Chapter 136: Ye Jinghong's Trump Card! S-Rank Sword Domain!
"And finally, let us welcome—the captain of Imperial Capital University, Lu Li!"
The host's voice rose once again.
Lu Li straightened his collar and stepped out of the competitors' tunnel.
He was naturally handsome, with sword-sharp brows, starry eyes, and a tall nose bridge.
Coupled with the holy aura brought by his S+ Grade Talent, Child of Light,
simply standing there made him look like a walking sun, dazzling so brightly that one could hardly look away.
In the stands, the eyes of countless young girls instantly lit up.
In the stands, the eyes of countless young girls instantly lit up.
"Lu Li! Lu Li!"
"So handsome! Senior Lu Li, look over here!"
"Imperial University Captain! Go all the way to the championship!"
"..."
As the captain of Imperial Capital University,
after these past few days of matches, Lu Li had likewise attracted the attention of a massive number of young women.
In particular, crowds of female university students were screaming until their voices grew hoarse.
Although he didn't have as many fans as Shen Chuyou, he certainly had quite a few.
After all, he was strong, handsome, and a paladin to boot.
Who could resist that?
The four contestants took their positions one after another.
The host stood in the center among the four, his voice impassioned:
"The top four contestants are all in position!"
"Next, let us enter the most thrilling segment—"
"The random draw to determine the semifinal matchups!"
As soon as the words fell, the holographic light screen in the center of the arena lit up once more.
Four names rapidly scrolled across the screen.
"Stop!"
At the host's command,
the names on the screen abruptly froze!
All two hundred thousand spectators in the venue looked up in unison.
In the next second, the massive matchup list was clearly displayed before everyone's eyes.
[Semifinal Match 1: Lu Li vs. Ye Jinghong]
[Semifinal Match 2: Gu Lingyun vs. Shen Chuyou]
"Whoa—!"
The entire arena instantly erupted!
"Lu Li against Ye Jinghong! Gu Lingyun against Shen Chuyou!"
"Holy crap! This draw is overflowing with a sense of destiny!"
"Modu University's captain takes on Imperial University's goddess, and Imperial University's captain takes on Jiang University's captain!"
"Thrilling! This is way too exciting!"
"..."
In the stands, Ye Jinghong froze slightly, then shook her head with a wry smile.
She was facing this monster again.
She subconsciously looked toward Lu Li, only to find that he was looking at her as well.
Their eyes met, and Lu Li grinned:
"I look forward to our match."
Ye Jinghong bit her lip, an unyielding flame igniting within her resolute eyes:
"This time, I won't give up so easily."
...
"Without further ado!
Semifinal Match 1: Imperial Capital University's Lu Liversus Jiangnan University's Ye Jinghong!
Will both contestants please step onto the arena stage!"
The host's high-pitched voice echoed throughout the stadium.
Two spotlights fell simultaneously as Lu Li and Ye Jinghong stepped onto the central stage from opposite sides.
The cheers of the two hundred thousand spectators surged like an overwhelming tsunami, threatening to blow off the roof.
"Imperial University! Imperial University! Imperial University!"
"Jiang University! Jiang University! Jiang University!"
Clad in a teal-and-white battle suit, Ye Jinghong stood tall and straight.
Her legs were long and slender, her waist slim, yet she exuded an explosive strength forged through relentless training.
Her brows radiated a sharp, heroic edge, making her resemble an unsheathed sword.
"Lu Li, I admit that you are very strong."
Looking at Lu Li a hundred meters away, she said earnestly,
"However, things are different now. This time, I will defeat you!"
"Oh? Is that so? Then I'll wait and see."
Lu Li smiled faintly, not taking it to heart.
After completing his daily quest yesterday, he had gained quite a few unallocated stat points.
Now, his four core attributes averaged a terrifying 875 points.
Even without applying any buffs, he wasn't someone just anyone could shake.
"Contestants, please prepare!"
"3... 2... 1... Begin!"
The moment the words fell, Ye Jinghong moved.
She did not rush forward recklessly as she had in the previous match.
Instead, she snapped her longsword upright before her and swept two fingers of her left hand firmly along the blade!
"Sword Domain—Open!"
Boom—!!!
An earth-shattering hum of a sword suddenly exploded!
Centered on Ye Jinghong, an unfathomably vast surge of teal sword qi erupted violently!
Surging and expanding like a physical wave, the sword qi completely enveloped the entire stage in the blink of an eye!
In the next instant, a sight that left everyone dumbfounded unfolded.
Above the stage, countless beams of teal sword light condensed from sword qi materialized out of thin air.
Densely packed and blotting out the sky, there were at least a thousand of them!
Each sword light radiated a chilling sharpness as they slowly rotated.
In that moment, the entire stage seemed to have completely transformed into a domain of swords!
In the commentary box, the two commentators froze for a second before crying out in shock:
"My goodness! Sword Domain! An S-Rank skill! This is a genuine S-Rank skill!"
"Impossible! Ye Jinghong is only Level 23, how could she possibly have mastered an S-Rank skill?!"
"This is no longer a matter of learning beyond one's level—this is practically a forbidden technique!"
"The Ye Family! The Ye Family must have used some method to let Ye Jinghong master this skill ahead of time!"
"It seems that in order to defeat Lu Li, Ye Jinghong is truly putting everything on the line!"
The commentator's voice trembled with excitement, clearly shaken to the core by this sudden S-Rank skill.
On the arena stage, Ye Jinghong stood at the center of the Sword Domain.
Her teal-and-white battle suit fluttered wildly in the turbulence of sword qi.
Her eyes were now swirling with a distinctive blue-gold gleam.
The light was deep and piercing, as if capable of penetrating all things in existence.
"Sword Domain, an S-Rank skill."
Ye Jinghong spoke slowly, her voice clear, cold, and resolute:
"I only managed to master this skill yesterday."
"Although the price of unleashing it is immense, I am determined to try."
She paused, her blue-gold eyes staring directly at Lu Li:
"Within the range of the Sword Domain, my sword skills receive a massive enhancement."
"Furthermore, I can see through all of your movements!"
The moment she said this, the entire audience fell into an uproar.
In the stands, countless spectators gasped.
Enhancing swordsmanship, seeing through actions, and covering the entire stage...
This Sword Domain was practically the bane of melee classes!
In the preparation area, Shen Chuyou's silver-gray eyes narrowed slightly.
"Sword Domain..."
