Chapter 213 - 123: Crushing an Embracing Pill Expert, One-Sword Defeat, Zhang Su’s Invincible Pill Force

Such strength, such talent, could no longer be described by the word "genius."

As for Bai Xuan, her heart was filled with boundless admiration.

Her eyes sparkled as she stared at Zhang Su, her gaze filled with worship.

’An Embracing Pill expert!’

Her master had dreamed of it, a lifelong wish that remained unfulfilled.

Yet Zhang Su had just casually defeated an Embracing Pill master.

That Zhou Yue was a big name in the Jianghu, far more famous than her master, Mo Tingzhu.

And a man of his stature couldn’t even block a single one of Zhang Su’s strikes.

"Junior Brother Zhang, I never expected you to reach the Embracing Pill Realm so quickly..."

Zhou Peng and Xie Guanchao also looked shocked.

But they had known since Hengshan County that Zhang Su was no ordinary person, so it wasn’t that difficult for them to accept.

Zhou Peng clapped Zhang Su on the shoulder and laughed.

"Junior Brother Zhang, that one strike of yours left those Jianghu Cultivators dumbfounded. The idea that the Guiyuan Sect bribed Zhou Yue is a complete joke."

Xie Guanchao laughed as well.

"Exactly. Zhou Yue wasn’t acting; he really couldn’t block it."

The group chatted and laughed, and the atmosphere lightened considerably.

In match after match, it wasn’t just Zhang Su who defeated his opponent in a single move.

Many others had also shown overwhelming dominance.

For example, there was Zhou Dingshan of the Five Elements Sect.

His opponent was a Gang Force Martial Artist from the Jianghu, and not a weak one at that.

But Zhou Dingshan used only a single punch.

He threw one punch, and the force of his fist, solid as a mountain, sent his opponent flying right off the platform.

After landing, the Gang Force Martial Artist couldn’t get up for a long time, his face ashen.

Then there was Ye Ling of the Medicine Valley.

Her opponent was a Gang Force disciple from the Guiyuan Sect.

Ye Ling didn’t use a weapon; she relied solely on her Palm Technique.

She struck out with one palm, and the wind from the blow carried a faint medicinal fragrance, yet its power was astonishing.

The Guiyuan Sect disciple stumbled back several steps but still couldn’t regain his balance, dropping to one knee on the platform.

Some of the Guiyuan Sect’s other Gang Force experts also performed impressively.

Among the Guiyuan Sect’s Gang Force disciples was a man named Zhao Qingyun. Wielding a long sword, his swordsmanship was so sharp that he defeated his opponents in a single strike in two consecutive matches.

There was also Han Zhiyuan, who cultivated the Guiyuan Sect’s Spirit-Suppressing Fist. His Fist Technique was so fierce and domineering that his opponents rarely lasted more than three punches.

In the second round, it was Zhang Su’s turn again.

His opponent was also an Embracing Pill Martial Artist.

This time, however, it was an Embracing Pill Martial Artist from the Medicine Valley.

The Medicine Valley disciple wore a moon-white Medicine Cauldron Robe, a Small Medicine Bag hanging from his waist. He had a refined face and looked to be only in his twenties.

His expression was grim as he walked onto the platform.

He had seen Zhang Su’s first match and knew how fast his sword was.

He knew in his heart that he couldn’t block it.

But since he was on the platform, he had to fight.

Zhang Su stepped onto the platform and once again used his Nine Shadows Sword Technique.

A flash of sword light, and dozens of sword-shadows merged into one, instantly stopping right before the Medicine Valley disciple’s throat.

The Medicine Valley disciple hadn’t even had time to draw his sword.

He stared blankly at the sword tip at his throat, gave a bitter smile, and cupped his fists to concede.

"I have lost."

He turned and walked off the platform, his steps even heavier than Zhou Yue’s.

Many people frowned, wondering why Zhang Su had been matched with yet another Embracing Pill Martial Artist.

Then came the third round, the fourth, the fifth...

Zhang Su took to the stage again and again.

And the result? Every single time, his opponent was an Embracing Pill Martial Artist.

And every time, he defeated them with a single sword strike.

His victories were incredibly easy.

His opponents included Embracing Pill Martial Artists from the Medicine Valley, the Five Elements Sect, and the Jianghu.

But no matter who they were or what their Martial Arts were, the result was always the same.

One strike.

One strike at most.

No one could withstand a second strike from Zhang Su.

At this point, everyone knew something was wrong.

"How come Zhang Su’s opponent is an Embracing Pill Martial Artist every single time?" a Five Elements Sect disciple shouted in discontent.

"What other reason could there be? It’s the Guiyuan Sect," another Five Elements Sect disciple said coldly. "This Three Sects Exchange Tournament is hosted by the Guiyuan Sect, so of course, they’re the ones arranging the matchups."

