Xu Yi was initially hesitant in her confrontation with Xiong Zhuangzhuang, but she soon discerned his combat patterns and began to retaliate.
The training ruler emitted black light, unleashing one wave of black spirit blades towards Xiong Zhuangzhuang after another.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang’s fists moved rapidly in the air, the sounds of spirit blades colliding with fists, shattering, and the whistling of fist winds intertwined, stirring up waves of invisible force.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang’s thick eyebrows gradually furrowed.
“I can’t keep this up. My spiritual energy will be depleted.”
He wasted no further time, smashing his fists together. A dense aura emanated from his body.
Before Xu Yi could react, she felt an irresistible, immense force envelop her entirely.
*Bang!*
Xu Yi’s body slammed into the ground, her feet creating cracking lines on the surface.
“This is…”
Xu Yi strained her head upwards, her gaze flickering as she attempted to take a step forward.
However, her feet felt as if they were stuck in a quagmire, impossible to dislodge. Despite her utmost effort, she could only move forward by a distance less than the length of her little finger.
“Xiong Da’s innate divine ability, Gravity Space.”
Xiong Zhuangzhuang’s eyes shone with excitement. He had held back this trump card precisely to catch Xu Yi off guard.
Having been partners with Xu Yi for several months, he understood her better than any other opponent.
The scene where Xu Yi had forcefully broken through and used the tribulation lightning of the Nascent Soul stage to repel monstrous beasts was still vivid in his memory.
Therefore, even though this innate divine ability could have helped him quickly deal with other opponents, he had refrained from using it, saving it for this very moment.
Defeating Xu Yi was his goal, and today, it was finally within reach.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang strode towards Xu Yi, his face flushed with excitement.
Yin Li’s eyes held a pleased expression, and she smirked triumphantly, “Master, Senior Brother is about to win.”
She knew for certain that Senior Brother would be the ultimate victor.
True Master Chang Shou’s expression was one of certainty. He gently rubbed his long beard with his fingers and shook his head slightly.
Seeing his gesture, Yin Li widened her eyes in disbelief, ready to witness how Senior Brother would knock Xu Yi off the competition stage with a single punch.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang’s speed increased, his five fingers clenched into fists. Xu Yi could clearly see the beads of sweat glistening on his forehead from excitement under the sun.
Xu Yi’s panicked expression suddenly vanished, replaced by a sly smile on her lips.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang had taken the bait.
At this moment, Xiong Zhuangzhuang, who was in a state of extreme agitation, also noticed Xu Yi’s expression. An ominous premonition instantly struck his heart.
In that instant, Xiong Zhuangzhuang recalled Xu Yi’s almost frenzied actions in the Myriad Monster Ridge.
But now, the distance between him and Xu Yi was only five feet. He could no longer stop himself.
*Whoosh—*
The rapid friction of his fist against the air produced piercing whistles.
However, this immensely powerful punch landed on empty air.
Xu Yi had already vanished from her previous position.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang turned in astonishment, just in time to see Xu Yi smile faintly at him, silently conveying, “I win.”
A chill ran down Xiong Zhuangzhuang’s spine. He subconsciously lowered his head and looked. Beneath his feet, a formation had appeared at some unknown time.
The formation was not large, only palm-sized, yet it acted like a cage, forcibly affixing his feet to the ground.
His eyebrows shot up as he attempted to break free from the formation’s restraint using brute force.
Earth-yellow spiritual energy gathered around his feet, and the ground cracked under the unbearable strain.
The formation also vibrated violently, flickering rapidly, appearing and disappearing, giving the impression of imminent rupture.
Xu Yi’s heart pounded. She had laid down a six-formation array, which could trap even ordinary Tribulation Transcending stage cultivators, yet it couldn’t hold Xiong Zhuangzhuang.
“Ahhhh!!!”
Xiong Zhuangzhuang suddenly roared towards the sky. Earth-yellow spiritual light erupted from his body, his clothes tore apart inch by inch, revealing his corded muscles. His entire body instantly swelled by nearly double!
“It’s Beast Transformation!”
A well-informed cultivator recognized the cause of Xiong Zhuangzhuang’s transformation and their eyes widened in shock.
“Beast Transformation? Does that mean Xiong Zhuangzhuang and his contracted demon beast have a near one hundred percent compatibility!”
“The Beast Taming Sect has been very low-key recently. I thought they didn’t have any extraordinarily talented disciples this time. I didn’t expect them to hide such a trump card!”
The cultivators discussed amongst themselves. Xiong Zhuangzhuang of the Beast Taming Sect had certainly given them a surprise.
The cultivation techniques of the Beast Taming Sect required every disciple to contract only one demon beast. After completing the contract, the disciple would gain the demon beast’s innate divine abilities and an increase in strength, as well as a loyal companion.
However, there was a most special situation: when a cultivator’s compatibility with their contracted demon beast reached an almost one hundred percent degree, the cultivator would gain another ability – Beast Transformation.
A cultivator in the Beast Transformation state could practically be called a humanoid demon beast. They possessed not only all the traits of the contracted demon beast but also human cultivation and consciousness.
A cultivator in the Beast Transformation state could easily crush opponents of the same level and even challenge those at higher levels without issue.
The terrifying aura emanating from Xiong Zhuangzhuang at this moment was proof of this.
“Beast Transformation.”
Xu Yi’s voice coincided with the sound of the formation shattering.
Her mind sharpened, and she looked at Xiong Zhuangzhuang, only to be shocked by the immense change in his face.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang’s eyes glinted with a grayish-green light. His previously approachable front teeth now protruded downwards, transforming into fierce fangs, exuding bloodlust and ferocity.
Xu Yi felt as though the person standing opposite her was no longer Xiong Zhuangzhuang but a true Earth Bear.
“Roar!”
Xiong Zhuangzhuang let out a mighty roar and smashed his fist towards the ground.
*Boom!*
The competition stage instantly collapsed, turning into countless fragments that, like meteors, were hurled towards Xu Yi by the immense impact.
Xu Yi cursed under her breath and transformed into a streak of light, rapidly weaving through the flying debris.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang’s strength truly made her see him in a new light.
However, it was still not enough…
Xu Yi took a deep breath. The training ruler’s light intensified, and against the backdrop of the dark glow, the glints in her eyes became even more inconspicuous.
Time seemed to stretch instantaneously. She could clearly see the trajectories of the rapidly moving debris.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang was enveloped in an earth-yellow light in her eyes, allowing her to easily discern a distinct void an inch below Xiong Zhuangzhuang’s ribs.
That was Xiong Zhuangzhuang’s weakness!
Xu Yi stomped her feet firmly and surged upwards. The training ruler floated in front of her, drawing in the surrounding spiritual energy to form a small vortex.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang also noticed Xu Yi’s presence and stepped forward with his right foot, charging towards her.
From the direction of the Xuan Qing Sect.
Long Haotian and the other two saw the training ruler’s phantom image gradually solidifying in the air. They recalled the scene they witnessed when they received the news and went to meet Xu Yi, shaking their heads and sighing.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang was finished.
Having personally experienced that scene, which resembled the collapse of heaven and earth, they could already imagine what would happen next.
The massive phantom image instantly descended and collided with Xiong Zhuangzhuang’s fist.
*Pop!*
Under everyone’s expectant gaze, the phantom image shattered.