn't unfamiliar to him. There had been a guy with a Level 5 True Body who was always showing off his Qi Condensation into Astral.

If Bi Hansheng's Spiritual Qi were inferior to his, Xiao Weiqing could follow the same pattern and defeat Bi Hansheng just as he had defeated Qin Tian.

But.

That clearly wouldn't work now.

"I have to get serious."

Xiao Weiqing withdrew the Fire Domain.

Flames that seemed both gold and silver seeped from his body, moving with the wind as Samadhi True Fire ignited the thousand flame blade.

"Here it comes!"

Dongfang Xuan said, his eyes fixed intently on Xiao Weiqing.