One person: Starting with the Snow Drinking Blade

After the exhilarating semi-final battles, the audience's emotions have been pushed to their peak. Now, the final battle—the dark horse Nie Lingfeng, who emerged out of nowhere and crushed his opponents all the way, versus the mysterious and unpredictable Wudang Wang Ye, who has mastered one of the "Eight Extraordinary Skills," Feng Hou Qi Men—is enough to make anyone's heart race.

"Here he comes! Nie Lingfeng is on stage!"

"Master Wang Ye is here too! Still looking like he hasn't woken up yet..."

"Who do you think will win this match? I'm betting on Nie Lingfeng! His fight against Wang Bing was simply superhuman!"

"I am the Gambling King! Feng Hou Qi Men! Manipulating time and space, this is simply a bug! No matter how high Nie Lingfeng's martial arts are, can he break the rules?"

"The betting market is open! Latest odds..."

Nie Lingfeng walked steadily to the center of the arena. Today, he wore a simple and neat black belted training uniform, which accentuated his tall and straight figure. His long black hair was tied into a neat high ponytail, which made him look less casual and more solemn before a martial arts duel. The most eye-catching thing was the long sword on his back, carefully wrapped in gray cloth—the Snow Drinking Blade. Although it would be easier to conceal it in his storage bag, he felt that on this arena under the spotlight, having the sword on his back conveyed a sense of confidence and candor in facing the world.

Wang Ye strolled leisurely onto the stage from the other side, still sporting his signature languid demeanor. His Taoist robe hung loosely, and his hair stood on end in a messy, disheveled manner, as if he had just been dragged out of bed. He even covered his mouth and let out a long yawn as he walked, eliciting a burst of good-natured laughter from the audience. Once on stage, he first nodded to the somewhat resigned referee as a greeting, before turning his half-open, half-closed eyes to Nie Lingfeng, sighing before even speaking:

"Sigh... Benefactor Nie," Wang Ye's voice carried its usual languidness and a hint of barely perceptible seriousness, "Why did you have to get involved in this messy Luo Tian Grand Ceremony?"

Upon hearing this, Nie Lingfeng casually waved his hand, a hearty smile spreading across his face: "Daoist Wang Ye, we're about the same age, no need to be so polite. Just call me Xiao Feng or Brother Feng. As for why I'm getting involved in this mess..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Zhang Chulan, who was nervously watching from the contestants' area below the stage, before turning to Wang Ye. His smile now held a hint of candor and responsibility: "Firstly, I'm a very curious person and want to see the heroes of the world, especially mysterious techniques like Feng Hou Qi Men. Secondly..."

He pointed towards the audience, his voice carrying clearly through the loudspeakers: "Third and Fourth Brothers have treated me well. That kid Chu Lan, though he's usually a bit of a rascal, genuinely considers me his older brother. As his older brother, while I still have some strength, I should help him move a few rocks from his path, clear some obstacles, so he can walk more smoothly... That's only reasonable, isn't it?"

Upon hearing this, the entire audience fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a deafening clamor and whistles!

"Holy crap! That was... way too awesome!"

"Clearing roadblocks?! Daoist Wang Ye is a roadblock?! Hahahaha!"

"Zhang Chulan! Did you hear that?! Your older brother is going to clear away any obstacles for you!"

"This guy's got guts! He really steps up when something's wrong!"

"Shameless! What makes you think you're worthy of this?!"

Inside the contestants' area, Zhang Chulan instantly blushed deeply, covering his face with his hands, wishing he could disappear into a crack in the ground, muttering, "Brother Feng... my dear brother... why did you speak the truth so... so bluntly..."

After listening, Wang Ye was both amused and exasperated, shaking his head helplessly. "That makes sense. However..." He dropped his languid demeanor, his gaze towards Nie Lingfeng becoming exceptionally serious. "Brother Nie, my purpose in participating in this Luo Tian Grand Ceremony might not be what you expect. I simply... want to try to avoid some possible, but definitely not good, outcomes. This is a sorcerer's instinct to seek good fortune and avoid misfortune. I also just want to... give Zhang Chulan a chance to see the road ahead clearly and make a true choice."

