Chapter 634 - 634: Wind Demon Slash

"Elder Zhu, it looks like Meng Hongliang has his sights set on Chu Qingyun. This doesn't look good."

"Looks like he'll be the first one eliminated. He might even be the very first person eliminated in the entire competition."

"Haha, Old Zhu, I have to say, you really misjudged this time!"

Several Inner Sect Elders said to Elder Zhu Zhijing, who was next to them.

These nine were the Inner and Outer Sect Elders responsible for assigning the participating disciples to the forty-eight combat rings.

Among them, Zhu Zhijing had advocated for treating Chu Qingyun as a Quasi-Core Disciple, giving him a "separate" combat ring and not assigning him an opponent that was too strong.

However, only one Outer Elder supported him; the other seven were opposed.

They simply didn't believe in Chu Qingyun's strength.

And the final result was that Chu Qingyun was assigned to Combat Ring Seventeen, in the same ring as Meng Hongliang, a disciple almost universally recognized as a Quasi-Core Disciple.

"I know you all favor Meng Hongliang, and I agree he has the strength to become a Core Disciple."

"But putting him together with Chu Qingyun will be his downfall."

Elder Zhu said slowly, his gaze fixed on the two in Combat Ring Seventeen.

"Hm? Elder Zhu, don't tell me you still think that Chu Qingyun can win?"

"I've seen Meng Hongliang's strength with my own eyes. Within the Outer Sect, those who can defeat him can be counted on one hand. Chu Qingyun is a new disciple. While he may be peculiar, defeating Meng Hongliang will be difficult!"

"You may say Chu Qingyun can unleash an attack with the strength of the Martial King Realm, but that was just a single burst. It doesn't prove anything. What, is he going to defeat Meng Hongliang in a single move? Not unless he's a true Martial King!"

The other Inner Sect Elders all expressed their disbelief.

"You don't believe me? Heh, I'll wager that Meng Hongliang won't last twenty moves against Chu Qingyun!" Elder Zhu said with great confidence.

If he only had a single burst technique, it would have been impossible for him to defeat He Liang and Pei Yongqing of the Celestial Sword Sect.

However, because of the bet with Lei Jing, everyone who went to the Celestial Sword Sect had been ordered not to speak carelessly about what happened.

That was why many people had only heard that Chu Qingyun was formidable in the Celestial Sword Sect's Land of Trial, but they didn't know the specifics.

Hearing Elder Zhu's words,

the other Inner Sect Elders scoffed. They felt that Elder Zhu had definitely misjudged this time, or perhaps had been deceived by Chu Qingyun.

But the answer would be revealed soon enough!

Aside from Elder Zhu and the others, another group on the Observation Platform was also paying close attention to Combat Ring Seventeen.

Zhou Jianxiong of the Qianshui Dynasty, along with some Inner Sect Disciples who were with him.

Zhou Yongyang was in Combat Ring Four, but Zhou Jianxiong wasn't paying much attention to him. With Zhou Yongyang's strength, there was no question that he would advance.

So, Zhou Jianxiong kept his eyes fixed on Combat Ring Seventeen.

"That guy... Meng Hongliang, I think? I hear he's a pretty tough Level Nine Martial Spirit. Zhou Jianxiong, did you bribe him?" a Core Disciple asked.

Zhou Jianxiong chuckled sinisterly and said, "Eight hundred Saint Extreme Points, plus a favor from me, to make Chu Qingyun crawl out of that combat ring!"

"Eight hundred Saint Extreme Points! As expected of you, Zhou, a leading figure from the Qianshui Dynasty! So generous!"

"Hehe, that kid actually dared to oppose Zhou. He's simply courting death."

"He should take a long, hard look at himself. The Qianshui Dynasty? Is that a power he can afford to offend?"

The Inner Sect Disciples nearby immediately chimed in with their agreement.

The Core Disciples also shook their heads, feeling that Chu Qingyun was doomed this time.

A triumphant, savage grin appeared on Zhou Jianxiong's face as he stared. 'You little bastard. You dare to oppose my Qianshui Dynasty? Let's see how you die this time!'

The Elders on the high tower, Zhou Jianxiong and his group on the Observation Platform.

Chu Qingyun, of course, was unaware of their thoughts.

At that moment, Chu Qingyun was contemplating which move he should use to knock Meng Hongliang out of the combat ring. 'Should I toy with him for a bit to let him save some face, or should I just knock him out directly?'

As for Meng Hongliang, a satisfied smile spread across his face when he heard Chu Qingyun guess his name.

"Kid, seeing as you know my name, I'll spare you if you fall down and crawl out of the combat ring on your own," Meng Hongliang said arrogantly.

"Meng Hongliang, before you get knocked out, I have a question for you. There are nearly a hundred people in this combat ring. Why did you target me directly?" Chu Qingyun asked.

"Why target you? Hehe, because you offended someone you shouldn't have. Someone paid to have you crawl out of this combat ring!"

Meng Hongliang didn't bother to hide it, chuckling as he spoke.

Someone paid...

Chu Qingyun thought for a moment and had a guess. 'It's almost certainly Zhou Jianxiong!'

"Enough nonsense. Kid, since you don't appreciate my kindness, don't blame me for getting rough. When you're on the ground in a bit, remember to crawl your way out!"

"Cyan-Eyed Wind Wolf!"

"Wind Demon Slash!"

Meng Hongliang bellowed, instantly drawing his saber and charging forward, slashing at Chu Qingyun.

At the same time, a wolf-shaped Martial Soul Illusion rapidly materialized behind him. It opened its mouth and a stream of cyan Martial Soul Power flowed into the saber.

When he was just over ten meters from Chu Qingyun, Meng Hongliang swung his saber down. A gale swirled around the blade, coalescing into a massive cyan saber over ten meters long, which he then brought down on Chu Qingyun.

The terrifying aura from the wind-wreathed saber made the faces of all the surrounding Level Nine Martial Spirits pale, and they all scrambled backward in retreat.

This wasn't an ordinary Saber Technique, but... the Intention Realm!

Meng Hongliang's skill with the Saber Technique had also reached the realm of Sword Intent. Moreover, he had also fused the Martial Soul Power of his Tier Four Martial Soul into this one slash.

Meng Hongliang may have seemed arrogant and wild.

But when he attacked, he immediately used his strongest move, holding nothing back. He intended to defeat, or even severely injure, Chu Qingyun in a single blow!

'Sword Intent, is it... A pity it's not complete...'

Faced with such a slash, Chu Qingyun wasn't the least bit nervous. Instead, he sighed softly.

In his own Sword Dao, he had already cultivated a true Thunder Sword Intent.

With his comprehensive understanding, Chu Qingyun could tell at a glance that the Sword Intent in Meng Hongliang's slash was about on par with the Thunder Sword, or perhaps just a little stronger.

A few days ago, dealing with this might have been a bit troublesome for Chu Qingyun.

But now, a Sword Intent of this level was simply not enough to impress him.

"Break!"

Chu Qingyun instantly drew his sword. Thunder Aura surged around the Thunder Shock Sword, and arcs of lightning flashed. In the blink of an eye, it coalesced into a colossal Thunder Sword over ten meters long, meeting Meng Hongliang's Wind Demon Slash without a hint of weakness.