25: Chapter 25 A Duel to the Death!

"The third trial, which is also the final trial, is... the Arena Tournament!"

"You will draw lots for one-on-one duels until the final ten remain to be ranked as True Disciples!"

"The tournament is a sparring match; you must stop when the point is made. Lethal strikes are forbidden."

As Yang Buqiu's voice fell,

He formed a hand seal, and a surge of noble spiritual energy spread out, causing the earth to tremble. Rocks and soil shattered and fused, rising from the ground to form forty arenas on the Sect's square.

Then, with a point of his finger, the identity tokens of eighty Disciples, including Ji Taichang and Cheng Yongge, flew from their waists. They intertwined in mid-air before finally separating at random, landing in pairs on the arenas.

Ji Taichang focused his gaze and immediately broke into a smile.

"Hehehe... Ji Taichang, your good days are over!"

Li Hongyun's body shook, followed by a face full of sinister grins and excitement; he couldn't help but throw his head back and laugh!

Whether Yang Buqiu did it intentionally or accidentally—perhaps it was just a coincidence—Ji Taichang's first opponent was none other than Li Hongyun!

"You had good luck in the first two trials and managed to muddle through, but let's see how you die this time!"

In a great mood, Li Hongyun strode onto the arena. He no longer concealed his cultivation, and the powerful aura of the third level of the Foundation Establishment Stage radiated from him!

With his hands behind his back, he flashed what he thought was a handsome smile toward Lin Xueyue. He wanted to perform well in front of this ice beauty by crushing Ji Taichang under his feet!

But Lin Xueyue didn't even give him a glance.

Her eyes, along with Yang Yao's, were entirely fixed on Ji Taichang, their beautiful faces filled with worry.

Although Ji Taichang's performance in the first two trials was outstanding, those didn't involve cultivation strength. This trial was a pure test of individual combat power!

It hadn't even been ten days since Ji Taichang reached Foundation Establishment!

One could tell even with their toes that he couldn't possibly be Li Hongyun's match!

Ji Taichang did not step onto the arena immediately. Instead, he turned to look at Yang Buqiu and the group of Elders, saying in a deep voice, "Sect Master, Elders, I have an irreconcilable personal grudge with Li Hongyun. Therefore... I wish to apply for a duel of life and death with him!"

"This match shall not only determine superiority but also decide life and death!"

Boom—

Ji Taichang's words were no different from a massive boulder thrown into a river, instantly triggering a massive uproar.

The eyes of the Elders and the many spectating Inner Sect Disciples widened, their expressions filled with disbelief as they broke into a clamor!

"Holy crap! This young man!"

"I heard this Ji Taichang only just reached Foundation Establishment a few days ago. Li Hongyun has been at Foundation Establishment for two and a half years, and his cultivation is at the third level! What does he have to fight a life-and-death duel with Li Hongyun?"

"Isn't this just seeking death?"

"Li Hongyun comes from an extraordinary background, and both his age and cultivation time are longer than Ji Taichang's. No matter how you think about it, he doesn't have the slightest chance of winning..."

"Is Ji Taichang insane?!"

The crowd discussed fervently, their faces full of wonder and disbelief, feeling that Ji Taichang's behavior was far too crazy!

"I agree!"

"Hahaha... You brought this on yourself!"

Li Hongyun was equally shocked, but that was immediately followed by wild joy. He quickly nodded in agreement, fearing Ji Taichang would regret it!

Ji Taichang wanted to kill him, and Li Hongyun wanted to kill Ji Taichang just as much!

As long as he could kill this eyesore, he could have Lin Xueyue all to himself!

At this thought, Li Hongyun couldn't help but turn to look at Lin Xueyue's beautiful face and her plump, alluring figure. His heart burned with heat!

"No! I don't agree!"

Lin Xueyue and Yang Yao spoke almost at the same time. Both women had anxious expressions as they stared intently at Ji Taichang, shaking their heads vigorously to get him to change his mind!

