Although the matches of the later top eight remained exciting, Zhuge Xiang and the others were not opponents to those fighters, so naturally they did not need to pay attention anymore. Taking advantage of the battles, Zhuge Xiang and his companions seized the time to regulate their breath, determined to restore themselves to the best possible state on the duel platform.
The matches of the later top eight also began one by one, four matches in a row to decide four winners, and finally two more matches to decide the top two. In the end, these final two dueled, with the winner taking ninth place and the loser tenth. Thus, the top rankings of the Grand Tournament were not yet decided, but the bottom two positions were already settled, awaiting only the conclusion of the Grand Tournament to receive the rewards provided by the sect.
Despite failing in the top eight, standing out among one hundred thousand disciples to reach the top ten was considered a very decent achievement for them. The tens of thousands of disciples off the stage did not stint in giving them warm applause.
With ninth and tenth places decided, the next phase was the true struggle for the top eight. The first to take the stage was Lei Potian.
Carrying a huge split axe, he walked onto the duel platform step by step. Big and tall, though only fifteen years old, his robust physique made him look seventeen or eighteen, much like Niu Geng. His entire body was knotted with muscles, and his arms were nearly as thick as the thighs of slimmer disciples. Just looking at the massive split axe with the naked eye gave one a sense of crushing pressure.
Lei Potian was truly one of the most dazzling geniuses of this generation. Even having charged into the top eight, his opponent looked at him with a gaze full of solemnity. Before the match even started, the opponent spoke directly, "Senior Brother Lei, I know I am no match for you, but I wish to clearly see just how vast your full strength is and understand the gap between us."
In the Asura Sect, surrendering without a fight was the most shameful thing. Not only would other disciples look down upon you, but the sect would as well. Once burdened with such a stain, it would be very difficult to get along well in the sect in the future. Therefore, even though this disciple considered himself no match for Lei Potian, he still had to fight.
"Your strength is also quite good, Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer. If not for some fortuitous encounters during my trials, I might not necessarily defeat you." The people in the top eight were all dazzling geniuses who knew each other, so Lei Potian slowly hoisted his large split axe and said calmly, "However, since you wish to witness my full strength, I shall grant your wish and let you see just how large the gap between us truly is."
As Lei Potian's words fell, a massive aura erupted from his body, sweeping across the entire arena. Blood-red Qi energy welled up from his skin, and his scarlet hair whipped about without wind. The crimson Qi energy transformed into horrifying, ghostly faces. With the Bloodthirsty Technique unleashed, Lei Potian, who already projected a heavy pressure, seemed to transform entirely into a humanoid beast.
In fact, quite a few people standing relatively close to the duel platform reflexively stepped back by a wide margin, watching Lei Potian's figure with expressions of terror.
The Bloodthirsty Technique at the Proficient Level. Everyone had known that Lei Potian had successfully cultivated the Bloodthirsty Technique, but they had never seen him use it. In the top eight duels, it was finally on display. Zhuge Xiang's eyes narrowed slightly. This Lei Potian made him feel an unprecedented pressure, yet it also caused Zhuge Xiang to burn with excitement and thrills.
The stronger the opponent, the more excited Zhuge Xiang became, because this also meant massive amounts of experience and an ultra-high item drop rate.
The Bloodthirsty Technique was at the Proficient Level for both of them, so Zhuge Xiang held no advantage whatsoever in this regard. Although the Blood Thunder Slash of the Blood Refinement Saber had formidable offensive power, it required too much time to build up momentum. Moreover, looking at Lei Potian's large split axe, he clearly also favored a high-attack route, meaning Zhuge Xiang held no advantage there either and was even at a disadvantage. As for cultivation realm? Well, Qi Cultivation Realm Second Layer versus Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer—Zhuge Xiang was at a disadvantage once again...
As soon as he stepped onto the arena, Lei Potian unleashed the Bloodthirsty Technique. Coupled with his already red-hot reputation, the first match of the top eight ignited the atmosphere before a single blow was struck. Some gasped in awe, some sighed with emotion, some were utterly shocked, and others even shouted out loud...
The backlash inherent to the Bloodthirsty Technique was something no one could avoid, and naturally, Lei Potian could not activate the technique just to stand on the duel platform for people to admire. Charging forward like a mad bull, Lei Potian's original strength was already sufficient to enter the top eight; just how strong would he be with all his attributes enhanced by fifty percent?
The bloody large split axe whipped through the air. Not only was its destructive power terrifying, but its attack speed was equally horrifying. With a single axe-stroke, even though the Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer disciple used his long sword to parry, he was blasted back seven or eight steps straight, his face turning pale as paper. Clearly, the rebound force from a single blow had already inflicted heavy injuries upon him.
With a gaze of unprecedented solemnity, Lei Potian's opponent unfolded his swordsmanship with fierce attacks. However, when Lei Potian cleaved downward with his large split axe, it transformed into a bloody streak of light, using raw force to shatter finesse. Another axe-stroke crashed down, driving his opponent even further back. Pressing his advantage relentlessly, the third axe descended with an unstoppable, crushing momentum. Three consecutive terrifyingly fast and powerful axes ultimately sent his opponent flying straight out, landing entirely off the duel platform...
