Zhuo Fan's determined voice echoed in the ears of everyone in the arena, filling them with excitement and expectations. Especially the nation's representatives. The nine sects in the western lands had been stuck in their respective rankings for thousands of years.
It all became foggy. When exactly was the last time an underdog tried punching above its status? Now, they were witnessing history in the making.
Everyone was thrilled and eager for a good show. The teams from every sect had known this was coming and were watching in anticipation.
Only Ren Cong's face fell, glaring at Zhuo Fan like he was an abomination on this earth.
[A tiny Demon Scheming Sect like you dares to challenge your superiors? Humph, you're going to pay for it. Mark my words.]
Turning to Cong Shan and Cong Lin, Ren Cong nodded and gave them the signal.
In all honesty, they were shaken by the Demon Scheming Sect's team for a good reason. With six in the Ethereal Stage, their side only had himself and the twins.
In other words, besides him, in the 2nd layer Ethereal Stage, and the brothers, in the 3rd layer Ethereal Stage, the other seven disciples in the Radiant Stage could hardly pose a challenge. They were the only three who could put up a fight and score a win.
So why was it that even though Demon Soul Sect had only Han Yunfeng and the second young master Han as their sole two Ethereal Stage experts, they were still above them in rank? It was their overall strength that made all the difference.
The hope of keeping their name rested entirely on Cong Shan and Cong Lin dealing with six Ethereal Stage experts.
As such, striking first and hard to cripple the enemy's morale was a tested tactic through the ages.
The Cong brothers' eyes flickered coldly, fixing Zhuo Fan in their sights.
Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow. His thoughts were mocking them.
[It's obvious that their target is me.]
He shook his head and sighed.
[Ignorance sure is bliss.]
"Since the Demon Scheming Sect has decided to challenge, please enter the Sumeru Dimension. First will be lower three sect Demon Scheming Sect versus middle three sect Heaven Trailing Sect in a team battle!"
(StarReader: Sumeru is the center of all Buddhist cosmology's physical, metaphysical, and spiritual universes.)
The judge shouted at the crowd.
Then, two familiar figures appeared on the stage. They were none other than the elders posing as gatekeepers of Double Dragon Manor.
Their hands worked through the gestures quickly, and with a bang, they shot their hands forth. The space in front rippled like a curtain about to be lifted. As the ripples took form, the two elders grabbed what looked like seams and pulled with all their strength until the veins on their arms bulged outward.
Creak~
The space was split apart with a heavy sound to reveal a new world.
The view presented a magnificent valley with a tall and imposing mountain behind it, covered in a lush and beautiful forest. This world's limits were so vast that one could not even see the edges. Such a considerable expanse could easily accommodate a battle against armies in the hundreds of thousands, not just a measly twenty people.
Turning back to the audience, the judge said, "The disciples of the two sects are to enter. You are free to fight to your heart's content."
Zhuo Fan nodded and was the first to walk forward, but someone gave a taunting snort just before he entered the barrier.
"Ha-ha-ha, what a grand world. I bet this will be your first time seeing it since you've never had a team battle. But don't even think about hiding in this vast world. We've been here so many times. We know it better than you!" Ren Cong snickered at Zhuo Fan.
Zhuo Fan mocked, "You took the words right out of my mouth. Not like if you hide, it will change anything. It will just be taking a little more time. Come to think of it. I can't remember the last time I played cat and mouse. I should relish the moment, ha-ha-ha…"
"We'll see who plays with who here!" Ren Cong just had to have the last word.
But those who knew Zhuo Fan's real strength looked at him like he was an idiot.
[I say, I don't think I've ever seen anyone so quick and excited to die. Life must be tough for him.]
Zhuo Fan shook his head with a mocking smile as he entered the world. His team snickered and followed right after.
Ren Cong gave the Cong twins a signal, and the two nodded. They shot into the barrier, soon followed by the rest of their team.
Soon, everyone entered the fray, leaving behind a faded image from inside to let the audience know how it progressed.
