Chapter 222: Tiger Ranking First
The result of Su Yan’s fight was overwhelming; as soon as three True Intents appeared, they could easily defeat Lan Yunyue.
This also meant that his full-power strike would be even more terrifying.
After a brief rest, the next day was the day of the semifinals.
Su Yan faced Zhao Mingcheng of Guizang Valley, while Yuan Yi faced Zhuang Han of Hundred Tiger Peak.
Both matchups were not simple, especially Su Yan’s side, as Zhao Mingcheng had also stepped into the Half-step Dan Qiao realm with extremely high combat power.
Facing Su Yan, he didn’t dare hide his strength at all and directly brought out his ultimate weapon, a third-order Spirit Severing Blade.
Zhao Mingcheng used all his means and was not necessarily weaker than Lan Yunyue by much.
But Su Yan was even stronger; three True Intents gathered in front of him, transforming into the Star Plucking Hand Seal, like the sky collapsing, directly crushing Zhao Mingcheng.
On the other side, Yuan Yi also showed no mercy against Zhuang Han.
He sought a quick victory; as soon as he got on stage, he unleashed the power of his Innate Martial Body, transforming into the Greedy Wolf body.
He went all out, and the Greedy Wolf Black Corrosion Sword in his hand directly turned into a hundred-meter Sword Light, charging straight at Zhuang Han.
Although Zhuang Han fought desperately against him, after three or four dozen exchanges, he gradually exhausted his strength and was ultimately crushed by Yuan Yi.
Thus, the final competitors were finally determined: Yuan Yi and Su Yan.
……
Disciples from various peaks of Beast King Sect were already discussing fervently; a beginner disciple who had just joined for about a year not only ascended the Tiger Ranking but was charging toward Tiger Ranking First with overwhelming momentum.
No one thought Su Yan lacked the qualifications for this.
His strength had already convinced all the disciples, even those who had established their own mountain peaks and successfully broken through to the Dan Qiao Realm True Persons.
Yuan Hong was one of them; after returning from the rotation of guards at Hundred Peaks Barrier, he had stayed in Beast King Sect due to injuries.
This instead allowed him to witness Su Yan’s terrifying talent and strength.
He had muttered more than once that Long Qiushui must have had incredible luck to encounter such a disciple.
Not to mention Tiger Ranking First; even if he regrettably failed today, within three years, not only would the Tiger Ranking change hands to Su Yan, but Beast King Sect’s Dragon Ranking would likely also be breached by him.
The so-called Dragon Ranking had no strict rankings; those who ascended the Dragon Ranking were at minimum Half-step Dan Qiao with the chance to break through to Dan Qiao.
Dragon Ranking Half-list Preparatory and Half-list were all Dan Qiao Realm Martial Artists, the true backbone of the sect.
It was a pity that the Dragon Ranking consisted of Dan Qiao True Persons who couldn’t easily fight; otherwise, they really would have to compete for first, second, and third.
There were not a few people with thoughts like Yuan Hong’s; even Long Qiushui at Cold Shadow Peak received the news.
“Tiger Ranking Second, able to challenge for First, progressing even faster than I did back then—not unworthy of being my disciple.”
Long Qiushui smiled; although Su Yan’s talent accounted for the majority of the credit, as his master, did she contribute nothing?
“Three Flames Divine Palace, Sacred Weapon Path, and Hundred Caves Witch Sect are coming aggressively; I’m afraid the Righteous and Demonic Great War is not far off. Having more strength is always good. That Earth Cave Departing Fire Crystal should be obtained as a gift for him.”
Thinking this, she donned white armor, abruptly stood up, and flew to the city wall of Cold Shadow Peak City.
Outside the city, the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains were filled with ghostly shadows, harboring who knew how many Demonic Path Martial Artists.
……
One day passed in the blink of an eye.
Almost all disciples had gathered at the Nine Tablet Spirit Platform by now, their gazes fixed on the highest arena.
The battle for Tiger Ranking top spot—this fight they had anticipated for a long time.
If it were an ordinary Tiger Ranking dispute, it would just be a fight between a few top-ranked disciples.
Although attention-grabbing, it was far inferior to this time.
That was a disciple who had just joined the mountain gate a year ago.
Even the Dharma Aspect True Persons watching from the scene were extremely curious about who was stronger between Yuan Yi and Su Yan.
“They’re here.”
Someone exclaimed in surprise; Su Yan and Yuan Yi had successively arrived on the arena.
Yin Mingchen stroked his beard and said, “This final match of the event—the rules of the fight need no further explanation from me; you two understand them, right?”
“Understood.”
Yin Mingchen nodded: “Then begin. Let everyone see what you two are capable of.”
As his voice fell, the voices of the audience below the arena seemed to be suppressed, all staring intently.
“When you challenged Qing Tianyu, I had someone keep an eye on you. I thought with your talent, it would take two or three years to reach the top spot, but now it seems I underestimated you.”
Yuan Yi’s gaze burned with battle intent as he boldly admitted his misjudgment.
But he didn’t believe he would lose to the junior brother before him.
“So Senior Brother Yuan plans to hand over Tiger Ranking First today?”
