C16 Outer Sect

"Fang Chen, do you dare to challenge me?"

His voice boomed with immense power, echoing throughout the martial arena. The elders on the platform watched with keen interest, eager to see how the duel would unfold.

"Why wouldn't I?" Fang Chen stepped forward confidently onto the arena.

Seeing Fang Chen take the stage, the Ninth Elder beamed with pride in his apprentice. Meanwhile, Jiaang Xue, observing the scene, felt even more determined to defeat Fang Chen.

"Fang Chen, you're nothing but a loser. Sure, you've gotten stronger, but you're still insignificant compared to me," Re Yunzheng sneered.

"A loser? The so-called loser has defeated every opponent to reach the finals of the Outer Sect competition," Fang Chen retorted.

Re Yunzheng's expression shifted slightly at these words, then he snapped, "You're asking for it."

With a shout, Re Yunzheng brandished a long sword, pivoting on his back foot as he swung it with precision. A powerful aura emanated from him, and the air grew heavy with the presence of sword energy. Fang Chen narrowed his eyes, watching intently.

"Five-element Sword Arts, Sword of Gold."

As Re Yunzheng's shout echoed, he unleashed the first level of the Five-element Sword Arts—the Sword of Gold. A golden aura instantly enveloped his sword.

The Five-element Sword Arts were nearly as powerful as a lesser-grade technique. It was said that mastering the Five-element Sword Arts to perfection could rival such techniques.

As the Golden Sword was unleashed, a golden sword light appeared in the sky, filled with intense sword energy. In the Martial Arena, many disciples felt a sense of oppression.

"Is this the Five-element Sword Arts? It's incredibly powerful."

"I feel like I can't move. This aura could defeat me in an instant."

"Senior Brother Re is truly impressive. He's managed to cultivate the Five-element Sword Arts to such a high level."

"Hua Hsing is in trouble."

On the platform, several elders began to speak.

"Re Yunzheng is quite remarkable. To cultivate the Five-element Sword Arts to this level, he must have reached the Perfection Stage, right?"

"Indeed, for an Outer Sect disciple, his talent is commendable."

"None of you should try to take him from me. I want him as my disciple."

"Lao Xuan, I've already claimed him," Elder Ma said.

Hearing Elder Ma speak, the other elders fell silent, not daring to compete with him for the disciple. Only the Ninth Elder remained quiet, his gaze fixed on Hua Hsing, intently observing the battle.

On the Martial Arena, Hua Hsing could feel the overwhelming sword energy filling the entire space.

"Golden Light Sword Arts."

Fang Chen let out a low growl and unleashed the Golden Light Sword Arts. His sword transformed into a golden streak, thrusting directly at Re Yunzheng.

"Impressive," Re Yunzheng exclaimed with delight. He shouted, pushing the Metal Sword of the Five-element Sword Arts to its limit, crashing it fiercely against Fang Chen's sword.

Immediately, the sound of clashing metal rang out, sparks flying everywhere. Both stepped back a few paces. Re Yunzheng scrutinized Fang Chen, a hint of surprise in his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "I underestimated the power of the Golden Light Sword Arts."

"Five-element Sword Arts, Wood Sword."

"Five-element Sword Arts, Water Sword."

"Five-element Sword Arts, Fire Sword."

"Five-element Sword Arts, Earth Sword."

Re Yunzheng unleashed the remaining four moves of the Five-element Sword Arts in one breath. The sword light, with unstoppable momentum, pierced through the air, aiming at Fang Chen.

This scene left countless disciples gasping in awe; such an attack was beyond their comprehension.

"He's incredibly powerful," the disciples thought to themselves.

At this moment, Fang Chen also felt the might of the Five-element Sword Arts. He pushed the third move of the Golden Light Sword Arts to its peak.

Just then, his heart raced, and the mysteries of the third move of the Golden Light Sword Arts suddenly unfolded in his mind.

"The third move of the Golden Light Sword Arts is perfected."

Hua Hsing felt a surge of joy as he swiftly executed the third move of the Golden Light Sword Arts. Simultaneously, his mind was reciting the mantra for the fourth move. Once he mastered the third move, he could begin training for the fourth. With his Golden Heart, he hoped to perfect it during battle, making it much easier to defeat Re Yunzheng.

The third move of the Golden Light Sword Arts was incredibly powerful, and as a streak of golden light appeared, everyone felt a chill. The golden light clashed with the sword light from the Five-element Sword Arts, resulting in an explosion. Hua Hsing successfully used the third move to fend off the attack.

"How is this possible?" Re Yunzheng had assumed that the Five-element Sword Arts would be enough to handle Hua Hsing, but he was surprised by Hua Hsing's unexpected strength.

On the platform, Elder Ma nodded in satisfaction, saying, "He's mastered the third move of the Golden Light Sword Arts to perfection. Even Qih Nantian back in the day wasn't any better."

As Elder Ma spoke, the situation in the Martial Arena changed again. "Hua Hsing, I will defeat you," Re Yunzheng shouted, his eyes red with anger, as he pointed his sword skyward. At that moment, the sword was surrounded by five colors, each representing one of the Five-element Sword Arts' major moves.

