The Top Eight Battle (Part One)

Boom boom boom...

The Triple Rock Collapse Technique was Zhuge Xiang's Earth Spell. Xiong Ba Tian was only at the Tenth Layer of the Divine Ability Stage; how could he possibly withstand the power of Zhuge Xiang's Triple Rock Collapse Technique?

Although this Skill has many limitations, Skill attack power is undeniably formidable; one Skill is equivalent to three attacks.

"Ding, defeated the target at the Tenth Layer of the Divine Ability Stage, gained 52,800 experience points," the system notification sounded in Zhuge Xiang's mind. Hearing this, Zhuge Xiang slowly released his hand.

Needless to say, Xiong Ba Tian on the ground looked utterly wretched. His head was already splattered with blood, and after enduring the Triple Rock Collapse Technique, he was so badly unrecognizable that even his own mother wouldn't recognize him.

Silence fell. All the Cultivator watching the battle were speechless for a moment. Although Zhuge Xiang had used ruthless methods along the way, none of his opponents were top-tier masters. Therefore, in everyone's mind, he was left with the impression of being ruthless but perhaps not the strongest.

Even after defeating Dongfang Yan, he was only known for his cunning. But now, at this moment, Zhuge Xiang's strength has truly conquered everyone.

Who is Xiong Ba Tian? He is a powerhouse second only to the three geniuses. When everyone saw Zhuge Xiang being tightly gripped by Violent Bear Grasp's Skill, everyone thought Zhuge Xiang was doomed to lose. This was the same move that had once crushed Cultivator at the Spell Control Stage.

But what about Zhuge Xiang? He broke through it with ease, and the powerful Xiong Ba Tian couldn't even withstand a single move from him? He grabbed Xiong Batian's head, pressed him to the ground, and then unleashed an Earth Spell, defeating him in one strike, leaving him with no chance to recover.

Silence fell, everyone was stunned. Almost all the Cultivator present stared wide-eyed, completely dumbfounded. Zhuge Xiang's methods, his ruthlessness, his ferocity—only now did they realize his strength. The Heavenly Sword Sect's choice was indeed correct. Just based on that move he just made, becoming the fourth Seed Player was absolutely enough!

"Anyone else want to challenge me? To be honest, I really hope someone will challenge me..." After releasing his grip and gaining tens of thousands of Experience Points, Zhuge Xiang was still somewhat unsatisfied. He glanced around at all the Cultivator present and asked.

As Seed Player, he only needs to accept one challenge. Even if there are more challenges later, he can refuse. But now, Zhuge Xiang's intention is simple: he will accept as many challenges as come, without any fear of the final round-robin battles before the final.

"...".

The remaining seven Cultivators were speechless, completely shocked by Zhuge Xiang's ruthlessness. The three geniuses were indeed strong, but for most people, it had been many years since they had seen the three of them truly fight. Zhuge Xiang's strength, however, was clearly displayed before everyone, allowing everyone to see it clearly.

Some people have even begun to doubt whether Zhuge Xiang has already surpassed the three geniuses in strength.

The disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect had quite good mental fortitude. Although they were also shocked by the strength displayed by Zhuge Xiang, they quickly spoke up and announced Zhuge Xiang's voice.

His words shattered the silence, and immediately, the watching Cultivator erupted in a roar of exclamations, gasps of shock, and screams...

Glory!? To Zhuge Xiang, it was nothing but an illusion. Zhuge Xiang paid no attention to the reactions of the others. His sharp eyes swept over the remaining seven Cultivators. Seeing that they had no intention of challenging him, he felt bored, turned around and left the Tournament Platform, returning to his seat. The powerful and domineering aura around him gradually calmed down and quieted down.

"Alright, now that no one has any objections to the four Seed Player, the final battle for the fifth to eleventh place rankings will begin." The remaining seven Cultivators were paired up, and it was up to Luck who would be assigned to Xiong Ba Tian. As punishment for failing to challenge the Seed Player, his ranking had already been set: twelfth on the Dragon Phoenix Ranking.

Without exception, all the Cultivator made it into the top twelve were at the Divine Ability Stage. Such beings would be equivalent to Yin Wugu, Gu Siqi, and others in Yanling Commandery. Zhuge Xiang sat in his seat, quietly watching the battle between these Cultivators.

Undeniably, those from places like Canghai Commandery are of a higher caliber than those from Yanling Commandery. Their methods, strength, and temperament are all excellent. Outside, they would be considered Dragon Among Men, and even ordinary Cultivator at the Spell Control Stage might find it difficult to defeat them.

The Dragon Phoenix Ranking is for those Dragon Among Men are exceptionally talented and outstanding in cultivation. More importantly, it is their strength that surpasses that of other experts at the same level. Only then can they be considered Dragon Among Men.

Take Xiong Ba Tian, who was just defeated by Zhuge Xiang, for example. Although his strength was only at the Tenth Layer of the Divine Ability Stage, if he were outside, he would even surpass many people in the Spell Control Stage.

The battle between the seven Cultivator quickly came to an end, and the top eight had already emerged. The rankings of the Top 32, from ninth place onwards, were all determined in full view of everyone.

Lei Qianjun, the Thunderclap Sword Leng Ningxiang the Heavenly Sword Sect; Leng Lengxiang, the Cold Wolf Rogue Cultivator; Ming Chihuo, the Fire Spirit Young Master of the Fire Worship Cult Azure Sword Sect; Zhuge Xiang, the Great Elder of the Medium Sect Talisman Sect; Fu Qingming, the genius disciple of the medium-sized Talisman Swordsman Genius Disciple; Shui Wan'er, the genius female disciple of the Medium Sect Yin Mysterious Yin Sect; Zhao Qianjin, the Rogue Cultivator Mad Demon Axe; and finally Chu Lingfeng, the Cultivator of the Heavenly Sword Sect Soaring Wind Swordsman.

