“The last chance?” Fang Zhengzhi stopped in his tracks upon hearing those words. His palms stopped right in the middle of his attack.
“Haha…” The Third Elder laughed.
The moment Fang Zhengzhi stopped, The Third Elder chuckled. Despite the fact that he was feeling extreme pain, he could not contain the satisfaction he felt.
“How cunning!” Fang Zhengzhi finally reacted to the situation. However, he was too late. The Third Elder had already taken this chance to retreat another five steps.
The disciples of the Heavenly Dao Pavilion also chuckled at this scene.
They naturally noticed that the Third Elder was merely saying those words to create chances for his escape. He could not have been reminding Fang Zhengzhi about his chances at this crucial moment.
This way…
The chance that Fang Zhengzhi painstakingly created was now down the drain. Furthermore, he seemed to be more helpless than ever.
This was because the Third Elder had already figured out Fang Zhengzhi’s plan.
Apart from that, Fang Zhengzhi had even got himself trapped in the Qian Kun Eight Wastelands. Even though he could move freely around within the area, he could not escape from it entirely.
“Young lad, what are you going to do for the last move?” The Third Elder stared at Fang Zhengzhi, who was gradually getting consumed by the surging sands as he smirked.
As an elder of the Heavenly Dao Pavilion, he could not lose his composure in a battle like this. However, when he noticed the look of anxiousness on Fang Zhengzhi’s face, he could not help but feel extreme satisfaction.
A similar smirk appeared on the face of the Fifth Elder as he watched from afar. He knew that the battle was already over.
A distance five steps away with Fang Zhengzhi trapped within the Qian Kun Eight Wastelands. Even Fang Zhengzhi was of the Saint State, it would be difficult to turn the tables around.
“Make preparations. The third stage of the examination will be held in the Heaven Academic Altar!” The Fifth Elder then turned to look at the candidates as he said.
“Yes!” The candidates replied in unison upon hearing the Fifth Elder’s words. They then looked at Fang Zhengzhi once again with a hint of pity.
They had to give Fang Zhengzhi credit.
However, this was the Heavenly Dao Pavilion.
How could someone without any background and identity, despite his talent, create any waves in this revered institution?
Furthermore, Fang Zhengzhi was facing against the Third Elder, a person who had achieved the Saint State in both his Daos. The battle was decided even before it began.
No one thought that Fang Zhengzhi had a chance to win this battle anymore.
However, Fang Zhengzhi still made his move. Despite knowing that the chances were slim, he radiated immense brilliance and glory.
Nine pillars of azure blue light appeared above the Third Elder. It was a crystal clear brilliance, untainted by even a speck of dust.
The Third Elder lifted his head slightly and stared at the nine pillars of light above him. His face then turned serious.
Apart from the Third Elder, the Heavenly Dao Pavilion disciples also widened their eyes in shock.
They naturally knew what the nine pillars of blue light stood for. However, they had never expected Fang Zhengzhi to be this powerful.
“Is this the Heavenly Descent? The Nine Pillars of Heavenly Descent?”
“I didn’t think that this guy can control the Nine Pillars of Heavenly Descent. Just how much power source does he possess?”
“If he is not someone from the other four factions, perhaps…”
The Heavenly Dao Pavilion disciples stared at the pillars of light above the Third Elder. They would be lying to say that they were no in awe.
At that moment, Fang Zhengzhi made his move.
He disappeared from his original position and appeared within a pillar of light the next moment.
“Young lad, I will test and see how strong you truly are!” The Third Elder stared at the figure above him and said in excitement.
He did not attempt to retreat this time around. Instead, he threw a punch right towards Fang Zhengzhi.
Boom! A loud explosion sound could be heard.
It was the sound of the two fists colliding. At the same time, the surging yellow sand rose from the ground, turning into a giant whirlwind, covering the Third Elder’s body entirely.
“One more time!” The Third Elder’s voice rose amongst the whirling sand.
Following which, a second collision sound could be heard. The ground trembled as a huge shockwave spread through the entire area.
“So powerful!”
“Although this guy is shameless, he is indeed stronger than Kong Qing senior!”
“Yes, apart from the elders and the grandmaster, I’m afraid there are less than twenty people in the Heavenly Dao Pavilion that can defeat him! He can be said to possess immense talent!”
The Heavenly Dao Pavilion disciples watched the battle with anticipation and fervor. After all, battles of this intensity were rare even within the Heavenly Dao Pavilion.
Boom! The third collision sound could be heard.
