’Isn’t one Upper Grade Dharma Artifact enough? He’s actually joining this fight too?!’
The Water Element Cultivator’s expression changed. His Spiritual Power was more than half depleted and he was already injured. He was already struggling against his current opponent; if such a formidable character joined the fray, his chances of getting the Small Tripod would be completely gone.
"Take him out first!"
The two exchanged a look, instantly reaching a tacit understanding.
The Magic Techniques they had just been using against each other now changed direction in unison.
A Water Dragon Tornado roared forth, sealing off the path above. Several sharp Earth Spikes erupted from the ground, blocking the way below. The two-pronged attack from above and below was perfectly coordinated, clearly intended to halt Chu Bai’s charge.
’They’re well-coordinated.’
Faced with the pincer attack, Chu Bai’s eyes remained calm. His speed, far from slowing, surged once more.
He chose not to form a Guardian Shield to block the attacks, as doing so would inevitably break his momentum. Getting bogged down in a fight would be a problem.
’Then... I’ll force my way through!’
Chu Bai angled his body, slipping through the gap between the two Magic Techniques like a nimble fish.
PFFT! PFFT!
Though he avoided any vital spots, the sharp water blades and Earth Spikes still grazed his shoulder and thigh, drawing two sprays of blood.
’He’s hit!’
The two cultivators rejoiced internally.
However, in the next instant, their smiles froze on their faces.
A few ash-gray Seals on Chu Bai’s body flashed faintly, and the grisly wounds began to stanch and heal at a rate visible to the naked eye. His speed hadn’t been affected in the slightest!
"What the hell is that?!"
In the moment the two were stunned, Chu Bai was upon them.
WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH!
Hundreds of azure Spirit Water Needles materialized from thin air. Fanning out like a peacock’s tail, they shrieked with a hair-raising pitch as they enveloped the two Cultivators from every direction, leaving no blind spots.
"Defend!"
Pale with fright, the two scrambled to raise their shields.
But the overwhelming downpour of Spirit Water Needles was merely an Illusionary Technique.
The moment their vision was obscured by the curtain of watery light, Chu Bai’s figure closed in like a phantom.
"Apologies!"
Chu Bai let out a low shout, and the light from the Fire Element Rings on his legs flared brightly.
THUD! THUD!
Two dull thuds rang out.
With a graceful twist in mid-air, Chu Bai brought his feet down hard on each of their shields.
The Fire Force erupted!
The immense impact shattered their hastily formed defenses. Both felt as if a sledgehammer had struck their chests. They screamed as they were sent flying backward like kites with broken strings, crashing heavily into the mud.
Chu Bai, meanwhile, used the recoil to launch himself higher into the air. With a smooth motion, he snatched the bronze Small Tripod from where it floated and held it securely in his arms.
This all happened too fast.
From the onlookers’ perspective, they only saw a streak of red light charge into the fray, followed moments later by two figures being sent flying out.
There was no struggle at all, not even the slightest pause!
It was as if a passerby had casually flicked away a couple of pebbles in his path and picked up the Small Tripod as an afterthought.
"Sorry, just passing through."
Only the young man’s clear voice lingered in the air.
By the time the two Cultivators struggled to their feet, Chu Bai’s figure had already become a streak of light, vanishing at the edge of the wasteland, leaving behind only the sight of his retreating back to drive them to despair.
Outside the wasteland, a wave of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the stands.
"Yes! Beautifully done!"
Zhou Changkong slammed a hand on his thigh, his excitement written all over his face.
The other first-year Instructors beside him were also beaming with pride; after all, the young man dominating the battlefield was one of their students.
"He’s got his second Upper Grade Dharma Artifact! As long as he can successfully refine it, Chu Bai will have an absolute advantage in the following stages!"
"There are only thirty-some Upper Grade Dharma Artifacts in total. Countless people are fighting tooth and nail just for one. For him to get two all by himself... his advantage is simply unimaginable!"
Nearby, Instructor Lei, known for his usual strictness, was gaping in astonishment. He couldn’t help but shout in approval, "What a kid! His use of that Body Technique was incredible!"
As a combat Instructor, he had the sharpest eye for these things.
"It’s not just his speed; the key is his control! To accurately execute an Illusionary Technique and use Borrowing Force to Strike while moving that fast... that level of mastery..."
"Tsk tsk, when did the kid secretly master such an exquisite Body Technique? He’s far better than those two third-year seniors!"
"Looking at the situation now, as long as he isn’t greedy enough to go for a third one, that Small Tripod is as good as his!"
It wasn’t just the Instructors; the students in the distant spectator area were also shouting in excitement.
The first-year students in particular, seeing their own top student acting so dominant on an examination ground filled with upperclassmen, were flushed with excitement, wishing they could rush in and cheer him on.
But in the crowd, the expression on Zhang Shan’s face was the most interesting of all.
It was a complex look weaving together surprise, shock, and disbelief.
’Junior Brother Chu... how did he improve so much in such a short time?’
Zhang Shan muttered to himself, his gaze vacant as he stared at the red figure on the light screen.
He originally thought he had a sufficient understanding of Chu Bai’s strength. After all, the two had fought side-by-side and killed a Rat General together. But only now did he realize he had been too naive.
’Even Senior Brother Lü Qing is still fighting desperately for his first Treasure Armor, yet he’s already gotten his hands on a second piece!’
’This efficiency... these methods...’
Zhang Shan suddenly had a thought that made his scalp tingle.
’Could it be... that Junior Brother Chu didn’t enter this competition just to hone his skills and gain some experience, like I thought?’

Comments

Loading...