This outburst, like thunder from a clear sky, didn't startle Liang Sanjin, but it did shock everyone watching the arena. All eyes turned towards the commotion.
Mo Qi and Linghu Xiaoxian on the opposite side also looked over in surprise, unsure if there was a dispute or something else happening.
At that moment, Yao Dong and Du Luzhang leaped forward, landing in front of Mo Qi's table, their gazes fierce and their killing intent palpable.
Seeing their aggressive demeanor, Mo Qi surmised they were not here with good intentions. He said coldly, "Gentlemen, might I ask you to step aside? I am watching a match."
Yao Dong, however, turned to Linghu Xiaoxian and asked, "Xiaoxian, what is the meaning of this? You are being incredibly disrespectful."
Linghu Xiaoxian was bewildered. "What do you mean, what is the meaning? Where am I being disrespectful?"
Yao Dong's anger flared. "Didn't you tell me you already had someone in your heart? Why are you so close to this person now? Don't tell me you have feelings for him?"
Her feeling him being angry was baffling. "This is my business, none of yours," she retorted.
She felt no need to explain herself. Even if she did have someone in her heart, it certainly wouldn't be him.
Meanwhile, Du Luzhang looked at Mo Qi and said, "Why are you so arrogant?"
Mo Qi was utterly confused. "Where am I being arrogant?"
Just as Du Luzhang was about to speak, Liang Sanjin walked over and addressed him, "Brother Du, please refrain from being rude. This is our Elder Mo. Elder Mo is the beloved disciple of our Ancestor Shen. You mustn't offend him; you cannot afford to."
Mo Qi suddenly understood. So that's why two strangers were coming to cause trouble. It was Liang Sanjin "cheering" them on.
Upon hearing Liang Sanjin's words, Du Luzhang's anger ignited. "So you're a fox borrowing tiger's might, relying on the ancestor's favor to throw your weight around. Let me tell you, without strength, don't come out to embarrass yourself. Our Sun Moon Sect never seeks backing."
Mo Qi was also instantly provoked!
He had initially tried to ease the atmosphere and resolve the conflict, but now he felt it was unnecessary.
Being so easily swayed wasn't entirely due to their instigation; it was likely influenced by his own deep-seated jealousy or some other inner turmoil.
It was their inherent flaws!
There was no better way to eradicate these flaws than with fists!
At this moment, Yao Dong, having been rebuffed by Linghu Xiaoxian, was also furious. However, he dared not direct his anger at Linghu Xiaoxian, so he took it out on Mo Qi. "I've always disliked people who flaunt their power by association."
Mo Qi gave them a cold glance. "If you want to fight, I'll oblige. But I have two conditions. First, life and death are left to fate. Second, I am currently acting as a referee and cannot leave. Once their match concludes, I can attend to you both."
"Heh," Yao Dong chuckled with anger. "Before I've even spoken, you're proposing that life and death be left to fate. Are you afraid you won't die? If you desire death, I will certainly grant it."
Du Luzhang looked at Mo Qi dismissively. "What referee? By sitting here, you consider yourself someone important? With so many people watching, the outcome will be judged by public opinion; you don't need to worry about it."
Mo Qi didn't even look at him. "I don't wish to worry, but it is my duty, so I will see it through. Otherwise, if everyone waits for public opinion, it would be better not to have the match at all. Those who are undisciplined always disregard rules. How can you understand that it is precisely these rules that protect you, leading you to mistakenly believe that your own abilities support your unrestrained demeanor? If, one day, everyone disregards the rules, and all matters await public opinion, you will discover that you are nothing, and you won't be able to utter such unrestrained words, nor will anyone listen to you."
Du Luzhang stood there, looking bewildered.
Linghu Xiaoxian snorted and said, "In a word, go wherever it's cool and stay there. Everything can wait until the match here is over."
She then turned to Mo Qi with a smile and asked, "Is that what you mean?"
Mo Qi returned her smile, a brilliant one. "That is precisely what I mean, not a bit less."
Yao Dong's lungs nearly burst seeing them flirting so openly, oblivious to anyone else.
Liang Sanjin added, "Yes, yes, let's move aside a bit. Elder Mo is a significant figure, and what he is doing here is important..."
Suddenly, an arrow of energy struck, sending Liang Sanjin tumbling to the ground, cutting off his unfinished words.
Mo Qi blew dust off his fingertips and glanced at Liang Sanjin on the ground.
He was truly annoying. It was his instigation that had caused these two mad dogs to bark.
Liang Sanjin, his stomach pierced, writhed and howled on the ground.
His former glory and imperious demeanor had vanished completely.
As glorious as he had been, he was now as pathetic.
The surrounding people cast glances of "You've had your day."
Tan Zai Huan, in particular, watched from afar through the gaps in the crowd, a hint of schadenfreude in his eyes.
Just as Yao Dong was about to unleash his fury on Mo Qi, he suddenly saw Liang Sanjin fall to the ground, his shock immense.
He had been close to Liang Sanjin, yet he hadn't seen how he was injured.
Nor had he seen who had attacked!
But seeing Mo Qi's contemptuous gaze, it was as if "I did this to him" was written all over his face.
