Chapter 52

The second round of the competition was more intense than the first round yesterday. Among the forty-two disciples who had won in yesterday's competition, each had their unique strengths. Some were exceptionally skilled in Daoist techniques, surpassing others, while others possessed powerful magical treasures, making them hard to defeat.

However, whether they won through Daoist techniques or overcame their opponents with magical treasures, no one had any objections. Victory was victory, and defeat was defeat; this was the harsh rule of the strong prevailing.

After drawing lots, the second round of the competition, presided over by Daoist Xuanyi, began. The nine grand stages in the square immediately became a spectacle, with various Daoist techniques displayed one after another. The powerful pressure generated by the activation of magical treasures was awe-inspiring.

On the nine grand stages, the forty-two most outstanding young disciples from the nine lineages displayed their full strength, engaging in intense battles. Even though they only fought to the point of stopping, it was inevitable that one side would be injured and bleed.

However, as long as it did not endanger life or intentionally cause serious injury, the sect would not investigate. The seven lineage heads and the sect master sat high in front of the Tai Xuan Hall, and no one dared to act recklessly under their watchful eyes.

Therefore, the nine-lineage competition proceeded in an orderly manner, without any disputes.

It seemed that few people knew about the incident where Gu Fei was attacked last night, and it had not spread within the sect. It was possible that Sect Master Xuantian and the seven lineage heads had suppressed the matter.

The nine-lineage competition continued as usual, as if nothing had happened. This made Gu Fei somewhat surprised. The reaction of the sect master and the seven lineage heads to this matter seemed a bit unusual.

After all, Tai Xuan Sect was one of the three major Daoist sects, a prestigious and powerful sect in the cultivation world. Being attacked within the sect by someone who assaulted a fellow disciple was no small matter, yet it seemed that the sect had taken no action.

"Whatever will be, will be. I can't control it. I should focus on winning this nine-lineage competition!" At this moment, the two young men on the first stage had already determined the winner, and it was Gu Fei's turn to step up.

"Lei Ao, an outstanding disciple of the Bi Yun Peak lineage, and apparently the senior brother of Dong Fangchen. Interesting!" Gu Fei leaped onto the stage and immediately saw a tall, long-limbed, and imposing young man.

The two walked to a distance of two zhang from each other and stood still. Lei Ao, with a leopard head, tiger eyes, and a bear's waist, had a fierce appearance, a natural-born talent.

As soon as Lei Ao stood opposite Gu Fei, a fierce and savage aura, like that of a ferocious beast, immediately swept over Gu Fei, causing his pupils to constrict.

"This Lei Ao is not simple!" Gu Fei felt that this Lei Ao from Bi Yun Peak was not much weaker than Dong Fangchen, making him a formidable opponent.

"Hmph! Gu Fei, you were really over the top yesterday. Today, I will return the humiliation that Dong Fangchen suffered to you!" Lei Ao pointed at Gu Fei, his eyes filled with a fierce light, and he said in a harsh voice.

"Senior Brother Lei, why bother with this arrogant guy? Just beat him up and get it over with!" The disciples of the Bi Yun Peak lineage in the audience shouted, all of them glaring at Gu Fei with anger. They were ready to gang up on him.

Yesterday, on the stage, Gu Fei's humiliation of Dong Fangchen greatly angered all the disciples of the Bi Yun Peak lineage, making them lose face. It was no wonder they were so angry.

And Dong Fangchen, in the audience, gritted his teeth in hatred, wishing he could rush onto the stage and tear Gu Fei to pieces to avenge his humiliation. Yesterday, Gu Fei had made him lose face in front of the nine-lineage disciples, and now he had a deep-seated grudge against Gu Fei.

Although Dong Fangchen had suffered serious internal injuries yesterday, after a night of treatment by the sect's experts and the consumption of spiritual elixirs, his injuries seemed to have completely healed.

The means of cultivators were incredibly powerful. Those with great magical power could even move mountains and seas, and internal injuries were relatively easy to heal.

Gu Fei, who had been attacked by a cultivator at the Transcendent Realm last night, had been burned by Daoist true fire, causing severe injuries. However, he was also healed by Sect Master Xuantian with the Nine-Transmutation Golden Elixir.

"Pathetic, Dong Fangchen wasn't even my match. You should just admit defeat." Gu Fei said disdainfully. Lei Ao's cultivation seemed to be on par with Dong Fangchen, and he wanted to avenge Dong Fangchen. Wasn't he just asking for a beating?

"Despicable! Today, I will show you the power of this Lei Ao!" Lei Ao was instantly enraged, the veins on his forehead bulging.

"Then prepare to be beaten!" Gu Fei's expression turned cold, and his eyes flashed with a sharp light. He left a residual image on the spot and instantly appeared in front of Lei Ao.

