238: Chapter 238 Obtaining Temporary Qualification

"He actually dares to take it head-on?!"

"Using True Martial Second Level to shake a Peak True Martial Fourth Level? Isn't that just courting death?"

Under the shocked gazes of the crowd, two fists—one large and one small, with vastly different power—collided fiercely in mid-air!

"Boom!!!"

An earth-shattering sound suddenly exploded!

Violent waves of Qi rolled and swept outward, kicking up dust that filled the sky!

However, the scene everyone expected—Ye Tian being blown away by a single punch—did not occur!

He only felt his body jolt violently. With a 'crack' sound beneath his feet, the hard bluestone ground was crushed, and his entire body slid backward for a zhang before he finally steadied himself. Although his face was slightly pale, his eyes remained as sharp as an eagle's!

Zhao Hegang's sure-kill 'Mountain-Shaking Strike' had actually been taken head-on by him!

Even though he appeared to be at a disadvantage, he had truly and solidly caught it!

"What? He actually caught it!"

"True Martial Second Level? He was actually hiding his strength just now!"

"Not necessarily! It's definitely not just the Realm! The way he exerted force in that punch... it was extremely exquisite! He condensed the power of his entire body into a single point, using a point to break the surface!"

"What a formidable physique! What an exquisite method of exerting force!"

A trace of disbelief also flashed in Zhao Hegang's eyes.

He felt that most of the fierce power from his heavy punch had been cleverly neutralized, and a sharp, strange force of vibration had surged back, penetrating his arm's Meridians, causing his Qi and blood to churn uncomfortably!

"Good! Good! Good! Take Zhao's fourth strike, 'Army Breaker'!"

Zhao Hegang was not angry but happy; his Battle Intent grew even higher. Amidst a roar, he surged forward, his fist style changing again, becoming even more violent and ferocious than the previous three strikes, just like ten thousand horses charging into battle!

Ye Tian took a deep breath, suppressing the churning Qi and blood in his body. The True Essence within him surged like a river. Combining his Taixu Star-Shift Steps with his Martial Dao Will, he no longer chose to fight head-on, opting instead for a strategy of evasive combat.

He could be seen moving erratically, dealing with Zhao Hegang's fierce, storm-like attacks with ease, parrying the light and dodging the heavy.

Occasionally, between Zhao Hegang's Move transitions and Qi connections, he would apply acupoint striking and Meridian-blocking techniques, specifically attacking the nodes of his power flow and the weak points of his Protective Aura, causing Zhao Hegang to feel quite constrained.

"Fifth strike! 'Sea Overturner'!"

"Sixth strike! 'City Destroyer'!"

...

Zhao Hegang unleashed the 'Nine Earth-Splitting Strikes' one by one, each Move more ferocious than the last. Inside the arena, sand and stones flew as energy forces clashed.

Yet Ye Tian was like a petrel in the rain, always able to find a glimmer of survival amidst the raging waves, dodging the most dangerous attacks.

Although his counterattacks were not frequent, they always struck where the enemy had to defend, leaving Zhao Hegang with a body full of mighty power but unable to use it, like a giant hammer hitting cotton, with his rhythm gradually becoming chaotic.

"Seventh strike! 'Flow Breaker'!"

"Eighth strike! 'Air Interceptor'!"

Unable to win after a long attack, Zhao Hegang's breath was no longer as long and deep as it had been at the start. Although his attacks were still fierce, they lacked some of the initial fluidity.

Although his Cultivation Technique provided strong defense, maintaining such high-intensity consumption of both offense and defense was a great burden on his True Essence.

"The moment has arrived!"

With his keen spiritual perception, Ye Tian caught a hint of stagnation during Zhao Hegang's breath transition in an instant!

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and the finger wind he had been holding in reserve shot out silently and swiftly, pointing directly at the Jing acupoint on his right shoulder, which was trembling slightly from the continuous fierce attacks!

This was precisely a killing Move from the Starfall Finger designed to break through Protective Aura.

"Star Ray Breaks Aura!"

At the same time, his right fist again gathered the strength of his entire body, delivering a 'Direct Strike to the Yellow Dragon' with a single Move, fiercely slamming into the opening at Zhao Hegang's left rib, which was unavoidably exposed due to his full-force punch!

Both attacks were launched simultaneously, ruthless and decisive!

