Arena Fight

All duels were strictly regulated by the sect. Private challenges could be issued an unlimited number of times. However, battles to death could only be agreed upon once in a lifetime. And that too, after the grudge could no longer resolved.

There was a Grand Elder secretly overseeing the venue. Usually, they wouldn't show themselves. Although this duel was a sect-weakening event, and the life of a talented disciple would be lost, it was not a sect crisis that would require them to reveal their presence.

One must remember that only one in a hundred thousand people was born with Spiritual Roots. Less than half of them were lucky enough to be discovered and initiated into the Great Tao.

In fact, if it wasn't because there was a certain probability of inheriting the roots, there would be almost no new cultivators appearing!

So, it was because of the existence of the so-called cultivation clans that sects were regularly provided with fresh blood.

The cultivation world was cruel, and the fight for the resources was fierce. Most people died while fighting others. Even though the sect's strength didn't depend on the numbers, its disciples were its lifeline!

That's why the once-in-a-lifetime rule appeared, and it applied to the Gentle Wind Valley too.

However, challenging itinerant cultivators was something else altogether. It was actually encouraged! Duels with disciples from other sects weren't frowned upon either.

Besides, it was said that Qi Gathering cultivators were the only ones bound by such rules. As for those Elders at the Immortal Foundation Realm… no one knew. Perhaps it was because sects needed to have an ample free labor forces at their disposal that they protected low-level cultivators.

Ouyang Li sighed while looking at the stage.

Senior sister Wei was a short girl. She wasn't wearing anything besides a simple blue robe. It was a dust-repelling outfit. It was a well-known characteristic of both Inner and Outer Disciples.

It was difficult for outsiders to estimate her age. The look on her face showed that she was determined, and the aura she projected was quite fierce.

Nevertheless, she looked gloomy.

On the other hand, senior brother Yue seemed to be a bit more relaxed. However, he didn't look happy either. Double swords were strapped on his back, and there was a leather armor showing itself from underneath his bluish clothes. He was probably in his late twenties.

Soon, a silver-clad referee also entered the middle of the Arena Theater. This Elder was a bit fat. Ouyang Li couldn't shake the impression that his walking was a bit stiff too. Could it be that was injured?

"This is going to be the first fight to the death in the last decade!" A girl sitting next to him stated quietly. "My heart is with senior sister Wei. What about you, fellow cultivator?"

She asked excitedly.

"Well, I'm not sure about their strengths or their character features. However, the determined ones tend to fight a bit harder, so sister Wei indeed has a chance."

His neighbor simply nodded and decided to keep quiet. It was because the referee raised his hand, and the entire Arena Theater gradually turned silent.

"This not a time or a place to talk and cheer up the challengers. Don't act unruly!" He warned. "If it was up to me, even gambling would be forbidden during this match. Sadly... it is not up to me."

Strangely, although the Elder's voice was quiet, everyone could hear it clearly. It was as if he was whispering right next to their ears.

"Your sect sister Wei Yu Qi issued a death challenge to her fellow disciple Yue Fan. It is with great sadness that I agreed to oversee the venue after her challenge had been accepted and approved."

After saying this, the man stopped for a moment.

"Now you are to witnesses the tragedy of their unsolvable grudge."

Then he jumped up, leaping at least a few hundred meters up. Soon, he appeared on a high platform across from the Arena Theater. Form there, he could easily oversee the battle.

First, he activated Arena Protecting Formation. After that, his voice suddenly turned much louder:

"Let the fight… begin!"

Right at these words, senior sister Wei pushed herself forward. She threw her right fist into brother Yan's stomach. Then, she followed up with a kick.

However, her opponent wasn't slow either. He jumped a few meters to the left, dodged, and counterattacked with one of his swords. It was clear that he was quite vigilant.

The girl quickly took something from her back pocket. The boy's second sword was still sheathed, though, and his other hand was free. He too used it to reach into his pouch.

Their movements were almost too quick to follow.

They threw their talismans almost at the same time. As a result, a huge Fire Ball and a graceful Water Arrow collided in the air. The explosion was deafening.

It only confirmed that the theater acoustics was superb.

Soon, both fighters started to jump around, testing each other's strength. It was clear that they were giving their all to watch and calculate their opponent's every move.

Although it seemed that they knew their opponents' weaknesses and fighting styles beforehand, they had no idea what trump cards the other party might hide behind their sleeves.

To mortal men's eyes, their fight would resemble constantly moving lights. One was dull and grey, while the other was flashier and brighter. Both of them alternately collided and moved away, leaving behind countless after-images.

"It's a real eye-opener." Ouyang Li murmured quietly. He was truly captivated by their performance "If only I could have some of their movement skills… it seems that speed and quick reflexes are the key points of the Qi Gathering Realm cultivators fighting!"

"You're right."Answered the cute girl sitting next to him. "However, both of them spent almost twenty years in the Inner Sect. Mastering Immortal Techniques takes a lot of time!".

Every once in a while, one of the fighters retreated for a bit. It gave them a few precious seconds to swallow some Qi Replenishing Pills and Blood Burning Drags.

