Chapter 48: The End of the First Day

Everyone at the entire venue had almost stopped breathing at this moment; this match was brilliant! Thrilling! There were too many unexpected turns!

Even the man holding the Jade Slip forgot to call a halt! After being stunned for about two or three seconds, he then shouted loudly:

"The thirty-eighth round of the match! Wang Peng wins!"

"Wow!"

The entire arena erupted in thunderous applause, especially the faction of Xiao Jingxuan; the cheers and shouts almost merged into one. The usually strict Xiao Jingxuan revealed a smile at this moment, and she nodded gently, showing a look of approval.

Wang Peng won this match too beautifully; he had both courage and strategy. Despite being at a disadvantage, he changed the entire course of the battle in an instant!

"Senior Brother Wang! I admire you!"

Qu Yuan put his Magic Treasure into his Storage Bag and cupped his hands toward Wang Peng.

"It was just a stroke of luck!"

Wang Peng also put away his Magic Treasure, then wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and smiled faintly. Even now, he still felt lingering fear in his heart; if the armor condensed from black Qi had been unable to withstand the tornado's attack, he would have already been a dead man!

The two exchanged a few more polite words before walking out of the light screen together and returning to their respective masters' sides.

"Master, this disciple is incompetent!"

As soon as he returned to Lin Fan, Qu Yuan immediately showed a dejected expression.

"Hehe! Do not be discouraged! Looking at the entire Chief Disciple Assembly, your match was the most brilliant. Pray tell, how many in the sect can unleash a move like the 'Wild Wind Slash'? You were defeated, but you have nothing to be ashamed of!"

"That's right! Second Senior Brother, that move of yours was too powerful. If it weren't for Senior Brother Wang being bold, he would have lost long ago!"

Ye Ling'er was also comforting him on the side. Zhang Nuo and Gao Dakuan were both the type of people who were not good with words, so they just kept nodding on the sidelines.

Just as the few were guiding Qu Yuan, the fighting began again in the arena, but compared to the previous match, these bouts seemed less brilliant.

Time passed bit by bit, and in the blink of an eye, night was about to fall.

"The eighty-fifth round of the match has ended! Today's matches also end here! Will all Elders please take your disciples back to your caves to rest, and come back here tomorrow to continue the subsequent matches!"

Upon hearing this, everyone felt a bit unsatisfied, but since the sect had arranged it this way, they had no choice but to return.

After Lin Fan and his group of five returned to the Cave Abode, Qu Yuan returned to his room in silence and did not come out, while Gao Dakuan and the others stayed by Lin Fan's side, listening to him explain the few good matches from today.

Zhang Nuo listened particularly carefully; he refused to let go of any detail, as practical combat experience was too important to him! Finally, Lin Fan said to Gao Dakuan:

"Da Kuan, your attacks have always been very straightforward, without the slightest concealment. This is also your weakness. Remember, when facing an enemy, appropriate feints will make the enemy paralyzed and careless, and your chances of winning will increase by a few points."

Gao Dakuan nodded; his attack methods were just like him: honest! Simple! Direct!

Turning his head, Lin Fan said to Zhang Nuo again:

"Nuo Er, up to now, among the disciples at the same level as you, there is no one whose Spiritual Qi can compare to yours. You are a Dual Spirit Sea Cultivator, far surpassing them in terms of Spiritual Qi; this is also your innate advantage! If it is your turn to go on stage tomorrow, remember not to fight to the death with your opponent, because your practical combat experience is insufficient, and you are not very thorough with the 'Shangqing Sword Art' either. Just drag it out; as time goes on, the opponent's Spiritual Qi will be exhausted, and the winner will surely be you!"

In fact, Zhang Nuo also understood this point. The only Magic Treasure he had on him was the "Nine Dragon Sword Case"; apart from the Flying Sword inside, he had no second Magic Treasure. If he chose to attack his opponent head-on, he would be the one to suffer the most.

"Don't worry, Master! I will make good use of this point, using my strengths to attack the enemy's weaknesses!"

Lin Fan nodded with satisfaction. When this little disciple was young, he looked as dull as Gao Dakuan, but ever since his Foundation Establishment, he had become much smarter. Could it be that advancing is conducive to developing intelligence?

After chatting with the three disciples for a while, Lin Fan let them go back to rest. However, Ye Ling'er lingered and refused to leave. After Zhang Nuo and Gao Dakuan left, Lin Fan gave a helpless, bitter smile and said:

"You little rascal, speak! What exactly do you want to do?"

"Master, there is a question in my heart that I have always wanted to ask you! Among the four of us senior and junior brothers, who do you think is the strongest!"

Ye Ling'er straightened her small face and asked very solemnly.

"Why ask this?"

Lin Fan was slightly stunned, wondering in his heart what kind of trick Ye Ling'er was up to.

"Just tell me, anyway, it's just the two of us here now, I promise not to tell anyone else!"

With another bitter smile, Lin Fan thought for a moment and said:

"Zhang Nuo!"

Upon hearing this name, Ye Ling'er did not show the slightest surprise; she seemed to have already guessed the answer Lin Fan gave.

"Why?"

"Why? Take a guess?"

Lin Fan suddenly became interested as well; he picked up the wine gourd at his waist and took a few gulps.

"Is it because of his Dual Spirit Sea?"

Looking at her master, Ye Ling'er said tentatively. Lin Fan shook his head, his eyes narrowed slightly, as if immersed in endless memories.

"Nuo Er's Dual Spirit Sea is a blessing from heaven; this is not the reason I chose him. The real reason I feel he is the strongest among you is that he has a kind of belief and perseverance!"

Ye Ling'er felt a slight shock in her heart. She had also felt something special from Zhang Nuo, but she could not say what that thing was. Now, Lin Fan's words made her suddenly realize!

"Do you remember when Nuo Er first entered my sect? At that time, his cultivation talent was very low, but he practiced diligently every day. Even if his progress in each practice was only a little bit, he never gave up. The reason may be only one, and that is for the family members who died in the Blood Sacrifice!"

Seeing that Ye Ling'er did not speak, Lin Fan continued:

"And three years ago, he and Da Kuan went out to handle affairs, and as a result, they saved Song Ziyu on the way. Da Kuan was seriously injured because he blocked a blow for him, which also touched him deeply. After returning, he went into seclusion and went straight from Qi Refining Stage Level 6 to Foundation Establishment. This also requires a kind of belief and perseverance! The reason I say he is the strongest among you is because he will constantly change himself; he knows clearly what he wants!"

The words made the hall quiet. Ye Ling'er bit her red lips with her teeth, turned around abruptly, and walked toward her room step by step. She had been thinking about a question in her heart, and as for what this question was, perhaps only she herself knew.