Chapter 485

Wang Yue swiftly stepped back, but just as he was about to form the next hand seal, an abrupt change occurred—

Translation: Wang Yue swiftly retreated backward, and just as he was condensing the next hand seal, an abrupt change occurred—

But need to keep the em dash? The Chinese ends with "——". We'll keep as "—" maybe double dash? We'll output as "—". Use em dash? We'll just use "—". We'll keep as "—". So: Wang Yue swiftly retreated backward, and just as he was condensing the next hand seal, an abrupt change occurred—

But we need to keep the dash at end. We'll output "—". Good.

Lightning erupted from the spear tip, shooting straight at his chest.

Translation: Lightning from the spear tip flashed violently toward him, straight for his chest.

He felt a sharp, numbing pain in his chest, and his spellcasting motions slowed.

Translation: He felt a sharp numb pain in his chest, and immediately his movements while performing the seal became sluggish.

With a "splatter" sound, the long spear pierced his shoulder, sending a stabbing pain through him, and his face turned deathly pale.

Translation: With a "splatter" sound, the long spear pierced his shoulder, sending a stabbing pain through him, and his face turned deathly pale.

With a "splatter" sound, the long spear pierced his shoulder, sending a stabbing pain through him, and his face turned deathly pale.

He was forced to keep retreating.

Translation: He was forced to keep retreating backward.

Wang Yue endured the pain, pressed his two fingers together, and quickly formed a hand seal.

Translation: Wang Yue endured the pain, pressed his two fingers together, and quickly formed a hand seal.

"Sun‑Devouring Seal!"

Translation: "Sun‑Devouring Seal!"

Boom!

Translation: Boom!

A sun‑like flame surged toward Cang Li, carrying tremendous force.

Translation: A flame resembling the sun surged toward Cang Li, carrying immense power.

Cang Li's expression shifted slightly; he withdrew his spear and then swept it sideways.

Translation: Cang Li's expression shifted slightly; he withdrew his spear and then swept it sideways!

Lightning exploded!

Translation: Lightning explosion!

After catching his breath, Wang Yue chose to distance himself from Cang Li.

Translation: After Wang Yue caught his breath, he chose to distance himself from Cang Li.

Immediately afterward, he unleashed several spells in succession.

Translation: Immediately afterward, he unleashed several spells in succession!

This left Cang Li unable to move for a moment to deal with Wang Yue.

Translation: This left Cang Li unable to move for a moment to deal with Wang Yue!

After several rounds of combat, each gained a certain understanding of the other's strength, they no longer hesitated and both unleashed their ultimate techniques.

Translation: After several rounds of combat, each gauged the other's strength, they no longer hesitated and both unleashed their ultimate techniques.

Boom—

Translation: Boom—

As Cang Li swung his spear, the blade erupted continuously; the terrifying purple lightning, like a venomous snake, swiftly coiled and enveloped the entire arena, granting him control.

Translation: As Cang Li swung his spear, the spear tip burst continuously; the terrifying purple lightning, like a venomous snake, swiftly coiled and enveloped the entire arena, after which he seized the initiative.

Wang Yue's pupils contracted slightly; before he could unleash his next spell, Cang Li pressed the spear tip against his throat.

Translation: Wang Yue's pupils constricted slightly; before he could unleash his next technique, Cang Li already pressed the spear tip against his throat.

A chill ran up his spine.

Translation: A chill ran up his spine.

"I lost." Wang Yue pressed his lips together and finally spoke.

Translation: "I lost." Wang Yue pressed his lips together and finally spoke.

The Ninth Province crowd saw this, showed delighted expressions, and immediately cheered.

Translation: Seeing this, the Ninth Province crowd showed delight and immediately cheered.

Ninth Province's Cang Li won, earning thirty points.

Translation: Ninth Province's Cang Li won, earning thirty points.

Before stepping down from the platform, Cang Li seemed to sense a scorching gaze following him; he paused slightly, did not turn back, and walked straight off the stage.

Translation: Before stepping down from the platform, Cang Li seemed to sense a scorching gaze following him; his steps paused slightly, he did not turn back, and walked straight off the stage.

"Third senior brother, awesome!" Yuan Yao approached Cang Li, smiling and giving him a thumbs‑up.

