Chapter 229: Rookie Battle Semifinals
The Rookie Battle was drawing to a close.
The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had reached the semifinals with a flawless record, and the name Shui Bing’er had spread throughout the entire venue.
Her power as a Level 69 Soul Emperor—combined with her transcendent mastery of ice-sealing techniques—had ensured that everyone remembered this blue-haired woman from the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had likewise advanced with an undefeated streak. Wielding the Clear Sky Hammer, Tang San had defeated every opponent with overwhelming, crushing force.
Although he was only at Level 59, the domineering might of the Clear Sky Hammer left every single opponent trembling with lingering fear.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan also advanced successfully. The brothers Yu Tianxin and Yu Tianheng took turns entering the fray, their Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon’s thunderous power sweeping aside everything in its path.
The Black Tiger Sect, Fire Leopard Sect, and Armored Elephant Sect also managed to clear the qualifiers—though the process had been somewhat arduous.
Conversely, the Rock Antelope Sect, Wind Sword Sect, White Tiger Sect, and Sparrow-Bee Sect were eliminated.
This outcome came as something of a surprise.
This was especially true for the Wind Sword Sect and the White Tiger Sect; two of the "Lower Four Sects," they had shockingly been eliminated during the very first stage of the competition.
In the stands, murmurs of discussion rippled through the crowd.
"What happened to the Wind Sword Sect? Aren’t they one of the Lower Four Sects? How could they fail to even make it past the first round?"
"The same goes for the White Tiger Sect. I heard the disciples of this generation were actually quite strong—so how did they end up getting eliminated?"
"There’s nothing to be done about it. The overall standard of this year’s Rookie Battle is simply too high. The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—which of those powerhouses is anyone supposed to mess with?"
"True enough. It really is a tall order for any of the Lower Four Sects to break into the top three."
At the Wind Sword Sect’s designated seating area, the Sect Master’s face was ashen with rage.
At the White Tiger Sect’s seating area, their Sect Master wore an equally grim and sullen expression.
Yet, they had no grounds for complaint.
After all, whose fault was it but their own for running into such monstrously powerful opponents right from the very start?
A loss is a loss.
If your skills are inferior to your opponent’s, you have no one but yourself to blame.
...
The following day.
The semifinals of the Rookie Battle commenced.
When the results of the draw were revealed, the matchup was set: The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect versus the Black Tiger Sect. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect versus the Fire Leopard Sect.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan versus the Armored Elephant Sect.
The three duels would take place in succession.
The moment the results were announced, the entire arena erupted.
"The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect against the Black Tiger Sect? Shui Bing’er against a Black Tiger Sect disciple? Interesting!"
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect against the Wind Sword Sect? Tang San against Feng Wuhen? The Clear Sky Hammer versus the Wind Sword—what a spectacle!"
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan against the Armored Elephant Sect? The strongest spear against the strongest shield? This is going to be the best match of all!"
Voices rose and fell in a ceaseless wave of discussion.
...
The first match: The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect versus the Black Tiger Sect.
Shui Bing’er stepped onto the stage once again.
The Black Tiger Sect disciple was already waiting there.
He was a young man in his early twenties—burly in build, with rugged features, clad in a tight-fitting black combat suit embroidered with a majestic black tiger across the chest. His entire being exuded a primal, beast-like aura.
The Black Tiger Sect disciple: Hu Wudi—a Level 55 Power Attack System Battle Spirit King.
He stood upon the stage with his arms crossed over his chest, his gaze burning with intense focus.
"Begin!"
The referee gave the command.
Hu Wudi made the first move!
His figure transformed into a streak of black lightning, instantly surging toward Shui Bing’er!
The Black Tiger Sect’s Spirit was, naturally, the Black Tiger.
This type of Spirit was renowned for its strength and speed, possessing explosive power of the highest caliber.
Although Hu Wudi was only at Level 55, when unleashing his full potential, his speed rivaled that of a Level 60 Spirit Emperor!
His claws—resembling a pair of razor-sharp steel blades—slashed through the air, whipping up a fierce gale as they lunged viciously toward Shui Bing’er!
Shui Bing’er did not move.
She simply stood her ground, watching as that dark silhouette bore down upon her.
Just as he drew near, she raised her hand.
A beam of ice-blue light shot forth!
But this time, her opponent was prepared!
Hu Wudi’s body twisted abruptly, forcibly altering his trajectory! The beam of icy light grazed his shoulder as it flew past, instantly freezing a patch of frost onto the stage floor! "Third Soul Skill: Tiger’s Roar of the Forest!"
