With Bai Youmu's order, the competition began.
Ji Yunxi had been quietly observing Sang Qingzhou. With Rong Hua's repeated reminders, she knew she couldn't underestimate her opponent.
Sure enough, Sang Qingzhou cast aside his previous timidity and launched an active attack.
His offensive was fierce, with almost every move aiming to be fatal, a far cry from his previous self.
Feng Xingzhi noticed something amiss from the audience. Nervously, he stepped forward and stared intently at Sang Qingzhou's every move.
"What's wrong?" Ji Yunyi saw his strange expression and asked nervously, "Is there some change?"
"Sang Qingzhou's strength has increased greatly. It can't be that simple."
After saying that, he pushed through the crowd and stared at Xiao Yi on the stage. Seeing the latter smiling brightly, he already had a plan in mind. It seemed that Xiao Yi had given Sang Qingzhou some pointers.
On the stage, Ji Yunxi first defended. When she found that mere defense was no longer enough, she immediately changed her swordsmanship and turned to attack.
All their movements were seen by others. Qi Haoyang, who had fought with Sang Qingzhou before, immediately spotted the problem. Frowning, he nervously gripped the sword in his hand.
It was impossible for someone to change so much in such a short time. It was likely that he had some external help.
Although Ji Yunxi had learned the Nine - Heaven Round Instrument Swordsmanship, she was still a bit rusty due to the short learning time. This battle was rather strenuous for her.
Qing Xuan, in Ji Yunxi's spiritual sea, sensed that his master was in battle and immediately woke up.
As a divine beast, he was extremely sensitive to the extra power on people. He immediately detected something on Sang Qingzhou that didn't belong to him.
"Master, be careful. He should have taken the Explosive Spiritual Pill."
Ji Yunxi was stunned. "What's that?"
"This pill can maximize a person's potential in a short period." Qing Xuan gritted his teeth in anger. "What a disgrace!"
Ji Yunxi hesitated because of Qing Xuan's words. Slightly distracted, she was caught by Sang Qingzhou, who stabbed her with his sword.
Her arm was cut unexpectedly. Rong Hua immediately stood up, extremely nervous.
Ji Yunxi glanced at her wound and sneered at Sang Qingzhou. "Sang Qingzhou, is this all you can do after taking the Explosive Spiritual Pill?"
Sang Qingzhou's face immediately turned ugly. He didn't expect to be exposed so directly. Enraged, he launched another attack.
Her voice wasn't soft. Feng Xingzhi heard it clearly.
Li Jiuge looked anxious. "Cousin, what did Yunxi mean? What's the Explosive Spiritual Pill?"
At this time, Lu Shu was not around. Although Feng Xingzhi had heard of the Explosive Spiritual Pill, he wasn't very clear about its actual use. He could only pretend to be calm and shake his head, then turned to look at Rong Hua on the stage.
As he expected, the masters also heard their conversation. Rong Hua was shocked and immediately stared at Xiao Yi.
Xiao Yi still looked confident, sitting there calmly as if just waiting for Sang Qingzhou to kill Ji Yunxi to vent his anger.
Rong Hua thought that Ji Yunxi wasn't a fool and wouldn't say that Sang Qingzhou had taken the Explosive Spiritual Pill for no reason. Moreover, as someone who had seen the Water Mirror, he naturally knew Sang Qingzhou's true strength. He was a hypocrite with poor skills.
Even if he were allowed to pass the thunder tribulation and ascend to the Immortal Realm directly, it was unlikely that he could defeat Ji Yunxi. But his state today was obviously abnormal.
Only a hypocrite like Xiao Yi could use such a dirty means. Rong Hua immediately stood up. "Vice - Master Bai, stop this competition."
Bai Youmu agreed in his heart, but before he could speak, Xiao Yi immediately stood up. "Why? Just because your disciple said that Sang Qingzhou took the Explosive Spiritual Pill, does it mean he really did? Show me the evidence!"
Ning Shuihan said, "Evidence? You have the nerve to ask for it. We've all seen the Water Mirror. Don't tell me you have the ability to turn a useless person into a master in just a few days!"
Xiao Yi's face looked a bit ugly. "He had a foundation. Finding the right method and making rapid progress isn't wrong, is it?"
Bai Youmu was too lazy to listen to his nonsense. Looking at Ji Yunxi, whose wounds were gradually increasing, he felt it was really inappropriate. After thinking for a moment, he was about to announce the end of the competition.
At this time, a person came slowly. "Continue the competition."
After the masters saw clearly who it was, they all stood up and saluted. "Greetings, Master."
Rong Hua's heart skipped a beat. Previously, the scores of Ji Yunxi and Feng Xingzhi were severely suppressed. He already had some suspicions. Now that Chu Huaiyuan had come in person, it was even more strange.
He just responded faintly, sat in the main seat, and watched the competition between Ji Yunxi and Sang Qingzhou.
Seeing the blood of Ji Yunxi on his sword, Sang Qingzhou laughed wildly. "Ji Yunxi, I'll make you die here today!"
Ji Yunxi was not to be outdone. She immediately drew her sword and approached him. "Sang Qingzhou! You fool. Do you know the consequences of taking the Explosive Spiritual Pill?"
Sang Qingzhou paused. "What do you want to say? You're still spouting nonsense on the verge of death!"
"Seems your good master didn't tell you. After taking the Explosive Spiritual Pill... there's no way out."
Sang Qingzhou looked into Ji Yunxi's eyes. He had a glimmer of doubt but somehow believed her words.
Although he was a villain, Ji Yunxi had always been above - board. Even though she disliked him, she had never resorted to underhanded means.
His father had redeemed him with silver, and the Emperor of Southern Yan had released him directly. They probably... wouldn't lie.
Could the pill he took really be a problem?!
Seeing his doubt, Ji Yunxi continued, "Believe it or not, Immortal Xiao Yi is not a good person. He can't tell right from wrong. How could he care about your life or death!"
"You're lying!" Unable to accept this fact, Sang Qingzhou suddenly exerted his strength. Gathering his spiritual power, he attacked Ji Yunxi.
Seeing this, Rong Hua was even more certain that there was something wrong with Sang Qingzhou. Gritting his teeth, he stepped forward and said to Chu Huaiyuan, "Master, Sang Qingzhou is suspected of taking the Explosive Spiritual Pill. I request that you stop this competition."
Chu Huaiyuan didn't even look at Rong Hua. He just stared at the people on the stage with great interest. "I don't see any sign that he took the Explosive Spiritual Pill. I think you're just too fond of your disciple. Don't worry. Just watch quietly."
"That's right. Immortal Rong Hua seems to dote on his disciple too much, so he's more concerned," Xiao Yi chimed in maliciously.
Rong Hua sneered. "I'm still unmarried. But you're so protective of your male disciple. Do you have a penchant for young men? Well, it's normal for an old man to like a young one."
"You!"
Hearing this, Chu Huaiyuan glanced at Rong Hua faintly but said nothing.
Seeing that Bai Youmu was inclined to protect Rong Hua, Xiao Yi could only shut up awkwardly.
Rong Hua now completely understood that Chu Huaiyuan had other motives. He secretly thought it was bad.
Ji Yunxi couldn't win this competition.