The battle between Qin Shi and Su Cha had begun in the silent exchange of gazes.
After the 13th group ended, Qin Shi wrapped his black robe tightly around himself and walked to the viewing platform step by step.
Due to the peak of the thirteenth group, the following two groups were slightly more mediocre. In the fourteenth group, Yun Yan was undoubtedly the champion of the fourteenth group, while the fifteenth group was won by an alluring woman.
That lady was also at the initial stage of the Domain Realm. This was something that many people had not expected. However, after winning the competition, the corners of her mouth curled up into a charming smile. She winked at Qin Shi.
Qin Shi did not pay attention to any of the two groups on the viewing platform. He had expected Yun Yan to win, and he did not have any impression of this lady. He had been examining Yu Yue's injuries throughout the entire process and had also used the Sweet Pouring Raindrops Array in Yu Yue's body, hoping to help Yu Yue recover her meridians and bones.
However, he could not help but frown when he saw the sudden look in her eyes.
"What is she hinting at?" Qin Shi's eyes darkened when he met the lady's gaze.
"Shi Tou, don't underestimate this lady. Her identity is very special."
"What is her identity?"
"Her." Haoyue took a deep breath and said, "Her name is Zhang Ling 'er, and she is Zhang Hun's biological granddaughter."
"Zhang Hun's biological granddaughter?" Qin Shi frowned in surprise. "Zhang Hun actually has a granddaughter?
Why haven't I heard of this before? "
"It's not strange that you haven't heard of it. Zhang Ling 'er has not lived in the Sword Sect since she was born. Rumor has it that she was taken away by a distant relative of Zhang Hun. She went into seclusion for decades and only returned to the Sword Sect a few days ago. Even many disciples who have been in the Sword Sect for hundreds of years have no impression of her."
Haoyue revealed a profundity and said, "However, this little girl's strength isn't weak. When she'd just returned to the Sword Sect earlier, she fought three Region Realm elders of the Sword Sect. At that time, one of the three elders was at the perfection-stage of the Region Realm, yet they weren't able to gain an advantage against her."
"Really?"
Qin Shi clicked his tongue and immediately stared at Zhang Linger to size her up. If he hadn't heard it from Haoyue himself, it would have been really hard for him to associate this weak girl with a powerful cultivation base.
Suddenly, his black eyes turned cold. From Zhang Linger's beautiful eyes, he noticed a strange luster: "Is that, is that the Fiendish Demon Killing Intent?"
In an instant, Qin Shi's heartstrings tightened.
He was sure that he didn't see wrongly just now. In Zhang Linger's beautiful eyes, he actually sensed a few traces of fiendish killing intent flowing.
"Kid, there's something wrong with that lass. There's an extremely thick demonic aura coming from her." The Nefarious Devil chimed in.
Qin Shi's eyes widened. "I knew it!"
But he couldn't figure it out. If Zhang Linger was really Zhang Hun's granddaughter, why did he summon her back to the Sword Sect at this time?
Could it be that Zhang Hun was going to give up on Su Yi?
Qin Shi shook his head. This was unlikely. Not to mention that Su Yi's cultivation base was increasing day by day, just his reputation and prestige in the Sword Sect was not something that Zhang Linger could compare with. At this time, it was obviously not the right choice to abandon the rook to protect the general.
He also believed that Zhang Hun would not do such a stupid thing.
In other words, Zhang Linger's appearance should have other purposes?
Suddenly, he looked at Zhang Hun, and when he saw Zhang Hun's old eyes, it made him fall into a deeper confusion.
"Hmm?"
Qin Shi snorted. He saw that Zhang Hun's cloudy eyes that were looking at Zhang Linger actually flashed with a bit of anger.
Zhang Linger, on the other hand, turned a blind eye to Zhang Hun's gaze.
Qin Shi was suddenly stunned in his heart and laughed out: "Hehe, this is interesting. It seems that this Zhang Linger was not summoned back by Zhang Hun, and Zhang Hun seems to be unable to control this Zhang Linger at all."
"People who enter my Demon World, can be controlled by ordinary people like you?" Regarding this point, the Evil Demon was full of pride.
Qin Shi curled his lips. He was too lazy to contradict the Evil Demon, but his heart became inexplicably gloomy.
Because, this, on the contrary, made him more uneasy.
"If Zhang Linger's appearance is not controlled by Zhang Hun, then what is her real purpose? What kind of person behind her is controlling everything?"
Inexplicably, Qin Shi felt that there was a huge conspiracy unfolding invisibly, moving closer to him step by step, making it difficult for him to move forward.
At this time, the preliminary round of the fifteen groups had all ended.
The Law Enforcement Elder jumped onto the arena, and his clear laughter echoed in the sky: "As everyone can see, the preliminary round of the annual disciple competition has ended. I am very honored that there are so many new forces in our sect. I believe that one day, they will become the glory of our Sword Sect."
"As representatives of the Sword Sect, these seven hundred and fifty disciples will all receive the extraordinary rewards that our Sword Sect has prepared for them. Martial arts, spiritual treasures, spiritual weapons, there will be everything."
