The Grand Luo Heaven Sacrifice was forced to pause for a day due to Wang Ai's "accident" and the severe damage to the arena.
On the fifth day of the Grand Luo Heaven Sacrifice, the highly anticipated semi-finals to determine the top two participants kicked off on a brand-new arena.
The first match: Ian versus Wang Ye of Wudang.
The atmosphere at Dragon-Tiger Mountain was bizarre. Every eye was focused on this contest, with everyone eager to see how this lazy Wudang Taoist would deal with Ian's utterly ridiculous "Xingyi Quan."
Just as the gong sounded, Wang Ye took one look at the equally sluggish Ian, then walked over to the referee and said calmly, "I surrender."
Those three words instantly set the crowd off.
"What the hell?"
"Fight, big brother! I want to see blood flow like a river!"
"I even prepared my melon seeds, and that's it?"
"Ref! Refund my money!"
The stands erupted in chaos. The referee stood dazed, doubting if his ears were functioning correctly.
Facing the skepticism, Wang Ye merely shook his head, his expression remaining placid. He knew the gap between their strengths was far too wide; there was no point in risking his life when sleeping was much more interesting.
Before leaving, he gave Ian a long, deep look—as if confirming something, yet also as if he hadn't seen through anything at all—and silently left the stage.
Wang Ye's mind was as clear as a mirror. Fight Ian? What a joke. His own level of cultivation was likely no different from an ant's in front of that man.
Two nights ago, he had already contacted his elders at Wudang Mountain. The "Chaos" that appeared during his Inner Landscape deduction was actually recorded in ancient texts. Legend has it that the ancestor surnamed Zhang who ascended to immortality once had similar scenes appear in his Inner Landscape.
This was sufficient proof that Ian was not an existence that could be explained by common logic. Pointless struggle was meaningless and might even invite trouble.
'Time to slip away. Whoever wants to tread into these muddy waters can go right ahead.'
And just like that, Ian advanced to the finals.
Everyone's attention quickly shifted to the other semi-final—Zhang Chulan versus the Junior Master of Dragon-Tiger Mountain, Zhang Lingyu.
This match was full of highlights. Both were surnamed Zhang, both possessed the Golden Light Curse and Lightning Release, yet they represented completely different systems. One was the orthodox Five Elements Lightning of the Celestial Master Mansion, emphasizing purity and subtlety; the other was the mysterious lightning Zhang Chulan practiced—domineering, wild, and radiating an aura of destruction.
Zhang Chulan stood in the center of the arena, feeling the 350,000 volts of current roaring and surging through his body.
After witnessing Ian explosively kill a member of the Ten Masters, his mindset had gradually shifted. He decided he would no longer hide his true self. A domineering, aggressive aura radiated from him without reservation; he was a completely different person from the Zhang Chulan of a month ago.
Opposite him, Zhang Lingyu was dressed in white, looking like a banished immortal. However, while he appeared calm on the surface, his clenched fists and the Black Water Lightning flowing over his body betrayed his inner turmoil. He sensed an unprecedented power from his opponent.
The battle gong sounded again!
Zhang Lingyu struck first, using his most refined Yin Five Elements Lightning. The dark purple lightning was as viscous as a living creature, carrying a soul-eroding chill as it surged from all sides to ensnare Zhang Chulan.
Zhang Chulan didn't even blink.
Zzzzt—!
Even more violent blue-white electricity erupted from his body, forming a flickering, jumping shield! The Yin Five Elements Lightning slammed into it with a sizzling sound but failed to breach that layer of chaotic barrier!
Zhang Chulan kicked off the ground!
Boom!
The ground shook as he shot out like a cannonball, charging straight for Zhang Lingyu!
Seeing Zhang Chulan's charge, Zhang Lingyu immediately shifted his technique. Golden light covered his body, turning him into a dazzling golden man as he swung his fist to meet Zhang Chulan!
The Golden Light Curse versus Magnetic Field Punching!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Dull explosions rang out in succession! Golden light and electricity collided and annihilated each other!
Zhang Lingyu's palm techniques were exquisite and his movement was ghostly, each strike aiming for Zhang Chulan's vitals. Zhang Chulan used "brute force to suppress ten skills"! His movements were grand and wide-reaching, each punch carrying thousands of volts. His strength and speed were beyond imagination!
The shockwaves from their every collision left the new arena charred, with lightning scorch marks spreading like spiderwebs!