She murmured softly, a flicker of worry flashing in her gaze.
Bai Yuqing clenched her fists even tighter, tension written all over her baby face:
"An S-Rank skill... the captain won't be in trouble, right?"
"Have faith in him."
Lin Qingyu consoled her, though the expression on her fair, pretty face was equally solemn.
"Oh? Is that so?"
On the stage, Lu Li raised an eyebrow.
Yet he did not act arrogant.
The epic-grade dawn battleaxe was already held in his grasp.
Immediately after, he raised a hand and tapped his forehead.
Buzz—!
Courage Blessing! Guardian Blessing! Divine Blessing! Weapon Blessing! Blessing of Kings!
One buff skill after another was cast directly upon himself!
Golden holy light erupted with a roar, so dense it almost solidified into form.
The sacred and solemn aura grew heavier and heavier, blending with the holy light surging around him,
painting the entire stage half gold and half teal.
Wasting no more words, Ye Jinghong flickered and launched the first attack!
Under the empowerment of the Sword Domain, her speed was far more than a notch faster than in the previous match!
In barely a few breaths, that teal-and-gold figure had charged right in front of Lu Li!
"Swift Shadow Slash!"
Her longsword slashed out, the teal-and-gold sword radiance ripping through the air straight toward Lu Li's chest!
A thought flashed rapidly through Ye Jinghong's mind.
With the Sword Domain's boost, the power of this strike far surpassed anything before.
She had absolute confidence that she could easily breach Lu Li's defense!
However, in the very next second...
Lu Li merely raised his battleaxe nonchalantly, holding it horizontally before him.
"Clang—!!!"
Metal collided with metal, sparks flying in all directions!
That seemingly unstoppable strike was solidly stopped by the dawn battleaxe, unable to advance even an inch further!
Beneath his feet, Lu Li had not even taken a single step back!
"How is that possible?!"
Ye Jinghong's pupils shrank abruptly, massive waves of shock crashing through her heart.
She had already used an S-Rank skill!
The amplification of the Sword Domain combined with the full might of Swift Shadow Slash...
A strike capable of instantly killing an opponent of the same level had been blocked so effortlessly by Lu Li!
No, this was impossible!
"I don't believe it!"
Gritting her teeth, Ye Jinghong flicked her wrist, shifting her sword technique once more!
In an instant, sword light poured down like a torrential rain, slashing toward Lu Li from all directions!
Within the Sword Domain, every single one of her strikes was enhanced to the absolute limit.
Fast, precise, and ruthless!
Yet Lu Li remained completely composed.
He barely even shifted his footing, simply swinging his battleaxe.
The heavy shadows of the axe flew up and down, completely shutting down all of Ye Jinghong's sword moves!
"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang—!"
The dense clashing of metal rained down like a tempest.
No matter how Ye Jinghong altered her techniques or increased her speed,
Lu Li always parried the tip of her blade with pinpoint precision!
"Why! Why can't I break through your defense?!"
Ye Jinghong grew increasingly alarmed as the clash went on.
What drove her to deeper despair was that through the Sword Domain, she could clearly foresee Lu Li's movements in advance.
Yet seeing it was one thing.
Lu Li's speed was simply too fast!
Her brain had only just anticipated his next move,
yet his axe was already right before her eyes!
"Too fast..."
Ye Jinghong felt a wave of suffocation wash over her.
The Sword Domain she took such pride in was rendered completely futile before Lu Li!
Chapter 137: One Hammer Decides the Match! He Must Be Recalled to the Clan!
"Your sword is still too slow."
Lu Li shook his head.
Before his words even faded, his left hand was already raised, golden light violently surging from his fingertips.
"Chain Lightning."
Boom—!!!
An exceptionally thick bolt of golden lightning shot forth from his fingertip!
The lightning was dazzling gold throughout, like the liquid thunder of divine retribution.
Under the stacking of multiple buffs, its power reached a terrifying extreme!
"This again!"
Ye Jinghong's expression changed abruptly.
Back during the team match, it was this very Chain Lightning...
...that instantly shattered Jiangnan University's ironclad defense, causing all five members to collapse!
That scene remained her nightmare to this day!
"This time, I won't make the same mistake!"
Ye Jinghong bit down hard on her red lip, her blue-gold eyes filled with sheer resolve.
She snapped her longsword upright before her, gripping the hilt with both hands.
The battle aura and sword intent within her poured out without reservation!
"Sword Domain—Defend!"
Hum—!
The cyan sword qi throughout the entire Sword Domainsurged into motion.
Like thousands of soldiers answering a monarch's command, it converged frantically in front of her!
Countless layers of cyan sword light condensed before her into an immensely thick barrier of sword qi!
Interwoven from over a thousand sword beams, the barrier gleamed with cyan radiance as sword hums shook the heavens!
In the next instant, the golden lightning slammed violently into the barrier of sword qi!
"Rumble—!!!"
Golden lightning and cyan sword qi collided violently, detonating with an earth-shattering roar!
The entire arena trembled violently at this moment, ripples spreading across the surrounding magical barrier from the shockwaves!
Lightning scattered in all directions as sword qi shattered!
Ye Jinghong felt an overwhelming, mountain-toppling force surge through the Sword Domain.
She was knocked back more than a dozen steps, the webbing between her thumbs and forefingers entirely numb!
Yet, she had actually blocked it!
The very Chain Lightning that had once wiped out Jiangnan University's entire team in a single blow had been forcibly stopped by her!
"I did it!"
Ye Jinghong snapped her head up, a spark of wild joy igniting in her blue-gold eyes.
In the stands, the supporters of Jiangnan Universityerupted into deafening cheers!
"She blocked it! Ye Jinghong blocked it!"
"Is this the S-Rank skill Sword Domain? It can even defend against a monstrous Chain Lightning like that!"
"There's hope! There's really a chance for this match!"
However, before the commentators could even finish speaking, Lu Li's eyebrows arched slightly.
"Oh? Sword Domain has defensive effects too?"
He looked at Ye Jinghong, the corner of his lips slowly curving into a smile:
"Not bad. How about this, then?"
As soon as he spoke, Lu Li lightly tapped his forehead between his brows with his left hand.
Hum—!!!
A terrifying holy light, far surpassing anything before, gathered frantically above his head!
The holy light was so dense it nearly solidified, turning the air across the entire arena scalding hot in an instant!
In the next second, a colossal holy warhammer slowly took shape above him!
