Chapter 262: Li Yilan and Ye Xiaojie's Drastic Change

But the next second…

The void behind Li Yilan suddenly twisted and trembled like a mirror.

First, strands of golden light seeped out.

Then it formed a dazzling light pillar that shot straight into the clouds.

The energy of that light was pure, almost holy.

Yet it bore an oppressive pressure that made hearts pound.

Wherever it passed, the air itself let out a piercing explosive roar.

Everyone felt their retinas sting as if burned, and they instinctively raised their hands to shield their eyes.

Yet through the gaps between their fingers they could see ancient patterns faintly appearing in the light pillar, like some long-lost heavenly dao inscription.

"This... this is what?"

Gasps of surprise rose and fell throughout the crowd.

Some disciples with weaker cultivation had collapsed to the ground, their legs trembling uncontrollably.

Several elders' protective aura, disrupted by chaotic spiritual energy, emitted a strained hum under the pressure.

The aura emanating from the light pillar felt familiar like the sect's spirit-testing pillar, yet mixed with an unfamiliar divinity that made everyone's hearts race.

It was as if an invisible pair of eyes, shining through the light, were scrutinizing everyone present.

Just as everyone was doubtful and uncertain,

Suddenly, a sharp shout came from the eastern stands: "I know what that is!"

Hearing that, everyone turned to look at that person.

That person didn't beat around the bush, saying bluntly: "That's the spirit-testing pillar!"

Those words struck like a heavy hammer, causing everyone's breath to catch.

Everyone focused their gaze, seeing the light pillar gradually condense into shape.

The pillar was entirely crystalline and translucent, its flowing runes identical to those of the spirit-testing pillar.

Yet the pressure emanating from the pillar now was several times more terrifying than any sect's guardian artifact.

Even the strongest experts felt their souls gripped by an invisible hand.

What was even more shocking was that golden "Dragon-tier" characters slowly appeared on the surface of the spirit-testing pillar.

On this continent where talent determines one's standing,

Talent is divided into Sun, Moon, Star, Dragon, and Mortal tiers.

Dragon-tier, as the second-lowest talent rank, has always been seen as a symbol of mediocrity.

But at this moment, it was floating atop the spirit-testing pillar behind Li Yilan.

This scene instantly caused an uproar.

Someone shouted at the top of their lungs: "Dragon-tier talent?"

"What does that mean?"

"Could it be that Li Yilan is merely Dragon-tier talent?"

Such speculation was quickly met with rebuttals from the crowd.

"What a joke! How could such talent possess such terrifying pressure?"

"Moreover, Li Yilan is as strong as an ox—how could she possibly be Dragon-tier talent?"

"Yeah, I also don't believe Li Yilan is merely Dragon-tier talent."

Amid the rising and falling doubts,

A disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect stepped forward solemnly and said: "Everyone, to be frank, Senior Sister Li Yilan truly is Dragon-tier talent."

Those words exploded like a thunderbolt, completely igniting the crowd.

"You're just bragging!"

"If she is Dragon-tier talent, I will abolish my cultivation on the spot!"

A purple-robed cultivator jumped and shouted curses.

The Azure Cloud Sect disciples shot him contemptuous glances, saying: "You won't have to wait long to make good on your promise."

Many more stood frozen in place, their worldviews completely overturned.

Who would have thought that the one who defeated Wang Shuang and Zuo Xinghe's ilk would actually be a Dragon-tier disciple?

Ming Feng's attack, which had stalled due to the anomaly, flashed a hint of contempt in his eyes when he realized it was the spirit-testing pillar.

Demonic energy surged around him, and the skull hair on his ten-zhang demon sword let out an earth-shaking roar, saying: "Mere trifling tricks—how dare you show off your skills before an expert!"

"Since you are Dragon-tier talent, then die."

No sooner had the words fallen than he launched his attack.

But when he closed in for melee, his whole body suddenly froze in place, his pupils contracting to pinpricks from extreme terror.

He horrifiedly discovered that his demonic power was frenziedly flowing into the spirit-testing pillar along invisible threads, his cultivation realm plummeting like an avalanche.

On Li Yilan's side, the talent level on the spirit-testing pillar began to skyrocket.

Dragon-tier, Star-tier, Moon-tier... with each rise, Ming Feng let out a miserable shriek.

In the blink of an eye, the pillar bore the characters "Sun-tier," representing the highest talent.

The spirit-testing pillar's crazy transformation left everyone present startled.

Why is this happening again?

But the next second, Li Yilan's inner power surged violently, as if she had instantly gained Sun-tier talent.

Seeing this, everyone finally had to believe that Li Yilan was not merely Dragon-tier talent.

