158: Chapter 158 The Top Three on the Heavenly Ranking Make a Stunning Debut

Ye Tian, Leng Feng, and Liu Ruyan followed behind Elder Lei Gang, walking toward the Martial Arts Arena.

Leng Feng's punishment was revoked due to Ye Tian's successful completion of the Wan Jian Cliff trial, but his act of forcibly intervening in the duel had ultimately broken some rules. He was ordered by Elder Zhao Wuji to be confined for reflection, had half a year's worth of Cultivation resources deducted as punishment, and his eligibility for the Grand Competition was canceled.

Leng Feng accepted this outcome calmly; being able to keep his cultivation and Sect status was already a blessing among misfortunes.

When Ye Tian's group appeared at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena, the originally noisy venue suddenly fell silent.

Countless gazes snapped toward Ye Tian, filled with disbelief!

"It's Ye Tian! He... he actually came out!"

"Heavens! He really came out of Wan Jian Cliff alive? How is that possible!"

"He doesn't even look injured..."

"He stayed in that hellish place for a day and a night? How did he do it!"

Everyone was stunned by the scene before them.

The fierce reputation of Wan Jian Cliff was well-known in the outer Sect; it was a universally recognized dead zone!

No one thought Ye Tian could walk out alive; many had even secretly felt pity for him.

But now, this youth in green robes, who was merely at the Ningyuan Fifth Stage, had not only come out but also appeared calm and composed, as if he had just taken a stroll in the back mountains!

This intense contrast caused everyone's minds to go blank.

On the high platform, the reactions of the twelve True Martial Realm Elders were even more intense!

Aside from Elder Lei Gang, who already knew the result and wore a smug expression, the other eleven Elders—including the usually steady Zhao Wuji—all showed shock that they could hardly hide!

Their Divine Senses swept toward Ye Tian almost simultaneously.

However, the results left them even more perplexed.

In their perception, Ye Tian's cultivation was still at the Ningyuan Fifth Stage Peak. His Aura was steady, even a bit more reserved and profound than a day ago, but there were absolutely no signs of a surge in True Essence or any serious injuries!

This was completely illogical!

"Strange! Truly strange!"

The refined Elder shook his head repeatedly, unable to fathom it. "The Sword Qi inside Wan Jian Cliff is violent; even those in the True Martial Realm must enter with caution.

He is only at the Ningyuan Fifth Stage; how could he spend a day and a night there unscathed?"

"Could it be... this boy possesses a rare treasure that can resist the Sword Qi?"

Another Elder speculated.

"Or perhaps he had excellent luck and found the legendary safe zone?"

Some also attributed the reason to luck.

Elder Shuiyue's beautiful eyes sparkled. Looking at the calm youth below the stage, she thought to herself, "This boy is certainly no ordinary person! He must have a great secret!"

Elder Zhao Wuji took a deep breath, suppressing the waves in his heart, and spoke in a deep voice, "Silence! Since Ye Tian has passed the Wan Jian Cliff trial, as per our previous agreement, Leng Feng's transgression is wiped clean, and Ye Tian's eligibility for the Grand Competition is restored.

Now that the top thirty-two have been decided, the drawing of lots will begin immediately for the Promotion Matches!"

His voice pulled everyone back from their shock to reality.

Indeed, the Grand Competition had to continue!

Ye Tian's ability to return alive was a miracle, but the upcoming battles would depend on solid strength!

At the Ningyuan Fifth Stage, how far could he go?

The referee Elder stepped forward, preparing to activate the lot-drawing light screen.

"Hahaha! It seems we've arrived just in time and didn't miss this good show!"

Just then, a bold and unrestrained laugh rang out from afar!

The laughter contained an overbearing and world-disdaining Aura, causing the eardrums of many lower-cultivation Disciples to ache and their blood to churn!

Everyone looked over in shock, only to see three streaks of light at the edge of the horizon, flying through the air at a speed nearly invisible to the naked eye!

One moment they were at the horizon, the next they had already appeared above the Martial Arts Arena!

A powerful pressure descended abruptly!

