"No matter how tough you are, you can't be tougher than my blade!"
Hu Banqing roared, "Die! Five Tigers Gate-Breaking Blade!"
As he bellowed, a tiger-like roar emerged from his mouth. His long blade danced through the air with impressive force, clearly showing his mastery of three levels of the Five Tigers Gate-Breaking Blade technique.
Gu Qingfeng looked at Hu Banqing, who resembled a cornered beast, and shook his head. "How foolish."
Then, he extended his fair-skinned hand, apparently intending to catch the Five Tigers Gate-Breaking Blade with his bare hand!
Truth be told, Gu Qingfeng only chose to catch it with his hand because he didn't want his clothes to get torn.
His fair, slender hand met the fierce, domineering blade.
*Screech*...
A teeth-grinding metallic sound rang out from Gu Qingfeng's palm!
Hu Banqing's blade actually created a stream of sparks as it scraped against Gu Qingfeng's palm!
Then, Gu Qingfeng applied force with his single hand and gently bent it.
*Clang!*
Hu Banqing's blade snapped in two.
Hu Banqing stared dumbfounded at the broken blade in his hand, so shocked that he forgot about the pain in his right hand.
Not only was Hu Banqing shocked, but the audience below was also astounded. Everyone's jaws dropped as they gaped at the proud figure of Gu Qingfeng standing on the stage.
For a moment, the plaza of several hundred people fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.
"Do you understand the gap between us now?" Gu Qingfeng's calm voice echoed throughout the venue.
Hu Banqing stared at Gu Qingfeng in a daze, his mouth opening and closing, wanting to argue back, but his mind was blank and no words came out.
"I didn't want to use my true strength because I feared it would crush your confidence. But now look at this - you've been defeated by someone at the third level of Qi Gathering Realm, and bare-handed at that. What excuse can you possibly find to comfort yourself now?
Well then, will you step down yourself, or shall I help you?"
Hu Banqing's expression changed several times, growing increasingly twisted.
"I haven't lost! You're just physically tough, but to beat me, you're still far from—"
Hu Banqing's words were cut short.
Because Gu Qingfeng had suddenly appeared before him, a large hand gripping his face.
Through the gaps between the fingers, Hu Banqing saw Gu Qingfeng's calm eyes, and an inexplicable fear gripped his heart.
He seemed to want to say something more, but in the next second, Gu Qingfeng's hand suddenly exerted force.
Hu Banqing's body instantly lost balance!
*Bang!*
He was violently slammed to the ground by Gu Qingfeng.
"Do you surrender?"
"No..."
*Boom!*
Gu Qingfeng applied force again, and Hu Banqing's head smashed hard against the ground. His face was now distorted, and the ground had been pressed into a shallow crater!
"Do you surrender?"
By now, Hu Banqing was barely conscious, blood continuously flowing from the corner of his mouth. Hearing Gu Qingfeng's emotionless words, he was thoroughly terrified.
"I... I..."
Before he could finish speaking, his eyes rolled back, and he passed out.
Gu Qingfeng released his hand and slowly stood up, while the entire venue remained silent.
He turned his head toward the shocked official and said calmly, "Official, please announce the result."
The official finally came to his senses and hurriedly ran onto the stage to check Hu Banqing's injuries. Finding that he was only unconscious, he finally relaxed.
"The winner... Gu Qingfeng."
There was no cheering, no applause, only countless eyes filled with awe and complex emotions.
This time, no one dared to say that Gu Qingfeng's victory was unfair.
In fact, after seeing Hu Banqing's miserable state and Gu Qingfeng's ferocity, they even had a ridiculous thought.
Maybe... they should let him use Spirit Weapons after all?
Gu Qingfeng slowly walked down from the stage. As he passed, the spectators parted, automatically creating a path for him to walk through.
They looked at him as if he were a humanoid beast!
Only after Gu Qingfeng had completely left did the crowd begin to whisper among themselves.
