Different Face?

Different Face?

Han Qing was a renowned figure throughout the Yan Continent. With a formidable second-level Heavenly Dipper realm cultivation, he was a master of swordsmanship, and his sword moved with the swiftness of the wind.

His array of Astral Souls included two speed-type Astral Souls and two sword-type Astral Souls. Speed was his ultimate pursuit, aiming to strike his opponents more frequently than they could defend, securing victory through relentless, high-speed attacks.

Facing him was a young man with a mere first-level Heavenly Dipper cultivation. Although the young man possessed impressive combat skills, Han Qing was brimming with confidence. He believed his opponent wouldn't last even ten moves against the rapidity of his sword.

The smirk on Han Qing's face was evident, and his opponent remained expressionless, concealing his thoughts.

Other participants had also found their opponents, leading to twenty-four simultaneous battles on the vast space at the peak of the heaven-ascending steps.

"Please guide me," said the young man with the ancient halberd, his voice calm. Han Qing replied, "Please be careful then."

In an instant, Han Qing's sword flashed like the wind. His figure disappeared within a cyclone, becoming a blur of lightning-fast afterimages. His attacks were elusive, leaving spectators unable to distinguish between reality and illusion.

His swordsmanship sealed off every avenue of retreat for his halberd-wielding opponent. Regardless of where the opponent attempted to evade, Han Qing adapted his attacks accordingly, ensuring a strike.

However, the halberd user showed no intention of evading. With a mighty stomp, the earth seemed to shake in response, and he advanced with relentless force. His ancient halberd resembled a dragon, pressing forward with tyranny.

Han Qing invoked his second-level Mandate, "Wind Shadow," vanishing from sight as his body became a phantom. His presence was hidden, and his sword's qi grew stronger.

A rapid, deadly sword thrust headed towards the halberd-wielding young man. The spectators marveled at the profound sword technique enhanced by Han Qing's second-level insight. Such speed left the halberd user seemingly defenseless.

However, in that very moment, a thunderous boom resounded.

The ancient halberd collided head-on with Han Qing's sword, executed with precision and no hint of hesitation from the halberd-wielding young man.

Spectators were astounded. How had this young man achieved such a feat? Han Qing's Wind Shadow technique made his attacks unpredictable and lightning-fast. Yet, despite moving later, the halberd user's strike met Han Qing's sword precisely at the point of impact. It was as if he could predict the sword's path, sending shivers through the spectators' hearts.

Some keen observers noticed the young man's actions. As Han Qing vanished, the halberd was already in motion, displaying unwavering accuracy and timing, arriving just before Han Qing's sword. It seemed as though the young man could anticipate Han Qing's moves, chilling the spectators even further. Han Qing's Wind Shadow had no form, a potent second-level Mandate, but his opponent had struck with absolute certainty.

Han Qing had initially thought his strike would at least disrupt his opponent, allowing him to follow up with a quicker, decisive attack. However, reality proved otherwise. When their weapons clashed, an overwhelming force struck his chest, sending waves of devastation through his body.

With a violent retreat and a mouthful of blood, Han Qing conceded. His opponent, unflinching, halted the halberd just an inch from Han Qing's throat.

This was the quickest of the twenty-four battles and raised eyebrows among the spectators. A first-level Heavenly Dipper cultivator making Han Qing spit blood was astonishing. He must have an extraordinary background, but no one recognized him.

In all of Grand Xia, they hadn't heard of a halberd prodigy among the younger generation. Could this man be from outside the nine continents, venturing into Grand Xia for fame through the marriage selection?

After the first round ended, twenty-four participants remained. Most hailed from transcendent powers.

Could Mo Qingcheng's future husband be among these twenty-four?

"Continue, find your next opponent, and advance," Luo He's calm voice urged. The participants began moving, aiming to face the weakest contenders before others selected them.

Despite defeating Han Qing, the halberd-wielding young man's cultivation was only at the first level of Heavenly Dipper. Many participants deemed him among the weakest. In fact, three rushed toward him, only to be deterred by another participant who was closer to the young halberd master.

He wasn't about to let anyone snatch his opportunity, so he launched an attack against the halberd-wielding young man.

His attack marked the selection of his opponent, making it a one-on-one battle, immune to interference.

But the halberd-wielder responded instantaneously, moving like lightning, matching Han Qing's staggering speed. With a sudden flash, the ancient halberd shot forward. It was a simple, direct, and tyrannical strike, devoid of complex techniques or profundity.

