The Heavenly Axis City central plaza, ten arenas constructed from the hardest Bluegang Stone and arrayed with powerful protective formations rose from the ground, like ten silent beasts awaiting blood and glory's baptism. The hundred contestants dispersed to various arena areas based on their draw results.
Around Arena Five, spectators had already gathered thick. On one hand because of Batu from Vajra Gate's reputation, on the other hand wanting to see what real ability this Tang Xiaoqi who had stirred up the winds in the realm and snatched treasure from the tiger's mouth had on a frontal arena. Yan Feng, Shui Wu Hen and others also mingled in the crowd, watching coldly. Zhao Tiezhu brought his several independent cultivator brothers, squeezing to the very front, loudly cheering for Xiaoqi, his voice so loud others couldn't help but glance over.
On the arena, Batu stood like a golden iron pagoda, towering proudly. He hadn't used any artifacts, simply interlocking his fist-like copper hammers, making a "dong" muffled sound as if metal struck stone. His dark gold skin reflected metallic luster under the sunlight, emitting a thick, savage, immovable like a mountain aura, quite oppressive.
In contrast, Xiaoqi appeared especially "thin." He still wore that ordinary blue Taoist robe, barely sensing any intense spiritual energy fluctuation on his body, just standing there calmly, his gaze deep and composed as he observed his opponent.
The elder acting as judge, seeing both parties were in position, spoke no more, directly announcing: "Arena Five, Round One—Vajra Gate Batu versus Cleanness Void Sect Tang Xiaoqi! Begin!"
The moment the voice fell—
"Roar!"
Batu let out a beast-like roar. His right foot stomped the arena hard!
"Boom!"
The entire arena trembled slightly! His massive body didn't seem clumsy at all; rather, it exploded with speed unlike his build, like a maddened golden bull, carrying the momentum of unstoppable advance, directly charging at Xiaoqi! He used no fancy techniques, just the simplest, most direct straight punch, toward Xiaoqi's face!
The fist wind was biting, air compressed to exploding! This punch's power was enough to split rocks and shatter mountains!
Many in the audience below held their breath, as if already seeing Xiaoqi being knocked flying.
However, facing this violent punch, Xiaoqi didn't dodge or evade, only moving suddenly when the fist wind touched his face!
His body was as if weightless, leaning back slightly along that ferocious fist wind, while his footwork mysteriously shifted. The Swimming Dragon Nine Turns movement technique naturally deployed. His entire person transformed into a wisp of green smoke, gliding along that (rigid and fierce) fist aura! Posture elegant and agile, perfectly calibrated!
"Hmm?" Batu's punch missed, a flash of surprise in his eyes, but his reaction was swift. His left fist followed through with a horizontal sweep, like a golden pillar blocking, sealing Xiaoqi's retreat.
Xiaoqi's form turned again, like a swimming fish shuttling through inches of space. Again, by the slimmest margin, he avoided this powerful sweep. He wasn't in a hurry to counterattack, but began rapidly circling Batu, his form elusive, sometimes on the left, sometimes on the right, sometimes seemingly about to approach, sometimes suddenly retreating.
He was observing, probing.
Batu roared repeatedly, his dual fists dancing in an impenetrable pattern, fist winds (stirring up) small whirlwinds on the arena. His attacks carried tremendous power, each strike containing terrifying force. An ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator taking even one would immediately suffer broken bones and torn tendons.
Yet Xiaoqi's movement technique was simply too agile and uncanny. It was as if he could always predict the direction and trajectory of Batu's force release, always avoiding with the minimal amplitude and most efficient method at the instant before attack contact. Those violent fist auras couldn't even touch his clothes.
"Little one! Are you just going to dodge? Like a girl!" Batu, unable to land a hit after a long time, grew impatient, mocking verbally. He hated this kind of slippery opponent most.
Some below began whispering.
"This Tang Xiaoqi only knows how to dodge, how will he fight?"
"Batu's defense hasn't even been displayed yet. Relying purely on dodging won't win."
Xiaoqi was deaf to the discussions and Batu's taunts below. His gaze grew increasingly focused. His divine sense was highly concentrated, like the most precise instrument, scanning every subtle movement of Batu, every flicker of spiritual energy, every tension and relaxation of muscle.
