As the morning sun rose, five-colored banners fluttered on the Main Peak Square of the Heavenly Sword Sect, and the area was bustling with people.

The Five Sect Martial Competition has officially begun!

The people of the Azure Cloud Sect arrived at the square early and were stunned by the scene before them. Five giant stages stood in the center of the square, arranged according to the positions of the Five Elements, surrounded by spectator seats that could accommodate tens of thousands of people.

The Disciples of each Sect were clearly distinguished, their auras sharp as they sized each other up, their Battle Intent surging.

The Heavenly Sword Sect Disciples wore white robes and carried swords, their Sword Qi piercing the sky; the Xuan Ming Cult were wrapped in black robes, emitting a chilling Yin Qi; the Chiyang Sect wore red robes like fire, with a heatwave that was pressing; the Beast Taming Sect were surrounded by Spirit Beasts, with a hundred beasts roaring; the Azure Cloud Sect wore elegant green robes, steady and composed.

"What a grand scene!" Lin Wan exclaimed in awe, "It’s much more magnificent than our Sect’s competition!"

Liang Ling said softly, "The Five Sect Martial Competition is a grand event held every five years, so it is naturally solemn."

Fang Hao’s gaze swept across the field as Battle Intent gradually rose in his heart.

As the leader, Bao Zhijian went forward to exchange pleasantries with the leaders of the other Sects, but he was clearly given the cold shoulder. Ling Wind of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Nether Fiend of the Xuan Ming Cult, Yan Kuang of the Chiyang Sect, and Ling Yun of the Beast Taming Sect were all Golden Core Prodigies, and they didn’t care much for Bao Zhijian, who was only at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Bao Zhijian’s face looked unpleasant as he returned dejectedly.

Exactly at the Hour of Chen, the bells tolled. Five figures stepped through the air, their pressure shaking the heavens! They were the leading Elders of the five Sects!

Elder Heart of the Sword of the Heavenly Sword Sect announced loudly, "The Five Sect Martial Competition officially begins! The rules are as follows:"

"The first round is a chaotic elimination battle! Thirty people from each of the five Sects, a total of one hundred and fifty people, will compete on the same stage! The last fifty people remaining on the stage will advance!"

The whole place was in an uproar! A chaotic elimination battle! The most brutal rule!

"This... this is too ruthless!" Lin Wan’s face turned pale.

Liang Ling frowned. "In a melee, it’s very easy to be targeted."

Fang Hao’s gaze was solemn. In a melee, the Azure Cloud Sect would likely be besieged by the other four Sects!

Heart of the Sword continued, "There are no limits on methods in the stage battle, but you must not take lives. Those who fall off the stage lose! Now, Disciples of all Sects, take the stage!"

Disciples of the five Sects leaped onto the central giant stage one after another. The stage was massive, more than enough to accommodate over a hundred people.

Bao Zhijian said urgently, "Quick! Form a defensive formation!" The Azure Cloud Sect members immediately formed a formation, on high alert.

The other four Sects also formed their own formations, wary of each other.

Suddenly, Ling Wind of the Heavenly Sword Sect shouted, "Clear the weaklings first! Beast Taming Sect, Azure Cloud Sect, get lost!"

The Xuan Ming Cult and Chiyang Sect immediately responded, "Good! Clear them first!"

The three Sects actually joined forces and charged straight at the Beast Taming Sect and the Azure Cloud Sect!

"Despicable!" Ling Yun of the Beast Taming Sect shouted angrily, "Spirit Beast Formation! Defend!"

The people of the Azure Cloud Sect also changed expression. "Form the Qingyun Sword Formation!"

The great battle erupted! Sword Qi, Spells, and the roars of Spirit Beasts instantly filled the stage!

Fang Hao was in the middle of the formation, observing calmly. With the three Sects joining forces, the disparity in strength was too great; they would surely lose if they fought head-on!

"Change formation! Use hit-and-run tactics!" Fang Hao shouted.

Bao Zhijian said angrily, "Shut up! I am the commander!"

But the Qingyun formation had already been broken, and everyone was fighting for themselves!

Fang Hao ignored him, using Shrinking the Ground to an Inch to move around the battlefield. He used Dividing Light Sword Shadow to strike, specifically attacking weak points!

Liang Ling activated the Ice Heart Art, cold air spreading to freeze the enemies! Lin Wan used the Thousand Vine Art to entangle and interfere with her opponents!

