Chapter 161: The Shock of Formation

Nangong Xiaoyun nodded.

Powerful spiritual energy surged like waves, causing the surrounding air to swirl. It swept up wisps of dust and sand, circling around her feet. The disciples of Qingyun Sect couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.

"Core Formation Realm.""It's hard to believe she only joined the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets last year.""The Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets' top prodigy truly lives up to her reputation.""Perhaps in terms of raw power, she's far from the strongest in the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, but in terms of talent, she is undeniably the best."

Nangong Xiaoyun took her stance, activating her cultivation technique, and said, "Liu Qingxian! Make your move!"

Everyone turned to look at Liu Qingxian. Although they didn't have high expectations for her, being able to witness Qingyun Sect's top beauty in action up close was still a rare visual treat!

Seeing that the two were about to clash, Jiang Fan encouraged her, "Senior Sister, just give it your all. Don't feel any pressure. In today's battle, even if you don't win, it's still a victory."

For a disciple of the Nine Sects to match the top female prodigy of the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets in cultivation realm would be a legendary tale. Even if she lost, no one would think less of her. Instead, they would marvel at her exceptional talent, which was no less than that of the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets. If she won, it would be an immense honor!

Therefore, it would be best if she won, but it didn't matter if she lost.

Liu Qingxian understood this implication, and her slightly nervous state of mind immediately calmed down. She nodded and looked calmly at Nangong Xiaoyun.

Seeing that the battle was about to begin, Jiang Fan left the combat area and returned to Liu Wenchen's side.

Liu Wenchen, unable to contain his displeasure, reprimanded him, "Just before a major battle, you're dragging her down. Are you afraid she won't lose thoroughly enough or embarrass herself sufficiently?"

Jiang Fan cupped his hands and said, "Master, Senior Sister has made great progress. She might not necessarily lose this battle."

"Great progress?" Liu Wenchen recalled the scene of them embracing in the secret chamber and couldn't help but laugh in anger: "Then I suppose I should thank you for helping her!" Does this Jiang Fan have no self-awareness whatsoever? He clearly dragged Liu Qingxian down!

Wang Chengjian frowned and said, "Junior Brother, you're not trying to say that you embracing Junior Sister Liu was meant to improve her strength, are you?" It was astonishing Jiang Fan had the nerve to say that!

But, at that moment, Liu Qingxian rapidly released her spiritual energy. The surging, seemingly endless spiritual energy, like a mighty flood, astonished him, making him gasp in disbelief: "Master, Junior Sister's spiritual energy seems... off! Can a ninth-layer Foundation Establishment Realm practitioner be this strong?"

He received no response for a long time. He turned his head to look and found that Liu Wenchen had already risen from his chair in shock. His eyes wide, he murmured, "Core Formation! This is the Core Formation Realm!" He then burst into ecstatic joy, "My daughter broke through to the Core Formation Realm! She broke through to the Core Formation Realm!"

He simply couldn't believe it. His daughter had been stuck at the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm for half a year, and despite all his efforts to help her form a core, he had failed. Yet, she had suddenly formed a core on her own! The sudden surprise left him unable to calm down for a long time!

Wang Chengjian was stunned. "Core Formation Realm?" He had thought he would soon break through to the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment and be worthy of Liu Qingxian. But as it turned out, she had already entered the Core Formation Realm. This made him feel somewhat inferior, but then he thought, if even he wasn't worthy of Liu Qingxian, Jiang Fan was even less so. That made him feel a little better.

The other disciples and elders were naturally also very shocked.

Tang Tianlong gritted his teeth slightly and said, "Master, do we still need to keep watching?" He had come to observe Liu Qingxian's cultivation techniques, hoping to increase his chances of winning against her after he broke through to the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment. However, she had already broken through to the Core Formation Realm. How could he possibly win now? Even if he broke through to the Core Formation Realm himself, he would have no chance.