Su Yan smiled.
Yuan Yi laughed, drawing a sword flower with the Greedy Wolf Black Corrosion Sword in his hand: “Tiger Ranking First is right here; I’m afraid Junior Brother will need to use some means.”
Su Yan’s gaze fell on him as Yuan Yi’s aura climbed steadily, fully prepared for battle.
“In that case, I’ll take it. If Senior Brother has any means, he should use them early.”
Su Yan’s words were blunt, but the Yuan Yi before him not only didn’t get angry; his expression became extremely serious.
Clearly the guy in front was smiling, but a domineering aura suddenly pressed down like a mountain collapsing and sky falling, enough to break a person’s spine.
If it weren’t for him being Yuan Yi, this aura alone would suffice to make many lose their combat power.
“Be careful.”
Yuan Yi warned, then Greedy Wolf Beast True Intent emerged, landing on his body; along with the long sword in his hand, he unleashed dozens of slashes at Su Yan.
His offensive was ferocious and incessant, pressing the attack.
Su Yan’s Dharma Body emerged; facing the sky-full of Sword Momentum, he clenched his fist and struck upward.
The two started with earth-shattering clashes, True Essence pouring out endlessly like it cost nothing.
On the arena, True Essence surged like tides, powerful fluctuations even destroying the arena rocks.
In their exchanges, they appeared evenly matched.
But in reality, only Yuan Yi knew the bitterness involved.
He was Tiger Ranking top.
But the immense pressure from Su Yan forced him to strike first, seizing the initiative in the fight.
However, this had little effect.
After one or two dozen exchanges, no matter how sharp his Sword Moves or how powerful his attack methods, they couldn’t overcome Su Yan’s domineering Hand Seals and Fist Techniques.
Unrivaled Hardening made Su Yan like an unbreakable high wall, blocking most of Yuan Yi’s moves.
‘His Hundred Tigers Breaking the Army Seal is still growing stronger.’
Yuan Yi’s face darkened; during the clash, his perception was the sharpest.
Under his Sword Momentum, Su Yan not only fought back and forth but, more terrifyingly, the Hundred Tigers Breaking the Army Seal was progressing.
He finally understood the complex feelings Lan Yunyue, Zhao Mingcheng, and others had during their fights with Su Yan.
Clearly they were fighting, clearly everyone was a genius.
But watching others improve bit by bit while taking hits—it felt too awful.
‘Terrifying talent, but I won’t lose.’
Continuing to tangle wouldn’t force out any more of Su Yan’s means.
Yuan Yi decisively acted, a flash of determination in his eyes.
Two True Intents suddenly rose from his body, both in the form of Greedy Wolf Beasts.
The Beast Taming Bag at his waist opened, and two Ghost Shadow Wolves immediately leaped out, spewing black light from their mouths straight at Su Yan’s face.
Su Yan merely struck with a Great Hand Seal, blocking the black light.
Watching Yuan Yi’s current moves, he calmly asked: “Three True Intents, Seven Star Greedy Wolf Skill?”
Yuan Yi nodded: “Though not as all-encompassing as Junior Brother’s Star Constellation Profound Beast Skill with its myriad stars, seven Greedy Wolves are enough. Junior Brother, behold my skills.”
With that, the three True Intents charged forward, merging mid-air into a pitch-black beast shadow—Three-headed Greedy Wolf.
This True Intent was seven or eight zhang tall and eleven or twelve zhang long, its eerie gaze extremely ferocious, aura continuously climbing toward the Dan Qiao Realm.
Yuan Yi’s figure transformed, instantly becoming the Greedy Wolf body form, while the two Ghost Shadow Wolves pounced from left and right, entering the True Intent.
Su Yan didn’t press the attack but watched his movements; the Three-headed Greedy Wolf’s power was still rising.
Yuan Yi roared: “Greedy Wolf Phantom!”
The aura surged abruptly; using his Greedy Wolf body as the node, Beast Taming Seal as the connection, True Intent as the carrier, and Ghost Shadow Wolves as fulcrums.
He pushed Divine Union to the extreme, causing the Three-headed Greedy Wolf’s form to explode in size, becoming an incredibly solid hundred-meter giant beast.
At this moment, the Three-headed Greedy Wolf was Yuan Yi, and Yuan Yi was the Three-headed Greedy Wolf.
“Junior Brother, behold the power of my Three-headed Greedy Wolf.”
A rough voice came from the central wolf head, then the Three-headed Greedy Wolf launched its attack.
Terrifying attacks surged from the wolf mouths, chasing after Su Yan.
Su Yan raised his hand to fist and countered; with a boom, he actually retreated three or four steps.
What difference did this have from Dan Qiao?
The terrifying aura had far surpassed ordinary Half-step Dan Qiao Martial Artists.
Though True Essence usage was crude, under this assault, it seemed incomparably vast.
With such attack methods, even Su Yan probably couldn’t withstand it, right?
The crowd couldn’t help but have such thoughts; even the few Head Seats on the high platform looked in surprise toward Bi Qingman.
The Three-headed Greedy Wolf relentlessly pursued Su Yan on the arena, using its massive body to grind down his Physical Body advantages one by one.
