Seven Mysterious Spaces: My Rise to Power in the Cultivation World

The man in black did not answer Zhuang Yu's question, but slowly drew his long sword from his waist. The sword was black and exuded a chilling aura.

A strong sense of oppression instantly enveloped the entire arena.

This person was the man in black who had been secretly observing Zhuang Yu in the crowd earlier.

"I am Leng Wuqing, and I have come here to learn from you," the man in black uttered coldly.

Zhuang Yu's heart sank. He sensed that Leng Wuqing's strength was unfathomable, far surpassing any opponent he had encountered before.

It seems this is not just a simple sect competition, but more like a trap set against him.

"Seeking guidance? I think you're here for revenge!" Zhuang Yu calmly circulated his spiritual energy, remaining on guard.

Leng Wuqing sneered, "Seeking revenge? You're not worthy! I just can't stand your arrogance, and today I'll show you that there are always people more powerful than you!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Leng Wuqing's figure flashed, transforming into a black shadow, his long sword thrusting straight at Zhuang Yu's throat.

The speed is astonishing.

Zhuang Yu was prepared and dodged the attack by a narrow escape.

A flash of light appeared in his hand, and a golden longsword appeared—the very same spiritual weapon he had previously acquired: the Golden Light Sword.

The finals officially begin!

The surrounding audience held their breath, afraid of missing a single detail.

Elder Zhang also watched the duel with a serious expression. He vaguely sensed something was wrong. Leng Wuqing's appearance was too sudden, and his strength far exceeded that of ordinary disciples.

Despite missing his first attack, Leng Wuqing was not discouraged; instead, he became even more excited.

He moved like a ghost, launching a fierce attack around Zhuang Yu, his sword moves sharp and ruthless, each strike potentially fatal.

Zhuang Yu, relying on his agile movements and powerful spiritual energy, barely managed to withstand Leng Wuqing's attacks.

"Golden Light Sword Technique - Sky-Piercing Slash!" Zhuang Yu seized an opening and suddenly swung his sword. A golden sword light sliced ​​through the air and headed straight for Leng Wuqing.

Leng Wuqing sneered, and with a swing of his longsword, a black sword aura rushed towards him, colliding with the golden light.

With a deafening roar, the two forces canceled each other out, creating a shockwave.

Zhuang Yu was forced back several steps, his internal energy churning.

He discovered that Leng Wuqing's sword moves were unpredictable and varied, and seemed to specifically counter his Golden Light Sword Technique.

This made him increasingly uneasy.

Could it be that Leng Wuqing came specifically to deal with him?

Wang Yao watched from below the stage, her heart pounding. She clenched her hands tightly and silently prayed for Zhuang Yu.

"Brother Zhuang Yu, you must win!"

Leng Wuqing pressed forward relentlessly, his offensive growing increasingly fierce.

Zhuang Yu gradually felt his strength failing him, and he sustained more and more wounds.

"It seems you're nothing special after all." A hint of disdain flashed in Leng Wuqing's eyes. "Now, it's time to end this!"

He raised his longsword high, and a powerful black spiritual energy gathered at the tip of the sword, forming a huge black vortex.

"Black Demon Sword Technique - Devour Heaven and Earth!"

With a fierce roar, Leng Wuqing unleashed a black vortex carrying an aura of annihilation, sweeping towards Zhuang Yu.

At this critical moment, a strange smile suddenly appeared on Zhuang Yu's lips...

"Cold-hearted, you've been tricked."

Zhuang Yu's smile grew even wider. He suddenly put away the golden sword, clasped his hands together, and his spiritual energy rapidly gathered within his body.

The audience was in an uproar, wondering what he was up to.

"Golden Light Sword Technique - Return to Simplicity!" Zhuang Yu shouted, and instantly, a soft golden light emerged around his body, as if transforming into an invisible barrier that blocked all the attacks from the black vortex.

