"Senior Brother, why hasn't Fifth Brother returned yet? It's almost his turn!"
On the main square of Green Hall's main peak, Song Wu Wen looked anxiously towards the direction of the Seventh Peak and then spoke to Su Yue Ze.
"Let's wait a bit longer. Perhaps Fifth Brother has something more important to do," Su Yue Ze replied with a helpless shake of his head, a hint of anxiety also present in his eyes.
"Final pair of combatants, enter the arena!"
At the same time, Duan Ya Zi, standing high in the sky, slowly rose and shouted down at the plaza.
Upon hearing this, Su Yue Ze and the others' expressions changed drastically. They all turned their gazes towards the Seventh Peak, anxiety etched on each of their faces.
"Didn't I just see that Li Xuan from the Seventh Peak leave? Could he be afraid of losing?"
"Who knows? Besides, even if he doesn't show up, he'll be judged as having lost."
"But it's time for Li Xuan to fight now, why isn't he here?"
"..."
As Duan Ya Zi's voice fell, only one man in purple robes appeared on the floating arena, no one else followed.
After a brief inquiry, the disciples of Green Hall's various peaks learned that only Li Xuan remained. A ripple of discussion spread through the crowd.
"Su Yue Ze, it seems only your Fifth Brother hasn't fought yet. If he doesn't appear soon, I'll have to declare him a forfeit," Duan Ya Zi said to Su Yue Ze after waiting for a minute.
Su Yue Ze immediately bowed with clasped fists. "Elder Duan, my junior brother has some matters to attend to. Please grant us a moment's delay."
Duan Ya Zi was slightly taken aback. To have other matters to attend to at this moment, did he not understand the gravity of the situation?
Moreover, present were not only the disciples of Green Hall and the elders and peak lords of each peak, but also the leaders of various factions from the four major regions. Making so many people wait for one disciple would be detrimental to Green Hall's reputation.
However, Duan Ya Zi was well aware of the importance of the Saint Son position. Furthermore, as an elder, it was not for him to make such a decision.
With this in mind, Duan Ya Zi looked towards the eight pillars of light high in the sky and bowed slightly. "Peak Master Luo Kang, may I trouble Peak Master Luo Kang to make a judgment on this matter."
"Let's wait for three minutes. If Li Xuan still hasn't appeared by then, the result of this match will be declared," Luo Kang's voice slowly echoed from the pillars of light after Duan Ya Zi finished speaking.
Duan Ya Zi nodded slightly. Each match took around five minutes. Giving Li Xuan three minutes was not an unreasonable concession.
"I obey Peak Master Luo Kang's oral decree." Duan Ya Zi bowed, then turned back to the plaza below, clasping his fists and looking around.
"We ask for everyone's patient waiting. If Li Xuan has not appeared by the end of these three minutes, this match will be won by Di Kai Ting. Following this, the second round of battles will commence."
Su Yue Ze and the others exchanged helpless glances and continued to wait.
Time trickled by, and in the blink of an eye, less than half a minute remained of the three minutes. The anxiety on the faces of Su Yue Ze and the others grew more pronounced.
"If Fifth Brother can't make it, won't Di Kai Ting of the Third Peak get an easy win?" Song Wu Wen grumbled, looking at Di Kai Ting on the arena above.
"Di Kai Ting has already joined our Seventh Peak. In a way, he is also a disciple of our Seventh Peak. If Fifth Brother truly cannot make it, then it must be destiny. Fortunately, we can still participate in the next round of competition," Su Yue Ze sighed helplessly.
With less than ten seconds remaining, Duan Ya Zi glanced towards the Seventh Peak, shook his head slightly, and slowly stood up from his seated position.
"The three minutes are about to end. As Li Xuan has not appeared on the stage, I, this elder, hereby announce the winner of this match..."
"Wait a moment!"
Just as Duan Ya Zi was about to announce the winner, a voice suddenly rang out.
Then, a figure shot forward like lightning. As soon as the voice faded, the person had already landed steadily on the arena.
This person was Li Xuan, who had been missing for a long time.
"I had a sudden inspiration and returned to the peak for a short seclusion, causing everyone to wait. My apologies." Li Xuan bowed to Duan Ya Zi with clasped fists and then surveyed the surroundings, his voice carrying clearly.
