One Palm

Suddenly, the void distorted, and a massive slash tore through the sky, heading towards over ten students. The students were shocked and simultaneously unleashed attacks to shatter the slash. In the distance, Zhang Ding Tian ascended, gripping his long saber, his gaze icy.

Despite having heard rumors, facing Zhang Ding Tian directly sent a shiver down all the students' spines. A native actually possessed such cross-realm strength; it was monstrous.

With a whoosh, an arrow streaked across the sky and struck a student – the very one who had attacked the Capital City earlier. Blood rained down from the high altitude.

This was Wu Sheng, one of the Seven Saints, the Wolf Saint. He had originally been stationed in the grasslands. Upon learning of the Capital City's siege through a stolen personal terminal, he had arrived a few days prior to offer assistance.

Four Saints fighting over twenty students – the disparity was immense, and even Zhang Ding Tian couldn't bridge it. In less than fifteen minutes, Zhou Shan was spitting blood, several bloody gashes appearing on his body. Wu Sheng, too, had his abdomen pierced by a student and was lifted up, his blood staining the ground.

Tens of thousands of Evolvers from the Hua Camp went into battle, only to be slaughtered like mere grass. They couldn't even get close to these students.

Granny hid to the side, watching the scene with terror. She wasn't an Earthling and wouldn't throw her life away. Moreover, with her strength, she couldn't even stop a single student.

A fierce wind swept through, and the world turned frigid. Many students looked in surprise towards the ruined city walls. There, two students were frozen solid. Heidian's eyes widened in shock, "Talent, you, you actually have talent."

The word "Talent" reverberated in all directions, and every student looked at Bai Xue in disbelief.

Her already stunning beauty was now etched into everyone's hearts.

Bai Xue's lips were stained crimson, blood trickling down her chin and dripping onto the ground. She panted heavily, exhaling cold air with every breath. She had reached her limit; these monsters were simply unkillable.

Few people knew about Bai Xue's talent, not even all of the Seven Saints. She had hidden it exceptionally well. However, facing Heidian and this group of students, she was powerless and had no choice but to reveal it.

The next instant, all the students stared greedily at Bai Xue. Everyone understood the importance of a Talented Cultivator. As long as they captured one for their respective factions, their status would skyrocket.

The student who had impaled Wu Sheng casually tossed him aside and, with a laugh, charged towards Bai Xue.

The student who had been about to kill Zhou Shan also grinned and rushed forward.

In the sky, over ten students who had been idle simultaneously attacked. At this moment, Bai Xue was more important than the Capital City, even more important than the fugitives.

Granny sighed. This was the sorrow of the weak. Bai Xue had exposed her talent and could only be captured. No one would waste a Talented Cultivator. She would likely be arranged to marry some powerful figure to increase the chances of conceiving talented offspring. It was a tragedy.

Ede, facing Zhang Ding Tian, also stared greedily at Bai Xue and lunged forward. However, Zhang Ding Tian was a step faster. "Get lost, all of you!" Zhang Ding Tian roared, unleashing countless slashes that filled the surroundings with terrifying power.

The twenty-odd students were repelled, shocked by Zhang Ding Tian's strength. Yet, even so, it couldn't extinguish their determination to seize Bai Xue; a Talented Cultivator was too important.

Ede tore through the slashes and landed a punch on Zhang Ding Tian's abdomen. Zhang Ding Tian was sent flying back over ten meters but remained standing. He swung his saber horizontally, forcing Ede to retreat rapidly, a bloody gash appearing on his chest.

Heidian crushed a water crystal. "Water Spout!" he bellowed, and surging water transformed into a vortex, crashing towards Zhang Ding Tian. Simultaneously, various attacks rained down from all directions.

Zhang Ding Tian's eyes widened, his teeth gritting until blood flowed. With a low roar, he plunged his saber into the ground and then slashed upwards violently. Countless shattered stones shot out in all directions. The ground trembled, and massive fissures spread from outside the city into its interior, burying countless survivors.

The attacks from all sides were deflected by Zhang Ding Tian, but he himself had reached his limit.

Several students who hadn't attacked earlier suddenly surged forward. Two attacked Zhang Ding Tian, while one lunged for Bai Xue. "The Talented Cultivator is ours, haha!"

Zhang Ding Tian was struck, his body driven into the ground, his saber almost slipping from his grasp.

Bai Xue stared at the student reaching for her and raised her hand. "Ice Palm."

Bang.

A wave of energy swept across the sky, freezing the ground. The student reaching for Bai Xue was instantly encased in ice. He had underestimated Bai Xue; she was one of the Upper Three Saints, comparable to the strongest in the academy, and even Heidian couldn't subdue her easily.

