Chapter 236: Chapter 236: Come Out and Fight
“Is the Azure Thunder Python truly that formidable?” an Elder from the Sky-Stepping Sect asked timidly.
“Extremely powerful!” Zhao Jinzhou’s expression was extraordinarily grave, “Beyond imagination.” He paused then added, “In just one move, an island that had existed for countless years within a hundred miles shattered into pieces around it!”
A torrent of shock and awe surged within everyone’s hearts.
Even though they had not witnessed the battle with their own eyes, they could still imagine how shocking that scene must have been.
The islands that had stood for innumerable years under the dominion of the Green Sea God Sect had withstood the ravages of time but not the strike of the Azure Thunder Python.
Long Xingtian, Zhu Xuan, Li Qianqian, Gu Shaozong, and others were so frightened that they dared not speak, and all were silent.
“When you go to the Red Moon Forest in the future, make sure you stay far away from Thunder Lake, understand?” Li Hong solemnly warned his granddaughter Li Qianqian after a long while.
He knew his beloved granddaughter feared neither heaven nor earth; she had previously sneaked close to Thunder Lake while in the Red Moon Forest.
If she truly angered the Azure Thunder Python, by that time, not to mention him, even if her father Li Dong personally took action, he might not be able to save her.
Li Qianqian, who always feared neither heaven nor earth, solemnly nodded: “I understand, Grandfather.”
Zhao Jinzhou from the Sky-Stepping Sect also warned Long Xingkong, Zhu Xuan, and others with an unprecedentedly serious tone, “When you enter the Red Moon Forest in the future, you must also stay far away from Thunder Lake, do you understand?”
“We will follow the Elder’s orders!” Inside, shaken, Long Xingkong, Zhu Xuan, and others agreed respectfully.
Jiu Wu also sternly warned the disciples of the Subduing Dragon Sword Sect not to approach Thunder Lake in the Red Moon Forest.
The Elders from the Mahayana Divine Sect and others did the same.
“A few days ago, the Azure Thunder Python and that being from the volcano fought, did the one from the volcano lose?” Wang Zhou suddenly asked.
Everyone exchanged glances.
Zhao Jinzhou shook his head: “Such beings are beyond our speculation.”
Without realizing it, Zhao Jinzhou, Li Hong, Wang Zhou, and others arrived at the Divine Dragon Square.
The main hall of the True Dragon Divine Sect was located at True Dragon Peak, with the Divine Dragon Square situated halfway up the mountain, even larger than the Divine Dragon Square in the Imperial Capital.
Hu Nan had already arrived and, seeing Li Hong, Zhao Jinzhou, and the others coming, he approached from afar and greeted them with a smile and a fist salute, “My humble apologies for the lack of hospitality over the past few days, please forgive me.”
Li Hong responded with a smile, “Sect Master Hu, you are too kind.”
After some pleasantries with everyone, Hu Nan invited the guests to take their seats.
Once seated, Li Hong said to Hu Nan and Long Hao with a smile, “The True Dragon Divine Sect has produced a peerless genius like You Yi, a fact that truly makes us envious.”
Long Hao laughed heartily, “The Green Lotus Tower Master flatters us.” Then, turning to You Yi behind him, he said, “You Yi, come and greet the Green Lotus Tower Master.”
You Yi quickly stepped forward and bowed, “My respects to the Green Lotus Tower Master.”
“Excellent!” Li Hong exclaimed with a smile, “An extraordinary presence, a dragon among men.”
Just then, the crowd stirred suddenly. Li Hong looked up to see, in the distance, Long Lan, Qingxuan, and a large group of experts from the Divine Dragon Imperial Clan flying towards them.
By Qingxuan’s side were Yang Xiaotian, Yang Ling’er, and others.
Li Hong’s gaze landed on Yang Xiaotian.
Originally, he had not planned to come to the True Dragon Divine Sect for this True Dragon examination.
But upon learning that Yang Xiaotian was now a disciple of the True Dragon Divine Sect and was participating in this examination, he changed his mind as if compelled by some demon and came with his granddaughter.
Back at the auction, Yang Xiaotian had made him lose face; he wanted to witness with his own eyes how Yang Xiaotian would be trounced by You Yi.
Li Qianqian, Gu Shaozong, Long Xingtian, Zhu Xuan, Lan Yi, and many others saw Yang Xiaotian with unfriendly expressions, particularly Gu Shaozong and Zhu Xuan—who wished they could cut Yang Xiaotian into pieces.
You Yi, Hu Yue, Wang Yao, and others felt the same.
