Northern Yan Chapter 30: Abolition

Due to the large number of cultivators gathered for the Grand Tournament, the competition was scheduled to span several days. Mo Hao and Tan Ya arrived at the arena early. Although the arena was grand, it was far less impressive than the Sword Terrace; however, given that Tian Peak was the master of the nineteen peaks, this was understandable.

Mo Hao felt a headache looking at the sea of people. A significant number of spectators were early-stage Grain-Fasting cultivators. He had heard that cultivators with spiritual veins were rare, so why were there so many here? In truth, the Void Sword Sect was the premier sect outside the three major factions. Its recruitment standards were unique: it accepted disciples from the Han'e Mountain Range regardless of age, cultivation level, or talent. Consequently, this tournament served as a crucial event to eliminate a large portion of the influx.

Mo Hao did not dwell on this for long. Three bell tolls pulled him back to reality. A Foundation Establishment cultivator stood in the center of the arena and shouted, "Fellow Daoists, due to the tight schedule, all matches must be completed today. We shall determine the top twenty-five Grain-Fasting cultivators. As there are only eight Foundation Establishment disciples from this peak, we will select four; these top four will directly advance to the Grand Peak Tournament. The remaining twenty-five Grain-Fasting cultivators will compete to select the top ten to participate in the Grand Peak Tournament! In these duels, any means are permitted, and life or death is not guaranteed. However, you may crush your issued jade pendant to surrender, at which point combat must cease. Any violators will have their cultivation crippled by the sect!"

Mo Hao calculated that while selecting the top twenty-five was straightforward, narrowing them down to ten would likely require a draw. As expected, the Foundation Establishment cultivator explained the process: from the twenty-five, thirteen would be selected, and those thirteen would draw lots—six would draw battle tokens, and seven would draw exemption tokens to advance directly. It all came down to luck. But for now, Mo Hao’s priority was dealing with Zhang Kunxiang.

As the bell rang again, the tournament began. All Grain-Fasting cultivators went up to draw numbers to determine their match order. Mo Hao and Zhang Kunxiang went up together. Zhang Kunxiang did not wait, drawing a sphere labeled number eleven. Mo Hao shrugged and walked off, turning his attention to Han Qing.

Han Qing returned from the stage with a dark expression; he had drawn number one. It was truly a stroke of bad luck. There were five high platforms protected by restrictions that prevented external interference, meaning those who drew the first five numbers fought first. Although Han Qing had bought a handbook from "Little Spirit Informant," the fact that the informant also sold it to others meant his advantage was limited.

This was Han Qing’s first time in such a tournament, and he kept his fists clenched. Mo Hao patted him to help him relax. As the draw concluded, the first five cultivators took the stage. Mo Hao watched from below. Han Qing’s opponent was a hulking man who looked exceptionally strong.

Standing opposite him, Han Qing appeared somewhat fragile. At the start, Han Qing unleashed a Golden Sword Slash, but the man ignored it, blocking with his arm as he charged. Han Qing panicked and dodged. He hadn't expected the man to be so physically refined; the Golden Sword Slash left only faint white marks. Seeing Han Qing retreat, the man sprayed a pillar of water from his mouth. Caught off guard, Han Qing was struck. The man shouted, "Condense!"

Han Qing felt as if he had been plunged into an ice cave. Mo Hao watched silently, already reaching a conclusion: the man’s offensive was fierce at first but lacked stamina. Sure enough, after trapping Han Qing, the man drew a mountain-splitting axe from his storage bag and charged. But Han Qing was not a pushover; he used the Qingyang Sword Technique to break free.

Remembering something, Han Qing flicked his small sword, sending a burst of sword energy toward the axe, using the recoil to leap several yards away. The man grew anxious and fired another water pillar. This time, Han Qing was composed; he shattered the technique with the Qingyang Sword Technique and, while dodging the axe, struck the man with the Fire Flame Spell. Despite his mid-stage Grain-Fasting cultivation and sturdy physique, the man could not withstand the high-damage fire spell. Before long, he crushed his jade pendant and surrendered.

"Winner: Han Qing!" the official announced.

Han Qing stepped down, chest heaving, clutching his heart. Mo Hao pulled him aside. Han Qing was excited, his nervousness replaced by relief. He grabbed Mo Hao’s arm, repeating, "I won!"

Mo Hao felt a bit helpless—it sounded like he was announcing a birth. He advised Han Qing not to get too excited, as this was only the first round. Han Qing nodded repeatedly, though the excitement on his face remained. After resting, the two watched the remaining matches.

