Suddenly, a blinding light illuminated the floating stage at the center of the arena. Gasps echoed through the hall as a man materialized above the stage, his regal bearing and sharp gaze instantly commanding attention.
It was none other than Dong Tian Di. His mere presence struck a chord of awe and fear in everyone’s hearts.
In a synchronized motion, fifty individuals rose from their seats, their eyes fixed on the imposing figure.
Dong Tian Di’s gaze swept the assembly, his eyes like hawks assessing their prey. "Half-divine experts, step forward first."
Ten figures moved towards the stage, each radiating an aura that seemed to press down on the very air. Their energies interwove like a tapestry of raw power, each one’s presence more formidable than the last.
"Saint and Saintess, step forward."
From the gathering, Dong Rui, stepped towards the stage. Beside her walked a bald young man, exuding a calm yet overpowering presence.
Liang’s gaze fell upon the young man, his eyes widening in surprise. He could sense the latter’s immense cultivation level, lingering somewhere around the half-divine realm.
Whispers of astonishment rippled through the crowd, mirroring Liang’s shock. Even Dong Tian Di’s composed exterior momentarily betrayed a flicker of surprise.
"Not bad, young lad. You’ve given us quite a surprise," boomed a voice from above, the statement followed by hearty laughter. It was Dong Tian Mu, his deep, resonant voice carrying a tone of genuine appreciation.
The ten half-step divine experts stared at Dong Tian Shu with darkened expressions. They hadn’t anticipated that the young man before them would ascend to such a level so swiftly.
Dong Tian Shu, the eldest son of Dong Tian Di, stood before them. He was only fifty-five years older than his sister, Dong Rui, yet his prowess was far beyond his years.
Words of praise began to ripple through the crowd like waves through a serene lake.
"As expected of Tian Shu. The geniuses of the world are nothing compared to him."
"I don’t think anyone in the entire domain could match his prowess," murmured another, wide-eyed and breathless.
"Tian Shu always maintains a low profile; otherwise, his name would have echoed throughout the domain long ago," noted an elder, shaking his head in admiration.
Dong Tian Shu, his blue eyes as calm and reflective as still water, glanced at Dong Tian Di and said with unwavering composure, "I would like to challenge the person with plate number one."
Instantly, the crowd erupted into a clamorous uproar, voices overlapping in a cacophony of shock and excitement.
"Are you certain?" Dong Tian Di eyed his son solemnly. Although this son of his preferred to remain low-key, whenever he took action, even Dong Tian Di was left in awe.
Tian Shu chuckled softly, his demeanor casual, "No need to make such a fuss. I simply wish to secure the first place."
"Too arrogant!" an angry voice boomed through the air, snapping everyone’s attention.
It was Dong Yuan Li, the most formidable half-divine expert and the current holder of plate number one.
"Senior Brother Yuan Li, don’t take this matter to heart, please," Tian Shu said with a lighthearted laugh, gracefully ascending to the stage.
Yuan Li snorted coldly before stepping up to join him, his expression filled with disdain.
In an instant, the runes on the stage began to glow and shift, enveloping both figures in a shimmering light as they vanished from sight.
Instantly, every gaze in the vast hall shifted to the screens, where the figures of two individuals materialized.
Suddenly, beams of shimmering light burst forth from the collective screens, coalescing almost magically into the images of Tian Shu and Yuan Li. These weren’t mere projections; they had an astonishingly lifelike presence, as if these titans of power stood right on the stage.
"Postnatal parallel dimensions?" Liang’s eyes narrowed slightly in contemplation.
The Dong Clan’s mastery of void laws never ceased to astound him.
With deliberate grace, Yuan Li was the first to take action. A red, glowing rune blazed on his forehead.
The All Life Extinguishing Rune.
A collective murmur of admiration rippled through the assembled experts. Notably, half- divine experts like Yuan Li need not rely on forming complex arrays to channel their power. They had the unparalleled ability to merge multiple runes into a singular, awe-inspiring rune.
Though the titanic clash was unfolding in a different dimension, the sheer potency emanating from Yuan Li’s rune could be palpably felt by those present. It was an energy so intense, so overwhelming, it seemed to have the potential to obliterate all life.