An incredulous look appeared on Leng Wuqing's face; he had never seen such a bizarre move before.

In a short while, the golden light gradually spread out, dissolving the black vortex bit by bit.

Zhuang Yu's eyes became even more determined. He was not only fighting against Leng Wuqing's attack, but also reversing the entire situation.

"It seems you've fallen for their trick this time." Zhuang Yu's voice was calm and confident, as if he had everything under control.

Wang Yao, sitting in the audience, stared wide-eyed, feeling a surge of inexplicable excitement.

Zhuang Yu is really amazing, she thought to herself as she cheered him on.

Leng Wuqing was clearly unwilling to admit defeat. He raised his longsword again, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

However, Zhuang Yu had now completely seized the initiative on the battlefield.

He moved swiftly, transforming into a golden streak of light, and quickly circled behind Leng Wuqing.

"This time, it's your turn to try my new move!" Zhuang Yu's voice rang in Leng Wuqing's ears. He waved his hands, and the Golden Light Sword Technique was unleashed once again, but this time the move was completely different from the previous one.

"Golden Light Sword Technique - Flowing Light Slash!" Zhuang Yu shouted, and the golden sword light streaked across the sky like a meteor, heading straight for Leng Wuqing's back.

Leng Wuqing hurriedly turned around, trying to block the sudden attack, but it was too late.

The two sword lights crossed in the air, producing a deafening roar.

The cold, ruthless black sword energy shattered instantly under the impact of the golden sword light, and he was sent flying, crashing heavily to the other end of the arena.

Thunderous applause erupted from the audience, and Elder Zhang couldn't help but nod, gaining a new understanding of Zhuang Yu's strength.

Wang Yao jumped up excitedly and cheered, "Brother Zhuang Yu, you're amazing!"

Zhuang Yu stood on the arena, looking at Leng Wuqing lying on the ground, a faint smile on his face.

He gently raised the golden sword in his hand and greeted the audience around him.

"This victory is just the beginning." His words were full of determination and confidence.

However, just when everyone thought the outcome was decided, Leng Wuqing suddenly struggled to his feet, a ferocious glint flashing in his eyes.

"Do you really think you can win like this?" Leng Wuqing's voice carried a hint of threat, as if he had a backup plan.

Zhuang Yu's smile remained unchanged, but a hint of caution flashed in his eyes.

He knew that the battle was far from over.

Leng Wuqing suddenly spat out a mouthful of black blood, staring at Zhuang Yu with venomous eyes.

"I underestimated you, but you won't get away with this!" He made hand seals and chanted incantations, and a strange black aura surged from his body, spreading rapidly.

Gasps of surprise erupted from the audience. Elder Zhang's expression changed drastically, and he shouted sternly, "Evil arts! Leng Wuqing, how dare you practice such heretical and demonic arts!"

The black aura quickly condensed into a giant skull, emitting a sharp, piercing shriek, and lunged towards Zhuang Yu.

Zhuang Yu frowned. The black aura contained an extremely powerful corrosive force, which made him feel a chill.

At the critical moment, a golden light flashed, and Zhuang Yu's figure disappeared from the spot.

When he reappeared, he was already behind Leng Wuqing.

The golden sword in his hand shone brightly as he thrust it towards Leng Wuqing's dantian.

"Ah!" Leng Wuqing screamed in agony as the black skull instantly disintegrated, and he collapsed to the ground, barely breathing.

Zhuang Yu sheathed his golden sword and looked at him coldly: "Good will prevail over evil. You have lost."

The entire place was silent; everyone was stunned by Zhuang Yu's swift and decisive actions.

Moments later, deafening cheers resounded through the sky.

"Zhuang Yu! Zhuang Yu!"

Zhuang Yu stood in the center of the competition field, basking in the glory of victory.

Auspicious light descended from the sky, as if celebrating his victory.

He became the champion of the sect competition!

