Chapter 216: War with Xiao Nan

With all thirty-two participants having drawn their numbers, the battle order for the Top 32 competition appeared on the Profound Stone.

The moment this battle order was revealed, it immediately sparked widespread discussion among the crowd.

The Top 32 competition was divided into two groups, with sixteen individuals in each. Each match would eliminate one person. The two victors from each group would then face off in a final duel to determine the first and second places in this ranking tournament.

However, the two groups, formed based on the randomly drawn numbers of all participating disciples, clearly showed a significant disparity in average strength!

The Cangfeng Ranking Tournament had, for centuries, always culminated in a battle among the Four Major Sects, and this time would be no exception. Thus, comparing the strength of the two groups simply required observing the number and quality of Four Major Sects disciples within them.

Group Two contained seven disciples from the Four Major Sects: Ling Yun, the Young Villa Master of Heavenly Sword Villa, whom everyone believed would undoubtedly claim first place; Shui Wushuang, Wu Xuexin, and Xia Qingyue, all from Ice Cloud Immortal Palace; and the remaining three, Xiao Kuanglei and Xiao Zhen from Xiao Sect, and Fen Jin from Burning Heaven Clan!

All core disciples of the Four Major Sects were in Group Two!

Ling Yun, needless to say, possessed profound energy at Level 3 of the Earth Profound Realm, unmatched by anyone present. Shui Wushuang, Wu Xuexin, Fen Jin, Xiao Kuanglei, and Xiao Zhen were all at Level 9 of the Spirit Profound Realm, second only to Ling Yun in profound energy for this tournament, and all had the potential to secure second place. Even Xia Qingyue, the lowest ranked among them, was at Level 8 of the Spirit Profound Realm.

In contrast, Group One had only five disciples from the Four Major Sects, and all were from their respective second or third tiers: Ling Feiyu and Ling Jie from Heavenly Sword Villa, Xiao Nan from Xiao Sect, and Fen Juebi and Fen Yuange from Burning Heaven Clan.

Among them, only Ling Feiyu was at Level 9 of the Spirit Profound Realm. The others: Fen Juebi was at Level 8 of the Spirit Profound Realm. Ling Jie was too young, only at Level 6 of the Spirit Profound Realm. Xiao Nan and Fen Yuange were also relatively young, participating mainly for experience, and were only at Level 6 and Level 7 of the Spirit Profound Realm respectively.

The disparity between the two groups was astonishingly vast!

"The strength gap between these two groups is too huge, isn't it? Has it ever been this large in previous ranking tournaments?"

"Never. But since it's based on the random numbers drawn by the participating disciples themselves, there's nothing that can be done. You could say that those who landed in Group One are incredibly lucky. Any one of those core disciples in Group Two could easily crush everyone in Group One."

"Regardless, the ultimate winner will still be Ling Yun."

"Excellent, Junior Brother Yun's group has very few top experts," Cang Yue said happily upon seeing the match arrangements.

Qin Wushang also nodded with a smile, "Not just 'very few,' but practically none. It seems the Goddess of Luck continues to favor us. If our luck holds, Yun Che might not stop at the Top 32 round; he might even make it into the Top 16! If that happens, it would truly be a miracle among miracles."

"Big Brother-in-law's first match is up, and his opponent... ah, it's Xiao Nan from Xiao Sect! Wow, from Xiao Sect... but, uh, Xiao Nan's profound energy is only at Spirit Profound Realm Level 6. Big Brother-in-law has already defeated many Level 6 Spirit Profound Realm opponents. He'll definitely win this one too!" Xia Yuanba said, full of anticipation.

"No," Qin Wushang was far less optimistic. "At the same level, the strength of Four Major Sects disciples is vastly superior to that of other sects. Although this Xiao Nan is only at Level 6 of the Spirit Profound Realm, it wouldn't be surprising if he could defeat a Level 8 Spirit Profound Realm disciple from another sect. That's why he managed to reach the Top 32 with such profound energy... Yun Che, do not be careless. If things become impossible, remember what I told you before."

"Understood," Yun Che replied.

On the Sword Discourse Arena, Ling Wugou collected the Profound Stone displaying the battle order. He announced loudly, "The battle order for the Top 32 competition has been confirmed. The first match will begin immediately. Battling parties: Yun Che of the Cangfeng Imperial Family and Xiao Nan of the Xiao Sect. Please prepare yourselves and ascend the stage within sixty breaths!"

