Chapter 30

"Truly, this year has been a stroke of luck, with a genius in combat and another in array and puppetry," the host of the grand competition said with a smile, watching the struggle between Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling on the stage.

Although Lei Potian and the others were also very good, at this point, compared to Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling, they were clearly inferior.

Especially Lu Yuling, who had reached the state of mental clarity, and her talent in array techniques was also outstanding. Geniuses like Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling were usually encountered by the Asura Sect only once every few years, but this year, they had unexpectedly found two at once.

The fox-shaped puppet moved with incredible speed. In Zhuge Xiang's eyes, it was almost as fast as the one-star medium-grade demon fox from that day. Moreover, the puppet's material was extremely hard, making its resistance to attacks far superior to the demon fox's flesh and blood. With such an assistant, Zhuge Xiang felt like he was facing two genius disciples at the same time. If it weren't for the continuous state of the Burst Step without cooldown or consumption, he would have lost long ago.

Originally, Zhuge Xiang's ultra-high-speed movements and dense attacks made it impossible for Lu Yuling to keep up, and she was about to lose. However, with the appearance of the mechanical puppet, the attacks that Zhuge Xiang could land on Lu Yuling naturally decreased. In the state of mental clarity, with less dense attacks, Lu Yuling naturally dodged them.

Twenty seconds was not a long time, and with only twenty seconds left for his Bloodlust Technique, Zhuge Xiang's expression became serious. He didn't have time to think too much.

The fox-shaped mechanical puppet was fast, and its material was very hard, making it highly resistant to attacks. If he dismantled the puppet first, the twenty seconds would be over. Therefore, he had to focus on Lu Yuling. However, with the puppet's influence, the attacks that actually landed on her were few.

"It seems I have to abandon all defense..." His mind raced, and with only twenty seconds left, Zhuge Xiang quickly made up his mind. He reached into his pocket, took out a pill, and put it in his mouth. It was the Blood Recovery Pill he had never used before.

Blood Recovery Pill: No level requirement, continuously restores HP, 10 HP per second, lasts for 10 seconds.

Zhuge Xiang used the Burst Step and pounced on Lu Yuling. His Blood-Refined Blade turned into a dense wave of blade light, sweeping over. Although Lu Yuling dodged, under the Burst Step, Zhuge Xiang's dense attacks reappeared, showing a desperate fighting stance.

The mechanical puppet naturally followed, biting at Zhuge Xiang, trying to force him back. However, at this moment, Zhuge Xiang did not dodge. He endured the puppet's attacks, his hands never stopping, and the Blood-Refined Blade continued to swing.

"What!? Is Zhuge Xiang crazy?" Niu Geng's eyes widened. Although he could only barely see Zhuge Xiang's movements, he saw Zhuge Xiang endure the puppet's attacks.

"How ruthless..." Hua Nongying and Ling Wufeng, among others, saw Zhuge Xiang's desperate fighting stance and their eyes widened. Abandoning all defense and ignoring the puppet's attacks, just to defeat Lu Yuling, this ruthlessness was shocking. He was ruthless to others, but even more so to himself.

"Indeed, he is a ruthless person," Ji Wuxue was not particularly surprised. During their duel, he had already experienced Zhuge Xiang's ruthlessness. Under the threat of death, Zhuge Xiang did not think of retreating but of fighting to the death. Ji Wuxue had already understood his ruthlessness then.

The puppet's attacks were still very strong. Just one attack reduced Zhuge Xiang's HP by 17 points. However, Zhuge Xiang ignored this, focusing on his attacks, which were now his top priority.

With 130 HP, plus 100 HP from the Blood Recovery Pill, and the Blood-Refined Blade's blood-sucking effect, Zhuge Xiang was betting on these last twenty seconds. With 230 HP, plus the defense from the Star Chasing Boots and Frost Headband, and the 50% defense boost from the Bloodlust Technique, he should be able to withstand the puppet's attacks for twenty seconds, right?

Swish, swish, swish...

The blade was like blood, and the dance was like the wind. Although Zhuge Xiang had not learned any sophisticated blade techniques, speed was the ultimate defense. When speed reached its peak, even the simplest slash was terrifying.

Zhuge Xiang's desperate ruthlessness made Lu Yuling's eyes flash with surprise. Although she was in a state of mental clarity, Zhuge Xiang's ultra-high-speed attacks made her body unable to keep up. Despite the puppet, the defenseless Zhuge Xiang was not significantly affected...

