Chapter 1631: Sword Destruction

Pei Mianman let out a soft cry. A black flame dragon coiled around her longsword, and she attacked her opponent again. The heat from the black flames spread, causing ripples of smoke and mist to appear in the air above the entire arena. The powerful heat enveloped the entire arena, and even participants on the other eight platforms felt its destructive force. The disciples were shocked, realizing that Pei Mianman's black flames had not been used to their full potential before.

Initially, many disciples were more focused on Pei Mianman's captivating movements during the fight. However, as elites from various sects participating in the tournament, they couldn't just think about romance. So, they continued to appreciate her graceful movements while also studying the essence of the two fighters' techniques.

Having learned from the previous exchange, Zhi Yin dared not be careless. A layer of earthy yellow light, representing earth elemental power, emanated from his body. With earth elemental power swirling around his palms, his hands became like weapons, quickly parrying the surrounding black flames one by one.

"Rose Karmic Fire!" After the initial probing, Pei Mianman no longer held back and unleashed her ultimate technique. Countless black flame roses, like celestial maidens scattering flowers, bloomed across the arena. Each one was as beautiful and dangerous as she was.

"That move is truly beautiful," Xie Daoyun murmured, her eyes filled with admiration.

Zu An recalled seeing Pei Mianman perform this move at Mingyue Academy, but the Rose Karmic Fire now was immeasurably more powerful than before.

Hearing the exclamations from around her, Grandmaster Huoling proudly puffed out her chest. The disciple she had chosen truly possessed exceptional talent; given time, she might even become the foremost young expert in the Daoist sects.

Wang Wuxie secretly sent a spiritual message to Yan Xuehen: "These black flames are a bit strange. Does Master Yan recognize them?" He naturally wanted to call her "Xuehen," but she had corrected him sternly years ago, so he didn't want to further displease her. Thus, he adopted a more formal tone. As expected, Yan Xuehen replied, "I don't know." Despite only two words, Wang Wuxie was content. He had feared she would avoid him because of past events, but her willingness to respond meant there would be future opportunities.

He then discussed it with the leaders of other sects. They were all equally amazed but couldn't discern the origin of the black flames, considering them merely a very potent fire elemental ability. Only Grandmaster Jianhuang appeared pensive, muttering, "Could it be..."

At that moment, a change occurred in the arena. Zhi Yin, enveloped in earthy yellow light, confronted the black roses with his earth elemental power. Earth elemental power was renowned for its defense and inherent solidity. However, as the black roses exploded one after another, the yellow protective shield around him began to tremble, eventually shattering and kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Has Zhi Yin been defeated?" Many spectators stood up anxiously, trying to see what was happening inside the dust cloud. However, shrewd observers knew from Pei Mianman's solemn expression that things were not so simple.

Just then, a spherical object suddenly shot out from the dust cloud, moving with the speed of a cannonball. The surrounding black roses disintegrated and vanished upon impact with the sphere. The sphere, without pausing, charged directly at Pei Mianman. In haste, she swiftly raised her longsword to block it. With a tremendous clang, she was thrown back several yards before regaining her balance. She glanced at the small chip on her sword blade, her expression exceptionally grave.

Thump, thump, thump! A series of heavy thuds echoed through the arena, each one seeming to reverberate in everyone's chest. Even the contestants on the other eight platforms involuntarily stopped, their qi and blood churning, making it impossible to continue fighting. Not to mention the other spectator disciples; those with lower cultivation levels immediately vomited blood. Elders from various sects quickly channeled their energy to protect their disciples, and only then did everyone return to normal.

At that moment, a figure slowly emerged from the arena's dust cloud. He was tall and slender, with flowing hair, and he was bouncing a ball in his hand. The terrifying sound originated from the ball hitting the ground each time. Everyone's expressions changed. If the sound of it hitting the ground was so powerful, how terrifying must the ball itself be? Even Wu Xiaofan and Wan Guiyi, who had been watching casually, couldn't help but sit up straight, their expressions serious as they looked at the ball in his hand. Was this his trump card?

"This was originally meant for others, but I didn't expect you to force me to use it early. To make me use the Shadowless Ball, your defeat is worth it." Zhi Yin was feeling somewhat annoyed at this point, but it was hard to stay angry looking at the enchanting woman opposite him. However, he dared not hold back any longer. The moment he finished speaking, the ball in his hand vanished.

