Chapter 490: Acting Showdown

Meng Jingzhou, cowed by Lu Yang's dominance, was compelled to agree to the previous terms: this time, he would boost Lu Yang, and next time, Lu Yang would boost him.

The two greatest prodigies of their generation clashed. Though it was a staged fight, neither held back any power. Below the stage were veteran cultivators, seasoned in many battles; if they held back their strength, their flaws would be easily spotted. Therefore, both fought with their full might.

Their combat was swift as the wind. Their power, speed, and reflexes left the other contemporary prodigies on the stage dumbfounded. In front of these two, winning a provincial competition or representing a province seemed insignificant; the gap between prodigies was still immense. Even cultivators who had scattered their cultivation and rebuilt it were secretly alarmed. They had painstakingly refined their cultivation, yet they still couldn't rival true prodigies. The struggle of this grand era was truly terrifying.

Lu Yang displayed exquisite swordplay, so much so that even Mingtai felt ashamed of his own skill. Meng Jingzhou's fist techniques, inherited directly from the Third Elder, showcased the advantages of body cultivation to the fullest. Every part of his body was trained to perfection, without flaw; even Tribulation Stage ancestors couldn't find fault with it. An ancestor quietly praised the terrifying power of the Meng family bloodline. The Meng family caused trouble and chaos in the imperial capital, yet could still firmly hold the position of the foremost aristocratic family. This relied on their undeniable absolute strength, which made even these Tribulation Stage ancestors tremble with awe. What the Meng family had shown was not even their full strength.

Meng Jingzhou's fist imprints were immense, imbued with vigorous Yang energy, capable of suppressing demons and ghosts, shaking heaven and earth, and destroying everything in their path. Even fierce beasts would cower beneath his magnificent fist imprints. Lu Yang's sword qi was vast and boundless, like a river bursting its banks, cutting through the fist imprints.

Their battle was intense and inextricably linked. The watching prodigies had sweaty palms, their eyes glued to every moment on the stage. Only by focusing completely could they keep up with the movements of the two fighters. These were true peers, and what they learned from observing them would greatly benefit their future battles.

Meng Jingzhou made a slight error, and sword qi grazed his shoulder, causing vital energy to leak and putting him at a disadvantage. Lu Yang seized the advantage and pursued relentlessly, giving him no chance to catch his breath. Calls for Meng Jingzhou not to give up rang out. Someone voiced their inner thoughts: Meng Jingzhou represented the current generation's prodigies, their hope. They did not want the Heavenly Court Sect's person to win. Calls to defeat Young Master Lu rang out, and to remind them that this was the Great Xia Dynasty, not the tyrannical ancient era they came from.

These calls reached Meng Jingzhou's ears. However, in the face of their impeccable acting, all encouragement was useless. Meng Jingzhou, seemingly encouraged, veins bulging and pupils bloodshot, appeared ready to fight to the death as he declared, "Six Forms of Heaven Shaking!" Lu Yang extended two fingers and wiped them across the sword blade, using his blood to empower the sword and unleashing a signature move: "Void-Rending Sword Art!"

Both drained all their spiritual energy, engaging in a final clash that stirred up clouds of dust. A figure was sent flying backward, coughing up blood repeatedly, severely wounded. Someone cheered, believing that someone from the Heavenly Court Sect had been sent flying. This so-called Young Master Lu was gravely injured—this had never happened before!

Lu Yang fell to one knee, his sharp sword plunged into the ground, dazed from the immense impact. But before the crowd could fully rejoice, the dust dissipated, revealing Meng Jingzhou sprawled on the ground, bleeding profusely, his aura weak, and far more severely injured than Lu Yang. Meng Jingzhou's fingers twitched, and he struggled to open his eyes. He tried to stand up several times, but his limbs seemed uncontrollable, preventing him from getting to his feet. He reluctantly gave up trying to stand. In contrast, Lu Yang, though gravely wounded and kneeling, still had enough strength to smile and speak. The victor was clear.

The referee gritted his teeth. To let someone from the ancient era claim the championship was a disgrace for Great Xia. Yet, as a referee, he could not show favoritism. "I announce," he began, the final two words lingering on his tongue, trembling. It took him a great effort to utter them: "Meng Jingzhou... has lost." The referee stepped forward to examine Meng Jingzhou's injuries and sighed in relief. Fortunately, the injuries were severe but not fatal, and would not undermine his cultivation foundation.

The Five Heavenly Kings leapt onto the stage and helped up their Young Master. "Young Master, are you alright?" one asked. "Cough, cough, I won't die. That was truly a satisfying fight," Lu Yang replied, still smiling, blood staining the corner of his mouth. The Golden Flame Heavenly King quickly took out a small medicine bottle and uncorked it. A refreshing, fragrant pill scent spread throughout the arena. He poured out two golden pills and fed them to Lu Yang. Lu Yang meditated on the spot, and his injuries and spiritual energy rapidly recovered.

Meng Jingzhou had lost. The contemporary prodigy, representing the Mid Golden Core stage, had lost. Many found it hard to accept this fact. It was so close; he was so close to winning!

The Seventh Elder's pills were highly effective, and Lu Yang quickly recovered to his original state. Surrounded by the Five Heavenly Kings, he rose with a smile and looked up at the grim-faced sect masters of the Five Immortal Sects and the First Prince, Jiang Qun. "It seems the prodigies of this era do possess some skill," Lu Yang stated. "They fought well, but unfortunately, it's just 'some skill,' and nothing more."

At these words, the crowd below immediately grew agitated. His words were too arrogant. What did he mean "nothing more"? Everyone could see the minuscule difference between the two; a tiny detail could determine the outcome. If they fought again, who knew who would win! Sect Master Lu looked at Young Master Lu meaningfully, his words clearly carrying a veiled threat. "Young Master Lu, your words disrespect the prodigies of this era. You should know that there are always people stronger than you, and heavens beyond heavens. This world does not belong solely to your Heavenly Court Sect."

Young Master Lu sneered, seemingly scoffing at Sect Master Lu's ignorance. "Are there always people stronger, and heavens beyond heavens? Those are just excuses mediocre people find after they lose. When it comes to talent, who can surpass me?" The Nether Heavenly King looked disdainfully at the crowd below. "If not for the suppression by ancient immortals, our Young Master could have ascended to immortality in the ancient era. Why would he need to wait until today?" Young Master Lu glanced at the solemn Nether Heavenly King and impatiently waved his hand. "Protector Nether, that's enough. I'm rarely this happy today. Let's not talk about unpleasant things." "Understood," the Nether Heavenly King replied, falling silent and stepping back like a statue.

The crowd gasped. The shock in their hearts was indescribable. Had Young Master Lu's talent truly reached a level that even immortals would envy? What an astonishing and unprecedented talent! There were only four ancient immortals with clear records, and there was no record of how their talents manifested. In other words, Young Master Lu's talent was unlike anything recorded in history, across all eras and texts.

"That's just self-aggrandizement," Sect Master Lu announced. "Since Young Master Lu is so confident, why not try a match against me?" To everyone's surprise, Sect Master Lu leapt down from the stands, landing steadily on the arena stage.

"Speaking of which, Sect Master Lu is also a Mid Golden Core cultivator, so he does qualify as an opponent," Young Master Lu said slowly, fiddling with his fingers. "It's just his tone that I don't like." Their eyes met, as if sparks were flying. The Five Heavenly Kings, understanding the situation, wisely withdrew to avoid disturbing their Young Master's mood.

"Shall we then?" Sect Master Lu challenged."Let's!" Young Master Lu responded.