Dead silence. Lei Potian's overwhelming dominance shocked everyone. Once the Bloodthirsty Technique was activated, it took a mere three axe-blows to send his opponent flying off the platform. Such methods and such a dominant scene deeply stimulated everyone present. From the start of the duel to its end, no more than three breaths had passed before it was already over.
It was not that the opponent was too weak, but that Lei Potian was too strong. After all, who among those capable of entering the top eight could be a mediocre talent?
He possessed both courage and strategy. Facing an opponent in the top eight, Lei Potian knew that if he did not use the Bloodthirsty Technique, he would inevitably be dragged into a protracted battle, resulting in even greater exhaustion. Rather than that, it was better to activate the technique and finish the fight swiftly. Not only could his dominance serve as a strong deterrent to his opponents, but it would also allow him to preserve favorable combat stamina. After all, a three-breath burst of the Bloodthirsty Technique carried very little backlash, and since this was his first match in the top eight, it meant he would have plenty of time to regulate his breath and recuperate before any subsequent rounds.
Brash yet meticulous—that was Lei Potian. Before stepping down from the arena, Lei Potian pointed his large split axe directly at Zhuge Xiang beneath the duel platform, extending a hand to make a throat-slitting gesture whose provocation and threat were self-evident. Many people turned their heads to look at Zhuge Xiang, only to see that he showed no trace of fear or bravado; instead, an expression of thrilling excitement and heavy fighting intent blossomed across his face...
"As expected of a combat genius whose battle lust heart is beyond others' reach." Gazing at Zhuge Xiang's reaction, so filled with a thrilling desire to fight Lei Potian, many people sighed inwardly with emotion. In particular, the opponent who had just been knocked flying by Lei Potian felt a thousand complex feelings welling up in his heart. He himself had possessed virtually no fighting spirit in the face of Lei Potian, yet Zhuge Xiang, a mere Qi Cultivation Realm Second Layer fighter who was even nursing heavy injuries, possessed such intense battle intent, prompting him to inevitably harbor the thought of I am inferior to him.
Following Lei Potian's departure from the arena, the next match featured Ling Wufeng. Triggered by the atmosphere Lei Potian had just ignited, the crowd was filled with even higher expectations for the ensuing battles. However, this duel left everyone disappointed...
It was not because the duel itself was dull, but because it ended far too quickly. A flying dagger flashed and vanished, and Ling Wufeng's opponent was heavily injured right then and there, utterly failing even to dodge in time.
Looking at the flying dagger embedded in his shoulder, Ling Wufeng's opponent knew the other had shown mercy. The speed of the flying dagger had even surpassed his own reflexes; had it targeted his heart or throat, he would already be dead. Recognizing the situation and retreating without entangling himself further, a single flying dagger brought the match to a close just like that.
First came Lei Potian, who knocked his opponent flying out of the ring with three axes, and then came Ling Wufeng, whose single flying dagger forced his opponent to gracefully concede defeat. Which of the two was stronger? Many people began to discuss quietly among themselves, yet no one could arrive at a conclusion.
Lei Potian's might was deeply etched into everyone's hearts, whereas Ling Wufeng had utilized a single flying dagger in every match since the Grand Tournament began. No one knew the bottom line of his capabilities, making Ling Wufeng's strength appear unfathomably mysterious.
"For the third top eight duel, Lu Yuling versus Hua Nongying," the announcer on the duel platform stated after proclaiming Ling Wufeng's victory.
Hearing this, Zhuge Xiang's expression grew much more serious. The strength of Lei Potian and Ling Wufeng had indeed matched Zhuge Xiang's expectations, but what about Hua Nongying and Lu Yuling? Which of the two was stronger?
It was not just Zhuge Xiang who grew serious; everyone else became intensely focused as well. Lu Yuling was a genius second to none compared to Lei Potian, and coupled with her innate appearance and a temperament resembling a lonely moon in the firmament, she remained the focal point of all disciples' gazes wherever she went.
Hua Nongying was no slouch either. Although her looks fell slightly short of Lu Yuling by half a step, she possessed a lively, nimble personality akin to a lark, her charm possessing its own distinct appeal. Furthermore, she was the sole disciple among the one hundred thousand to have cultivated martial arts to the Mastery Level, and her comprehension of martial arts was difficult for others to reach. The third top eight duel—a battle between two beautiful female disciples—naturally attracted a great deal of attention.
With white robes fluttering, arriving gracefully, Lu Yuling had already appeared on the arena. Standing quietly, she exuded a tranquil, chilling coldness that prevented others from daring to approach too closely. As Lu Yuling manifested, a phantom-like shadow appeared without the slightest warning before her, seemingly truly resembling a ghost.
Clad in pale green robes, Hua Nongying wore a lively and nimble smile on her face. "Hehe, Senior Sister Lu Yuling, I've wanted to spar with you for a long time. Today we finally have the chance, so you mustn't go easy on me!"
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