Chapter 88: What Must Come, Will Come
Zhu Gaotai and Fei Ling were indeed the top-tier Qi Condensation cultivators from their respective peaks. Even after the other nineteen duels of the first round had ended, the two of them continued exchanging fierce blows, unleashing spell after spell without pause.
However, it soon became evident that Fei Ling was running low on spiritual energy. More than half of the attacks were now being carried out by the Blood-Bronze Blade Mantis, indicating that the wind movement technique Fei Ling had used earlier had significantly drained his power.
Zhu Gaotai, being a seasoned and experienced fighter, gave him no chance to recover. His attacks came in waves like a storm, the pair of drum-hammer spirit treasures constantly shifting forms and launching assaults.
When attacking directly, they crackled with lightning; when transforming, they morphed into vines attempting to entangle and ambush Fei Ling, forcing him to stay on high alert, never affording him a moment to regain his strength.
But the Blood-Bronze Blade Mantis was just as formidable. Zhu Gaotai was effectively fighting two tenth level Qi Condensation opponents. Despite his aggressive offense, he remained at a disadvantage.
However, Zhu's mastery over basic elemental spells was outstanding. Every spell he cast, Binding Technique, Fireball, Water Curtain, Golden Spike was executed with smooth precision and tremendous power, all at the great mastery level.
That drum-hammer spirit treasure proved especially troublesome for Fei Ling. Several times, when Fei Ling was about to seize victory, it turned the tide with a deadly counterattack.
The crowd cheered in excitement. During the stalemate, Zhu Gaotai covertly slapped his waist with his left hand. A soft pop echoed through the air, and two "Urn Thunder Gu" insects floated up, shooting off in different directions, one towards Fei Ling and the other toward the Blood-Bronze Blade Mantis.
The mantis immediately raised its body high, letting out a shrill "zzzz" as its giant blades spun a tight defense. The Urn Thunder Gu was unable to get close and was soon confined within a specific range by the Mantis's counter-pressure, unable to launch a proper attack.
Fei Ling, however, fared worse. Under the dual pressure of Zhu Gaotai and the second Urn Thunder Gu, he struggled left and right. After just a dozen heartbeats, the insect latched onto his neck, draining his energy. His face turned pale gray, and he had no choice but to admit defeat.
Watching all this unfold, Li Yan silently calculated. He deduced that Zhu Gaotai likely possessed only two of the Urn Thunder Gu, and that they were still in their juvenile stage, their spiritual energy roughly equivalent to that of a eighth level Qi Condensation cultivator.
That likely explained why Zhu hadn't used them earlier. Fortunately for him, the Urn Thunder Gu was ranked several levels higher than the Blood-Bronze Blade Mantis and exerted a natural bloodline suppression. That alone was what had allowed them to temporarily hold the mantis at bay.
But had the fight gone on longer, the Gu might have been slain instead.
After the first round came the second, then the third. Li Yan wasn't drawn in any of them. He naturally hoped to be selected later, so he could observe more opponents.
But fate had other plans. As soon as the fourth round began, he was the very first name drawn. A blue light coalesced on the crystal panel, forming two lines of characters: "Thirty-Three vs. Two Hundred and Twenty-One." A voice echoed beside his ear:
"Match confirmed. Arena Four: Thirty-Three vs. Two Hundred Twenty-One!"
Lin Daqiao saw the number and smiled.
"Junior brother, it's your turn!"
Aside from Li Wuyi, who had already gone to supervise a different arena, Wei Chituo, Yun Chunque, Gong Chenying, and Lin Daqiao were still there.
Wei Chituo reached out to pat Li Yan's shoulder and say a few words, but Li Yan had already stepped forward, leaving Wei momentarily stunned then grinning in approval.
Li Yan turned back and gave the two a brief smile. Yun Chunque and Gong Chenying were both staring at the crystal panels for the other arenas, seemingly interested in other matches, and didn't even glance at him.
Li Yan didn't mind. Those two had always been distant and aloof. Just as he was about to summon his flying spirit artifact and take to the air, a cool, crisp voice called out.
"Your opponent is from Old Lord Peak, likely ranked within their top fifty. Be wary of his medicinal tools."