After several rounds of confrontation, Zhang Lingyu was already under immense pressure. Every punch from Zhang Chulan shook him until his arms were numb and his Qi was in disarray. The offensive was too brutal.
'No, if this continues, I will surely lose!'
Zhang Lingyu's gaze sharpened as he went all out. The Yin Five Elements Lightning was pushed to its limit, the dark purple light soaring.
Water-Filth Lightning!
This was the most sinister and peculiar variation of the Yin Five Elements Lightning, specifically designed to counter rigid strength. The dark purple Water-Filth Lightning acted like a disease clinging to bone, attempting to overcome hardness with softness and penetrate Zhang Chulan's defensive current.
On the stage, golden light, black lightning, and blue electricity intertwined frantically! The energy agitated, making for a terrifying scene!
Zhang Chulan only felt a slight stinging on his skin, like ants crawling. Though the impact was minimal, it thoroughly ignited the wildness in his heart!
Played enough.
"EXPLODE—FOR—ME!!!"
Amidst his roar, the output surged directly into the 350,000-volt Current Push! Terrifying power gathered at his knuckles!
Current Push, 350,000 volts! Sea Tiger Blasting Punch!
The air distorted violently as blue-white arcs condensed into a ferocious orca head! The pure destructive power made the entire crowd's hearts skip a beat!
The Golden Light Curse that Zhang Lingyu had deployed with all his might shattered like wet paper!
At the final moment, Zhang Chulan barely managed to exert control, pulling back most of his strength and shifting the direction. The force of the punch merely grazed past, yet it still sent Zhang Lingyu spinning away!
Pfft!
Zhang Lingyu coughed up blood mid-air, the remaining fragments of golden light on his body flickering. He crashed heavily to the ground, sliding over ten meters before stopping.
Looking up at Zhang Chulan, who stood in the field with electricity surging like a raging tide, a flash of complex emotion crossed his eyes. Finally, he dispelled the Qi around him.
"I surrender."
This time, he surrendered with total conviction. The opponent's power had exceeded the scope of what he could handle; further fighting was futile.
Zhang Chulan stood in place, seemingly thinking of something as a look like he was constipated crossed his face.
'I almost couldn't stop! It would have been a real problem if I'd killed him. Trying to pass over an ant without crushing it to death is a real technical skill!'
Now he finally understood how Ian felt.
Electricity crackled across his body, blue and white light flashing intermittently. The surging power within had fundamentally changed him. The Zhang Chulan who hid in corners and acted with extreme caution was dead; standing here was a new Zhang Chulan who possessed terrifying power and no longer feared anything.
The referee snapped back to reality, looked at the battered Zhang Lingyu and the terrifyingly poised Zhang Chulan, and announced after a difficult swallow:
"The winner of this match... Zhang Chulan!"
A tsunami of noise immediately erupted from the crowd!
"Holy crap? The Junior Master lost too?"
"How is this lightning different from the Celestial Master Mansion's? Why does his feel stronger?"
"Total crushing victory!"
"Is this the Origin of the Qi Body? It doesn't feel right! This is too sinister!"
"Wang Ye surrenders, Zhang Lingyu is defeated... how did this kid suddenly become so strong?"
"Yeah! Who cares about all that! I want to see the finals! I want to see blood flow like a river!"
"Exactly, it doesn't matter who wins or loses! Seeing such an exciting match is already worth the ticket price!"
The young outcasts discussed feverishly, their eyes filled with shock and apprehension. Wang Ye's active surrender was ridiculous enough, but Zhang Chulan actually defeated Zhang Lingyu! And in such a wild fashion!
First, Ian's one-punch kill of Wang Ai shook the outcast world, and now Zhang Chulan had displayed strength far beyond his peers! This time, they truly couldn't understand the Grand Luo Heaven Sacrifice!
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zhang Chulan suppressed the electricity on his body. He showed no pride of a victor, standing calmly as if the shocking duel was a trivial matter. His gaze pierced through the crowd, as if searching for someone.
'I wonder if my expression captured the essence of Brother Ian. By the way, was Brother Ian even down there watching my match?'
With that, the final list was officially confirmed—Zhang Chulan versus Ian!
One was a mysterious, terrifying existence that likely surpassed all known systems!
The other was a rising star of the outcasts who had undergone a total transformation, turning from harmless to ferocious in just a month!
This ultimate confrontation ignited everyone's expectations. The entire outcast world held its breath!
However, Zhang Chulan knew very well that he was far from being Ian's match. All he could do was give it his all to help Ian enjoy himself a little!
----
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