At this moment, on the Martial Arts Stage, most had already conceded defeat. After two rounds of competition, with each eliminating half, only a few remained.
Even the strong who remained on the chess pieces were few, with only Ming Ji remaining as before.
“There were originally a hundred people, and now only twenty or thirty remain. I'm afraid that after the next round, there will only be a dozen or so left,” Jiang Wen calculated in his heart.
The further along, the stronger the experts became. Moreover, Jiang Wen also discovered another peculiar thing: no matter how much magic power was expended in the competition, returning to this Martial Arts Stage would restore them to full strength. This made him very curious about the World Within Mountains and Rivers, as such mystery was truly rare in the world.
Besides, they had all personally entered the secret realm with their physical bodies, so how was it done?
Although he was curious, Jiang Wen was still preparing to face the upcoming competition. He wondered who his next opponent would be.
Looking around, he couldn't find Jiang Rong's figure. It seemed that this little girl had been eliminated and could not compete for the top three in this Martial Arts Assembly.
“It's a pity. Perhaps after winning the championship, I can say a few words to Jiang Wenji on her behalf.” Having made up his mind, Jiang Wen sat on a rock, waiting for the next competition to begin.
At this moment, outside the World Within Mountains and Rivers, night had already fallen. However, divine light flickered across the sky, all manifestations of Dharma Idols. The life-fire cultivators of the Dao Palace realm had raging flames in their dantian, dispelling the darkness near Shennong Mountain. Moreover, in front of the Shennong Hall where the Heavenly King was, song and dance continued, along with Daoist music.
The ministers gathered, and the immortals congratulated. Watching the situation in the World Within Mountains and Rivers, they discussed who would be the final champion.
Xiu Qi raised his glass to Marquis Baimu, and then toasted Tai Hao and Zong Yue not far away. After drinking a cup, he said with a smile: “I wonder what you all think, who will be able to stand out from the crowd in this Martial Arts Assembly and win the top spot, making their name known throughout the world?”
“I think Ming Ji can win the championship,” Zong Yue said with a smile, looking at the girl in the projection illusion, her tone full of confidence.
“The Snow Reflection Sword Immortal is indeed remarkable, but the people of my sect are not bad either. Elder Zong Yue, don't speak rashly, lest the championship be taken away in the end, and you lose face.” Tai Hao's voice was loud and clear, full of confidence. He looked at the World Within Mountains and Rivers, his expression arrogant. “My Purple Firmament Palace naturally has its own mysteries. This Martial Arts Assembly will definitely take first place.”
“Okay, Elder Tai Hao is truly full of confidence. Why don't we wait and see who can laugh last?” Zong Yue didn't argue with him, but toasted him and ended the conversation.
Xiu Qi, who was listening on the side, didn't think much of it. He looked at Baimu, who was also looking at him.
“Marquis Wuliang, I think that person named Jiang Taixu can win the championship,” Baimu said calmly.
“You think this Jiang Taixu can win the championship?” Xiu Qi was very puzzled, not understanding why Baimu valued Jiang Taixu so much. When discussing the candidates for the championship before, he had listed Jiang Taixu as one of them. Although Xiu Qi also felt that this person was very familiar, familiarity did not mean strength.
After all, those who can enter the Martial Arts Assembly are all proud sons of heaven. Who is not a stunning talent? There is no shortage of geniuses in this world, but there is a lack of top figures who can stand above geniuses.
“Naturally. Would you like to bet something?” Marquis Baimu smiled, taking out an item from his sleeve. “Let's bet on this.”
“You are really willing to part with it. Alright, I'll bet with you. I bet on the descendant of the Southern Qi King—Li Zhaoming to win the championship!”
The two marquises smiled at each other, each sitting in their seats thinking about their own things. Only the Heavenly King in the honored seat remained silent. She closed her eyes to rest, seemingly uninterested in this Martial Arts Assembly. The ministers were used to this and didn't find it strange.
Looking at the square outside Shennong Hall, Xue and Luo Ji were watching the illusion. Luo Ji clenched her sleeves, sweating for Jiang Wen in the illusion. After all, the people ahead were getting stronger and stronger, and she was very worried that her benefactor would be defeated. If that were the case, her benefactor might be sad.
Only Xue on the side remained unchanged. As for this person Jiang Taixu, her intuition told her. He will definitely win the championship.
“I hope our plan goes smoothly,” Xue muttered to herself.
Looking back at the World Within Mountains and Rivers, along with the surge of spiritual energy. Everyone's state had returned to its original state. The people standing on the chess pieces looked around, paying more attention to Jiang Wen.
Yellow sand filled the sky, and swords and weapons were scattered all over the ground. In the distance, a giant dragon hundreds of miles long lay on the ground, its body pierced with countless huge holes. The sun in the sky was orange-red, resembling a scene of blood-red sunset.
Jiang Wen looked at the man standing opposite him. This man had long fiery red hair and a face carved like a knife. His eyes were scarlet red, and a arrogant smile appeared on his face.
“I thought I could face another person, but I didn't expect a small pawn to come. You have no special weapon, could it be that you got here by fooling around? I didn't expect that the people in front were so不堪.” As he spoke, light appeared in his hand. A flame quickly covered his whole body. His hair rose from the sky, like a raging fire.
“Remember my name, Purple Firmament Palace—Xiao Jing! After you get out, tell your friends. It was Xiao Jing who sent you out!”
His words were extremely arrogant, and the man named Xiao Jing turned into a shooting star and rushed towards Jiang Wen.
Countless red lights emerged, bursting out hundreds of thousands of fire pillars. Each fire pillar was hundreds of feet tall, covering the entire ancient battlefield.
Jiang Wen took out a weapon from the ancient battlefield and tested the flame, which was quickly melted into molten iron. He knew that this flame was extremely powerful. The moment Xiao Jing rushed over, he had already dodged into the air. He waved his hand, and a talisman appeared in front of him.
Jiang Wen pinched his fingers and chanted a mantra: “One sprinkle of sweet dew, as if the heat is clear. Two sprinkles of Dharma Realm water, the soul and spirit are born into Daluo. Three sprinkles of compassionate water, to moisten everything. Hurry, amnesty!”
After reciting the mantra, the talisman flickered. A flood poured down from the sky, smashing towards the countless fire pillars. Suddenly, the world was white, and endless water vapor surged upwards.
No fog entered within three feet of Jiang Wen's body. He pinched a Daoist incantation and pinched another talisman: “Ordered by heaven, ascending the nine palaces, a hundred gods in place, serving the gods, souls and spirits harmonized and refined, five viscera flourishing, a hundred 醅 Xuan filled, seven liquids filled with emptiness, fire bells exchanged, destroying ghosts and eliminating evil, I wish the gods, eternal life without end, law! Arrest!”
After reciting the mantra, the talisman light flickered. Thousands of red lights rushed towards the fog, like sword lights splitting the water vapor. When the originally attacking Xiao Jing saw this, his expression suddenly changed, and he dodged sideways, transforming his body into fire and hiding in the fire pillar. The red light hit the fire pillar, extinguishing hundreds of fire pillars. When the red light dissipated.
Xiao Jing then transformed from the fire, staring at Jiang Taixu with an ugly expression.
“You are not a life-fire cultivator, you are actually in the Dao Palace realm!”