But the three Sects’ offensive was too fierce! Qingyun Disciples were constantly being knocked off the stage!

"Ah!" A Disciple cried out as he fell off the stage.

"I can’t hold on!" Another Disciple was blasted away.

Bao Zhijian was besieged by three people from the Heavenly Sword Sect, his situation precarious! Zhou Yao fought hard to rescue him, but she also fell into an encirclement!

"Junior Brother Ning! Save me!" Lin Wan cried out in alarm, being besieged by two Chiyang Sect Disciples.

Fang Hao’s figure flashed as he used the Star Shattering Finger! With two bangs, the two of them spat blood and flew backward!

"Thank you!" Lin Wan said, still shaken.

Liang Ling was also surrounded by three people from the Xuan Ming Cult, her cold air suppressed by the Yin Qi, gradually showing signs of defeat!

Fang Hao summoned the empty clarity mirror: "Spatial Distortion!"

The Xuan Ming Cult Disciples froze for a moment, and Liang Ling took the chance to counterattack, freezing one person!

But the overall situation had collapsed! Only about a dozen people from the Azure Cloud Sect remained, struggling to hold on! The Beast Taming Sect was even worse off, with only seven or eight people left!

"Regroup! Break out!" Fang Hao shouted loudly.

Bao Zhijian, however, said angrily, "Don’t retreat! Fight to the death!"

As a result, another three people were blasted away!

Fang Hao no longer hesitated. "Azure Cloud Sect Disciples, follow me and break through!"

He used the empty clarity mirror to lead the way, using Spatial Distortion to forcibly tear open a gap!

Liang Ling and Lin Wan immediately followed! The other Disciples also broke through one after another!

Bao Zhijian’s face was ashen, but he had no choice but to follow.

The group broke through the encirclement, but their losses were heavy! Only nine people remained from the Azure Cloud Sect! Only five people remained from the Beast Taming Sect!

The Heavenly Sword, Xuan Ming, and Chiyang Sects didn’t lose much, with over twenty people each, and they immediately turned to fight each other!

Fang Hao led the people to a corner and panted, "Form a circular defensive formation!"

The group immediately formed the formation. Bao Zhijian wanted to object, but seeing that Fang Hao’s authority had been established, he had to swallow his anger.

The melee between the three Sects was incredibly intense. People were constantly falling off the stage.

Fang Hao observed calmly and found that the Heavenly Sword Sect was the strongest, followed by Xuan Ming, and Chiyang was the weakest.

"Help Chiyang fight Xuan Ming!" Fang Hao said decisively.

Bao Zhijian said angrily, "You..."

But Fang Hao had already made his move! His Dividing Light Sword Shadow attacked the rear of the Xuan Ming Cult!

The Xuan Ming Cult was caught off guard, their formation thrown into chaos! The Chiyang Sect took the opportunity to attack fiercely!

An Elder of the Xuan Ming Cult roared, "Azure Cloud Sect junior! You’re looking for death!"

But the rules allowed it, so there was nothing he could do.

The Xuan Ming Cult was attacked from both sides and quickly collapsed! Only three people remained, jumping off the stage to admit defeat!

Now on the stage, fifteen people remained from the Heavenly Sword Sect, ten from the Chiyang Sect, nine from the Azure Cloud Sect, and five from the Beast Taming Sect.

Yan Kuang of the Chiyang Sect laughed loudly, "Many thanks, Fellow Daoists of the Azure Cloud Sect! Now, let’s clear the field!"

Ling Wind of the Heavenly Sword Sect sneered, "Just as I intended!"

The two Sects joined forces again and charged at the Qingyun and Beast Taming Sects!

"Despicable!" Lin Wan cried out in frustration.

Liang Ling’s face also turned pale.

Fang Hao, however, had a slight smile on his face. "This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for!"

He secretly sent a voice transmission to Ling Yun of the Beast Taming Sect: "Join forces to counter-kill the Chiyang Sect!"

Ling Yun immediately responded, "Fine!"

When the two Sects charged, the Azure Cloud Sect and the Beast Taming Sect suddenly merged and charged straight at the Chiyang Sect!

The Chiyang Sect was caught off guard and was instantly crushed!

"You guys!" Yan Kuang was shocked and furious, but he was already being besieged!

The Heavenly Sword Sect was stunned for a moment and immediately tried to rescue them, but it was too late! The Chiyang Sect was completely wiped out!

Now on the stage, fifteen people remained from the Heavenly Sword Sect, nine from the Azure Cloud Sect, and five from the Beast Taming Sect.

