Chapter 267

In the blink of an eye, we reached the quarterfinals!

Translation: In the blink of an eye, the quarterfinals arrived!

In the blink of an eye, we reached the quarterfinals!

The first quarterfinal match is Yan Buji against Niu Long.

Translation: The first match of the quarterfinals was Yan Buji versus Niu Long.

Although they are old acquaintances, seeing Niu Long full of confidence, Yan Buji knows he probably hid a killing move, so he's not worried about being unable to defeat himself.

Translation: Although they were old acquaintances, seeing Niu Long full of confidence, Yan Buji knew he likely had a hidden killing move and thus wasn't worried about losing to him.

knowing he probably hid a killing move, he wasn't worried about being unable to defeat himself.

Maybe the intended meaning: Yan Buji knows Niu Long likely hid a killing move, so he's not worried about being unable to defeat him (i. e., he's confident he can win). The phrase "cannot defeat himself" might be a mistake; but we must translate faithfully. We'll translate as: "knowing he probably hid a killing move, Yan Buji wasn't worried about being unable to defeat himself." That seems odd but we must keep meaning. However we could interpret "cannot defeat himself" as "cannot beat him" where "himself" refers to Niu Long? Actually if the subject is Yan Buji, "cannot defeat himself" would be "cannot beat himself". If the subject is Niu Long (implied), "cannot defeat himself" would be "cannot beat himself" (Niu Long cannot beat himself). Not right.

knowing he probably hid a killing move, he wasn't worried about being unable to defeat himself.

Or maybe he didn't even take himself seriously.

Translation: Or perhaps he didn't even take himself seriously.

Although they are old acquaintances, seeing Niu Long full of confidence, Yan Buji knows he probably hid a killing move, so he's not worried about being unable to defeat himself.

Translation: After all, his previous performance could be described as dismal and terrible; luckily making it to the quarterfinals was already something many couldn't imagine.

Niu Long laughed: "Yellow Junior Brother, Senior Brother truly admires you—despite your age, you're still remarkably tenacious, coming to see me."

Translation: "Junior Brother Huang, Senior Brother truly admires you; at your age, you're still this resilient, standing before me." Niu Long laughed.

Yan Buji bowed and smiled: "Senior Brother Niu, you flatter me; today's duel is just about winning or losing—please give me your guidance."

Translation: "Senior Brother Niu, you flatter me; today's duel is only about victory or defeat, please enlighten me." Yan Buji bowed with a smile.

Good!

Translation: "Good!"

Huang Hao of Ji Ju Peak versus Niu Long of the Miscellaneous Hall—begin!

Translation: "Huang Hao of Accumulation Device Peak versus Niu Long of the Miscellaneous Labor Hall, begin!"

At the referee's command, Niu Long before Yan Buji vanished, and in the blink of an eye reappeared right in front of him!

Translation: With the referee's command, Niu Long suddenly vanished before Yan Buji, and in the blink of an eye he appeared right in front of Yan Buji!

Whoosh!

Translation: Whoosh!

In an instant, a gust of fierce wind gathered in Niu Long's hand, forming a wind blade that shot toward Yan Buji's forehead at close range!

Translation: In an instant, a gust of wind gathered in Niu Long's hand, condensing into a wind blade that shot toward Yan Buji's forehead at close range!

The fierce wind tore at Yan Buji's white hair, blowing his facial wrinkles like rolling waves, but Yan Buji didn't panic or

Translation: The gale tore at Yan Buji's white hair, the wrinkles on his face fluttering like waves, yet Yan Buji did not panic and dodge; instead, he chanted inwardly, and the hexagonal shield unfurled before him.

Bang!

Translation: Boom!

Good!!

Translation: "Excellent!!"

Right from the start it's this exciting—truly worthy of the quarterfinals!

Translation: "This exciting right from the start—truly worthy of the quarterfinals!"

The audience below cheered and applauded.

Translation: The audience below cheered, shouting applause.