"Is the Guiyuan Sect really going to be this blatant about giving Zhang Su an advantage?"

"What do you expect? The host Sect always does this, more or less giving their own people some preferential treatment. It’s just that the Guiyuan Sect is being a little too obvious about it this time..."

"Once we get to the top eight, they’ll have to draw lots again. Zhang Su won’t be so lucky then. But to just waltz his way into the top eight like this... it’s shameful!"

The murmurs grew louder and louder.

The disciples of the Five Elements Sect and the Medicine Valley were all very dissatisfied.

The Jianghu Cultivators didn’t really care; it wasn’t like they could beat anyone anyway.

But it was different for the disciples of the Five Elements Sect and the Medicine Valley. They believed Zhang Su had only gotten this far because the host was rigging the matches for him.

If the lots had been drawn fairly, Zhang Su would have faced a Gang Force Martial Artist long ago and would have already lost.

For five consecutive rounds, Zhang Su’s opponents were all Embracing Pill Martial Artists.

Many people were starting to complain.

The Five Elements Sect Leader said with a smile, "Sect Leader Meng, what’s the point of all this? Once he reaches the top eight, Zhang Su will have to face a Gang Force Martial Artist anyway. Surely you don’t expect him to make it to the top three?"

The Five Elements Sect Leader sat in the guest seat to the left of the high platform, dressed in a black robe. He had a square face and a faint smile playing on his lips.

In truth, the Postnatal Realm Elders of the Three Sects had all figured it out by now.

Zhang Su’s sword was indeed fast, but its power was still a bit lacking.

He was, after all, only at the Embracing Pill Realm.

His Cultivation was far inferior compared to the Gang Force Realm.

If he were to face a Peak Gang Force Martial Artist who had achieved the Unity of Inner and Outer and had almost no weaknesses, Zhang Su’s speed would be useless.

A Gang Force Martial Artist’s Gang Force Protection was difficult to penetrate with blades or swords.

No matter how fast Zhang Su’s sword was, if it couldn’t break through the Gang Force, it was pointless.

"Zhang Su is a good seedling; naturally, he must be nurtured properly."

Meng Shouzhen said calmly.

The Guiyuan Sect was hosting this Three Sects Exchange Tournament. Was it not acceptable to give Zhang Su a slight advantage, so long as it was within the rules?

Meng Shouzhen wasn’t the sort of pedantic fool who cared about a hollow reputation.

When the Five Elements Sect and the Medicine Valley had hosted the tournament in the past, hadn’t they both taken every advantage they could?

What he was doing was nothing in comparison.

However, after five rounds, the top eight had been decided. This was the limit of what the Guiyuan Sect could do.

The top eight would have to draw new lots.

The Guiyuan Sect could no longer shepherd Zhang Su through the competition.

The rest was up to Zhang Su himself.

"The top eight Martial Artists, come forward to draw lots."

The Steward in charge of the drawing stood on the high platform and shouted.

Soon, all eight Martial Artists were on the platform.

But everyone’s gaze fell, as if by agreement, on Zhang Su.

Because among the eight, only Zhang Su was at the Embracing Pill Realm.

The other seven were all Peak Gang Force Martial Artists!

An Embracing Pill Martial Artist like Zhang Su, standing among a group of Peak Gang Force Martial Artists, was simply too conspicuous.

"Hmph. This time, no matter who he draws, Zhang Su will have to face a Gang Force Martial Artist—and a Peak Gang Force Martial Artist who has achieved the Unity of Inner and Outer, at that," a Five Elements Sect disciple said coldly. "He won’t be so lucky this time."

"That’s right. Getting him into the top eight was the most the Guiyuan Sect could do. No matter who he draws, he’s going to lose," the person next to him agreed.

"Zhang Su is certainly strong, practically invincible at the Embracing Pill Realm! But if the Guiyuan Sect hadn’t pulled strings, he would have faced a Gang Force Martial Artist and lost long ago."

"Yeah, Zhang Su’s Fast Sword won’t give him any advantage against a Peak Gang Force Martial Artist who has achieved the Unity of Inner and Outer..."

Amidst the crowd’s discussion, the eight Martial Artists on the platform had all drawn their lots.

Each of the eight drew a bamboo slip from the tube held by the Steward.

The slips were numbered from one to four, with two slips for each number.

Those who drew the same number would be opponents.

Everyone was most concerned about who Zhang Su’s opponent would be.

Zhang Su drew "Number One."

Meaning he would be the first to compete.

And the other person who drew "Number One" would be his opponent.

"How is it him?"

When the crowd saw the opponent Zhang Su had drawn, they were all stunned.

A moment later, an uproar erupted.