Cohabitation with Sword Spirit-Chapter 202 - 169: Maneuvering (Double-length)_4

Instinctively, Shan Heqiu drove the True Essence within his body along a familiar trajectory, causing the Thunder Pool, half-condensed, to violently collapse and re-materialize into a Five-Thunder Heart-Protecting Mirror on the surface, shielding the area of intense pain threatening to shatter in his chest.

Wang Jiu saw this and nodded.

"Victory."

Shan Heqiu's Thunderous Armor was troublesome because he could freely allocate True Essence to both offense and defense. Previously, he dedicated most of his energy to counterattacks, but now he was forced to fully strengthen his defense, akin to reinforcing a turtle shell by removing its spikes. Though he could barely hang on, it was tantamount to giving up the initiative in the fight.

Wang Jiu didn't even want to waste time maneuvering around him slowly, so he ruthlessly swung Shen Qingming's half-baked arm toward the Five-Thunder Heart-Protecting Mirror, once, twice... Each strike splattered fragments of blackened flesh, and the shining Heart-Protecting Mirror merely rippled with twisted distortions.

After just three or four punches, the white bone beneath the flesh was clearly revealed, along with the cracks on the bone.

All spectators in attendance had fallen silent, everyone staring in shock at the cold-faced yet wildly brutal young girl, punch after punch, relentlessly pounding Shan Heqiu down.

On the first day of the Cyan Cloud Tournament, more than fifty battles had already taken place; there were crushing victories, stalemates dragged into bladder matches, and plenty of bloodshed and violence, yet Shen Qingming's cold and ruthless combat style was unprecedented.

Indeed, within the competition arena, there was protection by the Array, so there was no threat to life, and injuries sustained during battle would be treated properly after the fight ended. But the tournament resources were limited; it was impossible to prepare Spiritual Medicine that restores flesh and bone for everyone, making it difficult for excessively serious injuries to recover as they were in a short time.

Why is Shen Qingming fighting so recklessly? Is she treating this second round as an elimination match!?

Moreover, such a brutal scene... starkly contrasts her previous image of wearing a pink dress singing and dancing!

In the end, though she fought bloodily, the Five-Thunder Heart-Protecting Mirror was after all the treasured heirloom of Unmoving Manor, not so easily damaged. Despite Shen Qingming throwing dozens of punches, not a single crack appeared on the mirror.

Yet for some reason, Shan Heqiu, with each successive punch, not only failed to seize the opportunity of Shen Qingming's increasing injuries, his resistance weakened, and eventually, blood continuously poured from the corner of his mouth, seeming barely alive.

"Enough, match over!"

Finally, when Shen Qingming's entire right hand was about to be ruined, the referee stepped in promptly, announcing the match result.

"Shen Qingming wins this match! Now, doctors please swiftly come forward to treat both contestants!"

After speaking, the referee glared fiercely at Shen Qingming, wanting to say something, but didn't know what to say.

Is it necessary to fight like this in a mere match!? Is there no other way to win besides such violent methods? What if this scene, so intensely rated, is protested and criticized by revered elders!?

Meanwhile, Wang Jiu received Shen Qingming's feeble inquiry.

"After this... You wouldn't keep fighting like this, would you?"

"Of course not," Wang Jiu replied easily, "It's not like every battle is as simple as this one. If breaking one arm could win the Cyan Cloud Tournament, you're overestimating yourself."

"... Can I apply to withdraw from the competition now?"

"Certainly not," Wang Jiu said, "My Celestial Sword God's mount never settles for titles other than champion."

"Hey, are you so nonchalant in copying others' quotes?"

"What, do you plan to have me commit suicide and delete my account?"

"Hmph, I may not be smart, but I'm not an idiot."