Chapter 399: The Second Match

When the battle between the Princess and Zhongnan concluded, the tiered stands fell silent. After that silence persisted for a long while, cheers and applause finally began to rise, and within a brief moment, the sound thundered through the mountain ranges like rolling thunder.

Everyone cheered for the outstanding performance of both representatives.

Although the result was merely a draw, no one could find a single flaw in either side; they had poured out all their strength, unleashed their strongest means, and contributed a magnificent duel for everyone.

"A battle at the Heavenly General level is indeed breathtaking."

Li Luo sighed; the outcome of this battle held no real surprise. Even the Princess could not completely pierce Zhongnan's supreme defense. Although if it were a life-or-death duel, it was uncertain whether either side had other hidden moves, at least in this contest, neither could harm the other.

In this battle, Zhongnan continued to uphold his title as the strongest shield of the Blue Abyss Sacred Academy, while the Princess likewise revealed formidable strength, stunning everyone and failing to bring shame to the Saint Xuanxing Academy's honor.

As Li Luo sighed inwardly, the cheers on the stands suddenly stopped, replaced once more by a roar of applause, among which resounded the name "Gong Gong Shenjun" like thunder.

Li Luo looked and saw Gong Gong Shenjun's figure slowly descend from one of the stands, landing on the scorched ground amidst the mountains below.

Gong Gong Shenjun wore white robes, his bearing elegant as jade, his face handsome and his demeanor extraordinary. Paired with his own formidable strength and the title of the Saint Xuanxing Academy's strongest Seven-Star Pillar, upon his entrance, countless students of the entire Saint Xuanxing Academy erupted in excitement, with even more female students gazing at him with affectionate eyes.

Such heroism, let alone ordinary students, even the great figures from all corners of Great Xia on the highest stands nodded slightly in admiration.

"The King having a son like this is truly enviable," Zhu Zhu Qinghuo of the Extreme Flame Mansion smiled slightly and said to the Regent beside him.

Duze Yan also nodded, saying, "Among the younger generation of Great Xia, Highness Gong Gong Shenjun is indeed the undisputed outstanding talent; the King can be said to have a worthy successor."

The Regent wore a gentle smile; he waved his hand and said modestly, "Everyone overpraises me. This is all thanks to the Saint Xuanxing Academy. Without the academy's cultivation, how could Gong Shenjun have achieved such success?"

Vice Dean Suxin smiled and said, "This is the Regent being too modest. Gong Shenjun's talent and diligence are seen by all tutors and students within the academy; achieving such success is no surprise."

As the two sides exchanged compliments, the Little Emperor frowned and said, "My sister is also outstanding."

Others smiled and all nodded in agreement.

"What Your Majesty says is certainly true; the Princess's excellence is visible to all, who could deny it?"

While they spoke, a voice sounded again in the arena; that was Liang Kui of the Blue Abyss Sacred Academy making his entrance.

Liang Kui wore black robes; his body was tall and muscular, but compared to Gong Gong Shenjun's heroism, he was completely defeated in appearance, because his looks could not even be called normal, instead appearing somewhat ugly, and now, contrasted with Gong Gong Shenjun, this became even more obvious.

This comparison made many female students of the Saint Xuanxing Academy unable to bear looking directly.

However, Liang Kui seemed long accustomed to such gazes; his face was expressionless, showing no turmoil from this, his pair of deep, dark eyes merely locking onto Gong Gong Shenjun ahead. He clearly had no intention of communicating with Gong Gong Shenjun; he clenched his palm, and a black long spear materialized.

Upon the long spear, powerful energy fluctuations radiated, and on the spear shaft, a golden mark was faintly visible, resembling a golden vertical eye.

It was unmistakably a Golden-Eye Treasure.

Boom!

Immediately, a sound like a giant thunderclap resounded; brilliant lightning surged violently from within Liang Kui's body. Within the lightning, his hair gradually began to float and dance. At the same time, six brilliant Heavenly Pearls slowly formed behind him, gathering all the energy of heaven and earth.

This further caused his momentum to climb step by step; paired with his ugly and ferocious face, he was like a Thunder Ghost.

Liang Kui was clearly going all out immediately, with no intention whatsoever to probe, because he knew very well that Gong Gong Shenjun's strength was a tier above his own. If he did not go all out from the start, he would likely fall directly into suppression.

Facing Liang Kui who had unleashed his full strength, Gong Gong Shenjun merely smiled slightly, clenched his palm, and a brilliant silver spear materialized.

As soon as the silver spear appeared, energy from heaven and earth gathered toward it; as the spear tip vibrated, the void trembled slightly.

This too was a Golden-Eye Treasure.

At the same time, silver-white Image Power began to flow from within Gong Gong Shenjun's body, then rapidly expanded, shooting skyward like a hundred-zhang beacon of smoke. Within that Image Power smoke, everyone could faintly see a huge silver dragon appearing.

The silver dragon's entire body was covered in silver scales, its claws and teeth fearsome, and within its dragon eyes seemed to radiate a chilling, fierce light; an astonishing pressure slowly emanated.

Li Luo gazed at the silver dragon faintly visible within the Image Power pillar; his expression also became somewhat Solemn. Clearly, this was Gong Gong Shenjun's Image Nature.

Upper Eighth-Rank Image, Silver Dragon Image.

This was the first time since Li Luo entered the Saint Xuanxing Academy that he had seen Gong Gong Shenjun reveal his own Image Nature.

After revealing his Image Nature, Gong Gong Shenjun did not stop, because the energy pressure emanating from his body began to grow stronger and stronger. Then, suddenly, silver light flashed behind him, and seven silver-glowing Heavenly Pearls condensed into existence.

Those seven Heavenly Pearls were obviously even more brilliant than the Princess's seven.

Li Luo stared at the seven brilliant Heavenly Pearls behind Gong Gong Shenjun. Although seven Heavenly Pearls were indeed extremely astonishing, for some reason, he felt this might not be Gong Gong Shenjun's full strength; this number one of the Saint Xuanxing Academy might still have some hidden reserves.

If he truly had something hidden, then one could only say this fellow was truly formidable; facing such a strong enemy as Liang Kui, he could still possess such confidence.

While Li Luo speculated in his mind about how much power Gong Gong Shenjun was hiding, the latter smiled slightly amidst countless admiring gazes. He held his silver spear diagonally, looked at Liang Kui opposite him, and although the other party clearly did not want to acknowledge him, he still nodded in greeting, displaying his own magnanimity.

"Saint Xuanxing Academy, Gong Gong Shenjun. I request instruction from the friend of the Blue Abyss Sacred Academy."

Liang Kui looked at Gong Gong Shenjun, whose imposing momentum was clearly a tier above his own. On his somewhat ugly face, there was not a shred of fear; instead, he gradually tightened his grip on the black long spear in his hand, and then a low, hoarse voice emerged: "One move."

"Hmm?" Gong Gong Shenjun looked over with slight confusion.

Liang Kui said indifferently, "If you can withstand my one move, I will admit defeat."

Gong Gong Shenjun's eyes flashed, and he smiled: "It is a move of life-and-death struggle, isn't it? You wish to use this to force a draw with me? It seems your Blue Abyss Sacred Academy very much wants to maintain a draw this time?"

Liang Kui said nothing, merely staring at Gong Gong Shenjun with a cold gaze.

Gong Gong Shenjun wore a smile; his five fingers slowly tightened around the silver spear. His voice was gentle, his demeanor confident and composed.

"The guest has come from afar. If the guest wishes to play in a certain way, I, as the host of the Great Xia Kingdom, will certainly accompany you to the end."

"So, friend..."

"Please make your move."