The thin young man's wooden sword surged with impressive momentum, transforming into a long rainbow that shot straight at Bai Xiaochun. But before it could reach his body, at about four feet away, it hit the thick protective light surrounding Bai Xiaochun with a loud bang and was repelled.
Bai Xiaochun's eyes brightened inside the protective light, and he immediately felt relieved. Clearing his throat, he simply sat down cross-legged.
Everyone around exchanged glances, all staring at the protective barrier around Bai Xiaochun's body, unsure what to say. They had seen masters skilled in defense before, but never anyone with such an extraordinary shield.
The young man's face shifted between red and white. Gritting his teeth, he shouted fiercely and controlled his flying sword, increasing the wooden sword's power dramatically, sending it crashing again and again against the protective barrier.
With each impact, the sword was repelled. Finally, the thin youth's face turned pale, most of his spiritual energy drained, despair flashing in his eyes. After years of magical combat, this was the first time he had met such a turtle-shell-like opponent. Yet deep down, he was unwilling to accept defeat. For this battle was about the top three places. Howling to the sky, his eyes bloodshot, he shouted at Bai Xiaochun.
"Come out here!"
"Come out here!"
"Come in here if you dare!" Bai Xiaochun was not afraid. Inside the protective light, he shouted back loudly.
Everyone around gave Bai Xiaochun strange looks, some amused, some speechless. The thin youth, however, grew furious, bulging veins on his temples as he spat a mouthful of blood. That blood quickly merged into the wooden sword, instantly turning it blood-red.
"Blood Spirit Technique!"
"Blood Spirit Technique!"
Gasps erupted from the crowd. The blood-red wooden sword's speed instantly increased, its power doubled, shrouded in bloody light, charging toward Bai Xiaochun.
Boom! The sword pierced three inches into the light barrier, humming loudly, but could not penetrate further. The wooden sword cracked under the force.
Crack! Crack! The sword shattered into countless fragments in front of Bai Xiaochun's barrier.
The thin youth's eyes glazed over. He spat blood, his spiritual energy depleted, his weapon destroyed. Furious, he fainted.
Li Qinghou's face darkened. Elder Sun coughed, checked the youth's condition, and, seeing no fatal harm, ordered someone to carry him away. Then he cleared his throat and declared Bai Xiaochun the winner.
"Thanks for the match!" Bai Xiaochun's protective light instantly vanished. His expression solemn, chest puffed out proudly. Just as he finished speaking, the thin youth who had just regained consciousness spat blood again and fainted.
Bai Xiaochun cleared his throat, saluted Elder Sun, and strode off the stage with a flick of his sleeve.
Behind him, the non-participating outer disciples only looked strange, but those who had competed gave Bai Xiaochun scowls.
Especially the previous winners, seeing the thin youth's state, became wary of Bai Xiaochun.
The contest continued quickly. The remaining disciples finished their battles. Twenty had entered; now, paired off two by two, the top ten were chosen.
Among the top ten were Du Lingfei and Chen Zi'ang. Bai Xiaochun lifted his chin, eyeing the other top-ten disciples silently.
"One more win, and I'm in!" he thought eagerly.
"Now, decide the top five," Elder Sun announced, scanning the ten disciples. He paused slightly on Bai Xiaochun and then slowly spoke.
This time Bai Xiaochun was first to step forward, drawing a small ball with the number two from Elder Sun's pocket. Seeing the number, he glanced at the others.
Soon, everyone had drawn their balls. When Elder Sun announced that the first and second matches would begin, only Bai Xiaochun and a large man remained on stage. The big man laughed loudly upon seeing Bai Xiaochun.
"Others fear your defenses, but I don't. I specialize in defense too. Let's see which of us can hold out longer!" His voice echoed as he slapped his storage bag, pulling out a small shield that immediately expanded, radiating yellow light and enveloping him.
The big man suddenly roared and his muscles bulged, growing several inches larger, looking even more imposing.
"Body Strengthening Technique!"
The crowd gasped. Bai Xiaochun frowned when he recognized the shield — the Morning Light Shield that required 9,000 contribution points to obtain in the Treasure Pavilion, which he hadn't been able to afford.
Li Qinghou nodded slightly and looked at Bai Xiaochun.
The crowd showed interest, especially those still competing, many relishing the prospect of Bai Xiaochun's misfortune.
"That pale disciple is doomed."
"Luck got him through before, but facing such a strong opponent, he'll be brought back down."
The big man grinned viciously and charged at Bai Xiaochun.
"No way out now. Unlike your last opponent, I don't need a weapon — my fists are the best technique!"
His speed was fast, wind whipping around him. Bai Xiaochun's eyes gleamed. Raising his right hand, he pointed forward. Instantly, his little wooden sword flew out from his storage bag.
The sword hovered in front of him and without hesitation slashed toward the charging big man.
The slash unleashed sword energy that spread over several yards, crashing down with a roar.
The big man's face changed drastically. His scalp seemed ready to burst, pupils shrinking as a deadly danger filled his body. Without hesitation, he stepped back and raised the small shield to block.
Boom! The shield struck the wooden sword but failed to stop it. The shield vibrated violently, was knocked back, and struck the big man.