He thought, if that hidden arrow had been even slightly off, could he have dodged it?
The more Yao Dong thought about it, the more fearful he became, breaking out in a cold sweat.
He suddenly felt that Liang Sanjin's fear must have had a reason!
He didn't just have backing!
He likely also possessed some strength.
But Du Luzhang did not think so!
He believed Mo Qi was openly challenging him.
This was naked humiliation, as if his face had been branded!
Enraged, Du Luzhang formed a hand seal, and a divine light shot towards Mo Qi.
Mo Qi immediately became alert, pulling Linghu Xiaoxian as they leaped away, drifting dozens of feet away.
Where Mo Qi had been standing, a booming explosion erupted, scattering light and dust.
The table instantly shattered into pieces, flying outwards.
Several Sun Moon Sect disciples standing behind Mo Qi, unable to dodge, were sent reeling and fell to the ground, groaning.
Du Luzhang, however, paid them no mind and continued forming hand seals, preparing to attack again.
Mo Qi immediately pushed Linghu Xiaoxian aside and waved his hand. "Wait a moment."
He intended to say that with so many people around, they should find a secluded place to fight.
Du Luzhang, furious, refused to listen. "Nine Revolutions Soul-Snatching Windmill!"
A massive windmill-shaped artifact was conjured into the air. The windmill was densely packed with numerous "blades." As it spun, these blades detached and flew out, accompanied by the sound of wind and thunder, hurtling towards Mo Qi.
The blades were like flying swords, attacking Mo Qi one after another.
Although they followed each other, the windmill was constantly rotating. As the blades flew out, they were at different positions, hence appearing side-by-side.
All the wind blades, arranged side-by-side, flew towards Mo Qi. From Mo Qi's perspective, it looked like countless flying swords piercing towards him, covering the sky.
Moreover, each of these wind blades emitted black energy. The black energy coalesced into a single mass, like a giant black saber, slashing towards Mo Qi.
From a distance, a sharp, chilling aura blew past, making the skin sting as if burned.
Mo Qi dared not delay. He took an emergency pill and, while forming hand seals, a red light emanated from both sides of his body, as if sprouting a pair of wings.
To deal with someone of this caliber, he could win without using his ultimate moves.
But that would require sufficient time and patience!
And Mo Qi had neither of these at the moment.
He only hoped to cut the Gordian knot swiftly!
After quickly defeating him, he had important matters to attend to.
Truly, the tall tree attracts the wind. I only wanted to be a quiet, handsome man; why must you provoke me?
"I'll give you one last chance. Will you stop?" Mo Qi asked Du Luzhang, warning him.
Du Luzhang scoffed dismissively and said indignantly, "Why all this nonsense? Do you think uttering some arrogant words can scare me away? I originally just wanted to teach you a lesson, but seeing how arrogant you are, I believe only death can truly match your arrogance."
"Fine, I think the same."
The red light on both sides of Mo Qi's body spread infinitely, like two giant dragons roaring and hissing, tearing towards the distance.
Simultaneously, the red light swept outwards, interlocking like rows of sharp blades tied to ropes. The ropes extended and swung endlessly, creating a fierce wind in the surrounding space.
Du Luzhang's expression shifted slightly. He was somewhat surprised by the momentum, but it quickly returned to normal.
No matter how intimidating the aura, it couldn't change the fact that he was merely a cultivator in the Tribulation Passing stage.
From the Tribulation Passing stage to the Human Immortal realm, there was only one step.
However, this step was from the ground to the heavens. The gap was imaginable.
Therefore, let him shine brightly and wave his arms freely, for it would only be a moment.
However, to ensure his safety, he quietly added some spiritual energy. Previously, he had used eight to nine tenths of his cultivation; now, he was exerting his full power.
The overwhelming fan-shaped blades, mixed with the black energy, flickered with a faint glow, like ferocious, slumbering demons slowly opening their eyes.
The black energy permeated and coiled more rapidly. The air emitted a mournful, wailing sound, like the cries of ghosts, and a bloody, bloodthirsty aura spread endlessly.
From a distance, Mo Qi felt gusts of chilling wind, increasing in intensity, penetrating deep into his soul, making his entire being tremble.
Mo Qi felt a pang of trepidation and accelerated his spiritual energy. Under the effect of the emergency pill, his entire body boiled.
Vast spiritual energy rose and fell within his body, manifesting as dazzling red light, vibrant and varied.
The red light also roared in the air, like ten thousand horses galloping, grand and imposing.
Below the clouds, people watched in amazement. "This is hardly a duel between ordinary disciples! It's clearly a duel between two Grandmasters."
"Elder Mo, as a member of the Elder Council, isn't he a Grandmaster?"
"But Du Luzhang isn't a Grandmaster!"
"But Du Luzhang is more powerful than Elder Mo. Elder Mo hasn't ascended yet."
"What? Are you telling me that a Grandmaster from the Elder Council hasn't ascended, while an ordinary disciple has? Are you trying to make me question reality? No, I can't listen to this. I didn't hear anything, I didn't hear anything..."
The duels in various arenas below also stopped simultaneously. Everyone tilted their heads back, watching the battle above the arena.
"We are competing for the sect leader. What are they competing for?"
"I don't know..."