Zhao Jiuge and Zhou Hongyong both walked toward Elder Wu. The crowd opened up a path for the two of them.

Because Zhou Hongyong was in front, he took out 5,000 spirit stones first and placed them on the ground before Elder Wu. Then he looked back at Zhao Jiuge with a smile before he took out the wooden token representing his identity as a disciple of the Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect. He respectfully handed it over to Elder Wu.

Zhao Jiuge smiled faintly and also took out 5,000 spirit stones before Elder Wu. He also handed over his own wooden token.

Everyone was looking at the 10,000 spirit stones in the center with red eyes. This was a large amount of spirit stones.

“All of you, scatter!” Seeing that both of them had handed over their bets, Elder Wu shouted once more. Hearing this, people knew the battle was about to begin, so they quickly scattered, leaving a vast space in the middle.

Seeing this situation, Elder Wu no longer said more and his hands started to form seals. Then he waved his hands and a dark-yellow light flew into the ground.

A low rumble echoed and a grey, stone platform rose up from the originally flat ground. The stone platform was a few hundred square meters wide and there were strange patterns carved on it that gave off faint light.

There seemed to be a light curtain above the stone platform that covered the entire platform. Looking at it closely, there were ripples of dark yellow flashing by.

This was the battle area on the Alert Spirit Peak, and there was absolute security. The stone platform was surrounded by formations so that most attacks wouldn’t even damage it and it would protect the people watching. As for the safety of the participants, Elder Wu was personally in charge of that.

This battle was different from Zhao Jiuge’s battle against Scar. Every disciple here was a very important talent for the sect.

Elder Wu expressionally looked at the two of them and said, “Go up, you both should know the rules. Don’t over do it.” 

When Elder Wu heard that the Head Teacher’s new disciple was going to come here to make a bet with Head Seat Du Jun’s disciple, he found that it was strange. Why would the two of them have a grudge against each other? Zhao Jiuge had just entered the inner sect, not to mention their identities were special. The result would not only affect them personally, but also the Mysterious Heaven Peak and the Mysterious Fallen Peak.

At this moment, Elder Wu was still looking at Zhao Jiuge. He couldn’t figure out what was so special about Zhao Jiuge to catch Jian Wuxian’s attention.

When Zhao Jiuge and Zhou Hongyong stepped onto the platform, the crowd began to cheer. It didn’t matter if they supported Zhao Jiuge or Zhou Hongyong, because this kind of lively event was rare.

No more figures rushed to the Alert Spirit Peak. Those that knew were all here, and those that didn’t naturally wouldn’t come.

The two people on the platform stood opposite each other, and countless people watched them. This battle was very important for the both of them. What was on the line wasn’t just the things they had wagered, but their reputations and prestige.

Leng Rufeng had already calmed down and his body was trembling slightly. This came from his excitement, and his eyes burned with passion.

When would he have the strength to stand in the arena and battle with someone? Enjoy the feeling of being watched by everyone?

Luo Xie curiously looked around in the crowd. His gaze locked on to a beautiful female disciple with a lecherous smile on his face.

Only Jiulian was nervously watching the platform with a face filled with worry. Because of how worried she was, her tender, little hands had turned white from clenching too hard.

“He, Zhao Jiuge, I will teach you what it means to face someone who is greater than you. Don’t be too arrogant.” Zhou Hongyong’s voice was filled with excitement. He had waited half a year for this. Now that both of them were standing on the platform, he revealed a proud smile.

Zhao Jiuge didn’t reveal any expression toward Zhou Hongyong’s boasting words. He showed no interest in responding and silently took out the Big-Dipper Sword.

Although Zhao Jiuge looked down upon Zhou Hongyong, he knew that Zhou Hongyong was a lot stronger. Not only had Zhou Hongyong reached the Spirit Core Realm a lot earlier, he also had more experience in combat and a more profound understanding of the sword art. The situation was not very good for Zhao Jiuge.

However, Zhao Jiuge was never one to admit defeat so easily. It was precisely this determination that allowed him to reach his current stage.

He cycled his spirit force and the aura around his body started to rise. His clothes fluttered on their own and the Big-Dipper Sword in his hand became bright and brighter.

Zhao Jiuge was not going to pretend to be a gentleman—he believed in attacking first to gain the advantage. When the battle began, he didn’t waste time talking with Zhou Hongyong and immediately launched his attack.

