Chapter 1640

Everyone was inexplicably horrified. During the group stage, Qiu Chanzi had always been polite and courteous, and even those he defeated were genuinely convinced. Why had he suddenly transformed like this, as if possessed by a demon?

Seeing the questioning gazes of the others, the Deputy Head of Qingxu Manor wiped cold sweat from his brow and explained, "He's not possessed; it's just that Qiu Chanzi has a strange personality, almost like he has a dual personality. Combined with his unique cultivation method, he enters this state whenever he encounters a dangerous situation."

The various sect masters and elders then felt relieved. It turned out that Qiu Chanzi had held back during the group stage, and only now, facing a formidable opponent like Wan Guiyi, did he reveal this side of himself, having no need to hold back anymore.

However, Qiu Chanzi's current state looked somewhat eerie.

At this moment, Yun Jianyue was so delighted she was practically slapping her thighs raw. "This kid is good. If there's a chance, I should recruit him into the Demonic Sect. He has the potential to become a great demon lord."

Qiu Honglei rolled her eyes. "Master, you lectured me before about not calling it the Demonic Sect."

Yun Jianyue's smile froze. "What I say is different from what I tell you."

"Are you being hypocritical?"

"Go on, go on, focus on the match."

At the center of the arena, Wan Guiyi was also startled. He finally realized, "In the middle of winter, how can there be cicadas chirping?"

Although he was usually proud, he wasn't typically so agitated. The inexplicable sense of irritation was clearly caused by the cicada chirping around him.

With a flick of his finger, his long sword shot out of its scabbard. Instead of holding it, he let the entire sword fly backward towards Qiu Chanzi.

Even though only the hilt was facing Qiu Chanzi, a surge of sword qi filled the entire arena. Wherever it passed, long cuts were carved into the arena floor by the sharp sword qi.

The disciples from various sects watching were utterly shocked. Wan Guiyi's sword qi seemed excessively powerful; could a casual strike really possess such force?

Even Wu Xiaofan's eyes flickered, as he carefully observed the battle.

Wang Wuxie looked at Zu An. "Lord Zu, what do you think of Wan Guiyi's swordsmanship?"

The sect leaders and elders from other factions also turned to look at him.

Before, no one would have cared about his opinion, much less sought his advice.

However, the earth-shattering battle he fought earlier made everyone hesitant to view him as merely a junior. Moreover, at such a young age, he already held an important position in the imperial court, indicating boundless prospects. Naturally, everyone wanted to foster good relations with him.

"His entire being, as he stands there, resembles a sword; he's a natural prodigy for swordsmanship," Zu An commented, chuckling to himself. In previous situations like this, he was always the one fighting for his life in the arena, being judged by the esteemed elders on the referee panel. He never expected to now be the one commentating on others.

Wang Wuxie couldn't help but say to Wan Tongtian, "Brother Wan, you have a fine son indeed."

As he spoke, he subtly glanced at Yan Xuehen nearby, feeling a sense of regret.

"Oh, it's nothing," Wan Tongtian said modestly, but he couldn't hide the feeling of his tail almost wagging with pride.

Abbess Huoling snorted. Clearly, the more impressive Wan Guiyi was, the more irritated she became. "He also uses a sword, but I think he's far from Lord Zu."

Everyone's expressions immediately stiffened. "Abbess, we can't have a conversation if you say things like that."

By this time, the arena had changed. Qiu Chanzi slightly bent his knees, then shot several feet into the air, dodging Wan Guiyi's sharp attack.

Seeing him suspended in mid-air, many discerning individuals in the audience frowned, believing his move unwise. Without reaching the Grandmaster realm, one could only float for a short time, and agility in the air was significantly reduced. Wouldn't he just become a sitting duck?

Wan Guiyi's sword hilt missed and ultimately struck the protective barrier at the edge of the arena. With a flash of light from the barrier, the sword bounced back along its original path. As if he had anticipated this, he effortlessly caught the long sword and held it in his hand.

This move was incredibly graceful, dazzling many female disciples. Unfortunately, Wan Guiyi was a straightforward man who found the women's cheers somewhat bothersome.

He looked up at Qiu Chanzi in the sky, clearly seeing his vulnerability. "You're asking for death!"

He transformed into a streak of light and charged directly towards Qiu Chanzi in the air. He was confident that with the speed of this sword, Qiu Chanzi, unable to leverage any support in mid-air, would be utterly unable to dodge.

Wu Xiaofan had just dealt with Luo Dongjiang in two moves; two moves from him shouldn't be bad either.

However, his expression quickly froze, because his supposedly sure-hit sword had missed!

He had already broken through to the Grandmaster realm and could float freely in the air, so he abruptly turned to look behind him.

