120: Chapter 120 One-hit kill

On the Dragon throne, the eyes of Emperor Ji Wei of the Great Qian Dynasty, deep as the sea, fell for the first time—truly and for a long duration—upon that black figure at the top of the Heavenly Staircase.

He did not speak, but his fingers, lightly tapping the armrest of the Dragon throne, betrayed the fact that his heart was not at peace at this moment.

"Father," Crown Prince Ji Cheng, who was to the side, finally couldn't help but step forward. His voice carried a trace of irrepressible excitement and admiration. "This child, Lin Fan, is a Qilin bestowed upon our Great Qian Dynasty by Heaven! Your son implores you, Father, to nurture him well and entrust him with important responsibilities. In the future, he will surely become an unparalleled general guarding our nation's gates!"

"Oh?" Emperor Ji Wei's gaze shifted from Lin Fan and landed on his son, who was always composed. The corners of his mouth curled into an inexplicable arc. "My son, you think so highly of him?"

"Your son trusts his own eyes," Ji Cheng replied, neither humble nor pushy.

Prince Ying Ji Lie watched this scene, his eyes so gloomy they were practically dripping water.

He knew that Lin Fan's extraordinary performance today had successfully attracted the attention of the Crown Prince, and even his father.

This damned bumpkin must absolutely not be allowed to continue shining! He must be completely eradicated, along with that old immortal Lin Zhengde behind him, before he grows up completely!

A flash of cold and vicious killing intent flickered in his eyes.

Amidst this atmosphere of undercurrents, the Gold-Armored Commander, after receiving a signal from Eunuch Wei, stepped forward once again and interrupted everyone's discussion with his booming voice.

"Silence!"

"The first stage, Climbing the Heavenly Staircase, has ended!"

"Now, the second stage begins—【Ten Thousand Beast Hunt】!"

Before his voice had even faded, he pointed to the other side of the martial arts arena.

"Rumble—!" Accompanied by the teeth-grinding sound of gears turning, a massive gate, ten zhang high and cast from a single piece of dark iron, slowly rose!

Behind the gate lay an endless, dark jungle filled with a primitive and wild Aura!

A gust of wind, mixed with the smell of damp, rotting leaves and a heavy scent of blood, poured out from the darkness and instantly swept across the entire plaza. It made everyone feel a chill down their spines, as if what lay behind that door was not some imperial garden, but the gaping maw of an ancient Vicious Beast waiting to devour people!

"This is the Imperial Forbidden Garden, the Ten Thousand Beast Garden!"

The Gold-Armored Commander's voice echoed coldly.

"Inside, it houses no fewer than ten thousand species of rare and exotic beasts collected from all over the world by our Great Qian Dynasty! Among them, there is no shortage of powerful Yao Beast with strength comparable to third or fourth-stage Martial Artists!"

"You seventy-two people will enter this garden to engage in a one-day 'Battle for the Championship'!"

"Inside the garden, we have placed one hundred special tokens, divided into gold, silver, and bronze. There is one gold token; whoever obtains it can directly meet the Emperor and be ranked in the top three! There are nine silver tokens; whoever obtains them can enter the top ten! There are ninety bronze tokens, which follow thereafter!"

"Of course," the Gold-Armored Commander's mouth curled into a cruel arc, "you can also increase your points by... snatching tokens from other candidates."

"In the end, your final ranking will be determined by the color and quantity of the tokens in your possession at this time tomorrow!"

"Life and death, let fate decide!"

Boom—! As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue was in an uproar!

Snatching tokens?! Life and death left to fate?! This was no longer a selection; this was clearly a bloody Gu cultivation, encouraging all the proud sons of heaven to slaughter each other!

Too cruel! Too crazy!

Those candidates from humble backgrounds who had luckily passed the first stage, but were relatively weaker in strength, instantly turned pale as paper. They had no doubt that they would become the first "points" to be harvested by those Disciples of noble families and Sects!

