Chapter 272: Thousand Arts Return to One Path

Duan Rong had kept his Divine Sense released and enveloping the area, but he had not mobilized his Divine Sense to penetrate those few slender flying darts.

But the very instant that flying dart exploded, Duan Rong perceived it keenly!

Under the envelopment of his Divine Sense, the sudden eruption of abnormality was like a calm lake surface suddenly bursting with spray.

Divine Sense is far more acute than eyesight!

At this moment, three slender flying darts were aimed straight at Duan Rong's face, and Tao Rong's blade edge was also pressing in from the side!

These few flying darts of Tao Rong's were shot with the timing calculated; it could be called infinite murderous intent!

That suddenly exploding slender flying dart was already a lethal move; if Duan Rong were to dodge, his posture would inevitably be disordered, and Tao Rong's shadow-like blade edge would certainly be able to succeed at this time!

The discerning observers watching the battle all saw Duan Rong's defeat, but some were anxious, some were astonished, and some were secretly delighted.

But just at this moment, Duan Rong's posture remained unchanged, yet his right hand suddenly swept across his eyes, and several Plum Blossom Afterimages bloomed at his hand; he actually grabbed those three flying darts that were exploding toward his face in his hand!

Duan Rong's original hidden weapon technique was not weak, and on the night he saved Xiao Yu, he had also devoured a hidden weapon technique from Wei Yutian—Thousand Leaf Three Transformations!

After digesting and absorbing it, his hidden weapon technique went up another level.

The instant Duan Rong waved his hand and grabbed those three flying darts, not only was Tao Rong greatly shocked, but the viewing gallery was also in complete silence.

These True Qi Realm experts clearly all understood what this meant.

The difficulty of being able to catch a hidden weapon thrown by someone else with one grab is clearly far greater than the difficulty of throwing a hidden weapon.

This shows that Duan Rong's hidden weapon technique is far more brilliant than Tao Rong's!

The moment Duan Rong grabbed those three flying darts, Xie Daohan's body trembled obviously, and his gaze, like a venomous snake, stared fixedly at Duan Rong.

This person had never entered his field of vision!

But he was a powerhouse of the Inner Breath Realm Great Accomplishment, and skilled in hidden weapons!

In order to investigate the death of Xie Lei, the number of people Xie Daohan had screened in his mind, day and night, was countless!

He had considered everyone in front of the Zeying Tai, because a year ago, almost all of them had already achieved the Inner Breath Realm Third Layer, while Xie Lei at that time was still only at the Inner Breath Realm Second Layer.

Today, Xie Daohan finally discovered that there was one person, in the darkness, silently growing stronger... like a mouse lurking in the darkness...

In his twenty-year career as a Head Constable, Xie Daohan smelled a hint of something wrong... He sat there, his body and complexion both very stiff, but his gaze was deep and cold...

The moment Duan Rong grabbed those three flying darts, he let them fall from his hand; he did not want to show off his hidden weapon technique in public, and he felt the timing had already arrived.

Duan Rong's right hand grabbed the hilt of the Ox-Tail Saber, and almost the instant he touched it, he infused his Internal Breath; the thick Internal Breath exploded instantly, and the scabbard shattered and disintegrated...

Duan Rong slashed out with the saber horizontally!

Tao Rong was still shocked that Duan Rong had grabbed those three flying darts that had been shot at his face in a sudden moment with one sweep of his hand.

The exquisiteness of that technique was clearly far superior to his own.

Tao Rong was still in shock and had not yet recovered, when the next moment, Duan Rong's blade edge slashed toward him amidst a flurry of flying scabbard fragments!

Tao Rong's whole body turned cold, and his scalp felt as if an electric current had rolled over it!

The power of this slash from Duan Rong was clearly something he could not withstand at this moment!

Tao Rong's figure retreated, and Duan Rong's blade edge turned, changing the slash into a thrust, following his figure to thrust the saber at the rapidly retreating Tao Rong.

Both of their feet were on the Plum Blossom Stakes, rapidly changing and tapping the edges of the stakes, but one was driving straight in, and one was retreating in a panic!

