Chapter 231: Zhang Yu’s Decisive Battle with Ye Lingxiao
Zhang Yu and Ye Lingxiao now stood on separate high platforms.
The two platforms were about five or six meters tall and stood several dozen meters apart.
On the ground below and in the air all around them, wisps of divine power swirled, forming various runes that composed a large array.
As this great array operated, all sorts of high-risk environments would manifest on the platforms, threatening both Zhang Yu and Ye Lingxiao.
A Dragon-Binding Rope was currently stretched between the two platforms, with each end held firmly in Zhang Yu’s and Ye Lingxiao’s hands respectively.
Ye Lingxiao took a deep breath, tuning every muscle and fiber of his being to its optimal state, like a rocket fully fueled and poised for launch, ready to unleash his full power at any moment.
At the same time, he nudged the Spirit-Splitting Elixir (a Dao-Dissolving Sustained-Release Capsule) he held in his mouth. The moment the exam began, he planned to crush the capsule’s outer shell and swallow the elixir whole.
Ye Lingxiao gazed at Zhang Yu on the other platform, his eyes burning with intense fighting spirit. He had already resolved to go all out from the very beginning.
Judging by the results of the first two stages, his physical body is now on a similar level to mine, Ye Lingxiao thought. But perhaps due to his Dao heart, or insufficient time to settle into his power… his control over his body is lacking.
He recalled Zhang Yu’s clumsy performance in the Netherworld Heavy Water during the last round of the exam, which only served to reinforce his conviction.
It can’t have been long since this guy’s physical strength caught up to my level, which is why his control is so poor.
In that case, the best strategy is to erupt with my full power right at the start. With my superior physical control, I can exert even greater bodily strength and defeat him in one fell swoop.
Otherwise, as the hazardous environments cycle through and both our bodies are steadily worn down and weakened, my advantage in physical control will diminish.
Feeling the Spirit-Splitting Elixir in his mouth, Ye Lingxiao thought, Thankfully, I’ve also made significant progress these past three months. My initial burst will definitely be enough to defeat him.
Just as Ye Lingxiao solidified his resolve, a countdown timer materialized in mid-air.
3!
The instant the countdown appeared, Zhang Yu on the other platform also tensed his muscles, his hands gripping the Dragon-Binding Rope with deadly force.
At the same time, he thought to himself, This match… I have to drag it out!
My control is inferior to his. In a direct contest of strength, the outcome is uncertain.
I have to rely on the massive toxin release from Spring and Autumn Endless Zen to overwhelm him with sheer brute force.
Even if Ye Lingxiao has the same move, he doesn’t have the High School Sacred Body, so the amount of toxins he can release will be far less than mine.
Feeling the ‘Zen’ character on his chest, which was still absorbing toxins, Zhang Yu thought, The longer I drag this out, the more alchemical potency I’ll digest and the more toxins I’ll accumulate. That will allow me to unleash even greater power in a short burst. Then I can just use superior brute force to defeat him…
So, I’ll stall for as long as possible. When I absolutely can’t hold on any longer, I’ll release the toxins and stimulate my potential.
With that thought, Zhang Yu glanced at the High School Sacred Body on his Technique-Chaining Diagram but ultimately decided against switching it to the Martial Dao Holy Embryo.
He decided to let the High School Sacred Body continue absorbing more alchemical potency and gathering more toxins with its peak Qi Refinement digestive and metabolic capabilities.
Zhang Yu could feel that every extra second he held out now would add another fraction of power to his eventual burst, and another sliver of a chance at winning this stage.
As these thoughts flashed through Zhang Yu’s mind like lightning, the countdown in the air changed again.
2!
Ye Lingxiao bit down hard, crushing the shell of the Spirit-Splitting Elixir and swallowing it in one gulp. In an instant, the alchemical power spread through his body, sending a chilling energy straight to the top of his head.
Zhang Yu took a deep breath, his muscles erupting as his frame swelled into that of a 2.8-meter-tall giant.
1!
Roar!
With a furious roar, Zhang Yu’s muscles twisted into a single cord, exploding like a string of dynamite as he violently yanked the Dragon-Binding Rope toward him.
On the other platform, however, Ye Lingxiao seemed to fall into a daze under the effects of the Spirit-Splitting Elixir.
As if he hadn’t reacted in time, he was dragged forward by Zhang Yu’s pull, leaving him only three meters from the edge of the platform.
In that instant, it was as if two voices were speaking in his mind: one telling him to activate Pliant and Exquisite Bone first, the other insisting on unleashing Great Heavenly Dragon Force.
His body swelled and contracted in turn, as if his cultivation techniques were conflicting with one another.
Damn it! Ye Lingxiao cursed inwardly. Is there a problem with the Spirit-Splitting Elixir? Was the interval between doses too short?
The three-meter drop from the platform’s edge presented an immense threat. The word ‘failure’ felt like a collapsing sky, pressing down on him with crushing weight.
I cannot lose!
In that fleeting moment, Ye Lingxiao’s mind seemed to replay scenes from his past.
He remembered his deceased brothers and sisters, and the clan rules the Ye clan had upheld for generation after generation.
“People are born with different talents. Rather than wasting resources on mediocrity, it is better to abandon the untalented and cultivate only the most outstanding individual of each generation.”
Those were the words the clan head had spoken to him before he entered high school.
“Talent determines the upper limit of every clan member.”
“And the simplest way to obtain clan members with powerful talent is to have more children.”
