Two vast torrents of True Essence surged out, whipping up a sudden gale across the Martial Arts Field, causing the robes of many watching citizens to snap loudly.
Judging solely by the immensity of the True Essence, it was clear that Li Xuanxiao was not a Pseudo-Mystic Realm Martial Artist who relied on cultivating multiple Xuan Realm Cultivation Techniques to advance.
He was a genuine Mystic Realm expert!
Several royal family members who had been maliciously speculating moments before felt a hot flush spread across their faces.
After the surge of True Essence subsided, it was time for a tentative exchange.
Fang Huang truly attacked with his full strength, just as he had claimed.
With his movement technique fully deployed, in almost the blink of an eye, his long saber cleaved towards Li Xuanxiao's face.
If this strike landed true, Li Xuanxiao would be split in two on the spot!
However, Li Xuanxiao's expression remained calm; he merely brought his ming cha blade up diagonally with a light movement.
Clang—
The sound of metal colliding was slightly grating. Where the two blades met, a massive force vibrated outward, transforming into ripples of True Essence that spread outwards.
Fang Huang's attack missed, and he immediately stomped his foot back, widening the distance.
Although that initial clash seemed evenly matched, he was actually slightly inferior.
After all, he had leveraged the momentum of his movement technique's forward charge, and he was striking from above.
Li Xuanxiao, however, had been standing still, merely executing an upward diagonal slash, yet he still managed to block a strike where Fang Huang held a distinct advantage!
The difference in this exchange was significant!
This kid isn't even just at the first layer of the Mystic Realm...
Fang Huang's expression grew solemn. He knew he had encountered a monster today.
Without wasting any more time, since a normal confrontation couldn't secure an advantage, he decided to try testing the opponent's Martial Arts.
Perhaps the opponent's Realm attainment was Xuan, but his Martial Arts might be a weakness?
After all, he was so young with such high Realm attainment; he must have dedicated most of his time and energy to his Cultivation Technique.
Therefore, his Martial Arts aspect was very likely in a relatively weaker state!
Fang Huang thought he was practically a Genius for finding Li Xuanxiao's weakness so quickly!
As his retreating body landed, he gripped his long saber, True Essence churning, preparing to unleash a Martial Art.
However, in the next second, an arc of light flashed by.
Before his eyes, a blade radiating a chilling light was already resting against his neck!
"This..."
Cold sweat streamed down Fang Huang's face. It truly happened in an instant.
He had still been planning to slowly execute his Martial Art...
The surrounding crowd was also in an uproar. They had expected the first match to last a few exchanges, anticipating more excitement.
But they never expected it to end so quickly!
However...
Although it was fast, it was incredibly thrilling!
That decisive, instantaneous strike, the sharpness of the blade light—it was too cool.
It made many Martial Artists ringside feel their blood boil. This was what a duel between Martial Artists should be!
No fancy tricks, just eliminating the opponent directly!
"That kid's movement technique speed is too fast. My vision blurred, and he had already finished the fight!"
"And his attack was so clean and decisive, absolutely no dragging things out! No unnecessary talk, one fatal blow!"
"Terrifying kid! I'm gradually starting to accept the fact that he is a Mystic Realm Martial Artist at such a young age."
"Damn! I'm clearly down here, but I still feel a chill on my neck!"
Unlike these ordinary citizens, the Martial Artists from the various halls of the Demon Slaying Division could see much more!
"At least a Xuan Realm Medium Grade movement technique!"
"Even Xuan Realm Medium Grade would have trouble achieving this, his technique clearly surpasses the level of ordinary Xuan Realm movement techniques!"
"Could he have Cultivated to the Transcendent Realm?"
"Are you kidding? Transcendent Realm requires time to temper and accumulate; it doesn't care how high your talent is!"
"How old is he? How can his Realm be so high and his movement technique so strong? Does he not need time to Cultivate?"
