Chapter 542: Chapter 324: Ruthless Strike

In the plaza before the gates of the Celestial Strategy Academy, the first person finally succumbed to the pressure and chose to withdraw. Soon after, many others began to follow suit one by one.

They had come to participate in the Secondary Dragon Ascension Selection, not to throw their lives away. More importantly, in a massive free-for-all involving thousands of people, ninety-nine percent of them would only die in vain even if they fought to the death.

Sun Tao and Xu Yang stood side by side, their expressions unruffled and completely devoid of fear. Xu Yang had survived numerous life-and-death trials in the Yunling Mountain Range along his journey; today’s situation was nothing to him.

Liu Rumei and Zhang Jun gritted their teeth, but they didn’t withdraw either. Entering the Celestial Strategy Academy was their only hope of standing against Huo Xiaochen. If they quit now, they would merely be waiting for him to kill them. In fact, Huo Xiaochen wouldn’t even need to act personally; the Xiao family could easily wipe them out by dispatching just a few men.

"Time is up!"

Soon, Chu Nanguai’s voice rang out. Everyone looked outside the circle and realized that not many had actually withdrawn—only a hundred or so. Compared to the total count of over two thousand, that number was almost negligible.

"Very good. To those of you who stayed, congratulations on passing the first trial," Chu Nanguai said with a smile.

The plaza instantly erupted in an uproar. His earlier threat had actually been nothing more than a test of their courage and willpower. Those who had braced themselves and stayed let out a collective sigh of relief. Few were genuinely unafraid of Chu Nanguai actually instigating a massive free-for-all. The mere thought of over two thousand Celestial Essence Martial Artists engaged in a chaotic brawl was enough to make anyone’s scalp tingle.

The hundred or so who had withdrawn were ashen-faced, overwhelmed with bitter regret. If they had just held on a little longer, they would have passed this first trial.

"I knew it. How could the Celestial Strategy Academy allow Dean Chu to mess around like that?" someone said with a laugh. He hadn’t stayed out of sheer determination, but rather because he had deduced from the Academy’s past selection methods that Chu Nanguai wouldn’t truly force two thousand people to fight each other.

"I thought the same thing," another person echoed. Clearly, more than just one or two people shared this sentiment.

"Everyone whose Cultivation has already broken through to the Celestial Essence Second Layer, step forward," Chu Nanguai, who stood suspended in the air, spoke again.

No one understood why he was singling out those at the Celestial Essence Second Layer, but they obediently complied. In an instant, twenty to thirty figures leapt into the air and landed before Chu Nanguai.

"There are actually this many at the Celestial Essence Second Layer," Zhang Jun noted, his expression shifting slightly. Two of those figures belonged to Huo Xiaochen’s camp.

"What’s so strange about that? Everyone’s ages vary, so naturally, their Cultivation levels do too," Sun Tao replied. Though they all looked to be around the same age, the actual gap could be as much as five or six years. The younger ones, like Lin Jingyu, weren’t even twenty-two yet, while the older ones were already twenty-eight. Having only twenty or thirty at the Celestial Essence Second Layer was actually quite a small number.

"Is that everyone? Don’t blame me for not warning you—if your Cultivation has reached the Celestial Essence Second Layer and you’re deliberately hiding it, I will immediately revoke your qualifications once you’re found out," Chu Nanguai stated.

Xu Yang secretly felt fortunate. If this had happened a little later, after he had broken through to the Celestial Essence Second Layer, he wouldn’t have been able to hide it even if he wanted to.

"Seal all their Cultivations down to the Celestial Essence First Layer," Chu Nanguai ordered coldly when no one else stepped forward.

More than a dozen people emerged from the gates of the Celestial Strategy Academy behind him. They moved among these people with Celestial Essence Second Level Cultivation, tapping rapidly on their bodies to seal all twenty or thirty of their Cultivations down to the Celestial Essence First Layer. Afterward, Chu Nanguai had them return to the main group.

A smirk tugged at the corner of Chu Nanguai’s mouth. "There are still too many people. I’m giving you fifteen minutes to eliminate half of the participants. After fifteen minutes, if there are more than half of the people left inside the circle, everyone will be directly eliminated. The rules are the same as before. Stepping out of the circle means elimination. Yielding means elimination. Attacking someone who has yielded also means elimination. Hang your jade tokens on your waists so they can be easily recorded later. Begin. You only have fifteen minutes."

