Time quietly slipped away in the fierce offensive and defensive battle.
On the arena stage, Xu Yujun's sword momentum remained sharp and domineering, sword light cascading like a waterfall, completely drowning out Lu Xiaoluo's figure. However, discerning eyes could see that this seemingly one-sided suppression battle had actually evolved into a war of attrition extremely unfavorable to the attacker.
Xu Yujun's heart grew increasingly anxious and stifled as the attack dragged on without success.
He suddenly recalled the meaningful instructions given to him before departure by that mysterious person: "Yujun, do not underestimate Lu Xiaoluo. Although her cultivation is inferior to yours, her defensive ability is unmatched among her peers, and she has Xianling Holy Land's endless supply of pills as backing, excelling at prolonged battles. If you cannot achieve quick victory, you must resort to extraordinary measures..."
At the time, he had scoffed at this, filled with disdain in his heart. A mere Longevity Realm "bastard" from the lower realm, even if she had some talent, how could she compare to himself, a genuine Celestial Realm sword cultivator from the upper realm? Quick victory? That was inevitable! What need was there for any "extraordinary measures"?
Yet reality delivered him a resounding slap!
Not only had he failed to achieve quick victory, but he had been dragged into a quagmire by the opponent's turtle-shell defense and those seemingly inexhaustible pills! Especially those cheers from below the stage almost entirely supporting Lu Xiaoluo, marveling at her resilient defense, made his face burn as if every cheer was mockery directed at him.
The two sides battled for nearly another hour.
Fine beads of sweat had appeared on Xu Yujun's forehead, his breathing slightly ragged. Continuously executing high-intensity techniques consumed tremendous spiritual power and mental energy. In contrast, although Lu Xiaoluo had been in a passive defensive state, consuming similarly much, every time her aura showed the slightest sign of decline, she would extremely naturally fish out that familiar jade bottle from her waist storage bag, pour out a shimmering, fragrant spiritual pill, and without looking, pop it into her mouth.
In the next moment, she would become vigorous again, her eyes clear, her spiritual power abundant, the "Sky-Blocking Strike" sword gang surrounding her body becoming solid and heavy once more, as if the previous consumption had never occurred.
Xu Yujun had initially held on, clutching a faint hope in his heart—perhaps her pills were running out? Perhaps the next bottle would be the last?
However, just as this thought flashed through his mind, several clear comments from below the stage pierced his ears like needles:
"Heavens! Elder Lu is popping Fifth-Turn Recovery Pills, isn't she? Look at those pill patterns and spiritual aura! How many bottles is this now?"
"Tsk tsk, Xianling Holy Land truly deserves its reputation as the giant controlling half of Xuanying Continent's pill market. This foundation... is terrifying!"
"I heard the Holy Land's Pill Hall distributes astronomical quantities of supreme pills to core disciples every month. Elder Lu, as an Elder herself, probably has enough to last until next year!"
"Haha, Xu Yujun's face has turned green! He can't break through, can't outlast—too tragic!"
"Until next year..."
These words were like demonic whispers, instantly shattering Xu Yujun's last shred of hope!
An uncontrollable, intensely strong jealousy and unwillingness, like a venomous snake, suddenly bit into his heart!
Why?!
Why could an abandoned bastard left at the foot of Kunlun Mountain possess such profound fortune? Receive such wholehearted cultivation from Xianling Holy Land? Have such inexhaustible resources?!
While he, a proud genius of the upper realm, a sword dao prodigy, had to suffer such humiliation here?! Even defeating her was so difficult?!
This was unfair!
This intense negative emotion nearly overwhelmed his rationality, but he was ultimately one of firm will. He bit the tip of his tongue hard, forcibly suppressing this jealousy, his eyes once again becoming cold and sharp.
This couldn't go on!
He had to end this quickly!
He recalled that object the mysterious person had given him at the end, and that instruction: "This item... might break her defense, but use it sparingly..."
At the time he had dismissed it, even feeling it was an insult to his strength. But now... he had no choice!
A flash of determination and ruthlessness crossed his eyes. Xu Yujun suddenly changed his technique! The spiritual power within his body circulated in a strange manner, his sword momentum abruptly withdrawing, then thrusting out at an even faster speed!
This strike appeared no different from before, its speed and power even slightly diminished.
But at the core of that brilliant sword light, an extremely faint, nearly imperceptible gray qi mist had quietly merged in! That qi mist seemed to possess life, writhing and twisting, exuding an intensely uncomfortable aura of decay and corruption!
"Hm?" Lu Xiaoluo keenly sensed something unusual about this strike, but that gray qi mist was hidden extremely deep, and the sword attack still came swiftly. Without time to think, she instinctively operated "Sky-Blocking Strike" again, the transparent sword gang precisely meeting it!
"Sst—!"
The expected violent collision did not occur.
The moment that sharp sword gang contacted the sword light, it was like a red-hot branding iron meeting ice, issuing a faint melting sound! Xu Yujun's sword light was steadily blocked, neutralized.
However, that thread of gray qi mist hidden within the sword light seemed formless and substanceless, actually ignoring the "Sky-Blocking Strike" defense that could isolate heavenly laws, like a ghost, silently penetrating the sword gang barrier!
In the next moment, it seemed to possess life, adhering to the sleeve of Lu Xiaoluo's sword-wielding arm!
That gray qi mist upon contacting physical matter rapidly permeated and disappeared, as if it had never appeared.
Lu Xiaoluo only felt her arm go slightly cold, with no other discomfort. Though she found it strange in her heart, her opponent's subsequent attacks had arrived, and she had to focus on dealing with them once more.
However, atop the high platform, Chen Chang'an, who had been calmly watching the battle, slightly furrowed his brows. His gaze fell where that gray qi mist had vanished, a barely perceptible cold glint flashing in his eyes.
That thing... though he hadn't seen it before, based on what Han Yu and Ji Lingxiu had encountered earlier, he could roughly guess what it was.
But he didn't intervene. He trusted his disciple—even Lu Xiaoluo, the latest to join—possessed a powerful inner heart capable of overcoming these things!
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