All eyes converged on the stage.
Without question, the battle between Nie Li and Murong Yu was the most captivating spectacle.
One was the top genius of the previous cohort, the other the top genius of this one — and between them, there seemed to be a long-standing grudge.
Yet in the eyes of the crowd, Nie Li was biting off far more than he could chew. After all, the gap in their cultivation realms was enormous. Murong Yu had years of additional training on him.
"Nie Li actually challenged Murong Yu on his own initiative. That's incredibly bold," Huang Yu said.
"Youth always brings arrogance!" Nanmen Tianhai shook his head and sighed.
Neither of them held out much hope for Nie Li. Being a cohort behind was no small thing — after all, even Murong Yu still hadn't managed to defeat
Murong Yu looked at Nie Li with a sinister grin. "You actually dare to challenge me? In everyone else's eyes you might be a genius, but in my, Murong Yu's, eyes, you are nothing. Last time I was careless and let you escape. This time I'm going to smash your head into the ground and crush it, so you learn to respect your seniors!"
A terrifying wave of pressure erupted from Murong Yu's body, forming a violent shockwave of air around him.
Even though Murong Yu's strength had reached the Six-Life Realm while Nie Li was only at the Four-Life Realm, it was still unlikely that Murong Yu could suppress Nie Li through sheer pressure alone.
For though Nie Li was only at the Four-Life Realm, his true combat power was far beyond that.
But Nie Li didn't unleash any pressure of his own. He simply gazed at Murong Yu with perfect calm. No matter how Murong Yu tried to provoke him or undermine his confidence, Nie Li treated him with complete indifference.
Because Murong Yu simply wasn't on the same level as him.
"All that talk — can we get started?" Nie Li said lightly.
Murong Yu had been trying to enrage Nie Li, only to find his words completely ignored. It felt like throwing a punch into empty air.
"Hmph, arrogant!" Murong Yu flicked his right hand, sending a blast of energy streaking toward Nie Li.
Whoosh!
The energy transformed into a streak of light.
Just as it was about to strike, Nie Li's body vanished without a trace.
The attack hit nothing.
Murong Yu's pupils contracted slightly. He snorted coldly. "That trick again!" His eyes darted around, searching for Nie Li.
At that moment, Nie Li materialized out of thin air, a cold gleam slashing toward Murong Yu's throat.
"Hmph, too slow!" Murong Yu clenched both fists and drove a devastating punch toward Nie Li's chest.
The fist force crackled with explosive power, tearing through the air and sending off bursts of lightning.
Whoosh!
But upon seeing Murong Yu's punch, Nie Li didn't hesitate for an instant — he continued his slash at Murong Yu's neck without slowing.
Nie Li actually wanted a mutual kill? Murong Yu would never allow that. He sidestepped the attack and drove his fist at Nie Li's chest with savage force.
If this punch landed, Nie Li was dead for certain.
The spectators outside all held their breath. There was no dodging this blow. Clearly, Nie Li's strength was still far below Murong Yu's.
With a thunderous boom, Murong Yu's fist slammed into Nie Li's chest — but immediately, the rebounding force traveling up his arm made him feel something was terribly wrong.
Something's off!