Chapter 195: Prioritize

"That slash... I couldn't see it at all!"

"The blade descended from the heavens without leaving a single trace. That’s the true essence of the Celestial Blade of Radiance! Song Wuya has completely mastered its secrets!"

"Right now, he’s already comparable to the legendary Roc Demon King. If he keeps progressing, he might one day stand on the century's stage, challenging the Extreme Martial Saints for the title of King of the Century!"

"I figured Song Wuya challenged Duan Yidao because of the pressure he felt from Li Pin. He knew that without surpassing his limits, he’d never stand a chance at competing for the top spot. What I didn’t expect... was for him to actually succeed."

"Two peerless sword masters, through life and death, have transcended their souls, forged their Martial Will, and reached the rank of Martial Saint. With Song Wuya’s breakthrough, the outcome of the World’s Top Martial Competition is now even harder to predict!"

The Martial Saints couldn't contain their emotions and began to speak out. Many of them were even tactical advisors for the competitors. Their astonishment was evident, showing no concern for the feelings of the competitors around them.

At this moment, competitors like Ying Long, Nan Lifeng, and Yan Hongtu all clenched their fists as they watched Song Wuya bask in the spotlight. With his newfound strength, Song Wuya could very well challenge Li Pin.

Every one of them wished to be in his shoes.

Even the Great Sun Chosen One, fresh off his resounding victory, couldn't hide his growing apprehension.

"I don't know whether to call you guys fortunate... or unfortunate." Zhao Yushi’s tactical advisor sighed. "This year's World's Top Martial Competition will undoubtedly be the most dazzling one in history. For the next few years, even the next decade, when people talk about the competition, they will inevitably review the most outstanding competitors of this session."

He turned his gaze to Zhao Yushi. "If you don't want to end up as a mere backdrop to Li Pin and Song Wuya, you need to work harder! Don't focus on compensating for your shortcomings in close combat anymore. No weapon is perfect.

"In the coming time, focus on offense! Every inch of your spear's length is a testament to its power! If you can maximize the advantages of your spear technique, you can fight and defeat both Song Wuya and Li Pin!"

Zhao Yushi said nothing. She merely gripped her spear tightly, her gaze growing colder.

***

On the competition stage.

Song Wuya's gaze locked onto Li Pin. He calmly said, "In this year's World's Top Martial Competition, you are my greatest surprise.... Promise me that you won’t fall too soon."

Li Pin didn’t mind Song Wuya’s bold challenge. He instead asked, "How long will it take you to stabilize your transcended state?"

"One day is enough."

"I'll give you three days." Li Pin smiled slightly. "Make sure to work hard, young man."

Song Wuya gave Li Pin a profound look and said nothing more. With his sword in hand, he walked off the stage under the announcer's declaration of victory.

***

"This year's competition is truly impressive."

Mo Wangqing watched the scene and smiled sincerely. He stood up and turned to Wan Qingshan. "Maintain order properly and ensure no inappropriate rumors spread."

"Understood. Please rest assured, Master Mo. We do our utmost to ensure the fairness of each season of the World's Top Martial Competition," Wan Qingshan promised immediately.

Mo Wangqing nodded. With himself overseeing the competition, it seemed unlikely that Wan Qingshan or the organizing committee would dare to do anything unsavory.

He glanced at Su Mai and said with a smile, "The Taibai Kingdom's performance this season is quite surprising. However, I noticed that Li Pin's techniques and swordsmanship seem rather ordinary. Although they are exquisite, they lack a cohesive system. You need to address this."

"Master Mo, you are right. I will ask him about his needs and strive to meet all his requirements regarding techniques when I head back," Su Mai quickly responded.

The Master Astral Cultivator smiled and nodded. "Alright. If there are any difficulties, you can bring them to us. The Tianyuan Federation is not so petty as to withhold advanced cultivation techniques and shortchange him."

At these words, everyone felt a momentary pause in their breathing.

Bring them to us!? What does that mean!?

Does "us" refer to the organizing committee of the World's Top Martial Competition?

Or the Tianyuan Dynasty or the Tianyuan Federation?

Or perhaps...

that supreme expert behind Mo Wangqing who stands at the pinnacle of the Tianyuan Federation, with the power to determine a nation's fate with a single word!?

Su Mai's pupils dilated involuntarily. He quickly said, "Thank you for your kindness, Master Mo. If Li Pin learns of your high opinion of him, he will surely be delighted."

Mo Wangqing smiled and nodded. After exchanging pleasantries with Wan Qingshan and the others, he took his leave.

On one hand, the remaining matches likely held little interest. On the other, his time was indeed limited. As Fu Qingtian's disciple, he represented the Tianyuan Federation's Supreme Expert. His status far surpassed that of an ordinary Master Astral Cultivator.

***

The match continued.

Song Wuya had already fought, and Duan Yidao was dead.

Next up...

"Let's welcome the talented female martial artist, also a member of the Taibai Royal Family, contestant Su Feiyu, to the stage!"