Zhao Hegang's expression changed drastically!

In the blink of an eye, he felt two fatal threats!

In his haste, he had no choice but to frantically gather most of his Protective Aura at his left rib, while simultaneously struggling to twist his shoulder, hoping to avoid that sharp finger wind!

"Shh!"

The finger wind arrived first despite being launched later. Although it didn't fully succeed because Zhao Hegang dodged, it still struck the weakest point of his Protective Aura on his right shoulder joint!

With a soft sound, although that peerless penetrating power did not completely break through the defense, it pierced in like a needle. Zhao Hegang's entire right arm suddenly went numb, and his movements slowed by a fraction!

"Boom!"

In that very instant, Ye Tian's right fist had already landed on Zhao Hegang's left rib!

Even though most of the power was neutralized by that thick Earth-element True Essence, his fist force was condensed like a drill, and a portion still penetrated his body!

"Ugh...!"

Zhao Hegang let out a muffled grunt, his body staggering as he retreated several steps with a 'thump, thump, thump'. A sharp pain came from his left rib, his Qi and blood churned incessantly, and a strange flush instantly surged onto his face.

Although he hadn't fallen to the ground, the outcome was decided; he had ultimately lost by half a Move!

The entire arena was silent for an instant; one could hear a pin drop!

Ye Tian had actually forced back Zhao Hegang, a Peak True Martial Fourth Level, in a head-on confrontation!

After a moment of silence, the scene erupted into an earth-shattering uproar!

"My god! He won?"

"True Martial Second Level forcing back a Peak Fourth Level? How is this possible!"

"It's not just forcing him back! It's that he found Zhao Hegang's flaw!"

"That finger technique! That fist technique! His grasp of timing, his control of power... it's too terrifying!"

"What is this kid's background, anyway? Could he be a True Disciple of some major sect? Or perhaps from some Holy Land...!"

Hou Xiaojie jumped up in excitement!

The Mini Dragon Ape also excitedly chirped "woo woo".

Jing Wutian's eyes erupted with astonishing brilliance, and he muttered: "What terrifying battle instinct!"

Sikong Changhe put away his joking expression, his face solemn: "If we were at the same level, I would not be his match!"

Ye Yiyi's red lips parted slightly under her veil, her beautiful eyes shimmering with strange brilliance.

Zhao Chengzhi's hand gripping his sword tightened.

The commander of the Governors Mansion also showed a look of shock.

The Grey-robed Elder took a deep look at Ye Tian and announced loudly: "Arena Number Two, Ye Tian wins!"

Zhao Hegang steadied his figure, suppressed his churning Qi and blood, and looked at Ye Tian with eyes full of shock, as well as a trace of admiration.

He cupped his hands and said: "Little brother, your strength is extraordinary. Zhao is convinced of his defeat! I admire you!"

Ye Tian also returned the salute, breathing slightly: "Commander Zhao, thank you for letting me win; this Junior was just lucky."

Zhao Hegang shook his head, said nothing more, and turned to walk off the arena. His back remained upright, but everyone knew that after this battle, Ye Tian's name would surely resonate throughout the younger generation of Cangya County!

In the subsequent matches, Sikong Changhe, Ye Yiyi, and Zhao Chengzhi also defeated their respective opponents one after another, demonstrating the formidable strength of the 'Five Heroes of Cangya'.

In the end, Ye Tian, Sikong Changhe, Ye Yiyi, and Zhao Chengzhi obtained the temporary qualification to enter the core area of the Ancient Sword Mansion Ruins.

The Grey-robed Elder looked at the four people in the arena and nodded: "You four have obtained the qualification. Three days from now, at dawn, gather here again. Bring your qualification tokens and enter the core area with the holder of the key order. Do not be late."

After speaking, his figure, along with those of the Governors Mansion commander and the head of the Jing Family, slowly dissipated into the air.

The trial finally came to an end.

Ye Tian felt the jade tablet in his bosom and let out a long sigh of relief.

"The core area... the secret of the Ancient Sword Manor."

Ye Tian looked towards the depths of the mountain range, his eyes filled with anticipation.

"Senior Brother, you are too amazing!"

Hou Xiaojie rushed over, his face full of admiration.

Ye Tian smiled and rubbed his head: "Let's go, let's go back and rest properly. Three days from now is when it truly begins."