King of Ten Thousand Years

Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Nicely Done

The Holy Mansion’s trial was nearing its end.

The Mentors on the valley’s edge constantly monitored the situation below.

They paid special attention to the progress of the three great geniuses.

"Nangong Yu’s kill rate is astonishing! He’s far ahead in first place!"

"Indeed. Princess Yunxiu and Tang Wei have both fallen behind by more than a dozen marks."

"Barring any surprises, Nangong Yu will be this year’s champion."

The Mentors surveyed the entire field and had more or less reached a consensus.

It was a well-deserved reputation.

Based on the Mentors’ observations, Nangong Yu’s overall strength was indeed a cut above Princess Yunxiu’s and Tang Wei’s.

As for Luo Tian, ever since he had escaped from Tang Wei, he seemed to have been seriously injured. He had given up on competing for first place, and the gap between his mark count and that of the three geniuses had widened.

Luo Tian definitely had no chance of fighting for first place anymore.

Because of this, the Mentors stopped paying attention to his movements.

"Don’t be so quick to judge. This Tang Wei might just pull off an upset," the female Mentor said with a smile.

Her words caught the other Mentors’ attention, and they couldn’t help but look toward Tang Wei.

"He’s approaching that Mist Shadow Warrior at the Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening!"

Several Mentors’ expressions turned strange.

This Mist Shadow Warrior at the Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening was an unexpected product. Such a powerful being wasn’t supposed to appear in the Holy Mansion’s trial.

However, the trial had an anomaly like Luo Tian, who had developed the unique "Luos’ Circle Raising Method," which was tantamount to cheating to farm his score.

They had been forced to use their authority over the Array to create a Mist Shadow Warrior at the Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening.

"If Tang Wei can kill this Seventh Layer Realm Mist Shadow Warrior before the trial ends, he really could stage an upset and seize first place," the old man in the white robe said in a deep voice.

"However, the gap between the Sixth and Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening is immense. It won’t be easy for Tang Wei to succeed."

...

"Young Marquis, it’s just ahead," Qi Hong whispered, pointing forward, afraid of startling the Mist Shadow Warrior at the Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening.

Within the Ninth Layer of Meridian Opening, every three layers marked a major threshold.

A Martial Artist at the Meridian Opening Realm Seventh Layer had powerful, condensed True Qi and could attack from a distance. An ordinary Martial Artist at the Fifth and Sixth Layers of Meridian Opening could be killed instantly.

Soon, a two-meter-tall Armored Warrior came into view.

The Armored Warrior held a thick Great Sword and stood motionless, yet an invisible pressure emanated from it.

’It really is at the Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening.’

Tang Wei’s brow twitched slightly.

Normally, he would have no chance of winning against a Martial Artist at the Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening.

But this was a Mist Shadow Warrior, created by an Array. Unlike a real person, it would have flaws in its intelligence.

Besides, he wasn’t fighting alone; he had seven or eight men with him.

"I’ll go up and hold it down. The rest of you will be responsible for attacking," Tang Wei commanded.

With that said, he swaggered toward the Armored Warrior.

"Angry Cloud Palm!"

The six Qi Veins in Tang Wei’s body surged. A wave of fiery light swirled around him, and his palms were wreathed in a layer of crimson-red clouds, letting out a startling explosive sound.

This palm strike was a notch stronger than the one he had used against Luo Tian, almost matching the power of an Attack from the Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening.

The Armored Warrior, controlled by the Array, stood in place and wouldn’t actively attack anyone.

But it would retaliate if attacked.

WHOOSH!

The Armored Warrior brandished its Great Sword and struck without hesitation, sending a massive Sword Qi Light Wave slashing through the air toward Tang Wei.

BOOM!

A deafening explosion rang out, leaving a crater in the ground.

Amidst the dust, Tang Wei grunted and retreated several steps, barely managing to withstand the Armored Warrior’s strike.

However, that was just a single strike.

WHOOSH! SWISH! SWISH!...

The Armored Warrior’s Seventh Heaven Cultivation truly erupted as waves of Sword Light and Qi surged toward Tang Wei.

This scene made Luo Tian, who was following behind, shudder with alarm.

’If it were me,’ he thought, ’I definitely wouldn’t be able to take that head-on. I could only use my Body Technique to flee for my life.’

CLANG!

The aftershock of a Sword Light grazed Tang Wei’s body. Sparks flew, revealing a piece of emerald-green Soft Armor underneath.

As a Prince’s son, it wasn’t surprising that Tang Wei possessed a piece of Low Grade Defense Soft Armor.

But that wasn’t all.

Tang Wei suddenly swallowed two Spirit Pills, one cyan and one red.

They were an Upper Grade Replenishing Qi Pill and a Violent Spirit Pill.

A hint of madness flashed in Tang Wei’s eyes as the True Qi in his body suddenly surged, and his strength climbed another level.

The Upper Grade Replenishing Qi Pill could increase the recovery speed of his True Qi.

The Violent Spirit Pill was a Secret Pill that enhanced one’s strength.

BOOM! PSHHH!

In an instant, Tang Wei’s combat power rose by a tier, and he began to trade blows evenly with the Armored Warrior.

His men at the side were all dumbfounded.

