txolops Chapter 23: The Spot is in Hand
Chapter 23: The Spot is in Hand
Zhang Tie's actions clearly attracted the attention of others as well.
But some clever people thought about it again and understood Zhang Tie's intention!
"He actually dares to challenge us? How arrogant!"
"If I had his abilities, I would have done the same!"
Zhang Tie ignored the discussions and walked straight to the number nine arena next to him.
On the ninth arena, there was a rogue cultivator wielding both water and fire swords. It was only by relying on his two high-grade spiritual swords and a top-notch sword technique that he was able to firmly defend the ninth arena.
He has won three games so far, has six points, and is ranked tenth, a very awkward position!
At this moment, the dual-sword cultivator had just won a round when he saw the flesh monster on the next arena walking towards him, and his brows immediately furrowed.
"You want to challenge me?"
Zhang Tie nodded.
The dual-sword cultivator gave Zhang Tie a deep look, his vigilance rising to his throat!
Refusing a challenge on the arena results in an immediate defeat. Although the dual-sword cultivators were wary of Zhang Ti, they had no choice but to accept the challenge if they wanted to secure a spot and the Foundation Establishment Pill!
"Alright, I accept the challenge!"
As Zhang Tie leaped onto the arena, the cultivators below immediately became excited.
Although most of them were not selected, it was still worthwhile to see two top-ten cultivators duel!
"Two rogue cultivators dueling... Sigh, this is just an internal strife among us rogue cultivators!"
"Wouldn't you challenge the rogue cultivator if you were in his shoes?"
"That's definitely going to be a challenge..."
...
On the arena, the dual-sword cultivator raised his hand and unleashed a dazzling sword flower, the sword tip blazing with light, and launched the first attack on Zhang Tie.
Zhang Tie didn't underestimate his opponent either. Could someone who could win three games be a weak opponent?
He dodged the sword's edge to the side, and the Golden Lock Ring flew out!
"Clang clang clang clang—"
The sword rings clashed repeatedly, sparks flying across the arena. The dual-sword cultivators displayed exquisite swordsmanship, their longswords moving like snakes, each move deadly. For a time, Zhang Tie couldn't find a breakthrough. Faced with this situation, Zhang Tie knew that he couldn't defeat his opponent anytime soon.
The two exchanged more than thirty blows, with neither gaining the upper hand.
But the dual-sword cultivator suddenly sheathed his swords and took three steps back.
"I'm not fighting anymore! You've won!" The dual-sword cultivator exhaled a breath of turbid air and spoke slowly.
Upon hearing his words, Zhang Tie was immediately taken aback.
The dual-sword cultivator glanced at him and said calmly, "Your strength is no weaker than mine. If we continue fighting, we'll both be severely injured. We both have the ability to advance, so there's no need to fight to the death here!"
After saying that, he turned to the Foundation Establishment cultivator by the arena and said, "Senior, I concede defeat!"
In the water mirror, Zhang Tie gained another point, propelling him directly to third place!
The audience erupted in uproar once again.
"They admitted defeat? They actually admitted defeat!"
"To admit defeat willingly, that..."
"They're right. A lose-lose situation benefits no one, since qualification is based on points anyway!"
Zhang Tie glanced at the dual-sword cultivator and cupped his hands in greeting.
"I feel ashamed to have won!"
The dual-sword cultivator waved his hand: "You still have trump cards up your sleeve. My swords can't break through your defenses. Why humiliate yourself?"
Zhang Tie's situation was also noticed by others, especially those in arenas number one and number three, where no one dared to challenge him.
The defending cultivator's eyes lit up.
Yang Ding, a cultivator from the Yang family, a family of cultivators, took the lead and followed suit, directly stepping onto the opposite second arena.
"Look! Yang Ding from the Yang family is challenging Wang Zheng from the Wang family! The match between rogue cultivators just ended on Arena Number Nine, and now the family cultivators are fighting again!"
The once quiet arena became lively because of Zhang Tie's actions.
With the top-ranked teams getting closer and closer to qualifying, the remaining players couldn't sit still any longer!
There are only ten chances to qualify, and this is not only a battle for the spots, but also a question of who will get the Foundation Establishment Pills.
On the fourth arena, a rogue cultivator went up to challenge a family cultivator ranked sixth. What was supposed to be a one-sided duel turned into an unexpected upset, with the rogue cultivator winning!