It was Gong Chenying who spoke, which made Li Yan pause and glance back. He saw her withdrawing her gaze from the crystal panel and turning to face him, cold and beautiful beyond compare.
Li Yan had no idea how she knew his opponent was from Old Lord Peak, the crystal only displayed numbers. But he had no time to investigate.
He bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Sixth Senior Sister."
Then stepped onto his flying spirit artifact and soared away.
He swiftly passed through the blue protective barrier, it hadn't yet activated and he entered the arena without resistance.
Flying a bit further forward, he landed in the center of the platform. Calmly stowing away his flying artifact, he looked across the field. His opponent had already arrived.
Sure enough, the young cultivator bore the sleeve emblem of Old Lord Peak. He was of medium build, with a ruddy complexion and sharp eyebrows. Aside from wearing the sect's long robes, his hair was tied up into a topknot, giving him the distinct appearance of a Daoist practitioner.
He stood several dozen zhang away, eyeing Li Yan with a puzzled expression.
The moment Li Yan landed, the youth extended his divine sense and scanned him. Seeing that Li Yan was only at mid sixth level Qi Condensation, his heart sank.
"How did this guy even qualify for the tournament?"
But the next moment, his vigilance kicked in. This tournament was part of the selection for the Wheel of Life and Death Tournament. Even though that event hadn't opened in tens of thousands of years, tales of its brutality were well-known in the sect.
The opponent was clearly not a close relative arranged by some elder.
First, there was no greeting or subtle signal urging him to show mercy.
Second, even if he was a favored relative, the monsters in the secret realms and rival sects wouldn't care. They'd kill him all the same.
If all that could be ruled out, then there was only one explanation: this kid was far from ordinary.
With that realization, the youth dropped his condescending attitude and grew cautious.
Meanwhile, in the hovering pavilions above, Yan Longzi slowly opened his eyes, which had been half-closed all this time. A few of the other dozen elders also turned to glance down at Li Yan's platform.
"His cultivation hasn't even reached the eighth level… That must be the one with the 'Fractured Poison Body'! Hm? He's already reached the seventh level of Qi Condensation? Didn't Li Wuyi say he was only mid sixth level?"
A Boundless Peak elder spoke in a faint voice. It was the plain-faced, expressionless woman who had shown a deep interest in researching Li Yan. The beautiful peak master of Boundless Peak, however, was not present at this time.
This female elder from Boundless Peak was indeed formidable, just a single glance and she had discerned Li Yan's cultivation level. It only showed how vast the difference was between their realms.
"Hehehe... Elder Hua, this boy's aura is quite well-concealed. Seems there's some subtlety to him. I suppose even Li Wuyi didn't notice,"
A scholar-robed man seated across from her chuckled. He was none other than the Spirit Insect Peak master.
"Likely due to cultivating the Ten Thousand Source Technique, which fits with the effects of the Fractured Poison Body. I'm aware of this method. Since he's reached this level, I'm even more interested now,"
Yan Longzi said, stroking his beard lightly. The absence of Boundless Peak's Master this time had, in fact, brought him some relief, making the atmosphere among the onlookers far more relaxed and cordial.
Elder Hua of Boundless Peak said nothing more after hearing the two speak. Her gaze remained fixed on the battle stage, brows tightly furrowed, as if lost in deep thought.
"Oh? So this is the one said to have the 'Fractured Poison Body'? This is my first time seeing him. To think such a legendary physique really holds such potent effects, it's only the Qi Condensation stage, yet he can already mask his aura. What a pity that such extraordinary talent
is ultimately wasted on him because of his innate qualifications."
Hearing the trio's discussion, several other elders either opened their eyes or shifted their gazes from other battle stages toward Li Yan's.
They were all experts who had spent centuries studying poisonous herbs and insects. Naturally, they were deeply intrigued by physical mutations of the body. Although the Wraith Sect also held the other two of the so-called "Three Great Poison Bodies," those belonged to Nascent Soul ancestors. Even with ten thousand lives, they wouldn't dare examine them closely.
Among these elders were more than a few who were utterly obsessed with poisons. If not for the deterrent of Wei Chongran's authority, some might have already taken Li Yan for dissection and study.
In the diamond-shaped array of battle stages, Zhao Min's clear, black-and-white eyes were locked on a crystal panel without blinking.
