Chapter 408: Elimination match, Xu Hei vs. Lin Cai |
The divine ability infused with artistic conception can only be wielded at the Elemental Infant stage, yet Ah Yin broke this rule.
Xu Hei carefully observed the white-haired girl. She was dressed in white, her skin was also pale, and she was petite and slender, looking frail and expressionless.
After winning, she merely said, "Thank you for letting me win," and jumped off the stage.
Xu Hei wondered if she was made of wood, but then thought, even puppets have facial expressions. This girl was just naturally expressionless.
"Number fourteen, step up!" the Water Kylin announced promptly.
Xu Hei recognized the one stepping up in this round as well.
It was an ice bird with blue feathers, eyes like bright gems, charming and captivating. It was Yue Ying, a newcomer from the same year as Xu Hei.
"How did she make it into the top thirty-two?" Xu Hei frowned slightly.
Coincidentally, Yue Ying's opponent was a green-haired turtle, massive in size, with its back covered in lush aquatic plants, resembling green fur.
Yue Ying was initially delighted, then sighed, "Brother Turtle Dragon, you are brave and mighty. I am no match for you and hereby forfeit. I hope you continue to fight valiantly and claim the championship!"
She bowed gracefully after speaking.
Turtle Dragon squinted his eyes, having heard from the turtle sons in his clan that Yue Ying's words were pleasant to hear. Seeing her today, she indeed lived up to her reputation.
"Hehe, no need to use full strength, eighty percent is enough. The championship is within reach," Turtle Dragon chuckled.
"Of course, but Brother Turtle Dragon, be cautious. Some opponents are strong, don't underestimate them!"
Yue Ying leaned in and whispered some information, Turtle Dragon frowned, then nodded, "Hmm, your information is valuable."
"Good luck in the next round, Brother Turtle Dragon!"
Yue Ying showed no sign of disappointment from forfeiting, instead cheering for her opponent.
Turtle Dragon clearly enjoyed this, his tail wagging happily.
Thus, number fourteen concluded.
Number fifteen was Wen Tailai, the toad, who faced a human cultivator. Surprisingly, this person was also a poison cultivator. He didn't forfeit but jumped onto the stage to duel with Wen Tailai.
After several rounds, lasting a stick of incense, he finally lost.
Despite losing, he was one of the few who could hold his own against a prodigy, leaving people to remember his name—Zhao Wen.
"Zhao Wen..."
Xu Hei felt this person's aura was somewhat familiar, reminiscent of Zhao Wenzhuo.
This poison cultivator looked unfamiliar, with green skin, a bearded face, and a middle-aged appearance, seemingly unrelated to Zhao Wenzhuo.
Moreover, Zhao Wenzhuo's cultivation was similar to Xiao Chou's, at the Foundation Establishment Stage. How could he suddenly leap to the Great Perfection of the Core Formation stage in two years?
Xu Hei shook his head, not dwelling on it.
"Number sixteen, step up!" the Water Kylin announced.
Xu Hei leaped into the air, swiftly landing on the platform, coiling into a snake formation, head held high, assuming a defensive stance.
Soon, his opponent also stepped onto the stage.
It was Lin Cai, the ribbon snake from Hai Teng's side!
"Finally here!"
Hai Teng focused intently on the platform, taking a deep breath to calm himself completely.
"It's him!"
Lin Cai's eyes narrowed slightly.
Both Hai Teng and his followers often mentioned this snake—
Xu Hei, an equal to Hai Teng, regarded as the strongest opponent! Hai Teng secluded himself day and night, training diligently for a whole year just to defeat him!
Hai Teng's indifference towards her was largely due to this goal.
What angered Lin Cai even more was when she asked Hai Teng who would win between her and Xu Hei, Hai Teng unhesitatingly answered Xu Hei, fueling her rage.
"When I personally defeat Xu Hei, let's see what expression you'll have, Hai Teng!"
Lin Cai's eyes flashed with a startling cold light.
"Hmm?" Xu Hei squinted his eyes.
This Lin Cai harbored strong hostility towards him.
He had heard Xu Bai mention Lin Cai, reportedly the fiancée appointed to Hai Teng by the Sea Serpent Clan's Ancestor.
"The Sea Serpent Clan's Ancestor, is that the... shadow snake that poisoned Bonan?"
Xu Hei was on alert. He had witnessed Bonan's poison, likely the doing of the Sea God Sect.
If it was brought by that Ancestor, then Lin Cai was someone he couldn't ignore.
"Seven-Colored Light Strike Array!"
As Xu Hei pondered, Lin Cai made her move.
Her body emitted a dazzling array of colors, forming rainbow light wheels that shot towards Xu Hei. Each light wheel carried a whistling sound that tore through the void, causing the air to sizzle and the ground to warp and melt.
Feeling the power of the light wheels, Xu Hei was reassured. He didn't plan to drag it out, opting for a swift victory.
"Try this!"
Xu Hei summoned the Ten Thousand Poison Gourd, releasing a thick smoke that collided with the light wheels, merging with a sizzling sound and emitting green smoke.
This was Xu Hei's tactic from a year ago, outdated now, but sufficient to deal with her.
With a thought, he unleashed another wave of poisonous smoke, transforming into purple flying swords in the air, shooting towards Lin Cai with lightning speed.
"What is this?"
Lin Cai's expression changed, her body radiating a seven-colored glow, forming a giant bubble that enveloped all the poisonous flying swords.
"Explode!"
Xu Hei uttered a low command.
"Boom!!"
The poison swords exploded, the shockwave sweeping across a thousand feet, shattering the bubble, and Lin Cai spat blood, plummeting from the sky.
This top-tier third-grade magical treasure was mastered by Xu Hei to perfection, easily inflicting severe injuries on Lin Cai.
In fact, Xu Hei had another purpose for using the Ten Thousand Poison Gourd.
The poison within the gourd was absorbed from Bonan, originating from the Sea Serpent Ancestor.
He wanted to see if Lin Cai recognized the poison or had a way to counter it, to determine if she had any connection to the Sea God Sect.
Of course, this was a preliminary method, not rigorous, but better than not trying.
"Go!"
Xu Hei waved again, releasing more poisonous smoke from the gourd, swiftly enveloping Lin Cai. She still had some strength left, just managing to summon a mirror. Xu Hei shouted, Dragon Shatter Roar!
"Crack!"
The mirror shattered, Lin Cai suffered a backlash, spitting blood again, engulfed by the poisonous smoke.
This wisp of poison from the Sea Serpent Ancestor entered Lin Cai's body, poisoning her. With her continuous exertion and severe injuries, she couldn't resist the force, her body rapidly deteriorating, her flesh withering.
She experienced the same symptoms as Bonan.
"Poisoned..."
Xu Hei appeared thoughtful.
It seemed Lin Cai couldn't resist the poison, and judging by her emotional response, she hadn't encountered it before. It appeared she had no ties to the Sea God Sect.
"The outcome is decided," the Water Kylin declared loudly.
"Not yet!"
As soon as the Water Kylin finished speaking, a cold voice came from below.
The originally withered and poisoned Lin Cai suddenly stood up, the toxins in her body seemingly absorbed by some mysterious force, vanishing in an instant.
"Hmm?"
Xu Hei squinted his eyes; Lin Cai indeed had some tricks.
"Do you recognize this poison?"
Xu Hei summoned the Ten Thousand Poison Gourd again, releasing a wisp of purple poison smoke, inquiring.
He stared into Lin Cai's eyes, fully utilizing his perception to gauge her emotional fluctuations, able to discern if she was lying.