Chapter 58: Eldest Brother

"How arrogant!" The disciples of the Profound Dao Sect were furious, their eyes locked onto Zhao Zixiong atop the arena, fists clenched as if itching to rush forward and pummel him. Yet even those who had reached the sixth layer of Condensing Qi were no match for Zhao Zixiong, so their intervention would be futile.

"Are the disciples of Profound Dao Sect so worthless? Not a single one dares to step forward." Zhao Zixiong swept his gaze across the crowd, a cold smile curling on his lips, his words brimming with scorn.

"I will face you," came a calm voice from the Profound Dao Sect's side. A figure stepped out from among his peers, scholarly air about him, walking with composure onto the stage, his expression steady as he looked across at Zhao Zixiong.

"I am Liu Qinfeng. Please enlighten me." Liu Qinfeng cupped his hands in greeting, maintaining courtesy despite Zhao Zixiong’s repeated disrespect towards the Profound Dao Sect.

"Seventh layer of Condensing Qi? You're not enough. Let someone else try," Zhao Zixiong remarked, casting a sidelong glance at Liu Qinfeng before uttering these words.

The Profound Dao Sect erupted in indignation. Liu Qinfeng was a renowned figure in their ranks. Though he appeared older, he hadn’t been cultivating for long—no more than three years. Moreover, Liu Qinfeng was the disciple of the sect leader.

His background was unfortunate; orphaned as a child, he had lived with a distant relative, studying diligently for ten years in hopes of academic success. Fate, however, was unkind. After failing to achieve his ambitions, Liu Qinfeng’s spirit faltered. Lost and uncertain, he unexpectedly encountered the sect leader, Qianchuan, who took him in as a disciple.

Qianchuan had seen Liu Qinfeng’s potential, and Liu Qinfeng did not disappoint; within three years, he rose from a mere scholar to a master at the seventh layer of Condensing Qi.

Yet, despite Liu Qinfeng’s achievements, Zhao Zixiong’s words remained dismissive.

Only someone of Liu Qinfeng’s temperament could stay calm in the face of such arrogance, not succumbing to anger or humiliation.

"Brother Zhao's cultivation is extraordinary; I deeply admire it. But surrendering without a fight is not my way. Brother Zhao, please!" Liu Qinfeng replied, his voice serene.

"If you insist on humiliating yourself, don't blame me for showing no mercy," Zhao Zixiong said coldly, then opened his mouth and spat forth a violet light. The moment it appeared, the light expanded, transforming into a giant, flickering purple hand that lunged for Liu Qinfeng.

Liu Qinfeng’s expression shifted. Without hesitation, he slapped his storage pouch, and six golden, shining spheres flew out to meet the attack. Zhao Zixiong sneered, forming a spell with his right hand. The purple hand in midair whipped violently, summoning a strange wind that caused the six golden spheres to tremble and veer off course.

The strange wind disrupted the spiritual energy within Liu Qinfeng’s body. His face changed, and he cried out loudly, "Explode!"

The six golden spheres detonated simultaneously, sending a ring-shaped wave surging forth, forcing the spectators to retreat.

Zhao Zixiong snorted contemptuously, "Tricks of the trade!"

The giant hand clenched into a fist in midair, unaffected by the explosion, and smashed downward at full speed.

Liu Qinfeng turned pale as the monstrous hand pressed down above his head. Gritting his teeth, he summoned an item from his storage pouch—a seemingly ordinary yellow paper. He bit his tongue and spat a mist of blood.

The blood, suspended in midair, quickly condensed into liquid, forming a blood dragon. Without blinking, Liu Qinfeng formed a spell with his right hand, reciting an incantation. The blood dragon twisted sharply, its head and tail joining together into a strange pattern, which suddenly stamped itself onto the yellow paper.

In an instant, the yellow paper erupted in dazzling light, like a miniature sun, and the descending fist began to dissipate rapidly, visible to the naked eye.

"A spiritual treasure?" Zhao Zixiong’s brows furrowed. He flicked his sleeve, and two white dragons soared forth, spinning in the air before charging at Liu Qinfeng with lightning speed.

A bitter smile appeared on Liu Qinfeng’s face. His focus was entirely on resisting the giant fist above him; he was powerless against the two flying swords transformed into white dragons.

As their ferocious jaws neared him, a cold snort suddenly issued from among the Profound Dao Sect disciples. A black rainbow shot forth, effortlessly entangling the two white dragons. They emitted strained creaks, finally reverting to two small silver flying swords.

The black rainbow contracted abruptly, snapping the swords with a loud crack, and they fell onto the arena.

Zhao Zixiong’s expression changed dramatically. His heart-linked swords destroyed, he spat blood, horror written across his face. The giant hand pressing down on Liu Qinfeng also dissipated, unable to maintain its form due to the damage to Zhao Zixiong’s spirit.

Liu Qinfeng narrowly escaped disaster, quickly grabbing the yellow paper and retreating, relief evident on his face. Zhao Zixiong, his strength greatly diminished, stepped down from the stage with a dark expression.

"This round is a draw," said Daoist Huanglong of Azure Cloud Sect, his tone indifferent. "Next round, Profound Dao Sect may send someone first."

"This round, let me take the stage," a calm voice rang out. At its sound, the Profound Dao Sect disciples lit up with joy. The crowd parted, and a youth in white robes walked towards the arena.

His movements were fluid and powerful, his aura formidable. His jet-black eyes flashed like lightning, captivating all who beheld him. His long black hair flowed as if stirred by invisible winds, adding to his charm.

"It's Senior Liuyun!"

"It's the chief disciple!"

The inner disciples of Profound Dao Sect cheered, unable to contain their excitement. "Chief, go for it! Show Azure Cloud Sect what we're made of!"

"That's right, chief! Don’t hold back—knock them down hard!"

With Liuyun’s arrival, all the Profound Dao Sect disciples’ spirits soared, their shouts echoing one after another.

Opposite, Daoist Huanglong of Azure Cloud Sect regarded Liuyun with surprise in his eyes. "What a formidable young man."

"I am Liuyun, chief disciple of Profound Dao Sect. May I ask which senior from Azure Cloud Sect is willing to give guidance?" Liuyun stepped onto the arena, looking calmly at the Azure Cloud Sect’s side.