He opened his mouth and unleashed a deafening tiger’s roar!
The sound waves seemed almost tangible; charged with terrifying concussive force, they swept directly toward Shui Bing’er! The very air around them quivered!
A sound-based Soul Skill?
Shui Bing’er’s brows furrowed slightly.
Lightly tapping her feet against the ground, she instantly retreated!
At the same time, she rapidly waved both hands, sending forth several beams of icy light that sealed off every possible avenue of attack for her opponent!
"Crack... crack... crack..."
The icy beams struck the ground, instantly coalescing into several ice walls upon the arena floor! These walls stood a full two meters high and half a meter thick—crystalline and translucent, yet radiating an intense, biting cold!
Hu Wudi’s figure was completely blocked by the ice walls!
He let out a furious roar, channeling power into his claws as he smashed them violently against the ice walls!
"Boom—!"
After striking several times in succession, the ice walls shuddered violently, and cracks began to spiderweb across their surfaces!
But just as he surged forward, another beam of icy light shot straight toward him!
This time, he could not dodge it!
"Crack—!"
The icy beam struck his right arm, and a layer of ice instantly began to spread! From his fingertips all the way to his shoulder, his entire arm was encased in ice in the blink of an eye!
His body went rigid for a single instant.
And that single instant was all it took.
Shui Bing’er’s figure suddenly appeared directly before him.
Her fair, slender palm slammed heavily against his chest.
"Thud—!"
Hu Wudi was sent flying backward; tracing a parabolic arc through the air, he crashed violently onto the ground outside the arena!
"Boom—!"
The ground shook from the impact.
Hu Wudi lay outside the ring, gasping for breath; his right arm remained encased in ice, leaving him completely unable to move.
The referee raised his flag: "Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—Victor!"
Shui Bing’er stood upon the stage, awaiting the next disciple from the Black Tiger Sect to step forward and issue a challenge.
Over at the Black Tiger Sect’s seating area, their Sect Master, Hu Xiaotian, fell silent for a moment.
Then, he shook his head.
"We concede."
His voice was calm and measured.
Although the disciples standing behind him felt a deep sense of frustration and reluctance, not a single one of them spoke a word.
For they knew, deep down, that they stood no chance of winning. A Level 69 opponent against a Level 55 one—the disparity in levels was simply too vast.
Moreover, Shui Bing’er’s freezing technique was absurdly fast and terrifyingly precise.
To continue fighting would only result in a loss.
Not to mention their complicated relationship with the Spirit Hall...
Therefore, it was better to conserve their strength and prepare for the next stage of the competition.
The referee announced: "The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect advances to the finals!"
...
The second match: the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect versus the Fire Leopard Sect.
Tang San stepped onto the arena stage.
Today, he was clad in simple gray robes, his features appearing entirely ordinary.
The disciples of the Fire Leopard Sect were already waiting on the platform.
Li Yu.
A Level 54 Agility-Attack System Battle Spirit King.
He stood upon the stage, his Fire Leopard Spirit fully manifested upon his body, his gaze sharp as lightning.
"Begin!"
The referee gave the command.
Li Yu struck first!
His figure moved like a streak of crimson lightning, instantly charging toward Tang San!
Tang San did not move.
He simply stood his ground, watching as that crimson figure drew ever closer.
Then, he raised his left hand.
A surge of black light erupted forth!
The Clear Sky Hammer materialized in his grasp!
"Boom—!"
He unleashed a single, crushing blow!
Li Yu instantly lost his balance.
The impact left his arm throbbing with numbness!
In a flash, Tang San’s figure appeared directly before him!
The second blow!
"Boom—!"
Li Yu was sent flying backward through the air, crashing down outside the arena!
Spitting up blood, he lay motionless on the ground!
The entire venue fell silent in an instant!
Then, the crowd erupted!
"Two blows! It took only two blows!"
"The Clear Sky Hammer! That is the Clear Sky Hammer!"
"Level 59 against Level 54—a complete rout! An absolute, crushing victory!"
Cheers and gasps of astonishment rose and fell in waves.
Tang San stood upon the stage, the Clear Sky Hammer still in his hand, his expression utterly impassive.
The referee stood stunned for a moment before finally raising his flag: "The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect wins!"
In the Fire Leopard Sect’s seating section, the Sect Master let out a sigh.
He glanced at the disciples beside him and shook his head.
"We forfeit."
His voice was calm, yet his eyes were filled with bitterness. The Clear Sky Hammer...
It truly lives up to its reputation as the greatest Tool Spirit in the world.
The referee announced: "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect advances to the finals!"
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