The rogue cultivator unleashed a black bone staff magic weapon. The poisonous gas emanating from the weapon caused even the Foundation Establishment cultivators present to change color slightly, and they quickly sealed off the arena to prevent the poisonous gas from spreading.
The cultivator from the sixth-ranked family fell into a coma and was directly disqualified from the competition.
Zhang Tie, who was carefully selecting his opponents, also saw this scene and immediately became wary.
This is the price of underestimating others; there are many ruthless characters among the rogue cultivators.
However, the most important thing was to secure a spot as soon as possible, so Zhang Tie quickly set his sights on the number ten arena.
On arena number ten, the Fang family cultivator had just defeated his opponent who had tried to challenge him. Before he could even rejoice at his improved ranking, he saw Zhang Tie already standing on the arena.
Zhang Tie stood there, but for some reason, the Fang family cultivators felt a strange tension in their hearts.
But it's absolutely impossible for him to admit defeat on his own initiative!
Although their family cultivators have other ways to enter the sect, their purpose in coming here is to compete for the Foundation Establishment Pill!
After a while, a slightly disheveled figure was thrown off the stage...
The Fang family cultivator stood below the stage, his face bruised and swollen, wanting to utter some harsh words, but seeing Zhang Tie's gaze, he couldn't say anything for a long time and slunk away to other arenas.
Meanwhile, on the high platform, the Foundation Establishment cultivators from the seven sects were also talking in hushed tones.
"That kid Zhang Tie is not bad! His physical strength is amazing; he can even break through the binding power of the Azure Gang Tower!" A Foundation Establishment cultivator from Spirit Beast Mountain said, quite admiringly.
"Senior brother has a discerning eye. This person is indeed quite good. Moreover, although his fighting style is fierce, he knows when to advance and retreat and does not rashly kill!" Another cultivator from Spirit Beast Mountain nodded in agreement.
"It's a pity he came from a rogue cultivator background; his foundation is still a bit shallow!"
"Of course, they can't compare to cultivators with powerful families behind them. Senior brother, look at that kid from the Yang family; the outcome of this round is already decided. He's taken the first spot!"
"Our sect's foundation is still supported by these affiliated families!"
On the Seven Sects Arena, outstanding cultivators frequently appeared, quickly diverting the attention of the Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Nangong Wan sat in the middle without saying a word. She only glanced briefly at the discussion behind her before looking away. The battle between a group of Qi Refining cultivators did not interest her at all!
Zhang Tie was unaware of the discussions on the high platform. At this moment, his gaze was fixed on the sixth arena, where spear shadows danced like dragons. Soon, a family cultivator with beast patterns embroidered on his sleeves was swept away by a spear and fell off the arena.
The first person to secure a spot has appeared in the Spirit Beast Mountain arena.
The Yang family, Yang Ding!!!
"Looks like we need to hurry. But it's good that this guy stole the spotlight; he's not attracting as much attention!"
For Zhang Tie, first place and tenth place make no difference; being first place won't earn him an extra Foundation Establishment Pill.
It's too conspicuous for a rogue cultivator to surpass a group of family cultivators and take the first spot!
"I need to keep a low profile and aim for around fifth place!" Zhang Tie thought to himself.
With Yang Ding advancing, there was one less spot available, leading to even fiercer battles among the cultivators on the arena.
Soon, the rogue cultivator with the strange insect gourd and a cultivator from a family affiliated with Spirit Beast Mountain appeared on Arena Number Three.
Only seven spots left!!!
Zhang Tie didn't wait any longer and returned to Arena Number Eight, which had been seized by other cultivators and beaten to a pulp.
On the arena, the two family cultivators were fighting fiercely, including the Fang family cultivator who was knocked off the tenth arena with a single punch.
Zhang Tie's arrival immediately caused a stir, and the two people on the stage turned their gazes toward him.
Zhang Tie grinned at the two men, sending chills down their spines. The Fang family cultivator, who had experienced the iron fist before, was momentarily stunned and quickly waved his hand in surrender, fleeing away from the No. 8 arena as if escaping, leaving behind another family cultivator looking constipated.
Half an incense stick later, this family cultivator also tasted the iron fist. His bones felt like they were falling apart as he was thrown off the stage, contributing the last point to Zhang Tie.
Meanwhile, in the arena, Zhang Tie's ranking was fixed at fifth place.
Spot secured!