Bo Qingtan stood facing the guy who challenged him and said, "I am Bo Qingtan. Greetings."
The middle-aged man replied, "My name is Yalah Suri. I am a saber cultivator from Justice Blades."
Bo Qingtan raised his brow and asked, "Justice blades, your group is the one who deals with bandits and the cultivators who use their strengths for heinous activities?"
Yalah Suri nodded and replied, "Yes."
Sovereign Mandala said, "Shall we begin the battle?"
The two people bowed to each other, and then they drew their weapons. However, the blades were still sheathed.
Sovereign Amethyst commented, "These guys are an interesting match, won't you agree, Mandala?"
Sovereign Mandala replied, "Indeed, Saber of justice versus the Sword. I wonder what sort of sword Bo Qingtan bears."
The lady nodded and asked, "Why do you call Yalah Suri the saber of justice?"
Mandala replied, "Yalah Suri has made quite a name for himself over the years by fighting criminals. Some people even say that if not for the fact that he was busy avenging wronged people, he might have made it into the realm of Immortal Emperors, but his sense of justice prevailed over his cultivation."
The people were impressed by Yalah Suri. Not many people would avoid their cultivation for random strangers' suffering. On the other hand, Bo Qingtan had no such image before people. They only saw him today for the first time.
Lady Amethyst remarked, "While Yalah Suri is a guy who has a great sense of justice, this young man seems to be somewhat talented."
Mandala replied with an ever-so-faint smile, "We shall see that when they stop testing each other?"
On the top of the pillar, two men holding their weapons stood opposite each other, staring at each other with sharp gazes. However, even without engaging in battle, the air around them stirred up, making many snapping sounds.
The people in the stands were curious about what was going on, and Amethyst said, "I did not expect that their spiritual aura collision would cause such a sight. The air is snapping like crackers."
The two people on the pillars smiled and suddenly vanished from their spots. Then, the entire arena was flooded with clanging noises. Mandala watched the people and the other contenders looking at the battle and smiled, "A lot of first-time viewers would wonder if the battles are done without delay. The answer is simple. The Centurion Tournament is based on the virtues of cultivation.
When in battle, they will have to fight with the enemy whenever they come at you."
Amethyst rolled her eyes and said, "Allow me to tell you that the seniors of the martial council just want to have pleasure out of the misery of these juniors, and that is why the rules are not refined."
The people laughed at her remark. On the pillar, the battle was getting heated. The two people exchanged blows, creating sparks of fire in the void. After a few minutes, they stopped and appeared back in their original positions.
Yalah smiled and said, "You are quite good."
Bo Qingtan said, "The same applies to you."
There might be people capable of defeating me with basics, but you are certainly not one of them."
Yalah retorted, "Do you think you can make me push all the way? Are you not overestimating yourself?
Bo Qingtan sighed and replied, "Have it your way. Dragon Forest."
The ground erupted, and following the strokes of his blade, many wooden dragons emerged from the ground, charging at Yalah Suri from all directions. Shi Lang exclaimed, "Huh? When did he improve this one?"
Yun Xue rolled her eyes and replied, "Did you think he would always watch you get ahead? He is ferocious when it comes to getting better, okay?"
The people were taken aback because the attack consisted of over fifty wooden dragons charging at Yalah Suri from all sides. The fascinating part of this attack was that Bo Qingtan was controlling the dragons with the strokes of his sword. His blade was moving like a fleeting flicker of light.
Normal people had trouble keeping up with it. Shi Tao gasped and asked, "Baba, do you know this senior?"
Shi Lang nodded and replied, "He is my sworn brother. You can ask him for gifts later on."
Shi Tao chuckled and said, "You have grown shameless, Baba. Grandma would have scolded you."
Shi Lang smiled and asked, "How are they?"
Shi Tao and the Terran talked while the battle on the side continued. With just one attack, Bo Qingtan took control of the battle. Yalah Suri yelled and said, "Light Slash."
He could not get close to Bo Qingtan, so he used his saber intent and slashed at the wood dragons with his weapon. The black blade emitted a contrasting white light. The attack looked weak but cut through the dragons like a hot knife through butter. Shi Lang was surprised to see this, but it was nothing to worry about.
Bo Qingtan chuckled and said, "Good."
His fighting spirit was ignited, and he charged at the incoming slash. He could sense the void burning from the heat radiated by the attack, and he said, "Void Flash."
When everyone thought Bo Qingtan would end up bearing the burden of the attack, he flickered and appeared where Yalan Suri was. The people were stunned when they saw this because Yalan Suri stood in the place where Bo Qingtan should have been. The two of them had exchanged places, and this was completely unexpected.
Sovereign Mandala commented, "A spatial technique. Indeed, this young man is not to be underestimated."
The crowd was in an uproar. Suddenly, Sovereign Amethyst clicked her tongue and said, "Old man Yanshu, did you take in a disciple and hide the fact from all of us?"
A hearty laughter echoed as an old man appeared beside the two people. This person wore a gray hanfu and had a bald head. He said, "Indeed, I took Xiao Tan as my disciple during my travel five months ago. This child walked through a demonic hiding spot and slayed all of them. He also freed many innocent people and saved lives.
Not only that, but he even helped a Spirit beast, but he did not covet the beast and let it go after helping it. This selflessness and dedication to his beliefs is not seen very frequently. He was fighting an Immortal Emperor when I found him. How could I have not taken him as my disciple?"
Mandala remarked, "You thought him Void Flash as a gift? Generous soul you are, Yanshu."
Yalan Suri was shocked by this but before he had a chance to figure out what happened, he had to deal with his attack coming at him in full force.