"What's going on? Why is he still so energetic?" The fight was a test of endurance. Lu Yuling knew that either she would be defeated by his blood-soaked blade or he would be defeated by her puppet. However, after a while, she was almost exhausted, but Zhuge Xiang remained energetic, which surprised and puzzled her. Given the injuries the puppet had inflicted, Zhuge Xiang should have been unable to continue by now.

"This is..." In her confusion, Lu Yuling saw Zhuge Xiang's many wounds, which, although bleeding profusely, were healing at a visible rate. Her eyes widened as she recalled the pill Zhuge Xiang had taken. She wondered where he had obtained so many pills.

Under the high-speed movement of the Burst Step, others might not have noticed Zhuge Xiang taking a pill, but Lu Yuling's state of mental clarity allowed her to see everything. She was surprised that Zhuge Xiang had such a powerful healing pill...

Blade after blade, like a storm, and then activating the Frost Headband's slowing effect, Zhuge Xiang's relentless attacks finally broke Lu Yuling. Her defense and dodging were completely shattered under the dense and powerful attacks.

A flash of the Blood-Refined Blade, and it was directly at Lu Yuling's throat. The ghostly face on the blade was menacing, and the sharpness was clear. Just a slight pressure would sever her beautiful head.

Time seemed to stop. Lu Yuling and Zhuge Xiang's bodies froze, and even the puppet's movements stopped. The high-speed, dense battle suddenly became still.

Looking at the Blood-Refined Blade at her throat, Lu Yuling smiled faintly and admitted defeat. With her admission, Zhuge Xiang let out a long breath of relief, and a system prompt sounded in his mind.

"Ding, defeated Level 4 Qi Cultivation Lu Yuling, gained 200 experience, gained a skill ball."

"Ding, Bloodlust Technique effect automatically closed, entered a weakened state, all attributes decreased by 80%, lasts for 2 days."

The system prompt made Zhuge Xiang's eyes widen. Level 4 Qi Cultivation? Lu Yuling had reached Level 4 Qi Cultivation? He hadn't expected that, thinking she was only at Level 3. With the Bloodlust Technique closed, an unprecedented fatigue made Zhuge Xiang almost unable to stand.

His clothes, torn by the puppet's attacks, were in tatters, and his body was covered in wounds, with blood soaking half of him. The weakness that followed made him look even more disheveled compared to Lu Yuling. Despite his victory, he was more injured than she was.

However, when the host announced him as the winner of the grand competition, the crowd below erupted in cheers. The champion of the grand competition was the strongest among the ten thousand disciples, standing at the peak. This was an honor. His injuries and dishevelment were proof of his victory. The intense battle and his ruthlessness deeply impressed everyone, and he was truly the deserving champion...

The grand competition was finally over. The top ten stood on the stage, and the seventeen prizes were displayed before everyone, making the crowd envious.

As the champion, Zhuge Xiang had the first choice and could select five prizes. However, he did not rush to choose but turned to Lu Yuling and asked what she needed. Lu Yuling, without hesitation, pointed to the Lingbo Microstep manual, a first-grade magical weapon armor, and a first-grade magical weapon ring.

"Oh? The most valuable item here is the storage belt, right? Don't you need it?" Zhuge Xiang asked, surprised.

Turning to him, Lu Yuling smiled faintly. "How do you think I carry such a large puppet? I already have a storage belt."

"Ah, I see. Then I won't be polite," Zhuge Xiang nodded and began to choose.

The storage belt, the most practical and valuable item, was the first he chose. He also took a certificate, which could be used to enhance a magical weapon at the Asura Sect headquarters.

To be honest, Zhuge Xiang's needs were limited. Martial arts? Magical weapons? These could be obtained by defeating opponents. However, with five prizes, he didn't hesitate to take them. He then chose a magical weapon cloak, a Yin Gu Hu, and the Five Toxin Palm manual. Niu Geng was very knowledgeable about poisons, so these items were perfect for him.

Among the prizes, the Five Toxin Palm and the Yin Gu Hu were the least valuable. Seeing Zhuge Xiang's choices, everyone was pleased. Lu Yuling took the three items she had chosen, and she smiled faintly at Zhuge Xiang's choices, understanding why he had chosen the Yin Gu Hu and the Five Toxin Palm.

The others then went up to choose their prizes. Ling Wufeng, in third place, chose two items, followed by Lei Potian, who chose one with a grim face. The others also chose one each, and the seventeen prizes were quickly divided. The grand competition officially ended...