134. Shattering the sound with "Little Apple," the square erupts in dance across the world.

After a night’s rest, the competition had to continue, as the matches for Group Eleven were about to commence. This time, the Danxia Sect was undoubtedly the dark horse of the tournament. Among the twenty-two contestants, five—Xie Wuji, Dongmen Jianhao, Baili Qingyan, Zou Yingjun, and Ji Liancheng—were from Danxia Sect. In other words, a quarter of the participants hailed from this sect.

The most unfortunate was the Bengshan Sect, which was nearly wiped out. Even the Ji Xianzong was left with only two disciples—the eldest and the second—known as the twin heroes of literature and martial prowess.

As the contestants took the stage, the crowd grew even larger than the day before, with the aisles packed with onlookers. The spectators were so tightly packed that there was barely any room to move. Vendors selling bets, snacks, and various goods had gathered in full force, hoping to reap profits from the bustling event.

“Get your instant noodles and steamed buns! Hot, fresh soy milk too!” A resounding shout carried a rich aroma across the stands.

The crowd turned to see a burly man carrying a massive pack on his back, holding a tray as he made the rounds selling his goods. This man was Li Dazui. Xie Wuji had entrusted him with selling contemporary snacks—beef sausages, spicy strips, sunflower seeds—which were warmly welcomed.

Though Li Dazui sneaked a few bites, he sold even more. Business was booming. After all, those attending were all people of status who did not mind spending a bit more. Seizing the opportunity, Xie Wuji raised prices, earning a handsome profit.

A packet of spicy strips cost ten taels of silver, nearly ten thousand yuan in modern currency—unimaginable in the contemporary world but trivial here, where the wealthiest gathered and treated silver and spirit stones like toilet paper. Some even offered a million taels of gold in exchange for the recipe.

Of course, Xie Wuji would never divulge such a secret—besides, he didn’t know it himself.

“Big guy, one pack of peanuts! The salted peanuts you had yesterday were absolutely delicious. The price is a tad steep, but who cares—your brother’s not short on cash. One pack of peanuts and one pack of spicy strips, please!” said a middle-aged man dressed neatly.

Li Dazui grinned, “Sir, why not try some cola? This cola’s a treasure—refreshing and invigorating, with a top-secret formula. In the Cloud Kingdom, it’s known as ‘Happy Beverage for Homebodies.’ One sip and you’ll be joyful all day!”

Mimicking Xie Wuji’s sales pitch, Li Dazui began hawking the product. The crowd, having trusted the spicy strips, eagerly flocked to try this new delight, excited to sample and boast about it afterward.

One man popped the tab and took a sip, then jumped up exclaiming, “Why do I feel like some gas inside me is about to burst out?”

“Ha! That’s right. This cola washes through your muscles and marrow—that’s spiritual energy. You’re a mortal yet you’ve tasted spiritual energy. Maybe you have the potential to cultivate!” Li Dazui’s tall tales only fueled more sales.

Within moments, the cola was sold out.

Li Dazui slipped away to a quiet corner and took out a space ring Xie Wuji had given him, which contained a vast inventory of goods. Xie Wuji, flush with cash, had secretly purchased a medium-sized supermarket in the modern world, ensuring a plentiful supply and thriving business. He was raking in profits from both realms.

Still, business in the modern world was tougher due to fierce competition, unlike the other world where he had none.

Meanwhile, Xie Wuji was first to take the stage in the Group Eleven matches, which were divided into two rounds—the first with six contestants, the second with five. Alongside him were Ji Liancheng and Zou Yingjun.

“Let the match begin!” The grand eunuch’s sharp command echoed like a whistle, stirring the crowd.

Xie Wuji entered the arena with his Flame Demon Rooster, ready for a formidable opponent: Jiuge, the third disciple of the Demon Sound Sect.

Xie Wuji had already inquired about Jiuge. He was skilled in using a single flute to wield sonic attacks. The Demon Sound Sect was renowned for their mastery of soundwave combat.

“You’re already defeated,” Jiuge sneered. “I watched your previous match. You excel in close combat and internal energy duels. Even Zhao Wangsun couldn’t best you, but I won’t let you get close. Once you’re three steps away from me, you’ve lost.”

Xie Wuji laughed heartily. “Interesting, very interesting! With that attitude, do you think I’d actually lose to you?”

Jiuge smirked and said no more. Suddenly, he lifted his jade flute and began to play. The haunting melody seeped into the bones. Xie Wuji felt numb and weak all over, eyelids heavy with drowsiness. Realizing the danger, he grabbed a tissue from his mouthpiece and stuffed it into his ears, easing the dizziness somewhat.

But the Flame Demon Rooster had already collapsed, fast asleep on the ground.

Jiuge looked on arrogantly. All his opponents had been lulled to sleep by his music; he had never fought a battle. This one would be no different. He expected his competitor to bluster before inevitably succumbing to slumber.

What Jiuge did not anticipate was Xie Wuji pulling out a speaker from his ring—a colossal device, reminiscent of those used by square-dancing grandmas, notorious for disturbing the peace.

The disciples and sect leaders nearby were dumbfounded. “What is that? Could it be a rare magical artifact?”

“Wait, Xie Wuji is full of surprises. His spiritual devices are all sorts of strange. This might be his trump card!”

As onlookers gawked, Xie Wuji grinned and powered it up.

“You are my little, my little apple…”

A blasting wave of sound flooded the arena, drowning out Jiuge’s flute.

No matter how skilled Jiuge was, how could his flute compete with a subwoofer?

His music now sounded like a mosquito’s buzz. Jiuge was stunned. “What the hell is this?”

Many in the crowd had never heard such an upbeat song before. Those with a musical sense began moving rhythmically.

“Oh my, why are my feet moving along with the song? This has to be demonic sound, absolute demonic sound!”

“Come on, let’s party, let’s have fun!”

“This is wonderful. The Demon Sound Sect’s sonic skills are powerful, but nothing compares to this song!”

Soon, a large portion of the audience was dancing. After all, musicality was innate.

Yet, to the sect leaders, this phenomenon was astonishing.

Snake Fairy addressed her mother, who sat in a wheelchair nearby. “Mother, I never expected Lord Wuji to possess Demon Sound Sect techniques.”

“No, that’s not his skill. It must be this spiritual device. Look how far its sound reaches—it’s on another level compared to the Demon Sound Sect’s ordinary instruments. Half the audience around the arena is affected by it!” The Snake Beauty said. “If this young man were to become your son-in-law, it could be decisive for the development of Snake Island!”

“Mother, what are you saying?” Snake Fairy blushed deeply.

The Snake Beauty’s voice turned cold. “I’m not joking. Look at what Danxia Sect used to be—a third-rate sect. Yet, Xie Wuji topped the first round of matches. That alone is extraordinary. Moreover… in his duel with Zhao Wangsun, he emerged unscathed and victorious. Such ability might even surpass Danxia Sect’s strongest, Dongmen Jianhao…”

The weight of these words hung heavy in the air.