Niu Long took a few steps back upon seeing Yan Buji, but his sudden attack had no effect, and he was still somewhat shocked.

Translation: Seeing Yan Buji retreat a few steps, Niu Long felt his surprise attack had no effect, and he was still somewhat shocked.

Junior Brother Huang reacts really fast!

Translation: "Junior Brother Huang, your reflexes are truly fast."

Senior Brother, you certainly don't miss any opportunity!

Translation: "Senior Brother, you never miss an opportunity!"

Yan Buji vanished in the blink of an eye, and just as he dodged, several iron spikes suddenly sprang up from the ground, almost piercing his body!

Translation: Yan Buji vanished in the blink of an eye; at the moment he dodged, several iron spikes suddenly sprouted from the ground, nearly piercing his body!

Niu Long took a deep breath, his expression turning grave.

Translation: Niu Long drew a deep breath, his face turning solemn.

This old guy reacts so quickly, and that urgent secret technique isn't weak either; I almost couldn't even see his movements.

Translation: "This old guy reacts so fast; that swift secret technique isn't weak either—I barely caught a glimpse of his movements."

"Since you came, you should reciprocate—senior brother, take one of my moves!"

Translation: "If you come without going back, it's impolite—Senior Brother, take one of my moves!"

Yan Buji spews earth-origin fire from his mouth; the accompanying effect of this fire is not unbearable heat or any other attribute. As a type of earth vein spiritual fire, it contains a scorching effect that is harmless to cultivators themselves, but for other cultivators it can slowly impair the efficiency of their mana activation.

Translation: Yan Buji spewed Ground Origin Fire from his mouth; the Ground Origin Fire carried neither unbearable high temperature nor any other attribute. As a type of Earth Vein Spiritual Fire, it contains a scorching effect harmless to cultivators themselves, yet for other cultivators it can slowly impair the efficiency of their mana activation.

Thus, after Yan Buji mastered the Fire-Shaping Technique, he enhanced his control over the earth-origin fire, forming spear-wielding warrior figures that surrounded Niu Long on all sides.

Translation: Thus, after mastering the Shaping Fire Technique, Yan Buji enhanced his control of Ground Origin Fire, forming halberd-wielding warrior figures that surrounded Niu Long on all sides.

Killer aura?!

Translation: "Killing aura?!"

Niu Long took out a one-turn spear, smashed the several spear-wielding warriors in front of him, felt the scorching sensation, and immediately realized its subtlety.

Translation: Niu Long drew a First-Tier Accumulation Device Spear, shattered the several halberd-wielding warriors before him, felt that scorching intent, and instantly grasped its subtlety.

However, Niu Long is also extraordinary; with one hand wielding the spear and the other forming hand seals, streams of golden light protected his body, blocking the killer aura's effect.

Translation: However, Niu Long was no ordinary fighter; wielding the spear in one hand and forming hand seals with the other, golden light protected his body, blocking the killing aura's effect.

Seeing this, Yan Buji increased the output of earth-origin fire, forming even more spear-wielding warriors to surround Niu Long.

Translation: Seeing this, Yan Buji increased the output of Ground Origin Fire, forming more halberd-wielding warriors to besiege Niu Long.

These spear-wielding warriors aren't very strong; at most they're around the second level of Qi Refining.

Translation: These halberd-wielding warriors aren't very strong, at most around the second layer of Qi Refining.

But the entire arena is covered with them; even if Niu Long could burst forth with peak Qi Refining strength, he couldn't instantly clear them all.

Translation: But the entire arena was covered with them; even if Niu Long could burst forth with Peak of Qi Refining strength, he couldn't instantly clear them all.

The scorching effect of the earth-origin fire is hard to defend against, forcing him to be careful; otherwise, if the killer aura enters his body, it will be unpleasant.

Translation: The scorching effect of Ground Origin Fire is hard to defend against, forcing him to be cautious; otherwise, if the killing aura enters his body, it will be unpleasant.