"Too... too strong!"
"Is he really only at the third level of Qi Gathering Realm?"
"I criticized him quite a bit earlier. I hope he doesn't hold grudges?"
Only He Fenghua watched Gu Qingfeng's departing figure with a gloomy expression, lost in thought.
After the atmosphere had calmed down for a while, the official began to host the next match.
This match was between Bai Maming, who was as renowned as Hu Banqing, and a lesser-known warrior at the ninth level of Qi Gathering Realm.
Their fight was fairly spectacular, but the audience watched with little interest, some even still discussing the previous match.
Finally, as expected, Bai Maming emerged victorious.
Actually, in everyone's expectations, among all the contestants, Hu Banqing and Bai Maming had been the most likely to win first place.
These two were basically one step away from entering the Internal Qi Realm, and in terms of pure strength, they weren't weaker than newly advanced Internal Qi Realm masters.
However, who could have predicted that Gu Qingfeng would appear as such an anomaly?
Although Bai Maming won his match, he couldn't feel any joy, because he had watched Gu Qingfeng's fight.
Deep in his heart lurked profound despair. He looked at his White Horse Silver Spear and couldn't help but wonder if his spear could even scratch Gu Qingfeng's skin.
......
That night.
He Fenghua sought out Bai Maming.
"Bai Maming, do you have confidence in defeating Gu Qingfeng in tomorrow's match?"
Bai Maming shook his head, clearly dejected.
The way of the spear emphasizes spirit and courage, requiring unwavering determination without a trace of hesitation or fear.
But now, Bai Maming had lost his fighting spirit. He knew there was no way he could pierce through Gu Qingfeng's Iron Cloth Shirt.
A mastered Iron Cloth Shirt could already withstand attacks from ordinary Internal Qi Realm warriors. Although Bai Maming was half-step into the Internal Qi Realm, he was still half a step short.
He Fenghua suddenly took out a spear and handed it to Bai Maming.
"What about with this?"
Bai Maming took the spear, and upon careful inspection, he was shocked!
"This... this is a Spirit Weapon!?"
He Fenghua stroked his beard and smiled, "Indeed. This spear is called 'Morning Phoenix,' a Yellow-grade Lower Spirit Weapon I acquired by chance years ago. I've never used it in public."
"What does Your Excellency mean by this?"
"Hehe, that Gu Qingfeng is arrogant and violent. If he becomes a Yellow-rank Demon Eliminator and gains official status, it would be disastrous for the common people. Therefore, I've come specifically to lend you a hand.
He's very confident in his defense, but how can a mere mastered Iron Cloth Shirt withstand a Spirit Weapon?
Tomorrow, you only need to wield this spear in battle. That Gu Qingfeng will surely try to block it with his body as he did today. When that happens, catching him off guard, you can defeat him in one strike!"
Bai Maming was excited upon hearing this. He had been in despair, but now there was an unexpected turn of events. Not only was the position of Yellow-rank Demon Eliminator within reach, but he could also gain His Excellency's favor!
But after thinking for a moment, he suddenly felt something was wrong.
"Your Excellency, hasn't the use of Spirit Weapons been forbidden in this competition? Wouldn't I be openly breaking the rules?"
He Fenghua shook his head: "Who said Spirit Weapons were forbidden in this competition? Only Gu Qingfeng was forbidden from using them. Besides, it was Gu Qingfeng who personally agreed not to use Spirit Weapons - what does that have to do with you, Bai Maming?"
Bai Maming was stunned, his face alternating between pale and flushed, clearly engaged in an intense internal struggle.
He understood He Fenghua's meaning - he wanted him to cheat. Since he was the judge, as long as he approved, the match could proceed smoothly. The only consequence would be that Bai Maming would bear some public criticism.
So he was struggling between choosing his reputation or the position of Yellow-rank Demon Eliminator.
After a moment, Bai Maming's eyes grew fierce.
How much was reputation worth anyway?