Following which, the fourth, fifth and sixth sound could be heard.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Each collision caused the ground to tremble violently as more sand was flung into the air. The entire Heaven Academic Altar was clouded by a veil of sand, and one could only see the faint glow of an azure blue light amidst the visual obstructions.
Yan Xiu clenched his fist tightly as his eyes glowed with a crimson brilliance. It was cold and shone with a murderous intent.
“Wait a minute, Yan Xiu!” Nangong Mu seemed to have noticed the changes in Yan Xiu’s emotions and immediately placed his hands on Yan Xiu’s shoulders.
“Hm,” Yan Xiu nodded slightly. However, the crimson brilliance in his eyes did not seem to be diminishing. In fact, it shone with greater intensity as time passed.
Boom! When the ninth collision sound was heard…
The center of the Heaven Academic Altar was completely covered in yellow sand. There was also a five-yard tall sand tornado in the middle spinning at top speed.
The sand had blocked out most of the sunlight, making the lighting within the Heaven Academic Altar dim.
However, no one dared to make any noise. Everyone had their gazes glued onto the giant tornado, watching it dissipate slowly.
The wind gradually came to a stop as a ray of sunlight gleamed through the thick veil of sand, making them glisten like tiny crystals in the air.
Finally…
It came to a complete stop.
The Heaven Academic Altar was illuminated once again and the ground stopped trembling.
Two figures appeared.
A white robbed seemed to be tattered. One could also see several wounds beneath the torn fabric. It was clear that the Third Elder was not in a good shape.
However, he still had a smile on his face.
This was because Fang Zhengzhi, who was five steps away from him, was in a worse shape. He was completely pale and had a disheveled look. He was also panting profusely and looked as if he had used every last bit of his energy.
“Young lad, do you still have any last words?” The Third Elder stared at Fang Zhengzhi, who was sinking deeper into the swirling sands. His tone was extremely calm.
“Can you let me down the mountain?” Fang Zhengzhi asked without hesitation.
“You are being too optimistic, though I will still promise you that. However, you will not be descending the mountain alive!” The moment he said those words, he also took action.
It was like a flash of light.
A yellow light.
More specifically, it seemed like a sword, a sword that was formed from an attack with breakneck speed. The tip of the sword was formed from two fingers clasped tightly together.
A finger sword attack!
It was nothing too fancy. This was merely an amalgamation of speed and power. Furthermore, it was an attack that aimed straight at Fang Zhengzhi’s chest.
Fang Zhengzhi wished to escape, though he could no longer do so.
That was because he had no more energy to use the Heaven Dao. Furthermore, his legs were already trapped within the swirling sands. How then, could he escape?
Without any surprises, the finger sword attack pierced into Fang Zhengzhi’s chest. Only the Third Elder’s arm could be seen outside of Fang Zhengzhi’s body.
“I finally won!”
Cheers quickly rang across the Heaven Academic Altar. This was because all the Heavenly Dao Pavilion disciples knew that the battle was over. Fang Zhengzhi’s heart was punctured directly by the finger sword attack. There was no way he could have survived that.
The four Majesties also fell silent.
Were they depressed? Not exactly. However, there were also not exceptionally impressed or elated. After all, this battle should have ended a long time ago given the strength of the Third Elder.
The yellow brilliance swiftly returned back to its original position, resuming the form of the Third Elder. He still had a faint smile on his face.
However, this smile did not last long.
This was because no blood could be seen spouting out of the wound he had just dealt. Furthermore, he did not feel the sensation of raw flesh when he pierced Fang Zhengzhi’s body.
“Something’s not right!” At that moment, a voice rang. It was Mu Qingfeng, who had stayed silent while sitting on his white hade chair the entire time.
At the moment when Mu Qingfeng spoke…
The Third Elder seemed to have reacted to the situation as well. However, he could not fathom why his attack did not damage Fang Zhengzhi’s body.
“Could it be…” The Third Elder’s face sunk. His instinct was telling him to move away from his original position immediately. However, just when he took his first step backward…
He tripped!
It was as though he had stepped into nothingness.
Following which, a strong suction force appeared from the ground. Countless sand particles swirled around him. It was as though the Qian Kun Eight Wastelands was devouring him.
This was something the Third Elder had never expected.
After all, he was the owner of the Qian Kun Eight Wastelands. How could it then turn its back against him? This was something that defied logic.
However, he had truly lost his balance. Furthermore, just after he lost his balance, he felt sharp pain seared through his other leg. He could not help but lift it ever so slightly.
“Third brother, behind you!” At that moment, the Fifth Elder’s voice rang. He sounded extremely concerned and anxious.
“What?” The Third Elder shuddered upon hearing those words. Following which, an inexplicable chill shot through his entire body.