C50 The Competition of Heroes!

Huan Kejian hadn't anticipated Liu Xingchang's tenacity. With a frosty tone, he challenged, "You think you have what it takes to take my arm?"

"Only one way to find out!" Liu Xingchang bellowed, thrusting his sword forward once more.

Huan Kejian retorted icily, "I stumbled three steps before, you four. You're already at a disadvantage, and yet you're oblivious? If you're hell-bent on a death wish, don't blame me for showing no mercy!" With that, Huan Kejian's sword surged forward to clash with his opponent's.

Huan Kejian had assumed he could repel Liu Xingchang as he had done previously, but the moment their swords met, he realized his error. Liu Xingchang's swordplay had drastically changed!

With a thunderous "Boom!", a blinding bolt of lightning erupted from Liu Xingchang's sword, the formidable force transferring to Huan Kejian's blade.

Previously, as a Seventh Grade Cultivator, Liu Xingchang couldn't fully harness the sword's power, causing the energy to burst wildly with the lightning. Now, Liu Xingchang had mastered the control of the sword's thunderous might, preventing any leakage of power.

The instant Liu Xingchang's sword struck, Huan Kejian's blade shattered, and his hand and arm disintegrated in the lightning's fury.

Though not yet dead, Huan Kejian's agony from the loss of his arm was unbearable, and he let out a harrowing scream.

"Ahhhhh!"

His cries were hauntingly piercing.

Liu Xingchang had indeed severed his arm!

In desperation, Huan Kejian turned to Bai Qingqing and Bai Xixi and howled, "Quick! End me! Now!"

Bai Xixi and Bai Qingqing, being his friends, found themselves unable to comply with such a request.

Left with no other choice, Huan Kejian bit down hard and delivered a fierce punch to his own throat. His form instantly scattered into glimmers of light, reappearing outside the formation, whole and unscathed.

Though forfeiting his chance to advance was a heavy price, Huan Kejian refused to endure the excruciating pain of his arm being blown apart. He chose to bow out of the contest rather than relive such torment.

He would never want to experience that feeling for the rest of his life.

As Huan Kejian's form dissolved into glimmers of light within the array, onlookers' eyebrows lifted in astonishment, their mouths agape in disbelief.

Liu Xingchang had not only absorbed Huan Kejian's six light spots but also captured the rapt attention of everyone present.

"Did I just see that wrong?"

"Did this guy really just take down a Cultivator at the Spirit Mastery Fifth Layer?"

"Is he truly just at the Second Layer of the Spirit Mastery Realm?"

"His ability to fight across different levels... It's downright terrifying!"

Bai Xixi and Bai Qingqing watched Liu Xingchang with incredulity.

They had pegged Liu Xingchang as nothing more than a country bumpkin from a peripheral force. Even as a dark horse, his attainment of the Second Layer of Spirit Mastery was expected to pale in comparison to the central force's contenders.

Yet, the reality before them shattered all their preconceptions!

Liu Xingchang was overwhelmingly powerful; even Huan Kejian stood no chance against him!

Could such a person truly be labeled a bumpkin?

If Bai Qingqing were offered another chance at this moment, regardless of her capricious nature, she would never be able to utter those words again.

Liu Xingchang turned to Bai Xixi and Bai Qingqing, asking, "Do you two still wish to avenge your friend?"

Bai Qingqing felt a surge of impulsiveness, but Bai Xixi was acutely aware of the gravity of the situation. Putting aside whether they could match Liu Xingchang, even if they somehow managed to defeat him, they would inevitably become easy prey for others.

Within the Great Guanyin Formation, everyone was poised to seize any advantage that came their way.

Bai Xixi clenched her teeth and grabbed Bai Qingqing's hand, decisively saying, "We're leaving!"

As the Bai sisters departed, Hong Tengqing and others quickly approached.

Hong Tengqing stared at Liu Xingchang in amazement, exclaiming, "Wow, wow, wow! What did I just witness? Is that really my Big Brother Xingchang? Boss, oh Boss! How can you be so formidable! Allow me to compose a ballad in your honor! Boss, oh Boss! How can you be so magnificent! Please let me..."

"Scram."

At that, Liu Xingchang let out a wry smile and delivered a swift kick to Hong Tengqing's rear.

Despite being kicked, Hong Tengqing quickly bounded over with a grin, exclaiming, "No kidding, boss, you're truly formidable! My admiration for you is endless, like the mighty river's flow! You've got to take me to the audition. I'll return home in triumph, and my dad will surely ease up on me. Then, I can hang out at the Lovers Pavilion all day long!"

Yan Tianni smacked Hong Tengqing on the head, chiding, "You little rascal, why is your mind always in the gutter? Can't you think of anything other than brothels?"

Hong Tengqing retorted, "Of course, I have other thoughts. Besides brothels, I've been craving the roast chicken from that place on Second Street in Cloud Ascending City! You wouldn't believe it, but despite its shabby look, the chicken is incredibly delicious. Even with my modest appetite, I can polish off seven or eight portions in one sitting."

"Get out of here! A modest appetite? Aren't you the same guy who can only manage seven or eight dinners when you're upset?"

Yan Tianni gave Hong Tengqing a disdainful look before turning to Liu Xingchang, "Now that we've settled our score at the city gate, what's our next move, Liu Xingchang?"

As the conversation unfolded, Liu Xingchang had already sliced open Hu Gewan's sleeve with his sword, retrieved the medicinal herbs from his Qiankun Pouch, and meticulously dressed the wound on her arm.

He then ripped a clean strip of cloth from his own clothing and bandaged Hu Gewan's arm, asking, "Does it hurt now?"

Hu Gewan felt a comforting warmth, "No, the pain is gone."

Liu Xingchang smiled, "I admire your resilience, but pain is unavoidable when stopping the bleeding. I need to get you into the Hidden Dragon Sect."

Hu Gewan returned the smile, "Don't worry! I can bear it. I won't hold you back!"

Seeing Hu Gewan's smile, Liu Xingchang's own smile deepened with affection.

In that moment, Liu Xingchang felt that not even the splendor of blooming flowers, the sun, the moon, or the stars could match the beauty before him. It had been a long time since he'd felt such warmth in his heart.

Hu Gewan's cheeks flushed as Liu Xingchang's gaze fell upon her, prompting her to playfully punch him in the chest. Liu Xingchang simply laughed it off and shifted his attention to the valley below.

Taking a deep breath, Liu Xingchang said, "Now that we've dealt with Huan Kejian and encountered the Moon-Chasing Wind Wolf... We can't possibly miss out on such a momentous event, can we?"

Yan Tianni chuckled and added, "So what comes next..."

Chun Erliu chimed in, "What comes next is the battle for supremacy. As for which family will claim the Third Tier Demon Core, that remains to be seen!"

...

Outside the formation at that moment, as Huan Kejian was transported away, a chorus of gasps and murmurs erupted from the high platform.

The six people atop the platform all turned their eyes to Liu Xingchang, their conversations buzzing with speculation.