C61 Yu Kun Won!

Yu Kun, wearing a smile, addressed his opponent, "Brother Hu, your blade work is truly masterful, but I'm afraid you're in for a disappointment. My Palm Technique is every bit as formidable as your swordplay!"

Without further ado, Yu Kun resumed the flow of his Astral Energy.

Soon after, Hu Zhengye sensed something amiss. "No! The Astral Energy I've released is vanishing; it's not inflicting any further damage!"

Yu Kun chuckled. "You've finally noticed something's off, I see!"

A pallor washed over Hu Zhengye's face. As he attempted to channel more Astral Energy, Yu Kun's unleashed force had already reached its explosive climax.

The next instant, accompanied by a crisp "crack," a dark silhouette whizzed through the air before plunging deeply into the earth below.

It was Hu Zhengye's wooden blade, now reduced to half its size.

Staring at the remains of his blade, Hu Zhengye was visibly disheartened. After a lengthy pause, he conceded, "Well then, it appears my skills with the blade still fall short. Senior Brother Yu, the victory is yours."

He then gathered the other piece of his blade, preparing to exit the arena.

Yu Kun interjected, "Brother Hu, there's no need for self-deprecation. I've had the good fortune of enhancing my Astral Energy beyond that of the average person. Besides, your weapon was merely wood—if it had been otherwise, it wouldn't have shattered, and you'd still stand a chance in combat."

After a moment of reflection, Hu Zhengye offered Yu Kun a deep bow, then descended from the arena.

Having bested Hu Zhengye, Yu Kun now stepped down from the stage to recover.

Initially, Yu Kun had merely desired a brief respite, but now rest was imperative. The battle had drained much of his Astral Energy.

Should he continue to engage with peers of equal standing, a deficit of Astral Energy could spell defeat.

Onlookers who had witnessed the match nodded in silent acknowledgment of Yu Kun's exceptional abilities.

"Hu Zhengye's swordsmanship is nothing short of extraordinary. Yu Kun's triumph over him proves his strength is genuine, not the product of reliance on Medicine Pills," remarked the Little Prince, savoring a bite of meat before adding, "Judging by Hu Zhengye's technique, even at the High Rank Qi Refining Stage, I'd stand no chance against him."

The Inner Sect disciples' expressions shifted noticeably when they heard the Little Prince's assessment.

The Little Prince held Yu Kun and Hu Zhengye in very high regard!

By admitting his own inferiority to Hu Zhengye in martial arts, the Little Prince was, in effect, extolling Hu Zhengye's exceptional skill. And Yu Kun's victory over Hu Zhengye was a clear indication that he was even stronger than the Little Prince had been at that age.

The Inner Sect disciples, being astute, easily picked up on the Little Prince's commendation.

Yet, Yu Kun was unaware of the Little Prince's praise; he had already stepped down from the arena to rest.

After a short while, feeling his Astral Energy sufficiently replenished, Yu Kun turned his attention back to the arena.

By then, several disciples had also descended from the platform to take a break.

Listening to the Inner Sect Elder, Yu Kun learned the names of those at the top of the rankings.

Naturally, Yu Kun himself was in the lead.

To Yu Kun's surprise, the second-ranked individual was none other than Bai Qingfeng. Bai Qingfeng had demonstrated his talent, rightfully earning the title of genius. Yu Kun had fought twenty-three battles, while Bai Qingfeng had fought twenty-one, barely trailing behind.

Following them were Wu Baishun, Hu Zhengye, and others.

What Yu Kun found almost inconceivable was that Lu Renjia, who had defeated Wu Baishun in the first round to claim fourth place, had actually set a new record.

He had suffered twenty-seven consecutive defeats!

Yu Kun was at a loss for words.

"It looks like he's out of the running for the final trial," he mused.

As Yu Kun pondered, a wave of cheers erupted from the stands, the roar almost deafening.

Glancing over, Yu Kun caught sight of Wu Baishun facing off against Bai Qingfeng. Their strengths were closely matched, making their confrontation inevitable!

No wonder the disciples in the stands were cheering with such fervor.

Bai Qingfeng and Wu Baishun had once been the most revered among the Elite Disciples.

Now, as they engaged in combat, their clash was sure to capture the audience's excitement!

Reflecting on their previous encounters on the Martial Training Field, Yu Kun couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

"Regardless of who comes out on top, it looks like I'll inevitably have to go up against the victor. This contest has to determine the true number one, after all."

With that thought, Yu Kun refocused his attention on the match unfolding before him.

There was an unspoken grudge between Wu Baishun and Bai Qingfeng, evident from the early clashes Yu Kun had witnessed. Now, after a brief exchange of words, the two combatants engaged in a decisive battle, their movements crisp and deliberate, without a hint of hesitation.

Yu Kun had previously observed both fighters' martial prowess, but watching them now, he gained a new perspective.

Wu Baishun practiced the Supreme Fist, an ordinary technique from the Outer Sect, which he had mastered to near perfection.

Bai Qingfeng, on the other hand, was a practitioner of the Eagle Claw Capture, launching attacks with relentless ferocity.

Yet, it seemed they had both taken past lessons to heart, refraining from the lethal techniques they had employed before.

Dozens of moves had been exchanged in a flurry of action.

Yu Kun's brow furrowed, and eventually, his expression shifted to one of astonishment.

"Bai Qingfeng is going to lose!"

As Yu Kun uttered these words, the Little Prince also set aside his meal, gesturing for his servant to clear the table. With a relaxed air, he echoed, "It appears Bai Qingfeng is on the brink of defeat."

Both Yu Kun and the Little Prince had arrived at the same conclusion. Following their remarks, the tide of the battle shifted once more.

Bai Qingfeng's techniques were relentless, pushing Wu Baishun into a corner, leaving him no choice but to defend. Wu Baishun seemed incapable of mounting a counterattack.

But in a twist, Bai Qingfeng's Astral Energy stalled, disrupted by the continuous exertion of his martial skills, which prevented it from flowing freely.

Seizing the moment, Wu Baishun stepped forward and delivered a decisive Supreme Fist.

Bai Qingfeng was sent reeling from the blow, conceding defeat.

Yu Kun heard many disciples around him exhale in relief, a sense of satisfaction in the air.

Internally, Yu Kun mused, "The match has been settled at last—a hard-won victory. I've had ample rest by now. It's time for me to step back into the fray and continue the fight!"