The Loose Cultivator Selection Tournament soon came to an end. Yu Tianlong advanced undefeated, just as expected, and every match ended with him defeating his opponent in a single, clean move, leaving them no chance to fight back.
One of the other two loose cultivators who stood out was a level-46 Agility Attack System Soul Ancestor. His Martial Soul was a Gale Falcon, and he was exceptionally fast, specializing in hit-and-run tactics.
The other was a level-48 Power Attack System Soul Ancestor. His Martial Soul was an Iron-Back Gray Wolf, and he was just one step away from becoming a Spirit King. His strength was quite formidable.
But after Yu Tianlong defeated them with that effortless punch, both men put aside all their contempt. Deep wariness showed in their eyes as they looked at him.
"Who exactly is that masked guy?" the level-48 Gray Wolf Soul Ancestor murmured to the Gale Falcon Soul Ancestor beside him. "I couldn't even take one punch from him."
"I don't know, but he's definitely stronger than he looks," the Gale Falcon Soul Ancestor replied, shaking his head with a grave expression. "I don't think he even used his full strength."
The two exchanged glances, each seeing the same thought in the other's eyes: this dark horse was not someone they could afford to provoke.
After the Loose Cultivator Selection Tournament ended, the atmosphere grew even more heated, because everyone knew the real main event was about to begin.
The Loose Cultivator Selection Tournament had been nothing more than an appetizer. The real highlight of the competition was the contest between the core disciples of the three sects.
The host walked onto the arena and announced in a booming voice, "The Loose Cultivator Selection Tournament has concluded. Congratulations to the three winners, who have earned the right to compete alongside the geniuses of the three sects! Next, we'll move on to the main event of this competition—the Sect Challenge Tournament! The first competitor to take the stage is a core disciple of the Clear Sky Sect!"
As the host's voice faded, a tall young man rose from the Clear Sky Sect's contingent.
He looked to be around eighteen or nineteen, with a resolute face and sharp eyes. A fierce aura radiated from him. He strode onto the arena, each step steady and powerful, like a tiger poised to pounce.
"Clear Sky Sect, Tang Tian, level-45 Power Attack System Battle Soul Ancestor. Please, instruct me!"
After giving his name and level, Tang Tian's gaze swept over Yu Tianlong and the other two below the stage, his bearing proud with the arrogance of a disciple from a major sect.
Although he was only a core disciple of the Clear Sky Sect, not a top genius like Tang Hao or Tang Xiao, his level-45 cultivation still made him one of the best among the younger generation.
"I'll take you on first!"
The level-48 Gray Wolf Soul Ancestor couldn't hold back any longer and leaped onto the arena first.
He was just one step away from becoming a Spirit King, and believed he could hold his own against any Soul Ancestor.
Reality, however, soon dealt him a heavy blow.
When the fight began, Tang Tian didn't even use his Martial Soul. Relying only on the Clear Sky Sect's fist techniques and footwork, he kept the Gray Wolf Soul Ancestor on the back foot.
His punches were fierce and domineering, each one ripping through the air with a howl and forcing the Gray Wolf Soul Ancestor backward.
Forced to release his Martial Soul, the Gray Wolf Soul Ancestor coated his claws in a layer of gray Soul Power and tried to trade blows with Tang Tian. But Tang Tian's hammer was faster, fiercer, and more precise.
Tang Tian released his Martial Soul as well: the Clear Sky Hammer.
Two yellow rings and two purple rings.
Three minutes later, Tang Tian swung his hammer with tremendous force and struck the Gray Wolf Soul Ancestor square in the chest, sending him flying straight off the arena.
"Next." Tang Tian put away his Clear Sky Hammer and said without changing expression.
The Gale Falcon Soul Ancestor gritted his teeth and leaped onto the arena too. He really was fast, leaving a string of afterimages as he tried to wear Tang Tian down with his speed.
But Tang Tian had extremely rich combat experience. He didn't rush to chase him, instead holding his ground and advancing carefully, gradually narrowing the Gale Falcon Soul Ancestor's room to dodge.
At last, during the brief pause after one of the Gale Falcon Soul Ancestor's high-speed dashes, Tang Tian seized his chance and knocked him off the arena with a single swing of his hammer.
In less than the time it took an incense stick to burn, both winning loose cultivators had been defeated.
The entire crowd erupted in astonishment.
"Is this the strength of a core disciple of the Clear Sky Sect? He's incredible..."
"Those two loose cultivators were already among the best of their kind, but they weren't even a match for him."
"The gap between major sects and loose cultivators really isn't easy to overcome..."
Tang Tian of the Clear Sky Sect had won the entire hall's applause with his performance.
"As expected of the Clear Sky Sect, the greatest sect under heaven! Even one core disciple is this powerful!"
"He barely even used his Martial Soul, yet he defeated two loose cultivator Soul Ancestors. Amazing!"
"Is this the foundation of a major sect? It's truly beyond reach..."
Yet the atmosphere in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's contingent was somewhat complicated.
This was their home ground, and yet a core disciple of the Clear Sky Sect had stolen the spotlight. It left them with little face. Several elders turned in unison toward Yu Xiaogang in the main seat, their gazes full of anticipation and urging.
"Young Master, it's your turn."
"Show the people from the Clear Sky Sect who's really number one among the younger generation!"
A confident smile tugged at Yu Xiaogang's lips. This was the moment he'd been waiting for. He rose slowly, straightened his collar, then strode toward the arena.
He walked with steady, powerful steps and a lofty gaze, like a king surveying his domain. The eyes of the entire audience naturally converged on him.
"Look! Yu Xiaogang is taking the stage!"
"The True Dragon of the Yu Family! He's finally making his move!"
"I heard he's already a level-51 Spirit King! A Spirit King at thirteen! It's unbelievable!"
"I wonder what his Luo Sanpao has evolved into. They say it's become a Golden Dragon!"
Beneath the gaze of the entire crowd, Yu Xiaogang stepped onto the arena. He didn't look at Tang Tian across from him. Instead, he surveyed the audience first, savoring the admiration, envy, and awe in their eyes before finally speaking. His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried clearly across the entire arena.
"Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Xiaogang, level-51 Power Attack System Battle Soul King. Please, instruct me."
A level-51 Spirit King!
When those words came from his own mouth, the entire crowd once again erupted in deafening cries of astonishment.
There had been rumors that Yu Xiaogang had reached the Spirit King level, but hearing him confirm it himself was an entirely different shock.
A level-51 Spirit King at thirteen was an exceedingly rare existence in the entire history of the continent!
Tang Tian's expression grew grave. Though he had confidence in his own strength, facing a Spirit King ten levels above him was no trivial matter. He gripped his Clear Sky Hammer, assumed a defensive stance, and said solemnly, "Please!"
Yu Xiaogang smiled faintly, then slowly raised his right hand. A hint of arrogance colored his voice. "Sanpao, come out!"
Golden light flashed!
A dazzling golden radiance burst from within him, gathering above the arena into a massive figure. As the golden light gradually faded, a gigantic beast appeared before everyone.
It was a colossal beast more than eight meters long. Its body was covered in pale golden scales that gleamed like metal beneath the sunlight.