Li Kai could naturally see that Li Chunsheng’s current state was merely a fake Fourth Layer of the Martial Emperor Realm. Moreover, Li Rui had once told Li Kai that the Saint Heir would be observing everything within the Secret Realm through a light screen. Naturally, Li Kai wasn’t going to pass up this opportunity to show off in front of the Saint Heir, so he waved a hand at his teammates, signaling them to fall back. Li Kai wanted to break the formation by himself to display his power to the Saint Heir.

The Pingtian Academy disciples obediently stepped aside, looking on at the disciples from Central Celestial Academy with the air of spectators enjoying a play.

"Senior Brother Li Kai is a genuine peak Third Layer Martial Emperor. Even with all nine of you and a formation, you still can’t stop him."

"That’s right! Senior Brother Li Kai has slain a genuine Fourth Layer Martial Emperor with his own power. Dealing with someone who reached the Fourth Layer of the Martial Emperor Realm through a formation is child’s play for him."

"The people from Central Celestial Academy are just too weak. I feel embarrassed just being ranked alongside them as one of the four great academies."

Although the Pingtian Academy disciples had withdrawn from the fight, their taunts were incessant. Li Chunsheng and the others had felt a glimmer of secret joy after blocking the first attack, but upon hearing that Li Kai had actually slain a Fourth Layer Martial Emperor, their expressions turned even uglier.

Li Kai slowly approached Li Chunsheng and his group, speaking with contempt, "Today, I’ll show you the gap between us. Elimination is the best punishment for rejecting my offer."

After speaking, the phantom of Li Kai’s Martial Soul gradually materialized behind him. It was a fierce tiger radiating a purple glow, baring its fangs and brandishing its claws as it devoured the surrounding Spiritual Energy. Without another word, Li Kai immediately threw a punch at Li Chunsheng’s group.

In Li Chunsheng’s eyes, Li Kai’s fist grew larger and larger, like a starving tiger baring its fangs. The surrounding nature’s spiritual energy continuously converged on his fist, accompanied by the unceasing, terrifying roar of sonic booms.

"Senior Brother Li Kai has the Nine-Star Nether Tiger Martial Soul. Its unique Lightning Attribute elevates his combat prowess by more than just a single tier," a disciple from Pingtian Academy couldn’t help but exclaim, earning nods of agreement from his fellow disciples.

Li Chunsheng also recognized Li Kai’s power. However, with the formation active, their range of movement was limited, making it impossible to dodge the punch. Therefore, Li Chunsheng could only grit his teeth and take it head-on. His hands continuously drew circles before his chest, conjuring one energy barrier after another. However, these barriers proved incredibly fragile against Li Kai’s fist. Clearly, Li Kai’s control over nature’s spiritual energy surpassed Li Chunsheng’s. As a result, when it came to resonating with spiritual energy for attack and defense, Li Chunsheng was completely suppressed. Even though his realm was a layer higher than Li Kai’s, he held no advantage whatsoever.

BOOM!

Li Kai’s punch finally shattered all the barriers and slammed heavily into Li Chunsheng. The force sent him and the several Central Celestial Academy disciples behind him staggering backward repeatedly. Cao Zong, who had just stepped into the Martial Emperor Realm, was even struck so hard he vomited blood.

Li Chunsheng couldn’t help but marvel internally. So strong! He only resonated with nature’s spiritual energy just now, without even using a Martial Technique, and his attack was already this powerful. It seems Pingtian Academy truly lives up to its reputation.

At the same time, Li Chunsheng grew anxious. If Li Kai keeps attacking like this, forget shattering the formation—the shared damage alone will soon be too much for my junior brothers and sisters to bear. But I can’t dismantle the formation now, or we won’t even be able to block a single punch. Our only hope is for Ye Qingchen to come out soon. If we had a ten-person formation with him as the core, we might have a slim chance of survival.

However, Li Kai clearly had no intention of giving them that chance. After landing the first punch, the next followed in quick succession. Li Chunsheng could only defend desperately, completely unable to fight back.

Li Kai unleashed a continuous barrage of punches. Although the energy in each fist wasn’t as formidable as the first, their sheer frequency was overwhelming. The relentless assault finally became too much for the Central Celestial Academy disciples.

Cao Zong, the weakest among them, was the first to fall. He was sent flying, spitting mouthfuls of blood, before a flash of white light teleported him away. During the first stage of the trial, anyone who suffered a fatal injury would be transported out of the Secret Realm, thus losing their qualification. If this had been a real battle, Cao Zong would already be dead and gone.

With Cao Zong’s elimination from the Secret Realm, Li Chunsheng’s formation was now a man short, and the power it could gather diminished once again. Meanwhile, Li Kai only fought with increasing vigor, showing no signs of fatigue. The Pingtian Academy disciples jeered relentlessly from the sidelines, mocking Central Celestial Academy while cheering Li Kai on.

After the first disciple was defeated, it wasn’t long before others from Central Celestial Academy also began to fall. One after another, they were blasted away and teleported out of the Secret Realm. Two, then three, then four...

Li Chunsheng grew increasingly anxious. As their numbers dwindled, the energy he could gather had already dropped to the level of a Third Layer Martial Emperor.

Li Kai’s face was filled with disdain. It was obvious he hadn’t been using his full strength this entire time; he was merely dragging out the fight to humiliate them.

Li Chunsheng sighed. At this point, I hope Ye Qingchen doesn’t come back so soon. With so few of us left, his return would just be a dead end. It would be better for him to remain in the Illusion Array and perhaps escape this disaster.

BOOM!

Another punch landed on their defense, and another Central Celestial Academy disciple was sent flying, teleported out of the Secret Realm. Now, only Li Chunsheng and two other Inner Sect Disciples at the Second Layer of the Martial Emperor Realm remained. The three of them knew that with their current strength, Li Kai could kill them as easily as flipping his hand.

But just then, Li Kai stopped his assault. His gaze shifted to the area behind Li Chunsheng and the others, where a tremendous Energy Fluctuation was erupting, capturing his attention.

BOOM!

A thunderous explosion followed, kicking up a furious tempest of sand and stone. The fog behind Li Chunsheng and his companions began to dissipate, revealing a figure walking out from within.

"Junior Brother Ye, get out of here!"

Li Chunsheng’s heart sank. I know that commotion was caused by Ye Qingchen succeeding in Breaking Formations. But in this situation, if he shows himself, he’ll definitely be spotted by Li Kai’s group—especially since they came here looking for him! For him to appear now... his chances of survival are slim!