Can the Results Be Announced?

As many disciples were discussing the upcoming match, on a high platform, an elder in purple robes suddenly appeared. With a single hand gesture, he silenced the entire Zhengdao Peak.

"This year's core disciple competition begins now!"

"The rules remain the same as in previous years. Until a certain point in the match, neither side is allowed to kill. The first one to fall off the high platform loses!"

"The first match..."

"Li Xun versus Zhao Heng!"

With that announcement, the elder in purple robes remained on the high platform, ready to oversee the match.

Amidst the buzz of excitement from the onlookers:

"It's happening, the final match is the first one this year. How thrilling!"

"Zhao Heng is in trouble. He provoked Senior Brother Li Xun yesterday. Let's see how this plays out."

"A mediocre cultivator who spent nearly two hundred years to reach the late stage of the Mysterious Pill Realm dares to challenge a genius who achieved the middle stage in just two years. Does he really think being a genius is only about fast cultivation?"

"But think about it, even though Senior Brother Li Xun is a genius, isn't it somewhat imprudent to face Zhao Heng in the first match? Even if he wins in the end, he might be severely injured. Other senior brothers could take advantage of that."

"Senior Brother Li Xun must have confidence to take on this challenge head-on!"

The crowd of Xuanyang Sect disciples was gathered around the high platform, and most of them were eagerly supporting Li Xun. His past reputation was impeccable.

On the other hand, Zhao Heng's reputation was far from good.

As the anticipation built:

"Bang!"

The entire high platform suddenly shook, and a majestic figure descended from the sky, landing in the center. He carried a giant sword on his back, his hair flowing, and exuded an aura of power.

"Where's Li Xun~?" Zhao Heng exclaimed, his eyes filled with arrogance and dominance.

Having practiced for almost two hundred years, he paid little heed to the rumors and looked forward to defeating Li Xun to see the expressions on others' faces.

But Li Xun was already behind him.

Had Li Xun taken action, Zhao Heng would have been defeated!

The laughter of the onlookers reached Zhao Heng's ears, making him feel extremely embarrassed. He didn't realize that Li Xun had deliberately held back to give him a chance.

In his view, it felt more like humiliation!

"You've angered me!" Zhao Heng declared, stepping back and drawing a deep breath. His giant sword fell to the ground with a resounding thud, emitting a bright, divine light extending more than ten feet.

The sword exuded boundless malevolent energy, sending shivers down everyone's spines.

It was hard to imagine that such terrifying malevolence could emanate from a sword. One could only wonder how many lives Zhao Heng had taken to amass such power.

Seeing this sword, even the purple-robed elder next to him furrowed his brow.

"Kill!"

With a loud shout, Zhao Heng stomped on the high platform, transforming into a streak of light and hurtling toward Li Xun. A formidable momentum surged, like a tidal wave sweeping across the high platform.

His murderous aura reached the heavens, causing the world to tremble. Countless sword lights converged into a towering light pillar, rupturing the void and assaulting Li Xun with devastating sharpness.

It was astonishingly sharp, leaving many spectators filled with fear.

"Master...Senior Brother Li Xun, can he defeat Zhao Heng?" Ye Han inquired with a hint of anxiety.

"The outcome is already decided," came the calm response from the old voice.

As the voice spoke:

Li Xun, who had been standing calmly, took a single step forward, his clothes billowing. With a casual punch, he released an immense power. Energy and blood surged, forming a celestial dragon coiled around Li Xun's arm. With a roar, it rushed out.

"Boom!"

A deafening explosion occurred.

The energy and blood-formed celestial dragon collided with Zhao Heng's Tongtian Sword Pillar, creating a deafening roar. A sea of swords and a terrifying storm ensued, sweeping everything away, shattering countless obstacles.

Even the solid platform, used for countless competitions over thousands of years, cracked under this immense power, looking as though it might collapse at any moment.

"What's happening?"

"Who won?"

"The entire place is glowing; it's impossible to see clearly!"

As curious onlookers craned their necks, a battered figure suddenly plummeted from the high platform with a loud crash.

Many disciples rushed forward to see what had happened, but the sight left them gasping for breath. Zhao Heng, who had been so confident just moments ago, was now unrecognizable. His giant sword was gone, leaving only the hilt. His chest was caved in, and numerous bones were broken.

"Ah...what just happened?"

Countless people felt a shiver down their spines.

They had expected Senior Brother Li Xun to win, and they had anticipated Zhao Heng's defeat, but what they hadn't foreseen was just how decisively Li Xun would secure the victory.

They couldn't believe how thoroughly Zhao Heng had been defeated.

It seemed as if the weapons he had spent years refining had been completely shattered.

"Elder, can you announce the result?" Li Xunfeng asked calmly from the high platform.

"Ah, yes, of course," Elder Ziyi responded, quickly snapping out of his shock.

In Elder Ziyi's mind, there were now only six words left to describe Li Xun: "This boy is absolutely terrifying!"

With just one punch, Li Xun had defeated an opponent who was slightly higher in cultivation. He had done so effortlessly, leaving Elder Ziyi to wonder about the unimaginable power Li Xun could unleash when he went all out.

Coughing lightly, the elder in purple returned to the center of the high platform and slowly announced, "In the first match, Li Xun emerges victorious!"

"Senior Brother Li, you're amazing!" One of the inner disciples shouted enthusiastically.

Li Xun's punch had been like a release of pent-up frustration for many of them. Over the years, countless disciples had been subjected to bullying from Zhao Heng or his followers. They couldn't afford to confront Zhao Heng directly, but witnessing Li Xun's resounding victory over him today filled them with excitement. It felt as if they themselves had triumphed over Zhao Heng.

For a moment, the entire assembly of disciples beneath the high platform was filled with jubilation and admiration for Li Xun.