Chapter 95

“Junior Brother Zhou Hong, there's no need to be so worked up.”

The Four-Star Dragon Trap Formation being broken was no surprise to Li Jun. He had only set it up to test out some of his techniques—he never intended to truly defeat Zhou Hong. If this were an external match, he wouldn’t hesitate to strike decisively. But this was an internal competition within Luoxian Sect. His goal was to let the opponent shine a little, maybe even perform beyond their normal ability, and then crush them in one move. That way, his own strength would be undeniable and convincing.

Now seemed like the right time.

He slowly raised his Star Sword and pointed it into the air. Seven silvery-white stars formed a celestial map before him.

Zhou Hong charged with his long staff, smashing it down onto the star map.

A deep thud rang out as the map trembled slightly, while Zhou Hong was flung backward by the force.

“Again!”

Instead of retreating, Zhou Hong pressed forward with renewed battle intent. “Mixed Heaven Vajra!”

With a loud cry, a golden projection of a vajra, resembling a Buddhist guardian, materialized at the tip of his staff.

The Vajra slammed down with tremendous force, shaking the star map so violently that it looked on the verge of collapsing.

Zhou Hong didn’t let up. Holding his staff with both hands, he unleashed a flurry of strikes, filling the arena with shadows of his weapon.

The platform shuddered under his relentless assault, leaving the spectators awestruck by the sheer violence of it. His attacks were wildly aggressive, enough to crush a normal cultivator outright.

The Mixed Heaven Vajra technique carried a divine force capable of breaking through defensive spells. Against it, most defenses would falter.

Yet what shocked the audience even more was that despite Zhou Hong’s brutal offensive, Li Jun still wore a composed smile, utterly unbothered—even as the star map wavered as if it were about to give up.

Were it anyone else standing there, they would’ve been dismissed as a fool. But this was Li Jun.

Zhou Hong began to grow anxious. His wild offense was draining his qi rapidly. If he didn’t end it soon, he’d lose for sure.

“Focus your attack on a single point,” came a voice through a transmitted sound from the stands.

It was Han Luo, watching the fight from the sidelines, shaking his head in disbelief. If it weren’t for paving the way for Xian’er, he wouldn’t bother helping this idiot at all.

Zhou Hong didn’t recognize the voice, but it sounded like advice from an expert. He hesitated—his Mixed Heaven Staff relied on overwhelming pressure from every angle. Focusing on a single point violated its core principle.

Still, he had no better option, and the advice seemed worth a try.

Suddenly, the staff shadows vanished. Zhou Hong targeted a single point on the star map with one, seemingly slow—yet lightning-fast—strike.

The crowd may not have noticed, but Li Jun did. He frowned. When did this brute grow a brain?

He had heard Zhou Hong was a straightforward brawler, strong but tactically inept—just someone who liked to swing his staff wildly. But in this fight, he had now countered two of Li Jun’s techniques.

“Impressive move, Junior Brother Zhou Hong,” Li Jun praised aloud, though inwardly he struggled to accept it.

Zhou Hong, the one known for brute force, was now showing signs of tactical adaptability—shifting away from his style and creating a new form mid-battle.

More importantly, that focused attack was working. The star map was beginning to crack where Zhou Hong was striking. If this went on, Li Jun might actually lose face.

Winning without dominance would feel no different than losing.

“I guess it’s time to end this.”

With a low murmur, Li Jun shifted his hand seals. The celestial map disappeared. Zhou Hong’s staff, with no target left, smashed into the ground with thunderous force, shaking the entire square.

Only then did the crowd realize how terrifying the force behind Zhou Hong’s attacks really was—and how strong the star map had been to hold up so long.

“Excellent.”

Li Jun was quite pleased with the reaction.

“Stellar Sword Formation: Lock.”

He moved again. The seven stars transformed into seven glowing chains, binding Zhou Hong’s limbs, neck, waist, and pinning him to the ground like steel spikes.

Zhou Hong roared and struggled. His brute strength actually managed to make the chains tremble—but with a light reinforcement from Li Jun, all he could do was scream like a slaughtered pig, proving how hard he was trying with absolutely no result.

“What a talented pig,” muttered Han Luo, covering his face in frustration.

He sighed deeply. “If you're being restrained by chains, why not use your staff to entangle and control them? Cut off Li Jun’s technique at its root. You’re already at a disadvantage, so you should be countering his strengths with your own. That would’ve given you your one—possibly only—chance to win.”

But alas. A pig with talent is still just a pig.

Zhou Hong was pinned and unable to move, while Li Jun didn’t press the attack further. Once Elder Jinhou announced the match over, he retracted the chains.

“Thank you for the bout, Junior Brother Zhou Hong.”

Li Jun retained his cultured demeanor, showing courtesy even in victory.

Zhou Hong, recognizing that Li Jun was likely the future of Luoxian Sect, replied sincerely, “Senior Brother Li Jun’s techniques are extraordinary. If there’s a chance, I’d like to challenge you again.”

This was the style of Qianren Peak: never lose one’s spirit, even in defeat. Lose today, win next time—simple as that.

“Of course. I’d welcome another match anytime,” Li Jun responded graciously.

Zhou Hong hadn’t expected such a direct and respectful answer. His heart lifted. Losing to someone like Li Jun didn’t feel so bad.

Li Jun, on the other hand, knew this was a perfect opportunity to earn favor. Call it winning hearts, or paving the way for his future as sect leader.

“Please.”

With that, he gestured and stepped down from the stage, earning applause from the crowd.

After the savagery of the earlier Chi Xiao vs. Wu Dao battle, it was refreshing to see a clean, respectful match.

But the next match?

That looked anything but normal.

Match Four: Wu Dao Peak’s Shen Xian’er versus Xian Ding Peak’s Miao Huo.