Is Chapter 183 the end?

Tie Zhan used the secret Divine Ability of the Iron Sword Hall, its power approaching Earth Rank, transforming his body into a sword to strike at Ye Fan.

The several-dozen-zhang-long cold light eerie sword slashed down, severing heaven and earth. The negative energy contained within far exceeded what outsiders could imagine; even a Core Formation Realm Cultivator would have their Physical Body collapse if struck by it.

Yet, Ye Fan still maintained his composed appearance. His golden Dragon Scale Arm gently reached out and casually pinched the several-dozen-zhang-long cold light eerie sword.

Even as Tie Zhan pushed his power to the extreme, he could not advance even an inch further.

Under Tie Zhan's disbelieving gaze, Ye Fan exerted a slight force with his right hand. Dense cracks instantly spread across the sword body, and it shattered with a boom moments later.

The intense backlash caused Tie Zhan to spit out a mouthful of blood. Before he could recover from the shock, Ye Fan's figure was already before him.

Bang!

Another light punch was thrown out. The Magical Artifacts surrounding Tie Zhan exploded, and he fell onto the stage like a meteorite hitting the ground.

In just a few breaths of time, Ye Fan had once again defeated three Prodigies, using only three Moves in total.

The vast venue fell into a dead silence. Everyone wore expressions of utter astonishment. After sobering up, they subconsciously looked toward Ji Rulie. The expression of this Daoist Son of the Nine Abyss Palace had long since turned extremely grim.

"Too amazing... Who exactly is he... Why have I never heard his name before?!"

Zhu Zhu's heart trembled fiercely at this moment, and her beautiful eyes were filled with adoration.

Wang Yuyan's chest rose and fell rapidly, her breathing uncontrollably ragged. Her alluring red lips were slightly parted, and her mind was completely blank.

Mei Linger, standing beside them, did not speak, but her delicate face was filled with an expression of disbelief, clearly conveying everything.

"Too strong... Could he really be a Core Formation Realm Cultivator?!"

The thought made Mei Linger shiver. If this were true, Ye Fan's Aptitude was simply too terrifying.

A Core Formation Realm Cultivator under the age of twenty—let alone Liefeng Prefecture, one couldn't find a second one even across all eighty-eight prefectures of the Central Continent.

Ye Fan's might far exceeded Mei Linger's understanding. For a moment, she was completely speechless.

"Is there anyone else who wants to try?"

Ye Fan's single sentence startled everyone. They subconsciously looked at Ji Rulie. At this moment, besides this Daoist Son of the Nine Abyss Palace, they truly couldn't think of anyone else who could contend with Ye Fan.

Although Ji Rulie's expression was ugly, he was not panicked. After the shock, he quickly regained his composure, and a hint of disdain appeared in his eyes.

"You are strong, but you are definitely not my match," Ji Rulie said arrogantly.

"Oh, you are quite confident," Ye Fan replied casually.

If it were a few days ago, Ji Rulie would certainly not have been Ye Fan's match, but now he wasn't flustered in the slightest.

He had originally intended to use the Qilin Assembly to establish his prestige and seize the top three, or even the first place, on the hidden dragon ranking. However, he hadn't expected Ye Fan, this unexpected element, to emerge.

Although it deviated slightly from his plan, the result might turn out even better.

"Let me step on you to forge my path to the Core Formation Realm!"

As Ji Rulie spoke, he took a step out, his right foot landing directly above the Void. Under the shocked gazes of the crowd, he walked step by step toward the sky!

"This... Is this... Core Formation Realm?!"

Being able to fly without relying on Magical Artifacts or Divine Abilities—this was one of the most important hallmarks of the Core Formation Realm.

No one had expected Ji Rulie to have achieved a Breakthrough to the Core Formation Realm. This action immediately ignited the entire audience.

"Ji Rulie actually broke through to the Core Formation Realm! Doesn't that mean he's stronger than Ye Feng, who is number one on the hidden dragon ranking?"

"That's not necessarily true. Didn't you hear that Ye Feng and that Fairy Han Yue also broke through to the Core Formation Realm a few days ago?"

"I don't know what stimulated the Prodigies in the top ten of the hidden dragon ranking, but they all went into seclusion seeking a Breakthrough. There are rumors that they will also break through to the Core Formation Realm soon."

...

The murmurs of the crowd rose one after another, causing Ji Rulie to puff out his chest even higher, clearly enjoying the feeling.

Even Mei Linger secretly shook her head this time, thinking that Ye Fan's journey was about to end here, and she could only wait for the right moment to use the Ancient Sword Token to save him.

"Thanks to Master getting me a dust-descending pill, which greatly increased my chances of forming a Core. Today, I will use you to prove my path to the Core Formation Realm!"

Ji Rulie looked as if he had Ye Fan completely cornered, trying to find some expression of panic on his face.

But contrary to Ji Rulie's expectations, Ye Fan still had a calm look, as if nothing had happened. The next sentence surprised everyone even more.

"Is this over?"

Ji Rulie paused, then subconsciously nodded, looking somewhat dumbfounded.

"After talking for so long, I thought you had broken through to the Golden Core Realm. It turns out you are only at the Core Formation Realm. What a waste of emotion."

"Hurry up and make your Move. I have many things to do next."

Ye Fan's words left everyone confused, and Ji Rulie was utterly speechless. Snapping back to reality, he couldn't help but become enraged with shame.

"Good one, Ye Fan! You have repeatedly humiliated the Cultivators of Liefeng Prefecture today. I will let you know what my..."

Ye Fan had heard similar dialogue far too many times and had already exhausted his last bit of patience. He stepped forward and struck first.

The golden Dragon Scales spread across his right arm, and the punch thrown out was like an enraged Dragon emerging from the sea. This single strike alone carried the might comparable to a Core Formation Realm Cultivator. Ji Rulie hurriedly moved to defend.

The surging spiritual power collided with the enraged Dragon. Vast Origin Qi surged in all directions. The stage, nearly a thousand meters wide, trembled incessantly, and the spectators were shaking like sieves from fright.

The exchange seemed like a draw, but this made Ji Rulie's expression even uglier.

"The power is much weaker. If I hadn't been injured, one finger could crush him," Ye Fan sighed inwardly.

"Hmph, you do have some techniques, but the gap in Realm dictates that your strength cannot last. Let's see how long you can hold on!"

Ji Rulie sneered and attacked, summoning a thousand sword lights with a wave of his hand, densely attacking Ye Fan.

Unlike Lü Potian's illusory spear shadows, every sword light summoned by Ji Rulie was like a physical entity, with an attack power comparable to the full-force strike of a Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator.

With a thousand sword lights attacking simultaneously, even a Core Formation Realm Cultivator would have to temporarily avoid the sharp edge.

"Sparring with swords? Then I shall play along with you."

Ye Fan summoned a long sword using his spiritual power. Instantly, the clear sky was obscured by rolling thunderclouds, as if brewing a sudden downpour.

"What is this?!"

"Divine Sword Thunder Control Art."

Rolling heavenly thunder was drawn by Ye Fan onto the spiritual sword. The terrifying power made Ji Rulie's scalp tingle, forcing him to frantically condense more spiritual swords to defend.

The sky-obscuring sword lights rained down. Ye Fan shot the spiritual sword in his hand toward the sky, like a roaring Thunder Dragon charging straight into the clouds. Wherever it passed, no one could resist it!

"No! This is impossible!"

Ji Rulie couldn't believe his killing Move would be broken by Ye Fan, but even fighting with all his might, he couldn't stop it. He could only watch helplessly as the Thunder Dragon swallowed him!