The battle in the first challenge ring was reaching its climax. Nobody had expected the unknown youth to have such a terrifying ability. Before this, he had merely been ranked fifth. Right now, he was actually gaining the upper hand in his fight with Dark Hand, who had been in second position.
Water Deity and Wine and Meat Monk were well aware of Dark Hand's might. He was a rather terrifying youth who had mastered the assassination techniques. They had a fifty percent chance of winning if they fought one on one with Dark Hand in the challenge ring. However, if Water Deity and Wine and Meat Monk were unprepared, they would most certainly lose if they encountered an assassination technique. There was even a high possibility of them being killed. Moreover, that was under the circumstances where they were given protective treasures by their sect seniors. If they didn't have any treasures to protect themselves, the danger would be even greater.
Even Water Deity and Wine and Meat Monk had not expected that the youth called Xin Wuji would put Dark Hand in such a predicament. Battling in the challenge ring was not Dark Hand's forte, but it was impossible for commoners to defeat him.
"The youth is strong. I feel that he is like a savage beast with endless energy. Besides, his martial arts teaching is odd," Wine and Meat Monk said with a serious expression.
The youth could suppress Dark Hand because he had a very frightening power in his body. The power made even Wine and Meat Monk's heart tremble in fear. By rights, even ultimate warriors would not have such frightening power. The youth seemed to be unable to control it; otherwise, Dark Hand would not have been able to last more than a few exchanges.
Ultimate warriors were very powerful, much more powerful than ancient martial art practitioners were. However, their strength did not lie in their raw power, but in their comprehension of the martial arts teachings realm and the esoteric rule of the heavens and earth. They were existences that were infinitesimally close to ancient martial arts practitioners who had become immortal. There were even some otherworldly existences that were not weaker than those ancient martial arts practitioners who had become immortal. They were rather frightening.
The youth called Xin Wuji was definitely not an ultimate warrior. He had not even comprehended the profound aura and could not even completely control the power within his body. However, with his advantage in terms of power, it was also difficult for Dark Hand to gain an advantage over him.
"The martial arts teaching that Xin Wuji is displaying is also very special. It does not seem like any of the Hua Xia martial arts teachings that I know of."
Water Deity frowned slightly. She was a member of the Goddess Cult. The Goddess Cult had a very long history and rich heritage. From ancient times until the present day, any one of the core disciples of the Goddess Cult would have keen eyes and vast knowledge. However, she actually could not determine which sect Xin Wuji's martial arts teaching was from.
Mo Wen looked towards the first challenge ring. His expression became even more surprised. He felt that Xin Wuji was abnormal, and extremely abnormal at that.
In the first challenge ring, the two warriors occasionally passed each other and occasionally collided. Their battle became fiercer and fiercer.
Dark Hand's face was pale. His deep dark gaze was fixed on the opponent before him. He was attempting to find an opportunity to take down his foe in one blow. As an expert in assassination techniques, he most enjoyed finding his enemy's weaknesses and then killing them in one hit.
But right now, the youth actually appeared to have no flaws.
Actually, he had flaws everywhere, but Dark Hand could not do anything about them.
It was because this youth was too powerful. Also, his techniques were bizarre and his defense was impenetrable. What was even more frightening was that Xin Wuji seemed to be able to predict his offensive moves, causing his attempts to repeatedly fail. In terms of martial arts teachings realm and battle techniques, that person naturally could not compare with him at all. If the two of them had similar levels of power, Dark Hand would certainly be able to instantly kill him in one blow.
"You are no match for me. If you continue to fight me, you will certainly be severely injured. With your ability, even if you cannot be first, second place is certainly not a big issue. However, if you are severely injured in this battle, then it would be hard to say."
Xin Wuji's entire body emanated an aura that was frightening beyond compare. The power already surpassed the limits of the Martial Arts Grandmaster Realm and was infinitesimally approaching the Immortal Realm.
"I will defeat you in three moves," Dark Hand said plainly. After he finished speaking, he once again attacked.
He knew that Xin Wuji's words were a psychological assault; however, they indeed were on point. If he expended too much energy in this battle, he would certainly be at a disadvantage in the upcoming battles. When that happened, he most likely would be unable to secure a place among the top three, let alone first place
Similarly, Xin Wuji also realized this. If Dark Hand tried too hard and caused Xin Wuji to also be injured in this match, then he would have a hard time later when trying to secure his position in first place. Many people were eyeing up the top spot.
Dark Hand's silhouette suddenly disappeared from his original spot. It was as though he had suddenly disappeared entirely from the challenge ring, leaving Xin Wuji standing alone there.
Xin Wuji's expression turned serious beyond compare.
Everyone knew that Dark Hand had not left the challenge ring and that he was most proficient in assassination techniques. Ordinary people could not compare to him when it came to concealment techniques.
Swoosh!
A flash of a sword appeared silently behind Xin Wuji. It instantly approached his neck, as though it could cleave his head off the next moment.
"No matter how powerful your concealment techniques are, you cannot escape my senses."
Almost at the same time, a bizarre light flashed past Xin Wuji's eyes like an alarm signal. Initially, he had not dared act rashly, but now he sent a backhand out without any hesitation. A frightening power overflowed and collided with the shadow of Dark Hand's saber.
Rumble!