"A choice?" Nie Lingfeng raised an eyebrow, his gaze becoming profound. "He should be prepared to face everything. Don't be fooled by his sometimes joking and shameless attitude; deep down, the string that concerns his grandfather and his own fate is probably tauter and more resilient than yours or mine."

Wang fell silent, his eyes flickering as if he were considering countless possibilities in that instant, finally culminating in a soft, ambiguous sigh: "Perhaps... Brother Nie, you see things more clearly. However, since we're already standing on this arena..."

He cracked his wrists and neck, making a soft "crack" sound, and his casual yet sharp smile returned to his face: "How about... we stretch our muscles a bit? Brother Nie's skill that day left a deep impression on me, and I'm really itching to try it."

Nie Lingfeng smiled, his eyes gleaming with fighting spirit: "Just what I wanted. I've long wanted to experience the wonders of Feng Hou Qi Men. Brother Wang, please."

Seeing that the two had finished their pleasantries and the atmosphere was right, the referee didn't hesitate any longer, raised his right hand, and announced loudly: "Semi-final second match, Nie Lingfeng versus Wang Ye! The match begins!"

The moment the word "beginning" was written, Wang Ye's demeanor changed drastically!

The last trace of languor in his eyes vanished completely, replaced by the clarity and profundity unique to sorcerers, as if they understood the very essence of all things. He swiftly formed an ancient and profound hand seal before his chest, and murmured:

"Feng Hou Qi Men - Formation Arises!"

"Buzz—!"

Centered on Wang Ye, a pale golden Bagua phantom, about three zhang in diameter and composed of countless fine and intricate runes, instantly unfolded beneath his feet, its light flowing and endlessly radiant! The phantom was not fixed, but rather slowly rotated and expanded like a living thing!

The instant the illusory image of the Bagua took shape, the space within the entire arena seemed to be gently stirred by an invisible hand! The light began to refract and bend unnaturally, producing slight halos and double images; the flow of air became chaotic and eerie, sometimes stagnant like glue, sometimes whistling like knives; the bluestone ground underfoot felt unreal and soft, as if stepping on quicksand; even the direction of gravity felt by the body began to shift subtly and unsettlingly!

Nie Lingfeng, being in this strange formation, felt it most acutely. He seemed to have instantly entered a bizarre realm independent of the outside world, where the rules had been partially altered. But far from being panicked, his eyes instead blazed with intense excitement and curiosity.

"So this is Feng Hou Qi Men... altering local spacetime rules? Interesting!"

Before he finished speaking, Nie Lingfeng had already started moving!

Wind God Leg Technique 1: Catching the Wind and Shadows!

It was still that astonishing speed! Leaving only a faint blue afterimage behind, its true form was like a blue arrow tearing through space, rushing straight towards Wang Ye, who was several feet away, with a sharp whooshing sound!

A gasp rippled through the audience: "So fast!"

However, Wang Ye, positioned at the center of the Qimen formation, seemed to be able to predict Nie Lingfeng's movements. At the very instant Nie Lingfeng initiated his attack, Wang Ye's footwork shifted, his body moving with the lightness and elusiveness defying the laws of physics, "gliding" to the side and rear, narrowly avoiding the devastating kick. Simultaneously, he drew circles with his hands, unleashing the "Cloud Hands" technique of Wudang Tai Chi, a gentle and continuous force appearing like a vortex, skillfully diverting and deflecting most of the powerful force contained in Nie Lingfeng's leg technique.

"Wudang Tai Chi truly lives up to its reputation of using softness to overcome hardness." Nie Lingfeng landed lightly after his attack missed, nodding in praise.