“Lingxiao, do you remember the gacha games the corporation runs? It’s just like drawing character cards. If you draw enough times, you’ll eventually pull a powerful character.”
“Offspring are the same. As long as you produce enough of them, you will eventually get a talented one. The Heavenly Dao is just that wondrous.”
The clan head had stroked his head, smiling. “That is why our Ye clan produces over ten thousand offspring each generation, yet only a select few become true inheritors of the bloodline. Generation after generation, coupled with the latest Immortal Dao technology, we have been able to forge our clan’s Perfect Bloodline.”
“But I have made new changes based on this foundation.”
“After all, while some descendants may not be strong in overall talent, certain parts of their bodies may possess unique advantages.”
“Just as some people are born with long arms, some with stronger hearts, or some with naturally tougher meridians… such variations are common among your siblings, and you all share the same blood.”
The clan head’s face beamed with pride. “Lingxiao, your own talent is already outstanding, the best among your ten thousand siblings.”
“That is why you are worthy of the name Ye.”
“But by integrating the superior traits from your talented brothers and sisters… by gathering their strengths, you will become the strongest of the Ye clan’s generation.”
“You must all cooperate sincerely and unite as one, do you understand?”
Back on the examination platform.
In the instant he was dragged forward by Zhang Yu, perhaps spurred by the crisis or the pressure from those memories, the two conflicting thoughts in Ye Lingxiao’s mind suddenly began to cooperate with perfect sincerity.
On the other side, seeing Ye Lingxiao pulled off-balance, Zhang Yu’s spirits lifted. What’s wrong with him?
Am I about to win just like that?
His first instinct was to unleash the power of Spring and Autumn Endless Zen and finish his opponent in one go.
But Ye Lingxiao, who had only been dazed for a split second, gave him no such opportunity.
Boom!
Ye Lingxiao stomped his foot down hard. As his muscles swelled, dragon-scale-like patterns appeared on his skin. He had simultaneously activated both Pliant and Exquisite Bone and Great Heavenly Dragon Force.
Then, the two thoughts in his mind worked in perfect harmony, unleashing one martial art after another: the toxin burst of Spring and Autumn Endless Zen, the further expansion of his fascia from Elephant Demon Sinew Transformation…
In an instant, Ye Lingxiao had firmly planted his feet at the edge of the platform.
Twang!
As Ye Lingxiao halted, the Dragon-Binding Rope in mid-air snapped taut with an explosive sound.
In his mind, the two thoughts roared in turns, each making its voice heard.
“We are the most outstanding!”
“How could we possibly lose?”
“If we lose to him, wouldn’t we be disgracing the name of the Perfect Bloodline? How can we promote the new technology then?”
“The vast amount of capital invested in the stock, do you have any idea how much profit will be lost?”
“Without that money, how are we supposed to attend university? How can we compete with those wealthy scions from the upper levels?”
“Whoever costs us money, we’ll make them pay with their life!”
Under the joint operation of the two thoughts, Ye Lingxiao felt as if his body was being controlled by two versions of himself. As he unleashed a flurry of techniques, his strength skyrocketed.
At that moment, Ye Lingxiao drew forth a power from his body that was even greater than Zhang Yu’s.
Thump!
With a backward step from Ye Lingxiao, Zhang Yu was also dragged forward a step.
Just as Ye Lingxiao was pulling Zhang Yu step by step toward the edge of the platform, a scorching heat began to permeate the air.
The divine power array had shifted, and a high-temperature environment had descended.
The air heated rapidly. Every breath felt like it was searing the lungs of Zhang Yu and Ye Lingxiao, and a stinging pain pricked at their skin.
Both men stopped breathing almost simultaneously. Zhang Yu then activated the low-temperature form of his Ice and Fire Body Tempering Art to resist the heat.
Ye Lingxiao circulated a protective technique, enveloping his entire body in a thick layer of keratin to insulate him from the heat as much as possible.
After this scramble, Ye Lingxiao gritted his teeth and continued to pull on the taut Dragon-Binding Rope, dragging Zhang Yu forward two more steps. Now, only five steps remained to the edge.
Just then, the hazardous environment shifted once more.
The scorching heat vanished, replaced by a change in gravity that descended upon both men. They felt as if a great mountain had suddenly been dropped onto their backs.
The load on their internal organs intensified, forcing them to circulate their visceral power to resist.
After a brief moment of adaptation, Ye Lingxiao gave another mighty heave, dragging Zhang Yu forward two more steps. Only three steps to the edge.
Then, the hazardous environment changed again. This time, it was high pressure.
The atmosphere instantly became immeasurably heavy, as if they had been plunged thousands of meters into the deep sea.
The sudden, intense change in pressure forced blood from the orifices of both Zhang Yu and Ye Lingxiao and ruptured their eardrums.
They had to adjust the pressure in their body’s cavities, struggling to counteract the environment.
But Ye Lingxiao seized the opportunity, once again dragging Zhang Yu two steps forward. Only one final step remained to the edge of the platform.
I can’t wait any longer.
Zhang Yu focused his attention briefly on the Technique-Chaining Diagram. It took him two seconds to switch the High School Sacred Body to the Martial Dao Holy Embryo.
With the switch complete, Zhang Yu felt a self-healing power emerge from his flesh and blood. The surrounding high pressure seemed less daunting before the Martial Dao Holy Embryo.
But in those two seconds, the hazardous environment shifted again. The high pressure disappeared, but clouds of acid mist materialized from thin air, rushing toward them both.