Moreover, she could defy fate in battle, raising her talent level by several ranks.

Seeing and hearing things they had never seen or heard before left Li Tian Yuan, Chu Xiong, and Yang Cheng staring at each other.

Cold sweat beaded on their foreheads.

Though they were well‑traveled and knowledgeable, this sight still shocked them.

"This... such an opportunity has never existed in ages!"

Although the crowd below was astonished, Can Lie laughed maniacally amidst the clouds.

His eyes were almost solid with greed.

"Such a talent, if I could bring him under my command..."

Instantly, his eyes gained not only a hint of yearning for the supreme opportunity, but also a hint of yearning for Li Yi Lan.

Just as everyone was stunned.

Ming Feng suddenly let out a heart‑rending wail, saying, "My talent! My talent is draining away!"

"It's her! She's sucking away my talent!"

His demonic aura dimmed like a dying candle, and his whole body withered at a visible pace.

Chun Hua and Qiu Yue's faces changed drastically; having wandered the world for years, they had never heard of such a strange occurrence—talent being taken away.

But watching Ming Feng's pupils gradually scatter, they had no choice but to believe.

"Hao Yang! Attack quickly!"

Qiu Yue's mental transmission made Hao Yang's eardrums ache.

Hao Yang roared, the blazing sun on his brow surged, and the whole sky turned into a rolling golden sea of sun.

Countless light arrows, each containing the power to destroy heaven and earth, hovered within, forming the despair‑inducing Ten Thousand Arrows Piercing the Heart Grand Formation.

Seeing this, the disciples of the Qing Yun Sect shouted in outrage, "Shameless! To sneak‑attack while someone is breaking through!"

However, Li Tian Yuan and the others clenched their fists, a glint of anticipation in their eyes—if they could seize this chance, the two great threats might just fall.

Hao Yang shot toward Li Yi Lan like a golden meteor.

But just as his attack was about to reach her,

Suddenly, a drop of ink‑black shadow exploded in the sky.

The shadow spread at faster‑than‑light speed, swallowing the entire golden sea of sun in just a few breaths.

The link between Hao Yang and the blazing sun was instantly severed; his face turned deathly pale, he spat a mouthful of blood, and fell like a broken‑kite.

In the darkness, a graceful figure stepped forward.

Ye Xiao Zhi's lips curled into a cold arc; her raven black hair stirred without wind, and the dark‑purple electricity coiling at its ends writhed like poisonous snakes ready to strike.

She wore a black combat uniform flowing with dark‑gold runes; the assassin's blade at her waist hummed eagerly, and the runes on the blade resonated strangely with the surrounding black mist.

"How... how can it be you?"

Hao Yang stared in terror at the suddenly appearing Ye Xiao Zhi, his voice trembling.

Just moments ago she was heavily wounded and near death, yet now her whole body exuded a dangerous aura that made hearts pound, especially her eyes flashing with sly, elusive light—like a witch gazing at prey from the abyss.

Ye Xiao Zhi lightly brushed the cold‑glinting blade, her tone laced with deadly allure as she said, "Why couldn't it be me?"

"Hao Yang, your time has come."

With a gentle flick of her jade hand, the black mist turned into countless tendrils, like a man‑eating beast that tightly ensnared Hao Yang.

At first Hao Yang tried to resist with his remaining spiritual power, but moments later his skin began to rot at a visible rate, with green smoke rising from beneath his clothes.

"What... what is going on? Why is there poison in the dark night?"

Hao Yang howled in despair.

Ye Xiao Zhi leaned in the void, chin resting on one hand, eyes full of mockery as she said, "A dying man needs to know so little?"

As she lightly tapped her fingertip, stronger corrosive force erupted from the black mist; Hao Yang's wail cut off abruptly, leaving only a pool of foul‑smelling blood.

After dealing with Hao Yang, Ye Xiao Zhi lowered her gaze to her hands; black mist gathered at her fingertips into tiny poisonous snakes, which then slipped into her skin and vanished.

She curled her lips into a thoughtful smile—the mysterious golden light not only healed her wounds but also perfectly blended her internal deadly toxin and shadow power into this strange and powerful "Dark Night" killing technique.

As an assassin lurking in the darkness, what could be a more perfect opportunity?

In the distance, Lin Yang seemed to sense it, giving Ye Xiao Zhi a slight nod.

Around the arena, the crowd remained immersed in successive shocks, unable to come to their senses for a long time.

They watched the Spirit Testing Pillar behind Li Yi Lan still radiating holy light.

They also watched the strange black mist coiling around Ye Xiao Zhi.

At this moment, there was nothing but shock.