The warhammer was forged entirely from the purest holy light.
Dozens of meters in size, it was several times larger than Lu Li himself!
Across the hammer's body, countless ancient and sacred golden runes slowly swirled, radiating a terrifying pressure that made souls tremble!
Hammer of Penitence!
A B+ Rank skill, under the horrifying amplification of Lu Li's stats and talent...
...unleashed power far beyond what its grade ever warranted!
In the stands, two hundred thousand spectators craned their necks to stare at the colossal hammer of holy light hovering above the stage.
Their eyes went wide, faces filled with utter disbelief!
"Wh-What is that?!"
"What a massive warhammer! Is that even a fucking skill? That's straight-up divine punishment!"
"My god! Even through the magic barrier, that pressure is suffocating me!"
"Isn't Lu Li a Paladin? How is his spell power even more terrifying than an Elemental Mage's?!"
"Just how much Wisdom did he allocate?!"
At the commentary desk, both commentators were so worked up they leaped to their feet:
"Hammer of Penitence! It's a Paladin's Hammer of Penitence!"
"But this power is absurd! An ordinary Paladin's Hammer of Penitence is at most a few meters across!"
"Lu Li's hammer must be dozens of meters! This has completely shattered the scope of a B+ Rank skill!"
"With spell intensity like this, even Elemental Mages who specialize in pure damage fall far short!"
"Is he a Paladin or a Mage?!"
In the preparation zone, Shen Chuyou's silver-gray eyes narrowed slightly.
She asked herself whether she could even produce such a terrifying strike at full power, despite possessing an Elemental Body.
Upon the arena stage.
Ye Jinghong stared up at the sky-covering hammer of holy light, the wild joy on her face freezing instantly.
"How could this be..."
She murmured, despair surfacing in her blue-gold eyes for the first time.
She had poured all of Sword Domain's defensive power just to barely block that Chain Lightning.
Yet the power contained within this holy warhammer was easily more than tenfold stronger than that Chain Lightning!
Yet how could she, Ye Jinghong, be one to simply wait for death!
"Sword Domain! Myriad Swords Return to Origin!"
Ye Jinghong bit her tongue fiercely and spat a mouthful of essence blood onto the blade!
She poured every shred of battle aura and sword intent within her body into the Sword Domain!
In an instant, over a thousand cyan sword beams blazed with blinding brilliance.
They converged frantically above her head, transforming into a colossal cyan curtain of swords!
It was her final trump card, and her final pride!
"Come at me!"
Ye Jinghong roared toward the sky, her blue-and-white combat suit snapping in the wind, standing tall like a divine sword that would rather break than bend!
And right at that moment, Lu Li's arm swung down gently.
"Fall."
Boom—!!!
The holy warhammer, dozens of meters massive, crashed down with tremendous force!
Before the hammer even landed, its terrifying holy pressure made the entire stage groan and creak!
The ground cracked inch by inch as the magic barrier oscillated wildly!
The cyan sword curtain and golden warhammer collided violently in midair!
"Rumble—!!!"
An indescribable, earth-shaking boom exploded outward!
Golden holy light and cyan sword qi clashed like two blazing suns, unleashing a dazzling brilliance!
The entire venue was illuminated as bright as day at this moment!
Countless spectators reflexively shut their eyes!
When the light began to fade and everyone could clearly see the stage, the entire venue plunged into dead silence!
On the stage.
Ye Jinghong was on one knee, her sword dislodged and embedded in the ground dozens of meters away.
Blood covered her body, her blue-and-white combat suit shredded, blood continuously trickling from the corner of her lips.
Meanwhile, Lu Li stood where he had been, spotless and unblemished, the golden holy light slowly receding around him.
The cyan Sword Domain that had previously enveloped the entire stage was now completely gone.
"Spurt—!"
Ye Jinghong could no longer hold on.
Spurting a mouthful of blood, she collapsed limply to the ground.
"Ye Jinghong has lost the ability to fight! The winner of this match is Lu Li from Imperial Capital University!"
The referee's voice echoed through the venue.
Yet a full two to three seconds passed before an earth-shattering roar erupted from the crowd!
"He won! Lu Li won!"
"My god! That was an S-Rank skill! Even after using an S-Rank skill, Ye Jinghong still lost!"
"Hammer of Penitence! One strike settled it all!"
"Too strong! This guy is an outright monster!"
"One-Axe Superman? He didn't even use an axe today—he crushed her with spells instead!"
In the stands, two hundred thousand spectators went completely wild!
At the commentary booth, both commentators' voices trembled with excitement:
"The outcome is decided! Lu Li used a single Hammer of Penitence to shatter Ye Jinghong's Sword Domain head-on!"
"Keep in mind, Ye Jinghong deployed an S-Rank skill, Sword Domain! And even so, she still suffered defeat!"
"Lu Li, the Paladin whom everyone assumed was just a support, has once again proved himself through sheer strength!"
"He is a Paladin, yet he commands terrifying magical power that rivals and even surpasses an Elemental Mage's!"
"Simply unbelievable!"
In the instructors' viewing area, shock was written across every teacher's face.
Others might not understand, but these instructors knew better than anyone.
Hammer of Penitence was only a B+ Rank skill.
Yes, merely a B+ Rank skill!
How could a B+ Rank skill utterly crush the S-Rank Sword Domain?!
"This is impossible..."
Li Jian, the lead instructor of Jiangnan University, looked exceedingly grim:
"How could a B+ Rank skill crush Sword Domain?!"
"This can only mean one thing."
Another veteran instructor took a deep breath and spoke slowly:
"Lu Li's own stats and Holy Light power have grown so formidable that he can completely ignore the disparity in skill ranks.
No matter how low a skill's rank is, when he casts it, he can turn something ordinary into a miracle."
Hearing this, all the instructors shuddered.
For a Paladin to reach such heights...
...was something none of them could have ever imagined.
Even Song Wanqiu could not help feeling shaken.
Lu Li!
Her youngest disciple was someone even she couldn't see through at times!
...
Beside the stage, the medical team rushed up and lifted the unconscious Ye Jinghong onto a stretcher.
Before being carried off, Ye Jinghong forced her eyes open a sliver, looking toward Lu Li.
In those once-commanding eyes, only profound helplessness and bitterness remained.
Even after unleashing an S-Rank skill, she hadn't even managed to make him take a single step back.
Just how strong was this guy?
Meanwhile, far away in the Ye Family's study in the Imperial Capital.
