The deathly silence lasted only a few breaths before a sky-shaking uproar erupted below the Azure Qilin Platform.
Countless disciples burst into a frenzy. Discussions, exclamations, and cheers tangled together, almost lifting the entire Azure Qilin Platform off its foundations.
"Heavens! That was brutal! Yuwen Mingjue was beaten unconscious!"
"Yang Jing's strength is terrifying! Who could have imagined he'd take first place in his very first Azure Qilin Battle and beat Yuwen Mingjue so badly!"
"Incredible! Absolutely incredible! Now that's true top-level combat strength at the internal energy stage! Yuwen Mingjue couldn't even fight back against him!"
The disciples were shocked beyond measure, craning their necks to stare at the platform, their faces filled with horror.
They had known Yang Jing was strong enough to defeat top disciples like Zhou Tong, Wei Dongting, and Zhao Chong one after another.
But they had never imagined he was this strong, beating the insufferably arrogant Yuwen Mingjue like a dead dog and leaving him sprawled on the ground, seemingly hovering between life and death.
Just then, the Main Peak Steward presiding over the Azure Qilin Battle stepped onto the Azure Qilin Platform.
His gaze swept across the wrecked platform before settling on Yang Jing, surprise still lingering in his eyes.
The Main Peak Steward marveled inwardly at how ruthless the boy had been.
There had been no trace of a friendly contest in that beating. He had clearly been trying to kill him.
His gaze shifted to Yuwen Mingjue, who lay on the ground.
How splendid the boy had looked before, dressed in a bright brocade robe and standing on the platform with an arrogant expression, looking down on everyone as though none of them deserved his notice.
And now?
His brocade robe was torn beyond recognition, his body covered in blood. He