A flowing purple robe and a crisp white garment. At that moment, they became the center of attention for everyone present.

Amidst the sea of people, cheers erupted like waves. Yet none of it affected the two figures standing on the platform.

"I've always heard that you cultivators from Dahe Market excel in battle, but seeing it today, I must say I'm rather disappointed," Bai Qi remarked, toying with a crimson sphere in his hand, a mocking expression on his face. "The previous seven matches, aside from that of Sick Tiger Zeng Wen, were utterly unimpressive. Surely you're not worse than him?"

The towering Qin Liangchen tilted his head back, his nostrils flaring with disdain. "Zeng Wen? He's not even worthy of comparison. Back then, he dared to fight me over a woman and ran away clutching his head after I beat him."

Bai Qi's eyes lit up. "So, you've got some tricks up your sleeve, huh?"

It was the look of a predator spotting prey.

Qin Liangchen despised that look. He had always been the one to treat demonic beasts and rogue cultivators as prey.

A golden mace shot out suddenly. "If you want to fight, fight! Enough with the nonsense!"

The golden mace, brimming with weight and power, smashed forward, exuding a formidable presence that pressed upon the heart.

Bai Qi unhurriedly tossed the crimson sphere into the air.

In an instant! Sword light filled the sky, radiating deadly intent.

In a single exchange, the sword light intertwined like threads, tightly enveloping the golden mace.

An immense cutting force erupted, shattering the golden mace into countless fragments that scattered in all directions.

"A Sword Orb!" Qin Liangchen's expression changed dramatically!

***

"Huh, that's actually a Sword Orb from our sect"

Golden Core Adept Pang Renxiong, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them briefly. After a single glance, he shook his head and closed his eyes again. He didn't offer any comments from start to finish.

Luo Tianhong was indifferent; for a Qi-Refining cultivator to wield a Sword Orb, it was naturally beneath the notice of a senior elder. However, he found it quite intriguing.

But after observing for a few more exchanges, he furrowed his brows. "Crooked techniques like these don't deserve to be called sword cultivation!"

***

The moment the Sword Orb appeared, nearly everyone with some insight turned their gaze toward the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect's section of the grandstand.

Yet not a single sword cultivator from the sect spoke. Even the Qi-Refining disciples assisting them looked shocked before anger began to surface.

The spectators, unaware of the underlying situation, turned their attention back to the Debate Platform.

Under the myriad threads of sword light, the Poshan Gang's cultivator struggled to hold on, his purple robe riddled with cuts.

"That purple robe must be an enchanted supreme-grade defensive robe. The Poshan Gang really went all out to bring something this good."

"But against a weapon like the Sword Orb, it probably won't last more than a few rounds."

"He's in grave danger!"

Qin Liangchen's predicament was evident to everyone. No matter what enchanted artifact he brought forth, under the rain-like threads of sword light, it would shatter into fragments within two or three breaths.

In the Poshan Gang's grandstand, Murong Qinglian had already risen to her feet, tense with anxiety. She bit her lip, her delicate frame trembling.

"Uncle Mi, can Liangchen win?"

Mi Shuhua's expression was solemn. "The opponent is using a Sword Orb. Its offensive power is unparalleled among enchanted artifacts, but with the Violet River Robe I gave him, Liangchen is temporarily safe. However, prolonged defense will lead to failure. Liangchen must counterattack!"

Can he counterattack?

Under the overwhelming crimson sword light, how many Qi-Refining cultivators could even breakthrough?

Luo Chen's heart raced wildly—

there existed such an enchanted artifact in the world? No, perhaps the Sword Orb could no longer be considered an enchanted artifact.

Every Sword Orb of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect could be considered the embryo of an enchanted treasure. As long as a cultivator nourished it daily with their spirit consciousness and enchanting power, they could refine it with true fire upon reaching the Golden Core Realm, elevating it into an enchanted treasure.

Such a weapon couldn't be withstood, not even with an enchanted supreme-grade defensive robe.

Big Brother Qin—how could he break this situation? If I were to encounter such an enemy in the future, how could I defend myself?