Ye Hai sat in front of the projection, staring blankly at the upright figure on the screen.
He had just watched the entire match.
Semifinals. An S-Rank skill. Sword Domain.
His daughter had even brought out the Ye Family's trump card, Sword Domain, yet she had still lost!
"Elder Brother..."
Ye Hai swallowed hard, looking toward the equally silent Patriarch Ye Lingfeng beside him.
"At all costs."
Patriarch Ye Lingfeng spoke slowly, his voice deep and resolute:
"As soon as the exchange competition ends, bring Lu Liback to the Ye Family immediately!"
Meanwhile on the stage, Lu Li had already turned and walked back toward the preparation zone.
Bai Yuqing was the first to rush over, her baby face beaming with excitement:
"Captain! You're incredible! That was an S-Rank skill, and you smashed it apart with a single hammer!"
Lin Qingyu approached as well, an undisguisable joy dancing in her cool eyes.
Shen Chuyou walked up beside him and gave a slight nod: "Well fought."
"This was just the semifinals."
Lu Li smiled, looking at Shen Chuyou, and added:
"Next up, it's on you."
"Mm. I will win."
Shen Chuyou's silver-gray eyes glinted faintly, her tone resolute.
Chapter 138: Shen Chuyou vs. Gu Lingyun! Demonic Ape Bloodline!
"Thank you to Lu Li and Ye Jinghong for delivering such a spectacular battle!"
The host's high-spirited, passionate voice echoed through the venue, ringing out endlessly.
"And congratulations to Lu Li on successfully advancing to the grand finals!"
"Next up: Imperial University's Elemental Mage Shen Chuyou versus Modu University's Magic Swordsman Gu Lingyun!"
The moment the words fell, the entire stadium erupted in a roaring frenzy, as if a bomb had detonated!
Two spotlights beamed down simultaneously, landing upon the exits of the players' tunnels.
On the left was Gu Lingyun, captain of Modu University.
Clad in dark purple armor and wielding a jet-black greatsword, he stepped out at an unhurried pace.
A gentle, jade-like smile graced his handsome face, each stride calm and composed.
And on the right, Shen Chuyou stepped forward as well.
Her moon-white mage robes gleamed softly beneath the lights, her silver-white hair cascading down like a waterfall.
Staff in hand, her expression remained aloof and cool, the beauty mark at the corner of her eye lending her a breath-taking touch of charm.
"Gu Lingyun! Gu Lingyun! Gu Lingyun!"
"Modu University is bound to win! Captain Gu is invincible!"
"Lingyun, Lingyun, sword qi soaring to the clouds!"
"…"
As the captain of Modu University and fighting on home turf, Gu Lingyun's popularity was beyond question.
In the stands, the Modu University cheering section had whipped itself into near madness.
Countless banners waved frantically, and wave after wave of cheers surged forth, roaring loud enough to numb the eardrums.
"Shen Chuyou! Goddess! Look over here!"
"Shen Chuyou! Shen Chuyou!"
"Aaargh! Goddess, you're slaying me!"
"…"
On the other side, Shen Chuyou's fans were not to be outdone.
In fact, they were even crazier.
There was no helping it—Shen Chuyou's looks and figure were simply top-tier.
That breathtakingly cold, gorgeous face, paired with an intensely fiery, proud silhouette…
Even standing quietly in place, she was enough to drive countless people wild.
"Shen Chuyou! Keep it up!"
"Goddess of Imperial University! Crush Gu Lingyun!"
In the stands, Shen Moli was so excited her little face turned crimson, waving the school banner and shouting at the top of her lungs.
On the arena stage, both combatants had taken their positions.
One was gentle as jade, the other cold as frost.
Dark purple armor and moon-white mage robes faced each other from afar, creating a visually striking tableau.
"Lu Li, who do you think will win?"
Down in the prep area, Lin Qingyu turned her head and asked Lu Li in a soft voice.
"Hard to say."
Lu Li shook his head. His gaze fell upon Gu Lingyun, and he mused,
"Gu Lingyun should have other trump cards."
Under the observation of his Divine Appraisal Technique, the average across their four primary attributes was fairly similar.
It was just that one had mainly invested points into Wisdom, while the other had focused on Physique.
Furthermore, as Modu University's captain, Gu Lingyunhad practically steamrolled his prior matches with instant kills.
Whether in team matches or singles, he had never truly gone all out.
More often than not, opponents fell within three moves.
This man concealed his depths far too well.
Even with the trump card of her Succubus Bloodline, Shen Chuyou wasn't guaranteed a win.
"Is that so?"
Lin Qingyu's lovely eyes narrowed slightly, growing a bit more solemn.
"Will both combatants please prepare!"
The referee's voice rang out through the air, and the entire venue fell silent at once.
"Countdown: 3… 2… 1… Begin!"
The moment the match began, Gu Lingyun moved.
Moving like lightning, his dark purple battle qi erupted violently.
Gripping his jet-black greatsword like a beast bursting from its cage, he rocketed toward Shen Chuyou!
The starting distance for melee classes was originally 100 meters.
Yet for ranged against melee, in the interest of fairness, the distance between them had been extended to 300 meters.
A distance of three hundred meters would take tens of seconds for an ordinary class holder.
Yet for a melee prodigy of Gu Lingyun's caliber, it was merely a matter of a few breaths!
"What blistering charge speed!"
In the audience, someone cried out in shock.
Shen Chuyou's reaction, however, was even faster.
She didn't even look at the charging figure; she merely lifted her staff lightly.
Parting her red lips, her cool voice carried not a trace of warmth:
"Fireball."
Boom—!
A fist-sized Fireball flew from the tip of her staff, expanding wildly the instant it detached!
In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a blazing white Fireball over five meters in diameter.
Carrying destructive, searing heat, it hurtled straight down toward Gu Lingyun!
"This trick again!"
Gu Lingyun, who had already seen this move in prior matches, raised his sword-brows slightly, neither dodging nor evading.
He swung the jet-black greatsword horizontally, dark purple demonic qi frantically condensing along the blade!
"Demonic Qi Slash!"
Boom—!
Blade collided with Fireball in a thunderous boom that shook heaven and earth!
Sparks and flames scattered, and demonic qi churned.
That terrifying Fireball was forcefully sliced apart by a single strike of his sword!
"Nice!"
"Captain Gu is too strong!"
In the stands, the Modu University supporters erupted into deafening cheers.
