Chapter 90: I Won, No More Fighting

Xia Jiuxuan possessed an extraordinary sensitivity—his perception was unparalleled. The moment Wu Changkong subtly stirred his spiritual power, Xia Jiuxuan detected it instantly. Weighing his options, Xia Jiuxuan realized that if he were to forcefully confront Wu Changkong, defeat was inevitable; he might even be crushed outright. The gap between their realms and physical strength was simply too vast.

Wu Changkong’s lips curled into a cold smile. He activated the tenth-tier leg technique, preparing to subdue Xia Jiuxuan with lethal force.

In a flash, Xia Jiuxuan’s figure darted downward, flying off the battle platform. “Elders,” he called, cupping his hands towards those hovering above, “I’ve comprehended the ninth-tier technique. I’ve won. Don’t try to cheat me!”

Wu Changkong, poised to attack, was left suspended midair in stunned silence. The boy… ran? He’s not fighting anymore?! Wu Changkong had only considered killing Xia Jiuxuan, never anticipating such a move.

“Xia Jiuxuan, the assessment isn’t finished—why are you running?” Wu Changkong, having no alternative, steeled himself to pursue and kill. But Xia Jiuxuan gave him no chance, retreating further, “I scored ninety points in this match—that’s enough!”

“You—!” Wu Changkong was so infuriated he couldn’t speak, his shadow now drifting ten yards above Xia Jiuxuan.

Xia Jiuxuan looked up, his expression cold. “What, are you chasing me to kill me?”

Wu Changkong froze, shocked that the boy saw through him and exposed him so bluntly. Now, how could he dare attack? His lips quivered with rage, left speechless. The little brat was too cunning! What now?

Helpless, Wu Changkong turned and saluted the elders above. “Elders, there’s something strange about this one. I suspect he’s of demonic origin. Please investigate!”

A mere martial youth who could comprehend high-tier techniques from beyond the mortal realm—Wu Changkong’s accusation wasn’t entirely baseless.

“Wu Changkong, stand down.” A voice from among the elders thundered.

They had witnessed Xia Jiuxuan’s performance—the nearly flawless leg technique had astonished them. Now, these eighteen elders regarded Xia Jiuxuan differently, full of curiosity. They could not allow Wu Changkong to target him at will. More importantly, Wu Changkong might act shamelessly, but the great sects could not.

Wu Changkong’s face paled, seeing that his accusation had failed.

“What are you waiting for? Hurry and kneel to apologize to Senior Xia!” Duanmu Wan soared upward, shouting at Wu Changkong on the platform.

“A wager is a wager. Don’t tell me you’re thinking of cheating again!” Mu Feng also flew up, calling out.

The other competing geniuses joined the chorus:

“A dignified elder from beyond, reneging on his word?”

“Repeatedly breaking promises—such conduct from the sects beyond? I, Li, cannot condone it.”

“This time, you asked us to help search for treasures in the secret realm, promising generous rewards. I suspect it’s just a ruse. You’ll probably never deliver.”

“If you can’t keep your word, I won’t deal with you. Maybe we should leave, lest we end up losing everything.”

…

Their protest wasn’t truly for Xia Jiuxuan—they cared for themselves. The sects had promised that whoever became a representative and entered the secret realm would be richly rewarded. But now, with an outer elder blatantly cheating in front of everyone, how could they not worry? They feared risking their lives only to receive nothing.

Thus, whether Wu Changkong admitted defeat affected the sects’ reputation.

“Make your stance clear.”

“That’s right. If you don’t, how can we dare help you?”

“Forget it. My life is more important. I’m out.”

One after another, twenty or thirty people began to leave, flying away. These were mostly those without enough points to compete for the top ten—they seized the chance to leave without losing face, killing two birds with one stone.

Seeing so many depart, the elders above grew anxious. This matter was tied to the fate of their sects—it was no laughing matter! If all the mortal world geniuses fled, they’d be ruined.

“Gentlemen, we are the top sects from beyond, always true to our word. You need not worry,” an elder quickly reassured them.

He then said, “Wu Changkong, why haven’t you knelt and apologized to Xia Jiuxuan? What are you waiting for?”

Wu Changkong was struck as if by lightning, gazing upward in disbelief, wanting to protest.

Boom!

A wave of pressure descended, intimidating him. Wu Changkong’s legs buckled, and with a thud, he knelt on the battle platform. He had no other choice.

“Forgive me, Xia Jiuxuan. I shouldn’t have doubted you. A wager is a wager—I apologize,” Wu Changkong knelt, saluting Xia Jiuxuan, wishing he could die. A dignified outer elder from the great sects, kneeling to a mere martial youth—if word reached the sect, where could he show his face? But there was nothing he could do—he had lost.

Xia Jiuxuan stood above, gazing down indifferently. “Everyone heard our wager—it was to kneel and kowtow in apology!”

Wu Changkong had apologized, but not kowtowed! Xia Jiuxuan would not relent.

Hearing this, Wu Changkong’s eyes snapped open, bloodshot and filled with murderous intent. Yet, this concerned the fate of the top sects—how could he act rashly? Gritting his teeth, he knocked his head to the ground three times. “I, Wu Changkong, kowtow and admit my mistake to Xia Jiuxuan!”

A truly stirring sight. The spectators, all geniuses below the platform, felt their blood surge. An elder from beyond, kowtowing in apology! If only they could be as impressive as Xia Jiuxuan—how many girls would admire them! The mere thought was exhilarating.

After kowtowing, Wu Changkong stood, forcibly suppressing his murderous rage. He need only endure until the tournament ended. As soon as Xia Jiuxuan was eliminated, he would kill him without hesitation. Without the right to enter the secret realm, Xia Jiuxuan would no longer affect the sects’ fate—and nothing would hold him back!

The seed of hatred had already grown into a towering tree within Wu Changkong’s heart, impossible to erase.

“Elder Wu, let everyone continue with the competition,” came a voice from above.

Wu Changkong recovered, announcing the scores:

“In the comprehension contest: Duanmu Wan, one hundred points. Shao Yandong, ninety points. Xia Jiuxuan, ninety points. Mu Feng, ninety points.”

…

Having read the top scores, Wu Changkong felt a pang. Xia Jiuxuan’s team had achieved an absolute high score in the comprehension contest—two hundred eighty points in total! The next highest team barely reached two hundred.

Having finished, Wu Changkong announced the final event.

“The last round: Soul Duel!”

With these words, a bronze cauldron descended onto the battle platform. A middle-aged man in purple robes floated down, landing beside it.

“That’s a spellcaster! A sect spellcaster from beyond!” several exclaimed.

The purple-robed man surveyed the crowd, speaking slowly: “Soon, I will project your souls into this bronze cauldron. You may use your soul consciousness to control your projections and fight each other. Each soul projection you kill earns ten points!”

The rules provoked an uproar. No one had expected such a form of competition! It wouldn’t cost lives, yet allowed for true, unrestricted combat—a perfect chance to prove one’s strength.

All the contestants became excited, their eyes filled with confidence.