As the champion, Zhuang Yu received a wealth of resources from the sect, including rare cultivation techniques, elixirs, and magical treasures.

His reputation spread throughout the cultivation world, and other cultivators held him in high esteem.

He walked to the podium, accepted the trophy symbolizing honor, his eyes deep and calm.

"This is just the beginning..." he murmured to himself.

Suddenly, he sensed an unusual aura and abruptly turned his head to look at a corner of the crowd.

There, a man in black was silently watching him, his eyes filled with murderous intent...

Wang Yao ran excitedly towards Zhuang Yu, her eyes filled with tears.

"Brother Zhuang Yu, you did it!" She threw herself into Zhuang Yu's arms, her voice choked with sobs.

Zhuang Yu hugged her tightly, feeling her warmth, and an indescribable tenderness welled up in his heart.

This is not just the joy of victory, but also an expectation for the future.

Elder Zhang walked up to Zhuang Yu and patted him on the shoulder approvingly.

"Good lad, you really didn't disappoint me!" He handed Zhuang Yu a storage ring. "This is your reward. Make good use of it; your future is limitless."

Zhuang Yu accepted the ring and respectfully bowed to Elder Zhang. "Thank you for your guidance, Elder."

As the crowd gradually dispersed, Zhuang Yu and Wang Yao walked side by side toward the sect's Hall of Honor.

The Hall of Honor is magnificent and solemn, housing the memorial tablets of outstanding disciples from all generations of the sect.

Zhuang Yu gazed at the gleaming golden memorial tablets, his heart filled with longing.

He wanted to create his own glory in the world of cultivation and have his name engraved in the Hall of Honor.

"Brother Zhuang Yu, you will definitely become a great cultivator like them in the future!" Wang Yao looked up at Zhuang Yu, her eyes full of admiration.

Zhuang Yu smiled slightly and ruffled Wang Yao's hair. "I will try my best."

Just then, a cold voice came from behind: "Zhuang Yu, do you think this is the end?"

Zhuang Yu turned around abruptly and saw a man in black standing not far away with a sinister smile on his face.

In the black-clad man's hand, he held a black jade pendant, which exuded an eerie aura.

"You are..." Zhuang Yu's heart sank, and an ominous premonition surged into his mind.

The man in black sneered and raised the jade pendant high in his hand.

"These are your master's belongings. Don't you want to know the real cause of his death?"

Zhuang Yu's pupils constricted, and a surge of anger instantly welled up inside him. "Who exactly are you?!"

The man in black did not answer, but instead crushed the jade pendant in his hand.

The moment the jade pendant shattered, a powerful force erupted, engulfing Zhuang Yu and Wang Yao.

"Ah!" Wang Yao screamed, her vision went black, and she lost consciousness.

Zhuang Yu also felt a dizzying sensation, and his consciousness gradually blurred.

Before he completely lost consciousness, he seemed to see a familiar figure appear before him.

"Master..."

"Wake up, Brother Zhuang Yu, wake up..."

Zhuang Yu slowly opened his eyes and saw Wang Yao looking at him anxiously.

"What is this..." Zhuang Yu rubbed his still somewhat dizzy head, trying hard to recall what had happened before.

"You just fainted," Wang Yao said worriedly. "Luckily, Elder Zhang arrived in time and saved you."

Zhuang Yu was startled and quickly asked, "Where is the man in black?"

Wang Yao shook her head.

"He disappeared. Nobody knows who he is or why he attacked you."

Zhuang Yu frowned, his heart filled with doubt.

The man in black, the master's belongings, what exactly is going on?

"Zhuang Yu, are you alright?" Elder Zhang walked over and asked with concern.

Zhuang Yu shook his head. "I'm fine, thank you for your concern, Elder."

Elder Zhang patted Zhuang Yu on the shoulder.

"Get some rest. In the upcoming match..." He paused, a complex look flashing in his eyes, "...you need to be careful."