Sikong Mingyue

Sikong Mingyue

In the midst of the electrifying Jun Lin Banquet, drama and humor took center stage among the 12 remaining contestants. As the tension in the air crackled, their personalities and ambitions clashed.

Sikong Mingyue, 2nd Sword, and 3rd Night stood tall on one side, representing the formidable Snowcloud faction. On the other side, the Chu faction showcased its own impressive lineup: Luo Qianqiu, the enigmatic Gu Xing, cunning Luo Huan, mighty Orchon, tough-as-nails Hou Tie, ruthless Leng Ya, the rising star Chu Chen, and the powerhouse Jiang Feng.

With only three more eliminations to go before the second round concluded, the competition was as fierce as a dragon's roar. Each contestant had a unique reputation that preceded them.

Sikong Mingyue, with his icy demeanor, was like a glacier that could freeze anyone in their tracks. Luo Qianqiu, on the other hand, had an air of invincibility about him that seemed untouchable.

The Snowcloud faction's 2nd Sword and 3rd Night, often overshadowed by Sikong Mingyue, were determined to prove their worth. They shared knowing glances, ready to unleash their full potential.

Orchon, a rising star from Heaven's Wonder, had high expectations riding on his shoulders, both from his academy and the spectators. He had already showcased his talents within the Astral River Hall.

Gu Xing, the unpredictable wild card, seemed to have a death wish, and no one dared to provoke him. His reckless nature added an element of unpredictability to the competition.

Luo Huan, the charming but deadly contestant, wielded the dual Astral Souls with grace and power. She was a force to be reckoned with, and many underestimated her at their peril.

Qin Wentian, constantly evolving and growing, had become a crowd favorite with each battle he fought. The audience watched with bated breath to see what he would achieve next.

Hou Tie and Leng Ya, the enigmatic duo from the Godly General Martial Palace, were shrouded in mystery. Their true strength was a well-guarded secret.

Jiang Feng, a powerhouse among Arterial Circulation Cultivators, was the top-ranked Divine Wind Academy prodigy. He was poised to prove himself on this grand stage.

Chu Chen, once an obscure figure, had surprised everyone with his effortless defeat of Shi Jun. His hidden abilities made him an intriguing contestant.

As the audience grew more invested in the remaining participants, the desire for all 12 to advance to the next round intensified. Regrettably, only nine would move forward, leaving three to exit the stage.

Sikong Mingyue, with a calculated look in his eyes, fixed his gaze on Luo Huan. She had shown no mercy earlier, defeating 4th Night without a second thought. Now, it was time for her to face the consequences.

A gust of wind surrounded Sikong Mingyue as he began his advance, his movements graceful yet charged with a hidden energy that sent his long hair dancing in the breeze. It was as though each step held a whisper of wind, a prelude to the storm about to descend.

Intrigued by this sudden turn of events, spectators exchanged whispered comments, adding a touch of humor to the tense atmosphere. Some even placed bets on the outcome, their laughter mingling with the anticipation of what lay ahead in the Jun Lin Banquet's thrilling second round.

Sikong Mingyue's body radiated a menacing surge of killing intent, a dark aura that swept over the contestants on all nine platforms like an impending storm. Qin Wentian squinted his eyes, sensing the overwhelming malevolence that emanated from Sikong Mingyue. It was as if he would obliterate anything in his path.

Luo Huan, the target of Sikong Mingyue's aggression, felt the weight of his menacing presence. She knew that this battle was not going to be an easy one. Qin Wentian, always the supportive comrade, didn't hesitate to voice his encouragement.

"Senior Sister, if you can't defeat him, just admit defeat," Qin Wentian called out. Luo Huan nodded, her expression serious. The pressure Sikong Mingyue exerted was formidable, and she understood the challenge ahead.

"Sikong Mingyue is finally making his move," remarked one spectator, their gaze fixed on the unfolding drama. It was as if Sikong Mingyue's actions were a signal for all eyes to be on him.