Tao Rong was, after all, retreating with his back facing behind, and his speed was still half a beat slower than Duan Rong's; seeing the tip of the blade about to reach his body, Tao Rong stepped on the side of the stake edge with the sole of his foot, his body tilted horizontally to dodge, and almost simultaneously, he swung his saber to slash at the back of the blade Duan Rong had thrust over.

The moment Tao Rong's figure changed, Duan Rong also shifted his figure, taking the opportunity to lead the saber into a horizontal slash.

Clang! The two sabers collided!

The web between Tao Rong's thumb and index finger vibrated, and his weapon almost slipped from his hand!

At this moment, his Internal Breath was clearly weaker than Duan Rong's; the trend of strength and weakness was already set!

Duan Rong's gaze was cold and stern, attacking repeatedly!

Tao Rong was struggling to cope, barely holding on!

Tao Rong was focused on dealing with Duan Rong's blade light, but he did not notice that he had already stood at the edge of the Plum Blossom Stakes.

Duan Rong suddenly swung his single arm diagonally, slashing horizontally at his head!

Tao Rong could not dodge in time and had no choice but to meet it!

The two sabers crossed and collided, and Internal Breath burst forth!

Tao Rong's feet met empty air, and he had already fallen off the Zeying Tai while holding his saber!

He was somewhat dazed, looking at the blade edge in his hand; the Ox-Tail Saber in Duan Rong's hand was as bright as before, but the blade of the saber in Tao Rong's hand had shattered in several places, and the largest notch was the one made when he received that slash from Duan Rong just as he fell!

Although both were in the Great Accomplishment realm, by the time they fought to this point, the gap in Internal Breath was already quite obvious!

On the viewing gallery, A Mo looked at Duan Rong and said, "Miss, take a look, he's quite impressive!"

Actually, A Mo had a good impression of Duan Rong; at the very least, she felt Duan Rong was not annoying.

Lv Qingzhu nodded and said, "He should have already had a fairly deep realization of the Micro-Perception Realm!"

This conclusion of Lv Qingzhu's was the result of her deliberation.

If he did not have a certain physical realization of the Micro-Perception Realm, how could Duan Rong have dodged Tao Rong's successive fierce attacks when he was previously using defense as offense to exhaust Tao Rong?

But looking at Duan Rong's attacks at this moment, although fierce and agile, in terms of precision, he clearly had not yet achieved the Micro-Perception Realm!

When Duan Rong attacked, he had been suppressing his own realm; after achieving Micro-Perception, added to his ability to use Divine Sense to see through himself, even in an intense duel, Duan Rong could steadily control his own realm.

This duel was extremely brilliant, and the viewing gallery was in complete silence without a single sound, so Lv Qingzhu's voice drifted over...

Many people nodded, deeply agreeing, and Fan Yuanhai, upon hearing this, looked at Lv Qingzhu with a meaningful gaze.

Xie Daohan also heard Lv Qingzhu's conclusion, and he muttered, repeating Lv Qingzhu's words.

"... Micro-Perception Realm... already had a fairly deep realization..."

However, Xie Daohan's gaze had not moved from beginning to end; his two eyes had been staring tightly at Duan Rong...

Just at this moment, Clerk Qin's voice rang out.

"Duan Rong! Three rounds of point-based battles, all won! Promoted to Sect Registered Disciple!"

Not far from Zeying Tai, the dense crowd of onlookers suddenly erupted into bursts of cheers!

After all, Duan Rong was the first to advance to become a Sect Registered Disciple, and he came from a commoner background! The legend he created would continue to spread throughout Xiangu County, inspiring generation after generation of children from humble families...

Duan Rong finally smiled lightly as well, feeling a sense of relief!

In order to stubbornly pursue this status as a Sect Registered Disciple, he had nearly driven himself mad.

Shen Yanliu's gaze swept toward Tao Rong below the stage.

According to the rules, the use of mechanisms in duels is prohibited; the original intent of this specific rule was actually to forbid mechanical hidden weapons like the Baoyu Lihua Needle.