But before Gu Lingyun could press his forward charge, a second and third spell were already arriving one after another!
Ice Spike!
Thunder Spear!
Wind Blade!
A deluge of four elements poured forth like a torrential storm!
Shen Chuyou's hands never ceased; spell after spell burst from her staff with virtually zero pause between them.
Icy blue, fiery red, verdant green, lightning purple…
Radiance of every elemental color wove into an airtight net of firepower, completely sealing off Gu Lingyun's path of advance!
Gu Lingyun's unstoppable charge was forcefully halted in its tracks!
He had no choice but to continuously swing his blade to parry, cutting down those terrifying spells one by one.
"What terrifying casting speed!"
"Shen Chuyou has no intention of giving Gu Lingyun any chance to close the distance!"
At the commentary desk, both commentators sucked in a cold breath in unison.
"Her spells were already startlingly powerful, and now she's chaining four elemental affinities with almost zero delay!"
"Under this kind of carpet bombing, even Modu University's captain won't be breaking through anytime soon!"
In the stands, the audience grew even more fired up.
In particular, the stark contrast between Shen Chuyou's frosty expression and the relentless casting of her hands…
That intense juxtaposition drove countless spectators to cheer and scream.
"So strong! Is this the Elemental Body?!"
"She looks so cold and aloof, yet she fights so violently! I'm in love!"
"Now this is a true Elemental Mage!"
Shen Chuyou remained expressionless.
Her silver-gray eyes calmly watched ahead, yet the staff in her hand never halted for a second.
Fire, ice, wind, lightning.
The four elements bloomed in turn in her hands, the overwhelming deluge of magic painting the entire arena in dazzling colors.
Meanwhile, Gu Lingyun was suppressed hard over two hundred meters away.
Several times he attempted to force a breakthrough, only to be driven back by Shen Chuyou's terrifyingly precise spells.
"If this keeps up, the one who loses might very well be Gu Lingyun!"
From the commentary desk, a caster's voice carried a hint of amazement.
"Indeed! Shen Chuyou's firepower is too fierce; Gu Lingyunsimply can't push through!"
"If he can't find a breakthrough, he'll be worn down to death!"
In the spectator stands, the Modu University cheering section had quieted considerably.
The Modu University students who had been brimful of confidence were now growing restless in their seats.
Gu Lingyun was actually being suppressed?
This was their captain!
Just like that, the stalemate dragged on for several minutes.
Shen Chuyou's barrage showed not the slightest sign of weakening.
She was like a tireless magical turret, crushing everything beneath a torrent of pure elements.
And while Gu Lingyun had sustained no real injuries, he remained unable to pierce through that terrifying barrage.
Finally, Gu Lingyun was the first to lose patience.
He slashed furiously with his sword, shattering an incoming Fireball and Ice Spike simultaneously.
Using the recoil to leap backward, he briefly opened up some distance.
"I originally wanted to save this trump card for the grand finals."
He spoke slowly, his gentle voice carrying clearly across the quiet venue:
"I didn't expect you to be this strong. Guess I have no choice but to use it now."
The moment his words fell, Gu Lingyun's eyes shifted abruptly!
Those eyes, previously gentle as jade, now flashed with a scarlet bloodlust!
Immediately after, an extraordinarily terrifying surge of dark purple demonic qi erupted from within him!
"Roar—!"
A deep roar echoed from the depths of his throat, like an ancient ferocious beast awakening!
Gu Lingyun's body suddenly swelled a size larger!
Dark purple demonic qi clung to his body like tangible matter, outlining corded muscles rippling like dragons!
Across his skin, lines of dark red demonic patterns surfaced.
Those demonic patterns squirmed slowly like living things, radiating a heart-palpitating, berserk aura!
At this moment, where was there any trace of the gentle, refined young master left in Gu Lingyun?
He was clearly a demonic ape war god stepping out from the abyss!
"The Demonic Ape Bloodline! It's the Demonic Ape Bloodline!"
At the commentary desk, a caster stood up in shock:
"No wonder Gu Lingyun is so powerful! He possesses the Demonic Ape Bloodline!"
"Demonic Ape Bloodline, an A+ tier bloodline! Its possessor gains terrifying boosts to Strength and Physique!"
"More importantly, the demonic qi forms a natural protective layer, drastically reducing damage from elemental spells!"
Before the words fully faded, Gu Lingyun had already launched another charge!
This time, he abandoned swinging his sword entirely!
Dark purple demonic qi coalesced into a thick barrier before him as he rammed straight into Shen Chuyou's net of firepower!
Chapter 139: The Succubus Form Revealed! A Regretful Defeat!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Spell after spell bombarded him, yet they were all completely blocked by the barrier of demonic qi!
Even when some magic managed to penetrate the barrier and strike his expanded, demon-patterned body, it felt like nothing more than an itch!
"Huh?"
Shen Chuyou's willow-leaf brows furrowed slightly.
Her Fireball could normally shatter a massive boulder with ease.
Yet striking Gu Lingyun right now, it couldn't even slow him down!
The Demonic Ape Bloodline combined with the demonic qi protection of a Magic Swordsman...
...formed a perfect counter to her elemental spells!
"Holy crap! Shen Chuyou's magic isn't working!"
"The Demonic Ape Bloodline is way too absurd! How is she supposed to fight this?"
"An Elemental Mage going up against the Demonic Ape Bloodline—isn't that a total hard-counter?!"
In the stands, countless spectators cried out in shock.
Shen Moli covered her mouth, tense with anxiety.
"Xiao You..."
In the preparation area, Bai Yuqing and Chu Nan's expressions changed drastically as well.
Lu Li said nothing, merely watching the moon-white figure on the arena stage in silence.
As expected.
Gu Lingyun still had this kind of trump card.
The magic resistance of the Demonic Ape Bloodlinevirtually neutralized Shen Chuyou's greatest advantage.
"Boom—!"
Enduring a Thunder Spear head-on, Gu Lingyun finally crossed a hundred meters!
His swollen, massive frame bore down on Shen Chuyouwith a suffocating sense of oppression!
Only 150 meters remained!
"Shen Chuyou! It's over!"
He gave a low shout, raising his pitch-black greatsword high!
Dark purple demonic qi gathered wildly upon the blade's edge, transforming into a terrifying sword aura tens of feet long!
Once in close quarters, Shen Chuyou would have no way of blocking the terrifying power of the Demonic Ape Bloodline!
