Chapter 16: Spiritual Attack
An uproar erupted after Ling Jingjing's opponent bled out of his orifices in a sudden turn of events. Confusion and horror spread to everyone's heart seeing the terrible fate of the poor man.
"That, that, I don't understand anything at all!"
"Hey! Why did Tang Ju suddenly bleed on his holes?"
"Yeah, even his butt did not get some mercy."
"Ew, did you see the blood there having a different color?"
"Damn it! Let me finish eating before talking about it."
The audience became lively once again and some were more concerned about the different color of blood from a specific hole of the fallen Tang Ju.
The conversations between the majority were full of questions and humors but to those who had an idea of what occurred, they became apprehensive and horrified at the innocent-looking lady who seemed to be smiling harmlessly.
At the City Lord Residence' seat section, the guests from the capital were equally astonished by what they witnessed.
"Spiritual attack? Someone from this place know that kind of secret manual? City Lord Feng, do you know about this beforehand?" The older man asked in bewilderment.
City Lord Feng shook his head and said, "Because of the calamity that befall into their sect, their disciples did not join any competition for the past years."
"Interesting." One of the young men smiled faintly and commented, surprising the group and even the young lady who protected Ji Chen since this teammate of theirs rarely spoke and praised others outside their circle.
"Senior brother, is her technique really that amazing?"
The young man turned to look at the one who asked and replied, "Her attacks are in the form of swift sharp needles swarming the opponent's spiritual sea. It's deadly to someone caught by surprise."
The others let out a 'oh' and did not seem to be bothered that he managed to see through the attack since the young man beside them was known in their circle for his unique physique involving spiritual and mental field.
Pavilion Lord Su smiled wryly as she said her thoughts to the innocent-looking blonde lady beside her.
"I told you last time. It seems they really have a backer. A secret manual of spiritual attack can only be found in first-rate cities. A backer, maybe we need something like that too."
"Sister Muyu, are you really going to accept the proposal? We are fine even without other's favor." The blonde lady felt dissatisfied hearing her sister's tone.
On the side of Emerald Stone Veranda, Veranda Lord Wuji had a thoughtful expression as he muttered, "I have to find a secret manual that protects against that invisible attack."
His gaze turned to his direct disciple and he became more decisive on his decision. The impact of seeing someone even in a third-rate city using a spiritual attack alarmed him.
"Ling Jingjing defended her spot!" The referee announced after recovering from the abrupt changes on the stage.
He already checked Tang Ju's vitals and knew he was still breathing. As long as there was no intentional killing, the competition would allow it.
A group of healing officers rushed toward the unconscious Tang Ju and immediately stuffed his mouth with healing pills while checking for the damages.
The oldest among them who had a sage-like temperament focused on Tang Ju's head before turning his head to the referee, then to City Lord Feng, and finally to the seats of Golden Wheel Merchant Organization.
"This man's soul sustained damages and small cracks on the surface appeared. He should be fine after a hundred years of recuperation."
Gasp! Breathing mouthfuls of cold air, everyone that heard the diagnosis felt chills once again. A hundred years out of scene for someone in his prime? That meant losing a lot of opportunities and falling behind his peers.
They felt pity for the unconscious Tang Ju and their eyes flashed with sympathy. If Tang Ju saw the gazes he was receiving, he would surely be consumed with more fury.
Mister Lee nodded heavily to the diagnostician before ordering his disciples to bring Tang Ju back.
At the same, killing intent flashed in his eyes when he stared at the calm innocent-looking lady who was returning to her seat. However, he quickly retracted it when he felt someone observing his every action.
Ji Chen took a mental note of that killing intent he felt. He just needed a valid excuse to kill Mister Lee. With a valid excuse supported by the City Lord Residence and his status as a great emperor, he was sure that the main Golden Wheel Merchant Organization in the Northern Capital would not make a move to him. There was even another way: kill in the dark with no witness.
Either way, it was pleasant to see some arrogant member of the Golden Wheel Merchant Organization being beaten by his disciples.
He had already decided to award handsomely Taxia Dru, Ling Jingjing, and anyone that could make Mister Lee's expression more unsightly. It was definitely not because he was a petty man.
"Good job Jingjing!" Hesha embraced Ling Jingjing while patting her head like an older sister.
Bai Ningshuang also joined them. "You gave him what he deserved. Nice!"
The third round continued with the last challenger being able to snatch a spot in clutch.
By the time the top 50 was finalized, it was already past dusk. City Lord Feng stood up from his seat and announced, "The competition will continue tomorrow at the same time."
The spectators left through the exits followed by the contestants and accompanying elders, before the officials tidied up the arena to prepare for tomorrow's event.
Ji Chen also left with his group after exchanging some pleasantries to the other leaders.
The result of the competition so far had been good for the Three Peak Sect. Out of 10 contestants, seven took a spot in the top 50.
Ji Chen let the ten disciples rest at their residences to digest what they had learned in their battles and catch up with their masters.
As for him, he sneaked into his tight schedule eating the last Star Stellar Fruit that was awarded to him by the system.
"This is the third fruit. I doubt I can cultivate this faster after this." He muttered before he clenched his fists and created an earth spike with his mid-stage Great Emperor cultivation.
Indeed, he successfully had a breakthrough once again. He snuck eating fruits during his free time and even consumed pills.
Every second for him counts since the competition had already started. He might be able to protect his disciples in a third-rate city like Frozen Plateau City but how about in a first-rate city like the Whitedrift City, center of the Northern Prefecture? Great emperors could be seen in every corner of that city when Ji Chen ventured there during his younger years.
It was very likely that the Northern Prefecture Competition would be held there since the Governor Residence was situated there.
Ji Chen slept after having a breakthrough. Although sleep was not a necessity for a cultivator like him, he still does it frequently.
Breathing out a warm mouthful of air, he opened his eyes and realized that the dawn had already arrived.
"This night is very productive." His mood became more positive as he did his morning mundane routine before meeting up with the ten disciples and the elders.
In the Main Pavilion, Ji Chen nodded in satisfaction sensing some improvement from Xu Kai, Taxia Dru, and the others. He guessed it had to do with absorbing the lessons they gained from battling in the competition.
"As your Sect Master, I am pleased by everyone's performance. I could see that all of you did your best yesterday." Ji Chen did not withhold giving his praise to the ten disciples and equally addressed all of them.
"Thank you, Sect Master."
"For today's matches, do your best but don't overdo it. Be decisive in advancing and conceding. Alright, that's all."
"Sect Master, could we bring our junior brothers and sisters as spectators?"
Ji Chen stroked his chin once and then nodded. "It's fine. Bring one or two of your friends to cheer for you. We can't let too many be outside the sect at the same time for safety purposes."
His safety purposes involved the number of teleportation talismans he had since each talisman could only forcibly teleport a member straight to the center of the sect. Each one was a precious lifesaver, especially that the range of its usability covered the whole kingdom and even half of the surrounding kingdoms.
After getting his approval, the group of originally 15 individuals almost doubled.
"Time to go." Ji Chen led his people towards the arena.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
-- Power
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