Feng Guchan's face was extremely grim at this moment. "What the hell! How did she break through to the Core Formation Realm? Since when did the Core Formation Realm become so easy to break through to?" Even with spirit pills from the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, at least three would be needed to guarantee success. But the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets didn't even have one! Where did Liu Qingxian get the breakthrough? With this, the Sect Leader Peak now had an additional Core Formation Realm disciple. This greatly increased the prestige of the Sect Leader Peak.

"So what if she broke through to Core Formation? She's still going to lose, isn't she?" Feng Guchan said, somewhat exasperated.

The surrounding disciples also erupted in a clamor. "Liu Qingxian actually broke through her limits and became a Core Formation Realm expert!" "Core Formation, a chasm that ninety-nine percent of cultivators cannot cross." "The reputation of the Nine Sects' Four Fairies truly lives up to its name now." "It's a pity Senior Sister's resources are a bit lacking, and her cultivation technique isn't as good as Nangong Xiaoyun's. Otherwise, this would be a sight to behold." "Yes, even though Senior Sister Liu has broken through to the Core Formation Realm, winning is still very difficult."

The entire arena was abuzz.

Even with Liu Qingxian's usually aloof personality, she couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at this moment. She glanced sideways at Jiang Fan, a deep sense of gratitude welling up in her heart. When she looked back at Nangong Xiaoyun, a new determination to win filled her. Jiang Fan had helped her so much; she couldn't let him down!

"Come on!" Liu Qingxian no longer hesitated, drawing her sword and striking. "A Hundred Twists and a Thousand Turns!" Holding her purple sword, she gracefully swung out a fierce strike. Sword qi, like tangible threads, danced across the sky, slashing towards Nangong Xiaoyun. The power of that single sword strike made the disciples of Qingyun Sect feel ashamed of themselves.

Tang Tianlong's expression turned ugly. He knew for certain he couldn't block that sword strike. Not to mention the other disciples. They couldn't help but waver in their previous assumption. Could Liu Qingxian actually have a chance to win?

However, the next moment, everyone's hearts sank. Nangong Xiaoyun merely curled her lips. "It's no different from last year, is it? Shattered Flower Palm!" She suddenly unleashed her long-prepared palm technique. A materialized spiritual energy palm print shot out from her body. The swirling sword qi melted away like snowflakes upon encountering the spiritual energy palm print. The spiritual energy palm print continued its relentless momentum, heavily striking Liu Qingxian.

Liu Qingxian hastily swung another sword strike.

Nangong Xiaoyun chuckled. "It's useless! This is the strongest Profound-tier High-grade cultivation technique of my Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets. To defeat you, I specifically asked the Pavilion Master to grant it to me! The sword techniques you've learned are simply no match!" With that, she leaped forward, pushing the spiritual energy palm print with her own palm, pressing it towards Liu Qingxian!

Liu Qingxian's sword technique was immediately shattered by the spiritual energy palm print. Under Nangong Xiaoyun's impetus, the spiritual energy palm print swept through like a bamboo, knocking the purple sword from Liu Qingxian's hand. This drew a collective sigh from the entire arena.

"It's over. Her sword's gone. She's definitely going to lose.""Senior Sister Liu ultimately lost due to her cultivation technique."

Feng Guchan felt a little relieved and snorted, "She'll win? Unlikely!"

Liu Wenchen, however, was somewhat disappointed, his previous excitement having subsided significantly. He consoled himself, "Breaking through to the Core Formation Realm is already remarkable. If she loses, she loses..."

However.

No sooner had he finished speaking, Liu Qingxian revealed a barely concealed sly smile. "Nangong Xiaoyun, do you think you've already won?"

Nangong Xiaoyun was taken aback, her heart inexplicably pounding. She had a very bad feeling. She hurriedly tried to retreat, but because of her eagerness to win just moments before, the distance between them was too close. It was difficult to retreat very far! All she could do was watch, her pupils constricting, as Liu Qingxian unleashed that all-too-familiar finger technique!

With a smile, Liu Qingxian unleashed a devastating strike!

"Heavenly Crippling Finger!"