"Xiao You!"
Shen Moli screamed involuntarily.
All two hundred thousand spectators held their breath at that moment.
On the arena stage.
Shen Chuyou took a deep breath.
She watched the dark purple figure closing in on her.
Then, she looked around at the two hundred thousand spectators and the countless cameras.
Once she used her bloodline's power, the secret she had hidden for so many years would be laid bare before the entire world.
A succubus.
A bloodline misunderstood and looked down upon by countless people.
Even though she had already made up her mind, when the moment actually came, she still felt a flutter of nervousness.
Subconsciously, she looked toward the preparation area.
There, Lu Li was watching her quietly.
In the instant their eyes met, Lu Li seemed to understand all her hesitation and inner struggle.
He said nothing, simply nodding gently.
That single, simple gesture was like a calming pill.
The unease and anxiety in Shen Chuyou's heart vanished in an instant.
The heart of the strong pays no heed to the judgment of others!
With that thought, Shen Chuyou hesitated no longer.
Within her silver-gray eyes, an alluring purple light suddenly flared!
"Boom—!"
A purple demonic qi completely distinct from Gu Lingyun's erupted from her body with a roar!
The demonic qi was dense and bewitching, yet far from violent.
Instead, it carried a soul-stirring, fatal charm!
Starting from the roots, her long silver-white hair took on a faint purplish hue, cascading outward like a waterfall.
From both sides of her head, a pair of petite, exquisite pitch-black horns slowly emerged.
Behind her, a slender heart-tipped tail extended quietly, swaying gently through the air.
Her already stunning figure expanded even further under the activation of the Succubus Bloodline!
The fabric across her chest was stretched to its limit, while her waist appeared even more slender.
Aloofness and sultry allure—two completely contrasting temperaments merged flawlessly upon her.
She was breathtakingly, suffocatingly gorgeous!
"Is this... the Succubus Bloodline?!"
At the commentary desk, both commentators were completely dumbfounded.
After a brief, dead silence, the entire venue erupted into an uproar!
"A succubus! Shen Chuyou actually possesses the Succubus Bloodline!"
"My god! Is this her trump card?!"
"So beautiful! Holy shit, that's insanely gorgeous!"
"An aloof goddess turning into a succubus! Who could possibly resist that?!"
"Mommy!"
"—"
The cheers of two hundred thousand spectators swept across the arena like a tsunami!
...
In the instructors' viewing area.
"Succubus Bloodline?"
Song Wanqiu gazed at the bewitching, stunning figure on stage, a hint of surprise flashing across her beautiful eyes.
She hadn't expected Shen Chuyou to hide it so deeply.
Even she, the leading instructor, had been kept in the dark.
But upon further thought, she understood the girl's concerns.
"To reveal the Succubus Bloodline on an occasion like this...
...takes an extraordinary amount of courage."
Song Wanqiu mused silently to herself.
She resolved to treat her with holy light once the match concluded.
The backlash from bloodline power was no laughing matter.
...
On the arena stage.
With the Succubus Bloodline unleashed, the aura around Shen Chuyou surged dramatically!
Her Spirit stat in particular leaped up by a massive margin almost instantaneously.
Those silver-gray eyes, now tinged with violet, lifted slightly as an alluring luminescence swirled within them.
"Thunder Spear!"
Parting her red lips, she thrust her staff forward sharply!
Boom—!
A purple Thunder Spear, thick as a pillar, shot violently from the tip of her staff!
Strands of succubus qi were even coiled around the spear.
Its power was more than a cut above before!
Gu Lingyun's pupils narrowed slightly, and he raised his sword to parry instinctively.
"Boom—!!!"
Lightning exploded, causing the dark purple barrier of demonic qi to shudder violently.
Gu Lingyun's swollen frame was actually knocked back several steps by the impact!
"So strong!"
His heart jolted.
This level of power was already enough to threaten him!
But at this moment, only a final hundred meters separated him from Shen Chuyou!
"Demonic Shadow Steps!"
Gu Lingyun gritted his teeth, pouring dark purple battle qi frantically into his legs.
In the next instant, he blurred into a pitch-black afterimage, shooting toward Shen Chuyou with near-teleportation speed!
A-rank skill, Demonic Shadow Steps!
Dash distance: 90 meters!
Combined with his own running speed...
...he could cross this final hundred meters in a single blink!
"Ice Wall!"
Shen Chuyou reacted swiftly, tapping her staff repeatedly.
Three Ice Walls rose from the ground in layered formation, attempting to seal off Gu Lingyun's path.
"Break for me!"
Gu Lingyun roared and cleaved his pitch-black greatsword horizontally!
The sword aura of demonic qi swept out like a sheet of silk, shattering the three Ice Walls on impact!
Shards of ice danced across the air.
"Wind Blade!"
Shen Chuyou cast again, sending dozens of purple Wind Blades slashing toward Gu Lingyun.
Yet Gu Lingyun didn't even bother dodging, tanking all the attacks with his barrier of demonic qi and demon-patterned body!
The Wind Blades, sharp enough to cleave gold and sever jade, left only a few shallow bloody scratches upon him!
"It's useless!"
Gu Lingyun's eyes were bloodshot, as if he were possessed.
The buff from the Succubus Bloodline had caused Shen Chuyou's spell power to skyrocket.
But his Demonic Ape Bloodline naturally hard-countered elemental magic!
Coupled with the extreme dash of Demonic Shadow Steps, he was already right before Shen Chuyou!
"It's over!"
Gu Lingyun leapt high into the air.
Carrying an apocalyptic momentum, the pitch-black greatsword chopped straight down toward Shen Chuyou's head!
Shen Chuyou's silver-gray eyes contracted sharply.
"Magic Shield!"
Hum—!
A purple Magic Shield deployed instantly, enclosing her entire person within.
"Boom—!!!"
The greatsword crashed violently against the shield!
The shield trembled violently, cracks spreading like spiderwebs.
Shen Chuyou unleashed a few more spells, but they were all intercepted by Gu Lingyun's close-range sword pressure.
"Crack—!"
Finally, unable to endure any longer, the Magic Shieldshattered with a blast!
"It's over!"
The pitch-black greatsword swept high, its dark purple blade aura slashing downward like a banner of silk!
Watching the blade edge right before her eyes, Shen Chuyou's silver-gray pupils showed little ripple of emotion.
She knew full well.
Once a mage was closed in on by a melee class, there was only one possible outcome.