"How much mana do you have left?" Niu Long realized the situation was unfavorable, gritted his teeth, and faced the tightly packed spear-wielding warriors' assault; for a moment they reached a stalemate.

Translation: "Let's see how much mana you have left!" Niu Long realized the situation was unfavorable, gritted his teeth, and defended tightly against the halberd-wielding warriors' encirclement; for a moment the two were locked in a stalemate.

But after a while, Niu Long sensed something was off.

Translation: But after a while, Niu Long sensed something was off.

Meanwhile, Yan Buji kept outputting without pause, which shocked Niu Long—how could this old guy have such deep, unfathomable mana?

Translation: Opposite him, Yan Buji was still outputting, showing no sign of stopping, which shocked Niu Long—how could this old man have such unfathomable mana?

"Junior Brother Huang! Don't think Senior Brother only knows how to defend and not attack!"

Translation: "Junior Brother Huang! Don't think Senior Brother only knows defense and not offense!"

Yan Buji chuckled: "Senior Brother, just show whatever techniques you have."

Translation: Yan Buji chuckled: "Senior Brother, bring out whatever means you have."

Niu Long gritted his teeth: "This is what you said!!"

Translation: Niu Long gritted his teeth: "This is what you said!!"

In the blink of an eye, Niu Long's aura surged, and he leapt to the peak of Qi Refining!

Translation: In the blink of an eye, Niu Long's aura surged, and he leapt to the Peak of Qi Refining layer!

His spear seemed to awaken as well, letting out a furious dragon's roar and unleashing a shocking blast that blew away all the surrounding spear-wielding warriors!

Translation: His Accumulation Device Spear seemed to awaken as well, roaring with a dragon's chant, erupting in a shocking blast that blew away all the surrounding halberd-wielding warriors!

"It's Niu Long's Dragon-Chant Spear!"

Translation: "It's Niu Long's Dragon Chant Spear!"

"I heard Niu Long killed a peak minor demon with that spear, right?"

Translation: "I've heard Niu Long relied on this Dragon Chant Spear to slay a peak minor demon, right?"

"Seems like that's the case."

Translation: "Seems to be the case."

"That old guy across from us is tough to beat."

Translation: "That old guy across from him is tough to beat."

Seeing Niu Long's spear display extraordinary power, Yan Buji furrowed his brow.

Translation: Seeing Niu Long's Dragon Chant Spear display extraordinary power, Yan Buji furrowed his brow.

Probably can't block it just with the killer aura armor and spiritual shield.

Translation: Relying solely on killing aura armor and spiritual shield probably wouldn't hold.

But there's no need to block it head-on; he can't keep up with his own speed.

Translation: But there's no need to block head-on; he can't keep up with my speed.

"If that's the case, then senior brother, you'd better be careful!"

Translation: "If that's the case, then Senior Brother, be careful!"

Yan Buji changed tactics, again forming hand seals; underground wooden snakes shot out, tightly binding Niu Long's legs, and the poisonous spikes on the snakes pierced into his shoes.

Translation: Yan Buji changed tactics, again forming hand seals; underground, a wood snake shot out, tightly binding Niu Long's legs, its poisonous spines piercing into his shoes.

Niu Long reacted promptly, instantly bursting forth with mana to break through the wooden snake obstruction, avoiding being paralyzed by the toxins on the snakes. And this was only the beginning of Yan Buji's opening move.

Translation: Niu Long reacted promptly, instantly bursting with mana to shatter the wood snake's obstruction, avoiding paralysis from the toxin on the snake; this was merely the beginning of Yan Buji's opening move.

Next, flames transformed into a dragon, and the earth suddenly burst through the soil, revealing a gigantic earthen demon giant; Yan Buji then took out the Dragon-Subduing Disk, channeled the Tremendous Dragon Technique's mana into it, and forcibly elevated the earthen demon giant's strength to the ninth level of Qi Refining.

