Chapter 243: Chapter 187: Dirt and Filth (Part 3)

At that moment, space rippled slightly above the ten arenas.

Ten powerful figures slowly materialized, each taking their place beneath a corresponding Vermilion Bird Star Pillar.

These were the ten widely acknowledged, top-tier prodigies of Star City for this grand tournament—the initial ring masters!

"I’ll go first!"

With a sharp cry, Wang Hao of the Liaoyuan Division, unable to hold back any longer, shot forward like a spear, heading straight for a temporarily vacant arena.

He had just steadied himself when a Yin Wind swept over him.

"I am Corpse Nightmare of the Ghost Star’s Corpse Sheep Division!"

A Ghost Star Cultivator in a ghastly green Corpse Robe with sunken eyes landed opposite him, letting out a sinister cackle.

"A human from the Liaoyuan Division? Perfect. I’ll make an example of you!"

"Enough talk! Taste my spear!"

The Red Flame Spear on Wang Hao’s back hummed as it left its sheath, its tip gathering into a single, intensely sharp point of fire.

He thrust it straight toward the center of Corpse Nightmare’s brow!

Corpse Nightmare sneered. Without dodging or evading, he shoved his hands forward, and billowing Corpse Evil Qi coalesced into a massive White Bone Shield!

"Ghost Cry Shield!"

BOOM!

The Red Flame Spear struck the Bone Shield, letting out a piercing shriek!

Wang Hao felt a viscous, bone-chilling power travel up the spear. He grunted as the force of his thrust faltered.

Corpse Nightmare seized the opportunity to counterattack, spitting a dark green Corpse Poison Saliva Arrow from his mouth. It shot toward Wang Hao’s face as fast as lightning!

Wang Hao retreated hastily, spinning his spear to parry. Though he narrowly avoided a fatal blow, the Corpse Poison grazed his arm, which immediately turned black as excruciating, corrosive pain spread through it.

Although his Spear Technique was formidable, he was clearly inexperienced in dealing with the bizarre and malevolent Cultivation Techniques of a Ghost Star Cultivator, and he instantly found himself at a disadvantage.

Having gained the upper hand, Corpse Nightmare was relentless, unleashing one Corpse Secret Technique after another...

Wang Hao was hard-pressed to defend himself. He soon accumulated several more wounds, and his aura fell into disarray.

"Hahaha! Is this all the Liaoyuan Division is capable of? You dare contend for the Star Crown? Get off the stage!"

Laughing maniacally, Corpse Nightmare exploited an opening in Wang Hao’s defense and viciously slammed a heavy Corpse Evil Palm Seal into his chest!

"PFFT!" Wang Hao spat a mouthful of blood as he was sent flying backward. He slammed heavily against the light barrier at the edge of the arena and fell unconscious, whereupon he was teleported away by the Array.

His score immediately dropped to negative five points.

Corpse Nightmare stood on the stage, triumphant. He provocatively crooked his finger at the members of the Liaoyuan Division. "Who’s next? You Human Race trash! I’ll knock down every single one of you who comes up here!"

Next came Zhang Jun, Li Yan, Sun Wei, Zhao Lu...

The remaining members of the Liaoyuan Division took to the stages one by one, some challenging other ring masters, others fighting amongst themselves.

But without exception, every single one of them was defeated!

Not one of them could successfully defend an arena even once, and all of their scores were negative.

The taunts from the Ghost Star, Wing Fire, and Zhuyin Division Cultivators were incessant. Up on the high platform, the expression of Nascent Soul Daoist Monarch Mu Nanshan had turned grim.

Amidst the gloomy atmosphere, a scorching, tyrannical figure shot into the sky and landed on Corpse Nightmare’s arena.

"Yanyao of the Wing Fire Division, here to test your skills!" The newcomer was wreathed in roaring flames, his aura explosive.

Corpse Nightmare’s expression changed. Ghost Dao Techniques were most vulnerable to powers of pure yang and unyielding strength. He hastily channeled his Corpse Aura to form a defense.

But Yanyao gave him no such chance. With a furious roar, his fists transformed into two meteor-like fireballs and smashed downward with an aura that seemed capable of incinerating the world!

"Meteor Bursting Flame Fist!"

RUMBLE!

Corpse Nightmare screamed as he was engulfed by the fireballs, his body charred black as he tumbled off the arena, defeated in an instant.

Yanyao had won with ease, earning thirty points and becoming the new ring master. He stood gazing imperiously over the entire arena.

This was the true power of a prodigy from one of Star City’s major divisions!

However, this glory belonged to the Wing Fire Division. As for the Liaoyuan Division, aside from Qin Xuan, there was no one left.

Many eyes drifted toward the silent Qin Xuan as people began to whisper amongst themselves.

"Hmph, that Qin Xuan must be scared witless. He doesn’t even dare to get on stage."

"He’s only at the Early-stage Purple Mansion realm, after all. He just got lucky before. Now that he’s seen a true prodigy, he’s naturally showing his cowardice."

"Looks like the Liaoyuan Division is about to be completely wiped out."

The whispers were filled with contempt.

However, Qin Xuan’s gaze was not focused on the arenas.

Instead, it was fixed on a distant, high platform—on one of the ten figures standing there in silence, Shen Xiyue.