’He truly is a Prince’s son! His family is so wealthy. Not only does he have Treasure Armor for protection, but he even took out two priceless Spirit Pills.’

"What are you waiting for? Get in here!"

Tang Wei’s shout snapped his men out of their daze.

Although Tang Wei’s combat power was currently strong, it wouldn’t last, and he still couldn’t truly defeat the Armored Warrior on his own.

"Yes!"

"Everyone, let’s go!"

The seven or eight men present were all experts at the Fifth Layer of Meridian Opening or higher. They swarmed in from the sides and rear, launching attacks at the Armored Warrior.

"I’ll hold it off! You just need to attack with all you’ve got!"

Tang Wei drew near and engaged the Armored Warrior in a Close-Combat Kill, pinning it down completely.

At that moment, the Mist Shadow Warrior’s lack of intelligence became apparent.

Tang Wei was the closest and posed the greatest threat, so the Mist Shadow Warrior focused all its attacks on him, ignoring everyone else.

"Destroy it!"

The damage that Qi Hong, Wu Chuan, and the other underlings dealt to the Armored Warrior was limited, but as it accumulated, the warrior gradually sustained heavy injuries.

"Good, good, good! Once its injuries are a little more severe, I will be the one to kill it."

Tang Wei was in high spirits, his face flushed with excitement.

He only needed to hold out for another ten breaths, and then he could kill the heavily wounded Armored Warrior head-on.

"Young Marquis, we meet again!"

A light chuckle echoed through the air.

The voice sounded familiar to Tang Wei, while Qi Hong, Wu Chuan, and the others felt an inexplicable chill run down their spines.

A handsome youth in a green robe approached with a smile on his face.

"Luo Tian!"

All of the men present gasped in shock.

"You worthless commoner! How dare you come back!"

Tang Wei’s expression turned grim.

"I’m back. What are you going to do about it?" Luo Tian said leisurely.

"You..."

Tang Wei was furious, but he had to hold off the Armored Warrior. If he didn’t hurry, the effects of the two Spirit Pills in his body would soon wear off.

"Luo Tian, what do you think you’re doing?" Tang Wei asked, his face dark.

He was worried that Luo Tian would suddenly attack from behind, which would be troublesome.

"Oh? Are you afraid of what I might do?"

Luo Tian looked relaxed, a playful smirk touching his lips.

’I’m not aiming for first place anymore anyway. Messing with Tang Wei wouldn’t be so bad.’

"If you dare to make a move, believe me, I will make sure you have no place to stand in the Holy Mansion."

Tang Wei’s voice was laced with a terrifying chill.

Luo Tian remained unmoved, thinking to himself, ’You say that as if you’d treat me well in the Holy Mansion even if I did nothing.’

If Tang Wei managed to take first place, things would be even more troublesome for him in the Holy Mansion.

"I can’t be bothered to deal with a bunch of losers like you."

Luo Tian waved his hand dismissively.

With that, he backed away some distance.

Huh?

Tang Wei and his men were a little surprised, but they also breathed a small sigh of relief.

’That worthless commoner knows his place. Once I take first place, I’ll crush you in the Holy Mansion!’

Tang Wei glared coldly at Luo Tian’s back.

But just then, Luo Tian suddenly circulated his True Qi and shouted:

"Nangong Yu!"

"There’s a Mist Shadow Warrior at the Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening here, and Tang Wei is about to kill it!"

"Nangong Yu! If you don’t come now, first place will be handed over to someone else!"

...

The voice, bolstered by True Qi, echoed throughout the valley.

The entire valley was only two or three li in area, so as long as one wasn’t in some remote corner, the shout could be heard.

"Shut your mouth!"

Tang Wei’s face was ashen. He was burning with rage, on the verge of exploding.

Qi Hong, Wu Chuan, and the other underlings were stunned, bewildered, and at a complete loss.

In just ten more breaths, Tang Wei would have been able to kill the Armored Warrior. Who could have expected Luo Tian to pull a stunt like this?

Yes, Luo Tian hadn’t made a move.

But the result of this was ten times worse than if he had!

SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

Soon, young geniuses from the vicinity were drawn over one by one.

"Wow! Is there really a Mist Shadow Warrior at the Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening?"

"How many marks would you get for killing that?"

The eyes of these youths flickered with greed.

With the increase in people, a large number of Mist Shadow Warriors appeared nearby, interfering with Tang Wei’s plan to kill the main one.

"Damn it! Luo Tian, you’d better hope you don’t fall into my hands in the future."

Tang Wei’s face was so dark it looked like water could drip from it. His murderous gaze swept over Luo Tian.

SWOOSH!

Suddenly, a handsome, long-haired youth with a jade-like face gracefully approached the chaotic area.

"It’s Nangong Yu!"

"Nangong Yu is here too! Now we’ve got a good show to watch."

The crowd of youths present all made way for him.

’There really is a Mist Shadow Warrior at the Seventh Layer of Meridian Opening. If I hadn’t noticed, first place would have fallen into Tang Wei’s hands.’

A look of surprise appeared on Nangong Yu’s face, and he felt a little fortunate.

His gaze fell upon Luo Tian, who was shouting nearby, and he couldn’t help but nod.

"Well done! I, Nangong Yu, owe you a favor."