Whoosh~
Zhuo Fan was the first to appear in a small valley, with Demon Scheming Sect's disciples behind him, gawking.
The spiritual energy in this valley was thick, tens of times better than in Double Dragon Manor. Cultivating here was paradise.
[Double Dragon Manor is the strongest sect in western lands to have such a great place!]
However, Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow as he looked around in curiosity.
[The spiritual energy is too thick. There's no way a simple Spiritual Gathering Array can do this.]
[It seems there are world crystals here. Maybe…]
Zhuo Fan's brow furrowed. In a dark corner of this world, Danqing Shen's eyes stared over with a flickering gaze…
Whoosh~
Suddenly, as the Demon Scheming Sect team was stunned by the world around them, two familiar men appeared in front. They were Cong Shan and Cong Lin.
But they did just keep on coming at Zhuo Fan, who just cocked an eyebrow.
They did not attack, passing through him and coming before the six Ethereal Stage experts.
"Mountain and Forest's Shadow, the Mountain!" Cong Shan growled.
(StarReader: Shan=lit. mountain.)
As he finished, his body glowed in an earthly yellow light, his strength surging so much at the same time it felt like he was pushing the heavens aside.
The others squinted and cried, hurried to fight back the twin attackers in the form of a combined palm.
In an instant, the six Ethereal Stage experts' powerful palm attack rolled at the twins like a huge boulder. Cong Lin's eyes flashed, and he made a sign. "Mountain and Forest's Shadow, the Forest!"
(StarReader: Lin=lit. Forest)
Hum~
A green image formed, draping over the two like a curtain, starting with a green glow spreading around.
Just in time to welcome the six's attack.
But instead of pushing through the green image, it only grew weaker as the curtain wiggled and swiveled, nullifying the attacks' momentum.
Then, with a bounce, it kicked back the six palm strikes at the attackers.
At the same time, the lofty yellow power also fused with it.
In am instant, a prismatic attack of incredible power came for the six people. They were caught off guard by the attack and scattered around like bowling pins, up to a hundred meters away.
Eyes squinting, the six could hardly believe what had happened. They were astounded how two Ethereal Stage experts could push back six others.
While it looked like each side was taking their time in moving to strike just now, it all happened in the blink of an eye.
In other words, in just one move, the six were defeated by two people with the same cultivation as three of theirs.
Even the audience outside was shocked by this development.
The combined attacks of the twins were indeed impressive.
[They were at an advantage against six enemies!]
Only Sword God Sect and Demon Soul Sect, who fought them, understood how deadly the duo was. No way your average Ethereal Stage expert could fight them.
They could fight as many as ten opponents!
In other words, while in singles, they could get four points at most, their full potential had no limit in a team battle. For Demon Scheming Sect to challenge Heaven Trailing Sect to a team battle was entering their domain!
"Mountain and Forest's Shadow combines reality with illusion, switching between force and flexibility. It is as strong as a relentless assault, crushing anything in its path, and as flexible as a raging torrent blowing them away. The two make a truly rare team!"
Looking at the screen, Wen Tao squinted and smiled. "When we fought the duo, we also seemed to have taken a long time to win. Tianshang, how long do you think it will take your old friend to beat them?"
Wen Tao asked Xie Tianshang, who turned pensive for a moment before he shook his head, "Zhuo Fan is a monster, exceptionally gifted and advancing at unimaginable speeds. I haven't seen him in years, so I cannot tell how strong he has become."
"Fifteen minutes at most!"
The voice startled Wen Tao. Looking over, he saw Demon Soul Sect's Han Yunfeng with his eyebrows raised.
Wen Tao chuckled. "Brother, would you be kind enough to share what you know?"
"It's not anything of real value anyway. We have fought Zhuo Fan and the Cong twins before. And even though we lost in both cases, we knew who was the true master among them."