Ling Wind’s face was dark. "What a Azure Cloud Sect! I truly underestimated you!"

Fang Hao said calmly, "Senior Brother Ling, it’s now two against one. It’s not yet certain who will win or lose."

Ling Wind sneered, "A mere rabble! Heavenly Sword Disciples, form the sword formation!"

The fifteen people of the Heavenly Sword Sect formed a formation, their Sword Qi soaring to the sky! The power was terrifying!

Ling Yun of the Beast Taming Sect changed expression. "Not good! It’s the Heavenly Sword Immortal Slaying Formation!"

Fang Hao, however, said, "Senior Sister Ling Yun, do you dare to break the formation with me?"

Ling Yun gritted her teeth. "Why wouldn’t I dare!"

Fang Hao said to the Qingyun members, "Form the Qingyun Sword Formation and launch a frontal feint! Senior Sister Liang, Senior Sister Lin, follow me to break the formation from the flank!"

Bao Zhijian said angrily, "I am the..."

But no one paid him any attention! Fang Hao’s authority was already established!

The battle began again! The Qingyun Sword Formation resisted head-on, while Fang Hao led Liang Ling, Lin Wan, and the Beast Taming Sect in a flank surprise attack!

Fang Hao shone the empty clarity mirror: "Spatial Distortion!"

The sword formation stalled slightly!

Liang Ling’s Ice Heart Art erupted: "Frozen for a Thousand Miles!"

The speed of the Sword Qi decreased abruptly!

Lin Wan’s Thousand Vine Art entangled: "Immortal Binding Vine!"

The sword formation was obstructed again!

Ling Yun shouted, "Spirit Beast Impact!"

Three Spirit Beasts charged straight at the formation’s core!

The Heavenly Sword formation was thrown into chaos! Fang Hao saw his chance and struck repeatedly with his Star Shattering Finger! "Break the formation!"

Bang! Bang! Bang! Several Heavenly Sword Disciples spat blood and flew backward!

The sword formation was broken!

Ling Wind was shocked and furious. "How is this possible!"

Fang Hao sneered, "The sword formation is strong, but its operation is rigid! The flaws are obvious!"

Ling Wind was enraged. "You’re looking for death! Heavenly Sword Art!"

He slashed out with his sword! The Sword Qi was like a rainbow, slashing straight at Fang Hao!

Fang Hao didn’t dodge or avoid it, fully activating the empty clarity mirror: "Spatial Reflection!"

The Sword Qi was actually reflected back!

Ling Wind was caught off guard and was hit by his own Sword Qi! He spat blood and flew backward!

"Eldest Senior Brother!" the Heavenly Sword Disciples cried out in alarm.

The Qingyun and Beast Taming Sects took the opportunity to attack fiercely! The Heavenly Sword Sect was forced back step by step!

Heavenly Sword Disciples were constantly falling off the stage! Finally, only Ling Wind remained, struggling to hold on!

Fang Hao, Liang Ling, and Ling Yun surrounded him!

Ling Wind gritted his teeth. "I admit defeat!" He jumped off the stage.

At this point, only nine people from the Azure Cloud Sect and five from the Beast Taming Sect remained on the stage! The Beast Taming Sect conceded to the Azure Cloud Sect.

Elder Heart of the Sword announced loudly, "First place in the first round: Azure Cloud Sect; second place: Beast Taming Sect; third place: Heavenly Sword Sect; fourth place: Chiyang Sect; fifth place: Xuan Ming Cult!"

The whole place was in an uproar! No one expected that the two weakest Sects would actually succeed in a counter-attack by joining forces!

The Qingyun Disciples cheered and jumped for joy! Lin Wan excitedly hugged Fang Hao. "Junior Brother Ning! We won!"

Liang Ling also gave a faint smile. "Well done."

Bao Zhijian’s face was ashen, but he had to acknowledge Fang Hao’s contribution.

Ling Yun of the Beast Taming Sect cupped her hands. "Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Ning!" 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Fang Hao returned the gesture. "It was a pleasure cooperating."

The first round ended with fifty people advancing. All nine people from the Azure Cloud Sect advanced, five from the Beast Taming Sect advanced, sixteen from the Heavenly Sword Sect advanced, and ten each from the Xuan Ming Cult and Chiyang Sect advanced.

Heart of the Sword announced, "Rest for one hour. The second round, the stage ranking battle."

The great battle has only just begun.