"Sikong Mingyue's strength is undeniably tyrannical. However, Heaven's Wonder has ranked him as the second-strongest contestant, with Luo Qianqiu one step ahead. It's intriguing to think about how much martial prowess Luo Qianqiu possesses to earn such recognition from Heaven's Wonder," another onlooker pondered aloud. The rapid rise of Luo Qianqiu in just a year had sparked curiosity and speculation.

Heaven's Wonder, known for its vast information network, had likely investigated the contestants thoroughly. This included understanding their power levels, backgrounds, and motivations. The spectators knew that Luo Qianqiu had a mission to fulfill and couldn't afford to lose this year's Jun Lin Banquet. He needed to reach the seventh level of the Heavenly Star Pavilion, and the championship was his only path.

The pressure weighed heavily on Qin Wentian as well. He recognized that at his current level, victory against both Luo Qianqiu and Sikong Mingyue was a daunting challenge. Yet, he was determined to give it his all. A year felt too long to wait; he wanted to seize the present.

However, he knew that faith and determination alone wouldn't guarantee victory. He had to strategize, find weaknesses, and overcome the formidable obstacles in front of him. To reach the pinnacle, he had to surpass both Sikong Mingyue and Luo Qianqiu.

As Sikong Mingyue approached Luo Huan's platform, he didn't slow down but continued to advance. The tension in the arena was palpable, and the spectators held their breath, waiting for the clash between these two formidable contestants.

In the heat of the moment, Luo Huan had already unleashed both her Astral Souls and was poised for Sikong Mingyue's impending arrival. While she had no illusions about defeating her opponent, her curiosity burned like a flame. She wanted to gauge Sikong Mingyue's true strength, uncover the hidden cards up his sleeve.

Sikong Mingyue, the formidable adversary, made a seemingly casual gesture, flicking his finger in Luo Huan's direction. In an instant, an overwhelming surge of killing intent burst forth, solidifying into the ancient symbol for 'Massacre.' It hurtled toward Luo Huan at lightning speed, leaving her momentarily stunned.

Luo Huan's face displayed a momentary flicker of uncertainty. Her lithe and flexible body was her greatest asset, but Sikong Mingyue had opted for long-range attacks, a tactic that caught her off guard. Moreover, the power embedded in the word imprint was not to be underestimated. A direct hit could pierce through a person's body.

Clutching her long whip, she unleashed a tempest of strikes, each lash resembling a rain of blades. Her lashes collided head-on with the word imprint, but despite her valiant efforts, they were effortlessly overpowered. The word imprint continued its relentless advance, undiminished in power.

"Kill!" Sikong Mingyue took another step forward, a chilling aura surrounding him. He had no intention of engaging in close combat with Luo Huan. Flicking his finger again, a barrage of ancient 'Massacre' imprints manifested and hurtled relentlessly toward Luo Huan.

Luo Huan found herself forced into a retreat as defending against Sikong Mingyue's onslaught became increasingly challenging. Within moments, she had been pushed to the very edge of the platform, defeat looming on the horizon.

"Under the relentless pressure of Sikong Mingyue, even someone as skilled as Luo Huan has no defense," remarked one spectator in hushed tones. The difference in martial prowess was striking, despite their similar cultivation levels. Sikong Mingyue's attacks were imbued with the power of his Astral Soul, a potent fusion of his killing intent.

Some of the more astute onlookers marveled at Sikong Mingyue's prowess. He was clearly on another level compared to the other contestants, justifying his ranking as the second-strongest participant in the Jun Lin Banquet by Heaven's Wonder.

As one of Snowcloud's Duo Prides, Sikong Mingyue's reputation was well-earned and well-deserved, leaving a lasting impression on all who witnessed his display of power.

As Sikong Mingyue witnessed Luo Huan's resilience, a stronger surge of killing intent ignited in his eyes. His silhouette flickered, and in an instant, he vanished from view. The multitude of word imprints converged into one, hurtling like a deadly projectile straight at Luo Huan.