Meanwhile, Ji Xuan, Mo Wuxin, and the others revealed bloodthirsty, excited smiles on their faces. This rule was simply a slaughterhouse tailor-made for them!

"Now, I give you half an incense stick's time to choose your allies, or prepare to become someone else's prey!"

The Gold-Armored Commander's cold voice rang out like a final funeral bell. "After half an incense stick's time, the Ten Thousand Beast Garden will officially open!"

As his voice fell, the seventy-two surviving candidates instantly split into countless small groups. Soliciting, allying, threatening, bribing... all sorts of ugly aspects of human nature were exposed at this moment.

Almost all the powerful noble descendants and Sect Geniuses gathered around Ji Xuan, forming an incredibly massive "Hunting Alliance" with him as the core.

Their eyes looked at those isolated and weak candidates from humble backgrounds with undisguised greed, as if they were looking at a pile of walking points.

Only a few remained independent.

"shadowless sword" Limitless Sword remained in his usual aloof, unapproachable manner, standing alone, hugging his sword, as if everything around him had nothing to do with him.

"blood hand butcher" Mo Wuxin let out a chilling, cackling laugh, stuck out his crimson tongue, and licked his lips. His ominous eyes scanned everyone, as if he were choosing whose blood would be more delicious.

As for Lin Fan and his two companions, they were completely isolated. No one dared to approach them because the strength they had displayed was too terrifying. But at the same time, no one was willing to ally with them because everyone knew they had become a thorn in the side of Young Noble Ji Xuan and were the primary hunting target of the entire Hunting Alliance!

Standing with them was equivalent to openly making an enemy of the most top-tier powerful forces in the Imperial Capital!

"Big Brother, what do we do now? It seems we've been surrounded," Wulu said in a deep voice, frowning.

"What is there to fear!" Big Fool clenched his fists, making a "creaking" sound. "If they dare to come, I'll smash them all into meat patties!"

Lin Fan did not speak. He just calmly looked at Ji Xuan, who was staring at him with resentful eyes not far away, and the corners of his mouth slowly curled into a cold arc.

Siege? That remains to be seen—whether you have the appetite to devour us!

He knew that a more bloody and cruel slaughter was waiting for them in that dark jungle.

...

Half an incense stick's time passed in the blink of an eye. As the final bell toll fell, the massive dark iron gate leading to the Ten Thousand Beast Garden was completely opened with a teeth-grinding "creak"!

"Roar—!" "Awoo—!" All kinds of roars from Yao Beast, filled with primitive and wild nature, instantly burst forth from the darkness, converging into a terrifying wave of sound that swept across the entire plaza!

"Enter the garden!" the Gold-Armored Commander's cold voice sounded like a death warrant.

"Charge!" The candidates, who had been prepared for a long time, were like wild horses breaking free from their reins. They instantly turned into streaks of light, crazily rushing into the jungle filled with unknowns and killing intent!

A bloody one-day hunting game officially began!

Lin Fan and his group did not rush to the front like the others. Led by Lin Fan, they walked at the very back of the group at a leisurely pace and soon disappeared into the dense jungle.

The Ten Thousand Beast Garden lived up to its name as an Imperial Forbidden Garden. Its vast interior and complex terrain far exceeded everyone's imagination.

Towering ancient trees blocked the sky and sun, slicing the sunlight into patches of mottled light. The damp air was filled with the strange scent of rotting leaves and unknown wildflowers.

The ground was covered with thick fallen leaves. Stepping on them made a "rustling" sound, as if a deadly poisonous snake could crawl out from underneath at any moment.

The forest was fraught with danger. All kinds of peculiar Yao Beast that Gao Feng had never seen before were elusive.

There was the "Iron-Armored Savage Bull," with a body the size of a small mountain and infinite strength.

There was the "Shadow Hunting Leopard," with speed like lightning and claws capable of tearing through metal and stone.

There was even the "Human-Faced Demon Spider," hiding in the treetops, capable of spitting highly toxic mucus.

