The cheers from the first battle had yet to completely settle when the referee returned to the center of the arena.
The formations surrounding the battlefield continued humming softly.
Countless eyes remained fixed upon the stage.
Nobody wanted to miss even a single battle.
The referee swept his gaze across the three family delegations.
"The second match."
"Qian Family versus Zheng Family."
Immediately, the atmosphere became tense.
Compared to the Wu Family, the Zheng Family carried a different kind of pressure.
Especially after the appearance of the mysterious black-robed representative.
Many spectators couldn't help glancing toward the Zheng Family seats.
Unfortunately, the figure remained motionless.
Like before, not a trace of cultivation fluctuation leaked from his body.
The referee continued.
"Representatives, enter the arena."
A young man rose from the Zheng Family side.
His robes were light blue.
His appearance was refined.
The moment he stepped onto the stage, many cultivators in the audience recognized him.
"Zheng Yuming."
"A main branch member."
"I heard he has High Grade Water Spiritual Roots."
"Foundation Establishment at twenty-five."
"Quite talented."
The discussions spread throughout the audience.
Meanwhile, on the Qian Family side—
Lou Han stood.
A piece of dried beast meat was still in his hand.
He finished chewing before casually tossing the remainder into his storage pouch.
The contrast between the two competitors immediately became obvious.
One appeared refined and scholarly.
The other looked as though he had been interrupted during a meal.
Even Lin Xiaolu couldn't help rolling her eyes.
"Try not to embarrass yourself."
Lou Han grinned.
"No promises."
Then he stepped onto the arena.
The crowd quickly became interested.
Unlike Zheng Yuming, very few people knew Lou Han's background.
Several spectators began discussing quietly.
"Who is he?"
"No idea."
"Qian Family branch member?"
"Never seen him before."
"His aura feels strange."
"Xuan Gang?"
"Definitely."
"Then why isn't Qian Ying fighting?"
Many questions arose.
Unfortunately, very few people possessed answers.
Within the Qian Family seating area, Zhao Feng merely smiled.
He knew exactly what was about to happen.
Across the arena, Zheng Yuming examined Lou Han carefully.
His expression remained calm.
Yet there was a trace of caution in his eyes.
Anyone capable of representing the Qian Family couldn't be underestimated.
The referee looked toward both sides.
"Begin."
The instant his voice fell—
Zheng Yuming attacked.
Water spiritual qi surged from his body.
The surrounding air became noticeably humid.
Several hand seals formed rapidly.
Then—
Dozens of arrows appeared.
The entire audience became quiet.
Each arrow appeared crystal clear.
Translucent.
Sharp.
Almost resembling ice.
Yet everyone present could clearly sense the fluctuations.
Water.
Not ice.
Even several Foundation Establishment cultivators narrowed their eyes.
"Water crystallization?"
"Impossible."
"No..."
"It really is."
The discussions immediately grew louder.
Water Spiritual Roots were common.
Water cultivation techniques were common.
Yet crystallizing water qi into such stable constructs required extraordinary control.
Years of control.
Years of comprehension.
Even Lin Sheng's gaze lingered slightly longer than before.
Interesting.
The arrows weren't naturally frozen.
Zheng Yuming had compressed and condensed the water qi itself.
Such control wasn't easy.
Which meant one thing.
His comprehension was excellent.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
The arrows shot forward.
The speed was astonishing.
Dozens of crystal arrows streaked across the battlefield simultaneously.
Yet—
Lou Han didn't seem concerned.
His body shifted slightly.
One step.
Then another.
Then another.
His movement technique activated.
Seven Step Movement Technique.
His figure seemed to drift through the battlefield effortlessly.
The incoming arrows continuously missed.
One after another.
Like leaves falling around him.
The audience erupted.
"What footwork!"
"He's avoiding all of them!"
"Such precision!"
Even Zheng Yuming frowned slightly.
The crystal arrows continued pursuing Lou Han.
Yet not a single one managed to touch him.
Several breaths later, the final arrow shattered against the arena floor.
Lou Han remained completely unharmed.
His expression remained relaxed.
As though he had merely gone for a stroll.
The contrast between the two immediately became apparent.
Zheng Yuming possessed exceptional spiritual control.
Lou Han possessed terrifying instinctive movement.
Within the audience, many cultivators unconsciously compared the two.
If crystallizing water qi required years of effort—
Then Lou Han's footwork required equally frightening comprehension.
Neither side appeared ordinary.
Zheng Yuming naturally understood this.
His expression became serious.
Without hesitation, he waved his hand.
Several objects flew outward.
Rank-2 Spiritual Artifacts.
Mirrors.
Six of them.
The mirrors immediately surrounded Lou Han from every direction.