"I forfeit."
Her cool, clear voice rang out across the entire venue via the sound-amplifying array.
Gu Lingyun's body froze, his greatsword halting abruptly right in front of Shen Chuyou's forehead.
"This match goes to Modu University's Gu Lingyun, victory!"
The referee's voice sounded.
In the stands, the Modu University cheering section erupted into a thunderous roar of cheers.
"If you had used the Succubus Bloodline right from the start, it's not certain who would have won,"
Gu Lingyun exhaled a breath on the stage, speaking from the heart.
The dash distance of Demonic Shadow Steps was only 90 meters.
If Shen Chuyou had fought him with the Succubus Bloodline right from the beginning, he wouldn't have been able to get near her at all.
"A loss is a loss."
Shen Chuyou shook her head.
With those words, she slowly disengaged from that breathtaking Succubus Form.
The purple receded, her silver-white hair hung down once more, and the pitch-black horns and heart-tipped tail faded away.
Then, taking long strides with her shapely legs, she turned and walked off the stage.
"Tsk tsk, Imperial Capital University is truly absurd this year. Every single one of them is so strong."
Watching Shen Chuyou's graceful departing figure, Gu Lingyun couldn't help marveling.
But internally, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Having defeated Shen Chuyou, only Lu Li was left as an opponent.
Compared to Shen Chuyou, fighting Lu Li should be much easier.
After all, Lu Li was ultimately a Paladin, a melee class.
As long as the distance was closed, he had complete confidence.
...
"I'm sorry, I lost,"
Shen Chuyou said apologetically upon returning to the team.
"It's fine, it's fine! You were already amazing!" Bai Yuqingsaid hurriedly.
"That Gu Lingyun has the Demonic Ape Bloodline.
It happens to counter your elemental magic, so losing isn't on you,"
Lin Qingyu spoke up as well.
"It's just one loss.
You forced out his trump card; leave the finals to me."
Lu Li didn't mind it much.
Shen Chuyou was slightly taken aback.
Then, she revealed a rare smile.
"Okay."
The smile was faint, yet like melting ice and snow.
Seeing it, Chu Nan and the others were momentarily captivated.
Shen Chuyou knew in her own heart, however.
Compared to losing the match, resolving her inner turmoil about being a succubus was what truly made her happy.
From now on, she would never have to hide it again.
Chapter 140: Holy Radiance Form! Lu Li's Angel Bloodline!
"Congratulations to Gu Lingyun of Modu University for advancing to the finals!"
The host's voice rang out once more.
"Next, there will be a one-hour break."
"In one hour, we will welcome the finals of the individual competition of this National College Freshman Exchange Tournament!"
As the words fell, the arena entered a brief respite.
The spectators engaged in heated discussions, sighing with emotion.
"Who would've thought that a Paladin could actually make it to the finals?"
"Lu Li really is a dark horse this year, but Gu Lingyun has the Demonic Ape Bloodline. It's looking dicey for him."
"Indeed. Lu Li doesn't have a special bloodline. Fighting against Gu Lingyun puts him at too much of a disadvantage."
"Looks like Modu University is taking the championship again this year."
At the commentary desk, the two commentators were also discussing the matchup.
"Contestant Lu Li's class is a Paladin, and he has no special bloodline enhancement of his own."
"Meanwhile, Contestant Gu Lingyun's Demonic Ape Bloodline drastically enhances his strength and constitution while also reducing elemental damage."
"In close-quarters combat, this bloodline advantage will be amplified infinitely."
"Unless Contestant Lu Li still has a trump card up his sleeve, this battle will indeed be very difficult."
"That's right. After all, bloodline power is one of the most fundamental foundations of a professional."
Time ticked away, minute by minute.
An hour passed in the blink of an eye.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back!"
The host stood in the center of the arena, his voice booming like a great bell.
"Next up is the final showdown of this year's individual tournament!"
"From Imperial Capital University, Paladin Lu Li!"
"From Modu University, Magic Swordsman Gu Lingyun!"
"Now, let us welcome the two contestants to the stage!"
Prompted by the host's announcement,
Lu Li and Gu Lingyun stepped onto the central arena at the same time.
The gazes of two hundred thousand spectators locked firmly onto the two of them.
The atmosphere in the stadium turned solemn to the extreme.
"Contestants, please prepare yourselves!"
The referee's voice resonated from midair.
"Countdown: 3... 2... 1... Begin!"
The moment the word fell, Gu Lingyun activated his Demonic Ape Bloodline without the slightest hesitation!
"Roar—!"
Dark purple demonic energy erupted violently, and his physique expanded once again.
Dark red demonic markings squirmed like living creatures, sweeping a terrifying aura across the entire stadium!
He looked at Lu Li and spoke slowly,
"Lu Li, although it might seem unsporting, bloodline power is something I was born with."
"I investigated you. You don't possess any special bloodline."
"Therefore, this match is my victory!"
His voice was laced with absolute confidence.
Indeed.
A professional with a bloodline going up against one without was practically a one-sided slaughter.
However, Lu Li across from him merely raised an eyebrow.
"Who told you I don't have a special bloodline?"
Gu Lingyun froze.
Before he could react, Lu Li let out a low shout:
"Holy Radiance Form!"
Boom—!!!
An unimaginably terrifying holy light erupted violently from within Lu Li's body!
The radiance was so blinding that it painted the entire arena in a shade of pure gold!
The holy light soared into the sky, directly piercing through the magic barrier above the arena and shooting into the dome!
The next moment, a scene that left everyone dumbfounded unfolded before their eyes.
Behind Lu Li, a phantom image of an angel faintly manifested,
exuding a sacred and inviolable aura!
Lu Li's eyes also turned into a resplendent gold.
Between his eyebrows, a profound golden sigil slowly emerged.
At this moment, his entire temperament underwent an earth-shattering transformation!
If Lu Li before had been an unsheathed, sharp sword,
then the current Lu Li was a blazing golden sun descending upon the mortal realm!
Sacred, majestic, invincible!
"Is that... the Angel Bloodline?!!!"
At the commentary desk, both commentators completely lost their composure!
"Impossible! How could this be!"
"Lu Li actually possesses the Angel Bloodline? That's a Mythical-tier bloodline!"
"The Demonic Ape Bloodline is merely A+-Rank, but the Angel Bloodline is S-Rank at minimum!"
"What... what on earth is going on?!"
