"I concede..."
Ye Ling’s expression was filled with desolation.
She had been forced into submission, her energy completely depleted.
It was a result she found hard to accept.
She had trained bitterly for so many years, poured so much of her heart and soul into it, and thought she had finally reached the Peak of Gang Force.
But now, an Embracing Pill Martial Artist, a seventeen-year-old youth, had defeated her in the most direct, head-on confrontation.
On the surface, it looked like he had simply outlasted her.
But Ye Ling knew the truth.
Zhang Su was only at the Embracing Pill Realm, yet his Inner Strength was so abundant he could wear her down to defeat.
This wasn’t luck. His foundation was simply more solid than hers.
In this battle, her loss was not unjust!
Ye Ling’s steps were heavy, but she walked off the arena stage with resolve.
As Ye Ling conceded, the viewing stands erupted in an uproar.
The disciples of the Guiyuan Sect cheered jubilantly.
Zhou Peng, Xie Guanchao, Mo Tingzhu, and the others all shot to their feet, their faces wreathed in smiles.
Bai Xuan was so excited she even leaped into the air.
The disciples from Medicine Valley, however, fell into a collective silence.
They sat in the southern stands, each one with their head bowed, no one speaking a word.
Ye Ling was Medicine Valley’s strongest Gang Force disciple. With even her defeated, Medicine Valley truly had no chance this time.
"Senior Sister Ye Ling... how could she lose?"
A Medicine Valley disciple muttered, their voice filled with disbelief.
"To lose to an Embracing Pill Martial Artist in such a way... what a shame."
Another Medicine Valley disciple shook their head, their tone full of regret.
"She was so close... How can an Embracing Pill Martial Artist’s Inner Strength be so profound?"
Someone voiced the question, but no one had an answer.
Everyone from Medicine Valley felt it was a pity for Ye Ling.
She was clearly so strong, had clearly mastered the Nine Spirits Sword Technique. If her Nine Spirits Sword Technique had reached the Perfection Realm, allowing her to unleash the Nine Swords, the outcome might have been different.
Unfortunately, there were no ’what ifs’.
The Jianghu Martial Artists in the audience had also fallen silent one by one.
Ye Ling, one of the biggest favorites at this Three Sects Gathering of Heroes, had actually lost to Zhang Su?
An Embracing Pill Martial Artist had broken into the final match.
And he even had a high chance of taking first place.
This was truly... unheard of!
In all their years roaming the Jianghu, they had seen countless geniuses and heard of countless legends.
But never had they heard of an Embracing Pill Martial Artist defeating a Peak Gang Force opponent to enter the finals of a grand event like the Three Sects Gathering of Heroes.
Today, they had witnessed it with their own eyes.
On the high platform, Gu Peiyuan, the Sect Leader of Medicine Valley, showed neither anger nor disappointment, only a faint sense of wistful admiration.
"Congratulations, Sect Leader Meng. For Zhang Su to defeat Ye Ling with a mere Embracing Pill Cultivation is truly remarkable."
Gu Peiyuan said with a smile.
His gaze fell upon Zhang Su on the stage, sizing him up and down. A flash of appreciation crossed his eyes.
In truth, he had originally come this time intending to demand an explanation from the Guiyuan Sect.
It was mainly about the matter of Zhang Su killing Ouyang Yin of Hidden Sword Manor.
Hidden Sword Manor was a power under Medicine Valley’s banner, and Ouyang Yin was one of their Clan Elders. With him being killed by a Guiyuan Sect disciple, it was both reasonable and proper for Medicine Valley to step in and demand an account.
But after seeing Zhang Su’s performance, Gu Peiyuan decided not to mention the matter at all.
Because there was no point.
Even if he brought it up, would the Guiyuan Sect actually punish Zhang Su?
Absolutely not.
Zhang Su was now the Guiyuan Sect’s second Celestial Pride!
A Celestial Pride was the future of a Sect, a pillar holding up the heavens.
Never mind killing a Clan Elder from Hidden Sword Manor; even if he had killed a disciple of Medicine Valley, the Guiyuan Sect would still protect him.
Meng Shouzhen’s face was all smiles, his eyes narrowed into slits.
Tang Tianwen stood by his side, the worry on his face long gone, replaced by an unconcealable joy.
Sitting in the Elders’ section, Zhao Qianfeng’s eyes were also full of gratification.
Their requirement for Zhang Su was, in fact, merely to be able to defeat an ordinary Gang Force Martial Artist.
The fact that Zhang Su had previously defeated Chu Hanjiang, a Peak Gang Force Martial Artist who had achieved the Unity of Inner and Outer, was already a pleasant surprise that had far exceeded their expectations.
And now, Zhang Su had gone even further and defeated Medicine Valley’s genius, Ye Ling.
They were naturally overjoyed.
Besides the people from the Guiyuan Sect, one other person was also very happy.
That was Zhou Dingshan of the Five Elements Sect.
His eyes had been fixed on the arena stage, watching every sword strike from Zhang Su and Ye Ling.
’So, Ye Ling’s trump card was the Nine Spirits Sword Technique at the Great Success Realm. If it were at the Perfection Realm and she could unleash the Nine Swords, I’m afraid even my Gang Force wouldn’t be able to withstand it. But there is only the Sixth Sword...’