Mo Hao’s eyes were fixed on one person: Zhang Kunyang. His opponent was a mid-stage, third-level Grain-Fasting cultivator. With a single strike, Zhang Kunyang severed his opponent's arm to prevent him from crushing his jade pendant, then pinned him to the floor with his sword. The brutality of the act made many turn pale. Mo Hao’s heart skipped a beat; the boy was young but ruthless. Han Qing looked worried, wondering what would happen if he faced Zhang Kunyang in the next round.

Zhang Kunyang floated down from the stage, ignoring the gazes of the others. His talent made him feel superior to the common cultivators. However, when his eyes swept over Mo Hao, he revealed a flicker of killing intent. Mo Hao felt a surge of anger. He was going to kill him just because of his brother? Very well, then he would not hold back either.

"The second round is over. The third round, please prepare! Match eleven: Mo Hao versus Zhang Kunxiang; Match twelve: Pang Xuan versus Li Feng'an; Match thirteen: She Hei versus Chen Nian..."

Mo Hao and Zhang Kunxiang took the stage. Zhang Kunxiang summoned a massive hammer, while Mo Hao hovered his Hantong Sword above his head. Neither moved at first. Suddenly, Zhang Kunxiang roared, "Heavenly Hao Hammer!" and swung it at Mo Hao. The hammer stopped mid-air, frozen by Mo Hao’s Ice Flame Shield. Mo Hao smiled—the spirit stones were well spent. He had used the shield to neutralize the momentum with cold energy.

Mo Hao channeled energy into the shield, turning it red-hot and launching a blast of flame back at Zhang Kunxiang. Caught off guard, Zhang Kunxiang watched his hammer fly into the air. He leaped to catch it, believing his physical strength would allow him to tank a hit during this opening. He underestimated Mo Hao, who chanted, "Heavenly Severing Strike!"

The Hantong Sword flashed toward Zhang Kunxiang’s dantian. Zhang Kunxiang tensed his muscles to the limit, but as the blade neared, he realized it was a mid-grade magical tool. He also realized Mo Hao’s strength was far beyond a mid-stage Grain-Fasting cultivator. Zhang Kunxiang side-stepped, but his thigh was pierced, causing immense pain. "You are an external affair disciple, yet you possess two mid-grade tools!" he yelled in shock.

Mo Hao was equally surprised that his opponent had evaded the killing blow. Zhang Kunxiang, enraged at being injured by an "inferior" disciple, switched tactics, using his hammer and a shield-like umbrella to defend. Mo Hao smirked, keeping his shield up and relentlessly targeting Zhang Kunxiang’s wounded leg. Zhang Kunxiang felt frustrated; his heavy hammer attacks against the shield felt like hitting cotton.

Finally, Zhang Kunxiang prepared to crush his jade pendant in defeat. Seeing his chance, Mo Hao shouted, "Qingyang Sword Technique!"

Mo Hao poured thirty percent of his spiritual energy into the Hantong Sword. A green flash struck Zhang Kunxiang’s arm. The limb holding the jade pendant was severed. Before the man could react, Mo Hao lunged forward and pierced his dantian. He aimed his sword at Zhang Kunxiang’s head, intending to finish him, but Zhang Kunxiang managed to stomp the jade pendant into the ground with his foot.

The official flew over, sighed at the sight of the mangled Zhang Kunxiang, and ordered him to be carried away. Suddenly, a youth rushed onto the stage, sword drawn—it was Zhang Kunyang. Before he could strike, a gentle force held his blade back. Mo Hao watched him coldly. Zhang Kunyang was hysterical; Mo Hao had effectively destroyed his brother's cultivation.

The official impatiently chased them all off the stage. Zhang Kunyang glared at Mo Hao, though his brother restrained him. Internal fighting without consent was strictly punished. Han Qing and Tan Ya hurried over. Han Qing was stunned by Mo Hao’s victory. Tan Ya, even more dramatic, grabbed Mo Hao’s arm and glared at Zhang Kunyang. Mo Hao coughed awkwardly, and Tan Ya blushed, releasing him, though her fierce expression remained.

Zhang Kunyang sneered at Mo Hao, "Your name is Mo Hao, right? I hope you don't run into me in the next round!"

Mo Hao cupped his hands, "I look forward to it."

The tension between them was palpable, making the surrounding cultivators uneasy.