Chapter 101: The Battle for First and Second Place

“Innate Vital Energy!”

“Fist that shatters mountains and rivers!”

Though both were punches forged from innate vital energy, the force behind this blow was more than ten times greater than before. A wave of despair washed over Yu Zhantian’s heart.

Bang! Bang!

As Dong Wuwang unleashed this punch, Yu Zhantian, wielding the Dragon Piercing Spear, could only endure for a few breaths before being blasted backward dozens of yards, barely managing to steady himself.

He looked up at Dong Wuwang with a dark and grave expression.

“Take another punch from me!”

Dong Wuwang’s right arm trembled, his fist clenched again, and with a strong step forward, he launched his right fist swirling with vital energy. Suddenly, the roar of tigers and beasts echoed around.

Boom!

With a single punch, Yu Zhantian’s body was sent flying, tracing an arc through the air. The Dragon Piercing Spear slipped from his grasp with a sharp clank, embedding itself into the edge of the arena platform, the shaft vibrating ominously.

Spurt!

A mouthful of fresh blood burst forth as he could no longer hold on and collapsed heavily.

“What an overwhelming punch!”

The crowd below broke into cold sweat.

Ximen Wudi swiftly leapt onto the arena, casually tossing out a “You win,” then helped Yu Zhantian off the stage.

“No need to worry, Brother Ximen. This is our sect’s sacred healing elixir, the Soul-Returning Pill. After Uncle Zhantian takes it, he’ll recover fully within less than an hour...” Seeing Ximen Wudi’s anxious expression, Master Shen Shang appeared beside them, handing over the pill with a look of concern.

“Many thanks...” Ximen Wudi quickly administered the pill to Yu Zhantian, channeling spiritual energy into his body.

“The gap between realms is truly that vast? Two punches and Yu Zhantian is defeated...” Pang Bo and the others were wide-eyed with shock.

The liquor enthusiast commented, “Though it seems like only one realm apart, there’s an insurmountable chasm between the Profound Pill realm and the Spirit King realm. Once you step into the Pill realm, you can command a portion of the world’s power...”

Liu Feng nodded in agreement. “Exactly. The essence of their power is incomparable. Besides, Dong Wuwang isn’t just any ordinary Profound Pill realm cultivator...”

Fat Lin asked, “Then isn’t our madman in danger?”

Niu Shisan: “Never expected that bastard to be so fierce!”

Xu Xin’er approached Lin Cheng quietly. “If you can’t win later, don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”

Lin Cheng smirked playfully, “Worried I’ll get hurt?”

Before she could respond, he added, “Don’t worry, brothers. Even if I can’t beat him, Dong Wuwang can’t do a thing to me!”

Feeling Lin Cheng’s confidence, everyone relaxed and waited quietly.

Time ticked by. Yu Zhantian, now recovered, cast a deep, reluctant glance toward Dong Wuwang.

---

The presiding elder appeared atop the arena, his voice booming like a great bell.

“The ultimate duel is about to begin...”

“Please welcome Dong Wuwang of the Purple Sun Sect and Lin Cheng of the Azure Sun Sect to the stage!”

Dong Wuwang rose from his cross-legged position, fully unleashing the aura of the Profound Pill realm, stepping onto the platform.

Lin Cheng leapt up, landing heavily opposite him.

Lin Cheng: “Fight straight away? Or exchange a few words first?”

Dong Wuwang smiled politely, “I didn’t expect my champion rival to be such a young lad. Your two sword strikes were indeed overwhelmingly powerful, but against me, I fear it’s not enough...”

Lin Cheng curled his lips, “How am I little? Besides, how do you know those two swords are my strongest moves?”

Dong Wuwang: “Now I’m looking forward to it!”

Lin Cheng: “No need to look forward — you’ll soon experience it firsthand!”

The smile vanished from Dong Wuwang’s face, but with no hint of underestimation, he summoned his life-bound spirit weapon, the Haotian Mirror, with a wave of his right hand.

To call upon his signature weapon before even attacking showed how seriously he regarded Lin Cheng.

Innate vital energy swirled around his body, and his invincible spirit form activated as he fixed a fierce gaze on his opponent.

Lin Cheng raised an eyebrow, wondering if such tension was necessary—why unleash full force from the start?

He spread his palm, gripping the Sky-Pointing Sword. Instantly, his demeanor shifted dramatically from casual leisure to the piercing sharpness of a peerless blade. Faint sword auras flitted around him, revealing the unmistakable form of a sword cultivator.

“Excellent!” Master Cang Feng, seated on the jade throne, rarely spoke, but his eyes shone with approval.

The others seated nearby rolled their eyes silently. So much praise just because he’s your disciple...

Roar!

A dragon’s cry burst forth as Lin Cheng charged forward with his sword, transforming suddenly into a massive white dragon. Its tail whipped fiercely as it rammed ahead with overwhelming, awe-inspiring might.

The White Dragon Emerges!

The mountain peak winds rose in response, stirring the battlefield’s atmosphere as the dragon’s power filled the sky.

Seeing Lin Cheng’s decisive strike, the audience clenched their fists, tension and excitement mingling on their faces.

“The battle begins...”

“That overwhelming sword again. Can Dong Wuwang withstand it?”

“Nonsense, don’t treat him like Dongfang Yu. Lin Cheng’s sword is strong, but he probably can’t beat Dong Wuwang yet...”

“We’ll just have to watch and see...”

---

Facing the unstoppable white dragon charging forward, Dong Wuwang’s eyes blazed with fighting spirit as he shouted.

The Haotian Mirror instantly expanded in his hand; runes appeared on its surface, rotating in sequence as two divine beams shot forth.

“Tianyuan Unity!”

“Joined with Keyi Dream!”

Boom!

The dragon’s fierce head paused briefly as massive energy exploded outward, stirring dust and debris with a thunderous roar.

Back on the platform, two halos—one white, one green—hovered before Dong Wuwang, steadfastly blocking the white dragon’s sword strike. Within the halos, countless runes flickered, locked in a stalemate.

Golden light bloomed fiercely in Lin Cheng’s dragon eyes. Dragon breath surged as he rammed once more.

Bang!

The two halos shattered; the dragon’s massive form slammed into Dong Wuwang’s invincible spirit. Sharp sword auras burst forth from within the dragon’s body.

Dong Wuwang’s arms trembled, golden light flashing from his invincible spirit as he forcefully withstood the blow.

As the dragon’s might dissipated, Lin Cheng’s figure reappeared, lightly landing on the arena floor. His eyes sparked with renewed battle intent.

Though his White Dragon Strike failed in its first attempt—unable to break through—he knew it wasn’t due to a lack of power in the technique, but because he hadn’t fully unleashed its potential.

“The Profound Pill realm really is formidable. Let me try this move next...” Lin Cheng said, his eyes slowly closing.

The wind ceased.

The drifting clouds dispersed.

The arena fell into silence.

A massive, scorching energy burst from his body, which was bathed in crimson light, as if nurturing a blazing sun.

In the blink of an eye, a sun the size of a basin appeared high above his head...

“That move again?”

“You couldn’t even break my defense with your Divine Dragon Technique earlier. Now, relying on this Red Sun Sword skill, are you deluding yourself?”

Dong Wuwang’s eyes flickered uncertainly, unsure of Lin Cheng’s intention.

Clearly, he had seen Lin Cheng use this sword skill before. Though extremely powerful, it was noticeably weaker than the previous White Dragon Strike. If Lin Cheng hoped to defeat him with this move alone, he was far from achieving it.