"So he had an epiphany while watching the other matches. No wonder he left at this time."
"That makes sense. After all, having such an epiphany is incredibly rare. How the epiphany pans out can greatly boost one's strength."
"I knew Li Xuan wouldn't give up his chance to contend for the Saint Son position. So, he went into seclusion."
"..."
As Li Xuan's voice ended, those present showed expressions of understanding. They now comprehended Li Xuan's sudden departure, and many accepted it. After all, for a Spirit Master to have a sudden epiphany was no small matter.
Even Duan Ya Zi nodded slightly, observing Li Xuan before speaking, "Three minutes have passed, with only three seconds remaining. You've arrived just in time. Since you're here, let's begin."
With that, Duan Ya Zi retreated from the arena and sat down.
Li Xuan bowed slightly to Duan Ya Zi, then turned to Di Kai Ting and said, "Li Xuan."
Di Kai Ting sneered. "What are you waiting for? My name is Di Kai Ting, and I assume you know something about me. Li Xuan, I know you're strong, and I know you have the ability to kill beings in the intermediate realm of the Other Shore. If you can withstand one of my attacks now, I will concede. Li Xuan, do you dare to gamble?"
Li Xuan was stunned. How could Di Kai Ting be so confident, knowing Li Xuan could kill an intermediate Other Shore realm cultivator?
And he dared to propose a single move?
Seeing Li Xuan's reaction, Di Kai Ting seemed to grow impatient. "What, are you scared?"
Li Xuan shook his head and smiled. "Although your taunt is a bit crude, I, Li Xuan, am not afraid. I accept this gamble. Now, make your move."
As Li Xuan's words fell, Di Kai Ting rejoiced. His demeanor instantly became arrogant.
"Li Xuan, you are indeed arrogant! But first, try the power of my move!"
Di Kai Ting instantly formed hand seals, and a small, exquisite pagoda flew out from within him.
The moment this exquisite pagoda appeared, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth seemed to recoil as if facing an emperor. Di Kai Ting then held the pagoda, pouring his spiritual power into it ceaselessly.
As Di Kai Ting's spiritual power surged, the exquisite pagoda emitted a blinding light.
"Li Xuan, if you can break my formation, otherwise you will surely lose this match!"
"World Annihilation Reincarnation Formation!"
When the exquisite pagoda's radiance reached its peak, Di Kai Ting let out a roar. Then, with a single hand seal, he quickly pointed at Li Xuan.
As Di Kai Ting's voice fell, the exquisite pagoda soared into the air, instantly growing immense and rapidly descending towards Li Xuan.
Li Xuan's brow furrowed. Since he had agreed to Di Kai Ting's terms, he would not back down. He felt a sense of danger the moment the pagoda appeared.
"I want to see just how powerful your World Annihilation Reincarnation Formation is!" Li Xuan's expression turned stern. He ignored the descending pagoda, allowing it to settle firmly around him.
*Buzz.*
As the exquisite pagoda completely enveloped Li Xuan, Di Kai Ting let out a triumphant laugh.
"Li Xuan, I forgot to tell you, even a cultivator in the advanced Other Shore realm would be severely weakened trying to break my World Annihilation Reincarnation Formation. You, on the other hand, will likely be completely lost in endless reincarnation and perish within the hour!"
As Li Xuan found himself surrounded by endless darkness, he heard Di Kai Ting's voice again from within the exquisite pagoda. Hearing Di Kai Ting's words, Li Xuan frowned again.
The World Annihilation Reincarnation Formation was likely the ultimate move of this exquisite pagoda. As for what this formation truly was, Li Xuan had no clear definition yet.
While Li Xuan waited in contemplation, he felt a peculiar force surge through him, his body becoming strangely light and floating.
More importantly, Li Xuan instantly sensed his cultivation realm beginning to decline. Though not rapid, this change alerted him.
"So, the purpose of this formation is to let me quietly become a mortal." After a moment, Li Xuan's eyes lit up. His sword, Shi Jian, appeared in his hand.
"I have a sword that can cleave the heavens."
"I have a sword that can shatter all techniques!"
The next moment, his sword rose.