Yun Che wasted no time, immediately rising and walking towards the Sword Discourse Arena. Behind him, Cang Yue and Xia Yuanba's tense cheers resounded... After all, he was facing a disciple from one of the Four Major Sects this time!

"Nan'er, go. Your opponent this time should be easily defeated, but it's 'should be,' not 'absolute.' Remember what your grandfather told you: no matter who the opponent is, never underestimate them," Xiao Wuji instructed Xiao Nan.

"Yes, Grandfather." Seeing Yun Che already on stage, Xiao Nan also stood up, took a slight breath, leaped high into the air, soaring dozens of feet, then lightly landed on the Sword Discourse Arena, standing opposite Yun Che.

"Yun Che... why does that name sound familiar? I feel like I've heard it somewhere before," Xiao Wuji muttered to himself, frowning as he watched the two on stage.

"Xiao Nan's first opponent is actually this dark horse who climbed up purely by incredible luck. Heh, he's really lucky. If he loses this, it would be utterly disgraceful," Xiao Kuanglei whispered beside him.

On stage, Xiao Nan had already drawn his weapon, a gleaming emerald sword called the Wind Spirit Sword, a powerful Earth Profound artifact. He held the sword, bowed to Yun Che, and said, "Xiao Sect Sword Master disciple Xiao Nan, please enlighten me!"

Because of Xiao Kuangyun, Yun Che had a very poor impression of the Xiao Sect. However, this Xiao Nan was clearly a completely different type from Xiao Kuangyun: resolute, courteous, and even when facing him, a seemingly "weak" opponent, his eyes were serious, completely devoid of contempt. Yun Che also nodded, taking out his Overlord's Colossal Sword. "Cangfeng Profound Palace disciple Yun Che... please enlighten me... Elder Ling, no need to wait sixty breaths, we can begin now."

"Good!" Ling Wugou nodded. "The first match of the Top 32 battles – begin!"

As Ling Wugou's voice fell, the previously noisy Sword Discourse Arena instantly became silent. All eyes focused on the stage, but not on Xiao Nan from Xiao Sect; instead, they watched Yun Che. These were two individuals with a huge disparity in profound energy levels, yet this time, no one uttered mockery, disdain, or outright declared Yun Che's inevitable defeat. Because in Yun Che's previous matches, every time people said similar things, Yun Che would respond with a result that left them stunned and red-faced.

Now, more people wanted to know if Yun Che, who had miraculously reached the Top 32 with True Profound Realm profound energy, could once again create a miracle and defeat this Xiao Sect disciple.

The desire to see dramatic outcomes is, in a sense, a latent human instinct.

On the Sword Discourse Arena, after Ling Wugou's words, a fierce storm suddenly erupted from Xiao Nan's body and the Wind Spirit Sword, swirling around him. This storm wasn't intense, but it was incredibly sharp, like countless blades dancing chaotically. Even spectators far from the center of the arena could vaguely feel a chillingly sharp aura.

Yun Che, conversely, faced this astonishing aura without changing his expression. Neither his body nor his heavy sword moved; there was no sign of him intending to attack first.

"Take this... Extreme Wind Sword!"

Xiao Nan abruptly pointed his Wind Spirit Sword forward. Instantly, the storm around him, mixed with dozens of sword shadows, charged towards Yun Che with a terrifyingly sharp whistle. Wherever it passed, the incredibly tough surface of the Sword Discourse Arena was torn to pieces.

The power of this single sword strike drew gasps of surprise from the entire audience.

"Waaah... so, so terrifying a sword momentum!" Xia Yuanba exclaimed, his eyes filled with dread. Even as a novice profound practitioner at the Elementary Profound Realm, he could clearly feel the horror of this sword.

"One of the advantages of the Four Major Sects lies in their extremely powerful profound arts and profound skills! This sword strike, no disciple outside the Four Major Sects at the same level could withstand it head-on!" Qin Wushang said solemnly.

"Dodge quickly!" Cang Yue whispered tensely.

The storm and countless sword shadows surged forward simultaneously. Yun Che remained motionless, as if frozen in fear. Only when the storm and sword shadows were close, strongly blowing his hair and clothes, did he move... One second, he was like an unmoving mountain; the next, he suddenly became a violently erupting volcano.