Nervous murmurs rippled through the spectators as they watched the impending clash. An abundance of vines suddenly sprouted into existence, seemingly attempting to ensnare Sikong Mingyue's assault. Yet, with a swift movement of his palms, Sikong Mingyue transformed his palm power into an ethereal pattern, causing the very air to vibrate.

Puchi! Luo Huan couldn't evade the baleful force of the word imprint. She staggered backward, spitting out a mouthful of blood, her complexion ghostly pale. Desperate to withdraw from the platform, she managed to gasp out, "I admit...defeat."

But before the word 'defeat' could fully escape her lips, Sikong Mingyue struck with both palms, his attack striking terror into her heart. The long-range impact attack headed straight for her life.

In a desperate bid for survival, Luo Huan began to spin rapidly in mid-air, creating a tornado that enveloped her body. The devastating word imprint collided with the swirling tempest, producing a deafening explosion. Luo Huan was hurled out by the sheer force of the impact, crashing heavily onto the ground. She coughed up copious amounts of blood, her appearance eliciting pity from the onlookers.

Qin Wentian, standing at the edge of his platform, froze as he gazed down at the battered Luo Huan.

Meanwhile, several figures from the spectator's stand materialized next to Luo Huan. Among them were Mustang and, surprisingly, Mo Qingcheng.

"I have some medicinal pills," Mo Qingcheng offered, handing one to Luo Huan. The pill dissolved in her mouth, and an instant later, a soothing coolness spread throughout her body. The efficacy of the pill was evident in its ability to mend injuries and restore vitality.

Qin Wentian couldn't help but worry as he asked Mustang, "Will Senior Sister be okay?"

"Miss Mo provided her with a second-grade top-tier medicinal pill. It should be sufficient to aid Luo Huan in her recovery," Mustang reassured, acknowledging Mo Qingcheng's kindness with a grateful glance.

Qin Wentian visibly relaxed, his eyes softening as he smiled at Mo Qingcheng.

"Don't worry. That day, when you were unconscious in the outskirts of Sky Harmony City, you fed me this very pill," Mo Qingcheng chuckled as she walked away. Qin Wentian was momentarily dumbfounded, but then his gratitude and admiration for her swelled. He now realized that to save him, Mo Qingcheng had used such a precious pill.

"I want to retain my rights as a challenger, please grant me some time to recover," Luo Huan requested, addressing the aged figure standing beside Chu Tianjiao.

"Very well," the elderly figure agreed. Luo Huan closed her eyes, focusing on harmonizing the energy flows within her body.

Qin Wentian's gaze shifted slowly. As he looked at Sikong Mingyue, anger surged within him, and a cold, resolute glint gleamed in his eyes.

"The duration of a battle?" Sikong Mingyue locked eyes with Qin Wentian, his own gaze equally filled with determination.

But just as the tension between them reached its peak, a figure materialized in front of Sikong Mingyue, obstructing his view of Qin Wentian. The audacity of challenging Sikong Mingyue was evident.

The challenger was none other than Gu Xing.

Confusion washed over Qin Wentian. Why did it seem like Gu Xing was consistently trying to help him?

"It seems Qin Wentian's position is secured," the spectators mused. Only three more contestants needed to be eliminated before the top nine rankings would be decided.

According to the rules, if Luo Huan returned as a challenger and lost, one name would be eliminated. If Gu Xing lost to Sikong Mingyue, another name would exit the competition. This left only one spot to fill.

Even if Luo Qianqiu or Orchon sought to challenge and defeat Qin Wentian, he would still have a chance to return as a challenger. His odds of making it to the final nine were incredibly high.

However, against all expectations, Qin Wentian took the initiative. He stepped off his platform and stood before 3rd Night.

The battle he sought was not for himself but for the sake of Luo Huan!