"Fang Huang must have been careless, but his defeat will serve as a warning to the Martial Artists coming later. It will be harder for Li Xuanxiao to achieve such a surprise attack again!"
On the high platform to the north, several members of the royal family were also closely watching Li Xuanxiao.
Their Realms were stronger and their talents higher, so they could see even more.
"He didn't run over there at all! Instead, the moment the opponent jumped back, he had already lurked within the opponent's shadow!"
"An interesting movement technique, actually able to attach itself to the opponent's shadow."
"A crooked path! Not worth relying on!"
"If I fought him, I would definitely let him know what a true movement technique is!"
Fang Huang sighed deeply, his gaze filled with helplessness: "I lost..."
"You are indeed very strong!"
Li Xuanxiao sheathed his blade and returned the courtesy politely: "I yield to you, Senior Brother!"
The presiding Martial Artist immediately announced Li Xuanxiao as the winner of the first match!
The crowd cheered enthusiastically, but they were clearly unsatisfied; everything ended too quickly, they hadn't gotten their fill of the action!
"Another match, another match!"
Countless people shouted for another match, the atmosphere becoming incredibly fervent.
The presiding Martial Artist turned to Li Xuanxiao: "Your Excellency, would you like to rest, or continue?"
Li Xuanxiao didn't overthink it and immediately decided to continue.
The presiding Martial Artist nodded: "Li Xuanxiao of the Demon Slaying Hall has decided to continue with the next round of consecutive matches!"
Below the Martial Arts Field, the dense crowd immediately erupted in cheers.
"Li Xuanxiao!"
"Li Xuanxiao!"
"Li Xuanxiao!"
...
Si Miaoyin, sitting on the other side of Si Bingwen, her beautiful eyes shimmering, felt an irrepressible joy in her heart.
The scene of ending the battle with a single slash was already incredibly cool.
Now, with countless people chanting Li Xuanxiao's name, it made her feel a sense of shared glory.
As for where this feeling of shared glory came from, she wasn't entirely sure.
Regardless, whenever Li Xuanxiao was cheered by thousands, she felt extremely happy!
Si Bingwen had never seen his daughter so happy.
Is she happy because our Demon Slaying Hall has made a name for itself?
My good daughter, she actually possesses such a broad perspective. Your father is extremely pleased.
Li Xuanxiao turned back and nodded toward Si Bingwen, who returned the nod.
Si Miaoyin waved frantically, and Li Xuanxiao waved back in acknowledgment.
Only a few minutes later, the opponent for the next match was determined.
"Second Match!"
"Li Xuanxiao of the Demon Slaying Division versus Guo Jingyuan of the Flying Eagle Hall!"
Flying Eagle Hall... Li Xuanxiao murmured. This was a Martial Artist from one of the three hostile halls.
It depends on whether he is at the fourth or fifth layer of the Mystic Realm!
The moment Guo Jingyuan's name was spoken, it caused a stir among the Demon Slaying Hall members.
As a Martial Artist from the Flying Eagle Hall, Guo Jingyuan possessed considerable talent on the path of Martial Arts, having stepped into the fourth layer of the Mystic Realm at the young age of forty.
Although he was forty, he looked no different from someone in their twenties or early thirties.
After all, once Martial Artists reach the Mystic Realm, their lifespan significantly increases, and the speed of aging slows down considerably.
Guo Jingyuan, whose figure was quite short and thin, quietly walked out from the group of Flying Eagle Hall Martial Artists.
"Brother Guo, finish that kid off!"
"That kid relied on his strange movement technique to successfully ambush and defeat Fang Huang. If it's Senior Brother Guo, he won't have a chance to show off his might!"
"Exactly! Senior Brother Guo's movement technique is unrivaled; he can easily handle that kid!"
A hint of a proud smile appeared on Guo Jingyuan's lips: "I appreciate the kind words from my colleagues. I will go meet this kid now!"