Chapter 403 - 149: Ranking (3)
One disciple after another ascended the platform, fought their match, and withdrew. On the Cyan Qilin Platform, the carcasses of exotic beasts were replaced one after the other.
As time passed, the assessments for the Main Peak Disciples concluded. Next to take the stage were the disciples from Celestial Derivation Peak, and among them, the most stunning performance naturally came from the renowned Zhao Chong.
Zhao Chong was dressed in martial attire, his attacks fierce and powerful. The winds from his Sky-Splitting Fist howled. With just two punches, he brutally pummeled a Rock Armor Rhinoceros to death, causing several Elders in the viewing gallery to nod slightly.
After Celestial Derivation Peak came Thunder Peak. Qin Wenbao’s Sea-Covering Palm truly lived up to its reputation. His Palm Force surged like the tide, and in just two or three moves, he struck a Gale Leopard until it coughed up blood and collapsed.
After that was Zhenyue Peak. Gao Yang and Xu Ziqiang were absent. While the other disciples’ performances were eye-catching, they lacked the sharp edge of top-tier experts.
Soon, it was the Lingxi Peak disciples’ turn to take the stage.
The Main Peak Steward walked onto the Cyan Qilin Platform once more, cleared his throat, and announced loudly, "Lingxi Peak, Inner Sect Disciple, Zhang Hengyi!"
As his voice fell, a tall, upright figure strode out from the Lingxi Peak ranks. It was Zhang Hengyi, the number one disciple on the Spirit Tide Dragon and Tiger List compiled by Lin Ziheng.
His expression turned stern, his usual composure giving way to a sharp intensity. He ascended the Cyan Qilin Platform step by step, each footfall causing the cyan stone slabs to tremble slightly.
Another Main Peak Steward immediately leaped onto the high platform carrying a large iron cage. The cage door opened, and a goat-like exotic beast shot out, roaring.
This goat beast was twice the size of a normal goat. Its twin horns were bluish-black, like a pair of tempered daggers glinting with a menacing cold light. The moment it appeared, it lowered its head and charged violently toward Zhang Hengyi.
Zhang Hengyi’s eyes narrowed. Instead of retreating, he advanced, clenching his fists as Inner Strength gathered in his palms.
He sidestepped, dodging the piercing horns, then spun and landed a Heavy Fist viciously against the goat beast’s ribs.
The goat beast shrieked in pain, turned, and charged again, but Zhang Hengyi exploited the opening, landing three more punches in the exact same spot.
On the fifth move, he suddenly threw a sweeping kick, striking hard against the back of the beast’s knee.
With a sharp CRACK, the goat beast’s leg bone snapped. Its massive body crashed to the ground. It struggled to rise, but could only flail its limbs in vain, unable to get back up.
The fight ended cleanly and decisively. Zhang Hengyi withdrew his fist and stood straight, his breathing even, as if he had just completed a trivial task.
Cheers erupted from the audience below.
Zhang Hengyi turned and walked off the Cyan Qilin Platform.
Immediately after, the Main Peak Steward called out the next name, "Lingxi Peak, Inner Sect Disciple, Chen Xuexiang!"
Chen Xuexiang stepped forward. He was ranked second on the Spirit Tide Dragon and Tiger List, second only to Zhang Hengyi.
In contrast to Zhang Hengyi’s steadiness, his Body Technique was more agile, and he leaped onto the Cyan Qilin Platform with nimble steps.
His opponent was a gigantic black wolf beast.
The black wolf’s fur was ink-black and its build was powerful and agile. A ferocious light shone from its eerie green eyes, and its aura was a notch stronger than the goat beast’s.
The moment it was released, the black wolf became a black shadow, pouncing on Chen Xuexiang. Its sharp claws tore through the air, stirring up a foul wind.
Chen Xuexiang’s figure flickered, and he dodged the claws like a phantom. Tapping his toes on the stone slab, he shot upward, then dove like a hawk, unleashing a barrage of punches aimed at the black wolf’s vital points.
The black wolf dodged left and right, but it could not escape the flurry of his fists.
In less than five moves, Chen Xuexiang found an opening and slapped his palm onto the top of the black wolf’s skull. The wolf let out a muffled grunt, collapsed stiffly, and went silent.
At first glance, it seemed Chen Xuexiang had dispatched his opponent as quickly as Zhang Hengyi, and against an even stronger foe, making his performance appear slightly more brilliant.
But everyone knew this was just the strength assessment; the real competition had not yet begun.
Many disciples would intentionally hold back and not reveal their full strength.
When Zhang Hengyi attacked, his control over his fist’s power was effortless. He had clearly held back, obviously keeping something in reserve.
Chen Xuexiang walked off the Cyan Qilin Platform, his gaze sweeping past Yang Jing before landing on Zhang Hengyi, who stood not far away. A flash of intense fighting spirit glinted in his eyes.
’In my opinion, Zhang Hengyi is my only true rival on Lingxi Peak.’
’As for Yang Jing, he’s just a rookie who recently entered the Inner Sect. He’s just here on the Cyan Qilin Platform to mess around, completely unworthy of my attention.’
Just then, the Main Peak Steward stepped onto the Cyan Qilin Platform again. His gaze swept over the Lingxi Peak disciples as he announced loudly, "Lingxi Peak, Inner Sect Disciple, Yang Jing!"
Yang Jing took a deep breath, calming the waves in his heart, and strode toward the Cyan Qilin Platform.
His pace wasn’t fast, but it was exceptionally steady, each step landing with solid purpose.
As Yang Jing stepped onto the Cyan Qilin Platform, the Main Peak Steward turned and descended.
At the same time, another Main Peak Steward carrying a heavy iron cage pushed off from his toes, leaping onto the platform like an arrow and landing steadily across from Yang Jing.
The cage door opened, and a ferocious aura washed over him.
Inside the cage was a massive wild boar, its dark bristles as hard as steel.
The boar was enormous, more than twice the size of a typical one. Its two tusks curved outward, glinting coldly, and its small eyes were filled with violence.
The moment it was freed, it let out a deafening roar, its hooves gouging deep marks into the cyan stone slabs.
The Main Peak Steward channeled his Inner Qi, driving the large wild boar completely out of the iron cage. Then, carrying the empty cage, he turned and leaped off the Cyan Qilin Platform.