Three Axes Defeat Enemy, One Blade Repels Enemy

(ps: Please collect, please recommend. The book has been changed to an A-sign contract status.)

Although the Later Top Eight battles were still exciting, for Zhuge Xiang and the others, since they weren't opponents, there was naturally no need to pay attention. While the battles raged on, Zhuge Xiang and his group seized the time to regulate their breathing, ensuring they could recover to their best state on the Duel Platform.

The Later Top Eight battles proceeded one by one, four matches in a row to determine four victors, then two more matches to decide the top two. Finally, these two would duel, with the winner taking ninth place and the loser tenth. In this way, though the Grand Tournament's higher rankings weren't settled, the last two places were already determined. Once the Grand Tournament ended, they would each receive a reward provided by the sect.

Although they had lost in the Former Top Eight, emerging from among a Hundred Thousand Disciples to secure a spot in the top ten was still quite impressive for them. The Over a Hundred Thousand Disciples below the stage gave them unreserved, enthusiastic applause.

With the ninth and tenth places decided, the true battle for the Former Top Eight began. The first to take the stage was Lei Potian.

Carrying a massive Great Axe on his back, he stepped onto the Duel Platform step by step. Tall and burly, though only fifteen years old, his physique was robust, like Niu Geng's, making him look seventeen or eighteen. His muscles bulged, and his arms were nearly as thick as the thighs of slighter disciples. The sheer sight of the enormous Great Axe brought an immense sense of pressure.

Lei Potian was indeed one of the most dazzling geniuses of this tournament. Even as he charged into the Former Top Eight, his opponent looked at him with grave seriousness. Before the match even began, he spoke directly: "Senior Brother Lei, I know I'm no match for you. But I want to clearly see the full extent of your strength, to understand the gap between us."

In the Asura Sect, surrendering without a fight was the greatest disgrace. Not only would other disciples look down on you, but the sect itself would as well. Once such a stain was left, it would be very difficult to thrive in the sect later. So even though this disciple believed he couldn't defeat Lei Potian, he had to fight on.

"Your strength isn't bad either—Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer. If I hadn't had some luck during my training, I might not be able to beat you," Lei Potian said calmly, slowly lifting his Great Axe into his hands. The Former Top Eight were all dazzling geniuses who knew each other. "But since you want to see my full power, I'll grant your wish and show you just how big the gap between us really is."

As Lei Potian's words fell, a vast aura erupted from him, sweeping across the entire venue. Blood-red Qi Energy seeped from his skin, and his Crimson Long Hair danced in the wind without any breeze. The blood-red Qi Energy transformed into grim Ghost Faces, eerie and terrifying. Lei Potian, already a source of heavy pressure, now seemed to transform into a Humanoid Beast as he unleashed the Bloodthirsty Technique.

Even many of those close to the Duel Platform instinctively stepped back, staring at Lei Potian's figure with looks of terror.

The Bloodthirsty Technique at the Proficient Level—everyone knew Lei Potian had successfully cultivated it, but they had never seen him use it. Now, in the Former Top Eight duel, they finally witnessed it. Zhuge Xiang's eyes narrowed slightly. This Lei Potian brought him an unprecedented sense of pressure, yet it also stirred excitement and thrill within him.

The stronger the opponent, the more excited Zhuge Xiang became, because it also meant massive experience points and a high drop rate for items.

The Bloodthirsty Technique—both at the Proficient Level. Zhuge Xiang had no advantage here. The Blood Thunder Slash of the Blood Refinement Saber was powerful in attack, but it required too long to build momentum. And looking at Lei Potian's Great Axe, it clearly followed a path of high attack power as well. Zhuge Xiang had no advantage here either—in fact, he was at a disadvantage. As for cultivation realm? Well, Qi Cultivation Realm Second Layer against Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer—Zhuge Xiang was at a disadvantage again...

As soon as he stepped onto the stage, Lei Potian activated the Bloodthirsty Technique. Combined with his already blazing reputation, the first battle of the Former Top Eight ignited the atmosphere before a single blow was struck. There were those who marveled, those who sighed, those who were shocked, and even some who shouted loudly...

No one could avoid the aftereffects of the Bloodthirsty Technique. Naturally, Lei Potian wouldn't just stand on the Duel Platform for show after activating it. He charged forward like a mad bull. Lei Potian's strength alone was enough to secure a spot in the Former Top Eight. With all attributes boosted by 50%, how strong was he?

The blood-red Great Axe swung, its attack power terrifying and its speed equally fearsome. With one axe strike, though the Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer disciple blocked with his longsword, he was sent staggering back seven or eight steps, his face pale. Clearly, the recoil from that single blow had already severely injured him.

