The crowd bussed. The disciples began placing their chips on their favourites. "Chen Zhen Vs Lu Changqing? Woah! Lu Changqing is so unlucky!! With his strength, it wouldn't have been impossible to reach top 5, but now it's over."
"Hold your horses, fella. This battle might be tough for Lu Changqing, but I wouldn't count him out just yet. No matter how monstrous Chen Zhen is, even he can't be at his razor sharp best after fighting that devil from Hell. It'd be close.."
"My bets are on Lu Changqing. As a member of the Great Yan Empire's Royal Clans, his trump cards are endless. I recently heard his Coiling Azure Dragon Technique has reached the third layer."
The discussions went on and on and on. Meanwhile, Gojo sat in his seat, reclined and uncaring as his blindfolded eyes glared into the skies. His mind wandered, and aimlessly brushed through the memories he had received from his previous life as Spatial Master.
Things were even more complicated than they looked. From the distinct memories, after Symbol Ancestor Fentian sacrificed himself to seal the Yi Mo Emperor, Spatial Master acted next.
In order to seal the crack between the planes, he detonated his own dantian to gain sufficient power to seal the dimensional tear in reality itself. That was some God tier feat right there. Powerscalers would go wild.
He had seven other siblings, mates, the other ancient masters who he shared close kinship and bond with. They had begged him not to, because the world needed him more than it did them.
They wanted to sacrifice themselves in his place, but Spatial Master refused. Only he has the power and the knowledge to deal with the situation.
But in the end, he had a backup plan, a forbidden ritual that would allow him to be reincarnated after his untimely death. He didn't dive first into death head first without any contingencies. It was as if Spatial Master could perceive the future.
He has stashed the entirety of his fortune, in a hidden location, awaiting the reincarnation of his next self. He then singlehandedly created the technique that would save the rest of his brethren. A technique that sent them into straight slumber or forced them into reincarnation to recover after the battle.
All in all, while he might not have been the strongest amongst all the ancient masters, Gojo reckoned he was the most brilliant and was the most tech savvy and knowledgeable amongst them.
He then turned his head to the one podium that the rest of the battles were to take place on. Ma Kui and Su Qingshi had finished off their opponents swiftly. Now, Xiao Wusheng walked to the stage rubbing his sleepy eyes and grumbling undertone, clearly annoyed.
Only one arena was to be used for the subsequent battles, hence all the battles had to take place one after the other. Xiao Wusheng hopped onto the arena calmly, walked to one edge and plopped down, sitting cross legged and rubbing his eyes, waiting for his opponent.
The sect master narrowed his eyes and carefully examined the youth, before a smile manifested on his face. "Second Elder, this disciple of yours seems to be quite the character. It turns out this year's batch of outer court disciples have truly exceeded expectations. Let's see who dares say my Heavenly Luo Sect is lackluster compared to the others..*
The Second Elder shook his head with an audible sigh. "Sometimes I doubt if he's even human. All he does during his time is eat snacks, train and sleep. I even tried matchmaking to get him a girlfriend but he refused. That brat!"
The Elders laughed in response.
Meanwhile, his opponent, Zhu Feng, was a young well built fellow in blue martial arts robes. A blue headband wrapped around his forehead, his knuckles taped and his aura was so fierce, it was as if he was a demonic beast in human form.
"Senior brother Zhu is so handsome. I wish I could marry him!"
"Keep dreaming."
"I think this would be Xiao Wusheng's toughest battle yet. Zhu Feng isn't like Lin Ming or QI Yue whom he defeated before. This guy is the real deal!"
"You're right. I heard he fought the little Barbarian King Ma Kui to a standstill one time. I don't even understand why he's ranked seventh in the outer court.."
As usual the crowd spectated, and all attention was drawn to the arena.
Gojo looked on interestedly. Du Yun turned towards him and then asked. "Who will you bet on brother?" Gojo laughed a bit and then replied. "Xiao Wusheng of course. It wouldn't even be close.." Du Yun frowned. From his perspective, while Xiao Wusheng was talented, Zhu Feng was unbelievably tough. Back then, when he was an outer court disciples, Zhu Feng had been a mentor and a friend.
He knew his strength more than anyone else. If it wasn't for the fact that he had a poor cultivation aptitude, Zhu Feng would've by now entered the inner court and would've become one of the top disciples.
Zhu Feng walked to the stage calmly and sized up an almost dozing Xiao Wusheng before he clasped his fist and nodded, showing respect despite the opponent's blatant disregard.
"I will not hold back, Junior brother Wusheng. I suggest you not go easy on me.." Zhu Feng got into what looked like a modern Muay Thai stance and readied his Yuan Power.
"I won't. But, Let's end this within 10 moves.."
Xiao Wusheng slowly arose to his feet, stretched his waist and then pulled down the left side of his outer robe, revealing the white shirt he wore underneath and then stretched out a palm.
Zhu Feng exhaled and nodded. His eyes filled with incredible battle intent. He wasn't like these pompous young masters who'd take offence to every single thing. Xiao Wusheng was strong. Stronger than him even, hence he had to give it his all.
"Hundred Ancient Mammoths Scripture!!
"Destructive Mammoth Stride!"
He went on the offence immediately. Incredible, malevolent Yuan Power surged out of his body. The faint shadow of an ancient mammoth blurred to life around him. He roared to the sky like a feral beast, his eyes locking onto Xiao Wusheng. And then he moved.
His feet stamped onto the arena with such intensity that the ground itself cracked, a massive earthquake erupted as incredible seismic waves tore through the air towards the opponent itself.
