358: Chapter 358 Chaotic Lightning Ball

“Nangong Lie! Have you no shame?!”

Elder Qinglan laughed out of pure rage. “It was clearly those two unidentified assassins who ambushed Ye Tian first. Ye Tian was merely acting in self-defense! Countless people here can testify to that!”

“As for you, those two assassins were clearly hiding within the Nangong Family's ranks earlier, and now they even called you their employer. How do you explain that?!”

“Slander!” Nangong Yang also stood up, his face grim. “Those two only had some business dealings with our Nangong Family and were traveling with us temporarily. How could I have known their identities or intentions?”

“On the other hand, this Ye Tian acts with ruthless cruelty, taking lives at every turn. It is clear his Heart-Nature is malicious. His harming of my grandson in the Secret Realm was no accident! Prince, please be the judge; such a criminal cannot be allowed to remain!”

Both sides held their ground, locked in a confrontation.

The other factions on the viewing platform remained silent as cicadas in winter, their gazes shifting between the Liuli Xuan Sect and the Nangong Family, then looking up at Prince Rong.

Prince Rong's expression was indifferent. He glanced at the two corpses on the ground, then at Ye Tian, and finally settled his gaze on Nangong Lie and Elder Qinglan, speaking slowly: “Private fighting is strictly forbidden on the viewing platform. This is an ironclad rule.”

“However, if one is ambushed, acting in self-defense is understandable.”

He paused before continuing, “These two were of unknown identity and conducted a sneak attack; they have already been executed.”

“As for whether they were sent by someone, the Kuitian Pavilion will investigate thoroughly.”

“Until the truth is uncovered, no one is permitted to start further disputes or disrupt the order of the competition. Violators will be punished without leniency.”

Prince Rong's words neither fully dismissed the Nangong Family's accusations, leaving room with a thorough investigation, nor denied the legitimacy of Ye Tian's self-defense, while also warning both sides against further trouble.

The imperial family's stance remained impartial, prioritizing the maintenance of order.

Nangong Lie's face turned ashen. He wanted to say more but was secretly pulled back by Nangong Yang.

Prince Rong's warning was no empty threat. Entangling themselves further at this moment would bring no benefit to the Nangong Family.

He could only glare hatefully at Ye Tian before sitting down unwillingly.

Elder Qinglan and Xing Tiexin exchanged a look and slowly withdrew their Aura.

Since Prince Rong had spoken and clearly leaned towards the justification of self-defense, they naturally knew when to stop.

The storm was forcibly suppressed once again.

But everyone knew that the grudge had only deepened.

And the grey power Ye Tian had just displayed left a deep impression on everyone's hearts.

Ye Tian slightly cupped his hands toward Prince Rong as a response.

From beginning to end, his expression remained terrifyingly calm, as if he had just swatted two flies.

He didn't even spare a second glance toward the Nangong Family, redirecting his gaze to the light and shadow images above the Ancient Skyfall Battle Platform.

There, the final battles were nearing their end.

On Stage 93, Han Xiao didn't even draw his sword. Using his finger as a blade, he pointed out a strand of Sword Qi, knocking both the exhausted Xiahou Ba and Nangong Xiao out of the stage area, advancing with ease.

On Stage 95, Qin Pojun seemed unwilling to linger. His great halberd swept through the air, its domineering light tearing through the ghost mist and forcing the Ghost Girl out of hiding. The Ghost Girl chuckled, her body turning into smoke as she retreated voluntarily. Qin Pojun won.

On Stage 97, Li Xuanxiao struck with his second sword, and both Nangong Yan and the wounded Red Hand Hall Guest Elder A were defeated.

Finally, the ten winners were teleported back to the viewing platform under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

They all bore some marks of the fierce battles, their breaths fluctuating, but their eyes were bright and their momentum was like a rising tide.

However, when they returned to their respective areas and learned of the interlude that had just occurred, their expressions changed. They all looked toward the green-robed figure in the Liuli Xuan Sect's area.

Ye Tian seemed oblivious to their gazes.

He only slowly raised his head, looking toward the Ancient Skyfall Battle Platform suspended high in the Nine Heavens.

He was already eager to battle the gathered heroes!

Three days later, the drums for the third round—the Top 100 Arena Battles—had already begun to roll.

Cuiwei Island, Tinglei Pavilion.

Ye Tian sat quietly, the Chaos Thunder True Yuan flowing ceaselessly within his body.

“Junior Brother Ye, the rules and the roster have arrived.”

Feng Xuan walked in and handed over a Jade Slip. “Your draw is Group A Number 7. Your opponent is Zhao Yuangeng from the West Desert's Golden Sand Sect. He is at the True Martial Tenth Stage Peak and specializes in the Golden Sand Phantom Body and the Gold-Splitting Palm. His palm force is poisonous, so you must be careful.”

Ye Tian scanned the Jade Slip. On the Top 100 list, besides the names that were already in the spotlight, he also saw the names of his fellow disciples like Yun Wuji and Dongfang Xinghe.

“Thank you, Senior Brother Feng.” Ye Tian nodded, then asked, “What about Senior Brother Yun and Senior Brother Dongfang...?”

“Senior Brother Yun's draw is later, so he should be taking the stage tomorrow.”