Translation: "Third Senior Brother, awesome!" Yuan Yao approached Cang Li, smiling as she gave him a thumbs‑up.

The sternness on Cang Li's face instantly melted, replaced by unreserved pride.

Translation: The sternness on Cang Li's face melted instantly, replaced by unreserved smugness.

He crossed his arms, lifted his chin slightly, and said with a teasing hint of self‑admiration: "Hmph, this is merely the tip of the iceberg of my true strength."

Translation: He crossed his arms, lifted his chin slightly, and spoke with a teasing hint of narcissism: "Hmph, this is merely the tip of the iceberg of my true strength."

Yuan Yao perfunctorily echoed: "Yes, yes, yes."

Translation: Yuan Yao gave a perfunctory agreement: "Yes, yes, yes."

Xiao Lingwei walked over, glanced at him, and said, "Don't get too full of yourself."

Translation: Xiao Lingwei walked over, glanced at him, and said, "Don't get too full of yourself."

Song Yan chuckled and said, "Ah Li, this battle clearly shows that your strength and combat techniques have improved considerably compared to before."

Translation: Song Yan chuckled lightly and said, "Ah Li, this battle clearly shows that your strength and combat techniques have improved considerably compared to before."

"Still, the eldest senior brother has good judgment." Cang Li laughed.

Translation: "Still, the Eldest Senior Brother has good judgment." Cang Li laughed.

After they returned to the Ninth Province disciples' group.

Translation: Waiting for them to return to the Ninth Province disciple squad,

Dongfangxiu looked at them and asked, "Who should go up next?"

Translation: Dongfangxiu looked at them and said, "Who should go up next?"

"Do you want to go up?" Yuan Yao asked.

Translation: "Do you want to go up?" Yuan Yao asked.

Dongfangxiu nodded.

Translation: Dongfangxiu nodded.

Yuan Yao analyzed: "Except for us and the Seventh Province, the first contestants sent by other teams are generally their weakest members. However, in the second round's one‑on‑one matches, they may not send their weakest; I think they'll likely send mid‑tier or stronger disciples."

Translation: Yuan Yao analyzed: "Besides us and the Seventh Province, the first competitor each other team sends out is usually their weakest member. But in the second round's one‑on‑one matches, they might not send their weakest; I think they'll likely send someone of mid‑tier or higher ability."

Zhai Qingye raised his eyebrows and said, "You mean in the second round we should first send our weakest disciple?"

Translation: Zhai Qingye raised his eyebrows and said, "You mean in the second round we should first send out our weaker disciples?"

Yuan Yao nodded.

Translation: Yuan Yao nodded.

She added, "Of course, this is just my suggestion, since my guess might not be accurate."

Translation: She added, "Of course, this is merely my suggestion, since my guess might not be accurate."

Xiao Lingwei said, "Then for the second round we should send a Golden Core realm disciple."

Translation: Xiao Lingwei said, "Then for the second round we should send a Golden Core realm disciple."

Dongfangxiu frowned slightly, deciding to trust Yuan Yao once.

Translation: Dongfangxiu frowned slightly, deciding to trust Yuan Yao once.

At that moment, the one‑eyed boy in the crowd stared at Yuan Yao, as if recalling something, he looked toward the First Province team and saw that familiar white figure.

Translation: At that moment, the one‑eyed youth in the crowd stared at Yuan Yao; he seemed to recall something, looked toward the First Province team's direction, and saw that familiar white figure.

Lu Xiangxiang seemed to sense it and also lifted her head.

Translation: Lu Xiangxiang seemed to sense it as well and lifted her head.

Their gazes met.

Translation: Their gazes met.

Lu Xiangxiang pressed her lips together, her gaze filled with quiet resentment as she stared at Shiziwen, silently accusing him of betrayal.

Translation: Lu Xiangxiang pressed her lips together, her gaze filled with quiet resentment as she stared at Shiziwen, as if silently accusing him of betrayal.

In his previous life, Shiziwen obeyed her every command.

Translation: In her previous life, Shiziwen obeyed her every command.

But in this life, Shiziwen betrayed her—this is like a thorn driven deep into her heart, something she can never forget.

