Chapter 375: Winds Rise Overseas — The Challenge (Part 2)

"What's so funny about that? I was just being merciful and didn't want to hurt anyone!" The so-called immortal master across from him grew annoyed at Han Li's nonchalant expression and started putting on even more of an air of superiority.

"Nothing really! I just feel like this match is turning out to be easier than I expected!" Han Li tapped the ground with the tip of his foot and said casually.

"What? You dare look down on me like this?!" The middle-aged cultivator's face flushed red in an instant. He raised his hand and a gleaming object appeared in his grasp, but before he could activate it, he suddenly felt a blur of movement before his eyes, followed by darkness as his vision went black. His body went limp and he crumpled to the ground, completely unconscious.

...

A short while later, Han Li walked out carrying the unconscious middle-aged cultivator by the leg, his expression as calm as ever.

The other cultivators in the hall were stunned when they saw this.

The gap in cultivation between Han Li and his opponent had been plain for all to see. Yet it was Han Li who had won — this was truly beyond anyone's expectations.

But not every cultivator was equally shocked. The old man who had been keeping a stern face all along showed a peculiar, knowing expression.

He gave Han Li a meaningful look. Though he said nothing, it seemed he had figured out how Han Li had won so easily.

Han Li let out a soft chuckle and, without any change in expression, placed two bamboo tally sticks in front of the old man, then set his unconscious opponent on the floor before returning to the group of winners.

The old man glanced down at the middle-aged cultivator still lying unconscious on the ground, shook his head slightly, and let a faint smile cross his face.

"Number eight."

...

When the last winner had emerged, the old man looked at the ten cultivators who had not yet fought and cleared his throat, speaking in a flat tone:

"From now on, the challenges will proceed in order of your numbers. If anyone feels their magical power is significantly depleted, you may rest a moment before issuing your challenge. However, all challenges must be completed today — any unfinished challenge will count as a forfeiture. Additionally, challengers may not select anyone who has already fought another person. As for the extra number eleven, you will get one challenge among the final ten winners."

"Now then — let's begin!"

Once the old man finished speaking, the cultivator ranked number one eagerly picked an opponent who appeared to be the weakest among the ten, and both entered the platform together.

The chosen opponent was only at the sixth level, while number one was a seventh-level cultivator — the odds certainly seemed to be in his favor!

But after the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, it was the sixth-level cultivator who emerged first from the white light. Number one stumbled out afterward, battered and covered in wounds.

His face flushed with shame, he said nothing and bolted straight out of the hall.

Seeing this, the remaining challengers' expressions changed. Meanwhile, the cultivator who had won strolled back to join the group of ten without a care in the world.

"Next!" the old man called out, not a trace of surprise in his voice. As if that cultivator's victory had been a foregone conclusion.

"Senior, I haven't recovered my magical power yet — could you give me a moment?" the number two cultivator said, his face reddening slightly.

"Number three." The old man ignored whether this person had genuinely not recovered or was simply afraid, and simply called the next number.

The next cultivator furrowed his brow briefly, then likewise avoided the challenge.

The fourth cultivator, however, couldn't save face any longer and reluctantly chose an opponent, entering the platform.

The result was the same scene all over again.

Watching the fourth cultivator emerge with serious injuries, every remaining challenger wore a look of alarm.

Under these circumstances, the next two cultivators also postponed their challenges. In their view, letting others go first to test the waters was the wisest course of action.

"Number seven." After a slight flicker of expression, the old man slowly read out Han Li's number.

Han Li stepped forward in silence, extended his hand, and pointed at a sixth-level cultivator.

The cultivator was a burly, powerfully built man. Seeing that Han Li hadn't backed down and had specifically chosen him, he bared his teeth in a savage grin and strode toward the platform.

Han Li, in contrast, walked slowly, as if mulling over his strategy.

As the burly man and Han Li vanished into the white light, every eye turned toward the platform.

The Foundation Establishment elder closed his eyes and appeared to rest.

But after a moment, his face twitched slightly, and a look of surprise crept across his features. He opened his eyes with a start.

Then a figure appeared on the platform from within the white light.

The cultivators quickly focused their gaze. When the white light dissipated, the figure was none other than Han Li. He stood there without a single injury, leisurely dragging his completely charred opponent behind him, looking as relaxed as could be.