The flying dart that Tao Rong had just thrown should be called a Zimu Dart. Although it is also a throwing-type dart, it still touches upon the category of mechanisms.

If one were to strictly enforce the rules, Shen Yanliu could immediately disqualify Tao Rong and prevent him from participating in the subsequent Segmented Life-and-Death Challenge!

However, this would easily lead to disputes, and Tao Jiusong had some connections within Yuanyang Prefecture, so there was no need to cause friction over this matter.

Since Shen Yanliu, as the host, did not bring it up, the others naturally were not willing to waste their breath on such a contentious issue.

Duan Rong and Tao Rong each returned to their respective teams!

Tao Rong immediately sat cross-legged and began to seize the time to recover his Internal Breath to cope with the later Segmented Life-and-Death Challenge!

After all, he was at the Great Accomplishment realm; although he was defeated by Duan Rong, with his strength, he still had a great chance of advancing in the Segmented Life-and-Death Challenge!

Duan Rong walked over, and Ximen Kankan just smiled at Duan Rong as a form of congratulation, because he was very nervous now; over there, Clerk Qin had started spinning the wheel again.

Ximen Kankan was so nervous not because he was afraid of losing, but because he was afraid of meeting Xia Shuangshuang.

To personally send his goddess to defeat would be like carving out his own heart, but his father was sitting in the viewing gallery, so if they really met, he wouldn't dare to throw the match!

The result of the second round's wheel spin had come out: it was Xia Shuangshuang against Shen Mizhi!

The two were already standing on the Plum Blossom Stakes, one with a Long Spear and one with a Sword!

A powerful wave of cheers suddenly erupted from the crowd of onlookers! What people discussed most after meals was Xiao Yu, Xia Shuangshuang, and Shen Mizhi; the explosive excitement stirred in people's hearts by this duel between two beauties could well be imagined!

The figures of the two crossed, and they instantly began to fight!

Although Xia Shuangshuang had the advantage of her weapon, Shen Mizhi's sword technique and movement technique also had their own unique aspects.

The two fought in a deadlock, and Ximen Kankan's eyes were fixed on Xia Shuangshuang on the stage, afraid of missing any detail.

Just then, Duan Rong suddenly walked up to Xiao Yu and whispered in her ear: "Don't fight Ximen Kankan later, just admit defeat!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu frowned, clearly finding it somewhat hard to accept, but when her gaze met Duan Rong's cold, clear eyes, she immediately understood what Duan Rong meant.

Xiao Yu pursed her lips and looked at Duan Rong without answering.

Seeing Xiao Yu's expression, Duan Rong knew she had understood, so he turned and walked toward the place where those who advanced to become Sect Registered Disciples were supposed to stand.

Xiao Yu glanced at Tao Rong, who was sitting on the ground not far away recovering his Internal Breath, her beautiful eyes flickering.

Duan Rong's meaning was that Xiao Yu was no match for Ximen Kankan. It would be better to give up directly, preserve her strength, and participate in the Segmented Life-and-Death Challenge in her peak state!

Duan Rong left Xiao Yu and had just walked to Ximen Kankan's side when Ximen Kankan suddenly grabbed him and said: "What did you say to her?"

Duan Rong shook off Ximen Kankan's hand and said: "Do you have to pry into everything?"

Ximen Kankan curled his lip, watched Duan Rong flick his sleeves and leave, and said: "Forget it if you won't say... I was just afraid you were giving her pointers!"

On the Zeying Tai, after a bitter struggle, Xia Shuangshuang ultimately won!

The advantage of Xia Shuangshuang's Long Spear was not very obvious at first under the coordination of Shen Mizhi's sword technique and movement technique!

But as the bitter struggle continued, both of them consumed a great deal, and the advantage of the weapon became an increasingly important factor in deciding the outcome!

Shen Mizhi was finally knocked off the stage by a strike from Xia Shuangshuang's spear; it could be said that she lost quite miserably!

