“How is it possible, how could that freak’s legacy still exist!” the youth exclaimed in lingering fear.
This youth was none other than the one who had taken Zi Yi’s appearance.
Now, his guise had faded, revealing a strikingly handsome young man.
“He went there. That freak should have died long ago. How could his legacy remain…”
The youth was puzzled and frustrated, then muttered urgently. “No, ten thousand years have passed. Whether Shengshi has arrived or not, this time, I must escape this place.”
With that, he sped off in another direction.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiao was flying low, now far more cautious after his earlier encounter.
After covering dozens of miles, another figure appeared ahead.
Lin Xiao recognised this youth, one of the thirty-five who had stood before the Illusion Array Gate, hailed as Xiang Tianhen from the Xiang Family.
But Lin Xiao wasn’t sure if this was an illusion beast or the real Xiang Tianhen within the array.
Be it beast or human, this youth exuded a powerful aura, clearly exceptional even among first-level Martial Lords.
“Didn’t expect the first I’d meet would be you, the guy who rushed into the Illusion Array Gate!” the youth said, smirking coldly after a brief pause. “Of course, you’ll also be the first unlucky one eliminated.”
With that, he drew a soft sword, radiating killing intent.
No hesitation, ready to strike.
Lin Xiao gripped his Yaoguang Broken Sword, surging with power. Since the opponent wanted a fight, he was ready to oblige.
“Xiang Tianhen, your opponent is me!”
At that moment, a booming shout echoed.
A robust figure darted in front of Lin Xiao.
He wielded a halberd, his presence imposing, brimming with battle intent.
“Xing Feng!” Xiang Tianhen’s brows furrowed, a flicker of wariness in his eyes.
The Xing Family ranked high among Martial Emperor families, and Xing Feng’s reputation had preceded him before entering the gate.
“Lin Xiao, leave. I’ll handle him,” Xing Feng said calmly.
“Why are you helping me?” Lin Xiao was puzzled. He didn’t know Xing Feng, and neither the Purple Emperor nor the Wanxiang Pavilion had mentioned the Xing Family as allies. Why would he intervene?
“Someone wants you to reach the next round,” Xing Feng said indifferently.
Lin Xiao frowned. The words sounded less than benevolent.
It could be someone tied to the Purple Family or Wanxiang Pavilion, aiding his advancement.
But a less friendly motive wasn’t impossible.
“Who?” Lin Xiao pressed.
“You’ll find out in time. I don’t need your help. Just go,” Xing Feng said impatiently.
Lin Xiao frowned but nodded. “Fine!”
With that, he flew off.
Since Xing Feng insisted, let him handle it. Every genius had their pride.
Besides, Xiang Tianhen had no points yet, so killing him was pointless.
“Damned human, get out of the illusion!”
After Lin Xiao flew a hundred miles, a cold shout rang out. A middle-aged man appeared before him.
“An illusion beast in human form?”
Lin Xiao studied the man, certain this was an illusion beast.
First, only youths entered the array.
Second, the man directly called him “human.”
But the beast’s consciousness surprised Lin Xiao.
These illusion beasts were too lifelike, as if they had their own lives.
“Let’s see who falls!” Lin Xiao retorted, unleashing a Great Azure Dragon Slash.
Roar!
A dragon’s cry resounded as brilliant azure light formed a dragon, surging with terrifying force into the sky.
The man’s brows furrowed. He struck with a palm, unleashing a torrent of force like a storm, clashing with Lin Xiao’s dragon sword beam.
“Boom!”
A massive explosion erupted. The man’s palm force collapsed instantly, and the weakened dragon beam struck him.
“Pfft!” Blood sprayed from the man’s mouth as he was blasted back, crashing into a nearby mountain, shattering it into dust.
Lin Xiao’s strength, at the fifth or sixth Martial Venerable level, could sweep ninth-level Martial Venerables. This man’s ninth-level cultivation couldn’t withstand his strike.
One hit, and he was gravely injured.
“How is this possible? You’re only a seventh-level Martial Venerable. How are you so strong!” the man gasped, then transformed. Mist surged, revealing a massive spiritual leopard.
“So, a spiritual leopard. Too ordinary,” Lin Xiao said, shaking his head.
“You dare insult me!” the leopard roared, leaping forward, its claws slashing out. Brilliant golden light, laced with fierce energy, tore towards Lin Xiao.
“Great Azure Dragon Slash!”
Lin Xiao didn’t hold back, unleashing the technique again, this time with his full seventh-level Martial Venerable power, infused with martial intent and a blood dragon phenomenon.
Terrifying force formed a solid azure dragon, crashing into the golden light.
Boom!
A deafening blast. The golden light shattered into waves, and the dragon beam struck the leopard, exploding its body with a “bang!”
Lin Xiao felt a jolt in his palm, as if something stirred.
Glancing down, he saw his name now in bold red, standing out, with his score shifting from zero to one.
Among the names on his palm, rankings had reshuffled. He was tied for seventh, with around twenty others.
Duan Tianya led with ten points.
Ping Tianhao was second with three.
Five tied for third with two points.
Clearly, in this short time, many had begun hunting illusion beasts.
Duan Tianya was exceptional, likely encountering and killing a sixth-tier primary illusion beast soon after entering.
His strength was formidable.
Lin Xiao also noticed the original 148 participants had dropped to 145. Three had been eliminated, likely by others or powerful beasts.
“There’s battle noise!” At that moment, two figures flew towards Lin Xiao.
