Chapter 207 - 122: Zhang Su Enters the Ring, Shocking Everyone with His Embracing Pill Cultivation

Her eyes were fixed on the small northern arena where Mo Tingzhu was.

Zhang Su and the other two were also paying close attention.

His gaze shifted back and forth between the three arenas, taking in all three matches.

Soon, the first round of matches began.

Zhou Peng unleashed his Seven Extremes Saber, his attacks incomparably ferocious.

His Seven Extremes Saber Technique had already reached the Perfection Realm. The blade cut through the air, letting out a sharp whistle.

His opponent was a Huajin disciple from Medicine Valley. His Swordsmanship wasn’t bad, but under Zhou Peng’s fierce assault, he quickly found himself at a disadvantage.

Zhou Peng’s Saber Technique was broad and powerful, his momentum overwhelming.

The first strike repelled his opponent’s attack.

The second strike knocked the opponent’s longsword aside.

The third strike aimed straight for his opponent’s chest.

The fourth strike forced the opponent to retreat again and again.

The fifth strike’s blade stopped three inches from the opponent’s throat.

Five strikes.

In just five strikes, Zhou Peng had defeated his opponent and won the first round.

He sheathed his saber, cupped his fists at his opponent, and turned to walk off the arena.

A faint smile touched his lips, but he wasn’t overly excited.

After all, this was only the first round.

There were stronger opponents to come.

Xie Guanchao’s Body Technique was nimble, his footwork light, as he dodged left and right on the arena.

When his opponent’s Foil stabbed forward, he sidestepped to avoid it.

When the sword swept horizontally, he bent down to evade it.

The opponent stabbed more than ten times, but not a single strike touched the corner of his robes.

That Jianghu Cultivator grew more frantic the longer he fought, his Swordsmanship becoming chaotic.

Xie Guanchao saw his chance and slashed out, forcing his opponent back three steps.

The opponent steadied himself and took a few breaths. He looked at Xie Guanchao, then back at the sword in his own hand.

Then he sheathed his sword, cupped his fists, and voluntarily conceded defeat.

Xie Guanchao had won the first round. He smiled as he walked off the arena.

Finally, there was Mo Tingzhu.

Mo Tingzhu’s fight was a hard one.

His opponent was a Huajin disciple from the Five Elements Sect, and he was very strong.

That Five Elements Sect Disciple wielded a Thick-Backed Saber. His Saber Technique was fierce and domineering, each strike carrying immense weight.

Mo Tingzhu’s long saber clashed against the opponent’s large saber, producing a dull clang of metal on metal.

Sparks flew everywhere.

The impact sent a numbing jolt up Mo Tingzhu’s arm.

But he gritted his teeth and held his ground, not retreating a single step.

His Saber Technique was known for its stability, and his defense was tight. He wouldn’t be defeated so easily.

His opponent had clearly noticed that Mo Tingzhu’s strength was considerable. He stopped his reckless assault and adopted a steady and methodical approach, using strike after strike to wear down Mo Tingzhu’s stamina.

In the months since the incident at Celestial Eagle Tower, Mo Tingzhu’s Saber Technique had improved again.

But his opponent was also a Five Elements Sect Disciple, and his strength was not to be underestimated.

The two fought bitterly for over a hundred rounds. Mo Tingzhu chopped out with his saber, but his opponent sidestepped and countered with a backhanded slash toward Mo Tingzhu’s ribs.

Mo Tingzhu pulled his saber back to block, but he was half a beat too slow.

The edge of his opponent’s blade grazed his ribs, tearing through his robe.

Although it hadn’t broken the skin, with this move, Mo Tingzhu had lost.

If this had been a real life-or-death battle, that strike would have claimed his life.

Mo Tingzhu had been narrowly defeated by a single move.

In the end, the referee declared the Five Elements Sect Disciple the winner.

Mo Tingzhu stood on the arena, his expression somewhat dazed.

He glanced at his opponent, cupped his fists, and turned to walk off the arena.

In the end, he had lost...

The three of them had all left the arenas.

Xie Guanchao and Zhou Peng had both won their first round. Only Mo Tingzhu had lost.

"Master, you..."

Bai Xuan’s eyes were also a little red.

She knew how much Mo Tingzhu desired that Condensing Strength Pill. He had been so ambitious, but she never expected reality to be so cruel. Mo Tingzhu had lost in the very first match.

This was a huge blow to Mo Tingzhu.

Mo Tingzhu’s expression was grim.

His steps were heavy as he walked off the arena.

He raised his head, glancing at the large central arena in the Martial Arts Arena, then at the other Martial Artists who were still competing.

He was silent for a long time.

"So be it... It was just an unrealistic fantasy. The gulf between Jianghu Martial Artists and Major Sect Disciples is just too wide to cross. It’s too hard to catch up to them..."

Mo Tingzhu let out a long sigh.

This defeat had completely shattered his illusions.

’I’ll probably never reach the Embracing Pill realm in this lifetime.’

His voice carried a trace of desolation, and also a hint of resignation.

Bai Xuan stood beside him, her eyes red-rimmed. She wanted to say something, but she didn’t know what to say.

"Brother Mo, you..."

Zhou Peng started to offer some words of comfort, but Mo Tingzhu shook his head.

He didn’t need comfort.

But as he looked at Bai Xuan, an idea began to form in his mind.

Bai Xuan was the child he had raised since she was little, and her talent was not bad.

He had been teaching her Martial Arts all this time, but he also knew that what he could teach her was limited.

’If I can never reach Embracing Pill in this lifetime, what kind of future can Bai Xuan have following me?’

’At best, she’ll end up just like me, drifting through the Jianghu.’

"Xuan’er, your talent is quite good. If you stay with me, your future achievements will have a clear limit. But if you were to join the Guiyuan Sect, with Brother Zhou to look after you, your future would be promising!"

Mo Tingzhu said suddenly.

His tone was calm, but his eyes held a trace of solemnity.

"Ah... Master, I want to stay with you..."

Bai Xuan was stunned.

She never expected her master to suddenly say such a thing.

She had grown up with Mo Tingzhu; her master was her only family.

Now that her master was telling her to join the Guiyuan Sect, she felt a sudden panic.

"Silly child, don’t say things you don’t mean. Staying in the Guiyuan Sect is the best choice. Brother Zhou, I wonder if you could do me this favor?"

Mo Tingzhu looked at Zhou Peng.

His eyes held a pleading look.

"Xuan’er’s talent is good. Getting into the Outer Sect won’t be a problem. But Brother Mo, are you sure you can bear to part with her?"