What exactly is Chen An's greatest trump card? Perhaps everyone present has a different opinion.
Some believe that his unique understanding of combat is his greatest asset, while others think his talent in spiritual talisman mastery is his trump card. There are even those who believe that his naturally sinister and cunning personality is his biggest advantage.
But for Chen An, his trump card has always been one thing: his life!
In the two months since he came to the Spiritual Talisman Sect, he had become accustomed to risking his life in everything he did. Because if he didn't, he would never be able to compete with those older and more cunning individuals. He would have long since been devoured and left with no place to rest!
Chen An might have some talent, but he lacks the innate qualifications to match it. In such circumstances, what else could he do besides gamble his life?
"To be honest, the fact that we've fought this far has exceeded my expectations," Chen An said through gritted teeth. Each word was accompanied by a searing pain that made him feel as though his whole body was being pierced. His chest rose and fell erratically with each breath, the pain deep in his bones.
He staggered toward Yun Xiao, who was also advancing with his sword, his face filled with excitement.
At this moment, the entire crowd held their breath, fearing they would miss the next crucial detail. For a brief moment, no one noticed that the sky above had begun to undergo an ominous change.
Above them, dark clouds started to gather, and in the blink of an eye, the brightness of the entire world seemed to dim.
When Chen An and Yun Xiao were within range of each other's attacks, only then did someone notice the strange change in the sky, and they instinctively looked up.
The sight shocked everyone.
The swirling dark clouds above, with arcs of lightning flashing through them, seemed exactly like the onset of a Heavenly Tribulation. Was someone about to undergo tribulation?
"Not good, someone is about to undergo tribulation here! We must retreat!"
A disciple in the crowd shouted in alarm, and chaos erupted within the Spiritual Talisman Sect. After all, a Heavenly Tribulation was not something to be taken lightly. If someone dared to undergo tribulation in a place so crowded, the casualties could be unimaginable.
Upon seeing this, Meng Wentian immediately stood up and, with a deep breath, his voice rang out like a great bell, spreading across the entire Spiritual Talisman Sect.
"The sky phenomena are not caused by a Heavenly Tribulation, do not panic!"
Meng Wentian's words helped calm the disciples, who realized that anyone undergoing tribulation wouldn't choose to do so in such a public place; they would have already been waiting at the Tribulation Peak.
So why was this strange sky phenomenon happening?
"Master, do you mean the phenomenon is caused by..." Yun Henqiu seemed to suddenly realize something, disbelief filling his eyes.
Meng Wentian slowly nodded and replied with a voice that betrayed no emotion, "You should know what is about to happen. Stop now."
It was almost as if Meng Wentian's words reached Chen An directly, for just at that moment, he suddenly ripped open the coarse cloth of his tunic.
"Rip!"
As his robes tore, something unimaginable happened. On Chen An's body were dozens of tightly packed talismans.
"Why... why does Chen An still have so many talismans on him?"
"Wait, look! Those talismans... they're Thunder-Calling Talismans! Yes, they are Thunder-Calling Talismans!"
In an instant, everyone understood that the sudden sky phenomena, resembling a Heavenly Tribulation, was caused entirely by Chen An and the dozens of Thunder-Calling Talismans on his body!
"Gasp... is there someone so ruthless in this world? Is he planning to take Yun Xiao down with him?"
"I have to admit, I'm somewhat impressed by this servant boy. Not only has he made it this far, but he's also willing to risk his life. If his talent weren't so lacking, his future might be limitless!"
At this moment, the praise from the crowd reached Yun Henqiu's ears, and it was an unbearable torment for him.
He could not accept it. After all his planning for this disciple competition, it seemed he had merely helped Chen An pave the way for his success.
Now he understood why Meng Wentian had urged him to stop earlier. If this continued, the only possible outcome would be Chen An and Yun Xiao perishing together, and that was a loss the Spiritual Talisman Sect could not afford. One side had to back down.
Looking at Chen An's current state, it was clear he was willing to risk his life, making it impossible for him to retreat.
The only option left was for Yun Xiao to retreat.
Struggling with his thoughts, Yun Henqiu opened his mouth to warn Yun Xiao, but it was already too late.
When Yun Xiao saw the dense Thunder-Calling Talismans on Chen An's body, he immediately grew flustered and launched an attack.
Meanwhile, Chen An opened his arms without hesitation and embraced Yun Xiao, locking him in a tight grip, his arms like iron pincers, not allowing Yun Xiao to escape.
At this point, both of them were exhausted. Even though Yun Xiao had taken the Boiling Blood Pill, he was barely holding on. With Chen An's grip, he could hardly break free.
At the same time, a firm voice echoed in Yun Xiao's ear.
"You came here to win, but I came here to change my fate. What do you have to fight me with?"
"Crack!"
As the words left his mouth, a blinding light erupted, and the deafening roar of thunder echoed throughout the Spiritual Talisman Sect. Dozens of bolts of heavenly lightning struck down directly on Chen An and Yun Xiao.
The blinding light expanded, and the platform beneath them, made of indestructible diamond, was the first to collapse, turning into rubble.
Chen An and Yun Xiao, the two extraordinary young cultivators, were buried in the ruins.
After a long time, the dark clouds dispersed and the dust settled. Those who had retreated earlier slowly returned, hoping to find Chen An and Yun Xiao.
Even Meng Wentian and Yun Henqiu came.
Everyone was eager to know the outcome of this shocking battle.
Elder Gu still hid in the shadows, his expression fluctuating, seemingly deep in thought. Li Muchen rushed forward, calling out Chen An's name amid the ruins.
Amid the rubble, a faint rustling sound was heard, and suddenly, a hand emerged from the debris.
It was Chen An's arm!
All eyes turned to him as Chen An crawled out of the wreckage. He was a mess, his body battered, and his chest shield was shattered, a clear sign of the intense battle he had survived.
It was immediately clear that Chen An had relied on the protection of his chest shield to survive.
This had been his plan from the start. When facing Yun Xiao's Sky-Breaking Sword Array earlier, Chen An hadn't used the chest shield because he knew the array wouldn't kill him, but the Thunder-Calling Talismans would.
So, he had saved the chest shield for the last moment, waiting for the effects of the Thunder-Calling Talismans to take effect, and then used it to save his life.
In the end, Chen An's gamble had paid off. He was the only one to emerge alive from the ruins. The result of the battle was now clear.
This disciple competition, which would go down in the history of the Spiritual Talisman Sect, had ended with Chen An claiming the first place!