Bang!!
The vine lashed out like a spirit serpent, but Yi Tianxing reacted even faster. At the very instant the vine emerged, his war spear had already thrust out, striking with deadly precision at the head of the vine. A violent surge of True Dragon Qi burst forth from the spear like a tidal wave, transforming into a powerful spear force that blasted directly into the vine. Coupled with the strength of Yi Tianxing's physical body channeled through the spear, the destructive energy poured into the vine.
The entire vine exploded inch by inch, as if bombarded by countless detonations, disintegrating in a flash into dust and fragments.
The scene was terrifying.
Suddenly, a sharp sound of something slicing through the air rang out behind him.
A cross-shaped sword light slashed toward Yi Tianxing's back like a white ribbon. The strike was swift as lightning and without warning—clearly a sneak attack.
Grull, wielding a greatsword, launched the blow using a unique technique. A holy aura shimmered within the sword light, as if it carried divine radiance.
Combat Skill – Holy Light Cross Slash (圣光十字剑)
The sword light seemed to seal the surrounding space.
"Hmph, I've been waiting for you. You really thought you could tail me without being noticed? I was going to give you a chance, but since you've made your move... then die."
Yi Tianxing's face showed no surprise, only calm confidence. He had already sensed someone secretly tailing him earlier. Though they believed themselves well-hidden, under the gaze of his Innate Yin-Yang Eyes, their presence had long been exposed. He'd simply waited to see what they were planning.
Now that they'd struck, there was no need for mercy.
With a quick sidestep, Yi Tianxing turned naturally to face Grull. He sneered inwardly: So the Westerners think I'm an easy target. From the start, they treated me like a sheep ripe for slaughter. Do they think Eastern cultivators are so easily bullied?
Though East and West differ in appearance and language, this act of immediate hostility—striking to kill without hesitation—left no room for diplomacy.
Since they want me dead, I'll oblige and send them first!
This was Yi Tianxing's creed—to show no mercy to those who seek his life.Slaughter all enemies. Destroy every threat.Carve a path of bones to ascend the road to the heavens.
Turning, he faced the incoming cross slash. His killing intent surged. His hair fluttered without wind.Instead of retreating, he advanced straight toward the sword light.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
He took three heavy steps forward, each one rumbling with force, his aura rising explosively. True Qi surged within him, his blood roared like a tide.
Raising his spear, he swung with full force.
No fancy techniques—just a clean, direct thrust toward the center of the cross slash.
Clang!!
The war spear collided with the cross-shaped sword light. Violent destructive force burst from the clash, the speed staggering, the battle energy within the sword light lashing out to repel the spear. But the True Dragon Qi, infused with the might of the Dragon-Taming Scripture, crushed the sword light completely.
Note: True Dragon Qi, cultivated through the Dragon-Taming Scripture (御龙天经), is far more tyrannical than ordinary True Qi or Western battle energy, and flows effortlessly through Yi Tianxing's meridians.
The sword light shattered, revealing Grull's greatsword underneath.
The two weapons clashed.
Grull's muscles bulged as he funneled energy into the sword—but the instant they met, his face twisted in horror. He felt like an ant colliding with an elephant.
A tidal wave of force crushed him.
With a deafening crash, the greatsword was knocked from his hands, fracturing and shattering into countless fragments.The war spear continued unhindered, piercing straight through Gru's chest. Its tip emerged from his back as blood blossomed like a flower. The violent energy rampaged through his body, destroying everything in its path.
Grull's large body was lifted into the air, impaled, dead on the spot.
The moment he died, his body dissolved into particles of light, like a firework, vanishing into the void.But strangely, his clothes and gear remained behind, falling to the ground.
Grull was dead. Instantly slain with a single spear.
"So this is the Martial Tournament's protection mechanism—instant light-body disappearance upon death, but... completely naked?" Yi Tianxing mused.
"You... you actually killed Grull ! With one spear!" Yorkris's face twisted in shock and horror. Even a sneak attack from Gru had failed completely. This kind of strength was beyond comprehension.
Still, Yorkris didn't flee. Instead, he raised his staff.
Whoosh!!
A massive Fireball gathered at the tip of his staff, burning with violent energy, hurling toward Yi Tianxing at high speed. At the same time, the staff moved again and again—
Wind Blade, Ice Shard, Earth Spike!!
Several spells erupted one after another, each powerful enough to kill a Divine Sea Realm cultivator. The onslaught was terrifying.
Then, Yorkris cast Wind Walk, causing his body to rise into the air and attempt to escape.
"You court death!!"
Yi Tianxing took another step. His spear retracted, then shot out again.
This strike contained the essence of martial will—a budding Spear Intent (矛意). Though not yet fully formed, it had begun to manifest.
Fragmented Jade Spear Art – Flawless White Jade Shines Across the Nine Provinces (碎玉矛法——白玉无瑕耀九州)
In a flash, nine identical spears appeared, surging forward through the air.
Each one targeted a different incoming spell.
One pierced through the Fireball, which exploded violently but couldn't stop the spear.
Another shattered the Wind Blade.Another pierced the Ice Shard with overwhelming Qi.The Earth Spike was stomped into dust by Yi Tianxing's foot.
The nine spears surged toward Yorkris.
His face contorted in panic. "Wind Shield! Flame Ring of Resistance!"
A flame ring and a wind barrier enveloped him. But the spears collided—light flashed, barriers shattered.
The remaining spears pierced Yorkris' body, pinning him violently to a nearby tree.
Blood streamed.
"So fast... such dominating power... is this the strength of an Eastern cultivator?"Yorkris screamed in unwilling disbelief. Then, like Grull, he dissolved into light and vanished.
Instant kill again.
Clean.
Ruthless.
One spear, one death.
Absolute suppression.
"Western battle energy? Magic?"Yi Tianxing sneered coldly. "Not worth mentioning."
But in truth, his heart didn't look down on Western systems entirely.
"Battle energy is wild and tyrannical, lacking refinement, yet can burst forth from flesh without relying on meridians. Compared to Eastern True Qi, which is honed like polished jade—battle energy is more explosive, but cruder. True Qi has the edge in purity, but there's much to learn from both."
He fell into thought.