Free Web NovelChapter 334: Chapter 170: Battle for the Chief, The Final Battle
RUMBLE!
Celestial Thunder cascaded down like a waterfall, striking relentlessly from the heavens. Each bolt left a scorched, molten scar on the alloy arena.
Lin Ye’s figure weaved through the lightning and electrical snakes, every dodge precise down to the millimeter.
After dodging another bolt of lightning that fell right on top of him, he abruptly pushed off with his feet. The ground caved in under the force, and his entire body transformed into a streak of golden light, charging toward Dongfang Zhen once again.
Dongfang Zhen’s eyes narrowed. He dodged instinctively, moving diagonally backward. It was a habit honed over countless battles, the most effective movement to create distance and prepare for his next attack.
However... this time, in the exact spot where he was about to land, a purple glint wreathed in golden Gang Sha flashed past soundlessly!
It was the Purple Crystal Rhombus controlled by Lin Ye!
A jolt of alarm shot through Dongfang Zhen’s heart!
’My foolproof dodging pattern, the one that’s worked for so long... he saw through it!’
The instant that thought crossed his mind, the purple glint was already upon his side, its sharp whistle tearing through the air.
Dongfang Zhen marveled internally. ’What terrifying focus!’
’While dodging Celestial Thunder, he also analyzed my movement logic and dodging preferences.’
With no time to think, Dongfang Zhen flexed his core, forcefully twisting his body in mid-air. At the same time, the Gang Sha within him surged frantically toward the point of impact.
BUZZ...!
The Purple Crystal Rhombus slammed viciously into his side but only produced a dull hum. It failed to pierce him as expected.
In the spectator stands, Nie Cang’s pupils widened slightly.
The moment the Purple Crystal Rhombus struck, the silver-purple Gang Sha around Dongfang Zhen’s side visibly solidified, transforming from its gaseous state into a layer of liquid armor shimmering with electricity!
Its properties were almost identical to the golden Flowing Gang that Lin Ye had displayed earlier!
"He... he broke through to the Mid-stage of the Gang Condensation Realm?" Nie Cang blurted out.
Beside him, Yin Liulan’s brows furrowed slightly. She glanced at him. "You’re only just now realizing this?"
Nie Cang was taken aback.
Yin Liulan said coolly, "He already displayed Liquid Gang Sha during the Celestial Abyss Race simulation assessment."
Nie Cang’s old face instantly flushed red.
At the time, his attention had been completely captivated by Lin Ye’s army of the resurrected dead. He hadn’t paid any mind to the form of anyone else’s Gang Sha.
While the two were talking, on the arena stage, the Purple Crystal Rhombus under Lin Ye’s control had already launched no fewer than ten attacks against Dongfang Zhen.
Unfortunately, every single attack was blocked by Dongfang Zhen’s flowing armor of Thunder and Lightning Gang Sha, merely kicking up a series of electric sparks without causing any substantial damage.
Zhang Daoxuan suppressed the astonishment in his heart. Watching the Purple Crystal Rhombus that Lin Ye controlled, he subconsciously shook his head.
’Still too crude,’ he thought. ’And not skilled enough.’
’After the assessment is over... I should teach him.’
The moment this thought popped into his head, Zhang Daoxuan himself was stunned.
’Have I... let it go?’
His previous obsessions had been twofold: first, to compete with Dongfang Zhen for the top seat, and second, to prove that he was the strongest in the training camp.
Lin Ye’s sudden appearance had caused him to become needlessly obsessed, and even his Dao Heart, which he had believed to be as solid as a rock, had begun to crack.
Now, this casual thought was like a clear spring, washing away the gloom in his heart.
Zhang Daoxuan closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, the jealousy, resentment, and confusion in them had vanished, leaving only a clear serenity.
He had let go of his prejudices and obsessions and finally faced the gap between himself and the other two.
At this moment, Zhang Daoxuan felt his state of mind become unprecedentedly peaceful and clear.
He recalled the story Su Yunjin had mentioned before, about the Martial Saint, Miao Yifeng.
The success or failure of a moment doesn’t determine the success or failure of a lifetime.
He had placed too much importance on the training camp results and the so-called honor of the top seat.
But now, he understood.
’So what if I don’t get ranked third this time? So what if I’m even eliminated from the training camp?’
’The path of martial arts is long. As long as I keep improving, as long as my Dao Heart remains unbroken, there will come a day when I catch up to—and even surpass—the targets I’m chasing.’
Having come to a complete understanding, Zhang Daoxuan let out a long breath. The familiar, calm smile returned to his face as he turned his gaze back to the arena.
But in the very next moment, he saw a shocking spray of blood splatter across the air!
Dongfang Zhen’s tall body, like a sack of rags, was pierced through the abdomen by a golden spear and flung high into the air!
Yin Liulan and Nie Cang had seen it clearly.
What had just happened was, in fact, quite simple.
The Purple Crystal Rhombus summoned by Lin Ye was never meant to injure his opponent from the very beginning.
After seeing Dongfang Zhen’s Liquid Gang Sha, he understood that his own unpracticed "crystal control" technique could not break through his defense.
His goal was singular: to pin him down.
Just as Dongfang Zhen used Celestial Thunder to pin him down, Lin Ye used the elusive rhombus to constantly shrink Dongfang Zhen’s room to maneuver, forcing him to make a mistake.
And that moment was the opportunity!
After consecutively dodging three tricky attacks from the rhombus, a barely perceptible pause appeared in Dongfang Zhen’s Body Technique. Lin Ye seized this fleeting combat opportunity and closed the distance in an instant.
He unleashed a spear technique he hadn’t used in a long time: Out of the Abyss!
The spear struck like a dragon, relentless and unstoppable!
Flung into mid-air, a look of grim determination flashed in Dongfang Zhen’s eyes.
He forcefully flipped his body around in the air. Just as he was about to fall out of the arena, he suddenly shot out his right hand, his five fingers like a grappling hook, and viciously dug them into the hard alloy floor!
SCREECH—!
