NOVEL NEXT Chapter 20 – Advancing to the top six
They both knew each other's strengths and weaknesses, so there was no need for probing. They went straight for a head-on clash.
Though Cui Qing'er was a woman, her fighting style was aggressive. She unleashed a water-based spell, immediately summoned a Golden Shield Talisman, and then maneuvered her flying sword to engage Lin Hao in close combat.
"Heh, a woman wanting to fight me up close? I won't let you have your way."
Lin Hao deftly avoided the water tiger by stepping on his flying sword, forming a seal with his hands to cast a spell. A ball of flame shot towards the woman like a meteor.
The scorching heat rushed towards her, but instead of retreating, Cui Qing'er advanced. Her sword was wrapped in sky-blue sword energy, slashing at the fireball.
Boom!
With one slash, she split the fireball. Her left hand continuously launched water spheres, trying to force her opponent down for close combat.
But Lin Hao only countered with fire spells, occasionally throwing out a Frost Descend talisman to freeze the water spheres.
Cui Qing'er, unable to gain the upper hand after a prolonged attack, was flustered. This damn man was unusual. Clearly, he was also at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, so why was his mana so abundant?
After exchanging dozens of moves, always using spells, Cui Qing'er's spiritual power was running low. She wanted to take a Spirit Recovery Pill but was given no chance by Lin Hao.
Boom, boom, boom!
Lin Hao unleashed three consecutive sword energies, shattering Cui Qing'er's three layers of Golden Light Shield, and then closed in on her.
He shouted fiercely, his inner spiritual power surging, his eyes filled with an invincible belief.
"Break!" His voice was like thunder, his body like a gust of wind.
His fists, blazing with flames, struck directly at the woman's abdomen.
Not good... Cui Qing'er's face changed drastically. She hurriedly gathered the remaining spiritual power in her body to form a barrier, but under the opponent's determined punch, it was as fragile as glass.
Crack!
The shield shattered, and her delicate body took a heavy blow.
Cough!
Cui Qing'er spat out a mouthful of blood, feeling as if all her ribs were broken, and then flew out like a kite with a broken string.
"Damn man, don't you know how to hold back!"
Cui Qing'er's eyes were filled with resentment.
Lin Hao ignored the resentful look in her eyes and said calmly, "Admit defeat."
Cui Qing'er rolled her eyes charmingly, then pushed the blade away from her neck and said softly, "With a blade at my throat, how can I not admit defeat?"
"Lin Hao, wins!"
As the referee elder's words fell, the scene erupted in a tidal wave of discussion.
"Wow, where did this Lin Hao come from, to defeat Fairy Qing'er so fiercely."
"Yeah, Fairy Qing'er is at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, her cultivation ranks in the top five of the outer sect!"
"I know this Lin Hao, he's like Fairy Qiushui's little follower, always low-key, never showing off. Who knew he'd make such a splash today."
"Fellow Daoist, you're behind the times. Lin Hao performed outstandingly in the previous Demon Beast Hunting Competition, making it to the top eight alone."
"Is he that strong? Where does he cultivate? I want to befriend him, maybe I can become a direct disciple."
"That might be hard. Without Wang Jingzhan and Leng Fengchun, this guy is a top-tier expert at the Qi Refining level, with a great chance of reaching the top."
Beside them, Jiang Mingfei's face was gloomy. When did that kid become a top-tier expert, did he ask me?
He clenched his fists, his gaze coldly fixed on Lin Hao. Damn kid, just you wait, the next match will show you what it means to always have someone better!
On the high platform, Little Bamboo Peak's master, Murong Qinxue, had a look of shock on her fair face.
This Lin Hao actually defeated Qing'er!
Although she had been paying attention to Lin Hao from the start, she didn't expect him to defeat Cui Qing'er from their peak.
Feng Cangyue saw Murong Qinxue's expression and a hint of pride appeared on her face. Lin Hao had certainly brought honor to her and Great Bamboo Peak.
Barefoot on a red lotus, like a flying swan, she flew to Lin Hao's side.
