“Ha ha! I already said it just now—there is no such thing as giving up in the dictionary of Mad Blade, nor does the word surrender exist.”

　　David Bolton slapped the scabbard, power surging, causing the long blade to leap from its sheath and dance: “The blade in my hand is the sharpest weapon in the world, named ‘Qiulan’. It is three feet nine inches long, weighs nine jin and seven liang, and can cut hair with a single blow! Since you can now project your spiritual energy, then forgive me, Mr. Bolton, for being unable to hold back—be careful.”

　　A trace of surprise flashed in Mason Hall’s eyes, then he shook his head in incomprehension: “I really don’t know if you’re ignorant or just arrogant. Fine, if you insist on suffering, so be it.”

　　Sixty breaths later, as the referee waved the flag, David Bolton was the first to make a move, sliding forward and slashing at Mason Hall’s front.

　　But Mason Hall seemed completely unconcerned. With just a slight lift of his hand, a shield of spiritual energy shimmering with blue light materialized before him.

　　David Bolton struck with seventy percent of his strength, but the blade was stopped in front of the shield, unable to advance even an inch!

　　In the next instant, he dodged left without hesitation, barely leaving his original spot when a sharp “shila” sound rang out. A razor-sharp, lightning-fast blue energy blade flashed by, tearing open the air beside him, slicing forward for fifteen zhang before dissipating, leaving a gash seven zhang long and a foot deep on the arena floor.

　　Below the stage, a crowd had already gathered to watch, and at this moment, without exception, their eyes were filled with astonishment.

　　“A spiritual wall shield and a spiritual light slash? He’s already mastered two spiritual arts.”

　　“No wonder it’s Mason Hall. Judging by the sharpness of that spiritual light slash, it must be at the peak of the first tier, right?”

　　“If you get hit by that, wouldn’t you be cut in two on the spot?”

　　“What’s the point of fighting anymore? Might as well just surrender.”

　　As the crowd began to discuss, the battle on the stage was growing ever more intense. Mason Hall unleashed seven consecutive energy blades, forcing David Bolton to dodge with all his might.

　　However, he seemed to have some kind of foresight. Every time Mason Hall launched a spiritual light slash, he always managed to dodge just in time. Though he looked disheveled, he remained completely unscathed.

　　Mason Hall gradually sensed something was wrong, and then snorted coldly: “You’d better just surrender.”

　　As he spoke, Mason Hall’s hands had already formed a seal. Catching a glimpse out of the corner of his eye, David Bolton was startled.

　　Spiritual energy chains?

　　This guy—he only managed to project spiritual energy three months ago, and he’s already mastered three spiritual arts? Is he really that much of a genius?

　　In an instant, David Bolton changed his mind. He had originally planned to drag things out until Mason Hall’s spiritual energy was exhausted. But since the other party had mastered the art of spiritual energy chains, that plan was clearly no longer viable.

　　This match could only be decided quickly!

　　With his mind made up, David Bolton acted at once. After dodging another spiritual light slash from Mason Hall, he charged forward again, closing in on Mason Hall.

　　“Watch out! Under the blade of Mad Blade, no one has ever lasted ten rounds! This strike—autumn winds rise and white clouds fly!”

　　Mason Hall was clearly experienced in battle and was not affected by David Bolton’s shout, continuing to form seals as before. But when the flurry of blade light swept toward him, he was taken aback.

　　He saw the blade light flicker chaotically, and in that instant, David Bolton’s long blade struck seven times in succession, each blow landing on a weak point or uneven structure of his spiritual wall shield. In just a moment, the “spiritual wall shield” shattered with a thunderous crash.

　　Mason Hall was stunned, unable to believe it. Could it be that David Bolton saw through the strengths and weaknesses of the spiritual wall shield with just a single strike?

　　But Mason Hall had no time to think. His spiritual energy chains were nearly complete, but now there was nothing blocking his front. A thought flashed through Mason Hall’s mind, and he decided to finish the technique.

　　In just a moment, another spiritual light blade condensed before him.

　　Seeing this, David Bolton couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, thinking that this one’s talent was truly extraordinary, leaving him no room to hold back.

　　But today, David Bolton had his own reasons for needing to break into the top ten!

　　Letting the momentum of his blade guide him, David Bolton leapt into the air, twisting his body into an extremely contorted and bizarre posture, narrowly dodging the spiritual light blade that sliced through the air, and in the next instant, slashed horizontally again!

　　“This strike—grass and trees wither yellow, and wild geese return south!”

　　A chilling blade light flashed by, instantly sending Mason Hall’s head flying, a jet of blood spurting from his neck.

　　The clash between the two was as quick as lightning, so much so that even the referee watching at the side was caught off guard. It wasn’t until Mason Hall was decapitated by David Bolton that he reacted, hurriedly stomping his foot and performing a spiritual technique.

　　“Minor Revival Technique!”

　　In the next instant, Mason Hall’s head was drawn back to his neck by spiritual energy. The fatal wound healed in a flash—at least on the surface.

Chapter 0007: Before the Golden Wind Moves

　　“So it really is intent and action as one!”

　　Three hundred zhang away, the deputy examiner Olivia Carter had been watching the battle, and now couldn’t help but exclaim, “How many years has it been since I’ve seen this? To master intent and action as one before the age of twenty?”

　　“That’s not all! The way he dodged that spiritual light slash—that’s ‘before the golden wind moves, the cicada senses first’!”

　　William Thompson’s eyes narrowed slightly, then he opened the roster again and made a heavy mark next to the name “David Bolton”.