Yang Xiaotian, aware of the hostile gazes from Li Qianqian, Gu Shaozong, You Yi, and others, which felt like knives, paid them no mind. He walked into the Divine Dragon Square chatting and laughing with Qingxuan.
As various experts continued to arrive, Hu Nan, seeing that the time was right, announced the beginning of the True Dragon examination.
Normally, opponents in the previous True Dragon examinations were determined by drawing lots. However, You Yi suddenly stepped forward, saying to Hu Nan, “Sect Master, I have a request that I hope you will grant.”
Hu Nan and Long Hao exchanged glances, smiling, “May we know what it is?”
You Yi bowed and said, “You Yi and Yang Xiaotian were both specially recruited into the True Dragon Divine Sect. Yang Xiaotian, having condensed five of the Strongest Sword Hearts, is hailed as an unmatched genius of the Sword Dao and even wields Divine Flame. He is considered a once-in-an-empire Alchemy genius. I’ve always wanted the opportunity to spar with him and would ask the Sect Master to grant this wish!”
Hu Nan was surprised.
He couldn’t help but turn his gaze toward Yang Xiaotian.
All eyes were on Yang Xiaotian.
Zhu Xuan smiled and said, “This should be interesting to watch.”
Long Xingkong chuckled, “What do you think, will Yang Xiaotian dare to accept this challenge?”
Gu Shaozong grinned, “If he accepts, he’s bound to lose! If he refuses, he’ll be ridiculed by all the disciples of the True Dragon Divine Sect!”
Li Qianqian, taking delight in calamity, said, “If it were me, I wouldn’t know how to choose either.”
Hu Nan pondered for a moment and smilingly asked Yang Xiaotian, “Xiaotian, what do you say?”
Yang Ling’er, pouting, said, “Master, you’re biased.”
Hu Nan was taken aback and said affectionately, “How is Master biased?”
Yang Ling’er replied, “Everyone knows that You Yi has already condensed six of the Strongest Sword Hearts, while my brother has only five.”
Hu Nan chuckled and said, “Well then, let’s decide by drawing lots.”
Yang Xiaotian stepped forward, cupped his fists towards Hu Nan, and said, “Sect Master, I am willing to fight.”
Willing to fight!
The moment the words were out, everyone was surprised.
“Brother,” Yang Ling’er was about to speak when Yang Xiaotian shook his hand and then stepped forward to the center of the Divine Dragon Square. He looked at You Yi indifferently, “Didn’t you want a fight? Come on out and let’s battle!”
Upon hearing this, You Yi leaped up and landed in the center of the Divine Dragon Square. Standing before Yang Xiaotian, he spoke calmly and collectedly, “Yang Xiaotian, if you do not wish to, you can refuse this fight. I do not like to force others.”
“Make your move,” Yang Xiaotian said idly, uninterested in the other’s pretense.
He knew full well what his opponent was thinking.
You Yi walked toward Yang Xiaotian, “Yang Xiaotian, I will let you strike first.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than a figure flashed; Yang Xiaotian had already approached him and threw a fierce punch that blasted forth instantly.
You Yi was startled and raised his fist to meet the oncoming punch.
Their fists collided with explosive force.
A shockwave swept through the area.
You Yi only felt pain in his fist, as he was forced to retreat repeatedly, ending up dozens of meters away.
Everyone was stunned.
Even Hu Nan, Long Hao, Li Hong, and others were greatly surprised.
“Martial Ancestor!” the crowd exclaimed in surprise, looking at Yang Xiaotian.
You Yi clenched his fist, eyeing Yang Xiaotian with disdain, “So you’ve already broken through to the Martial Ancestor Realm, no wonder you dare to fight me. But, Yang Xiaotian, do you think just because you’ve broken through to the Martial Ancestor Realm, you have the strength to fight me?”
Hu Nan watched Yang Xiaotian, deeply disappointed.
In his view, since Yang Xiaotian had only mastered five Supreme Divine Powers to reach Summit Mastery and then broken through to the Martial Ancestor Realm, he must have formed an upper-quality Golden Core.
“What a pity!” he sighed to himself.
Yang Xiaotian, possessing Divine Flame, had unlimited potential. Hu Nan had placed high hopes on him, wishing for Yang Xiaotian to cultivate all ten Supreme Divine Powers to Summit Mastery before breaking through to the Martial Ancestor Realm, at which point he would have formed a top-quality Golden Core.
But alas, Yang Xiaotian had broken through to the Martial Ancestor all too soon.
Li Hong also shook his head.
Even Liang Yafei, who had brought Yang Xiaotian into the True Dragon Divine Sect, was filled with disappointment.