Han Yunfeng took a deep breath. "Cong Shan and Cong Lin used at least 90% of their power when they fought us, while Zhuo Fan less than a third, maybe just a fifth. Every move of his was casual yet unbelievably intricate. If we were to compare, the twins would be a lake while Zhuo Fan the sea. We cannot imagine anyone among the disciples here who can make him go all out!"
"Oh, then I'll make sure to watch closely. If I'm not mistaken, Cong Shan and Cong Lin's attack on the six Ethereal Stage experts is a feint while their real target is him. What this brother said is true."
Wen Tao's eyes shone like he knew everything.
And sure enough, after the six were blown away, the twins turned around and went for Zhuo Fan…
[Oh-ho, so they're after me, is it? They wanted first to take care of the pesky flies before they came for me, ha-ha-ha…]
Despite the two coming at him with murder in their eyes, Zhuo Fan replied to their savage glares with a faint smile.
For the audience, it was the moment they had all been waiting for.
Wen Tao and Han Yunfeng were also eager to see how Zhuo Fan would put the tough and flexible twins in their place.
Whoosh~
Darting around a few times, the two closed in on Zhuo Fan as their hands weaved gestures.
"Mountain and Forest's Shadow, the Crushing Mountain!"
Boom!
With Cong Shan's shout, a yellow light shot straight for Zhuo Fan like a raging bull.
Such destructive power was enough to pulverize even the body of an Ethereal Stage expert!
"Mountain and Forest's Shadow, the Spreading Forest!"
Hum~
As green light pervaded and rippled forward, Cong Lin's eyes flashed, his hands making signs as he followed his brother to strike down Zhuo Fan.
Wen Tao's brow shook. "The two sure are paranoid about being so cautious around Zhuo Fan. They're using a different attack than they used on the six."
"When dealing with the six Ethereal Stage experts, Cong Shan used power to shake the six's attack's momentum while Cong Lin used time to store up the attack as we saw. So the six palm attacks were all guided under the green ripples, turned back at the attackers. So in truth, the six did not lose to the two's power but their own!"
Han Yunfeng nodded, "But this time, they switched tactics. Cong Shan became more forceful, like an earthquake, while Cong Lin forwent deflecting attacks for dispersion. If Zhuo Fan came at them with force, his attack would be useless, being redirected away from them. This combination is truly a great blend of power and flexibility, covering attack and defense!"
Wen Tao smiled and nodded, "It truly is a pesky little tactic, but do you know why they decided on using it?"
"Fear. Since storing power has its limits. Having not seen Zhuo Fan's attack, they at least heard of it. So if the power was truly that overwhelming, Cong Lin had no way to contain it, leaving them crushed. To make sure that didn't happen, he chose to deflect." Han Yunfeng analyzed.
Wen Tao sneered and nodded, "Right you are. No matter how amazing their skills are, even they pale against relentless force. It depends on Zhuo Fan's punch and how strong it is. Will he withstand Cong Shan's brutal attack after Cong Lin's deflection? By the way, you've seen Zhuo Fan's punch, so what do you think of it?"
"See for yourself!"
The Han brothers returned to the screen.
[Stingy!]
Wen Tao shrugged and kept watching the events unfolding. Cong Shan and Cong Lin were right in Zhuo Fan's face. The mighty yellow power was seconds away from blasting him, yet Zhuo Fan wasn't doing anything, just standing there.
The audience was at the edge of their seats for what was about to happen to Zhuo Fan.
[Will, the legend of the darkest horse in history, fizzle out here and now?]
The Cong twins sneered.
[I knew it, the punk was nothing but talk all along. He's nothing!]
[We are almost upon him, about to rob his life, yet he doesn't do anything. This proves the rumors were exaggerated. He's either scared to death or can't even react. He's no expert!]
[What expert would just let himself be pushed in a corner anyway?]
While the two were giggling to themselves for having this in the bag, a soft buzzing came, and the two's scalps tingled for some odd reason.
Hum~
The earth started disintegrating a hundred meters around Zhuo Fan from the high-frequency vibrations. Cong Shan's yellow attack was just about to strike.
A pity disintegrated the next moment into nothing.
