Chapter 30: The Magic Duel Begins

Everyone had just settled down when an elder from the Chen Family in the west approached.

"Lu the old ghost, you're not dead yet?"

The person who spoke was dressed in a green robe, about eighty years old, and his cultivation was around the 11th level of Qi Refinement.

Lu Hongchang stood up and coldly smiled, "Chen the old ghost, you're still clinging to life, how could I possibly precede you in death?"

Chen Mo's face darkened upon hearing this, "As the host of this event, it is by rule that both you and I should serve as referees."

"Then let's proceed as usual. All participants in the magical combat are not to use any healing Medicine Pills or talismans, and can only use their own Lifebound Spirit Beasts..."

Lu Hongchang nodded.

Lu Li quietly observed the cultivators around.

Directly opposite were a group of cultivators from the Chen Family, and aside from the elder Chen Mo who had first spoken, two others were particularly eye-catching.

One had a gloomy complexion with maliciousness in the corners of his eyes, and his cultivation was around the 9th level of Qi Cultivation.

This person must be the Foundation Establishment Seed of the Chen Family, Chen Wuluo.

Another was slightly weaker in cultivation, only at the 8th level of Qi Cultivation, but of an older age.

This person was indeed Chen Tianqi, whom Lu Yuling had mentioned encountering conflicts with at sea.

Feeling Lu Li's gaze, Chen Wuluo revealed a faint cold smirk.

Lu Li ignored it and shifted his gaze to the remaining two family's cultivators.

Like the Chen Family, they were led by an elder at the 11th level of Qi Cultivation, accompanied by two Foundation Establishment Seeds and some Guest Elders.

While Lu Li was surveying everyone, Chen Mo and Lu Hongchang suddenly flew onto the platform.

"The magical combat begins now, and no killing is allowed after one concedes..."

"The first match, Lu Qingqing versus Lin Ye."

Both emitted their strong auras freely, intimidating everyone present.

No sooner had the words left their mouths, Lu Hongchang and Chen Mo flew back down.

Lu Qingqing and Lin Ye rose simultaneously and flew towards the combat platform.

Lu Li had already known the rules of the competition.

Each family's number one seed would fight first, with the victor earning a point and the loser none.

Then, the number two seeds would do the same.

If the scores were tied in the end, the number two seeds could challenge the number one seeds, and the winner would be deemed the first place of this event.

Finally, the shares of the mining veins for the next ten years would be distributed according to the scores.

He watched the two on the platform; Lin Ye's cultivation was not inferior to Lu Qingqing's, and this match looked to be a tough battle.

The number one seeds of the four great families all possessed superior talents, but none had the Top Grade affinity above 90 points or a Heavenly Spirit Root.

The quality of the number two seeds was more mixed.

With his Spirit Root talent, Lu Li was quite ordinary by comparison, but his cultivation level was the highest.

As he pondered internally, there was suddenly a change on the scene.

Lu Hongchang and Chen Mo made their move, triggering the surrounding Array.

A deep blue Array Light Screen enveloped the four sides of the platform in an instant, its surface rippling like water waves.

Upon seeing this, the two on the platform immediately summoned their Defensive Magical Artifacts to protect themselves.

Then, they each summoned their attack magic tools.

Their momentum fiercely increased, and their powerful auras clashed in the void.

Moments later, as their momentum reached its peak, they both made their moves, evidently both eager to seize the initiative.

Lu Qingqing circulated her Mana, activating her Flying Sword.

The fiery-red Flying Sword burst with light, the blade exhaling sharp Sword Qi.

She then abruptly lunged towards Lin Ye in the front.

The opponent, not to be outdone, also raised a black Flying Knife Artifact, clashing directly with the sword in the air.

"Boom…"

In an instant, the two magic artifacts collided mid-air, emitting a huge buzzing noise as the fierce forces spread wildly, causing ripples to surge across the Array Light Screen.

Lu Li watched the battle on the stage intently.

The Flying Sword and the black knife artifact were locked in a stalemate for a while before the sword was slightly overpowered, retreating back a bit.

"Indeed, the opponent's cultivation seems to be deeper. It seems this battle may not go in our favor."

Lu Qingqing also understood her situation.

Clearly, the opponent's cultivation was not low, and his combat experience was also rich; she had no choice but to give it her all.

She made another move, channeling her Mana with full force.