“Junior Sister has impressive skills, actually pushing his Greedy Wolf body to this extent.”
Yuan Lan praised aloud; True Intent, Contracted Beast, and bloodline united—this created the monster before them infinitely close to the Dan Qiao Realm.
Such methods weren’t just for True Intent Realm; upon reaching Dan Qiao Realm, they should be utilized this way.
That was when True Intent Descends in Dan Qiao Realm truly became divine descent.
Bi Qingman nodded with a smile: “It’s all thanks to the Innate Martial Body. If Su Yan tempers long enough, executing such means wouldn’t be difficult for him.”
Su Yan also had an Innate Martial Body; if he could find a cultivation path matching his bloodline, he too could condense such a True Intent phantom.
As they spoke, the situation on stage changed dramatically.
Su Yan clashed with the Three-headed Greedy Wolf for over a dozen exchanges, his gaze growing calmer; his Hand Seals still improved, but under hard resistance, the three Python Beast Spirits of his Heavenly Python Dharma Body were gradually blasted apart, unable to recover for the moment.
He struck to force back the Three-headed Greedy Wolf’s body, standing at the arena’s edge, looking up at it with seemingly excited eyes.
“Junior Brother, concede. Though I’ve consumed a lot, before it ends, I’m confident I can crush you.”
Yuan Yi’s tone was calm, certain that with his means unleashed, Su Yan couldn’t win.
“Since you want to see my True Intent so badly, let’s show everyone.”
Su Yan grinned, like a mild-mannered youth, but the next moment, everyone felt their hairs stand on end.
One, two, three, four, five……
Behind Su Yan, fully five True Intents rose, each ethereal in quality yet with extremely powerful auras.
Star Moon Centipede, Poison Star Ape, Green-scaled Poisonous Flood Dragon, Flame Armored Scorpion, and Shadow Horn Spider……
Su Yan had only deployed five True Intents, yet it shocked everyone.
Five True Intents, each incredibly solid—this was no filler.
Yuan Yi fell silent, then after a long moment raised his eyes: “One move decides win or loss.”
He fiercely gathered power; the three ferocious heads of the Three-headed Greedy Wolf amassed powerful True Essence, cooperating to continuously compress it.
“As you wish.”
Su Yan nodded; after Yuan Yi charged his power, he unleashed his strongest strike.
Greedy Wolf Moon Destruction
Surging attack came at him; Su Yan remotely grasped with a great hand, gathering the power of five True Intents onto his body.
A massive hundred-meter Hand Seal appeared above the arena.
Star Net Great Hand Seal
Both attacks arrived as scheduled; with one clash, the earth shook and mountains trembled, the entire arena beginning to collapse.
Their attacks had already reached the level of a Dan Qiao Realm strike.
The crowd watched intently; as the attacks dissipated, the Three-headed Greedy Wolf was directly slapped flying by the Star Net Great Hand Seal to the ground.
Yuan Yi spat blood, his figure staggering as he supported himself on the ground.
His True Intent Realm directly shattered, merging back into his body; the Ghost Shadow Wolves were also seriously injured.
In contrast, surrounded by five True Intents, Su Yan seemed like a heavenly-born divine general, outstanding in demeanor.
Su Yan won.
The crowd watched breathlessly, taking a long time to recover; finally, Yin Mingchen announced loudly: “Su Yan of Guizang Valley wins; Tiger Ranking First belongs to Su Yan.”
“Long live Su Yan!”
“Long live Guizang Valley!”
Starting from Guizang Valley disciples, then Inner Sect disciples and Outer Sect disciples, such cheers instantly rang out.
As Guizang Valley disciples, they were proud of Su Yan winning Tiger Ranking First.
Among the Inner Sect and Outer Sect disciples, there were no shortage of new recruits; for a new disciple to reach this height in a year, how could it not be a breath of fresh air for them?
In an instant, cheers roared like mountains and seas, bustling with excitement; Su Yan wanted to step down but was already surrounded by people, unable to leave for the moment.
On the high platform, the few Head Seats also slowly recovered from their shock.
Bi Qingman gave Gu Sanqian a white-eyed glance, complaining: “Senior Brother Gu is truly cunning; Su Yan has already condensed at least five True Intents, yet didn’t tell us, just watching us make fools of ourselves.”
Star Constellation Profound Beast Skill grew stronger the more True Intents formed a formation.
A formation of five True Intents, plus Su Yan’s current cultivation—even a Dan Qiao Realm Martial Artist would need several exchanges.
Gu Sanqian showed a smug smile: “This old man was busy guiding his Physical Body cultivation and forgot to instruct on Star Constellation Profound Beast Skill’s progress—shameful, shameful.”
Lin Bumo glanced at the old fellow, knowing he was profiting while pretending humility.
“One sect, three inheritances, all learned by your grand-disciple—truly lucky. Senior Brother Gu, take this; consider it my little gift to Su Yan.”
As he spoke, a purple-red item flew from Lin Bumo’s hand into Gu Sanqian’s.
Gu Sanqian showed surprise: “So generous?”