Translation: But in this life, Shiziwen betrayed her. This matter is like a thorn driven deep into her heart, making it impossible for her to forget.

Shiziwen's eyes were indifferent, showing no emotional turbulence.

Translation: Shiziwen's eyes were bland, showing hardly any emotional fluctuation.

If there were any feeling, it would be only a hint of disgust.

Translation: If there were any, it would be merely a hint of disgust.

He despised Lu Xiangxiang for exploiting his sincerity and not treating him as a person.

Translation: He despised Lu Xiangxiang for exploiting his sincerity and not treating him as a person.

As Shiziwen withdrew his gaze, he sensed someone staring at him; following his intuition, he looked over and saw Yuan Yao and her companion Ying Wuji beside her.

Translation: As soon as Shiziwen withdrew his gaze, he sensed someone staring at him; relying on intuition, he looked over and saw Yuan Yao together with Ying Wuji at her side.

Shiziwen furrowed his brow slightly.

Translation: Shiziwen furrowed his brow slightly.

Was it the senior sister just looking at him?

Translation: "Was it the senior sister looking at him just now?"

The first round of one‑on‑one platform matches quickly came to a close.

Translation: The first round of one‑on‑one platform matches quickly drew to a close.

Those who successfully earned the first thirty points were: the First Province, Feiyun Island, the Second Province, the Fourth Province, the Seventh Province, and the Ninth Province.

Translation: Those who successfully obtained the first thirty points were: the First Province, Flying Cloud Island, the Second Province, the Fourth Province, the Seventh Province, and the Ninth Province.

Immediately afterward, the twelve teams each sent out their second contestant.

Translation: Immediately afterward, the twelve teams each sent out their second competitor.

And after the twelve contestants took the stage, the Ninth Province disciples looked at Yuan Yao in surprise.

Translation: And after the twelve competitors took the stage, the Ninth Province's disciples looked at Yuan Yao in surprise.

Because this round's contestants truly matched what Yuan Yao had said.

Translation: Because this round's competitors truly were as Yuan Yao had said.

Aside from the Ninth Province and Feiyun Island, every other region or island sent contestants of mid‑to‑upper strength.

Translation: Aside from their Ninth Province and Flying Cloud Island, all other provinces or islands dispatched competitors of mid‑upper tier strength.

The Second Province even directly dispatched a Void‑Refining realm contestant.

Translation: The Second Province even directly sent out a Spirit Transformation realm competitor.

They quickly proceeded to draw lots.

But their Ninth Province disciple happened to draw the early-stage Spirit Transformation Realm disciple from the Second Province.

Dongfangxiu saw this and his expression changed slightly.

If this round were his turn to fight, then he would be facing that Second Province Spirit Transformation Realm disciple.

Only recently had he broken through to the late Nascent Soul Realm; if he truly faced that Spirit Transformation Realm disciple, he would very likely lose.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, you're so clever!" the Ninth Province disciples all spoke up.

One disciple even directly asked: "In the third round, should we send out a stronger disciple or a weaker one?"

Yuan Yao heard this, but fell silent.

She raised her head to look at the golden characters floating in the sky.

Total points:

First Province: 900.

Second Province: 750.

Third Province: 490.

Fourth Province: 630.

Fifth Province: 370.

Sixth Province: 221.

Seventh Province: 213.

Eighth Province: 146.

Ninth Province: 3031.

Flying Cloud Island: 736.

Boundless Island: 387.

Fusang Island: 135.

Zhai Qingye also raised his head to look at the points ranking and analyzed: "Now Fusang Island and the Eighth Province are at the bottom of the points, so if they still fail to gain any points in the second round, they will very likely first send out their stronger disciples to raise their points."

Ying Wuji spoke up: "What if they are also guessing whom we will send out?"

Cang Li stood with arms crossed: "If only two teams were competing, we could still guess what strength of opponent they would send out, but now besides our Ninth Province there are eleven other teams, each of which might have different ideas. Moreover, all twelve teams draw lots to choose opponents, so our chance of guessing correctly is even smaller."

Ling Huya said: "Our Ninth Province's points far exceed those of other provinces and islands; they won't be able to catch up anytime soon."