“Senior Brother Dongfang's draw is Group C Number 22. He was just talking to me; he's quite interested in the arena's protective Formation and said he wanted to study if he could ‘borrow’ some of its power.”

Feng Xuan smiled helplessly. “As for me, I'm Group H Number 4. I'll probably have to wait until the afternoon.”

So that was it; the draws were spread out across different sessions.

Ye Tian understood. The Liuli Xuan Sect had six people advancing to the Top 100 (Ye Tian, Yu Miaoqing, Pei Tieshan, Shui Qingdie, Yun Wuji, Dongfang Xinghe, and Feng Xuan), which was already a good result. Han Li did not participate, while Tang Yun and others had unfortunately stopped at the second round.

After chatting for a while, the two met up with the rest of the Sect and headed back to the Imperial City viewing platform.

Today, the atmosphere on the viewing platform was solemn. The Top 100 Prodigies scrutinized each other with gazes as sharp as knives.

Ye Tian's group arrived and remained the center of attention.

The bell chimed, and Prince Rong appeared to announce the start of the third round. Two arenas rose from the battle platform, covered by light barriers.

Battles erupted one after another, exceptionally intense. Those who could enter the Top 100 were no mediocre talents, each displaying their full capabilities. Ye Tian watched the battles calmly, enriching his experience.

The first from the Liuli Xuan Sect to take the stage was Pei Tieshan. His opponent was an assassin-type Cultivator with ghost-like movement.

Pei Tieshan let out a wild roar, tanking several of the opponent's attacks before throwing a punch. The force was immense, sending the opponent flying off the stage while coughing up blood. He won easily, drawing cheers from his fellow disciples.

Next was Shui Qingdie. Her opponent was a female Cultivator proficient in sonic Cultivation Techniques.

Shui Qingdie didn't even move from her spot. She simply waved her delicate hand, and a pink mist spread, creating layer upon layer of illusions. The female Cultivator's sonic waves actually lost their direction within the illusion and rebounded on herself. Soon, her eyes grew hazy, and she jumped off the stage on her own, losing in a bizarre fashion.

Then, Yu Miaoqing took the stage. Her sword remained in its sheath; she used her finger as a blade, and chilling air swept across, turning the arena into a frozen domain. Her opponent held on for ten breaths before freezing up and surrendering.

All three from the Liuli Xuan Sect displayed great strength and advanced easily, earning much praise.

“Group A Number 7, Ye Tian, versus Group B Number 7, Zhao Yuangeng! Take the stage!”

It was finally Ye Tian's turn. He rose to his feet and stepped out, drifting onto the stage with a composed posture.

Opposite him, Zhao Yuangeng crashed down like a cannonball, a yellow-clad figure with pale golden pupils. “Ye Tian? Hehe, the top of the points leaderboard? I love trampling on famous guys like you!”

“I heard your dull grey Sword Qi has some tricks to it? Come, let your grandpa see if you can break my Golden Sand Indestructible Body!” His words were crude and provocative, but his eyes were sharp, clearly intending to goad and test his opponent.

Ye Tian's expression was flat. “Please.”

“Putting on an act!” Zhao Yuangeng's eyes sharpened. His body suddenly blurred into seven or eight golden sand phantoms, pouncing from all sides. His true body was hidden among them, his palms glowing with a dark golden light as the Gold-Splitting Palm force was held in reserve.

“Watch me tear you to shreds!”

The audience below discussed fervently, all watching to see how Ye Tian would deal with these troublesome phantoms.

Ye Tian stood still. Only when the phantoms were close did he raise his right hand and press forward into the air.

A ripple of grey haze spread out, passing through all the phantoms.

“Puff, puff, puff...” The phantoms collapsed simultaneously, popping like bubbles. Zhao Yuangeng's true body stiffened as he felt his True Yuan flow sluggishly, as if suppressed by an invisible force.

“What?!” He was horrified, but his ferocity was triggered. He roared, “You have some tricks! Now take my Nine Gold-Splitting Waves!”

He no longer hid, pushing out both palms. The palm shadows were like crashing waves tearing through the air, striking toward Ye Tian!

Ye Tian's pressing palm suddenly closed into a fist. The grey ripples condensed with it, turning into an energy orb swirling with Chaos Thunder. He threw a straight punch, striking the orb.

“Boom!!!”

The Chaos Thunder Ball exploded, and a torrent of Chaos roared as it collided with the Nine Gold-Splitting Waves!

“Boom!!!”

The palm waves disintegrated; the nine layers of palm force collapsed instantly! The remaining momentum of the Chaos torrent immediately swallowed the terrified Zhao Yuangeng!

“No!” The light of his defensive Magic Treasure flickered and shattered. Zhao Yuangeng spat blood and flew backward, crashing into the light barrier before falling, unconscious.

Three breaths. The battle was over.

“The winner, Ye Tian!” the Referee Elder announced loudly, his voice trembling slightly.

The viewing platform was silent for a moment before erupting! A one-punch kill against a True Martial Tenth Stage Peak! That grey power was terrifyingly powerful!

Cheers thundered from the Liuli Xuan Sect area.

Nangong Lie's face was ashen, Bei Minghong's eyes flickered, Li Xuanxiao's Sword Intent surged, and Qin Pojun's Battle Intent blazed. Every other Prodigy looked on in awe.

Ye Tian calmly stepped off the stage and closed his eyes to rest, as if nothing had happened.