This halberd strike couldn't even be called an innate technique; it was pure and straightforward. Yet, as it erupted, it felt like the only thing in the world that mattered.

The attacker was a second-level Heavenly Dipper cultivator. As he gathered his strength to counter the attack, the roar of a terrifying demonic flood dragon resonated in the air. The attacker's physique transformed, lunging forward and delivering a palm strike, directly clashing with the halberd strike, empowered by his current flood dragon form.

A tortured scream echoed, as the attacker's arm shattered into pieces. The ancient halberd pierced through and impaled the attacker's forehead.

This battle, much like the previous one, ended with the halberd-wielding young man winning in a single move, and he remained the fastest victor.

Although his cultivation was one of the lowest among the participants, his swift victories drew the most attention.

Yet, the remaining participants after this round were all third-level Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns. Many believed that the halberd-wielding young man had reached his limit.

Indeed, after this round, only twelve participants remained, all at the third level of Heavenly Dipper.

Furthermore, every one of these twelve cultivators was widely renowned throughout Grand Xia. In comparison, the halberd-wielder seemed less threatening.

Chen Lie, Wang Yifei, Hua Cheng, Shi Kuang, Xiao Yu, and the rest were all familiar names in Grand Xia.

Luo He cast a calm gaze over the twelve remaining participants. Although these individuals were impressive by worldly standards, they didn't represent the apex of the younger generation in their respective transcendent powers.

But Luo He's goal wasn't simply to choose a son-in-law for the Pill Emperor Hall anymore.

Her eyes shifted to the demon sword outside.

He still hadn't appeared.

She was eager to see how long he would wait.

"Continue," Luo He's voice remained devoid of emotion. She didn't set any new rules; the next round proceeded.

Only three participants would remain, and as for who would win the selection, she had already decided. But that was no longer her primary objective in hosting the marriage selection event.

"Can you believe this? Luo He's method of elimination is brutal," remarked one spectator, their suspicions growing. This elimination style pitted the strong against the stronger.

In this third round, the participants didn't immediately engage in battle after Luo He's words. They surveyed their options, pondering their choices. After a moment, one participant made a decision and approached their opponent.

"Xiao Yu has chosen the halberd-wielding young man as his opponent. It looks like the outcome is a foregone conclusion. Xiao Yu ranked among the top three Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns of the younger generation in the Star-Seizing Manor in terms of strength and talent. His Star-Seizing Palms are formidable."

The young man with the ancient halberd remained composed, showing no signs of anxiety.

"Bam!" Xiao Yu lunged forward, unleashing his Star-Seizing Palms. The air quivered as his palms emitted radiant light. He intended to obliterate the halberd user in a single strike.

The young man countered with his halberd, using the same move as before, as if he only knew one technique. Yet, when the ancient halberd met the Star-Seizing Palm imprint, both shattered simultaneously.

Xiao Yu sneered. Did this first-level Heavenly Dipper cultivator truly think he could stand against him?

With a casual wave of his sleeve, Xiao Yu's palms expanded dramatically, and he unleashed another palm imprint. This time, the young man found himself enclosed within a cage of astral light. Xiao Yu's palm seemed to reach for the stars within the astral cage while simultaneously attempting to seize the young man's life.

"BOOOM!" A massive burst of astral energy erupted where the halberd-wielding young man had stood. The instant before the Star-Seizing Palm imprint annihilated the cage, his opponent appeared right in front of him, an ancient halberd materializing in his hands, piercing through Xiao Yu's throat.

The young man defeated Xiao Yu of the Star-Seizing Manor in a stunning fashion. Not only that, he did so dominantly.

"Did the Venerate Heavens Sect also send someone to participate in this selection?" murmured those from the Star-Seizing Manor, their faces drained of color.

The young man's movement technique at the end was none other than Stellar Transposition, one of the nine ultimate arts of Grand Xia. When the nine grand clans rebelled, the Venerate Heavens Sect claimed Stellar Transposition as their own.

Pulling out his halberd, the young man stared coldly at those from the Star-Seizing Manor, not bothering to respond.

However, he wasn't from the Venerate Heavens Sect. He was Qin Wentian!

He had restrained his anger until now because he hadn't seen Mo Qingcheng, and his perception couldn't locate her either.

Hence, Qin Wentian had to risk appearing at the marriage selection event, right in front of Luo He. He used the Facial Transformation Art he obtained from Di Feng's interspatial ring within the Vermilion Bird Formation to disguise himself. He had to wait for an opportunity to save Mo Qingcheng!