A mere touch caused Dark Hand to be sent flying. In terms of power, he was far inferior to Xin Wuji. When even the assassination techniques that he was most proficient in were useless, he had almost no chance of emerging victorious.
In a battle between experts, everything happened in a flash and victory could be determined in an instant. In the blink of an eye, three moves were made, and Dark Hand stood in the corner of the challenge ring with his saber in hand. Bright red blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.
He had lost. He had lost at the hands of a youth that he had never heard of before.
With a flash, his entire person flew backward, and he landed in the ninth challenge ring. He sat cross-legged and focused on recovering his Inner Qi and treating his injuries. He had not managed to take first place. He had to secure one spot among the top three. That was also the reason why he retreated on his own accord and did not fight Xin Wuji to death.
"He has won."
Wine and Meat Monk sighed. Who would have thought that the famous Dark Hand of the hidden martial arts strain would actually lose at the hands of a main space ancient martial art practitioner?
"Maybe even I am not a match for him." Water Deity's expression was serious. Originally, she thought that there were only a few that posed a threat to her. However, now there was an additional person that made her lose confidence in herself.
Gu Jingman played with her silky smooth hair. Her eyes looked at Mo Wen instead. If her younger brother could not take first place, she would.
The participants each had their own thoughts. In the Divine Dragon Nest grandstands, there was also quite a commotion. No one had imagined that the unknown youth actually had such ability. Dark Hand was one of the strong practitioners who had been one of the favorites to be in first place, yet he had actually lost at the hands of Xin Wuji. There certainly were a lot of crouching tigers and hidden dragons in the Heaven List Tournament.
"Haha, after today, my grandson Xin Wuji will certainly be known across the entire ancient martial arts world."
As the Crimson Star Sect's representative, Xin Yichuan laughed loudly. His grandson was standing out so much in the Heaven List Tournament, and as a grandfather, he could not fail to feel pride.
Xin Yichuan was the Martial Arts Grandmaster strong practitioner who watched over the Crimson Star Sect. He was the one who could not avoid compromising and surrendered the Huo Clan because Mo Wen came knocking on the Crimson Star Sect's door.
The person who was standing next to Xin Yichuan was a black-robed warrior. This person was the second Martial Arts Grandmaster that Mo Wen had sensed in the Crimson Star Sect. However, he had not revealed himself at all.
In between the two of them stood a handsome youth. This youth had narrow eyes and a tall nose. The corners of his mouth were curled slightly into a subtle evil grin.
"Lord Genta, Wuji has not disappointed us. It should not be a problem for him to snatch first place."
Xin Yichuan looked at the youth. His speech was very respectful. He knew that if it wasn't for this Lord Genta as well as the faction behind him, it would have been impossible for his grandson to be standing in the challenge ring. Although in some Inner worlds, his grandson could be considered a genius, on the battlefield of the Heaven List Tournament, he was nothing.
"Let us hope so," the youth called Genta said plainly.
"Lord, you do not need to be worried. With the help of Lord Familiar, how could the rest be a match for him? The legendary Goddess's World will certainly be the best hunting ground for you," the black-robed warrior said flatteringly with a respectful look on his face. He knew that Xin Wuji was possessed by a powerful Lord Familiar. Although his condition could only unleash twenty percent of Lord Familiar's power, it was not something that ordinary people could compare with.
Lord Genta was very likely to become the next head of the Yokoo Clan. In order to cultivate Lord Genta, the clan spared no expense. If the Lord could enter the Hua Xia Country's Goddess's World, he would certainly improve greatly and would have extraordinary achievements in the future.
"The Goddess's World! Initially, I thought the prize was a chance to enter the Path of Creation once. The Goddess's World! Haha, this is truly an accidental surprise."
Genta's face also revealed a happy look. The Goddess's World was a place that was even more mysterious than the Path of Creation. If he could have a fateful encounter in the Goddess's World, it would most likely be enough to make him a pinnacle strong practitioner in this world. Although the appearance of the hidden martial arts strain had greatly increased the difficulty of the Heaven List Tournament, it was still not yet beyond his control.
...
"Have you discovered anything? The person that secured the first challenge ring seems to be somewhat abnormal." Yao Yu wore an enchanting black sable fur. Her glistening eyes contained a natural charm. She was a woman that was naturally enchanting.
"Young miss, could it be that you sense that there is something off about that person?" An elder who was dressed in black and grey stood respectfully behind Yao Yu. Initially, his head was lowered. Right now, upon hearing this, he also looked curiously towards the first challenge ring.
"Collier, although you are renowned as a saint, when it comes to sensing souls, you still are far inferior to me," Yao Yu said as she smiled.
"Young miss, what do you mean?" Collier indeed had not noticed anything strange.
"Two souls exist in that person's body. However, that person has concealed it very well. Unless they have cultivated remarkable powers that can detect souls, even the Hua Xia Country's Primordial Soul Realm immortal cultivators cannot detect it." Yao Yu had special abilities, so she noticed things that others could not.
"Oh."
Collier nodded and then lowered his head once again. He would not concern himself with matters and people that were unrelated to the young miss. His only duty was to ensure her safety.
"Although that brat has exceeded my expectations somewhat. With just a little skill, he actually dared to bet against me?"
Yao Yu's gaze turned towards the sixth challenge ring. There was a youth there. It was Mo Wen.