Lin Yang was having a terrible time. He had thought that he could defeat Xiang Shaoyun easily. But when Xiang Shaoyun attacked, he couldn't even react before he was hit. The claw attack sliced his undefended arm, tearing his flesh apart and leaving wounds deep enough to show his bone. Before he could even do anything with his dagger, it left his grip.

Xiang Shaoyun's other hand reached for Lin Yang's neck. Before Lin Yang could do anything, Xiang Shaoyun grabbed his neck, digging in his five fingers. So long as Lin Yang tried anything, he would be immediately killed. One should never doubt Xiang Shaoyun's ability to kill in this situation, or one would suffer gravely for it.

Looking at Lin Yang coldly, Xiang Shaoyun declared, "You lost."

Lin Yang met Xiang Shaoyun's gaze with indignation, his eyes filled with fury. He wanted to put his life on the line and try resisting, but when he sensed the forceful grip on his neck, his fury slowly vanished. A chill then crept up his spine, reaching deep into his marrow. It was the sensation that he was hovering on the edge of life and death. He no longer dared to resist.

He even lost the courage to meet Xiang Shaoyun's gaze, and his presence dispersed. With great difficulty, he said, "I-I lose."

He was sure that a single word of disobedience would get him killed. Sure, killing was prohibited in the academy, but what if an accident happened? Lin Yang did not dare to joke around with his life.

The crowd was completely dumbfounded by what just happened. They had never imagined that the battle would end so quickly. Only a single move was used, and this expert on the Serpent Fowl List's top 100 was defeated. Was there a scheme at play?

One ought to know that during Xiang Shaoyun's previous five battles, he had won each of them with great difficulty. Lin Yang was obviously much stronger than the previous opponents, and the crowd found it hard to believe that Lin Yang would be defeated so quickly. Only after Lin Yang transferred 200,000 contribution points to Xiang Shaoyun did an uproar erupt among the crowd.

"What happened? Lin Yang was defeated? How is that possible?"

"Xiang Shaoyun's speed was so fast. I couldn't even see what he did! Is that his actual speed? That must be the case. Lin Yang had been too careless!"

"That's probably the case. Xiang Shaoyun had attacked unexpectedly and gained a major upper hand over his opponent."

"What do you know? Xiang Shaoyun is obviously pretending to be weak to catch his opponent by surprise. He has fooled all of us. His true strength is definitely terrifying. The academy wouldn't have allowed the experts on the Jiao Luan List to challenge him otherwise."

...

Xiang Shaoyun ignored all the discussions and asked, "Who's next?"

After visiting the Book Pavilion, he had realized he had too few contribution points. Only by gathering more contribution points would he be able to read more ancient texts.

"Zhao Ritian, your turn," said Di Shang, standing in the corner.

"Sure, but remember what you promised me," said the other person, his voice tinged with a slight arrogance.

"Don't worry. So long as you can defeat Xiang Shaoyun, I will be able to convince my brother. You will receive an answer you're pleased with," said Di Shang.

"Good. Let me kick Xiang Shaoyun away on your behalf then," Zhao Ritian conceitedly said as he started walking on empty air and heading toward the ring.

Once Zhao Ritian landed on the ring, he said, "I, Zhao Ritian, shall be your challenger."

He ranked in the top 50 on the Serpent Fowl List and had recently advanced into second-stage Dragon Ascension Realm. He hadn't gotten the chance to climb higher in the ranking list before Di Shang invited him over to provide support.

These genius disciples were all capable of fighting those two or three stages higher. Thus, Zhao Ritian's combat prowess was most likely above Lin Yang's. Although he had joined the Di Alliance, he was not required to obey Di Shang with his strength, even if Di Shang was Di Lin's elder brother. Therefore, Di Shang had to agree to a few conditions to receive his help.

Xiang Shaoyun lifted his brow and asked, "Do you have 200,000 contribution points?"

"Hehe, I won't embarrass myself by coming without the points. Bring it on. Let me witness how impressive a nine-star physique is," said Zhao Ritian with a sneer.

"Sure. Open your eyes wide and witness me," said Xiang Shaoyun. Instead of attacking unexpectedly as he had in his previous battle, he stepped forward and faced Zhao Ritian head on.

Abruptly, an inconceivable presence swept out of his body as the projections of a roaring dragon and a roaring tiger appeared behind him. In his head, his filthless soul emanated waves of spiritual presence. The two presences combined and crashed down upon Zhao Ritian.

Immediately, Zhao Ritian felt an intense pressure. The arrogance on his face vanished as he erupted with all his strength to withstand the suppression. No matter what, he was a second-stage Dragon Ascension Realm cultivator. He could completely ignore the suppression of a regular fourth-stage Dragon Ascension Realm cultivator.

However, the sensation Xiang Shaoyun gave him was the same as a late-stage Emperor's, or even a peak Emperor's. Zhao Ritian had a hard time dealing with the suppression. Xiang Shaoyun advanced leisurely, but with each step he took, the pressure Zhao Ritian faced became stronger.

"Get out of my face!" Zhao Ritian roared as his seven stars started shining brightly and erupted with full strength. A boundless power surged into the sky, attempting to repel the pressure Xiang Shaoyun was emanating.

Xiang Shaoyun did not seem to care. He took his next step, stepping on empty air. Next, an indescribable power appeared and crashed down at Zhao Ritian. That one step completely suppressed Zhao Ritian's eruption of strength.

"Not possible! Die!" Zhao Ritian was overwhelmed with shock, and he roared and threw a punch at Xiang Shaoyun with all his might.

Reverse Sun!

Strands of extreme yang energy gathered on his fist, surrounding it with a dreadful power akin to the sun. Fist intent further powered his punch, pushing his punch's might to its limit. Just with this attack, entering the top 10 on the Serpent Fowl List was entirely possible for Zhao Ritian.

However, Xiang Shaoyun also ignored this attack and took another step forward. Thunderclaps rumbled as a wave of buzzing silver lightning spread out from him. And with that step, Zhao Ritian's attack crumbled apart.

The crowd opened their eyes wide in shock.