NOVPUBTime quickly advanced to the afternoon.
There were a total of five bouts, and after this round, the top five spots would be determined.
Once the top five were confirmed, this sparring session would officially come to an end.
It seemed the organizers had no intention of having the top five contestants fight for specific rankings, which allowed Xu Ping’an to breathe a sigh of relief.
Xu Ping’an was the fifth to compete, so there was still some time before his turn.
"The first match is Shao Yanlong versus Xiao Yunzong. This battle won’t be difficult for Shao Yanlong, and he’s likely to advance," Situ Lie said.
Xu Ping’an nodded. Xiao Yunzong’s combat power was comparable to a cultivator at the Ninth Rank First Layer Realm, but Shao Yanlong possessed strength that could match the peak of the Third Layer Realm.
Therefore, it was almost certain that Shao Yanlong would win this fight.
And indeed, the result was as Xu Ping’an had expected; Shao Yanlong defeated Xiao Yunzong, securing the first of the top five qualifications.
The second match was between Crown Prince Jiang Yu and Song Qing, and the outcome was quite predictable. Naturally, Jiang Yu won.
The third match was Li Qingyi versus Chen Hai.
It must be said that Li Qingyi displayed formidable combat power.
Chen Hai, who was at the Ninth Rank First Layer Realm, was no match for her, and she defeated him in the end.
The fourth match was Xie Jizong versus Zong Xuan, where Xie Jizong also showed great strength.
And so, it was down to Xu Ping’an and Luo Yong’an.
When Xu Ping’an stepped onto the stage, he could hear the discussions of many people around him.
Without exception, almost all of them were saying that Xu Ping’an had no chance of winning.
In their minds, Luo Yong’an was the number one genius of the Fire Divine Palace’s elite disciples.
Although Xu Ping’an’s talent was exceptionally remarkable, his cultivation was only at the Seventh Rank First Layer Realm.
Luo Yong’an also stepped onto the stage, his gaze towards Xu Ping’an carrying a hint of disdain.
"To have come this far with Seventh Rank cultivation is impressive; you’re truly talented. Regardless of the outcome, you’ve already made a name for yourself, and your path hereafter will likely be smooth," Luo Yong’an said with a smile while looking at Xu Ping’an.
"What are you trying to say?" Xu Ping’an asked with a smile.
"What I’m saying is, your journey ends here. Your Rift Sky Secret Technique may be extremely powerful, but it won’t defeat me," Luo Yong’an replied with a smile.
"So you think I’m bound to lose this fight?" Xu Ping’an said with a smile.
"It’s not what I think; it’s a fact. Or do you believe you can defeat me?" Luo Yong’an said with a sneer.
"Sorry, but I do think I can," Xu Ping’an responded with a smile.
He knew that Luo Yong’an harbored animosity towards him, and he too found Luo Yong’an extremely disagreeable.
After all, the rumors said that he was pursuing Li Qingyi.
Li Qingyi was his woman, and he would not allow others to lay a finger on her.
"Arrogance! It seems your previous victories have blinded you to your own strength. Since that’s the case, let me help you see things clearly," Luo Yong’an said with a cold snort.
After finishing his words, an overwhelmingly strong Soul Power erupted from his body, pressing down ferociously towards Xu Ping’an with terrifying might.
"This is a Soul Combat Technique." Everyone around was incredibly surprised.
They all thought that Xu Ping would lose.
After all, how strong could the Soul Power of a Seventh Rank cultivator be?
Xu Ping’an had reached this point because his previous opponents had not utilized Soul Power.
Now that Luo Yong’an was using Soul Power, it was like striking right at Xu Ping’an’s vital point.
Clearly, Luo Yong’an thought the same; in his view, Soul Power was Xu Ping’an’s weakness.
Xu Ping’an’s combat techniques were powerful, but Luo Yong’an didn’t need to compete in combat techniques; he could simply crush Xu Ping’an with his Soul Power.
Xu Ping’an felt Luo Yong’an’s powerful Soul Power, but his face showed a faint, light smile.
Soul-transforming fist?
The Soul Power was only about at the Ninth Rank Second Layer Realm; such Soul Power wouldn’t harm him in the least.
"Buzz!"
Xu Ping’an did not hesitate for a second, a Soul Shield appeared directly in front of him.
"Boom!"
An earth-shattering explosion sounded.
Luo Yong’an’s Soul Fist was blocked by Xu Ping’an’s Soul Shield.
"A Soul Shield? His Soul Entity is a shield?"
Many people around also showed surprised expressions.
This was the first time Wu Qing revealed his Soul Entity, so they were all somewhat surprised, not expecting Xu Ping’an’s Soul Entity to actually be a shield.
Before this, they had seen Wu Qing demonstrate swordsmanship and assumed Xu Ping’an’s Soul Entity would be a blade.
"A shield? Wasn’t his Soul Entity supposed to be a city? How did it become a shield?" Situ Xingfeng, having reviewed Xu Ping’an’s information, communicated telepathically to his father.
"I’m not sure, but the shield before us is indeed his Soul Entity. I’ve heard some can condense multiple Soul Entities; perhaps he cultivates such a soul type cultivation technique." Situ Lie responded.
Xu Ping’an’s profile indeed stated his Soul Entity was a city.
So they all thought Xu Ping’an wouldn’t easily reveal his Soul Entity, yet now Xu Ping’an had actually used a shield entity, which meant that his Soul Power could be fully utilized, seemingly without worry of exposure.
"Eh, it actually blocked it?" Luo Yong’an was astonished as he looked at Xu Ping’an’s Soul Shield.
What Xu Ping’an’s Soul Entity was did not concern him.
What he cared about was that Xu Ping’an’s Soul Shield had actually blocked his Soul Attack?
In his view, even if Xu Ping’an’s Soul Entity was a shield, it couldn’t possibly block his attack.
But now, Xu Ping’an had done just that.
"I don’t believe your Soul Power is that strong." Luo Yong’an felt unsatisfied and immediately erupted with an immensely powerful Soul Force.
A gigantic fire eagle emerged into the void.
That was Luo Yong’an’s Soul Entity, the Flaming Eagle.
"Go!"
The Flaming Eagle charged toward Xu Ping’an with a fearsome might.
Transforming into a streak of light, it seemed as if it would burn Xu Ping’an’s Soul Power to ashes.
Yet, Xu Ping’an remained completely unmoved, his Soul Shield growing immensely as a vast surge of Soul Power burst forth.
"Boom!" 𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑝𝑢𝘣.𝘤𝑜𝘮
The shield charged forward, as if the strength of eighty-one forces stacked together.
Clashing with the fire eagle.
Bang!
The eagle was instantly shattered by the force erupting from the shield.
"Pfft!"
Luo Yong’an spurted out blood, his soul severely injured.
Xu Ping’an did not pass up this opportunity, transforming into a streak of light in an instant.
He appeared directly before Luo Yong’an, Immortal Blade in hand.
Exhibiting the Rift Sky Secret Technique, he slashed out, tearing a Spatial Rift and leaving a shocking scar of the blade.
Not only that, but Xu Ping’an also infused Temporal Momentum into this strike.
So this blade seemed extremely fast to Luo Yong’an, unbelievably so.
Luo Yong’an was taken aback, an Intermediate Grade Immortal Artifact Battle Armor appeared instantly.
"Boom!"
With one slash from Xu Ping’an, Luo Yong’an was sent flying backward, a clear blade mark appearing on the Intermediate Grade Immortal Artifact Battle Armor.
Although Luo Yong’an blocked the blade, his body was thrown out of the ring.