The sword emitted a piercing screech, transforming into a phantom fire phoenix dancing in the sky, its presence astounding.

"Sword intent materialization? Isn't that a technique only those above Foundation Establishment can use?"

Lu Li was somewhat astonished, but he quickly dismissed the idea.

It was merely a facade, capturing the form but not the essence.

On the platform, Lu Qingqing struggled to control her Flying Sword, Mana depleting rapidly. She was not yet fully proficient with this sword technique, clearly struggling to keep up.

Her face glistened with delicate beads of sweat.

"Break!"

With a delicate shout, the phoenix swiftly attacked Lin Ye, its momentum extraordinary.

"Kill!"

Seeing this, Lin Ye also gave it his all, his flying knife instantly revealing its sharpness as it charged towards the phoenix's apparition, his aura even more formidable than before.

"Boom…"

As a violent sound echoed through the heavens, the Array Light Screen shook violently as if it were about to shatter.

Lu Hongchang and Chen Mo both took action to reinforce the array.

Lu Yuling and the people of the Lu Family all looked towards the stage with anxious faces.

On the stage, the phoenix's apparition and the Flying Saber Artifact remained locked in a stand-off in the sky.

Both intensified their output of mana, and as time progressed, they each started to show signs of strain.

Lu Qingqing's chest heaved dramatically, her complexion turning somewhat flushed.

Lin Ye was also struggling, his breathing becoming irregular, the gap between them not very large.

Another half a stick of incense had passed.

Lu Qingqing's mana was nearly depleted, and the phoenix's apparition could no longer be sustained, dissipating into the air.

"I concede."

Lu Qingqing let out a slight sigh.

She knew that continuing the battle would hardly result in victory, as she was just a bit inferior.

"Mr. Lu yields!"

Lin Ye smiled faintly and clasped his hands together in courtesy.

Both simultaneously withdrew their magic artifacts, standing on the platform.

Seeing this, the Lu Family members below the stage felt somewhat disappointed, although it was to be expected.

At this moment, the two judges opened the array and flew onto the stage.

"This battle is won by Lin Ye, earning one point."

"The next battle, Chen Wuluo versus Wang Mochen."

After announcing this, the two judges flew down from the combat platform.

Lu Qingqing returned to the Lu Family team; due to the excessive consumption of mana, her complexion was a bit pale.

"I've disappointed everyone, losing the first battle."

With that, she sat down somewhat dejectedly.

Lu Yuling next to her spoke up to comfort her, "Big sister, don't worry too much, there are still several matches to go. Just focus on recovering your mana."

Lu Li also encouraged her softly, "It's just one match. In this competition, our Lu Family only needs to maintain the top three to aim for second."

Lu Qingqing was startled by these words, not expecting Lu Li to be so "open-minded."

A smile soon crept onto her lips.

The rest of the Lu Family members also chimed in with their support.

Lu Yuting also teased, "Young Lu, you've got a good attitude."

For a moment, the gloom on everyone's faces lifted significantly.

The Chen Mo and the people of the Chen Family watching this couldn't help but show a look of disdain.

It seemed that the Lu Family had grown accustomed to this.

In this competition, the first place would undoubtedly belong to the Chen Family, as expected.

While the discussions were buzzing below the stage, Chen Wuluo and Wang Mochen flew onto the high platform.

Lu Li sensed the aura of both.

Although both were at the ninth level of Qi Cultivation, Chen Wuluo's aura was clearly much stronger.

As expected.

Upon stepping onto the platform, Chen Wuluo immediately suppressed his opponent firmly below, his Flying Sword dancing in the air, emitting beams of Sword Qi, while Wang Mochen struggled to hold on.

It wasn't long before Wang Mochen could no longer continue and said, "I concede."

"Mr. Wang yields!"

Chen Wuluo smiled elegantly and lightly leapt down towards the stage.

"This battle is won by Chen Wuluo."

The two judges announced the verdict loudly.

At this time, Chen Wuluo returned to his original place, and those around him of the Chen Family began to compliment him.

"Chen Wuluo is truly the Foundation Establishment Seed of our clan, the first place is now without suspense."

Hearing the praises, Chen Wuluo also basked in the admiration.

He looked at the members of the Lu Family, his expression carrying a hint of chilliness.

The Lu Family members too showed dissatisfaction, as the two families had always been in competition due to their proximity to the spirit island.

For centuries, their relationship had not been good.