For a while.
Yun Ge's dazed expression gradually recovered, and a bitter smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"I lost..."
He really hadn't expected that in just a short time, Dao Wuming had become so powerful. With just one move, he rendered Yun Ge completely incapable of counterattacking.
Originally, he thought that with Mu Jinyu's help, he had successfully comprehended the My Way State of Mind. Even if he wasn't Dao Wuming's match, he should at least be able to exchange hundreds of moves before determining the winner.
Yet, the gap between him and Dao Wuming only grew wider and wider.
It seemed that in this lifetime, he wouldn't have the chance to surpass him.
Perhaps this duel would be the last time he could face Dao Wuming as an opponent.
"Thank you for letting me win."
Upon hearing Yun Ge admit defeat, Dao Wuming's eyes remained calm and cold, without any expression. He sheathed his Nameless Sword and spoke indifferently.
Then, Yun Ge walked down from the combat platform, dejected and dispirited.
At this moment, the crowd watching the battle gradually recovered from their stunned reactions:
"Oh my god, what is Dao Wuming's current strength? How could he defeat Yun Ge with just one move?"
"Could it be that Dao Wuming has broken through to the Fanxu Realm? Otherwise, how could he be so strong?"
"The gap between the first and second on the Heaven's Pride List is too absurd!"
"..."
The crowd chattered incessantly, finding it hard to believe how the outcome was so decisively determined.
But the disciples of the Blood Sword Sect looked at Dao Wuming's figure on the stage with admiration, dismissing the surrounding exclamations from the Heavenly Sword Faction and Liuyun Sect.
They felt those people were making a fuss over nothing.
Dao Wuming defeating Yun Ge with one move was perfectly normal!
Dao Wuming was the strongest among the younger generation of the Yan Kingdom, not someone Yun Ge could compare to!
In the audience seats.
Seeing Dao Wuming's astonishing strike that easily defeated Yun Ge, Xie Chenkun couldn't help but widen his eyes.
"This, this, this..."
Xie Chenkun was so shocked he could barely speak, feeling a deep sense of regret and bitterness in his heart.
Dao Wuming's strike demonstrated his profound understanding of the Intent Domain, a level far beyond Mu Jinyu and Yun Ge who had only just grasped it.
At this moment, he regretted the bet he made with Zhou Taiping yesterday.
He even began to suspect that Mu Jinyu would not necessarily be a match for Dao Wuming either!
'Had I known this, I should have bet on the Sword Mountain Fiery Sea results instead of the Four Sects Martial Meeting results yesterday!'
Xie Chenkun was filled with regret, distressed that his treasured sword would soon be lost to Zhou Taiping.
"How about it? I told you, the gap between Dao Wuming and Yun Ge has widened too quickly. They are no longer on the same level, yet you insisted on betting with me. Satisfied now?"
Seeing Xie Chenkun's regretful expression, Zhou Taiping felt immensely pleased.
It was like drinking a cold soda on a hot day!
He couldn't help but tease, "Sigh, Little Sword always liked his treasured sword and refused to replace it with a new Spiritual Treasure, but his sword is merely a Superior Grade magic treasure. It doesn't quite match his level anymore. I've always thought about where to gather some treasure ore, but now that your spirit sword will be mine, I can melt it and help Little Sword's treasured sword evolve into a Spirit Blade, haha…"
Hearing Zhou Taiping's words, Xie Chenkun's expression turned even more unpleasant. He retorted, "Hmph, my disciple hasn't even fought him yet, and you're already saying this? Isn't that too premature?"
"Sigh, you won't give up until you see the coffin!"
Zhou Taiping laughed eerily, shaking his head.
...
As for Mu Jinyu.
While Yun Ge and Dao Wuming were dueling, he happened to arrive at Di Shitian's platform.
He witnessed the moment Dao Wuming's astonishing strike effortlessly defeated Yun Ge.
Seeing this, a faint appreciation and fighting spirit flashed in his eyes, and he murmured, "Sword Intent? Not bad. I look forward to our upcoming battle!"
On the other side, as Mu Jinyu approached slowly, Di Shitian also watched the duel between Dao Wuming and Yun Ge.
Seeing Dao Wuming's strike, his pupils couldn't help but contract sharply, his heart shocked to the core, considering Dao Wuming a lifelong enemy!
Originally, after advancing his strength to the Ninth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, plus mastering various imperial secret techniques, he could even fight against Fanxu Realm experts and didn't take the Four Sects Martial Meeting seriously.
But after seeing Dao Wuming's astonishing strike, Di Shitian realized he had no chance of winning against Dao Wuming.
Dao Wuming's strike had already surpassed the Divine Transformation Realm!
In shock, Di Shitian momentarily forgot about his impending battle with Mu Jinyu but then heard Mu Jinyu's comment.
"Haha..."
Di Shitian snapped back to reality and sneered, then lowered his voice to mock, "You're already a dying man, and you still dare to look forward to a battle with Dao Wuming? First, survive this fight with me."
"You overestimate yourself."
Mu Jinyu, hearing Di Shitian's words, turned around to look at him, speaking indifferently while taking the Sacred Wood Branch from his storage bag.
"Hmph, clueless. You dare face me with a mere branch?!"
Seeing Mu Jinyu take out the Sacred Wood Branch, a hint of anger flashed in Di Shitian's eyes. He felt Mu Jinyu was too arrogant!
"Since you're so eager to die, I'll fulfill your wish!"
With that.
Di Shitian raised his hand.
Instantly, an ancient, plain, and majestic cauldron appeared in his hand, emitting a radiant glow.
Initially, the cauldron was only palm-sized, so it could be held in Di Shitian's hand, but as he fiercely fueled it, the cauldron's size grew rapidly.
In an instant, it became massive!
Then, it hurled toward Mu Jinyu!
"Clang clang clang!"
As the cauldron flew, its lid vibrated, pouring down scorching flames like magma onto Mu Jinyu!
"Is this... the Bi Fang Cauldron?!"
In the audience, Xie Chenkun and Zhou Taiping's faces changed dramatically upon seeing Di Shitian wielding the cauldron, exclaiming uncontrollably.
They couldn't help but lose their composure, as the Bi Fang Cauldron Di Shitian took out was extraordinarily significant.
The weapons and armor used by cultivators are ranked: Magic Artifact, Magic Treasure, Spiritual Treasure, and finally, Heaven-reaching spiritual treasure, divided into four grades: low, middle, high, and top.
However, Heaven-reaching spiritual treasures have always been a legend in the Kunlun Ruins, unseen by anyone.
There are rumors that Heaven-reaching spiritual treasures do exist, but they are rare and possessed by the true big shots in the Kunlun Ruins, such as the Heaven Palace Master having one.
Put those rumors aside, as they haven't been verified.
Generally speaking, the best weapon cultivators in the Kunlun Ruins can secure is a top-quality Spiritual Treasure.
And the Bi Fang Cauldron Di Shitian brought out was a top-quality Spiritual Treasure.
It was said to be made from the remains of the Divine Beast Bifang Bird, incredibly powerful. Under the enhancement of a fire-system spirit root cultivator, it could burn a Fanxu Realm cultivator alive even at the Ninth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm!