Bang!
Chao Qingteng’s knees buckled, and he collapsed face-first, unconscious, onto the arena stage.
His chest had been pierced straight through by "Zang Ku," leaving a wound the size of a fist, with blood gushing out like a spring and instantly staining the platform red.
"Save him!"
Xu Xiaoshou saw everyone frozen in shock and immediately shouted at Xiao Qixiu.
The referee waved a hand, and medical personnel rushed over, surrounding both Xu Xiaoshou and Chao Qingteng.
Xu Xiaoshou looked at the four familiar faces around him—these were the same people who had saved Da Xigua before the match?
"Don't worry about me, go save Chao Qingteng first!"
Seeing them pulling out bags and knives, Xu Xiaoshou panicked and quickly pointed to the other side. "He's got a hole through him, and he's at the Innate level—he's more important."
"You're important too!" the medical personnel said resolutely.
Saving lives was their duty, even if they were dealing with someone who seemed a bit off.
"Received care, Passive Value +4."
Xu Xiaoshou watched them threading needles and preparing tools, his face full of hesitation.
Helping people was great, but the problem was, he didn't really need it right now!
In his fight with Chao Qingteng, only "Da Han Wu Qi" and "Xuan Bing Feng Bei Shou" had actually hurt him.
But that was already over!
The sword path snowflakes from "Da Han Wu Qi" had nearly turned him into a beehive, but "Sheng Sheng Bu Xi" kept him going—it was just a painful process.
Once the snowflakes stopped, his injuries recovered by half in no time.
As for "Xuan Bing Feng Bei Shou," that instant of ice compression would have frozen anyone else's spirit, but Xu Xiaoshou had just swallowed "Jin Zhao Huo Zhong," plus his Innate physical body and "Sheng Sheng Bu Xi"...
Honestly, the damage from "Xuan Bing Feng Bei Shou" wasn't even as bad as from "Da Han Wu Qi."
"I really don't need it..." Xu Xiaoshou said weakly.
The four staff members glared at him—who hadn't seen him get beaten half to death?
Look at his clothes, soaked red with blood!
And his face, all bruised and purple from the cold.
"Fine..."
Xu Xiaoshou gave up resisting, and the four of them got to work, tools in hand, touching his body.
"Received suspicion, Passive Value +4."
In an instant, their movements halted in unison, and the four faces stared at Xu Xiaoshou in shock.
"This..."
How was that possible?
Was this guy some kind of freak? Chao Qingteng’s attacks had only caused this much damage?
And the surging life force inside him was endless—more exaggerated than if he'd eaten a Chi Jin Dan.
Why treat him at all?
They clearly remembered him bleeding out...
How could this be...
Was an Innate physical body really this powerful?
Xu Xiaoshou shrugged and stood up. Though his skin was still a bit purple from the frost, his mobility had already recovered in that short time.
"I told you I didn't need treatment, but you wouldn't believe me!"
Xu Xiaoshou pointed at Chao Qingteng. "Hurry up and save him. 'Zang Ku' probably missed his vital points—he'll be okay."
The four hesitated, still stunned and directionless. To put their minds at ease, Xu Xiaoshou flicked his sleeve.
"I'll just say it straight—he never really hurt me!"
"Go save him!"
At the same time, the medical team on the other side had just stopped their treatment, and they all looked excited.
"He's awake!"
"That's great... huh?"
Before their excitement could last, Chao Qingteng’s face darkened, and he passed out again.
"Received curse, Passive Value +1."
The four medical personnel on Xu Xiaoshou's side turned with murderous intent, glaring at him fiercely.
"Received attack, Passive Value +4."
Xu Xiaoshou: "..."
...
"Received admiration, Passive Value +666."
"Received admiration, Passive Value +888."
Sure enough, as soon as he left the barrier, messages kept pouring in.
Xu Xiaoshou saw everyone in the audience stand up and applaud, and he happily waved back.
"Hmm?"
He suddenly noticed Elder Qiao and Zhou Tianshen, both giving him thumbs-up—they were practically ready to rush over for a warm hug.
"Received praise, Passive Value +2."
Good thing this was the third match; the audience couldn't come down, avoiding any awkward man hugs.
Xu Xiaoshou smiled back at them, but he felt a bit puzzled inside.
Elder Qiao coming to watch his match and encourage him made sense, but what was up with Zhou Tianshen?
Had he just become a fan right after their previous encounter?
Back in the waiting area, even though it was getting late, Xu Xiaoshou didn't leave right away.
Once the arena was cleared, Xiao Qixiu didn't need to draw lots, as this was the last round of the quarterfinals.
Mo Mo!
An Innate expert!
The top of the Fengyun List!
In terms of strength, she was undoubtedly the senior sister of the outer court.
Xu Xiaoshou stayed to observe this potential opponent he might face tomorrow.
In the arena, Mo Mo wore a green outfit, her skin as fair as snow.
She held a small bronze furnace, burning purple sandalwood incense. As an Innate expert with an aura like a serene valley orchid, she completely overshadowed her opponent.
Xu Xiaoshou watched intently.
But as soon as the match started, there was no drama or suspense—in just a couple of rounds, her opponent at the Ten Realms level was knocked off the stage.
Xu Xiaoshou: "..."
These damn Innate experts!
He turned away in frustration and left the waiting area.
...
In a grove, the path split into two: one led to Ge Lake, the other to the courtyard.
The first represented mystery and the unknown, the second comfort and ease.
Xu Xiaoshou chose the latter without a second thought.
What a joke— he'd finally gotten rid of "Jin Zhao Huo Zhong," so why go to Ge Lake and risk swallowing another one? That would be a death wish, and way too painful!
Back in his courtyard, after a bath, he lay on the bed, feeling an indescribable sense of relief.
Xu Xiaoshou pulled out a Lian Ling Dan and took a puff.
"Hiss~"
Double the pleasure!
His upgraded "Breathing Method" had enhanced it, so one puff equaled a whole pill. Luckily, Xu Xiaoshou could now resist the sensation as much as possible.
Even so, he was still hit with a wave that made him lose focus for a moment, followed by a surge of spiritual energy and a rising tide in his dantian.
With a shudder...
He broke through...
To Lian Ling Eight Realm!
Xu Xiaoshou was stunned.
Last night, after refining "Jin Zhao Huo Zhong," he'd barely managed to suppress his cultivation, but now, without thinking, he'd broken through...
"Oh well, faster is faster."
"Maybe my speed isn't even that impressive compared to real geniuses."
Xu Xiaoshou comforted himself and decided not to worry about it—his realm would stabilize after some sleep anyway.
He focused his mind on the information panel in his thoughts.
Passive Value: 18,882.
"Hmm, a bit low."
Though he'd guessed as much, Xu Xiaoshou still felt a little disappointed.
Without "Jin Zhao Huo Zhong" adding a point per second, he was relying solely on the contributions from over a thousand spectators, which barely reached four or five thousand per match.
He had to thank that move from Chao Qingteng with "Da Han Wu Qi," or he'd have lost another one or two thousand Passive Value.
"Jin Zhao Huo Zhong..."
Xu Xiaoshou kind of missed it now, but that fire seed was like a ticking bomb—better as a memory.
But maybe he could control it...
Xu Xiaoshou stroked his chin, pondering the idea, but in the end, he shelved the bold notion.
Instead of thinking about "Jin Zhao Huo Zhong," he should figure out what that old man's real intention was in making him swallow it.
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