Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

”This Yang Xiao... he’s as good as dead!”

”Seven Innate Realm masters! They’re not to be trifled with!”

Gasps and cries of alarm erupted from the crowd as the seven men launched their sudden attack.

It wasn’t just the crowd; even Ruan Tianyang, the Dharma Transmission Chief Elder, sighed inwardly.

He wanted to intervene, but when he remembered Lin Nantian’s attitude, he could only restrain himself.

’What a pity,’ he thought. ’This boy managed to attain a Physical Innate body at such a young age, and he even has a great talent for pharmacology. But he was born with such an arrogant temperament and had to go and provoke the Ye Family.’

Ruan Tianyang was willing to help, but powerless to do so.

As for the others, none of them were about to make a move for Yang Xiao’s sake.

Yang Zhentian, on the other hand, felt his heart clench.

But when he remembered what Yang Xiao had said before stepping onto the platform, he hesitated.

And in that moment of hesitation, the outcome on the platform was decided.

BANG!

With a single, casual punch, Yang Xiao sent an Innate Realm Core Disciple flying through the air.

It was as if this Innate Realm Core Disciple, no different from Cui Hao before, wasn’t a true Innate expert at all, but just a Martial Master at their Peak.

But he didn’t stop there.

Yang Xiao threw seven consecutive punches.

Each one sent a man flying.

And it all happened in the blink of an eye.

Many people couldn’t even follow his movements; all they saw was the seven Innate Realm experts who had lunged at him suddenly being sent flying backward.

The speed at which they flew back was even faster than their lunge forward.

Instantly, everyone was dumbfounded.

’How is this possible?’

”You... you actually crippled my cultivation!”

Just as the crowd was reeling in shock, Yang Hou’s shrill cry tore through the air.

Yang Songg was there too, his face ashen.

Clearly, Yang Xiao had crippled his cultivation as well.

”So ruthless!”

”This Yang Xiao...”

Everyone was shaken to the core.

They never imagined Yang Xiao would dare to be so ruthless.

This wasn’t a life-or-death duel, after all, but the Sect’s Grand Competition.

Injuries were common in past competitions, but it was extremely rare to see someone like Yang Xiao act so viciously and cripple another’s cultivation.

How could such ruthless methods not leave them terrified?

But Yang Xiao felt not a shred of regret.

’All seven of them had attacked with their full strength, aiming for my vital points. They had clearly intended to kill me, banking on safety in numbers.’

’Since that’s the case, why should I hold back?’

Especially Yang Hou and Yang Songg, who were traitors through and through.

Not only did they show no gratitude for his father’s past kindness, but they had also shamelessly slandered the Yang Family in front of everyone.

’Why would I ever show them mercy?’

’Crippling them was getting off lightly.’

’If they truly angered me, I would just kill them outright.’

’And what could anyone do about it?’

”Sect Leader, this man is vicious and merciless! For him to strike such a heavy blow is a blight upon our Purple Sun Sect, not a blessing! I implore the Sect Leader to order his punishment!”

Yann Xu stepped forward.

He addressed Lin Nantian directly.

However, at that moment, Lin Nantian’s own expression was grave.

His face was filled with shock.

But his thoughts were not the same as everyone else’s.

’He still hasn’t used any True Qi. That was pure Physical Strength.’

Lin Nantian muttered to himself.

It was as if he hadn’t heard Yann Xu’s words at all.

Beside him, Ruan Tianyang was equally astounded.

Staring at Yang Xiao on the platform, he found the scene surreal.

No one paid any attention to Yann Xu, leaving him in a very awkward position.

His outcry had drawn the attention of many.

But Lin Nantian ignored him.

Instantly, he became a laughingstock.

He gave an awkward smile and sat back down.

He kept his mouth shut.

On the platform, Yang Xiao had heard him too and shot him an icy glance.

A sudden chill shot through Yann Xu’s heart.

However, Yang Xiao said nothing to him. Instead, he turned to the others on the platform and asked coolly, ”What about the rest of you? Aren’t you going to attack together?”