Everyone’s faces fell drastically. After all that beating around the bush, it was going to be a massive free-for-all after all.

"Chu Nanguai, you wouldn’t dare!"

"What is the Celestial Strategy Academy doing? How can they let this madman run wild?!"

The Elders of the various Sects shouted, their faces pale with shock. These participants were the elite geniuses of their respective Sects. Even if they failed the Secondary Dragon Ascension, they could still return to their Sects and accomplish great things. But if they perished here, it would all be for nothing.

Ignoring their reactions, Chu Nanguai turned around and lit a stick of incense to start the timer, making no effort to rush the Sect disciples into action.

The atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive. If fifteen minutes passed and more than half the people were still standing in the arena, everyone would be eliminated.

"Kill!"

Finally, someone buckled under the pressure and launched an attack on those nearby. Where there was an attack, there was naturally a defense. In a matter of moments, the area erupted. Auras exploded like erupting volcanoes, Gang Yuan surged, and various Martial Techniques flew wildly in every direction.

"Gu Qingfeng, I bet you never thought Lin Jingyu and I would actually have the chance to join forces against you," Huo Xiaochen sneered. His battle intent burst from his body as he raised his hand, blasting out a massive, materialized hand print.

He had only been talking big earlier, never genuinely expecting an opportunity to team up with Lin Jingyu to fight Gu Qingfeng. The Xiao family, which he belonged to, was enemies with the Qin family backing Gu Qingfeng. Furthermore, Gu Qingfeng was set on protecting Liu Rumei, Zhang Jun, and the others. At this point, there was nothing left to say. The massive hand tore through the air, slamming straight toward Xu Yang and the group.

At the same time, Lin Jingyu, Luo Ying, Kong Cheng, and several others also made their move. Their target was exactly the same as Huo Xiaochen’s. At a time like this, whether they held any grudges or not made no difference. If they didn’t eliminate others, they would be eliminated themselves.

"Just two live-in sons-in-law." Gu Qingfeng shone with a dazzling light. His Martial Dao Imagery rose behind him as he blasted out a Fist Seal that crashed against Huo Xiaochen’s giant hand.

"Be careful, Senior Brother!" Xu Yang circulated his Vajra Glazed Body, causing a faint metallic luster to shimmer across his skin. With a backhand strike, he shattered a sword beam that was slashing toward him.

The arena had devolved into utter chaos. It wasn’t just Huo Xiaochen’s faction attacking them; strikes from other directions were raining down on them as well. The same was true for Huo Xiaochen and his group. Even as they targeted Xu Yang and his companions, others were attacking them.

"Let’s fight to our hearts’ content today!" Sun Tao laughed heartily, emitting a terrifying aura.

"Alright!" Xu Yang shouted. Sun Tao’s strength was far more formidable than Xu Yang had imagined. The aura he released was no weaker than that of Huo Xiaochen and his ilk.

"Let’s eliminate these pests first." Sun Tao unleashed a sword strike. The crimson sword light pulverized all the incoming attacks aimed at him and Xu Yang. Then, taking a step forward, he charged directly into the ranks of Huo Xiaochen’s faction.

With a flash of sword light, a disciple of the Iron Sword Sect immediately spat blood and flew backward. His chest was nearly blown open, and he couldn’t stand back up after hitting the ground.

Just as Xu Yang was about to follow him, a fierce wind howled in his ears. Two fists were hurtling toward him from different directions.

White Tiger Shattering Gold Fist!

It was Luo Ying and Huang Xiao joining forces to attack him. The two fists were like meteors from beyond the heavens. One drew his attention from the front, while the other launched a sneak attack from behind. A fierce glint flashed in Xu Yang’s eyes as he sidestepped. The two fists struck empty air, completely obliterating the spot where he had just been standing and sending dirt and rocks flying.

"Xu Yang, you are no longer worthy of fighting Junior Brother Lin today. We are your opponents," Huang Xiao said, his aura erupting and his Gang Yuan surging all over his body.

"Brother Xu, we belong to different factions. Forgive my offense," Luo Ying said, putting on a deeply sorrowful expression.