The destructiveness of the attack tore through the ground, splitting the earth. Meanwhile, Xiao Wusheng who was on the receiving end stood calmly in his Taichi like stance. He exhaled and then he struck.
"Five Elemental Origin Scripture: Veil of the Boundless Waters!"
His voice was calm but had a sharp edge to it. Before the destructive earthquake could tear him apart, incredible levels of Yuan Power seem to coalesce into a massive blue ocean that quickly swallowed him.
The moment the destructive waves struck the ocean, the waters began to stir and churn, roaring loudly as huge waves erupted, but in the end, the attack was swallowed effortlessly.
Zhu Feng's face changed, from seriousness to shock and surprise. But he wasn't ready to give up yet. He rushed towards Xiao Wusheng.
His Hundred Ancient Mammoths Scripture was a Physique refining technique that boasted incredible destructiveness.
A punch smashed towards Xiao Wusheng's head, bringing with it enough strength to shatter a massive boulder. He simple took a step forward, palms sweeping out in a reflective form. With simple and elegant moves, he used Zhu Feng's own strength against him, parrying and blocking when necessary.
BANG!
BANG!
Their bodies zoomed across the podium at incredible speed, as resounding bangs exploded forth. They slowed down eventually and the crowd was finally able to get a closer look. Xiao Wusheng dodged a kick to the face and parried a punch to the ribs and before another move could be made, he countered. His palms lit ablaze with crimson flames and he struck.
With timed acrobatic moves and fancy footwork, he whizzed past Zhu Feng's defenses easily and smashed out. His palm crashed into the youth's chest with incredible power, the flames blazing all around. Zhu Feng was sent skidding to the edge of the podium, the robes on his upper body burnt to ash, as he hyperventilated.
"Woah! Who can stop Xiao Wusheng at this point?"
*He's a monster!"
"Eight moves have already been exchanged. Two more.."
The crowd buzzed excitedly, Xiao Wusheng was putting up a show. The way he patiently and skillfully dismantled Zhu Feng's defenses was incredible. He wasn't even giving it his all. Zhu Feng's expression was ugly. Had his body not been tough to a ridiculous extent, he would've lost from that exchange alone.
Xiao Wusheng exhaled. "Are you going to come at me, or do I have to?" His voice was neither cocky nor arrogant, yet it carried a pristine edge that made Zhu Feng uncomfortable. But, Xiao Wusheng wasted no time. If Mt. Tai wasn't coming to him, then he'd go to Mt. Tai.
He switched to full offensive tactics, ready to use as much force as he needed to to bring this battle to an end. His index and middle finger formed a sword and he got into a stance.
"Here it comes.." Gojo smirked as he watched.
"Crimson Blazing Chop. Form One: Fire Moon!" With a slash, an incredible wave of crimson flames swallowed the area before him. "Not bad not bad!" Gojo clapped in excitement and wondered. The level of firepower this guy could unleash at this stage was surreal. It was as if he was a God of flames or something like that.
The temperature of the surroundings were increased several fold. Moments later, the flames and the dust died down, revealing an almost naked Zhu Feng standing in the eye of the blaze, his arms that were crossed around his figure were covered in ancient runic markings that flickered with a surreal glow.
He staggered and nearly fell, holding on with sheer willpower. Xiao Wusheng rolled his eyes and flexed his fingers. "You're awfully tough, senior brother Zhu Feng." His words were like a cold splash of water. Zhu Feng lifted his head towards Xiao Wusheng and then flashed a small smile. At least, he wasn't a nameless opponent to this devilish genius. He was someone worth remembering. He could live with that.
"Junior Brother Wusheng, I'll accept my defeat whole heartedly if you can receive this move from me.." He gathered took in a deep breath and turned towards Xiao Wusheng, his eyse regaining their usual sharpness.
Xiao Wusheng nodded gently and then got into a stance. His sword like fingers rested against his chest, and his knees bent a little. Meanwhile, Zhu Feng raised both hands up. His early Earthly Yuan Realm cultivation exploded forth fully. He was ready to go all out.
"Spirit of the Ancient Golden Mammoth!!!!" The runes on his arms lit up, and a fierce wind erupted from the influx of his Yuan Power. Right then and there, the skies darkened, clouds gathered. A translucent titanic monstrosity, materialized behind him. It was in the form of a golden wooly elephant with a massive trunk, tusks. It bellowed loudly, and the land itself shook.
The crowd was on edge. Gojo raised a brow, descending into deep thought for a moment there as he scanned the technique thoroughly. The titanic mammoth slammed into the earth, summoning incredible seismic waves and then launched itself into the air, like a missile, headed straight for Xiao Wusheng.
Xiao Wusheng's eyebrows tightened for a moment and then he took in a deep breath, his lips threatening to part into a small smile. "Senior brother Zhu Feng. I'll remember you, but ten moves are up...
Crimson Blazing Chop: Seventh Form: Golden Sun Wheel!"
BOOOOOOOOM!
Crimson light exploded up in the skies, and the faint visible shadow of a massive bloody round flaming wheel formed in the skies. It was as if millions of fireworks had been set off in the sky at once. The aftermath was a blinding light that engulfed the entire sect for a moment there. Everyone in the audience was struck silly by the level of power. Even Gojo himself was not an exception.
Xiao Wusheng pulled on his outer robes and walked off calmly, as if he hadn't shown one of the most outrageous power feats by an Earthly Yuan Realmer that Gojo had seen.
"What a monster!" Gojo spotted him walking off to his seat calmly and then shook his head with a laugh before turning back to skies and then gasping in surprise. The dark clouds that had once turned the place dark was now bathed in a crimson glow that shone into the horizon with a crimson shade.