"Not bad, Senior Brother Yuan Li. You’re already at the doorstep of the Divine Level," Tian Shu remarked with an icy calmness, his face betraying no emotion.
Yuan Li let out a derisive snort. "Cut the nonsense. Just show me your rune."
"My rune?" Tian Shu shook his head, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "That would be terribly unfair."
Yuan Li’s countenance darkened. This youth’s insolent demeanor grated on his nerves. Without a word, a faint gesture of his hand summoned an oppressive aura, coalescing into the ethereal form of a crimson spear – the Life Extinguishing Spear.
With lightning speed, Yuan Li’s right hand gripped the spear, propelling it towards Tian Shu. Intending to counter, Tian Shu extended his palm, intercepting the incoming projectile.
A deafening boom echoed through the void as colossal waves of energy surged outward. Every eye widened in astonishment. Tian Shu had miraculously halted the spear with his bare hand, even seizing control of it.
"Do not grow complacent," Yuan Li sneered. Instantly, the spear erupted in an explosion, releasing a maelstrom of life-devouring energy that enveloped Tian Shu, threatening to extinguish his very existence.
Tian Shu’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of seriousness crossing them. He extended his hand a second time, drawing the life-extinguishing aura back to his palm where it once again materialized into a spear.
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"Brother Yuan Li," Tian Shu chuckled, his words laced with mockery, "try your bladework." With a swift motion, he hurled the spear back towards Yuan Li.
Yuan Li cursed under his breath. How had this brat managed such a feat? Nevertheless, time for reflection was scarce. Life-extinguishing energy swirled around him, swiftly forming another spear – this one adorned with two menacing blades.
The two spears collided with thunderous force, unleashing an even more ominous aura that sent shivers down the spines of even the most experienced cultivators. Slowly but surely, the spear in Yuan Li’s grip began to crack under the relentless assault.
"What?"
Yuan Li gasped in surprise as his spear teetered on the brink of destruction. With a desperate surge of energy, he summoned more life-extinguishing aura, solidifying its form.
The opposing spear again continued to crack and crumble. Within seconds, it would surely shatter into oblivion.
Just when Yuan Li’s hopes began to rise, Tian Shu appeared beside the faltering spear. With a swift and seemingly effortless push, he sent a surge of energy into it. Suddenly, the crumbling spear erupted with newfound power, its energy flowing into Tian Shu’s own weapon.
Before Yuan Li’s disbelieving eyes, his spear shattered into a thousand pieces, its essence absorbed by Tian Shu’s. In a matter of moments, Tian Shu’s spear pierced through Yuan Li’s heart, marking his victory.
As the connection between the two spears was severed, the ethereal barrier surrounding the battlefield crumbled into dust. Tian Shu and Yuan Li found themselves standing beneath the stage, their duel concluded.
Yuan Li exhaled a sigh of relief, his eyes fixed on his chest. As his gaze shifted to Tian, a flicker of fear crossed his face. "What kind of power is that?" he wondered, shaken to his core.
Incredibly, he hadn’t lasted more than two moves against Tian Shu, who hadn’t even activated his own runes. Yuan Li felt an unsettling conviction: Tian Shu’s power rivaled that of a divine level expert.
The crowd shared Yuan Li’s astonishment, their expressions mirroring his surprise.
Gasps of disbelief and awe rippled through the onlookers, erupting into a heated discussion.
"What kind of power is that?" one exclaimed.
"Too exaggerated!" another shouted.
"He didn’t even use his runes!" someone noted, incredulously.
"As expected from the most talented person of our generation," admired a voice in the throng.
"Indeed," murmured another, "it’s truly a blessing to witness such immense power."
Confident and composed, Tian Shu acknowledged Yuan Li with a nod before making his way to the seat marked with the number one. Yuan Li, devoid of any jealousy, accepted his place at seat number 11, feeling thoroughly convinced by Tian Shu’s overwhelming power.
Dong Tian Di, his face beaming with pride, looked approvingly at his son before addressing the other participants. "If any other participants wish to challenge for the seats of the half-divine experts, please step forward."
A tense silence filled the arena as a few breaths passed without anyone moving forward.
"Since that’s settled, let’s proceed to the seat of the saintess," Dong Tian Di declared, his gaze settling on Dong Rui. "Anyone interested may step forward, but your cultivation must be equal to that of the saintess."