Chapter 30: Humiliation
Chapter 30: Humiliation
Li Yi pointed forward with his index and middle fingers together like a sword, as if issuing a command!
In an instant, the earth element stirred like a raging storm. It resembled wildly growing vines or an angry serpent’s nest, transforming into binding ropes as thick as a finger. They erupted from all directions, coiling around Gao Huanzhang in layers.
“Roar!”
Gao Huanzhang, with his Infernal Fiend body, struggled fiercely and roared in anger. His fiery aura kept tearing apart the earth ropes coming from all sides. But the earth element surged forward endlessly, like a man-eating tree demon, layer upon layer without end!
“Earth Binding Spell?”
After this exclamation, the area below the stage fell into an eerie silence instead of noisy commotion. Everyone held their breath.
The Earth Binding Spell was a rank 1 spell. How could someone who hadn’t even become a Spell Apprentice cast a spell above their level?
This scene defied everyone’s common sense!
Next, another scene that was hard for the crowd to understand unfolded before their eyes.
Muttering incantations, Li Yi held his palms apart as if cradling something. A swirling vortex of turbulent water spun between them, and the sound of rushing water grew louder!
“That’s definitely not Mana Missile… it’s Water Bullet Spell!”
Someone already saw the truth and cried out in surprise.
Mana Missile simply gathered scattered energy into a sphere, and its power was already impressive.
But the Water Bullet Spell drew upon and commanded a single element. Although water was the softest of elements, the destructive force when concentrated was definitely several times greater.
“Another rank 1 spell!” A young man rubbed his eyes, almost doubting his vision.
“But why is that water bullet a silent black color? Also, why do I feel its mana fluctuations are much more wild and fierce than a normal Water Bullet Spell?” Another person raised a question. This person had quite keen senses and detected something unusual.
“Dark magic, it must be dark magic!” Someone stated firmly with conviction. “This Li Yi really does know dark arts!”
They were about to say more, but Li Yi acted swiftly like lightning, not leaving them time for further commentary.
With a loud shout, the water bullet in his palm transformed into a jet-black water pillar. It shot forth like a torrent through a canyon, piercing the air with a sharp, violent shriek!
The next moment, Gao Huanzhang was engulfed in the icy black tide. Hissing sounds filled the air as his fiery aura was extinguished!
High in the tower, there was stunned silence. For a long moment, no one spoke.
“This little fellow did quite well…” Gu Yanran felt vindicated and elated, her joy dancing between her arched eyebrows.
Li Yi’s stunning performance was like a resounding slap across the face of You Qiushui, famed for her mastery of astrology and insight into the Heavenly Secret, leaving her utterly embarrassed.
“His mental power far exceeds that of mages at his level, and the quality of his mana is also somewhat strange…” Qin Yue seemed thoughtful. While he didn’t praise, he didn’t deliberately disparage either.
“Modified spells? This youth must have gauged his own mental power and mana attributes, adapted accordingly, and intentionally adjusted the spell incantation…” Gu Yan, being experienced, saw through the cause and effect at a glance. “His innate bloodline might be average, but this kind of wisdom is not something an ordinary person possesses.”
“Merely clever tricks! Haven’t you all noticed? His methods, when you boil it down, are just that ‘Mohist’ style?” You Qiushui, after a moment of silence, said with a sinister tone. “Unorthodox skills and crafty techniques cannot last…”
“The Mohist school?”
Everyone’s expressions changed, seeming to grasp something. The previously admiring looks faded one by one.
Indeed, the Mohist school of the Spring and Autumn era had this exact style—fond of innovation and creation.
Alchemy, magical forging, Super Magic Arrays, mobile constructs, even Heroic Spirit Golems, could all be traced back to Mohist origins.
At its peak, the Mohist school possessed nine divine artifacts, three thousand constructs, over ten thousand Armor-Piercing Wind-Cracking Crossbows, and a hundred thousand Rune long blades—capable of plotting against a nation!
But in the end? Without powerful champions emerging, didn’t it still decline and fade?
The path of cultivation was absolutely tedious, rigid, monotonous, and then, consistently followed.
On this path, those who tried to find shortcuts, who were indecisive, mostly achieved nothing.
Take Wu Yi, for example, the Empire’s famous master of Armed Equipment. Wealthy beyond measure, he piled who knows how many secret medicines, magical artifacts on himself, and performed numerous secret rituals. But his cultivation level? Still couldn’t meet the minimum standard of the Nine Elders, only earning an honorary title.
“This lad named Li Yi, I admit, is indeed very clever!” You Qiushui gave a sinister laugh, the wrinkles on her face exuding coldness. “But the path of magic never needs clever people; it needs focused ones! This youth is not fit for great use!”
This statement almost passed a death sentence on Li Yi!
…
Li Yi stepped down from the stage. What greeted him were looks of fear, goodwill, and some people even proactively greeted him to get on his good side.