"Junior Sister Min, that Li Yan has finally appeared. I heard he was at the Foundation Establishment tournament last time too, but you missed your chance to sneak a few glances because thousands of cultivators from Old Lord Peak blocked the view,"
A teasing, sultry voice came from the side. Li Changting's enchanting eyes mischievously swept over Zhao Min's fair face.
Zhao Min frowned slightly, not turning her head. She replied flatly:
"Senior Sister Li, you're reading too much into it. I'm simply curious about the 'Fractured Poison Body.' I've spoken with him a few times, but I've yet to see him actually fight."
"Junior Sister Min, I'll believe that about thirty percent. Hardly anyone knows about the 'Fractured Poison Body.' Ever since he joined the sect, he's hardly ever left Little Bamboo Peak. It seems the higher-ups have been intentionally keeping things quiet.
"If Junior Brother Lu from Old Lord Peak had known, he wouldn't have made that face. But after this tournament, I suspect the secret won't stay hidden for long."
Li Changting's gaze swept across Zhao Min's sculpted jade-like features before shifting back to the crystal panel, landing on that little Daoist boy from Old Lord Peak.
Zhao Min's curiosity toward Li Yan was indeed stronger than any other emotion. Growing up in the Wraith Sect, she knew more than most about the Three Great Poison Bodies. She had always wanted to see them in action, but unfortunately, had never witnessed either of the two Nascent Soul ancestors make a move.
Still, she hoped none of the sect's five Nascent Soul ancestors would ever need to take action, that would mean the sect was on the brink of life and death.
Ever since hearing that someone with the Fractured Poison Body had entered the sect, she had yearned to witness it firsthand. But she couldn't just challenge Li Yan to a fight, he was only a Qi Condensation disciple. Doing so would only draw ridicule.
Their first interaction had been by chance. From that point, she'd harbored the desire to understand him better, largely driven by curiosity about his Fractured Poison Body.
But over a few encounters, Zhao Min had developed a strange new feeling toward Li Yan. She enjoyed his company, his quiet nature laced with subtle intelligence.
When she wanted to hear stories of the mundane world, of human warmth and worldly affairs, Li Yan always spoke calmly and at length, often adding context at just the right time. Thanks to him, she now understood phrases and idioms that once confused her, without even needing to ask. She liked that feeling. But she knew it was far from any romantic affection.
Suddenly, Li Changting smiled broadly and asked in a low voice:
"Junior Sister Min, how many rounds do you think that kid can last? His cultivation's quite low. If he loses in the first match, wouldn't that be a little disappointing?"
She giggled at the end, though she didn't specify who would be disappointed.
Zhao Min raised an eyebrow and said calmly:
"So what if he fails? He's several minor realms lower. I just want to see whether the Fractured Poison Body really has the legendary effects people say it does."
Back on the battle stage, Lu Qiutong hadn't attacked yet. Instead, he squinted his eyes, carefully sizing up Li Yan once more.
Li Yan stood calmly several dozen zhang away, not too close, not too far. At this distance, any Qi Condensation cultivator would notice the moment the other moved.
Li Yan was also examining this young cultivator who was dressed like a Daoist. From Lu Qiutong he sensed danger, not the sharp-edged kind like Second Senior Brother or Sixth Senior Sister, but the coiled, waiting menace of a venomous snake like Third or Fifth Senior Brother.
"You seem unfamiliar, Junior Brother. I am Lu Qiutong from Old Lord Peak," Lu Qiutong suddenly smiled.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Lu. I am Li Yan from Little Bamboo Peak,"
Li Yan responded with a bow, his tone polite.
"Li… Yan. Li… Yan. Ah, I remember now. The disciple Little Bamboo Peak accepted a few years ago. So, you're actually a Martial Uncle?"
Lu Qiutong tilted his head, thinking for a moment before falling silent. He had heard the name before but hadn't realized this person was only at the Qi Condensation stage, lower than his own. Yet if someone this weak bore the title of martial uncle, it only reinforced the notion that he was born with something extraordinary.
Li Yan didn't say anything further either. He knew Lu Qiutong wasn't making small talk, he was digging for information, trying to piece together anything that might give him an edge in the coming battle.
The next moment, Lu Qiutong moved!
(Chapter End)