Just after entering the garden, several unlucky candidates, due to being too careless, died miserably under the claws and fangs of these powerful Yao Beast.

The shrill screams rose and fell, adding a few more layers of terrifying atmosphere to this already gloomy jungle.

Lin Fan's team did not rush to go deeper. Guided by Lin Fan's powerful perception, they safely avoided several waves of powerful Yao Beast groups and finally stopped in a hidden mountain hollow with dangerous terrain that was easy to defend and difficult to attack.

"The situation is even worse than we imagined," Xu Changqing said, spreading out a simple map. His scholarly face was full of gravity.

This map was the internal terrain map of the Ten Thousand Beast Garden that Lin Zhengde had obtained for them through secret channels. Although it was not complete, it was enough for them to grasp the initiative.

"This rule is extremely unfavorable for us. The Hunting Alliance of Ji Xuan has at least sixty people, which is almost half of all the surviving candidates! They can completely rely on their numerical advantage to carry out a crazy siege on us in the early stage!" Xu Changqing analyzed while pointing at the map.

"Numbers are not necessarily useful," Yue Changkong said coldly, wiping the thunderclap spear in his hand. "A bunch of worthless rabble—no matter how many come, they are just throwing their lives away."

He had fought side by side with Lin Fan last night and had long since gained a whole new understanding of Lin Fan's strength.

"No," Lin Fan shook his head, denying his view.

"Many ants can also bite an elephant to death. Moreover, they are not worthless rabble. The Disciples of the Xuan Yue Sword Sect have exquisite swordsmanship and are skilled in combined attack techniques. The death soldiers of the Liu Family and Ji Xuan's mansion are all fierce warriors who have crawled out of piles of corpses."

"If we clash with them head-on, we will undoubtedly be defeated."

Hearing Lin Fan's words, everyone's hearts could not help but sink. If even Lin Fan said so, didn't that mean they had no chance of winning?

Just at this moment, a pitch-black crow with agile eyes flapped its wings, descended from the sky, and landed precisely on Xu Changqing's shoulder.

Xu Changqing removed a small bamboo tube from the crow's ankle ring and poured out a note. He only took one look, and a trace of joy appeared on his face.

"My Lord, the Master of the Heavenly Secret Tower, Yan Qingyun, has sent a message!"

"He says that although Ji Xuan's Hunting Alliance is powerful, it is not an impenetrable block. They have split into seven small teams, each with ten people, led by a fourth-stage expert, and are starting to sweep from east to west like a comb!"

"Their first target is not us. It is those lone candidates who come from humble backgrounds and are unwilling to attach themselves to them!"

"What ruthless methods!" Gong Qianxue could not help but exclaim.

A trace of cold fury also flashed in Yue Changkong's eyes.

These so-called righteous Sects were actually acting so despicably and shamelessly!

There was not a trace of surprise on Lin Fan's face. He took the note and looked at the roughly drawn movement routes of the seven squads on it, his lips slowly curling into a cold arc.

"Splitting their forces? This actually gives us an excellent opportunity."

He raised his head and looked at everyone; in his deep eyes, a brilliant light named "wisdom" and "slaughter" flickered.

"If they want to be hunters, then we will let them taste what it feels like to be treated as prey!"

"Xu Changqing!"

"Here!"

"Based on this map and the terrain of the Ten Thousand Beast Garden, find me the most suitable location for us to conduct an ambush!"

"Wulu!"

"Here!"

"You are responsible for tracking; I want you to precisely lock onto the location of one of the squads without letting them notice anything!"

"Everyone else, rest in place and conserve your energy!"

"Half an hour later, our... reverse hunt will officially begin!"

However, plans can never keep up with changes.

Just as everyone was preparing to split up and act.

"Roar—!!!"

A terrifying roar filled with endless cruelty and fury suddenly resounded from the other side of the mountain col!

The roar seemed capable of shaking the mountains, causing the entire col to tremble slightly, and countless gravel fell from the cliff walls.