Spiritual light erupted.
Formation patterns connected between them.
The spectators leaned forward.
Formation-type spiritual artifacts were always troublesome.
Especially in battles between cultivators of similar realms.
The mirrors activated.
Instantly—
Waves of water burst forth.
Not ordinary water.
Water formed entirely from spiritual qi.
The attacks surged continuously toward Lou Han.
At the same time, another change occurred.
The mirrors flashed.
Then figures appeared.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Soon, dozens of Zheng Yumings occupied the battlefield.
Every figure looked real.
Every aura felt real.
Every movement appeared identical.
The audience immediately became excited.
"Illusions!"
"Mirror formations!"
"This is troublesome."
"If he attacks the wrong one, he'll be finished."
Several rogue cultivators watching the battle couldn't help shaking their heads.
Against someone of equal cultivation—
Such techniques were notoriously difficult to handle.
Even if one knew illusions existed, identifying the real body wasn't easy.
The battlefield quickly descended into chaos.
Water attacks continuously surged forward.
Mirror images attacked from every direction.
The real Zheng Yuming hid among them.
Waiting.
Watching.
Searching for an opening.
Within the Qian Family seats, Lin Shou frowned slightly.
"Troublesome."
Zhao Feng nodded.
"For most people."
Nearby, Lin Sheng observed silently.
The illusions were impressive.
The mirrors themselves were clearly expensive.
Against most cultivators of the same realm, this combination would be extremely effective.
Unfortunately—
Lou Han wasn't most cultivators.
Years of having his Qi and Blood constantly drained had created a peculiar side effect.
His comprehension had continuously improved.
His perception had done the same.
Many things escaped ordinary eyes.
Not his.
Within the arena, Lou Han continued moving.
Several attacks struck him.
Water blades.
Water spears.
Mirror projections.
Yet he barely reacted.
Almost as though he didn't care.
The spectators became confused.
Even Zheng Yuming frowned.
Something felt wrong.
Then—
Lou Han stopped.
For the first time since the battle began.
He turned his head slightly.
His gaze landed upon one particular Zheng Yuming.
Among dozens.
The real one.
Zheng Yuming's pupils contracted.
How?
The answer came immediately.
Lou Han stepped forward.
Momentum erupted.
Not Gang Qi.
Not martial intent.
Pure momentum.
The pressure exploded outward.
The arena trembled slightly beneath his feet.
The next moment—
His spear moved.
Boom!
A thunderous sound echoed across the battlefield.
The mirrors shattered one after another.
The illusion army vanished instantly.
Lou Han's spear became a streak.
Fast.
Violent.
Direct.
Zheng Yuming's expression changed dramatically.
Protective spiritual qi erupted around him.
Several defensive talismans activated simultaneously.
Layers of barriers appeared.
Then—
Crack.
Crack.
Crack.
They shattered.
One after another.
The spear continued forward.
Relentless.
Unstoppable.
The final defensive barrier exploded into fragments.
The spear tip stopped barely inches from Zheng Yuming's throat.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Neither cultivator moved.
Several breaths later—
The referee appeared beside them.
His gaze swept across the battlefield.
Then he nodded.
"The winner."
"Lou Han."
The crowd exploded.
Cheers erupted from every direction.
Many spectators hadn't expected such a result.
The battle had appeared evenly matched.
Yet the moment Lou Han found the real body—
Everything ended instantly.
Zheng Yuming stared at the spear tip before slowly exhaling.
Then he smiled bitterly.
"I lost."
Lou Han withdrew his spear.
"Yeah."
"..."
The simple response somehow made Zheng Yuming feel even worse.
The referee quickly escorted him away.
The healers checked for injuries.
Fortunately, Lou Han had shown restraint.
No serious damage had been inflicted.
As Lou Han walked back toward the Qian Family delegation, countless gazes followed him.
The unknown Xuan Gang representative had just defeated a talented Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Zheng Family.
Many spectators immediately began reevaluating him.
Meanwhile—
Qian Ying's face had already darkened.
Especially when Lou Han deliberately glanced in his direction.
The grin on Lou Han's face widened slightly.
Then he took his seat.
Not a single word was spoken.
Yet the expression alone carried enough mockery.
Qian Ying's fingers tightened around the armrest.
His eyes narrowed.
Nearby, Lin Xiaolu pretended not to notice.
Though the corner of her mouth seemed slightly higher than before.
The Zheng Family Patriarch looked calm, too calm. To win the competition, a family has to get 5 wins in total and now the Qian Family's at 2, naturally he should be looked nervous.
As the referred sounded the next match, Zheng Vs Wu. Hearing this, the entire arena became silent as the black clothed representative stood up and walked to the stage.