Wei Zhao's Strength

In less than ten minutes, Chen Ye was teleported out in a wretched state. He was wounded, his face pale—clearly, he had just endured a brutal battle.

"Chen Ye, unqualified!" the elder on the platform announced expressionlessly.

Chen Ye lowered his head dejectedly and silently stepped aside.

After that, several more participating disciples entered the Trial Secret Realm one after another.

Yet the results were far from satisfactory.

"Li Hu, unqualified!"

"Zhang Yang, unqualified!"

"...Unqualified!"

One disciple after another was declared unqualified. One had even suffered grievous injuries inside; a Fierce Beast had bitten a huge chunk of flesh from his thigh, exposing stark white bone. The sight was horrifying, and he was already unconscious when he was carried out.

The Outer Court elder's brows furrowed tighter and tighter, obvious disappointment appearing on his face. "Sigh, the overall level of this year's Outer Court disciples truly seems lacking... Not a single one has managed to pass so far!"

The ordinary disciples in the square also began discussing among themselves. "Looks like this year's selection tournament really is much harder than previous years..."

"The participating senior brothers don't seem all that strong either..."

Just as the Outer Court elder and the disciples were beginning to feel disappointed, the deacon in charge of calling names loudly announced the next one:

"Next, Wei Zhao!"

At the sound of that name, the atmosphere in the square abruptly froze, before erupting into even more fervent discussion!

"Senior Brother Wei Zhao! It's finally Senior Brother Wei Zhao's turn!"

"Senior Brother Wei Zhao is one of the favorites. He'll definitely pass!"

"Let's see what Senior Brother Wei Zhao can do!"

The Outer Court elders on the platform also sat up slightly straighter, their gazes turning toward the figure about to enter the Trial Secret Realm.

A stir ran through the crowd as everyone turned toward the source of the voice.

A broad, powerfully built young man with knotted muscles strode out from the crowd. His features were resolute, and his eyes blazed with wild, unruly Fighting Spirit. He was none other than Wei Zhao, one of the top experts among the Outer Court disciples!

"It's Senior Brother Wei Zhao! It's finally his turn!"

"I wonder if Senior Brother Wei Zhao can clear it smoothly? That's a Body Refining Tenth Level Fierce Beast. The people who came out earlier said it was incredibly ferocious!"

"Senior Brother Wei Zhao is a beast who can go head-to-head with Senior Brother Jin Zhong's Sword Technique. There's definitely no problem!"

The Outer Court disciples discussed excitedly, their burning gazes fixed on Wei Zhao.

On the platform, several Outer Court elders sat up a little straighter as well. One elder said quietly to the person beside him, "I remember this Wei Zhao. Back when he was at the Body Refining Eighth Level, he fought one against three and killed three Baiyang Sect disciples at the same level who had come to provoke him. He's a ruthless character who fights as if his life means nothing. Now that he's reached the Body Refining Tenth Level, I wonder how much he has improved."

"We'll see," another elder replied blandly.

Without the slightest hesitation, Wei Zhao strode into the entrance of the Trial Secret Realm.

Very soon, the scene inside the secret realm's Arena was projected onto the giant screen in the center of the square through a special Water Mirror Technique.

Inside the Arena, a Fierce Beast even larger than the Patterned Leopard from before appeared before Wei Zhao. Its entire body was covered in hard scales, and two sharp fangs protruded from its head. It was the Iron Claw Saber-tooth Tiger, famed for its strength among Body Refining Tenth Level Fierce Beasts!

Even among Body Refining Tenth Level Fierce Beasts, the Iron Claw Saber-tooth Tiger belonged to the "strongest tier." Its strength was outrageous, its defense astonishing; ordinary Body Refining Tenth Level cultivators were simply no match for it!

"It's actually an Iron Claw Saber-tooth Tiger! Now this will be good!" the disciples in the square cried out.

In the Water Mirror, Wei Zhao showed not the slightest fear upon seeing the Iron Claw Saber-tooth Tiger. Instead, the Fighting Spirit in his eyes burned even fiercer.

"Perfect!" Wei Zhao shouted low. Rather than retreating, he advanced, stomping fiercely against the ground. Like a cannonball blasted from its barrel, he shot straight toward the Iron Claw Saber-tooth Tiger! He used no weapon at all—only his bare fists!

"ROAR!"

Sensing the provocation, the Iron Claw Saber-tooth Tiger let out an ear-splitting roar. Its hind legs slammed against the ground, and with a gust of bloody stench, it sprang forward with its maw wide open, sharp teeth bared, lunging to tear into Wei Zhao!

"BANG!"

Wei Zhao threw a punch that collided viciously with the Iron Claw Saber-tooth Tiger's head, unleashing a dull, thunderous boom!

Wei Zhao's body swayed slightly, while the Iron Claw Saber-tooth Tiger was also knocked two steps back. Clearly, Wei Zhao was not at a disadvantage in terms of strength!

"What incredible strength!" the Outer Court disciples exclaimed in amazement.

What followed became entirely Wei Zhao's personal performance. He fought in an almost life-for-life style!

When the Iron Claw Saber-tooth Tiger's claws swept toward him, he neither dodged nor evaded. He forcefully blocked them with one arm while his other fist smashed viciously into the beast's abdomen!

The sharp claws carved deep bloody gashes across his arm, blood streaming down, but Wei Zhao seemed unable to feel pain. His gaze only grew more vicious, and his fists struck with even greater force!

Like a humanoid Fierce Beast, he engaged the Iron Claw Saber-tooth Tiger in the most primitive, most savage close-quarters brawl! Dull explosions rang continuously through the Arena, every collision making hearts leap into throats.

"He's insane! Senior Brother Wei Zhao is completely insane!"

"That's too ruthless! This fighting style... he's practically throwing his life away!"

"As expected of a beast who can go head-to-head with Senior Brother Jin Zhong! This combat style is way too violent!"

The Outer Court disciples watched with their mouths agape, all marveling at Wei Zhao's ferocity. They felt that Wei Zhao looked more like a Fierce Beast than the Iron Claw Saber-tooth Tiger did!

The elders on the platform, however, watched with faint frowns. One elder shook his head. "More courage than strategy. This kind of fighting may win, but it also makes it easy for him to suffer grave injuries—even lose his life. He will never amount to much."

In the Water Mirror, the battle reached a fever pitch. Wei Zhao was covered in wounds, his robes dyed red with blood, yet his offensive showed no sign of weakening.

"Die!" Wei Zhao roared. Seizing an opening in the Iron Claw Saber-tooth Tiger's defenses, he gathered his Full Body Strength and slammed a vicious punch into the Iron Claw Saber-tooth Tiger's head!

"Crack!"

The sound of shattering bones rang out loud and clear.

The Iron Claw Saber-tooth Tiger's massive body swayed. The feral gleam in its eyes swiftly dimmed, and it crashed to the ground, its breath completely gone.

"Huff... huff..." Wei Zhao stood In Place, drenched in blood and gasping for air. Looking at the fallen Iron Claw Saber-tooth Tiger, he revealed a weary yet exhilarated smile.

"Wei Zhao, qualified!" The Outer Court Elder on the high platform announced the result expressionlessly. His tone was flat, betraying neither joy nor anger.