His expression was unprecedentedly grim. Lei Potian's opponent unleashed his sword technique, his attacks fierce. But Lei Potian's Great Axe came down like a blood-red ribbon, breaking skill with brute force. Another axe strike sent the opponent even farther back. Pressing the advantage without mercy, a third axe fell, overwhelming and unstoppable. Three consecutive, terrifyingly fast axe strikes finally sent the opponent flying out of the Duel Platform...

Dead silence. Lei Potian's dominance stunned everyone. After activating the Bloodthirsty Technique, three consecutive axe strikes sent his opponent flying off the Duel Platform. Such a method, such a display of power, deeply shocked everyone. From the start of the duel to its end, only three breaths had passed.

It wasn't that the opponent was too weak—it was that Lei Potian was too strong. After all, who among those who made it to the Former Top Eight could be mediocre?

Brave and resourceful. Facing a former Top Eight opponent, Lei Potian knew that without the Bloodthirsty Technique, he would inevitably be dragged into a prolonged struggle, exhausting himself further. Instead, it was better to activate the technique and end it quickly. Not only would his dominance deliver a strong shock to his opponents, but it would also allow him to preserve his combat effectiveness. After all, three breaths of the Bloodthirsty Technique came with relatively minor aftereffects. As the first match of the eight-strong duels, he would have plenty of time to rest and recover before the other three matches.

Rough on the outside, fine on the inside—that was Lei Potian. Before stepping off the stage, Lei Potian pointed his Great Axe at Zhuge Xiang below the Duel Platform and made a throat-slitting gesture, the challenge and threat unmistakable. Many turned to look at Zhuge Xiang, only to see that he showed no fear or bravado. Instead, a look of excitement and thrill appeared on his face, his battle intent blazing...

"As expected of a battle-type genius—his Battle Lust Heart is beyond the reach of others," many sighed inwardly at Zhuge Xiang's reaction, his eager fighting spirit directed at Lei Potian. Especially the opponent who had been sent flying by Lei Potian, who was filled with mixed emotions. He had no fighting spirit in front of Lei Potian, yet Zhuge Xiang, only at Qi Cultivation Realm Second Layer and still severely injured, burned with such battle intent. This made him involuntarily think, I am inferior to him.

As Lei Potian left the stage, the next battle featured Ling Wufeng. With the atmosphere ignited by Lei Potian, everyone was even more eager for the subsequent fights. However, this duel disappointed the crowd...

It wasn't that the duel was boring—it was that it ended too quickly. A Flying Dagger flashed, and Ling Wufeng's opponent was severely injured, unable even to dodge in time.

Looking at the Flying Dagger embedded in his shoulder, Ling Wufeng's opponent knew he had held back. The speed of the Flying Dagger had surpassed his own reaction. If the dagger had been aimed at his heart or throat, he would already be dead. Knowing when to retreat, he didn't insist on prolonging the fight. With a single Flying Dagger, the battle was over.

First, Lei Potian sent his opponent flying off the Duel Platform with three axe strikes. Then, Ling Wufeng made his opponent yield with a single Flying Dagger. Who was stronger? Many whispered among themselves, but no one could reach a conclusion.

Lei Potian's strength was deeply ingrained in everyone's minds. As for Ling Wufeng, from the start of the Grand Tournament, every match ended with a single Flying Dagger. No one knew his limits, so Ling Wufeng's strength remained shrouded in mystery.

"The third match of the eight-strong duels: Lu Yuling versus Hua Nongying," the host on the Duel Platform announced after declaring Ling Wufeng's victory.

Hearing this, Zhuge Xiang's expression grew much more serious. Lei Potian and Ling Wufeng's strength was exactly as he had expected. What about Hua Nongying and Lu Yuling? Who was stronger, and who was weaker?

It wasn't just Zhuge Xiang who became serious—everyone else did too. Lu Yuling was a genius on par with Lei Potian. Combined with her appearance and her aura like the Lone Moon in Sky, she was the center of attention for all disciples wherever she went.

Hua Nongying was no slouch either. Though her beauty was slightly inferior to Lu Yuling's, her lively and cheerful personality, like a Lark, gave her a unique charm. Each had their own strengths in temperament. Moreover, she was the only one among the Over a Hundred Thousand Disciples to have cultivated her Martial Art to the Mastery Level. Her comprehension of martial arts was unmatched. The third Former Top Eight duel, a battle between two beautiful female disciples, naturally drew everyone's attention.

White skirts fluttering, she drifted gracefully onto the stage. Lu Yuling stood silently, exuding a cold, untouchable aura. As she appeared, a ghostly figure materialized before her without warning, as if truly a specter.

Dressed in a light green skirt, Hua Nongying's face carried a lively, cheerful smile. "Hehe, Senior Sister Lu Yuling, I've wanted to spar with you for a long time. Today, I finally have the chance. Don't go easy on me."