Qiu Chanzi had appeared dozens of feet behind him, and circles of green ripples suddenly emanated from his body.

Wan Guiyi's scalp immediately tingled. "What's happening? Can he also emit that kind of heaven-defying sword qi, just like Zu An?"

Clearly, Zu An's powerful move that day had left an indelible impact on his young mind.

Soon, the ripples expanded, eventually forming the phantom of a gigantic cicada behind him. Its wings quivered slightly, emitting heart-stopping cicada cries.

The surrounding disciples watching suddenly felt their qi and blood churn, and their moods inexplicably became irritable.

On the referee's stand, Wang Wuxie saw that something was wrong. With a wave of his sleeve, a faint purple aura enveloped the arena's protective barrier, and only then did the surrounding disciples gradually calm down.

Wan Guiyi, directly in the path of the attack on the arena, was not so lucky. His body trembled, his internal vital energy surged uncontrollably, his eyes began to turn red, and he looked on the verge of collapsing.

"Hehe, he dodged," Qiu Chanzi said, pulling at his hair, a triumphant smile on his face, madness spilling from his eyes.

Seeing him like this, many in the audience felt a sense of discomfort, but Zu An found it somewhat familiar. Such characters were common in Japanese anime from his past life. Should he be called a 'madman' or a 'yandere'?

Guan Chouhai couldn't help but exclaim, "Brother He, what's going on with him? It feels a bit like a Grandmaster's domain."

He Yuan of Qingxu Manor stroked his beard and smiled slightly. "This is a peculiar encounter Qiu Chanzi had in his youth. He obtained a strange insect, a 'Cold Cicada.' After refining it into his life-bound spirit insect, it achieved its current effect. He simply changed his name to Qiu Chanzi, and as his cultivation increases, the power of this Cold Cicada also grows."

"I wonder what ancient strange species this Cold Cicada is," several sect masters began discussing its origins. Unfortunately, despite their extensive knowledge, none could explain it clearly.

Only Wan Tongtian's expression was grim, as it was his son, not theirs, who was in trouble on the arena.

Yun Jianyue also couldn't help but sigh, "This Daoist sect truly has many talented individuals. I never expected the previously harmless Qiu Chanzi to be so powerful. Honglei, you must not let your guard down in your future matches."

Qiu Honglei nodded. Qiu Chanzi was previously considered among the weakest of the chief disciples, yet he had concealed his strength so deeply. This made her unwilling to underestimate anyone again.

"Hehe, it's my turn to attack," Qiu Chanzi said, tilting his head. With a flutter of the Cold Cicada's wings behind him, he seemed to merge with the creature and charged directly towards Wan Guiyi. Wherever he passed, it was as if even the air was being sliced apart.

The disciples of Biluo Palace cried out in alarm, worried for their senior brother. The Cold Cicada's wings spread open like two massive blades, dozens of feet long. If struck, he might be cut in half.

Seeing this, Wan Guiyi clearly wanted to retaliate, but the pervasive cries of the Cold Cicada made him dizzy and disoriented. His reactions were now many times slower than usual.

He could only manage to raise his sword, gathering a ball of sharp sword qi to meet the attack.

The hearts of those in Biluo Palace pounded. At this moment, Wan Guiyi's sword aura was many times smaller than usual.

Boom!

The Cold Cicada's phantom and Wan Guiyi's sword qi collided, emitting a dazzling light. For a moment, space itself seemed to warp, and no one could clearly see what was happening.

At that moment, a long sword flew out, spinning rapidly, and plunged directly into the arena's stone slab, showing just how sharp it was.

The expressions of all the disciples changed instantly. This was Wan Guiyi's personal sword; for a swordsman to drop his weapon, it was clear how dire his situation was.

Had Wan Guiyi lost?

This would be as shocking an upset as the unexpected loss in the group stage!

Just then, the light on the stage gradually dissipated, revealing the two figures.

Wan Guiyi was covered in blood, seemingly barely able to stand.

However, Qiu Chanzi stood motionless in front of him, as if stunned.

Qiu Chanzi was looking down at the opponent's finger embedded in his chest, his face filled with disbelief. "How is this possible?"

Wan Guiyi was covered in wounds, but his gaze was exceptionally sharp. He stood there like a sword himself. "For a true swordsman, every part of his body can be a sword."

"So that's how it is, hehe," Qiu Chanzi said, suddenly enlightened.

His response was a fist to the face. Blood and snot streamed from his nose, tracing two gruesome arcs in the air as his body, like a tattered sandbag, was knocked out of the arena.

He Yuan of Qingxu Manor was furious at the sight. "Wan Guiyi, you've already won! Why deliver such a heavy blow?"

Wan Guiyi coldly replied, "A grown man giggling all day is disgusting. I'll punch every giggling freak!"