A trace of appreciation flashed in her phoenix eyes, and she said in a cool voice, "You did well. From today on, you are the chief of the outer sect disciples of Great Bamboo Peak. If you place in the top three of this competition, you can enter the inner sect's Scripture Repository three times."
Lin Hao took a light whiff of the fragrance, a strange thought flashing through his mind. Is the peak master still a maiden?
This was his first close encounter with the peak master, and he caught the maiden's fragrance from her, unmistakably the same scent he noticed before his first deep interaction with Li Qiushui and Cui Qing'er.
He glanced down at the peak master's jade-like feet, a pair of small feet whiter than snow, as if carved from jade, making one want to...
He quickly bit his tongue to calm himself down. Sinful, sinful, this is the master of Great Bamboo Peak. If she knew what I was thinking... she'd probably burn me to ashes.
Suppressing the distracting thoughts, he respectfully said, "Disciple accepts the order! Thank you, Peak Master!"
Feng Cangyue came down to see Lin Hao just to assert her ownership. This was her disciple, and she intended to keep others from taking him.
On the high platform, Murong Qinxue bit her silver teeth and softly cursed, "Feng Cangyue, that woman really is..."
As the peak master left, Lin Hao was about to step off the stage when he suddenly saw his senior sister, Li Qiushui.
He didn't know when she had arrived.
His lips curled into a slight smile as he walked towards his senior sister.
"Junior brother, congratulations on advancing to the top six."
Li Qiushui said gracefully, her purple gauze dress fluttering in the breeze.
With so many eyes watching, it was inappropriate to make a move. Lin Hao's gaze fell on her towering peaks, his voice clear, "Senior sister, I've made it to the top six. How are you going to celebrate for me?"
He had a playful glint in his eyes, wanting to see his senior sister's shy expression, but she just gave a gentle smile.
"There will be a surprise, you'll know tonight."
With that, his senior sister was about to leave. Lin Hao had no more matches today, but he didn't leave either, choosing to stay and watch the rest of the competition.
After Li Qiushui left, Cui Qing'er approached him.
"Are you alright?" Lin Hao asked.
"I took some pills, I'm fine. You really are heartless, not knowing how to show mercy." Cui Qing'er complained.
"We're about equal in strength. If I held back, I wouldn't have won." Lin Hao laughed, "I'll make it up to you later."
"You said it." Cui Qing'er understood.
The next match was Wang Jingzhan against a cultivator at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining. Both of them focused their attention on the stage.
As expected, Wang Jingzhan defeated his opponent with a single move, showcasing the strength of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"Wang Jingzhan is indeed at the Foundation Establishment stage. How can others compete with that? He's definitely going to be the champion!"
"Don't be so sure. Leng Fengchun is also at the Foundation Establishment stage, not weaker than Wang Jingzhan."
"Leng Fengchun only knows how to train hard. Can he compare to Wang Jingzhan, who grew through spell duels?"
Listening to the debate between the two cultivators behind him, Lin Hao thought that regardless of who was stronger between the two Foundation Establishment cultivators, if he wanted to compete for first place, he had to reach Foundation Establishment himself.
Leng Fengchun took the stage, dressed in tight black clothing that accentuated her curves. Though her face was beautiful, her demeanor was cold, giving off an unapproachable vibe.
Her opponent was also a cultivator at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, specializing in earth-based defensive techniques. It took her three moves to defeat him.
After watching the two Foundation Establishment cultivators' battles, Lin Hao prepared to leave. The remaining opponents weren't worth watching; he was confident he could win!
Seeing Lin Hao about to leave, Cui Qing'er followed him.
"What is your relationship with Li Qiushui?" she asked as they walked.
"The same as with you."
The woman sighed softly, "You've caught the attention of your peak master. Your future is bright. Why get entangled with a demon?"
Hearing this, Lin Hao frowned deeply. Why was Cui Qing'er so insistent that his senior sister was a demon?
He and his senior sister had known each other for a long time and got along very well. His senior sister was incredibly gentle; how could she possibly be a cold-blooded demon?