A smile crept onto Zhou Dingshan’s face.
’The Sixth Sword, I can block that!’
He had that much confidence.
Moreover, it seemed he had also discerned Zhang Su’s limits from this battle.
Zhang Su’s strength was about on par with Ye Ling’s.
’Zhang Su’s Swordsmanship is indeed powerful.’
’The burst of Pill Force, the terrifying power...’
’But, it’s only about as mighty as the Sixth Sword of the Nine Spirits Sword Technique.’
He was also extremely confident that he could block Zhang Su’s sword.
In that case, first place in the Three Sects Gathering of Heroes was basically his.
’No one can take it from me!’
Of course, he had to get past Han Zhiyuan first.
And so, the second match: Zhou Dingshan versus Han Zhiyuan!
Both men ascended the arena stage.
Zhang Su stepped down from the stage and returned to the viewing stands.
He executed a Body Technique, leaping lightly to land back beside Zhou Peng, Xie Guanchao, and the others.
"Junior Brother Zhang, are you all right?"
Zhou Peng asked, his gaze sweeping over Zhang Su.
"I’m fine."
Zhang Su shook his head.
Although this battle had been a bit draining, given the depth of his Inner Strength, it was actually nothing to him.
"That’s good."
Zhou Peng nodded and didn’t ask any more questions.
On the stage, Han Zhiyuan and Zhou Dingshan began their fight.
Han Zhiyuan stood on one side of the stage, his face somewhat pale. His left arm was wrapped in bandages, and blood was seeping through them.
His breathing was a little ragged; his injuries had clearly not yet healed.
Zhou Dingshan stood on the other side, tall and powerfully built. With a back as broad as a tiger’s and a waist as thick as a bear’s, his black martial attire was stretched taut over his frame, revealing clearly defined muscles.
He had a rugged face, and a confident smile played on his lips.
Zhou Dingshan took a step forward and threw a sudden punch with his right fist.
A thick layer of Gang Force coated his fist. The force of the punch was like a mountain, carrying a heavy, oppressive pressure.
Han Zhiyuan barely managed to raise his sword in an attempt to block.
But Zhou Dingshan’s punch was too heavy.
The fist smashed into the body of the sword, letting out a deep THUD.
The impact knocked the sword from Han Zhiyuan’s grasp, sending him flying backward. He crashed heavily onto the stage and couldn’t get back up for a long time.
The main reason was that Han Zhiyuan was injured.
He couldn’t even withstand a single punch from Zhou Dingshan.
The difference in their strength was simply too vast.
And so, everyone’s gaze turned toward Zhang Su.
Clearly, the final match would be Zhang Su versus Zhou Dingshan.
"Zhang Su, come and fight!"
Zhou Dingshan did not leave the stage. Instead, he shouted toward Zhang Su in the stands.
He stood in the center of the stage with his hands clasped behind his back, exuding a tyrannical aura from head to toe.
His will to fight was soaring, his morale at its peak.
He already considered that Cyan Wood Spirit Pill to be in the bag.
Now, he just had to defeat Zhang Su to obtain the Cyan Wood Spirit Pill.
He was determined to win!
"Junior Brother Zhang, be careful!"
The expressions on Zhou Peng, Xie Guanchao, and Mo Tingzhu’s faces were all grave.
Zhou Dingshan was too dominant. They could feel the power of that punch even from so far away.
And Zhang Su’s battle with Ye Ling had basically pushed him to his limit.
If he didn’t have any stronger techniques, Zhang Su would probably lose.
’So the Cyan Wood Spirit Pill will end up in Zhou Dingshan’s hands after all...’
Ye Ling gazed at Zhou Dingshan on the stage.
Her face was still a little pale, and her eyes were filled with unwillingness to accept defeat.
She had trained bitterly for so many years and mastered the Nine Spirits Sword Technique, thinking she would be the one to claim the Cyan Wood Spirit Pill.
But first she had lost to Zhang Su, and now she had to watch Zhou Dingshan standing on the stage, full of vigor and pride.
She was deeply unwilling to accept it.
But the strength Zhou Dingshan had displayed so far was indeed half a step above both her and Zhang Su.
"Heh, Sect Leader Meng, Zhou Dingshan’s strength is a cut above. I’m afraid first place at this Three Sects Gathering of Heroes will still go to a disciple of my Five Elements Sect!"
Zhong Taiheng said with a laugh.
The Five Elements Sect had indeed performed very strongly in recent decades.
The winner of the last Three Sects Gathering of Heroes was also a Five Elements Sect Disciple.
This year, Zhou Dingshan’s strength was truly formidable.
But Meng Shouzhen just smiled faintly. "They haven’t even fought yet. Isn’t it a bit premature for Sect Leader Zhong to say such things?"
He had no intention of backing down in the slightest.
"Fine, then let’s just watch."
Zhong Taiheng said no more. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and his gaze returned to the stage.
And so, everyone’s gaze turned to the stage.
And Zhang Su also leaped up, landing on the stage.
The area around the stage quickly fell silent.
Zhou Dingshan looked at Zhang Su.
Zhang Su looked back at Zhou Dingshan.
Their invisible gazes clashed in the empty air.