Especially Lin Xueyue.

Her heart trembled. How could she not understand Ji Taichang's plan?

The reason Ji Taichang wanted to initiate a life-and-death duel with Li Hongyun was clearly to kill him so that he could protect Lin Xueyue's purity!

Ji Taichang was taking a massive risk just to keep her safe!

"Don't worry, Mistress and Martial Aunt, I am confident."

Ji Taichang gave the two women a gentle smile, his expression calm and composed.

Lin Xueyue's heart trembled once more!

"Xiao Chang... we are only acting. We aren't a real couple. Why... why go to this extent for me!"

A warm current surged through Lin Xueyue's heart; she was both moved and worried!

[Ding! Detected that Lin Xueyue's Favorability toward the host has increased by 15 points. Currently unable to obtain 10% of Yang Weile's cultivation/abilities.]

[Lin Xueyue Favorability: 25 (A surprise will occur when Favorability reaches 100!)]

The other Elders and Disciples weren't too surprised to see Lin Xueyue and Yang Yao so concerned about Ji Taichang. After all, nominally speaking, both women were his Elders.

"You... you're being ridiculous!"

Yang Yao was both anxious and angry. Gritting her teeth, she said, "In any case, I don't agree..."

"Granted!"

Before Yang Yao could finish, Yang Buqiu spoke. His aged voice carried an unquestionable authority!

The Sect Master himself had spoken, settling the matter!

"Very good, very good!"

"Originally, since you were hiding in the Sect, it wasn't easy for me to kill you directly. I didn't expect you to actively seek death!"

"This is fine; it saves me the trouble of doing it myself."

Seeing this, Zhang San and Li Si both showed heartfelt smiles!

"Xiao Chang..."

Lin Xueyue and Yang Yao's hearts were in their throats. Their hands were clenched tight, and their beautiful faces turned slightly pale with worry!

"Hurry up and get up here to die!"

"The Sect Master has spoken. It's useless to regret it now, hahaha—"

Wildly joyful, Li Hongyun arrogantly beckoned Ji Taichang with his finger.

Ji Taichang's expression remained calm and indifferent. He lightly tapped his toes on the ground, his figure elegant as he landed on the arena.

"Die for me!"

With a distorted grin, Li Hongyun had long been gathering power. The moment Ji Taichang stepped onto the arena, a sharp Sword Qi lit up on his longsword, slashing toward Ji Taichang like lightning!

"Not good!"

"This boy is so cunning! He clearly has the advantage in cultivation, yet he still uses a sneak attack. He has no martial ethics!"

Seeing this, Lin Xueyue and Yang Yao's hearts leaped into their throats, filled with shock and anger!

"Ji Taichang is dead for sure!"

The smiles on Zhang San and Li Si's faces grew even deeper.

But in the next moment, their smiles froze.

Ji Taichang drew his longsword with a backhand motion, blocking Li Hongyun's killing move in the blink of an eye. The two swords collided, producing a crisp, ear-piercing metallic ring. Sparks flew, kicking up a startling wave of air!

What shocked everyone the most was,

Ji Taichang had taken Li Hongyun's strike head-on without retreating a single step. His body didn't even sway in the slightest, looking completely effortless.

He no longer concealed his cultivation aura, letting it reveal itself!

"Foundation Establishment Stage... second level!?"

"Didn't they say he only reached Foundation Establishment a few days ago? How could he break through so quickly?"

The Elders and Disciples were in an uproar, showing expressions of amazement.

Lin Xueyue and Yang Yao's hearts also jolted, followed by wild joy!

"Hmph! What is there to say? He must have taken drugs, using the power of Medicinal Pills to force a Breakthrough. His Foundation is unstable, and his combat power is hollow. This is destroying his own future!"

Zhang San snorted coldly, his gaze shifting toward Yang Yao.

Clearly,

He believed that Yang Yao had secretly refined pills for Ji Taichang to forcibly raise his cultivation!