Pei Mianman gasped in alarm, instantly flashing away from her spot. Where she had just stood, a large hole had collapsed, and the black ball that had been in Zhi Yin's hand was now rapidly spinning within it.

"That power seems to be from an immortal-grade weapon!" The grandmasters of various sects, naturally discerning, immediately recognized the extraordinary nature of the Shadowless Ball in Zhi Yin's hand, casting admiring and envious glances at Guan Chouhai. It was well known that even with the Daoist sects' deep foundations, immortal-grade weapons were extremely rare. It was unexpected that he had acquired one for his disciple.

Guan Chouhai's expression was complex at this moment; he couldn't feel happy at all. He had originally intended for Zhi Yin to use this item to catch Wu Xiaofan off guard in the subsequent championship battle, but he never expected it to be revealed so early. With Wu Xiaofan or Wan Guiyi now forewarned, its effect might not be as devastating later on.

Seizing the opportunity, Pei Mianman on the stage immediately swung her sword and thrust it at Zhi Yin, hoping to defeat him while his hand was empty. However, just as she lunged, a sudden premonition of danger arose in her heart, and Zu An's urgent warning echoed in her ears: "Careful!" Without thinking, she twisted her body to the side, and a terrifying gust of wind brushed past her. Fortunately, her body was extremely flexible, allowing her to perform a difficult maneuver to dodge in that situation. The grace of her movement at that instant made many spectators' eyes bulge.

Pei Mianman, however, had no time to care about such things. She clutched her arm, her face contorted in pain. She hadn't completely dodged; the Shadowless Ball had lightly grazed her arm. Even so, half her body felt numb, and she was horrified by the Shadowless Ball's power. Furthermore, the sound of the ball hitting the ground made one's qi and blood churn, hindering the flow of vital energy and seemingly slowing reactions by half a beat.

Watching the tall, handsome man on the stage continuously bounce the Shadowless Ball, occasionally performing actions resembling dribbling between his legs, Zu An's expression grew increasingly strange. Could this guy also be a transmigrator? However, his attention was quickly drawn elsewhere as he noticed that Zhi Yin wasn't just idly bouncing the ball but was adjusting for the optimal moment to strike.

Soon, the black ball shot out unpredictably, continuously hurtling towards Pei Mianman. At first, Pei Mianman tried to block the Shadowless Ball with her black flames, but the ball's momentum was too fierce. Her painstakingly gathered black flames disintegrated upon contact. She dared not take the blow directly and could only desperately dodge. Although her opponent was clearly bouncing the ball in his hand, the ball seemed to have countless shadows, shooting towards her from all directions. Moreover, it could curve and ricochet in various ways, making it impossible for her to defend against.

For a moment, the entire arena was filled with ball shadows. Pei Mianman seemed to possess an instinct honed on the battlefield, managing to narrowly avoid the attacks at the last possible second each time. Several times, the ball struck the protective barrier surrounding the arena, causing the barrier to flicker and gradually develop cracks, as if it could shatter at any moment.

Wang Wuxie's expression subtly changed. He then extended his hand and infused a wisp of purple qi into the surrounding arena, which gradually stabilized the entire platform. The sect leaders thought Wang Wuxie's cultivation was becoming increasingly unfathomable. However, they were even more astonished by the terrifying attack power of the Shadowless Ball in Zhi Yin's hand, which even the protective barrier set up by numerous elder-level masters couldn't withstand. The usually arrogant Wan Guiyi's expression changed slightly. He had to admit that he had underestimated this pretty boy earlier; if he truly faced him, he might not be guaranteed a victory.

"Manman, concede!" Grandmaster Huoling stood up nervously, inadvertently crushing the armrest of her specially made chair. As her master, she naturally understood her disciple's situation. Although Pei Mianman seemed to be dodging all attacks, she would eventually be hit if this continued. And how could one easily withstand the power of an immortal-grade weapon? She knew that with Pei Mianman's talent, all she lacked was time. Losing temporarily to the chief disciple of Lihen Heaven was not a shameful thing.

When the others heard Grandmaster Huoling, who was usually so unyielding, say this, it seemed Pei Mianman had no chance of turning the tables. Yet, Pei Mianman bit her red lip and stubbornly shook her head. Just then, the Shadowless Ball whizzed towards her. Unable to dodge any longer, she could only raise her longsword to meet it head-on. With a crisp snap, the longsword, already cracked, shattered into several pieces. The Shadowless Ball, without losing momentum, continued its trajectory directly towards her chest.