Chapter 78: The Outcome Has Been Decided!

Boom!

A thunderous explosion suddenly echoed through the forest. Waves of terrifying energy rippled outward like surging tides, sending birds into frantic flight and leaves rustling in the wind. At the epicenter, the ground was blasted open into a pit nearly half a yard wide, sand and stones flying as yellow dust enveloped everything.

A gentle breeze swept through, dispersing the smoke and dust. Those who had been lurking in the shadows, waiting to profit from the chaos, now drew sharp breaths, unable to contain their shock.

Near the edge of the crater, Lei Fengxing and Ye Xiulan, who had been outnumbered, cut miserable figures. Their clothes were tattered, blood spilling from the corners of their mouths, faces etched with disbelief.

Not far away, Sun Zhixin, her face pale, gazed complicatedly at the slender figure before her.

“Hand over your Soul Hunt Points, and I’ll let you keep your eligibility to compete. Otherwise…”

Yang Yan’s indifferent words finally brought Lei Fengxing and Ye Xiulan back to their senses.

Never would they have imagined that, even when joining forces and unleashing their most powerful attacks, they would suffer such a crushing defeat!

Especially the strange pale blue spiritual power Yang Yan wielded—after the clash and explosion of the three martial techniques, they felt an icy, sinister energy erupting and spreading, furiously corroding their bodies.

Under such chilling cold, their own spiritual energy became sluggish and blocked, even their blood seemed to freeze within their veins.

This sensation was one they’d never experienced, not even when facing Long Aodi, known for his innate ice physique.

It seemed this time, they had truly run up against an immovable wall.

“If only we hadn’t followed Long Aodi’s scheme, and provoked this calamity,” Ye Xiulan muttered bitterly, full of regret.

But no matter how much he lamented, there was no reversing the situation. Reluctantly, he drew out his identity token, fingers trembling as he slid across its surface. Dozens of multicolored points of light shot out, then entered Yang Yan’s token.

“Five hundred eighty Soul Hunt Points…”

Yang Yan had already glanced at the Top Hundred leaderboard and knew Ye Xiulan hadn’t tried any tricks. He nodded in satisfaction.

“Yang Yan, this time I lost fair and square. But remember, one day I’ll knock you down and make you crawl at my feet!”

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Lei Fengxing, beside Ye Xiulan, was far more straightforward. Without hesitation, he produced his token and transferred all his Soul Hunt Points to Yang Yan.

“I’ll be waiting anytime!”

Yang Yan had genuine respect for Lei Fengxing’s directness. Even as an opponent, he was far better than those who cowered in public and schemed in private.

Having collected their Soul Hunt Points, Yang Yan kept his promise and did not further trouble them.

After all, this had originally been a matter between Sun Zhixin and the two. He had no right to intervene so aggressively. Besides, the Ye and Lei families held significant influence in both Sacred Martial City and Peerless City. If Yang Yan acted too ruthlessly, he might draw their attention. Though they might refrain from confronting Yang Yan or the Zhang family openly out of respect for Azure Profound Sect, they could still employ underhanded tactics, as the Xu family had.

Given the Zhang family’s current strength, dealing with a single Xu family was manageable. Making more powerful enemies was hardly wise.

Thus, Yang Yan merely emptied the Soul Hunt Points from the tokens of Ye Xiulan and Lei Fengxing, refraining from shattering them and eliminating the pair. Though this cost him two hundred points, it avoided potential future trouble.

Whether Lei Fengxing and Ye Xiulan could gather enough Soul Hunt Points in the remaining time to return to the Top Hundred would depend on their own fortune.

“Long Aodi, your two comrades have already handed over their Soul Hunt Points as ransom. Are you sure you want to continue fighting?”

Yang Yan strode calmly toward another battle circle, speaking with casual indifference.

Long Aodi, hearing this, felt a chill. Even as he battled Liu Zhengqing, his peripheral vision confirmed that Lei Fengxing and Ye Xiulan had vanished.

“Useless fools,” Long Aodi cursed inwardly.

His strength was already inferior to Liu Zhengqing; he had managed to last this long only by relying on his unique spiritual body. Realizing his predicament, a moment’s distraction proved fatal as Liu Zhengqing seized the opportunity—his fingers, glowing with a faint golden light, struck sharply at Long Aodi’s shoulder.

With a muffled sound, Liu Zhengqing’s fingers pierced into Long Aodi’s flesh like razor-sharp spikes, encountering no resistance.

Long Aodi’s body was sent flying like a bird with broken wings, blood jetting from his shoulder, wounds gushing crimson.

---

Watching Long Aodi fall to the ground in disarray, Liu Zhengqing and Yang Yan advanced upon him, unhurried and relentless.

Now, Long Aodi was like a tiger with its fangs pulled—no longer a threat.

“Hand over your Soul Hunt Points, and perhaps you’ll still have a chance to become a disciple of Azure Profound Sect…”

Yang Yan halted a short distance from Long Aodi, his tone flat.

Beside him, Liu Zhengqing crossed his arms, seemingly waiting for Long Aodi to surrender his points.

“Heh… Very good…”

Faced with their indifferent attitude, Long Aodi suddenly let out a cold laugh, his lips curling as he uttered something cryptic.

Yang Yan and Liu Zhengqing exchanged puzzled glances, spiritual energy gathering swiftly within them, wary.

“Could this guy have some hidden move?”

“Yang Yan, Liu Zhengqing, I, Long Aodi, will remember today. One day, I’ll repay you tenfold—just wait.”

With a toxic glare at the two, Long Aodi suddenly clenched his right hand. A crisp shattering sound rang out, and at once, golden light inscribed with strange runes enveloped his form. In a blink, the golden radiance condensed into a single point and faded away. Along with it vanished Long Aodi, wounded and collapsed.

“A Divine Escape Talisman?! Dragon Fortress is certainly generous!”

Liu Zhengqing hurried forward, kneeling to brush his fingers across a small pinch of powder left on the ground, his tone tinged with awe and regret.

“Divine Escape Talisman? What’s that?”

Yang Yan was momentarily stunned and quickly asked.