Lei Ao never expected Gu Fei to move so fast and was startled. However, he was also one of the few outstanding young disciples of the Bi Yun Peak lineage. As soon as Gu Fei moved, he let out a low roar, and a violent magical power surged out of his body. Sparks flew around him, and a layer of thick, arm-sized lightning enveloped him, protecting him inside.

As Gu Fei approached Lei Ao with his rapid movement, he had already attacked. His fist had already struck Lei Ao's abdomen, even touching his clothes.

However, Lei Ao's magical power also erupted from his body like a volcano, forming a layer of red lightning with astonishing fire energy.

"Five Thunder Righteousness?" Gu Fei's fist instantly collided with the protective lightning on Lei Ao's body, producing a deep, thunderous sound. Then, Gu Fei quickly retreated, his entire arm covered in red lightning.

That one punch had allowed Lei Ao's protective lightning to surge onto Gu Fei's arm, making his right arm feel numb.

"Such powerful lightning, far more powerful than any palm lightning!" As the red lightning surged onto his arm, Gu Fei's right sleeve was immediately burned to ashes.

"Roar!" With a roar, Gu Fei shook his right arm, using his powerful strength to dispel the red lightning. He then stopped his retreat and coldly stared at Lei Ao, who was still stepping back.

Gu Fei's punch was immensely powerful. Although it didn't directly hit Lei Ao, the overwhelming force of the punch still caused Lei Ao to stagger back, his steps shaking the stage with each step. After retreating for over ten steps, he finally neutralized the force of Gu Fei's punch.

"Cultivators are indeed terrifying. Every move they make is filled with immense power. In terms of physical strength, I am no match for Gu Fei!" Lei Ao was secretly startled. After their lightning-fast exchange, he had already assessed Gu Fei's strength.

"Five Thunder Righteousness, Eastern Wood Lightning!" Lei Ao formed a lightning seal with his hands. The red lightning around him immediately turned green and surged out, forming dozens of emerald lightning arcs that struck Gu Fei.

The fierce lightning carried a force of grass and wood, and the wood energy from the surroundings converged, making the dozens of emerald lightning arcs even more dazzling.

Among all Daoist techniques, lightning techniques were considered the most powerful by cultivators. Lightning is the command of heaven, enforcing its will. When thunder strikes, all things in heaven and earth tremble.

Lei Ao's lightning technique was the orthodox Five Thunder Righteousness. Even without condensing a Daoist core and breaking into the Transcendent Realm, the limited magical power he possessed still made his lightning formidable.

"Hmm!" Feeling the destructive aura from Lei Ao, Gu Fei frowned. But as the dozens of emerald lightning arcs struck him, he did not dare to be careless.

With his right hand, he grabbed a purple light from the air, and with a "clang," a purple lightning-like blade formed in his hand.

Swinging the three-foot-long purple lightning blade, a series of "sizzling" sounds erupted as purple sword qi shot out, cutting through the dozens of emerald lightning arcs with lightning speed.

A series of loud explosions echoed as the sword qi and lightning canceled each other out. But Gu Fei, following the momentum of his sword, advanced towards Lei Ao with a powerful aura.

Gu Fei's steps, the Eight Directions Step, seemed slow but were actually fast. Lei Ao, seeing Gu Fei transform into a flowing shadow and rush towards him, was instantly terrified. Although he was tall and strong and skilled in Daoist techniques, his martial arts were mediocre, and he dared not let a martial cultivator like Gu Fei get close.

"Lightning Escape!" Lei Ao shouted, and the stage was immediately filled with thunder. At the same time, his body became blurry.

Gu Fei's powerful punch penetrated Lei Ao's chest, and just as everyone was shocked, Lei Ao's figure appeared behind Gu Fei.

"Illusion?" Gu Fei's punch dispersed Lei Ao's residual image, and he remained expressionless, not surprised. Lei Ao's illusion technique was far inferior to the one he had encountered last night, which could easily fool the eye.

"Five Thunder Righteousness, Southern Fire Lightning, Central Earth Lightning!" Lei Ao instantly formed two Daoist seals, and the stage erupted with two violent forces.

Then, with a "boom," a large ball of fire exploded in the air above Gu Fei, releasing lightning-like fire snakes that formed a net of fire and lightning, descending upon him.

At the same time, a thick earth energy rose from beneath Gu Fei's feet. Under Lei Ao's Daoist technique, this earth energy condensed into gray lightning, crackling and wrapping around Gu Fei.

The Five Thunder Righteousness, using the power of the five elements to form lightning, attacked Gu Fei with a fierce and destructive force, completely sealing off all his escape routes.

At this moment, Gu Fei could already smell the scorched odor from the lightning's rampage. His eyes were filled with the flashing lightning, red and gray, making it impossible to distinguish between heaven and earth, as if he had entered a world of lightning.