Chapter 496: Chapter 371: The Immortal Martial Hall’s Foundation, Celestial Thunder Hurricane Hammer

Zhou Qibai didn’t dare to challenge the Immortal Martial Hall prodigies, so in the end, he could only pick a pushover at the Early Stage of Void Refining, and advanced smoothly.

Lin Chang’sheng didn’t have a target he was eager to suppress, so he wasn’t in a rush to make a move.

After all, all the disciples from Myriad Beasts Sect, Vajra Sect, Blood Robe Sect, and Celestial Nether Sword Sect had already been eliminated.

...

Soon, the battle for the top 13 reached its final moments.

The strength displayed by all these prodigies made the various sects look at them in a new light.

At this point, only Lin Chang’sheng, Hou Shaojie, and two other contestants remained.

Yet, no one seemed willing to step up for a challenge.

Lin Chang’sheng could only leap up and stand on the combat platform.

The two remaining contestants were both at the Early Stage of Void Refining—it’s no wonder they didn’t dare to get on stage for so long.

Lin Chang’sheng went up and picked one.

When the other contestant learned of Lin Chang’sheng’s cultivation, he was visibly wary of him.

"Spirit Mountain, Hua Shaoling!"

"Lin Chang’sheng!"

The two of them announced their names.

The reason Lin Chang’sheng chose Spirit Mountain to challenge—

First was because this person’s cultivation seemed a bit stronger, and Lin Chang’sheng wanted to save the weaker opponent for Hou Shaojie.

Second was that Spirit Mountain had recently rescued the Dugu siblings, which annoyed Lin Chang’sheng a little.

After reporting their names, Lin Chang’sheng didn’t drag things out either. He threw out a punch right away, a mighty fist aura bursting forth with the Four Symbols Divine Power—unstoppable momentum.

Hua Shaoling seemed to know he couldn’t block this attack, so he tried to dodge to the side.

But to his surprise, just as he prepared to move, the surrounding force field grew stronger, slowing his steps to a crawl.

"Force Field Realm?"

Hua Shaoling’s pupils shrank wide, immediately surging all his primordial power in front of him to form a shield for defense.

BOOOM—

In the next instant, Lin Chang’sheng’s fist aura smashed violently against Hua Shaoling’s shield, sending him flying off the combat platform with just one punch. Another easy victory.

Never mind that the opponent was only at the Early Stage of Void Refining—even a Middle Stage void refiner wouldn’t necessarily fare better against Lin Chang’sheng.

Lin Chang’sheng was absolutely confident in his victory.

So defeating his foe with a single punch was entirely expected.

"Was that domain power just now?"

"Sure looked like it. Man, who could have guessed! He managed to grasp domain power at his age? His future prospects are unimaginable. I wonder which sect will be lucky enough to recruit this prodigy!"

"Yeah! Domain power isn’t something ordinary people can comprehend!"

.....

The elders all around started whispering among themselves, giving Lin Chang’sheng an admiring look.

But what they didn’t know was that what Lin Chang’sheng had displayed was just the tip of the iceberg. His real strength hadn’t even exploded yet.

Right now, the only person that posed any kind of problem for Lin Chang’sheng was Yang Huaizhen, the top prodigy of Immortal Martial Hall—this guy was at the Late Stage of Void Refining and displayed one immortal technique after another. Lin figured he still had trump cards he hadn’t revealed yet.

After taking down his enemy in one punch, Lin Chang’sheng jumped off the stage, and then it was Hou Shaojie’s turn to face a disciple of Five Peaks Sect.

This Five Peaks Sect disciple was also at the Early Stage of Void Refining.

Five Peaks Sect was famous for its palm technique, a single strike rumbling with power capable of crushing mountains.

But even so, Hou Shaojie showed no fear facing the Five Peaks disciple.

"Five Peaks Sect, Sun Lei!"

"Hou Shaojie, please give me your guidance!"

The two exchanged greetings and then immediately traded fierce blows.

Before Hou Shaojie used the Fierce Tiger Body Strengthening Technique, they were pretty evenly matched.

But once Hou Shaojie activated the technique, his physical strength shot to the Middle Stage of Void Refining, and the other guy clearly couldn’t take the pounding anymore.

The two exchanged blows for over a hundred rounds, and in the end, Hou Shaojie clinched victory by overwhelming the opponent with sheer physical power.

Even Lin Chang’sheng hadn’t expected that Hou Shaojie could earn his place in the Celestial Pride List top thirteen with his own ability.

The top thirteen were: Yang Huaizhen and Liu Qi from Immortal Martial Hall,

Li Hu and Yang Ao from Heaven-Suppressing Sect,

Wang Huisheng and Liu Yaoyue from Immortal Palace,

Zhou Qibai from Piaomiao Sect,

Zhang Jinzhong from Five Peaks Sect,

Qin Ming from Spirit Mountain,

Luo Mountain from Infinite Immortal Sect,

Plus the unaffiliated Lin Chang’sheng and Hou Shaojie, and Luo Xiao who had just joined Spirit Mountain.