All fifty-four profound entrances opened, and violent profound energy erupted instantly. His Overlord's Colossal Sword swept fiercely towards the sword shadow storm, creating a massive vortex of power that slammed heavily into Xiao Nan's sword shadow storm.

Bang, bang, bang, bang...

The intense collision was deafening. The swing of the heavy sword was like unleashing a ferocious dragon, its incomparably powerful body and claws fiercely impacting the storm of sword shadows. Amidst the collision, the storm of sword shadows released by Xiao Nan was shredded layer by layer by the heavy sword's swing, completely vanishing... Yet, the power of the heavy sword did not dissipate there; it continued forward, carrying a surging gust of wind that swept past Xiao Nan's body, momentarily suffocating him and almost causing him to stumble backward.

Wh... What?!

Xiao Nan's hands and spirit trembled simultaneously, his face filled with intense disbelief.

Facing Yun Che, he had not underestimated him. Although that sword strike was not his ultimate move, it was one of his strongest. After unleashing it, he was certain Yun Che could not withstand it head-on; the only option would be to avoid it with all his might. His hand was firmly gripping the sword hilt, his gaze locked onto Yun Che's position, ready to strike like lightning after Yun Che moved, catching him off guard and in a flurry, thus seizing the initiative and ending the battle quickly.

He never expected Yun Che to choose not to evade, but to meet it head-on... and with just a seemingly effortless sword strike, he had completely blocked it!

"He actually... blocked it!"

"Is this Yun Che really in the True Profound Realm? Even I couldn't have withstood Xiao Nan's sword strike head-on!"

The surrounding spectators were almost numb with extreme shock. This Yun Che was simply a monster, repeatedly presenting the impossible to them in plain sight. Especially those from the Xiao Sect, who knew the true power of that sword strike, their faces changed drastically.

Yun Che took a step forward, profound energy surging throughout his body, and swept his heavy sword horizontally. Instantly, a terrifying storm raged across the Sword Discourse Arena. Under this storm, Xiao Nan could barely breathe, let alone open his eyes. He quickly retracted the sword he was about to thrust forward... because all his senses told him that this single sword strike had the power to shatter mountains and crack the earth. If he met it head-on, he would be gravely injured at best, and killed at worst.

He had no time to be shocked that a True Profound Realm practitioner could unleash such a terrifying attack. He gathered profound energy in his feet, and his body shot up dozens of feet, avoiding Yun Che's violent strike. When he reached the highest point in mid-air, ripples like water patterns suddenly spread through the space around him. Behind him, a phantom of a cyan giant eagle formed, wings spread, ready to soar, supremely confident.

Xiao Nan plummeted, his entire figure merging with the phantom of the green giant eagle as he fell, as if transforming into a diving eagle. His sword pointed forward, carrying an incredibly sharp aura, thrusting directly at Yun Che's chest. Wherever the sword tip went, the air rippled like water.

The sword thrust from above was incredibly fierce. Even from ten feet away, it gave Yun Che a terrifying sensation of his body being pierced. But carrying a heavy sword, he would absolutely not retreat in the face of a light sword. He maintained his expression, swung his arms, and struck upwards with his sword.

The power of the heavy sword was like overturning mountains and seas. In the direction the heavy sword pointed, space itself slightly distorted. Yun Che's first strike, Xiao Nan immediately avoided, but now, suspended in mid-air, it was impossible for him to dodge. Yet, facing Yun Che's violent attack, there was no tension in his eyes, only resolve and a fleeting cold glint.

The giant eagle phantom behind him suddenly spread its wings, and the Wind Spirit Sword glowed brightly with cyan light.

*Tear!*

Yun Che's profound energy storm was astonishingly sliced open by Xiao Nan's sword with a deafening tearing sound, dispersing like water split in two.

The Wind Spirit Sword, having cut through the profound energy storm, continued its incredibly sharp forward thrust, directly piercing Yun Che's left shoulder.

"Ah!!!" Cang Yue gasped, her face suddenly turning pale.

"What? This... what kind of sword skill is this? It actually... it actually cut through profound energy!" Qin Wushang was also greatly alarmed.

"Slightly surprising, but no real danger. The outcome is decided," Xiao Kuangyu of the Xiao Sect said with a faint smile, looking at the sword embedded in Yun Che's body.