Immediately following that, a terrifying Aura so vast it was suffocating, like a tangible dark cloud, instantly enveloped the entire col!

Everyone's expressions changed drastically at this moment!

"Not good! It's a Peak fourth-tier Yao Beast!" Yue Changkong said with a grave expression.

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw that at the entrance of the col, a terrifying Vajra Giant Ape, three zhang tall, its entire body covered in golden, brilliant fur, with muscles knotted like a small mountain, was staring fixedly at them with a pair of blood-red eyes filled with violent killing intent!

One of his arms was severed at the root and was still dripping with blood, clearly having just gone through a fierce battle!

And in his other hand, he was tightly clutching a token that flashed with blinding silver light!

That token was one of the nine silver plates representing the top ten seats in the palace examination!

"It's a Vajra Giant Ape!" Xu Changqing exclaimed, "Rumored to be one of the overlords of the Ten Thousand Beast Garden! He has infinite strength, is impervious to blades and spears, and after going berserk, his combat power can even approach the fifth tier infinitely!"

"Looking at his injuries, he must have just taken out a squad of suicidal examinees!"

The Vajra Giant Ape clearly regarded Lin Fan and the others as enemies coming to snatch his spoils!

He let out an angry roar, and his intact giant arm slammed against his chest, which was as hard as refined steel, emitting a dull "thump, thump, thump" sound!

Then, his mountain-like body, carrying an irresistible, crushing, and violent Aura, charged fiercely toward the group!

The ground trembled violently under his trampling!

"Bring it on!"

There was not a trace of fear in Lin Fan's eyes; instead, a raging Battle Intent burned within them!

He was just worrying about not being able to find suitable points and tokens!

This wounded overlord of the Ten Thousand Beast Garden was simply an appetizer delivered to his doorstep!

"Big Fool! Wulu! Follow me for the main attack!"

"Yue Changkong! Gong Qianxue! You provide flanking support!"

"Xu Changqing! You fall back and look for an opportunity!"

Lin Fan's voice was calm and full of power, instantly steadying everyone's minds!

A more tragic and dangerous encounter battle erupted just like that!

Facing the Vajra Giant Ape that came charging fiercely like a speeding siege beast, carrying an Aura of crushing everything, no one in Lin Fan's team showed any fear; instead, they all entered their perfect combat state in an instant!

"Roar!"

The first to meet him was Big Fool, who was also known for his strength!

He let out an excited roar that was not at all inferior to the giant ape's, his honest eyes filled with the fanatical Battle Intent of meeting a worthy opponent! He did not dodge or avoid it, but slammed the mysterious iron shield he had obtained from the Liu Family onto the ground like a small mountain, rooting himself into the earth like a rock!

"Boom—!!!"

A deafening, terrifying roar!

The Vajra Giant Ape's terrifying impact force, which was enough to knock down city walls, slammed solidly into that black giant shield!

The violent power, like a breached flood, erupted explosively!

The ground beneath Big Fool's feet instantly cracked and sank, forming a huge spiderweb-like depression with a diameter of over three zhang! His sturdy body was knocked backward by several meters, the muscles on his arms bulging inch by inch, and veins like ferocious little snakes twisting crazily under his skin!

But in the end, he had blocked it!

He with his own strength, had actually managed to withstand the full-force charge of a Peak fourth-tier Yao Beast!

"Good opportunity!"

Just as the Vajra Giant Ape experienced a brief stiffness in his forward momentum due to the immense counter-shock force, Lin Fan's shout had already sounded!

"Attack!"

Yue Changkong and Wulu, who had long been prepared, shot out from the left and right sides like two arrows released from a bow!

"Thunderclap Break!"

The spear in Yue Changkong's hand turned into a brilliant silver bolt of lightning; on the tip of the spear, electric arcs flickered, and it thrust directly at the giant ape's knee joint from an incredibly tricky angle!

"Savage God Slash!"

Wulu's giant axe brought up a bloody afterimage, and with the force of splitting Mount Hua, it slashed fiercely at the giant ape's exposed, defenseless left waist and ribs, which were revealed because of his severed arm!