Among these people, Lin Chang’sheng felt his only true opponent was Yang Huaizhen.

This man’s cultivation was formidable and shouldn’t be underestimated.

As for the other prodigies, Lin Chang’sheng was fully confident he could win.

"This year’s Celestial Pride List is really something! Three dark horses made it all the way here, wonder how far they’ll go!"

"Yeah! Especially Lin Chang’sheng, I bet he’ll make the top three!"

"No doubt. I’m really optimistic about him. Apart from Yang Huaizhen from Immortal Martial Hall, there aren’t many who could take him on!"

"Don’t get your hopes too high, now. I still think he just looks tough on the outside—bullies the weaker ones, sure, but when it comes to the top three, anything could happen!"

...

The nearby elders buzzed with excitement at the birth of the top thirteen, many of them held Lin Chang’sheng in high regard.

But a few others dismissed his wins as pure luck.

"Rest for one incense stick, then we’ll continue the competition!"

The Grand Elder of Refining God Sect shouted, giving everyone time for a break to recover their primordial power.

Lin Chang’sheng glanced over at Yang Huaizhen; Yang Huaizhen sensed his gaze and looked right back.

Their eyes met, and Yang Huaizhen gave a small, subtle smile.

Lin Chang’sheng returned the gesture with a smile of his own.

Though in these smiles, much was being held back.

They both knew—their strongest rival was very likely the other person.

They wouldn’t clash so easily—not until the end.

"If you’re on the verge of losing, admit defeat. No point getting badly hurt. If I make it into a good sect, I’ll make sure to bring you with me!"

Lin Chang’sheng said to Hou Shaojie.

Hou Shaojie was truly a loyal guy—if Lin Chang’sheng found a good sect and could get Hou Shaojie in too, he’d never ditch him.

"If I can join one of the top three sects with you, from now on you’re my big bro! You say go left, I’ll never go right!"

Hou Shaojie laughed.

"Count on it!"

Lin Chang’sheng grinned, and Hou Shaojie chuckled along with him.

The incense burned away in no time as the disciples stuffed themselves with pills to recover their primordial power.

It seemed the elders had cautioned Yang Huaizhen to hold back, so he didn’t go up first this round.

Instead, a disciple named Liu Qi from Immortal Martial Hall jumped onto the platform.

"Liu Qi from Immortal Martial Hall, I challenge Luo Xiao!"

Liu Qi called out as soon as he was on the platform.

Luo Xiao was just a loose cultivator—just making it into the top thirteen was lucky enough.

So it made perfect sense for Liu Qi to challenge him.

"I admit defeat!"

Luo Xiao must’ve known he wasn’t Liu Qi’s match, and surrendered on the spot.

After all, he’d now joined Spirit Mountain, so he wouldn’t be short on resources for future cultivation.

If he’d been seriously injured now, it’d be a huge loss—Spirit Mountain might even give up on him.

With Luo Xiao conceding, Liu Qi advanced instantly.

Next, Li Hu from Heaven-Suppressing Sect leapt onto the platform, his gaze landing on Hou Shaojie. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Brother Hou, mind coming up for a little spar?"

Hou Shaojie already knew he might not be his equal, but wanted to see just how strong the guy was, so he accepted without hesitation.

"Brother Hou, you really have an aura about you! Even if you lose, I have to say, you’re a real man!"

Li Hu spoke with rough, heartfelt words.

Facing Li Hu, Hou Shaojie didn’t dare slack off. "It’s my honor to spar with a prodigy like you, Brother Li! Please!"

As soon as his words fell, Hou Shaojie activated Fierce Tiger Body Strengthening Technique—he couldn’t afford any carelessness against a prodigy at the Middle Stage of Void Refining.

One slip, and it’d be all over, maybe even lead to serious injury.

"Nice body technique! But it won’t do much against me! Celestial Thunder Hurricane Hammer!"

Li Hu roared, summoning a giant hammer, and stormed Hou Shaojie with ruthless attacks.

No matter how tough Hou Shaojie’s flesh was, he just couldn’t withstand the hammer plus the celestial thunder attacks at the same time.

After holding on for ten rounds, he was forced back to the edge of the platform, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

"I surrender!"

Hou Shaojie admitted defeat without hesitation.

The opponent’s cultivation was just way too much for him.

No wonder he was a disciple of the Immortal Realm’s second-ranked Giant Sect—his strength was overwhelming.

"To last ten rounds with me, you’re already one of the strongest at the Early Stage of Void Refining! If we were in the same realm, I might be the one losing!"

Li Hu smiled and praised Hou Shaojie.

Looks like Hou Shaojie had earned Li Hu’s respect with his performance.

And it wasn’t just Li Hu; the various elders in the audience all recognized Hou Shaojie’s strength, agreeing he was a prodigy worth cultivating.