If she hadn’t been the one launching a merciless sneak attack from behind just a moment ago, Xu Yang might have actually believed it was purely a matter of opposing factions. At the same time, Huo Xiaochen’s allies also sought out Zhang Jun and Liu Rumei.

"It’s fine. I understand. Let our skills do the talking," Xu Yang replied with a smile. Suddenly, his figure vanished from where he stood.

BOOM!

Within his body, the Eight Ferocious Hidden Dragon Strength roared into motion. His fist, gleaming with a metallic luster, tore through the air and struck out heavily. Empowered by the Eight Ferocious Hidden Dragon Strength, his Celestial Essence Body Refining Technique imbued this simple, brutal punch with Mountain-Shattering and Mountain-Breaking might.

Visible ripples shuddered through the air, forcing everyone battling nearby to stumble backward in disarray.

"The Minor Achievement of the Eight Ferocious Hidden Dragon Strength and the Vajra Glazed Body! Be careful, Junior Sister Luo!" Huang Xiao shouted.

The target of Xu Yang’s punch was none other than the falsely benevolent Luo Ying. Compared to Huang Xiao, Xu Yang utterly despised this kind of two-faced hypocrite. Before the fist even arrived, its pressure forced Luo Ying’s body to sink as though she were carrying a thousand pounds, sending her black hair whipping wildly in the wind.

Luo Ying paled, her beautiful features twisting in horror. She felt that this punch could kill her. She wanted to retreat, but Xu Yang’s fist was already upon her. Gritting her teeth, she had no choice but to throw a punch of her own to meet it.

Simultaneously, Huang Xiao dashed forward, aiming a punch at Xu Yang’s armpit in a diversionary tactic to save her.

Xu Yang paid him no mind. With his physical body—tempered by the Golden Gang Skill, the Bright King Unmoving Body, and the Vajra Glazed Body—he wouldn’t even fear an attack from a Spiritual Soldier right now, much less one of flesh and blood. If it had been Lin Jingyu throwing the punch, he would have been somewhat wary. But coming from Huang Xiao, he simply didn’t care. He merely erected his Protective Gang Yuan and allowed Huang Xiao’s fist to crash into him.

BANG BANG!

Two deafening, muffled thuds rang out in succession. The first was the sound of Xu Yang’s fist slamming into Luo Ying’s; the second was Huang Xiao’s fist striking Xu Yang’s Protective Gang Yuan.

His Protective Gang Qi flickered violently and was ultimately pierced by Huang Xiao’s White Tiger Shattering Gold Fist. However, by the time the fist landed on Xu Yang’s body, it held little power left and was easily withstood by his Vajra Glazed Body.

Huang Xiao’s expression changed drastically. He felt as though he had punched a man made of iron. The terrifying rebound force actually caused the flesh and skin on his hand to split open, exposing white bone.

"A physical body comparable to a Spiritual Soldier..." Huang Xiao gasped.

He finally recalled Xu Yang’s description on the Lingyun List, which noted he had impressive Body Refining Talent. How was this merely "impressive" Body Refining Talent? This Body Refining Talent was downright horrifying! He had actually cultivated his physical body to a level comparable to a Spiritual Soldier.

CRACK!

"Ahhh..."

A teeth-grinding sound of shattering bone rang out, followed immediately by a bloodcurdling scream.

Huang Xiao whipped his head around, only to see his Junior Sister Luo Ying’s face contorted in agony. The arm she had used to meet Xu Yang’s fist was completely shattered. Her five fingers were twisted like fried dough twists, her flesh and blood had burst apart, and the snow-white bones had pierced right through her back.

She spewed mouthfuls of blood as she was sent flying off her feet, crashing into someone who was in the middle of a fight and taking them down with her. Blood seeped from every pore on her body.

Luo Ying’s face was full of sheer disbelief. She never expected that Xu Yang, who had been smiling just moments before, would strike so ruthlessly. He had fully intended to kill her.

"Xu Yang, how dare you be so ruthless..." Huang Xiao roared, his eyes practically splitting at the seams. Luo Ying wasn’t dead, but having her arm crippled like this made her as good as dead. With an injury that severe, no Spirit Pill or miracle medicine would be of any use.

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