216: Golden Core vs. Nascent Soul

At this moment, only the woman herself knew best that Demon Race Cultivators were far more difficult to deal with than the Human Race.

Not only were their physical bodies as tough as refined iron, making it hard for ordinary Magical Artifacts to break their defense, but more lethally, every member of the Yao Race possessed an innate Divine Ability unique to their own Bloodline; one lapse in concentration could lead to grave danger.

That Yao Race member just now was only at the Golden Core Third Layer, yet he had already required quite a bit of effort on her part.

If his Realm were a bit higher, say at the Golden Core Fifth Layer, with that level of physical strength and Divine Ability power, she feared she would be in for a bitter struggle, and whether she could win would be another matter entirely; even if he were only at the Golden Core Fourth Layer, if she encountered a thick-skinned Yao Race member specializing in defense, taking them down would certainly not be easy and would be extremely troublesome.

But... fortunately, there were no "ifs."

Those previous ten strikes—those previous ten strikes, with their sharp sword light and lethal moves—had not only slain the Yao but were enough to make these Rain God Continent Cultivators look up in awe.

A smile played on the woman's lips as she put the Yao Core into her Storage Pouch, tapped the edge of the Arena Stage with her toes, and soared up like a wild swan, returning to her Sect's viewing stand.

As soon as she steadied herself, a sudden burst of clamor erupted around her, even more intense than when she had sheathed her sword earlier.

"This... how is this possible?"

"I thought that woman killing a Golden Core Yao with ten strikes was already a rare feat, but who knew there was another master? Who on earth is that man in the arena? Quickly, go investigate for me."

"Just who is this person? To have such heaven-defying ability! Looking at his clothes, he doesn't seem to be a Disciple of any top Sect in our Rain God Continent. Could he be a Genius from a Hidden Family?"

"If I could recruit her into our Sect, with this strength, she would surely perform great deeds for the Sect in the future! At that time, the Sect Master would be grateful for my contribution. Not only might I be promoted directly to Mountain Protecting Elder, but I bet even the Ancestral Hall would hold a meeting specifically to commend me for my eye for talent!"

The woman had just returned to her Sect, but she didn't receive the compliments and congratulations from her Junior Sisters.

It turned out that just moments ago, on Arena Stage four, Ye Hao had suppressed and killed a Wolf Demon at the Golden Core Ninth Layer in a single move.

Meanwhile, the green-robed old man from before was laughing heartily, his face full of pride.

"As expected of a chosen one from Canglan Continent, truly extraordinary to kill a Yao of the same Realm in ten strikes. It is indeed admirable. However, in front of a true heaven-sent Genius, it’s simply not enough."

The Junior Sister in Pink Skirt retorted with a face full of indignation, "It was just a battle within the same Realm. If you're so capable, why don't you try killing a few Yao beasts from a higher Realm?"

"That man looks unsteady on his feet and his aura is unstable. It seems that single move earlier has already left him at his wit's end."

"When my Senior Sister takes action, what does it matter if those beasts are several Realms higher?"

"She'll cut them down with a single sword!"

This time, not only the green-robed old man, but even the surrounding Cultivators who had previously disliked this group of women but hadn't joined the fray, all let out hearty laughter.

"Anyone can brag. If you really have that ability, win a match on the stage first."

The Junior Sister in Pink Skirt's cheeks flushed red with anger, but she was pulled by the sleeve by a Junior Sister beside her. At this moment, everyone suddenly remembered the woman standing aside, and they all turned to look at her, their eyes filled with expectation and urgency as they called out in unison:

"Senior Sister~"

"Senior Sister, go up quickly! Go kill a Golden Core Sixth Layer Demon Race Cultivator in a moment and show these people how powerful we are!"

"That's right, Senior Sister, let these dogs of men open their eyes, especially that Man in White Robes on the Arena Stage. Just because he has a bit of skill, he comes out to steal the spotlight and show off."