Undoubtedly, his strength had been recognized.
A luminous sigil faintly appeared from on high. Its shape was fierce and stout, seemingly a wild boar with long tusks.
“Bountiful Tusk Boar! That’s Elder Qin’s personal emblem…”
“Could it be that Li Yi’s astounding feat caught Elder Qin’s attention?”
“Most likely! Releasing a rank 1 spell with half-step cultivation, how dazzling!”
Most people, as if by agreement, had the same thought.
“Gao Huanzhang, I observe your talent is not ordinary. Would you be willing to become my Outer-Disciple, placed under Ye Xin’s guidance?”
The voice drifted like willow catkins, yet seemed imbued with a spell-piercing effect, passing effortlessly through the barriers and restrictions, echoing across the eight Dragon Gate Platforms.
“Outer-Disciple?” Gao Huanzhang, whose face had been ashen, was stunned upon hearing this. Soon, delight replaced his shock, and he hurriedly said, “Elder Qin, I am willing!”
With that, he hastily knelt down and performed the ritual bow to the master.
An Outer-Disciple, though not equal to a Direct Disciple, was far above an Inner-Mansion Disciple, let alone an Outer Manor Disciple who lived day to day. All sorts of resources—like Meditation Chambers, cultivation techniques, and various supplies—were on a much higher level!
He hadn’t held much hope to begin with, and this match ended in a crushing defeat, so he had already lost heart. Now, finding light in darkness, he was of course overjoyed.
“Very good. You performed outstandingly, and I have decided to reward you!” A pleased voice came from above. “I bestow upon you one of The Precipice’s secret arts, the Sage-rank superior secret art—Dawn Punishment Slaughter!”
Amidst envious gazes, a glorious pillar of light descended from the sky!
“What about Li Yi?”
“Next, perhaps it will be him…”
Not only others had this thought; Li Yi himself couldn’t help feeling a stir of anticipation.
He was the victor!
But after bestowing the secret art, the sky sigil promptly dissipated, as if completely forgotten. Not a word was mentioned about Li Yi’s victory.
The others now seemed to wake from a dream. After giving Li Yi a sympathetic glance, they swarmed around Gao Huanzhang, offering constant congratulations and flattering words.
Snobbery was human nature, really nothing to criticize.
But the current scene was somewhat bizarre.
Li Yi, the victor, stood alone and solitary. The loser, however, received a thousand congratulations, with everyone fawning over him.
“Ignored, huh? What am I saying? Ignored?” A faint trace of loneliness appeared on Li Yi’s face as he mocked himself. “It’s not being ignored; it’s being outright disregarded!”
In his heart, a powerful sense of bitterness and resentment had nowhere to vent, giving him the urge to roar at the sky!
…
The sun set in the west. The restrictions lifted, and the crowd dispersed.
The preliminary matches before the top eight lasted two days. This was only the first day.
However, Li Yi knew tomorrow’s matches would be just a formality; no one could threaten him.
Both Zhangsun Shenji and Yan Zhao had also won their matches. Yan Zhao had experienced a somewhat tough battle, while Zhangsun Shenji had looked down upon his peers, winning with ease.
“Don’t be angry. Those old folks up there are all dim-sighted, holding onto bricks thinking they’re gold.” Yan Zhao had also heard some of the Wind Whisper gossip and felt somewhat indignant, offering comfort.
“Just perform well during the top eight matches, won’t that suffice?” Zhangsun Shenji also comforted him.
“Hey, I heard this little brother actually beat Gao Huanzhang? Truly amazing, amazing!” Yu Qian popped up from somewhere, wearing a sinister smile, giving a thumbs-up. “May I ask, little brother, what’s your name?”
“Li Yi,” Li Yi replied indifferently.
“Oh, that’s a good name. I’ll remember it…”
Li Yi knew that only by defeating Gao Huanzhang had he earned Yu Qian’s second glance, deeming him worthy of having his name known.
And that was all.
A hint of sternness surfaced at the corner of Li Yi’s mouth.
Since he was looked down upon, he would just smash his way up, punch by punch, until he pierced through this very sky, until they had no choice but to look him in the eye!
For the first time, Li Yi felt such fervent desire for the top position!
“Today went so smoothly, how about having a little drink to celebrate?” Yan Zhao was in a good mood and also wanted to help his friend dispel his gloom, making the suggestion.
“How old are we that we dare drink alcohol?” Zhangsun Shenji unceremoniously shot it down. “Brew some tea, cultivate body and mind…”
Just as the two were about to argue, Li Yi interrupted.
“No, I’m going back to train!” he politely declined, turning and leaving with firm steps.
“This kid, he won’t be discouraged by the blow and give up, will he?” Watching that seemingly somewhat desolate back, Yan Zhao asked.
“He won’t. He’s soft on the outside but strong inside, a needle hidden in cotton. A setback like this won’t defeat him.” Zhangsun Shenji, being more perceptive, stated with certainty.