At the same time, Cong Lin's green light curtain started sporting black lines, running through it like a spiderweb before it collapsed.
The two's eyes shook, and their hearts fell. They jumped back at once, looking at the still unmoving Zhuo Fan in shock and awe.
They watched as the rest of their attacks crumbled before their eyes. Even before they got out of the hundred-meter range, it had vanished. Moreover…
"Ah!"
Two wails of pain pierced the skies as, in that instant, their attacks fell through. They were also just one moment too late to clear the area. One hand from each of them was chipped away at high speeds before they also vanished.
All that was left behind was blood dripping from the stumps, a testament to the vibrations' power.
[What the hell was that?]
Sss~
Watching how everything in a hundred meters of Zhuo Fan was pulverized, the audience gasped at the spectacle. Wen Tao and company were even bug-eyed.
Even Exalted Double Dragons' eyes twitched in amazement.
[Just what is this astonishing martial art? It is beyond belief!]
Zhuo Fan's right eye flashed with four golden halos, and his mouth perked into a condescending smile, "Divine Eye of the Void's 4th stage, absolute domain, Space Crusher!"
The twins looked at each other, and their gazes hardened. Zhuo Fan had been keeping to himself to a ridiculous degree.
[Who the hell is he? It's not just about strength. Just how the hell does he know such baffling skills? ]
Glossing over their obvious shock, Zhuo Fan closed one eye and stopped the attack. His mouth traced a wide, bright smile as he jumped straight for the two.
The twins thought about running away. Zhuo Fan's left hand turned into a dragon claw as it pursued Cong Lin while his right eye flashed golden twice with Void Annihilation, aiming for Cong Shan.
Cong Lin felt a chill down his spine.
[He's not just what the rumors painted him, but far more terrifying!]
They had no chance whatsoever.
Though it was a bit late for regrets, they could only choke on it since they bit more than they could chew.
Helpless, Cong Lin had no other choice than to fight, shouting, "Mountain and Forest's Shadow, the Spreading Forest!"
Hum~
Another ripple traveled from Cong Lin with a green hue.
"Wraith Style's 2nd move, Ghostly Dragon Claw!"
Zhuo Fan snickered and went straight for it with a grab. However, Ghostly Dragon Claw's power faded just as the ripple grew unstable.
[How amusing.]
Zhuo Fan smiled and let purple lightning flicker through the claw. As the purple lightning passed, the already strong claw gained an edge.
Crash!
With a huge bang, the green light around Cong Lin's body was decimated, along with Cong Lin's frail body.
Blood splattered everywhere, gore squelching as it touched the ground. Zhuo Fan's claw had turned a human being in a shower of blood and giblets.
"Ah!"
The audience gasped and cried. Ye Lin's eyes squinted, piqued by the appearance of purple lightning. "I was right, after all. That's…"
Zhuo Fan stepped again with one down and closed in on Cong Shan.
Watching his brother reduced to fertilizer, Cong Shan was scared out of his mind. But even if he ran, could he escape the likes of Zhuo Fan?
Seeing Zhuo Fan upon him, he could only stake it all!
"Mountain and Forest's Shadow, the Crushing Mountain!"
Boom!
He pushed out both his palms as he shouted. With a loud rumble, the yellow power rolled forward, like a thousand-meter tall mountain, straight for Zhuo Fan.
Such a blow would render anyone's body to a pulp.
A shame he wasn't dealing with just anyone.
In the face of Zhuo Fan and his Soaring Qilin arm famed through the world for its unmatched strength, he might as well be attacking with a toothpick.
Zhuo Fan's mouth split into a nasty grin. His right hand flashed as he punched.
Boom!
The earthshaking sound came from Zhuo Fan's sacred arm striking the yellow power the same way towering waves fell upon a sand castle. It crushed it to harmless motes of light.
What came next was a relentless gale that ripped at Cong Shan's body. His figure was gone and replaced with a red cloud, raining down thick crimson droplets into red rivulets.
It was clear to all this was the miserable ending!