Translation: Next, flames transformed into a dragon, the earth suddenly broke through the soil, and a gigantic earth-demon giant appeared; Yan Buji then took out the Subduing Flood Disk, channeled Shaking Dragon Classic mana into it, and forcibly elevated the earth-demon giant's strength to the level of the ninth layer of Qi Refining.

In other words, Yan Buji has mana support beyond his own cultivation level; otherwise, such a tremendous influx of mana would first overwhelm him.

Translation: That is, Yan Buji had mana support exceeding his own realm; otherwise, such a torrential infusion of mana would first fail to be sustained by him.

"A single demon statue can't stop me!"

Translation: "With just one magic image, you can't stop me!"

"Who said there's only one?"

Translation: "Who said there's only one?"

Yan Buji grinned, "Isn't it just a contest of who has more mana? Practicing the Nine Turns Technique for all these years, I'm not joking with you."

Translation: Yan Buji grinned, "Isn't this just a contest of who has more mana? Practicing the Nine Turns Technique for all these years, I'm not joking with you."

As he spoke, Yan Buji again controlled the Dragon-Subduing Disk to summon three earthen demon giants, using the Disk's power to boost their strength; this can also be seen as a mutual complement between the spear and the technique.

Translation: As he spoke, Yan Buji again controlled the Subduing Flood Disk to summon three earth-demon giants, using its power to boost their strength; this also counts as a mutual reinforcement between the Accumulation Device and techniques.

Originally, the Tremendous Dragon Technique could only produce earthen demon giants up to around the sixth level of Qi Refining, but Yan Buji, with the aid of the Dragon-Subduing Disk, forcibly raised their strength, consuming a great deal of mana.

Translation: Originally, the earth-demon technique cultivated via the Shaking Dragon Classic could at most reach the sixth layer of Qi Refining, but Yan Buji, with the aid of the Subduing Flood Disk, forcibly raised it, consuming mana not insignificantly.

But to him, it's just a drop in the bucket.

Translation: However, to him, it's merely a drop in the bucket.

If it weren't for having to spare the feelings of an old acquaintance, Yan Buji would have already taken him down just now—there were plenty of chances.

Niu Long's face darkened as he saw the surrounding earth demon statues charging; in an instant he wanted to leap over them to strike Yan Buji, but Yan Buji also read his mind and summoned an earth demon statue to guard in front of him, forcing Niu Long to abandon the idea.

Seeing the Fire Dragon and earth demon statues charging, Niu Long's expression grew very solemn; wielding his Dragon Chant Spear, he kept running and leaping across the arena, dodging attacks while looking for the right moment to counterattack!

Bang!

"Not good!"

But Niu Long was completely unaware that the earth demon statue contained the existence of earth‑primordial fire; the moment his Dragon Chant Spear pierced the statue, a violent explosion erupted, blasting it far away!

"When... did you deliberately release the Fire Dragon to interfere with my sensing?" Niu Long's face changed; he realized that Yan Buji's earlier maneuver was meant to lure him into smashing the earth demon statue, only to have the Spiritual Fire hidden inside explode, leaving him in a terribly awkward state.

"Senior brother, this is an arena duel; junior brother is not without preparation."

"You!"

Just then, as he was thinking, Niu Long's foot suddenly gave way, and he realized: "That entangling technique's poison?! Didn't I already dispel it?"

Yan Buji shook his head and laughed, "Senior brother, what I used wasn't poison but medicine. Poison can still cure... this medicine can also kill!"

In the blink of an eye, several earth demon statues swarmed in; having fallen for Yan Buji's tactic, Niu Long could not resist, his limbs aching yet feeling an indescribable exhilaration.

But on this arena, a single thought's misstep already sealed the outcome.

"I concede!"

The earth demon statue's massive fist landed on Niu Long's head but did not strike; Yan Buji waved his hand to disperse it, smiling and bowing, saying:

"Senior brother Niu, I accept your concession."

"The victor is Accumulation Device Peak Huang Hao!"