He took a sharp step forward with his left foot and rushed toward Zhou Hongyong. The Big-Dipper Sword was pointed downward at the ground and emitted a soft hum.

His eyes were locked on to Zhou Hongyong’s every move and his spirit force was prepared. Zhao Jiuge was ready to react to anything Zhou Hongyong might do.

Zhao Jiuge had to be extra cautious when facing Zhou Hongyong, who had condensed his spirit core a few years before himself. Besides, Zhao Jiuge was always a cautious person, so he had already planned things out in advance.

The crowd shouted in excitement upon seeing Zhao Jiuge’s flashy move. This was because after waiting for so long, the show was finally beginning!

Zhou Hongyong looked at Zhao Jiuge’s movements with disdain. He didn’t hide the mocking smile he had on his face.

What was the point of being flashy? In a real battle, victory or defeat was decided in an instant. If you want to get the advantage by making the first move, then don’t give your enemy the chance to react. From one glance, Zhou Hongyong could see that Zhao Jiuge was a rookie with no practical experience.

With contempt and disdain toward Zhao Jiuge, Zhou Hongyong sneered and made his move. Seeing both sides make their moves, the crowd became even more excited.

A crisp humming sound rang among the mist of all the talking and cheering.

Dark-yellow spirit force rippled before Zhou Hongyong’s chest and spread around his body.

Then a slender, dark-yellow flying sword appeared before him. This was his life flying sword, a mid-quality spirit treasure, the Racing Current Sword.

The moment this spirit treasure appeared, the crowd noticed that the sword in Zhao Jiuge’s hand was only a precious treasure. Noticing this gap from the beginning, those who thought Zhou Hongyong would win began unscrupulously mocking Zhao Jiuge.

Zhao Jiuge’s expression had become a bit ugly. His life flying sword was still being refined by Ou Yezi. Once it was done, it would be no worse than Zhou Hongyong’s life sword. If this battle had taken place a month from now, Zhao Jiuge would’ve been even more confident. However, things in this world would not always go as he wished.

When the Racing Current Sword appeared, Zhou Hongyong’s entire aura changed. He quickly grabbed his life sword, and his robe fluttered violently.

Zhou Hongyong coldly looked at Zhao Jiuge and muttered, “Boy, let me teach you what it means to have thunderous momentum!”

The Racing Current Sword shined brightly, releasing a dazzling, yellow light. Sword energy appeared and he displayed his sword art.

However, the moment Zhou Hongyong made his move, Zhao Jiuge, who had been on guard, reacted. He took a profound look at Zhou Hongyong and felt disdain in his heart.

The same old trick as last time, Mysterious Heaven Sword Art!

Boom!

A thunderous rumble echoed and the noisy bystanders all stopped talking. They looked toward Zhao Jiuge, who had caused the commotion.

A monstrous, golden torrent surrounded his entire body, and a moment later, it was like Zhao Jiuge was wearing a suit of golden armor. Right off the bat, Zhao Jiuge pushed his Sanskrit Divine Body to the peak!

It was not time to think about winning, first worry about losing.

When the Sanskrit Divine Body that left a deep impression on Zhou Hongyong appeared, he was shocked. He had experienced how domineering the Sanskrit Divine Body was, and he wondered what kind of protection spell was so powerful.

The sword art Zhou Hongyong had released arrived before Zhao Jiuge.

Zhao Jiuge’s eyes narrowed as the powerful ray of silver sword energy closed in. It was like the bleak rain at night, exuding a sorrowful howl.

At times, it was like the autumn wind during sunset. It kicked up the yellow sand in the desert, revealing a feeling of desolation and sorrow.

When this sharp ray of sword energy rushed out, the light curtain around the stone platform began to ripple like rain falling onto the surface of a calm lake.

This light curtain played a protective role. It prevented the attack from affecting the people watching.

When Zhao Jiuge saw this, he sneered in his heart. 

“Mysterious Heaven Sword Art? I know it too now.”

Zhao Jiuge held the Big-Dipper Sword and his hand began to move. Soon, a ray of silver sword energy condensed. He also used the Mysterious Heaven Sword Art against Zhou Hongyong.

However, Zhao Jiuge’s ray of silver sword energy was a little different. There was a thin layer of grey over this silver sword energy. It gave off a gloomy aura that mixed together with the sword energy.

Elder Wu was watching both of them when he suddenly exclaimed, “Sword Slaughter Aura!?”

His voice was filled with disbelief and his expressionless face revealed a hint of shock.