Seeing Zhang Ding Tian heavily wounded, Ede charged again. This time, he reached for Bai Xue. A Talented Cultivator's value was nearly as high as that of the fugitives, and Zhang Ding Tian, the obstacle, was now cleared.

Two other students, each comparable to Heidian, attacked simultaneously with Ede. A total of three people lunged for Bai Xue. At this moment, even Zhang Ding Tian couldn't protect her.

Bai Xue's face turned pale. Is this the end? What a shame.

In an instant, a familiar figure appeared before Bai Xue's eyes. Bang, bang, bang. Three muffled thuds echoed, accompanied by three figures being sent flying back in disarray. It was Ede and the other two.

All the students stared in disbelief at the man who had suddenly appeared in front of Bai Xue. Who was he? He had defeated three of the academy's strongest with a single blow.

In a corner, Granny's eyes widened. "He's actually back."

Inside the city, Zhou Shan spat blood with a bitter laugh.

Bai Xue looked at the figure before her in astonishment. Though not imposing, he had shielded her from the storm. This person had truly returned, and he seemed to have become very strong.

The person who appeared before Bai Xue was naturally Lu Yin. He didn't have a personal terminal, so he was unaware of the Capital City's attack. Fortunately, he had returned in time.

Lu Yin said to Bai Xue, "I told you I would come back."

Bai Xue's face was pale, and she weakly said, "Be careful, there are too many of them."

Lu Yin nodded, his expression slightly solemn. Indeed, there were too many. He had reached the peak of the Probe Realm, and his Heavenly Star Palm was no less powerful than Zhang Ding Tian's. But Zhang Ding Tian had been beaten like a stray dog; a direct confrontation would be difficult.

Cough, cough.

Zhang Ding Tian crawled out from the ground, leaning on his saber. He glanced at Lu Yin, then swept his sharp gaze around, his expression resolute.

Lu Yin tossed a healing medicine to Zhang Ding Tian. "Heal yourself."

Zhang Ding Tian crudely swallowed the healing medicine whole.

Lu Yin was speechless. It was meant to be applied externally, but fine, swallowing it should probably work too, especially since it was from the Three Leaf Clover Company.

In the distance, the three of Ede got up and stared at Lu Yin. "Who are you?"

Lu Yin had no intention of wasting words. He put on Gulles' armor, and lightning crackled around him, sparking.

Heidian exclaimed in surprise, "That's Gulles' armor, how do you have it?"

Lu Yin said calmly, "She gave it to me."

"Impossible," Ede, Heidian, and several other students said in unison. Gulles was famous throughout the Great Yu Empire because she had a protective and powerful older brother, Gulbah. Mentioning him made the younger generation of the Great Yu Empire feel powerless; he was a monster. Because of Gulbah, no one dared to bully Gulles. If that armor truly belonged to Gulles, then this was troublesome. Did this person have a connection to Gulles' family?

All the Students looked at Lu Yin in shock and uncertainty. Could this person be Gulles' boyfriend?!

Lu Yin took a deep breath, his gaze turning grim. "Stay far away," he said, then charged directly at Ede. Ede was the strongest among the Students and the organizer of this attack on the Capital City. Lu Yin knew that to catch the leader, you first catch the king.

Ede was still lost in speculation about Lu Yin when Lu Yin attacked. Ede quickly retreated, having already experienced Lu Yin's power and unwilling to fight him head-on.

Lu Yin used his Roaming Step to appear directly in front of Heidian. Heidian was surprised that Lu Yin was attacking him. "Water Dragon!" Heidian used water to envelop himself, attempting to block Lu Yin. Lu Yin rushed to his front, a smirk on his lips, then slammed his palm towards another direction—the direction Ede had retreated to.

"Void Splitting Palm?" Ede exclaimed. He threw out a punch, and with a bang, the shockwave pushed everything nearby away. Lu Yin bypassed Heidian and attacked Ede again.

Ede gritted his teeth. "Kid, don't push it."

Lu Yin sneered and raised his palm to strike Ede.

Ede grunted, sensing danger. He clenched his right fist, faintly hearing a majestic beast's roar. This was his Battle Skill: Beast King Fist. He had defeated the strongest from thirty academies and was admitted into Yu Tang with special consideration, becoming famous throughout the Great Yu Empire. On Earth, he had only ever used it against Zhang Ding Tian and fugitives. Now, he was pushed to his limit.

As his palm struck, stars appeared. Lu Yin unleashed his Heavenly Star Palm. Three stars shone brightly before exploding. As the first star exploded, Ede's eyes widened, his Beast King Fist forcibly halted. As the second star exploded, Ede's right fist throbbed with pain. When the third star exploded, Ede spat blood and was sent flying backward. His right fist was crushed, and his body slammed heavily into the Ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Facing Ede, Lu Yin used his Heavenly Star Palm without holding back, crippling him in one blow.