He won his battle against Shi Potian with great difficulty, his spiritual power was almost exhausted, and although his Chaos Green Lotus Martial Soul was continuously recovering, his mental fatigue was difficult to eliminate quickly. More importantly, the shadow of the semi-finals had already weighed heavily on his heart.
Sitting cross-legged, Xiao Han circulated the "Creation-Heaven-Penetrating Art" and the "Shadow Void Scripture" to recover his energy while pulling up information on his semi-final opponents.
On the screen, the image of a handsome young man with a hint of wickedness popped up.
"Long Aotian, the top student in the Core Sequence of the Imperial Capital Academy, is recognized as the strongest genius. He is nineteen years old and at the Martial Master Realm Eighth Level Peak. His Martial Soul is an SSS-level [Purgatory Demon Dragon], primarily associated with slaughter, destruction, and the awe-inspiring power of dragon might. There is a record of him single-handedly slaying a mutated beast at the Martial Grandmaster Realm Second Level during a secret realm trial..."
Below the information are several battle videos. In the videos, Long Aotian's figure is like a demon, possessed by the Purgatory Demon Dragon Martial Soul. Every move he makes is full of world-destroying power. Flames and darkness intertwine, and the dragon's roar shakes the soul. Opponents of the same level can hardly last more than three moves against him.
"Martial Master Realm Eighth Level Peak... SSS-level Purgatory Demon Dragon..." Xiao Han's brows furrowed tightly.
Shi Potian's defense had already exhausted all his strength, and he even used the rudimentary form of the Chaos Life-Breath Domain to barely win. This Long Aotian, on the other hand, not only far surpassed Shi Potian in realm, but his Martial Soul rank had also reached the terrifying SSS level, and his attack power was known for its destructive force.
This was almost a one-sided battle.
Xiao Han took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He wasn't without trump cards; the Shadow Dominator trait after the Eternal Night Monarch's evolution, the newly comprehended "Green Lotus Sword Song," and the follow-up moves of the "Annihilation Divine Fist" were all his reliance for daring to fight.
But against an opponent of Long Aotian's caliber, these seem insufficient.
The difference in their levels of understanding is like an insurmountable chasm.
"Unless... a miracle happens." Xiao Han muttered to himself, a complex look flashing in his eyes. He knew that his greatest source of miracles was that "cheeky" system that always brought surprises.
As if hearing his thoughts, the long-lost system notification sounded in his mind at just the right moment.
[Ding! Detected that the host is facing a critical decision. God-Level Choice System activated!]
[The host is about to face the semi-finals of the Academy Grand Competition. The opponent is strong, and the outcome is uncertain. Please make the following choices to give yourself a chance in the upcoming battle!]
Xiao Han's spirits lifted. Here they come!
[Option 1: Steady and methodical approach. The host may spend the next three days in seclusion, diligently studying the combat footage of the opponent, Long Aotian, analyzing the characteristics of his Martial Soul and the weaknesses in his moves, and formulating a meticulous and targeted tactic.]
[Select Reward: The Academy's Academic Affairs Office will kindly provide you with a [Long Aotian Weakness Analysis Report] (Top Secret Version, 50% Accuracy) and a bottle of [Quick Healing Pill] (Martial Master Level, Medium Quality).]
Looking at option one, Xiao Han's lips twitched. A weakness analysis with a 50% accuracy rate? What's the difference between that and flipping a coin? It's not as reliable as doing his own analysis. As for healing pills, he has the Chaos Green Lotus, so he doesn't really need them.
This option emphasizes "survival," but can one survive against a Long Aotian?
He turned his attention to the second option.
[Option Two: Fortune favors the bold, take a gamble and you might just turn a bicycle into a motorcycle! The host must travel to the forbidden area behind the Imperial Capital Academy — Thunder Punishment Cliff —within 24 hours. At the summit of Thunder Punishment Cliff, draw upon the divine lightning of the Nine Heavens to temper your physical body for a quarter of an hour (Friendly reminder: Non-professionals should not attempt this; the system is not responsible if you are struck to a crisp, dear~), and amidst the roaring thunder, shout loudly with your dantian energy: "Thunder God, help me! I will fight ten!" Continue for one minute; the effect will be even better if your voice resounds for a hundred miles!]
[Choose reward: If the host can complete this feat alive (the system is pessimistic about this), the host will receive [Dual Martial Soul Origin Overlimit Awakening] (the Chaos Green Lotus and Eternal Night King Martial Soul ranks will temporarily and significantly surpass SSS+ during the semi-finals, with a surge in power!), and [Temporary Thunder Tyrant Body] (significantly enhances physical strength, lightning resistance, and explosive power, lasting until the end of the semi-finals).]
[Failure Penalty: At best, cultivation will regress and Martial Soul will be damaged; at worst, the soul will be annihilated on the spot, turning into ashes. This system will observe three seconds of silence for the host as appropriate.]
"Puff--"
Even with Xiao Han and composed nature, he almost spat out a mouthful of blood at this moment.
Thunder Punishment Cliff!
That's one of the three forbidden areas of the Imperial Capital Academy! Legend has it that Thunder Punishment Cliff is perpetually shrouded in raging lightning, and even Martial Grandmaster dare not easily set foot there. Tempering one's body with divine lightning from the heavens? What's the difference between that and courting death?
Even more outrageous, they would shout "Thunder God, help me! I'll take on ten of them!" while being struck by lightning.
The scene was too beautiful for Xiao Han to imagine. If other people in the academy saw it, the legend of Xiao Han "wanting to fight against heroes on Thunder Punishment Cliff, only to be struck by lightning and lose his mind" would probably immediately replace his title of "dark horse genius" and be passed down through the ages.
This isn't just social suicide; this is recklessly flirting with death!
But...
Xiao Han's gaze was fixed on the reward for option two.
[Dual Martial Soul Origin Overlimit Awakening]! [Temporary Thunder Tyrant Body]!
The Chaos Green Lotus and the Eternal Night Monarch were already beyond SSS+ in existence. If their rank were to temporarily surpass that by a significant margin, what terrifying power would they possess? Add to that the physical enhancement brought by the Thunderclap Tyrant Body...
This reward is practically tailor-made for him to deal with Long Aotian!
If choosing option one means facing a nine-out-of-ten chance of death, then choosing option two means facing death to live!
Risk and reward are always directly proportional.
Xiao Han's breathing became heavy. He knew very well that with his current strength, his chances of winning against Long Aotian were less than 10%. Even with unexpected trump cards, it would be difficult to make up for the huge gap brought about by their cultivation levels and Martial Soul levels.
Choosing option one may seem like a safe bet, but it's actually a slow death.
Option two is a near-certain death, but it contains the only hope of turning the tide!
"Damn it, let's do it!"
Xiao Han slapped his thigh suddenly, a hint of madness and determination flashing in his eyes.
In both his past and present lives, has he ever feared a challenge? Now that the system has provided this path, even if it's a mountain of knives and a sea of fire, he must brave it!
So what if I get struck by lightning? So what if I shout a few shameful slogans?
For victory, for greater strength, and to live up to those expectant eyes, what are these risks and costs!
"System, I choose option two!" Xiao Han roared inwardly.
[Ding! Host has made a choice! Commendable courage, but touching intelligence! Please make thorough preparations for your journey to Thunder Punishment Cliff. May you have... good luck (though the chances are slim)!]
[Mission Time Limit: 24 hours. Countdown begins!]
The system's voice carried a hint of schadenfreude and mockery, but Xiao Han had no time to pay attention to it.
He stood up, his eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit.