Martial Arts Arena
Lu Xinran stood in the ring, head lowered and visibly nervous.
Opposite her, Ye Ran appeared relaxed and carefree, his hands casually behind his back.
The two presented a stark contrast.
The commotion this time was significant, nearly gathering all the disciples at the main peak.
The crowd surrounded the arena, buzzing with excitement.
"What's going on?"
"The Holy Son is going to fight Junior Sister!"
"Ahem! What are you saying? Isn't this like a gnat challenging a towering tree?"
"Junior Sister Lu offended the Holy Son; she's in for a tough time this round."
"I warned her before, to stop pestering the Son, or she'll regret it!"
"Junior Sister Lu has great talent; I hope the Holy Son will be merciful and not harm her progress."
"Considering the Holy Son's cold personality, Junior Sister Lu is likely to face a tough challenge... Sigh!"
A female disciple, usually close to Lu Xinran, had already gone to invite an Elder.
Those who offended the Holy Son seldom fared well.
Now, only when the elder arrived would there be a chance to protect Junior Sister Lu!
Not far away, a graceful figure descended, her gaze fixed on Ye Ran.
"Ran'er?"
In the arena, Ye Ran raised his index finger and spoke calmly, "There's a vast gap between our realms, and I won't use my full power. I won't rely on my cultivation base or use any spiritual weapons. I'll only use this finger."
"Just within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, you can use any technique. If you can land a hit on me, you win."
Using just a finger without relying on his cultivation base? This was blatant contempt!
"In the Holy Son's eyes, am I truly this inferior?" Lu Xinran felt aggrieved.
"Are you ready?"
"Ready!"
Lu Xinran slowly clenched her fists, determination in her eyes.
Even though she knew she wasn't a match, she had to give it her all to prove herself.
She was worthy of standing beside the Son of God!
"Let's begin, then."
Ye Ran beckoned with his finger, appearing relaxed and unguarded.
Lu Xinran took a deep breath, and her cultivation base in the Qi refining environment surged.
"Shun, Ying, strike!"
In a blur, she vanished from her spot and appeared behind Ye Ran in an instant, striking at his neck with both hands like knives.
It was the secret skill of You Luo Temple—Instant Shadow Killing!
Her figure became a shadow, delivering a swift blow!
However, the moment she swung her hands, a slender index finger touched her throat.
Lu Xinran's eyes widened.
"You're shouting so loudly, worried that others won't know your move? Try again." Ye Ran withdrew his finger, his tone unchanged.
"Huh~"
Lu Xinran adjusted her mindset, turned into a shadow, and attacked Ye Ran once more.
But no matter from which angle she attacked, that finger acted like a ghost, always finding her weaknesses.
Boom!
Ye Ran flicked her away, saying, "Faster!"
Boom!
"No matter how fast, it's still too slow!"
Boom!
"Still too slow! Is this your full strength?"
Boom!
Lu Xinran was sent flying and crashed heavily onto the ring.
She struggled to her feet, her clothes covered in dust and blood trickling from her mouth, looking extremely disheveled.
She felt intense pain from the point where he poked her as if her muscles and bones were on the verge of tearing.
Yet, Ye Ran stood with his hands behind his back, his white clothes spotless.
The disciples in the audience couldn't bear to watch.
Awful.
It was truly awful!
Was this the consequence of challenging the Holy Son?
"Holy Son, ensure her safety!"
Elder Sun hurried over.
Lu Xinran had considerable talent, second only to Ye Ran in You Luo Temple, and was her most promising disciple.
Her level was low simply because she hadn't been practicing for long.
"For the sake of the old lady's legacy, she mustn't have any mishaps!"
Just as Elder Sun was about to ascend the stage, a wave of terrifying pressure pushed him back to the ground.
She turned in shock, seeing Leng Wuyan standing behind her.
"Master Leng!"
Elder Sun kneeled hastily.
The unseen force raised her, and Leng Wuyan said calmly, "Do not intervene; observe closely."
"But..."
Sun Elder wanted to argue but held back.
"Even the sect master isn't intervening. Xin Ran, no one can save you now," Sun Elder sighed inwardly.
In the arena, Ye Ran shook his head, his disdain clear in his voice. "Can't hold on any longer? You still have ten breaths; you can choose to give up."
"Xin Ran, give up!"
"He's the Holy Son; you won't be disgraced if you lose!"
"Yes, don't hold on; you've reached your limit!"
The audience members called out anxiously.
Lu Xinran had a cute appearance and a sweet personality, and she was usually very popular among her fellow disciples.
Nobody wanted anything to happen to her.
"I haven't reached my limit yet; I still have a chance!"
Lu Xinran wiped the blood from her mouth, her eyes determined. "Holy Son, I will make you acknowledge me!"
"Oh, let's continue." Ye Ran said it indifferently.
"Fine."
Lu Xinran pushed her cultivation technique to the extreme; her entire body blurred, as if she wanted to merge with the shadows.
"Instant Prison—Shadow Kill!"
Her body exploded, turning into a multitude of shadows filling the sky, sweeping towards Ye Ran.
Her true form was concealed within the shadows; not even Divine Sense could easily lock onto it.
The disciples below widened their eyes. They didn't expect the usually charming junior sister to possess such formidable fighting prowess.
"Just cheap tricks."
Ye Ran nonchalantly pointed, and a muffled sound echoed in the air.
The gust of wind abruptly stopped; Lu Xinran's body froze in midair, and Ye Ran's index finger was precisely on her forehead.
Puff!
Lu Xinran coughed up blood, resembling a kite with a broken string, and crashed headfirst onto the ring.