Break the situation?

Qin Liangchen's hair and beard billowed as he produced another enchanted artifact.

Across from him, Bai Qi burst into wild laughter.

"Such a low-quality artifact is useless against my Sword Orb!"

Qin Liangchen remained unmoved. As soon as the artifact was activated, he destroyed the engraved formations on it with immense spirit power.

Boom!

The enchanted artifact exploded instantly!

The tremendous force cleared the surrounding sword light for a brief moment. This move was clearly borrowed from Yang Rusheng's strategy in the previous match.

An opportunity!

Qin Liangchen seized the chance and charged forward.

Bai Qi smirked, as if he had anticipated this flaw all along. The dispersed sword light lacked sufficient concentration of power. But he was prepared!

His ten fingers moved rapidly, spraying blood from their tips. The sword light in the air suddenly converged into one, forming a massive blood-red sword that slashed downward.

The Blood Refinement!

When he unleashed this technique, many spectators understood. No wonder he could wield a Sword Orb—a weapon that typically only Foundation Establishment cultivators could barely control, while still in the Qi-Refining Realm.

However, such a method harmed both the practitioner and the Sword Orb. What could have matured into an enchanted treasure's embryo would forever remain an enchanted supreme-grade offensive artifact, incapable of further advancement.

No wonder the members of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect looked disdainful, even angry. Using such a lowly method was considered an insult to the Sword Orb of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect.

They were relieved, at least.

But Qin Liangchen was facing a genuine life-and-death crisis. Facing the blood-red sword descending upon him, Qin Liangchen's eyes widened, and he charged forward recklessly.

There was only one chance. Even if it meant death, he had to seize it!

A jade-like hand rose and gripped the sword light.

Ah…

A scream escaped his lips as the Sword Orb trembled violently in his palm.

The purple enchanted robe emitted bursts of violet light, trying to block the radiating sword beams, but how could it withstand the power of an enchanted treasure embryo?

In less than three breaths, the violet light dissipated.

What followed were deafening explosions.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

From his palm, Qin Liangchen's flesh began to disintegrate inch by inch.

Across from him, Bai Qi sneered incessantly. To take on a Sword Orb's ultimate move with one's body? He had never seen anyone so foolish. Suddenly, his expression changed dramatically.

In just three breaths, the opponent was perilously close to him.

Bang!

Another explosion rang out. What he saw wasn't a face filled with despair and agony—it was a grim and terrifying visage.

Hah!

The remaining left hand, glowing with a jade-like whiteness, rose high into the air and then it struck down.

Bai Qi fell to the ground in astonishment, and alongside him, the crimson Sword Orb dropped, wrapped in countless threads.

Qin Liangchen gasped heavily, grinning fiercely as he said, "Did you think there's no reason I'm called the Broken Jade Tiger?!"

On his left hand, at some point, a white glove had appeared. It was this very enchanted artifact that had allowed him to cleave Bai Qi's body from a distance of a full meter.

The price Qin Liangchen paid was his right hand, reduced to fragments from the palm to the arm.

Everyone stared at the one-armed man standing on the platform. At his feet lay Bai Qi, split cleanly in two.

A Qi-Refining battle—so brutal and devastating!

At some point, Miao Zhen had descended onto the platform. Shaking his head, he reached out and seized the Sword Orb. "This match goes to Qin Liangchen of the Poshan Gang." After declaring the result, he said indifferently, "This Sword Orb and all the spoils on this person will belong to my Jade Cauldron Sword Sect."

Qin Liangchen, his mind hazy, raised his head when he heard someone claiming his spoils. "Your hand is destroyed. We'll provide you with a suitable replacement. Additionally, we'll compensate you with ten thousand spirit stones. That's enough. You may leave now!"

"Oh." Hearing that he could get a new hand, Qin Liangchen, still somewhat conscious, mumbled an acknowledgment and left the Debate Platform.

When he reached the gate, Murong Qinglian was already waiting there.

He grinned, then uttered a few words.

"I'm back."