As soon as he said this,

The remaining thirty or forty people on the platform jumped in fright.

Even an expert at the Innate Realm Second Level like Yang Hou had his cultivation crippled.

They were just here to fill the ranks; how could they possibly dare to remain?

They immediately scattered like frightened birds.

In a rush, they all scrambled off the platform.

Yang Xiao didn’t stop them. When he was the only one left on the stage, he turned his gaze to the high platform.

He stared at Lin Nantian and asked calmly, ”Sect Leader, am I the number one Core Disciple now?”

”Insolence! After acting so viciously, you still have the gall to claim you’re the number one Core Disciple!”

Ye Lingtian finally spoke.

But Yang Xiao merely shot him an indifferent glance.

He didn’t look at him again, instead turning his attention back to Lin Nantian.

This dismissive gesture made Ye Lingtian nearly explode with rage.

But at that moment, Lin Nantian spoke up.

”Of course you are. The Chief of Internal Affairs already stated the condition. You met it, so you are the number one Core Disciple. However, the competition must continue for the others. You may step down.”

Lin Nantian said coolly.

But Yang Xiao simply shook his head.

He refused.

This gesture made a glint of coldness flash in Lin Nantian’s eyes.

’This brat has been disrespectful time and time again. He truly has no regard for me at all.’

’Even if he has some skill and has had a few lucky breaks, he’s still just at the Innate Realm. To dare act like this toward me... he’s simply courting death!’

But he let none of it show on his face.

”Since I am now the number one Core Disciple, I have the right to challenge a True Disciple. Ye Chengzong, scram up here!”

Scram up here!

When those three words rang out,

Everyone below the stage was once again stunned.

Those who knew the true extent of Ye Chengzong’s strength, in particular, stared at Yang Xiao as if he were an idiot.

”Yang Xiao, I never thought you’d have the nerve to actually challenge me to a fight!”

Ye Chengzong said, his expression dark as he slowly stepped forward.

As the man most likely to win the Junior Sect Leader Position among all the True Disciples, his strength was definitely in the top three.

Perhaps even number one.

And yet now, Yang Xiao had challenged him in front of everyone.

He had even told him to scram up here.

It was a complete loss of face for Ye Chengzong.

Many of the other True Disciples were watching him with mocking smirks.

Their gazes were piercing.

”I’ve always been brave. You, on the other hand? You talked about fighting me six months ago but kept making excuses. I’m afraid you don’t have the guts. If I hadn’t called you out by name, would you have even dared to come up here?”

Yang Xiao said, a look of mock concern on his face.

This only made Ye Chengzong grind his teeth in fury.

”Since you’re so eager to die, then I, Ye Chengzong, will grant you your wish today!”

At this, a sinister smile flashed in Ye Chengzong’s eyes. He suddenly changed his tone and said, ”I just wonder... do you dare to make it a life-and-death duel?”

”A life-and-death duel?”

The Outer Sect had a Life and Death Platform; once you stepped on it, the fight was to the death.

Killing your opponent was permitted.

But in the Inner Sect, in the True Disciple area, there was no Life and Death Platform.

Instead, they had life-and-death duels.

As long as both parties agreed and a Sect Elder was present to witness, such a duel could be held.

It didn’t require a specific platform.

”If a coward like you isn’t afraid, what reason do I, Yang Xiao, have to be?”

Now that he understood the rules, Yang Xiao agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

’What a joke. Why would I need to think about such a good offer?’

”Good! With so many Sect Elders and the Sect Leader himself present, we certainly have witnesses. Yang Xiao, prepare to die!”

Looking as though his scheme had succeeded perfectly, Ye Chengzong stepped onto the platform with a triumphant smirk.

His gaze toward Yang Xiao was filled with killing intent.

He immediately unleashed his powerful aura.

The spectators who were standing near the platform instantly felt an immense pressure weighing down on them.

They retreated several steps in unison.

The power of a single man forced nearly a hundred people back.

This was the power of Ye Chengzong.