He didn't stop. He touched the ground with his toes and sprang up again! This time, he changed his leg to his palm. His right palm shot out from his waist. The palm wind howled. At first, it was like flowing clouds, light and ethereal, but in an instant, it turned into a terrifying pressure like an overwhelming mountain!

Fourth Form of the Cloud-Dispelling Palm: Overwhelming Force!

A concentrated, tangible white energy surged forth, compressing the air and emitting a low, mournful "whoosh," as if even space itself was about to be shattered by this palm strike!

Wang Ye's eyes narrowed, he dared not meet the attack head-on. He changed his hand seals and shouted, "Kun Character - Earth River Chariot!"

"Boom—!"

The arena floor trembled violently! The bluestone slab in front of Nie Lingfeng's palm suddenly rose up and shattered. A large amount of soil and stone rapidly gathered and solidified as if it had a life of its own, instantly transforming into a solid earthen wall three feet thick and more than ten feet high, standing majestically in front of Wang Ye!

"Bang--!!!"

The violent force of the Cloud-Dispelling Palm slammed solidly into the earthen wall! The earth and rocks crumbled, dust filled the air, and a huge gap was blasted open in the hard earthen wall, sending debris flying everywhere! But Wang Ye had already used the moment the earthen wall blocked his way to retreat several feet backward, creating distance once again.

"It's not over yet! - Xun Character · Sandalwood Merit!" Giant trees instantly sprang from the ground and tried to bind Nie Lingfeng, but Nie Lingfeng used his movement technique to dodge.

Immediately following was "Separation - Crimson Serpent!"

Wang Ye steadied himself, changed his hand seals again, and pointed in the direction of Nie Lingfeng!

"call--!"

The temperature on the arena suddenly soared! Blazing orange-red flames appeared out of nowhere, converging and writhing wildly, instantly transforming into a lifelike, ferocious crimson fire python! The python roared silently to the sky (replacing the booming sound of burning flames), opening its blood-red maw made of raging flames, and with an intensely high temperature and overwhelming power, it lunged down at Nie Lingfeng! Wherever it passed, the air was scorched and distorted violently, even the light became blurred!

"Master Wang Ye has retaliated!"

"These flames... they're terrifying! Even from this distance, my skin feels hot!"

"Nie Lingfeng, get out of the way! You'll be finished if you get burned!"

Screams erupted from the audience, many of whom were holding their breath for Nie Lingfeng.

Inside the contestants' area, Zhang Chulan stood up nervously and shouted, "Brother Feng! Get out of the way!"

However, faced with this flaming serpent powerful enough to melt steel, Nie Lingfeng made a move that left everyone speechless—instead of dodging, he curled up a nearly provocative smile and charged forward into the face of the destructive flames!

"Is he insane?!"

"Seeking his own death?!"

Under the gaze of countless incredulous eyes, Nie Lingfeng's figure was instantly and completely engulfed by the crimson flame python! The raging flames rolled and rose, turning that area into a blinding sea of ​​fire, and the terrifying temperature even caused ripples to appear on the barrier at the edge of the arena!

However, this horrifying scene lasted only a moment—

"Sizzle—!"

A figure burst forth from the center of the inferno like a meteorite cleaving through the flames! His body was still covered in smoldering sparks, and the hem and cuffs of his black robes were charred and curled in several places, but his exposed skin—face, neck, and arms—was completely unharmed, without even a trace of red burns! Only the ends of his hair were slightly curled, emitting a wisp of smoke.

The near-absolute fire resistance granted by the bloodline of the Fire Qilin is something that ordinary flames cannot harm.

Wang Ye's pupils suddenly contracted, and for the first time, his face revealed undisguised shock and astonishment! His "Crimson Flame," though not a rare and extraordinary fire, still contained the essence of the Li trigram, making it extremely hot. An ordinary extraordinary person would be severely injured if touched by even a trace of it, and would be charred beyond recognition if they tried to withstand it! Yet Nie Lingfeng... was completely unharmed?! This physical strength was simply unbelievable!