During death duels, everything but potential-squeezing drags was allowed!

While taking their pills, they had to keep their guards up, though. It was actually the moment where they were the most vulnerable.

Soon, the duel turned into a fight of exhaustion. Sister Wei's and brother Yue's movements were becoming more and more conservative. That was because they had to control their inner qi reserves strictly.

However, activating talismans only required a minimal amount of energy. As a result, thunder-like rumbles and flashes of colorful lights constantly bombarded their ears. They were almost unstoppable. It was clear that the participants didn't spare the costs.

"I can't believe they have the guts to do this. It's like burning money! Wait! It's more than that. After all, gold can't even buy you these things. All those talismans… they must have cost a fortune! And now, it's all gone!"

The petite girl sitting beside him was quite agitated. She was evidently shocked by this display of wealth. However, Ouyang Li found it only natural. After all, nothing was more precious than one's life. If one had the resources, fight to the death was exactly the right time to use them.

Soon the duel started to shift to the one who accumulated more offensive talismans. Sect sister Wei was actually hidden behind a gigantic, glistening barrier. At the same time, her hand was quickly forming some seals. It was evident that she was up to something.

However, senior brother Yue didn't allow her to take a breather. Enchanted earth ingots and countless wind blades were constantly ramming into the girl's shield. He was clearly trying to overwhelm her.

However, what happened next actually made the viewer's jaws drop.

A golden Sword Talisman suddenly flew up from under sister Wei's temporary protection. Such a treasure was much more precious than previously used disposables altogether.

Seeing this, senior brother Yue's face gradually turned solemn. It turned out that her being on the defensive was actually the girl's way of stalling for time to activate the treasure.

Ouyang Li directed questioning gaze towards his neighbor. Although the girl sitting next to him looked young, she was clearly much more knowledgeable than him.

"That's an artifact created by a true Talisman Master." She answered. "And yes, I mean what I say. It's really an artifact! Unlike those low-level talismans, this one can be used repeatedly! Still, every once in a while, it must be replenished by a Golden Core cultivator. Do you know how many such powerhouses are in our Gentle Wing Valley?

Seeing the blank look on his face, the girl continued excitedly:

"Me neither. However, I can guarantee that you won't be able to find more than a few who can make such a talisman. Openly, there are only thirteen peak Golden Core cultivators at the sect, and each of them is an old monster."

"Really? There are no young ones among them?"

"Probably not. Besides the few who focus on teaching Hair Disciples, the rest spend their time in secluded cultivation. Oh, and there are also two Grand Elders supervising Inner Court and Outer Peak."

Ouyang Li thought that that the girl's knowledge is astonishing. Even suspiciously so. However, he had no time to think about her words. It was because the fight on the stage has just entered its most critical phase!

Senior brother Yue was throwing one protective talisman after another. However, that could only buy him a few more seconds before the Sword Talisman hit him. He then raised both of his swords using some sort of advanced immortal technique. At least Ouyang Li never saw it at the affordable, low-level section of the Sage Pavilion.

Both of his blades started to glow. They were overflowing with Qi. He then took a few pills and ignited his blood essence! It was clear that the boy was ready for the golden sword to break through his last fiery shield.

These were the fighters' final trump cards!

At the same time, senior Wei used up the last few of her offensive enchantments.

Under the barrage of continuous attacks, the boy's last protective barrier suddenly gave out. He now had his hand full dealing with senior Wei's wrath and protecting himself from the sharp, floating Sword Talisman.

He was good! His techniques were clearly superb too. After all, he was able to stop the artifact refined by a Golden Core cultivator.

Ouyang Li didn't even want to imagine what price he had paid to achieve this feat. Who knew, perhaps his cultivation path was already cut off.

However, senior sister Wei didn't waste her time either. She flashed forward, taking the opportunity to throw yet another artifact. It resembled a small pill.

The pill quickly engulfed senior Yue's body, forming a dark clout. Then, sulfur-smelling mist emerged. It started to swirl and amalgamate. It only took a second for the miasma to cover both the boy and the girl.

Immediately, many muffled exclamations could be heard from the surrounding seats.

The vision of the audience was suddenly cut off. Only the referee, with his Immortal Foundation cultivation base, could cast his senses to take a quick look at the situation inside.

Multiple gasps and muffled screams could be heard.

Although observing disciples acted subdued during the fight, it was all for the sake of the Elder. However, the fight was already way past its most heating point! Right now, they were just wanted to see who took the other's life!

Soon, the poisonous cloud dissipated, and the view cleared. Everyone saw that senior sister Wei was bleeding. At the same time, volatile toxins were quickly corroding her wounds.

However, she was the last one standing! Moreover, she was actually propping herself on one of brother Yue's swords!

That's right! After a while, everyone could see the boy's corpse. It was unsightly. Black bubbles were constantly eating away different parts of his flash! Everyone could clearly see that it was Inner Disciple Yue Fan that lost this fight.

And he paid the ultimate price.