At the same time, Gong Qianxue in the back also seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

The star-chasing bow in her hand had long been drawn into a full moon!

Three specially made armor-piercing arrows, flashing with a chilling cold light, formed a "pin" shape, silently sealing off all of the giant ape's evasion angles!

The target was aimed directly at his huge, blood-red eyes!

This was a perfect, textbook-like, instantaneous focused fire attack that had been practiced countless times!

However, they had ultimately underestimated the true terror of a Yao Beast king from the Royal Forbidden Garden!

"Roar—!!!!!"

The Vajra Giant Ape let out a roar filled with endless fury!

In his blood-red eyes, a trace of cunning and madness, which was completely inconsistent with his massive body, flashed!

Facing these fatal attacks from all directions, he actually made a crazy move that no one had expected!

He abandoned all defense!

He let Yue Changkong's spear and Wulu's giant axe stab and slash fiercely into his own body! Bringing up two huge sprays of blood!

He also let Gong Qianxue's three fatal arrows shoot precisely toward his face!

But just as the attacks were about to hit, he slammed his eyes shut, using his incredibly thick eyelids to forcefully block the three armor-piercing arrows that were capable of piercing metal and stone!

And he concentrated all his power into his intact right arm!

Then, in a tragic, take-everyone-down-with-it posture, he fiercely threw a punch toward the front, at Big Fool, who posed the greatest threat to him!

His target had only been one from the very beginning!

That was to first disable the "shield" that was the strongest in the opponent's formation!

"Not good!"

Lin Fan's pupils suddenly constricted!

He never expected that the combat intelligence of this giant ape would be this high!

He wanted to step forward to rescue him, but it was already too late!

Boom—!

The Vajra Giant Ape's sand-pot-sized fist slammed solidly onto Big Fool's mysterious iron giant shield, which was already covered in cracks!

"Snap!!!!!!"

A teeth-gritting, tragic cry of metal completely shattering!

That incredibly sturdy mysterious iron giant shield could no longer withstand this terrifying power that exceeded its limits and shattered instantly like fragile glass! Turning into pieces filling the sky!

And Big Fool was struck as if by lightning!

"Pfft!"

He spat out a mouthful of blood, and his sturdy body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, slamming heavily against the mountain wall behind him, emitting a heart-wrenching thud, and then slid down like a pile of mud, life or death unknown!

"Big Fool!!!"

Lin Fan let out an angry roar, his eyes instantly turning blood-red!

The terrifying killing intent that he had been suppressing all along erupted explosively at this moment, like a breached flood, unstoppable!

"Beast... you, deserve to die!!!"

His cold voice, like a judgment from the Nine Nether Hell, resounded throughout the entire valley!

He no longer had any reservations, and he no longer had any tactics!

His entire body transformed into a golden lightning bolt; the three-pointed, double-edged blade in his hand brought up a brilliant blade light ten zhang long, and in a violent posture that seemed as if it would completely split the heavens and earth, he slashed down at the Vajra Giant Ape, which had also experienced a brief stiffness due to the counter-shock force!

He wanted to avenge his brother in the most direct and bloody way!

In the Vajra Giant Ape's blood-red eyes, for the first time, an emotion named "fear" was revealed!

He wanted to dodge!

But it was already too late!

That golden blade light was fast to the extreme! And tyrannical to the extreme!

"Pfft—!!!"

A dull sound, like a hot knife cutting into butter!

In the eyes of everyone, who were shocked beyond measure!

That arrogant Vajra Giant Ape, his huge head covered in golden fur, was actually split in two, without any resistance, from the crown of his head by this angry slash from Lin Fan!

Scalding blood, mixed with white brain matter, gushed out like a waterfall!

That massive body, full of explosive power, crashed backward, kicking up dust filling the sky!

One of the overlords of the Ten Thousand Beast Garden, the Vajra Giant Ape, had fallen!

One slash, a one-hit kill!