Chapter Fifty-Three: I Lost

This is the formidable strength of the Armored Shell. Li Mu had already used the Fire Gourd to absorb the earth’s essence, and now exerted himself fully, yet not being at the Meridian Refining stage, he lacked the power to destroy.

Standing behind the Armored Shell, a flame had already ignited in Li Mu’s hand, a violet-black fire casting an uncanny glow across Mu Kui’s face.

“I concede.”

Li Mu withdrew the Fire Gourd; the sand faded and returned within it.

“My apologies.”

He bowed respectfully, descending gracefully. The cultivators below the platform watched, their eyes wide with astonishment, only realizing their own shocked exclamations as Li Mu came down. The victory this time was truly spectacular—few imagined that Li Mu, not yet at the Spirit Foundation stage, could withstand such a peerless attack. Yet he had, and seemingly without expending any effort.

“This youth’s spiritual power defies prediction. In the top ten, he will surely have his place.”

“Let’s see how he fares after four rounds. The final round may be a melee, and someone as strong yet unaffiliated as he could easily be targeted by the others.” Li Xiaowu, well-experienced in the Jade Iron Sect, spoke with reason.

Such were the rules of the Jade Iron Sect. The hundred victors from the first four rounds would enter the final round. The last round was a melee, with rankings determined by individual performance; endurance was key. If Li Mu fought alone, he would be an easy target for the sect’s combined assault. Thus, in past Jade Iron tournaments, most of the top ten were from the sect itself. Many joined the Jade Iron Sect before the last round for this very reason.

Li Mu listened to the discussions below, a faint, indifferent smile on his lips as he swiftly left the arena.

Above the platform, many sect leaders fixed their eyes on him, including Lady Wang.

“He did not disappoint me. This time, I may consider offering some pills as a reward, just to see his reaction.”

A natural excitement bloomed across Lady Wang’s face. “But I must wait until after the four rounds; before the final melee, that’s the best opportunity.”

Master Yu, meanwhile, watched another match: Li Mie versus Tie Zhong.

Tie Zhong was a disciple of Qian Yudi, also newly at Spirit Foundation. Their rivalry was orchestrated by the sect for training purposes—Jade Iron’s cultivators below Spirit Foundation could compete against each other.

“Young man, if you lose, I’ll be at a great loss.” Master Yu watched Li Mie intently, thinking. He and Qian Yudi had wagered: whose disciple won, the loser would forge a third-grade treasure for the victor, with ten thousand mid-grade spirit crystals as stakes—a hefty sum.

Unlike the other friendly matches, Li Mie stood in the arena, bloodied, his opponent Tie Zhong in similar condition.

But neither admitted defeat, neither would stop.

Suddenly, Li Mie swallowed a pill.

“Why, why is your casting speed so much faster?” Tie Zhong dodged left and right, frustration etched across his face.

Li Mie snorted, “Just admit defeat!”

He had just taken a Condensing Spirit Pill, greatly increasing his spellcasting speed. This pill was unavailable in any shop—only Li Mu possessed it.

“No, a disciple of Master Qian never admits defeat!” Tie Zhong shouted stubbornly.

Li Mie shook his head; the Greenwater Sword split in two, its twin flashes stabbing simultaneously into Tie Zhong’s feet.

Tie Zhong’s legs gave way; he collapsed onto the platform.

“Li Mie wins!”

Master Yu above the platform nodded, smiling broadly.

The rankings after three rounds were released.

Li Mu’s opponent was a Jade Iron disciple at late Spirit Foundation.

This would be Li Mu’s most challenging battle yet—surpassing two stages, far more difficult than before. Though Li Mu’s energy pool was much larger than most cultivators, at best it matched mid-Foundation; against someone at late stage, there was still a wide gap in both true power and reserves.

Moreover, his opponent was a Jade Iron sect disciple, well-equipped with treasures.

The betting hall became lively once more.

“Huang San versus Li Mu, three to one odds—get your spirit crystals ready!”

“Late Foundation versus early—a high ratio, a safe chance to win. Don’t miss out, or you’ll lose for nothing!”

Several young men tirelessly repeated their calls, attracting many cultivators to place bets. Indeed, late Foundation versus early was a huge gap; most reached their own conclusions.

“Li Mu’s luck is about to run out. What a pity.”

On the street, a handsome young cultivator showed some regret on his face, though within his expression was a hint of malice. “If Li Mu can be eliminated in the arena, my junior might change her mind and submit completely. Such a pity.”

Had Li Mu been there, he would have recognized this cultivator as Wang Qi from the Flower Forest Sect.

Wang Qi also participated in the Jade Iron Tournament. With ease, he could cultivate at the Meridian Refining stage, practiced sinister techniques well hidden, and was, in fact, the sect master. Advancing further posed little difficulty.

During the Flower Forest Sect’s internal strife, although he had accidentally consumed Shen Bingxue’s intermediary pill, which slowed his cultivation, he still defeated her and took control of the sect.

But he did not force Shen Bingxue, for he lacked real strength and could find no other means to earn money, relying solely on her pills to sustain the sect.

Wang Qi placed a special restriction on Shen Bingxue, imprisoning her within the recipe room, compelling her to refine pills.

Shen Bingxue, helpless, had no choice but to comply, though she did not resign herself, hoping someone would come to rescue her. She was devoted to the way of alchemy, seldom left the sect, and knew few people outside—except Li Mu, and perhaps some eccentric alchemists.

Thus, several months passed.

Li Mu knew nothing of this. Though that figure occasionally appeared in his mind, he quickly dismissed it. He had many things to attend to, and for now, did not wish to be distracted.

A few days later, Li Mu returned to the arena.

Huang San’s face was handsome, his figure standing gracefully atop the platform, as if he were the very image of elegance and charm, captivating countless young women.

He wore a second-grade superior Jade Iron armor, wielded a second-grade superior green-hued sword, bore at his waist a Condensing Spirit Pendant for instant recovery, and on his feet, second-grade treasure Cloud Boots. He seemed to be shining all over—a picture-perfect rich young master, adorned with treasures worth at least ten thousand mid-grade spirit crystals.

“So handsome! If only he were my cultivation partner...”

“Such a swan, even the toad dreams of eating its meat—how foolish! Huang San is the Jade Iron Sect’s prized disciple; though not famous, he’s far beyond your imagination. Obviously, he’s mine.”

The star-eyed female cultivators laughed amongst themselves.

Above the platform, several sect leaders nodded approvingly.

“With such a disciple, there is nothing to regret.”

“Late Foundation at barely twenty, with everything one could wish for. Li Mu has no tricks left this time.”

On the platform, Huang San gave Li Mu a slight nod.

Li Mu smiled back, his Fire Gourd suddenly growing several times larger. Though his opponent was formidable, after careful investigation, he held much confidence.

Huang San shook his head, a peculiar smile curling at his lips. “I concede.”

“Why?”