Horrified, the big man was too slow. The flying sword reached him in a flash, bringing with it an icy wind as if he had been plunged into an ice cave.
"Surrender!" the big man shouted without hesitation, his voice cracking.
The sword stopped on his forehead, then instantly returned to Bai Xiaochun's storage bag.
Bai Xiaochun blinked, amazed at his sword's power. He had only practiced on his own before and now realized his sword's strength was formidable — and that was without using the "Effortless Weight" technique.
He lifted his chin and stood with hands behind his back, coolly staring at the big man.
The big man, pale but unwilling, got up and glared at Bai Xiaochun.
"Relying on your magic weapon to win—I still don't accept it!" With that, he turned and left the stage.
Elder Sun glanced at Bai Xiaochun, surprised by the sword's power, and officially announced Bai Xiaochun the winner.
"Heh, next round, I'll just forfeit. We cultivators seek immortality, not wanton fighting. That's not me," Bai Xiaochun thought happily as he stepped off the stage. He had fulfilled Li Qinghou's request and was now safely in the top five.
Li Qinghou's gaze lingered on Bai Xiaochun. Others saw only the impressive flying sword, but Li Qinghou noticed how skillfully Bai Xiaochun controlled it.
As Bai Xiaochun won again, people around murmured in admiration.
"This guy is loaded. That wooden sword is extraordinary. If I had that, I'd win too!"
"Magic weapons are just external tools. He relied on talismans and artifacts but wasted his real skill. He'll suffer in the future."
The murmurs didn't last long. In the final match, Du Lingfei faced a strong opponent. She abandoned her usual flag and drew her flying sword. Their duel dazzled the crowd.
Suddenly, Du Lingfei's flying sword speed surged, suddenly appearing right before her opponent.
This speed surpassed that of ordinary disciples controlling objects, stunning the audience, who then broke into a commotion.
"Effortless Weight!"
"Du Lingfei has reached such a level..."
"Effortless Weight!" Elder Sun's eyes sparkled with delight as he looked at Du Lingfei.
Li Qinghou nodded slightly.
Chen Zi'ang was stunned too, and others in the top ten acknowledged her ability. Her opponent smiled wryly and yielded.
Du Lingfei stood proudly on stage, glancing around, saluting Li Qinghou and Elder Sun before stepping down.
The crowd's murmurs continued.
Bai Xiaochun blinked.
"That speed can be called Effortless Weight?" he wondered.
Du Lingfei was proud but exhausted after two fights. Though she had perfect fifth-level Qi condensation, she had lost some spiritual energy, especially after that last fight, forcing her to use Effortless Weight and consume even more energy to win instantly.
Her goal was first place. Future matches would get tougher, and the rules of this minor sect contest weren't strict, giving little rest time. So she took a pill, closed her eyes, and cultivated to recover quickly.
Only Bai Xiaochun seemed unbothered, standing casually on the side of the stage, yawning, making eliminated contestants wish they could beat him up.
Now in the top five, having fulfilled Li Qinghou's request, Bai Xiaochun was completely untroubled by the upcoming matches.
Besides Bai Xiaochun and Du Lingfei, Chen Zi'ang was also in the top five, along with two other youths at the fifth level of Qi condensation.
The others were all cultivating to recover energy quickly.
Bai Xiaochun, bored, scanned the others, especially Du Lingfei. If her speed was considered Effortless Weight, then he obviously surpassed her by a good margin.
Du Lingfei disliked Bai Xiaochun from the start. She saw his two wins as lucky tricks and held contempt for him.
"Heh, this girl is too aggressive. Why do cultivator girls all like fighting? Zhou Xinqi is too proud, Hou Xiaomei's personality changed too much," Bai Xiaochun shook his head. Just as he was about to look away, Du Lingfei noticed and coldly glared at him.
"Dare to glare at me!" Bai Xiaochun immediately challenged back, his eyes narrowing. He had never feared anyone in mere staring contests as long as it wasn't a fight to the death.
Du Lingfei frowned. Her admirers nearby were unhappy and all shot harsh looks at Bai Xiaochun.
"They outnumber me. A good man doesn't fight a woman," Bai Xiaochun thought, clearing his throat and withdrawing his glare, feeling outnumbered.
Just then, Elder Sun's voice echoed through the arena.
"Very good. You all performed well in this outer sect contest. Now that the top five are decided, proceed to draw lots for the next round. Whoever draws number five will have a bye and advance directly to the top three."
Chen Zi'ang was first to draw, frowning as he got the number four.
Du Lingfei drew number two. The other two disciples drew one and three respectively.
No need for Bai Xiaochun to draw — the last number five was his bye.
Bai Xiaochun's eyes gleamed with delight. Chuckling, he crossed his arms and stood outside the stage without any pressure, watching the four others. He hadn't planned to continue but now advanced directly to the top three.
"Luck is part of strength!" Bai Xiaochun felt smug.
This luck made others look at him even more strangely. Many outer disciples were resentful, especially those eliminated — a complex mix of envy and bitterness.
"That guy's shameless! Using magic weapons to get into the top five was bad enough, now a bye into the top three?!"
"Shameful! His presence is the biggest disgrace of this contest!"
"Shameful! His presence is the biggest disgrace of this contest!"