"However, everyone knows that the final result of the annual disciple competition is that there can only be one winner, the strongest person. So, the matter of the reward can only be temporarily postponed."
"Next, will be the semi-finals of the annual disciple competition. Now, let us invite our glorious disciples onto the arena. In the following semi-finals, out of the seven hundred and fifty disciples, only the last ten will be left."
"Of course, the birth of these ten disciples will not be in a chaotic battle. Instead, they will be chosen by our Sword Sect's spirit."
The Law Enforcement Elder's voice was rough and uncertain. Only when all seven hundred and fifty disciples had entered the arena did he stand up and jump off the arena.
Towards his words, countless disciples expressed their confusion.
"The spirit's choice?"
"What do you mean?"
Most of the remaining disciples on the arena were outstanding disciples, and all of them had the right to be arrogant. They said to the old man patiently, "Old man, if you have something to say, then say it quickly. Don't dawdle here."
The Law Enforcement Elder sneered and shook his head, "I hope that in a while, all of you will still be as proud as you are now."
After that, he turned around and muttered a few words to the elders behind him, and the elders immediately retreated to the back.
Buzz! Buzz!
Suddenly, the square of the Sword Sect shook.
A natural moat suddenly split open on the arena at the center, and a series of intersecting dislocations appeared. Under the natural moat, it was as if seven hundred and fifty sky-piercing pillars had risen from the netherworld.
Every sky-piercing pillar was shaped like a sword, and the blades on both sides flickered with a sharp light.
When they saw the sky-piercing pillars that had suddenly risen, everyone was slightly shocked. Among the seven hundred and fifty disciples on the arena, most of them panicked.
From the sky-piercing pillars, they felt as if they were being punished by the heavens.
"What, what is this?"
Many disciples felt a chill run down their spines.
The Law Enforcement Elder smiled with satisfaction, and then he turned around respectfully and spoke to the highest and most honorable platform, "Sect Leader, can we begin?"
Fang Qing smiled faintly and nodded lightly.
After that, Fang Qing stood up. She still had a dignified appearance, and she gently moved her fingers.
Swish!
Swish!
Swish!
Immediately, seven hundred and fifty sword lights flicked out.
"Buzz!"
Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, the seven hundred and fifty sky-piercing pillars started to tremble violently, and then the stone walls on the outside cracked and faded away. Every single pillar that rose into the sky actually transformed into a real huge sword in the end.
"Heavens! Heavens! What is that?"
In an instant, over seven hundred disciples were terrified.
Staring at the huge sword in front of him, Qin Shi frowned slightly. From the huge sword, he seemed to feel a special flow of air. That flow of air seemed to be … Sword Qi?
The Law Enforcement Elder smiled faintly and said, "Everyone, I believe you have seen it. These sword pillars are the sword pillars that I used to gather the spirits of the Sword Sect. In the second round, all you have to do is to withstand the attacks from these sword pillars."
"In the second round, there will only be a total of ten disciples. Those who survive will be the final candidates for this year's Inner Disciple Competition and will enter the finals."
"Then, let us begin now. Everyone, please be careful." The Law Enforcement Elder smiled proudly. Then, he waved his hand and once again opened up the barrier of the arena.
After the Law Enforcement Elder finished speaking, many disciples did not even have the time to react. Obviously, they did not have much time to react either.
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
Waves of violent vibrations could be heard as the seven hundred and fifty sword pillars rose from the ground. Immediately, terrifying sword lights shot out and bombarded the over seven hundred participants.
Boom!
Over seven hundred participants could not react in time and hurriedly raised their hands to defend.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
In an instant, it was earth-shattering.
The sword lights that shot out from each sword pillar were enough to shatter the ground. In the blink of an eye, the entire arena was shattered into thousands of pieces.
"Damn it!"
Immediately, over seven hundred participants cursed angrily. The attack of the sword pillars was too sudden and they had no time to think. They could only use their martial arts crazily.
Of course, in this chaos, there were naturally people who could handle it with ease. For example, Long Tingyan seemed to be familiar with the sword pillars. He was able to skillfully dodge every sword light from the sword pillars.
Not only him, but Yun Yan, Su Tiao and Haoyue were also doing the same. Among them, Haoyue was not considered strong. However, in this aspect, he was better than many disciples who had achieved the Initial Domain Realm or even the Profound Domain Realm.
Bang!
Bang!
Two Golden Pagodas of the Relic Mantle were summoned in succession. Qin Shi clanged and collided with the sword light. However, even with the protection of the Golden Pagodas, the strong impact still made him dizzy and forced him to take several steps back.
When he saw the actions of the others, his eyes could not help but narrow.
In the face of the attack of the sword pillars, he seemed to be inferior to even Haoyue.
He could not help but feel that this was strange.
"What's going on?"
Qin Shi realized that Haoyue and the rest seemed to have a different understanding of the attack of the sword pillars. Hence, the way they blocked it was also very unique. They did not need to consume too much spiritual power and were able to skillfully use their swordsmanship to dissolve the sword lights.
It felt as if … as if …