“Boom!”
The two attacks collided, erupting into vast, ocean-like waves of energy that surged and roared in all directions.
In that instant, Yan Huashu retreated violently, withdrawing into the platform behind him. All the rolling waves of energy crashed against the platform’s barrier and were blocked outside.
This was the advantage of the arena. Attacking from beside the platform allowed one to avoid being caught in the backlash.
On the other side, Zhu Dingshan was completely engulfed by the immense energy and temporarily vanished from sight.
Moreover, across the entire island, the array barriers of all platforms had activated. The vast energy waves flooded every area except inside the platforms, leaving rolling fluctuations everywhere.
One could imagine how powerful the explosion from this clash had been.
From the situation, the exchange appeared evenly matched.
However, Yan Huashu had the advantage of striking first and positional benefit, having retreated into the platform’s array.
Zhu Dingshan was different. He had already been swallowed by the rolling energy.
It was highly likely that he would either be severely injured or blasted back to the number one platform where the other spiritual controllers stood.
Once forced back to the number one platform, that would count as leaving the field.
At this moment, everyone’s gaze fixed on the spot from which Zhu Dingshan had charged.
Lin Xiao, watching from inside the number one platform, frowned because Zhu Dingshan had not been forced back at all.
When the energy finally dissipated, everyone saw Zhu Dingshan still standing in his original position, enveloped in a spiritual power defensive barrier, completely unharmed.
“Good heavens, Zhu Dingshan is that strong? Two energy pills plus a primary spirit, such a massive impact, and he is fine?”
“A seventh-rank high-level spiritual controller is truly formidable. Even those vast fluctuations did not shake him in the slightest.”
“The top ten seventh-rank high-level spiritual controllers are no ordinary figures. This Zhu Dingshan may not be weaker than Dantai Wenjun or Duanmu Gaoming.”
“Zhu Dingshan turns out to be a dark horse!”
…
The crowd erupted in astonished discussion. To be caught in such energy waves yet remain utterly unmoved, Zhu Dingshan was simply too powerful.
The people from Minn Province wore proud expressions. Zhu Dingshan represented Minn Province, and the more outstanding he was, the more glory it brought them.
“Hmph, mere pills cannot touch me!” With a cold snort, Zhu Dingshan moved and charged violently towards Yan Huashu.
Yan Huashu’s brow twitched. He immediately called out loudly, “I forfeit!”
Two energy pills plus his strongest attack had failed to shake the opponent even slightly. Continuing would only lead to injury and defeat. There was no need to fight on.
As soon as Yan Huashu spoke, Zhu Dingshan halted. His speed was such that he stopped just outside Yan Huashu’s platform.
“You know when to quit!” With a cold snort, Zhu Dingshan turned and flew back to the number one platform where the group stood.
Yan Huashu also took off and soon returned to the number one platform.
“He is very strong. You will have to handle it yourself.” Yan Huashu shrugged at Lin Xiao, sounding helpless.
“He is very strong.” Lin Xiao also frowned.
“Group one, Zhu Dingshan wins. Now, number one from group two steps forward to challenge.” The referee shouted from high above.
This round alternated between the two groups. After the first group’s match ended, the arena would be handed to the second group for their second match.
At this point, Lin Xiao and the others saw Hou Zixiao, the elder from Hao Province in group two, fly forward and land at the edge of a platform ahead. Looking towards the spiritual controllers of group two on the number one platform, he declared, “Murong Dian, come out and fight!”
Group two consisted entirely of seventh-rank high-level spiritual controllers, and Murong Dian, at only thirty years old, appeared the weakest. Thus, Hou Zixiao chose him.
Murong Dian, dressed in black robes, wore an expression of utter indifference. Without a word, he flew out from the crowd.
“Whoosh!”
As soon as Murong Dian charged out, Hou Zixiao controlled a halberd weapon, sending it shooting towards him.
Murong Dian’s body flashed, dodging to the other side of the number one platform. The halberd pursued him again.
Spiritual power surged from Murong Dian and instantly attached to the weapon. With a fierce control, he drove the halberd deep into the ground.
“Whoosh!”
Immediately after, Murong Dian charged forward. An inkstone-shaped spiritual form condensed and smashed towards Hou Zixiao.
“Hmm?”
Hou Zixiao’s brow furrowed in surprise. Murong Dian had actually managed to drive his controlled halberd into the ground.
“Swoosh!”
Hou Zixiao flashed aside, evading the inkstone spiritual form attack. He did not meet it head-on, allowing the spiritual form to smash into the platform, unleashing rolling fluctuations that forced him back.
However, Hou Zixiao’s spiritual power was still attached to the halberd. The weapon shot diagonally into the sky, erupting in golden light. With a horizontal slash in mid-air, it unleashed a brilliant golden beam. The beam swept with rolling fluctuations, slashing diagonally towards Murong Dian.
This was not an energy weapon. Energy weapons could release their stored energy, depleting it over time.
This halberd was merely a special weapon. Infused with spiritual power, it produced force similar to that of primal force driving a weapon.
It was somewhat akin to Lin Xiao’s skeletal palm, though of lower grade.
Still, this surprised the onlookers. Hou Zixiao’s weapon posed a considerable threat to others.
Murong Dian enveloped his body in a spiritual power defensive barrier. The golden beam struck it directly. A massive “boom” resounded as the beam shattered, turning into towering waves of energy that blasted Murong Dian away.
The spiritual power defence around Murong Dian also collapsed.
“Is that all?”
A disdainful look appeared on Hou Zixiao’s face. He infused spiritual power into the halberd again and slashed out another golden beam.
This time, however, Murong Dian reacted extremely quickly. His body flashed, and the golden beam missed, slashing past his side.
At that moment, Murong Dian summoned a massive book-shaped spiritual form, substantially materialised to six or seven tenths. It hurtled at extreme speed towards Hou Zixiao.
“Primary spirit?” Seeing the opponent’s spiritual form reach six or seven tenths materialisation, Hou Zixiao’s brow furrowed. He hurriedly abandoned control of the halberd and unleashed his own primary spirit attack.
“Whoosh!” A massive ape-beast spiritual form materialised, reaching five or six tenths substantialisation. It exuded vast mental pressure, whistling through the air as it collided with the book spiritual form.
“Boom!”
A tremendous explosion rang out. The ape-beast spiritual form shattered completely, while the book spiritual form only dissipated by half and continued smashing towards Hou Zixiao.
“What!” Hou Zixiao’s face filled with shock. He had never imagined that Murong Dian, whom he had casually repelled with a single halberd strike, possessed such a powerful primary spirit, one that utterly crushed his strongest primary spirit attack.
Moreover, it still carried immense spiritual power as it continued its assault against him.