The voices of the Junior Sisters rose one after another, filled with burning expectation, surrounding the woman closely.

The woman stood there; the expectations of her Junior Sisters, the old man's mockery... if she refused, not only would the Sect lose face, but the reputation she had worked so hard to build would collapse instantly.

For a moment, she was in a dilemma, caught in a difficult position.

The Junior Sister in Pink Skirt said softly, "Senior Sister, we can't let the reputation of our Red Immortal Pavilion be tarnished."

Taking a deep breath, the woman suppressed the trepidation in her heart and slowly nodded:

"It's just a beast at the Golden Core Sixth Layer; it'll just take a few more strikes."

If she used the Heaven-rank Divine Ability she learned from the Sect, she would win.

Even if she were truly unable to match it, there was no danger to her life within this trial ground!

Li Pingan glanced at the woman, feeling that compared to his own Junior Sister, this woman was simply too foolish.

She was being led completely by the nose.

The old man sneered, "You little girls, I really want to see what kind of skills you actually have."

Soon, the news of the woman challenging a Golden Core Sixth Layer Yao, jumping three Realms, spread.

The surroundings instantly erupted into a clamor; gasps, doubts, and mockery intertwined, surging toward the Arena Stage like a tide.

Above the entrance to the martial arts arena, a heated betting of Spirit Stones had even begun.

Standing in the center of the Arena Stage, the woman felt the gazes coming from all directions and understood in her heart that in this battle, she could only win and could not lose.

But when the iron gate on the other side of the Arena Stage opened with a "rumble," her body suddenly froze. A chill from the depths of her Soul instantly spread through her spine to her entire body—this was a danger signal instinctively sent by her body.

Behind the iron gate, a massive figure slowly walked out. It was a Tiger entirely covered in crimson fur.

Even without any ripples of Spiritual Qi, just those amber eyes made her feel it was difficult to breathe... Boom!

A massive ripple of Spiritual Qi centered on the Arena Stage where Ye Hao was, surging and spreading in all directions like a tsunami. The protective Formation at the edge of the Arena Stage instantly lit up with golden light patterns, forcibly blocking this violent Qi within the Formation.

The Foundation Establishment Cultivators standing close were shaken and retreated repeatedly, many of their faces turning pale.

If not for the protection of this Formation, this ripple of Spiritual Qi would have been enough to damage the Meridians of many Foundation Establishment Cultivators, or even cause them to collapse with heavy injuries.

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw Ye Hao holding a long sword, engaged in a fierce battle with that Nascent Soul Yao Beast.

That Nascent Soul Yao Beast was shaped like a giant python, its entire body covered in black scales, spitting black venom. The long sword in Ye Hao's hand slashed out streaks of silver light, but they could only scrape off a few scales.

In a corner of the first level of the Arena Stage.

A figure quietly arrived at this place, his appearance not attracting anyone's attention.

He was none other than the Vice Tower Master of this First Demon Suppressing Tower, Daoist Yuan Che!

Daoist Yuan Che stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping across the four Arena Stages. Then, his cloudy eyes suddenly lit up, locking onto the figure moving nimbly on the stage.

"This young man..."

"Such a young Golden Core Ninth Layer Cultivator is already rare."

"I didn't expect him to actually be able to shake a Nascent Soul cultivation base with his Golden Core Ninth Layer Realm."

Looking at Ye Hao, who was holding his own against the Nascent Soul Ghost Soul Python without falling into a disadvantage, Daoist Yuan Che's eyes were filled with surprise.

This couldn't help but remind him of the Tower Master of the Demon Suppressing Tower back then, who was also so high-spirited and eye-catching.

What a pity... He flicked his sleeve and summoned the Elder responsible for the order of the Arena Stage: "Go quickly to the registration office and find out this man's place of origin, Sect, and cultivation history. Not a single detail is to be missed!"

"Yes, my Lord!"