Chapter 158

At the foot of the mountain, watching the five streaks of teleportation light appear one after another, the two Elders were somewhat surprised.

"Someone was eliminated this quickly?"

The reception light dissipated, and the first figures revealed were the three who had blocked the gate, each bleeding profusely, lying on the ground half-dead, their auras withered.

"What happened? Such heavy injuries?"

Elder Cao started, hurriedly running over to check the situation; his complexion slowly grew heavy, then turned strange.

After feeding each of the three a pill, watching the three gate-blockers improve somewhat, Elder Cao spoke to inquire, a hidden anger burning in his eyes: "You few, speak, how did you suffer such heavy injuries?"

The three smiled bitterly, shame appearing on their faces, first bowing reluctantly to Elder Cao, then saying: "Many thanks for Elder's life-saving action; the three of us were inferior in skill, there is nothing to complain about."

Three people targeting one person, yet instead being heavily injured by a single look from the other party — this kind of matter, speaking of it would be too humiliating.

Moreover, it was originally they who were in the wrong first; if they truly revealed everything to Elder Cao, they would likely provoke his anger instead, a loss outweighing the gain.

Although such behavior is not prohibited in the trial, speaking of it would indeed invite contempt, especially from Elder Cao before them, who is famous for hating evil like an enemy, upright and kind.

"Hm?"

Elder Cao raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised, gazing deeply at the three, then did not pursue the questioning further, waving his hand to let them leave.

"Go to the Medical Hall to properly treat yourselves and rest well."

"Good, many thanks, Elder."

Thanking once more, the three supported each other and left.

Watching the three's retreating figures, Elder Cao and Elder Hai exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise and astonishment in the other's eyes.

"Judging by the look of it, they suffered Divine Soul injuries; although extremely severe, one can tell the attacker still held back."

"In that kind of place, still having the spare strength to launch this kind of attack, tsk tsk, truly surprising."

Elder Hai clicked his tongue in wonder, finding it somewhat inconceivable.

"Who do you say it could be? Those few Foundation Establishment ones?"

Elder Cao pondered, rather curious about this question.

"It should be." Elder Hai mused, thought for a moment, then shook his head: "Besides them, I can't think of anyone else."

As the two spoke, the two teleportation lights behind them also dissipated, revealing the two eliminated by Yu Changsheng afterwards.

Compared to the previous three, these two were much better off, merely with weak auras, pale complexions, and blood overflowing from the corners of their mouths; after leaving the Trial Ground, their complexions improved considerably.

Elder Cao sensed for a moment, exclaiming in surprise: "These two also suffered Divine Sense attacks? Only much lighter, perhaps done by the same person."

Thinking it over, Elder Cao walked forward, and after the two rested for a while, gently inquired: "What happened? The three eliminated just now, are they in the same group as you?"

"No," the two laughed awkwardly, waving their hands, wanting to conceal the shame in their hearts.

"Inferior skill, a small conflict led to us being eliminated."

Waiting until the headache eased, the two looked at each other, both seeing the embarrassment in the other's eyes.

"Which peak's disciples? Yujian Peak?"

Elder Hai asked curiously.

"No... not Yujian Peak." The two's complexions grew even more awkward.

"Oh? Then it's Ba Dao Peak. Lei Jingtong, or Gu Zhen?" Elder Hai was curious, thinking through possible people in his mind. "Also not Ba Dao Peak, it's... Yushou Peak disciples!"

The two men smiled bitterly in succession, revealing expressions of lingering fear, patting their chests.

"Yushou Peak?!"

Elder Cao and Elder Hai looked at each other in blank dismay, obviously stunned for a moment.

"Haven't heard of Yushou Peak having any experts either? Interesting... looks like this session's trial has some watchability after all."

Elder Cao's gaze flickered, between his lowered brows, unknown what he was thinking.

On the stairs, one thousand two hundred layers, one thousand three hundred layers...

All the way until one thousand five hundred layers, Yu Changsheng's steps did not stop; only then did he feel a sense of obstruction, but his speed did not slow.

As the stairs rose, the people around visibly decreased by a great many.

Continuing on to two thousand layers, Yu Changsheng only then slowly halted his steps, looking at the person sitting cross-legged on the stairs ahead, his gaze slightly congealing.

The person before him, features resolute, twenty-some years old, bearing a trace of ruggedness and wildness, unexpectedly wore his long beard tied up, clad in a yellow robe, on his chest hung the unique emblem of Badao Peak disciples.

One hand dragged a great blade on the ground, the blade back broad and thick, the blade edge narrow and blunt, the blade slightly curled, crawling with a few cracks, the blade body long and continuous, coiled with dragon patterns, entirely earth-yellow, vigorous and spirited, Spirit Power circulating, faintly glowing.

Yu Changsheng knew this person; Miao Wenlun had introduced him to him, the disciples of each peak needing attention included him, Ba Dao Gate Outer Sect Second — Lei Jingtong.

Cultivation base at Qi Refining Peak for many years, a blade technique compared to Outer Sect First Gu Zhen also not the slightest bit inferior, the difference merely cultivation base.

Lei Jingtong just sat cross-legged there quietly, expression composed and indifferent, as if the surrounding pressure could not affect him in the slightest, at this moment eyes revealing curiosity staring fixedly at Yu Changsheng.

"Do you have business?" Yu Changsheng's expression unchanged, asked faintly.

"Formidable." Lei Jingtong's eyes blazed with brilliant light, first praising Yu Changsheng, exclaiming: "Alchemy Conference first, Beast Taming Competition also still first, entered the sect less than a year, yet able to cultivate to such a step, truly exceptionally gifted."

"Looking again at being able to maintain such a bearing at this layer count, you are indeed not simple; didn't expect Yushou Peak besides Miao Wenlun actually has this one genius disciple, just a pity, you should have come to our Ba Dao Peak."

Finished speaking, Lei Jingtong looked at Yu Changsheng, slowly shaking his head, eyes seeming to hold regret.

"What do you mean to express?" Yu Changsheng frowned slightly.

"Yu Changsheng, if you were at Ba Dao Peak, relying on your talent, plus my constant appreciation of geniuses, however you put it I would do my utmost to protect you, just a pity..."

Lei Jingtong spoke slowly, seeming somewhat regretful, but the hand gripping the blade hilt slowly tightened.

"What relationship do you have with Huang Suyu?"

Yu Changsheng frowned, guessing the visitor's intent, footsteps retreating slightly, whole body cultivation base mobilizing, vigilant against Lei Jingtong at all times.

"I merely owed Huang Suyu a favor some years ago, entrusted by someone, but rest assured, I won't take your life, just want to fight you."

As Lei Jingtong spoke, he slowly stood up, the combat intent in his eyes growing ever stronger, like a ball of flame, blazing and burning.

"Just now at the thousand layers I saw your performance; those three idiots I also disdain to ally with, I, Lei Jingtong, still have my own pride."

"I am rather curious — just what remarkable qualities does the person who could make that arrogant Huang Suyu take seriously actually possess?"

Yu Zhangsheng's complexion slowly grew grave; with a wave of his hand, the Red Tempered Snake and the Golden-Winged Great Eagle appeared beside him, arrayed and ready.

(Chapter End)