He discovered that although Batu's defense seemed flawless, surrounded by a faint golden glow (Vajra Gate body protection divine ability), his spiritual energy circulation wasn't perfect. After each explosive punch, especially after full-power bursts, the golden glow around his armpit, knee bends, and a certain acupuncture point at the back of his neck would show extremely brief, nearly imperceptible faint fluctuations and dimming! That was the momentary gap when force circulated, old force just departed and new force not yet arrived!
Moreover, Batu's attack pattern favored straight lines and wide swings, reacting slightly slower half a beat to attacks from certain tricky angles.
"So that's how it is..." Xiaoqi understood in his heart.
Just then, Batu roared again, clearly genuinely angry. His body glowed golden brilliance, arms crossed before his chest, then pushed forward violently! A more violent, nearly tangible golden qi wave (spread) outward explosively! This was a Vajra Gate area attack technique—Vajra Push Mountain! Attempting to force Xiaoqi to take it head-on or be knocked out of the arena!
Zhao Tiezhu below couldn't help gripping his fists tightly. Li Mo, Wang Zhong and others also showed nervousness.
However, facing this area attack, Xiaoqi's eyes flashed with brilliance! Opportunity!
He didn't retreat, he advanced!
At the instant that golden qi wave was about to make contact, he deployed "Emerging Dragon from the Abyss"! His form was ghostly, not charging in a straight line, but tracing a strange arc, actually countercurrent to the qi wave's edge, at an unbelievable angle and speed, instantly cutting into Batu's inner circle! Exactly when Batu's arms were extended, chest wide open, and the golden glow at his right armpit fluctuated!
Batu never expected Xiaoqi to dare close in at this moment, much less that his speed could be this fast! He wanted to defend, but his technique was spent, new force not yet arrived!
Xiaoqi didn't use any weapon, didn't even use powerful magic. He simply formed his hand into a sword shape, condensing pure spiritual energy at his fingertip. Targeting the right armpit's most obvious fluctuating Ququan acupuncture point, he thrust out a finger!
This thrust, fast as lightning, precise beyond compare! Timing, angle, force—all perfectly calibrated!
"Pu!"
A slight sound, like a bubble bursting.
The condensed spiritual energy at his fingertip, like a sharp needle, instantly penetrated the briefly dimmed golden defense, precisely stabbing into Batu's Ququan point!
"Ergh!"
Batu's entire body convulsed violently, letting out a painful grunt! He felt his entire right side suddenly go numb, as if electricity passed through. His condensed spiritual energy collapsed abruptly. The extended golden qi wave also greatly diminished in power! His entire body stood rigid, momentarily unable to move!
Xiaoqi, upon landing his strike, didn't linger, his form floating backward like a breeze, landing steadily several zhang away, hands behind his back, breathing even.
Complete silence fell over the audience.
Everyone stared dumbfounded at the arena scene. That Batu, renowned for invulnerable defense and overwhelming strength, actually got pinned in place by Tang Xiaoqi with just one finger?!
Batu stood rigid for several breaths before barely dispersing the numbness in his body, but his right arm remained weak and limp. His protective golden glow had dimmed considerably. His gaze at Xiaoqi was filled with shock, disbelief, and a trace of defeat. He knew that finger had shown mercy. If it had carried killing intent or used a sharp weapon, he might now be severely injured.
The elder judge also froze momentarily, then reacting, announced loudly: "Batu lost counterattack ability! Winner—Clearness Void Sect, Tang Xiaoqi!"
Below the arena, after a silent moment, an enormous uproar erupted!
"Won? Just like that?"
"One finger! Only one finger broke Batu's defense?"
"My heavens! How did he do that?"
"This combat wisdom... terrifying!"
Zhao Tiezhu and others cheered excitedly.
Yan Feng and Shui Wu Hen's expressions grew even darker. They could see that Xiaoqi's seemingly easy victory actually displayed precise grasp of battle opportunities, extraordinary movement technique, and keen eyesight. This fellow was even harder to deal with than in the realm!
Xiaoqi cupped hands toward the arena, then nodded to Batu who still looked somewhat dispirited. Only then did he calmly descend the arena. First battle, victory achieved without bloodshed. This was merely the beginning—he knew stronger opponents awaited.