The entire Martial Arts Arena fell silent instantly; everyone felt their breath hitch!

The light dissipated, revealing three figures who slowly landed in the exclusive area reserved for the Heaven Ranking experts.

The person on the left was extremely burly, no less so than Elder Lei Gang. He wore simple black martial attire, and the muscles beneath his bronze skin seemed to contain explosive power.

He had a rugged face, thick eyebrows, and tiger-like eyes. His short hair stood up like steel needles, and his eyes flashed with brilliance as they opened and closed, carrying a domineering air of "who else but me"!

Just standing there, he gave off a sense of pressure as if one were facing a prehistoric beast!

Slung across his back was a massive, unsheathed blade that looked like a door plank, its body a dark red!

"It's... it's the third on the Heaven Ranking, the Immovable Wisdom King, Shi Gandang! His cultivation has reached the Ningyuan Tenth Stage Middle Stage!" someone exclaimed in a trembling voice.

Shi Gandang, number one in defense within the outer Sect; it was said he once took a hit from a True Martial Realm Elder without a scratch. His strength was unfathomable!

The person on the right formed a sharp contrast to Shi Gandang's masculine dominance.

She had a slender figure, wore deep blue martial attire, and her face was cold and exquisitely beautiful.

However, her eyes were so cold they lacked even a hint of warmth. Anyone her gaze swept over felt a chill rise from the bottom of their heart.

A long sword hung at her waist; though it was not unsheathed, wisps of Sword Qi already swirled around her, slicing the air and making faint whistling sounds.

Second on the Heaven Ranking, the shadow sword, Luo Qiushui! Ningyuan Tenth Stage Late Stage!

Countless male Disciples showed looks of infatuation in their eyes.

Luo Qiushui, the number one sword Dao Genius of the outer Sect. Her sword techniques were as fast as a phantom, killing invisibly; her strength was second only to the person at the top of the ranking!

And standing between the two, with the most terrifying Aura, was a youth dressed in a purple brocade robe.

He was tall and upright. His face wasn't exceptionally handsome, but his brow naturally carried an innate nobility!

A faint smile hung at the corner of his mouth, and his gaze calmly swept across the field. Everyone his eyes touched instinctively lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze!

No powerful True Essence fluctuations emanated from him, yet he gave off a sense of being unfathomable!

"Half-step True Martial... First on the Heaven Ranking, Tyrant Blade, Lei Zhen!"

Elder Zhao Wuji slowly uttered this name, a hint of gravity in his tone.

Tyrant Blade, Lei Zhen!

This name felt as heavy as a thousand catties, weighing on everyone's hearts!

The undisputed king among the Outer Sect Disciples!

At only twenty-two years old, he had already touched the threshold of the True Martial Realm!

His strength was said to be no weaker than some Elders who had just entered the True Martial Realm!

He was a legend that all Outer Sect Disciples looked up to!

The top three of the Heaven Ranking appeared together!

The appearance of these three directly pushed the atmosphere of the scene to an unprecedented climax!

Compared to them, the previously arrived Lie Yang, Mo Ling, and others paled significantly!

Everyone's gazes were filled with awe, focusing on these three.

This was the true Peak combat power of the outer Sect!

Ye Tian also looked up, his gaze sweeping over the three of them.

When his eyes accidentally met those of Lei Zhen in the center, a flicker of surprise seemed to cross Lei Zhen's seemingly easygoing gaze before it returned to normal.

And the "shadow sword" Luo Qiushui's cold gaze also seemed to linger on Ye Tian for a brief moment.

Shi Gandang grinned, revealing snowy white teeth. His gaze swept over the crowd below the stage, his Battle Intent high.

"Hehe, it seems this Grand Competition will be quite interesting."

Lei Zhen smiled faintly, carrying a confidence that seemed to control everything.

The Elders on the high platform looked at these three prodigies, their eyes also full of expectation.

With them present, the caliber of this Outer Sect Grand Competition would far exceed those of the past!

The corner of Ye Tian's mouth curled up slightly.

The stronger the opponents, the more interesting it would be, wouldn't it?