Shen Mizhi's face was pale, and her lips were bleeding; that was because she had bitten them herself due to her intense emotions...

In the viewing gallery, Shen Yanliu's expression was also extremely ugly; he glanced at Xia Zhongyang not far away, and Xia Zhongyang, noticing his gaze, looked back at him quite triumphantly.

Shen Yanliu could only sulk with a livid face; as the owner of the Yunshui Ticket Office, Xia Zhongyang had an even stronger backing than he did.

"Xia Shuangshuang! Three rounds of point battles, all won! Advanced to become a Sect Registered Disciple!"

Following Clerk Qin's announcement, although Xia Shuangshuang's face was full of fatigue, she still smiled gracefully, jumped off the stage, and stood by Duan Rong's side.

Xia Shuangshuang looked at Duan Rong and said: "I didn't expect that Mr. Duan not only has superb Painting Skill but also such formidable martial arts strength!"

Duan Rong said: "A thousand arts return to one path. How does Miss Xia know that painting and fist techniques are not the same principle?"

Although Duan Rong was spouting nonsense, it still made Xia Shuangshuang's expression freeze for a moment.

The first two rounds had already been completed, and in the group of six with two points, only Ximen Kankan and Xiao Yu remained.

The two were now standing on the Plum Blossom Stakes; Ximen Kankan suddenly drew his blade, his figure flashed, and he was about to attack!

Xiao Yu, however, suddenly said loudly: "I admit defeat!"

After saying this, Xiao Yu jumped straight off the Plum Blossom Stakes!

Ximen Kankan stood on the Plum Blossom Stakes, stunned as he looked at Xiao Yu's back; he then saw his eyes flash and turned to look at Duan Rong, who was talking to Xia Shuangshuang over there.

How could he not know by now what Duan Rong had said to Xiao Yu!

Xiao Zongting stood there and was clearly stunned to see Xiao Yu suddenly admit defeat, but he immediately understood Xiao Yu's intentions.

Xiao Zongting nodded, very much approving of Xiao Yu's approach. The so-called adapting to changes on the spot is also a way to win.

Tao Rong and Shen Mizhi were both sitting there recovering their Internal Breath, while only Xiao Yu stood there calmly, closing her eyes to rest.

The group of six with two points had finished their duels.

Duan Rong, Xia Shuangshuang, and Ximen Kankan directly advanced to become Sect Registered Disciples! Tao Rong, Shen Mizhi, and Xiao Yu would participate in the final Segmented Life-and-Death Challenge!

However, what was to follow was the random duels within the group of twelve with one point!

Although the overall strength of this group was not as good as the previous one.

However, the cruelty of the struggle was even greater. Because, in this group, as long as one lost, one was directly eliminated.

After a bitter struggle, Jiang Qingyu, Qiu Tong, Yue Feng, Luo Zhoucheng, Gui Zong, and Fan Baolong were the final six to win!

Therefore, the personnel participating in the final Segmented Life-and-Death Challenge were determined.

A total of nine people were participating: Tao Rong, Shen Mizhi, Xiao Yu, Jiang Qingyu, Qiu Tong, Yue Feng, Luo Zhoucheng, Gui Zong, and Fan Baolong.

These nine people will undergo the Segmented Life-and-Death Challenge to seize the remaining four spots!

Not only were the expressions of these nine people grave, but those sitting in the viewing gallery, looking at their sons and daughters who had just come of age, also had ugly expressions and were feeling nervous.

Because the Segmented Life-and-Death Challenge is truly as its name implies: one must distinguish between life and death!

The rules are as follows: first, spin the Wheel; the person whose name it lands on becomes the ring master and accepts the challenge!

Those who choose to challenge the ring master, no matter how many there are, will be grouped with the ring master for a round-robin battle within the group; the final winner obtains a spot, and this is one segment!

Once one segment ends, continue spinning for the ring master to begin the next segment! Once the four spots are distributed, the challenge terminates!

The names of the nine people have already been posted on the Wheel by the yamen runners!

Clerk Qin walked over and spun the Wheel!

(End of this chapter)