Su Feiyu was taken aback. "It's my turn?"

Her? Who should she challenge?

Li Pin went without saying. She planned to wait until he had fought an exhausting battle and then give him a breather. The remaining competitors, Zhao Yushi, Cheng Yufeng, Yan Hongtu, and the Great Sun Chosen One had all fought. Even the opponents who would take the stage after her, like Song Wuya, Nan Lifeng, and Ying Long, had already fought once.

So, who should she face next?

Lost in thought, Su Feiyu stepped into the arena.

"You may choose to challenge any contestant. However, given that all contestants have already competed and may not be at their best, they have the right to decline your challenge. If your challenge is refused, you can choose to defer your match to the next round," the host explained the rules smoothly.

Such situations had occurred before in the round-robin, so they had established protocols for handling them.

Deferring simply meant postponing her match until the next round. It did not mean automatic victory; she would still have to fight her match.

Of course, with Duan Yidao dead, the original nine-match round-robin had been reduced to eight. This change meant that, even at worst, her ranking would improve from tenth to ninth place.

"I choose to challenge..."

Su Feiyu's gaze shifted to Ying Long, the once unruly fellow she encountered back in the town in Shadow Forest. "Him."

As soon as these words were spoken, Ying Long's face, already bruised and swollen, flushed an even deeper shade of red. He felt a profound sense of humiliation.

By challenging him, Su Feiyu was implying that he was the weakest of the contestants. There were hundreds of thousands of spectators at the competition, not to mention the billions tuning in from all around the world. This humiliation was broadcast for all to see. No river could wash this insult away.

Him, Ying Long...

The host turned his attention to the Eagle Talon Sect's contestant. "Ying Long, what is your response?"

Ying Long's face remained flushed. His eyes, filled with cold, murderous intent, seemed to blaze with intensity. Finally, he responded with a steely expression, "I refuse!"

His tactical advisor quickly added, "Ying Long is too exhausted from his previous battle. He can’t fight another battle at the moment."

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The host nodded. "Understood. Very understandable."

He then turned to Su Feiyu and asked, "So, Su Feiyu, will you choose to continue challenging other opponents, or will you defer your match to the next round-robin?"

"I choose to defer!" Su Feiyu answered without hesitation.

After one round of the World's Top Martial Competition round-robin, there was only one day of rest. Unless the contestant had achieved a crushing victory, a day was barely enough to recover from the expended primordial qi and mental exhaustion of a hard-fought battle.

Therefore, maintaining peak condition was crucial. The longer she could keep her advantage, the greater it would become.

"Alright, Su Feiyu has chosen to defer her match. The first round-robin of the World's Top Martial Competition is now concluded. We thank the ten contestants for their exciting performances. Two days from now, we will gather again at the venue to continue determining who will truly be the world champion."

With the host's passionate announcement, the first day of the competition's round-robin came to a wrap.

During the first day of the competition, they witnessed not only the intense battle between two Martial Saints but also a life-and-death struggle between two seeded competitors. The outcome, with one contestant dead, cemented the other's supreme reputation, making him like a rising star, ready to shine.

Such excitement had left everyone exhilarated, feeling that the thousands or tens of thousands spent on their tickets was worthwhile.

As the crowd dispersed, the contestants left through their designated exit channels. Li Pin boarded his car and returned to the Martial Arts Village under Tuo Bafeng's company. Soon after, Su Feiyu and Su Mai arrived in succession.

Su Mai exclaimed with a beaming smile, showing no hint of his usual prince-like demeanor, "Congratulations, congratulations! Martial Saint Li, congratulations on your victory in the first cycle of the round-robin."

Li Pin nodded slightly.

"How are you feeling? You've used your secret techniques and Blood Core Eruption twice. Do you need more Pills of Rebirth? I can get you some if you do," Su Mai inquired, his tone filled with concern.

"I've got enough," Li Pin responded.

Even though they had to be obtaining these pills at less than the market price, munching on them like candy was... way too extravagant.

"I have already arranged for detailed information on Song Wuya to be gathered. It will be delivered soon," Su Mai said, showing some seriousness. "Li Pin, remember, this World's Top Martial Competition is a crucial opportunity. If you perform exceptionally well, the rewards will be beyond your imagination."

The Dragon Gate Hall's Dragon Prince?

Li Pin nodded, intrigued by the prospect.

The Dragon Gate Hall, located in the Central Dynasty, was the best martial arts training institution in the entire Tianyuan Federation.

Countless Martial Saints have emerged from the Dragon Gate Hall. Leveraging their legendary astral equipment, they had cultivated numerous Top-Tier and Extreme Martial Saints. They had also helped many transcend the mortal realm and become Astral Cultivators.

As for the title of "Dragon Prince," it was reserved for the most talented of Top-Tier and Extreme Martial Saints, people groomed to be future Astral Cultivators.

This season of the World's Top Martial Competition offered several Dragon Prince slots, which justified Su Mai's statement that the rewards were beyond his imagination.