"Ladies and gentlemen, these eight are the top eight of this year's Dragon Phoenix Ranking. Thunderclap Sword Lei Qianjun, needless to say, I believe everyone here has already heard of him. He is Genius Disciple of our Heavenly Sword Sect, and his Swordsmanship is like Thunderclap in the sky, with unparalleled power."

"Fire Spirit Young Master Ming Chihuo, the Fire Spirit, possesses an elegant demeanor and unfathomable cultivation. Legend has it that even when he was at the Divine Ability Stage, he could control Fire Spell at will, and was born with extraordinary Flame abilities. Coming from the Fire Worship Cult, his Flame prowess is self-evident."

The Heavenly Sword Sect disciple in charge began to introduce each of the Cultivator had made it into the top eight. Such an honor and such a reputation would surely be something no young person would refuse.

Cold Wolf Leng Ningxiang, I believe I need to say even less. Although Miss Leng was raised by Demon Wolf and her Foundation Establishment cultivation was based on the Wolf Demon's Cultivation Method, Miss Leng was able to find a different path and create Cultivation Technique suitable for herself, combining human Cultivation Technique with Demon Cultivator Cultivation Technique. Miss Leng's current achievements are enough to demonstrate her intelligence and perseverance.

Zhuge Xiang is rumored to be a disciple from the Large Sect of Yanling Commandery Asura Sect in Yanling County. He joined the Azure Sword Sect and is the biggest dark horse in this year's Dragon Phoenix Ranking. He is also the only Cultivator who can rival the three geniuses. However, perhaps because he comes from the Demonic Sect Asura Sect, Young Master Zhuge's methods tend to be ruthless. But his strength is beyond doubt and can be seen by all.

Fu Qingming, the young master of the Talisman Sect, is rumored to be a swordsman who later joined the Talisman Sect. He successfully fused the Talisman Sect's talismanic arts with his own Swordsmanship, resulting in a bizarre and unpredictable Swordsmanship. If one is not careful, even a genius like the three great geniuses could suffer a humiliating defeat.

There's also Shui Wan'er from the Mysterious Yin Sect, whose cultivation has reached the Eighth Layer of the Divine Ability Stage. She can be said to be the most mysterious Cultivator present, because all her opponents have inexplicably fallen to the ground and lost their fighting ability along the way. No one knows what her methods are. Perhaps it's not entirely impossible for her to defeat several geniuses.

Zhao Qianjin, the Mad Demon Axe, wields the Mad Demon Axe Technique, so powerful that even gods and demons dodge it. Legend has it that he once single-handedly killed a powerful expert at the Spell Control Stage with One Hundred and Eight Consecutive Axes blows. His domineering and fierce axe technique is not to be underestimated.

As for the last Soaring Wind Swordsman, Chu Lingfeng, he is also Genius Disciple of my Heavenly Sword Sect. He is three years younger than Senior Brother Lei, but his cultivation level is already close to that of the three geniuses. Senior Brother Chu's Sword Moves are known for their speed. It is said that once he used his sword to cut off the heads of three Cultivators at the Divine Ability Stage without them even realizing it.

Alright, those are the top eight on this year's Dragon Phoenix Ranking. None of them are weak. How will they rank? I'm sure everyone is eager to find out. To be honest, I'm watching with bated breath too.

The top eight are indeed all exceptionally strong. It is undeniable that the other four, even if they have not reached the Spell Control Stage, are no weaker than Cultivator in the Spell Control Stage. At this point, a difference of one or two levels of cultivation is no longer significant. What truly matters is the individual's abilities, reaction speed, mentality, combat experience, and so on.

Taking a deep breath, Zhuge Xiang stared at everyone present. All eight Cultivators were formidable, and Zhuge Xiang would go all out against any of them. The four Seed Player would each face off against the four disciples who had just won.

The first team to take the stage was Leng Ningxiang, whose opponent was the Soaring Wind Swordsman Chu Lingfeng.

"Alright, in the battle between Miss Leng and Senior Brother Chu, who will be stronger? Is Miss Leng more powerful, or is Senior Brother Chu's sword faster? Now, the first match of the Top Eight Battle begins!"

Light! Sword Light! A chilling and piercing Sword Light...

As soon as the Heavenly Sword Sect disciple announced, Chu Lingfeng made his move instantly. His movements were swift, and his sword was even faster. Facing Leng Ningxiang, whose fame had already resounded throughout Canghai Commandery, he had no choice but to act quickly. He drew his longsword at a speed that was almost beyond the range of human vision.

"So fast, almost as fast as my Explosive Steps..." Zhuge Xiang's eyes narrowed slightly.

Although he had been watching Chu Lingfeng's battles for some time, he had never displayed such incredible speed before. Clearly, he was using all his strength against Leng Ningxiang, unleashing his fastest speed.

Chu Lingfeng's sword is indeed fast, without a doubt. However, his attacks might be effective against others, even Zhuge Xiang and Ming Chihuo, but Leng Ningxiang?

Having grown up among Demon Wolf Pack, Leng Ningxiang is wild and possesses a beast-like intuition, which she skillfully utilizes to transform into her own strength.

Bite!

The Wolf Claw flashed, striking first despite being behind, as if anticipated. Leng Ningxiang's Wolf Claw blocked Chu Lingfeng's sword, giving the impression that Leng Ningxiang had attacked first, and then Chu Lingfeng's sword struck the Wolf Claw. (To be continued...)