"Five-element Sword Arts, unite as one!"

Re Yunzheng roared, and in an instant, the Five-element Sword Arts merged into one. As the elders on the platform witnessed this, their expressions shifted slightly. The power of this united attack was comparable to a lesser-grade technique.

"Re Yunzheng's talent is far beyond what I imagined. He's actually mastered the unification of the Five Elements," one elder remarked.

"Indeed, I'm curious to see how Hua Hsing will handle this."

"Congratulations, Elder Ma, you've got a promising disciple," another elder commented.

Elder Ma smiled with satisfaction. Behind him, Jiaang Xue's eyes gleamed coldly, hoping Re Yunzheng would cripple Hua Hsing's abilities.

"What method will you use to break this stalemate?" the Ninth Elder murmured to himself.

On the Martial Arena:

"The power of the Five-element unification rivals that of a lesser-grade technique," Hua Hsing said in a low, icy tone.

A powerful sword light shot toward Hua Hsing, and he dodged without hesitation. A series of sword lights followed, forcing Hua Hsing to evade continuously without counterattacking.

"Hua Hsing is going to lose," many disciples observed.

"Hua Hsing, let's see how long you can hold out," Re Yunzheng taunted, intensifying his Five-element attack as he advanced with his sword.

"Time's running out. I just need to hold on a little longer," Hua Hsing thought to himself.

Hua Hsing was deep in thought, his mind focused on mastering the fourth move of the Golden Light Sword Arts. Just a little more time, and he'd have it down. Once perfected, he could defend against, or even overpower, the Five-element Sword Arts.

Hua Hsing wasn't particularly fast on his feet, so after a series of evasive maneuvers, Re Yunzheng finally caught up with him.

"Hua Hsing, prepare to die," Re Yunzheng sneered, his voice cold as he wielded his sword, executing the Five-element Sword Arts. The icy blade lunged toward Hua Hsing.

"Watch out, Hua Hsing!" shouted Jiang He and Hsu Feng from below the Martial Arena, their voices filled with alarm.

In a flash, the sword was upon Hua Hsing. Countless onlookers widened their eyes, fixated on the scene unfolding in the arena. Re Yunzheng could almost taste victory, envisioning himself as the champion of the Outer Sect competition, his laughter echoing with malice.

But at that critical moment, Hua Hsing's eyes suddenly blazed with a fierce light, and his golden heart began to beat rapidly. A surge of clarity washed over him, and he fully grasped the fourth move of the Golden Light Sword Arts.

"Golden Light Sword Arts, Fourth Move!" Hua Hsing roared internally, unleashing the powerful technique without hesitation. As the fourth move came to life, Re Yunzheng felt an unexpected pang of fear.

"What is this?"

Re Yunzheng gripped his long sword, thrusting it toward Hua Hsing, utterly shocked. A flash of cold light streaked by, and Hua Hsing stood calmly in place, while Re Yunzheng was sent flying backward.

The entire martial arena erupted in astonishment, with countless disciples left in disbelief. On the platform, all the elders quickly stood up, equally baffled as to why Re Yunzheng, who had the upper hand, was defeated by Hua Hsing at the crucial moment.

"How is this possible?" Re Yunzheng shouted angrily as he controlled his body to land back on the martial stage. He couldn't accept the current situation; he was determined to defeat Hua Hsing.

"Five Elements Unite."

Re Yunzheng once again unleashed the Five-element Sword Arts, attacking Hua Hsing. However, after mastering the fourth move of the Golden Light Sword Arts, Hua Hsing's strength had skyrocketed, rendering Re Yunzheng's Five-element technique ineffective.

In contrast, Hua Hsing's fourth move of the Golden Light Sword Arts subtly suppressed Re Yunzheng's Five-element Sword Arts. After a series of clashes, Re Yunzheng finally fell to the ground, his eyes filled with unwillingness.

"Why is this happening?" Re Yunzheng roared to the sky, now devoid of the strength to continue fighting. He hated Hua Hsing.

"Re Yunzheng actually lost to Hua Hsing!"

"Did Hua Hsing just take the top spot in the Outer Sect?"

"Is Hua Hsing really a nobody? How could a nobody take first place?"

“No wonder Elder Ma took Hua Hsing as his disciple; he must have recognized Hua Hsing's talent early on,” many disciples murmured in shock.

The news that Re Yunzheng, the top disciple of the Outer Sect, lost to the so-called failure Hua Hsing was nothing short of sensational.

On the platform, Elder Ma's expression was icy as he glanced at Hua Hsing, a flicker of malice in his eyes. “Go help Re Yunzheng up,” Elder Ma instructed Jiaang Xue.

Jiaang Xue nodded, walked over to the Martial Arena, and helped Re Yunzheng to his feet. Her face was full of anger as she shot a glare at Hua Hsing.

“This time, the first place in the Outer Sect competition goes to Hua Hsing!”