In the stands, the two hundred thousand spectators instantly erupted into chaos!
"An angel! That's an angel!"
"My god! Lu Li has the Angel Bloodline!"
"So cool! This is way too handsome!"
"A Paladin paired with the Angel Bloodline? Isn't that defying the heavens?!"
"Wait! So Gu Lingyun's investigation turned up completely wrong?"
"Hahahahaha! Gu Lingyun said Lu Li had no special bloodline, and the guy just activates an angel form right in his face!"
"The face slap came too fast, just like a whirlwind!"
In the preparation area,
Bai Yuqing jumped up excitedly:
"Captain! You're so cool!"
Lin Qingyu and Shen Chuyou exchanged glances, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.
Back when Lu Li was ambushed, his special transformation had only flashed for a fleeting second, not giving them enough time to examine it closely.
Who could have thought that it was actually a special form change unique to the Angel Bloodline!
"So this is the Holy Radiance Form at 100% compatibility!"
In the instructors' section, Song Wanqiu gasped softly in amazement.
Holy Radiance Form!
It was a special form that could only be unlocked by cultivating the Holy Radiance Immortal Body.
The higher the bloodline compatibility, the closer the form resembled a true God Scion.
And 100% compatibility meant the legendary, perfect Holy Radiance Form!
At this moment on the arena stage, Lu Li was practically indistinguishable from a true God Scion.
On the stage, Gu Lingyun was equally shaken to his core.
He never expected that even at this stage, Lu Li would still have a trump card!
Moreover, this trump card was absurdly massive!
More crucially, with the appearance of that angelic phantom,
the Demonic Ape Bloodline within his body began to agitate uncontrollably!
That was a tremble originating from the deepest depths of his bloodline.
It was like an inferior demonic creature encountering a supreme God Scion—a dread ingrained right into the bone!
The Demonic Ape Bloodline he took so much pride in was actually showing faint signs of being suppressed!
"Damn it!"
Gu Lingyun's face turned ashen, blue veins bulging on his temples.
He frantically circulated the demonic energy in his body, attempting to dispel the bloodline suppression, but to little avail.
"I refuse to believe your ordinary class can defeat my rare class!"
As the captain of Modu University, Gu Lingyun naturally would not back down so easily.
He gritted his teeth viciously and poured all his battle aura and demonic energy into the greatsword in his hands!
Dark purple demonic energy surged wildly, enveloping his entire body.
"Demonic Shadow Steps!"
Boom—!
His figure shot forward like a pitch-black meteor, lunging straight toward Lu Li in the distance!
The speed was astonishingly fast, tearing a sharp sonic boom through the air!
At that moment, Lu Li moved as well.
He did not even cast a single buff skill.
Because the Holy Radiance Form itself drastically enhanced all four of his core attributes!
It was a terrifying amplification that no buff could compare to.
Right now, even without applying any state buffs, he was fully capable of crushing any opponent of the same level!
He calmly raised his left hand, aiming his palm toward the black figure hurtling toward him.
"Light Feather Storm."
A deep voice resounded.
The next second,
countless feather blades condensed from holy light surged frantically from his palm!
Thousands! Tens of thousands! Innumerable golden light feathers!
They sliced through the air, letting out piercing shrieks,
and swept toward Gu Lingyun like a destructive golden storm!
"Swish, swish, swish, swish—!!!"
At this moment, the entire arena turned into an ocean of gold!
Gu Lingyun's pupils contracted sharply as he instinctively swung his sword to parry,
a dark purple demonic barrier expanding instantly!
However, backed by the Holy Radiance Form,
the might of these light feathers had already reached an indescribably terrifying degree!
Not to mention, holy light inherently dealt bonus damage to dark and undead units!
The demonic energy coursing through Gu Lingyun had instead become his death warrant!
"Riiip—!"
The demonic barrier was instantly shredded like paper!
Immediately after, countless light feathers pelted Gu Lingyun like a torrential downpour!
His swollen, demon-marked body was carved with countless bone-deep gashes!
"Ah—!"
Gu Lingyun let out a shrill scream, his forward momentum coming to an abrupt halt as he was blasted backward repeatedly!
Yet this was not the end!
Lu Li raised his left hand once again.
"Chain Lightning."
Boom—!!!
A bolt of divine golden lightning, thick as a pillar, blasted out from his fingertips!
The lightning was golden from end to end, carrying a sacred majesty that struck terror into the soul!
Under the staggering boost of 100% compatibility in the Holy Radiance Form,
the power of this Chain Lightning was several times stronger than when he had fought Ye Jinghong!
"Rumble—!"
The golden lightning struck Gu Lingyun squarely in the chest!
Before he could even react, the terrifying divine thunder had pierced through his body!
His armor shattered, his flesh charred black, and electrical arcs crackled wildly all over him!
Like a tattered rag doll, Gu Lingyun was sent flying backward, slamming heavily into the magic barrier at the edge of the arena!
"Bang—!"
The barrier shook violently, rippling in waves.
Gu Lingyun slid to the floor, covered in blood, struggling to stand up.
Yet Lu Li had already launched his final strike.
He slowly raised his right hand, palm facing the sky.
Endless holy light converged madly above his head,
instantly condensing into a massive holy warhammer dozens of meters tall!
The hammer was far larger and more solid than during the semifinals!
Golden runes swirled upon its head, radiating a destructive, sacred pressure!
"Hammer of Penitence."
As his voice trailed off, Lu Li gently waved his right hand downward.
Boom—!!!
Like divine retribution descending upon the world, the golden warhammer crashed down with a roar!
"I surren—"
Gu Lingyun's pupils shrank to needlepoints.
Before the word'surrender' could leave his mouth, he was utterly engulfed by the cataclysmic holy light!
"Rumble—!!!"
An earth-shattering explosion resounded, shaking the entire arena violently!
The magic barrier trembled crazily as spiderweb-like cracks spread rapidly across its surface!
Countless spectators reflexively shut their eyes!
When the light finally subsided and everyone could see the scene on stage, the entire arena fell into a deathly silence.
Gu Lingyun had completely lost consciousness.
Charred all over with his clothes torn to shreds, he lay limp in the center of the cracked arena, his life hanging in the balance.
Meanwhile, Lu Li remained suspended in midair.
His golden light wings unfurled gently, holy radiance swirling around him, untouched by a single speck of dust.
It was as though that cataclysmic strike just now had been nothing more than an effortless wave of his hand.