Using the peak Heavenly Venerate realm to perform the Burial Sword Art was still too strenuous, and the body could not withstand such immense depletion.
At this moment, Li Jianxing could not even move a finger, and his entire body was wracked with intense pain.
Changyang Gushuo's situation was also precarious. In terms of the sheer power of supreme true meaning, his Xuanyuan Cudgel Technique could not withstand the ten thousand sword attacks of the Burial Sword Art.
The moment Li Jianxing finished his attack, Changyang Gushuo was already covered in blood, his body covered in lacerations as he fell heavily onto the Immortal Martial Platform.
Like Li Jianxing, he was unable to move, lying on the ground.
All seventeen Immortal Origin Pearls had turned to dust.
Changyang Gushuo lacked the strength to even speak, his heart filled with immense shock.
The Burial Sword Pavilion was indeed terrifying; even an Immortal Origin Pearl, a sacred artifact, was destroyed by the might of this move.
If the Immortal Origin Pearls had not blocked most of the attacks for him, and if he had not relied on his vast true essence and higher cultivation realm than Li Jianxing, the damage he would have sustained would have been even more severe.
But now, both were utterly exhausted, their true essence depleted, and neither could stand up.
This match could only end in a draw.
The spectators from the major Holy Lands watched this scene in stunned silence, unable to recover from their shock for a long time.
No one had expected this match to end in a draw.
"Li Jianxing actually drew with Changyang Gushuo! This is unbelievable."
"This match has truly opened my eyes. I've long heard that the Burial Sword Art is unrivaled, and seeing it today, it truly lives up to its reputation!"
"This year's Holy Land Martial Competition is truly an assembly of geniuses. Mu Ci of the Killing Heart Holy Court and Li Jianxing of the Burial Sword Pavilion, both of their performances have exceeded our expectations."
The crowd discussed excitedly.
Just then, a disciple in the audience spoke weakly, "Changyang Gushuo and Li Jianxing are both too weak to fight the next round, so won't Mu Ci just win without a fight?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd realized the implication and their gazes all turned towards Xin Ci.
Xin Ci felt uncomfortable under countless stares and thought to himself, "Why are you all looking at me? I didn't expect this situation either."
Mu Qingqing, in the consciousness space, was also bewildered. Was this an unexpected bonus?
Senior Brother Li was too impressive, making Xin Ci win first place by default.
Meanwhile, on the main platform, Ji Honghao was also quite surprised. The Killing Heart Holy Court would become the champion of this Holy Land Martial Competition just like that.
This was a situation none of them had anticipated.
He glanced back to see Wan Guimang and Ji Juekong's faces as dark as a pot.
This was supposed to be a competition for first place between their Divine Heaven Palace and the Burial Sword Pavilion, but somehow the Killing Heart Holy Court had reaped a great benefit.
Seeing their dejected expressions, Ji Honghao couldn't help but gloat, "Two Holy Lords, why look at me like that? Sometimes luck is also a part of strength."
Wan Guimang and Ji Juekong's fists clenched. This fellow was benefiting from the situation and rubbing it in.
"Ji Honghao, you're dreaming. My Divine Heaven Palace isn't without top-grade healing sacred medicine. Once Changyang Gushuo takes it, he'll recover."
"What are mere healing sacred medicines? My Burial Sword Pavilion has the Heaven Returning Pill, a saint-tier spirit pill. It can even revive Li Jianxing if he's on his last breath."
"Don't even think about trying to snatch this advantage."
Wan Guimang and Ji Juekong spoke one after another.
However, Ji Honghao merely watched the show with a smile, saying, "Oh? But weren't your two disciples locked in a draw? Compared to fighting our Killing Heart Holy Court's Mu Ci, shouldn't you first discuss among yourselves who will advance to the next round."
Damn it, this old schemer just wanted to see the conflict between the Burial Sword Pavilion and the Divine Heaven Palace.
This made Ji Juekong and Wan Guimang look at each other with displeasure again. Neither of them wanted to admit that their sect's disciples were inferior to the other.
But at this moment, Li Jianxing and Changyang Gushuo, after taking healing pills, had recovered somewhat.
On the Immortal Martial Platform, they both said the same thing.
"Holy Lord, I choose to forfeit the next match!"
After speaking, they both looked at each other with surprise.
Li Jianxing thought, "Why is this guy also voluntarily forfeiting against junior brother Xin?"
"No way, you're even competing with me for who surrenders first." Changyang Gushuo had this thought in his mind.
Wan Guimang and Ji Juekong were both speechless.
What was the meaning of this, you two youngsters?
Li Jianxing forfeited because he had long discovered that Mu Ci of the Killing Heart Holy Court was Xin Ci.
After a fierce battle, he felt there was no need to duel with junior brother Xin, not to mention he knew Xin Ci's strength.
Even if they dueled, he was not confident of winning.
As for Changyang Gushuo, he was simply infatuated with Mu Ci and wanted to show his gentlemanly demeanor in front of her to salvage his previous embarrassing mistake of slipping and falling.
Moreover, with the top five all receiving Immortal Spirit Liquid, he didn't need to strive for first place.
However, Xin Ci and Mu Qingqing had no idea what these two were thinking.
"Qingqing, are we getting first place now?"
"Although we're getting it by luck, I feel like we've unintentionally made quite a few enemies." Mu Qingqing said.
Xin Ci also felt the doubtful gazes from many disciples of other Holy Lands.
He had already prepared himself, simulating various scenarios of fighting against Changyang Gushuo or Senior Brother Li in his mind.
He had prepared many tactics and strategies, only to be suddenly told that he didn't need to fight and had won directly.
It made all his preparations and inner expectations go to waste.
Just then, Xuan Qingming, the Holy Lord of Xuan Kong Mountain, rose from his seat and announced.
"Since that is the case, the first place in this Holy Land Martial Competition goes to Mu Ci of the Killing Heart Holy Court."
The disciples of the Killing Heart Holy Court cheered excitedly upon hearing this.
Xin Ci, however, looked stiffly at Xuan Qingming on the main platform, feeling extremely speechless and wanting to say something.
"Wait a moment, Senior Xuan..."
"Little girl, no need to say more. Your performance was outstanding enough, and you deserve first place!"
Xuan Qingming did not give Xin Ci a chance to refuse, and winked at him, smiling like a fox. Xin Ci felt as if this Holy Lord was tricking him.
Mu Qingqing in the consciousness space even complained, "This Xuan Qingming is a master at speaking nonsense and is inexplicably praising us."
Xin Ci felt the same way.
Even with Xuan Qingming's words, many disciples of other Holy Lands still felt that Changyang Gushuo and Li Jianxing were more deserving of becoming the champion of this Holy Land Martial Competition.
After all, the strength they displayed was the most astonishing to everyone.
Although Xin Ci had hidden the supreme true meaning of the Dragon clan, the Golden Scale Art, and the Saint-level sacred artifact, the Soul Suppressing Lock, he had not revealed these abilities or artifacts.
This was why everyone believed that Changyang Gushuo and Li Jianxing were stronger than him.
"Forget it, anyway, my goal this time is the Immortal Spirit Liquid. Whether it's first place or fifth, as long as I get into the top five, it's fine," Xin Ci shook his head and muttered to himself.