Forty Millenniums of Cultivation

by <unknown>

  "Furthermore, as long as the slightest trace of him is discovered, the remaining 1,900 people would then all be on his tail. Slowly, the encirclement would become smaller and smaller, and finally, Li Yao would definitely be caught. He ain't got no opportunity!"

  In a short period of time, similar kinds of tactical analysis posts popped up in droves. Tens of thousands of students discussed his chances at great length. However, the only conclusion that was drawn was that so long as the 2,000 members of the Chaos Edge Hall and Iron Fist Club remained clear-headed and eliminated Li Yao first, his defeat was certain. There was not a single thread of opportunity that Li Yao would win the Thunderbolt Cup.

  And whether it was because of the tournament’s rules, the identity settings of both sides, or from the pre-game speeches of both of the leaders' points of view, how could they lose their heads and give Li Yao any opportunity to sit atop the mountain and watch the tigers fight?

  Thus, two and a half hours before the start of the match, the topic of discussion changed from what tactics Li Yao would employ to how long he could survive.

  Because in everyone's opinion, continuing a discussion regarding Li Yao's tactics was meaningless. No matter what tactics he was going to employ, Li Yao was going to lose without a shred of doubt!

  From the polls with the largest number of respondents, 57% of the respondents believed that Li Yao would surrender within half an hour, 22% of the respondents believed that Li Yao could hold on for one hour before he was captured, and 15% of the respondents believed that Li Yao could hold on for 90 minutes.

  The number of respondents who believed Li Yao could win was zero. There was absolutely no one who believed in Li Yao's victory.

  9:00 AM.

  There were only two hours remaining until the match started.

  The Chaos Edge Hall's headquarters glittered like ice and snow as 1,000 armed freshmen, each sporting soaring killing intent, assembled. All in all, there was an oppressive pressure in the air.

  Meanwhile, a surround-type hologram repeatedly played a series of combat videos, where the protagonist was none other than Li Yao!

  Not only were the battle videos from Verdant Tarn City were being played, even his awe-inspiring performance at the Devil Flood Dragon Island during the last year's Limit Challenge Competition had been dug up.

  Zhao Tianchong, who stood before the surround-type hologram, tightly sucked in his lip. A grave look appeared on his face, while his eyes turned red as he tried to arouse 999 of the Chaos Edge Hall’s top freshmen:

  "My fellow students, as you all know, the Thunderbolt Cup is the highest honor a group of freshmen can attain, and more importantly, it is also related to the amount of resources we are given next year. Therefore, it goes without me saying that everyone should go all out in the match, not just for the glory of Chaos Edge Hall, but for yourselves as well. Let us all fight to the bitter end!"

  "However, this year's Thunderbolt Cup is different from previous ones. Not only are we going to be facing our old rival, the Iron Fist Club, there is a new enemy as well, the Starfire Union. Although the Starfire Union only has one student taking part in the much, don’t make the mistake of underestimating this student, because...he is none other than Li Yao—Vulture Li Yao!"

  "All of you have repeatedly studied Li Yao's combat videos for past couple of days, and you're all clear that his strength is absolutely not below mine. Furthermore, he is a guerrilla expert who is good at jungle warfare. And maybe, in this complex jungle terrain, he could display an even more aggressive battle force. He is also more likely to use various kinds of weird magical equipment!"

  "Therefore, let me repeat it one last time, there is no doubt that the Iron Fist Club is our biggest enemy, but Li Yao is our most dangerous opponent. In the match, our first priority target is gonna be Li Yao; we are going to remove this variable first, and once we have captured the jade chip, only then will we compete with the Iron Fist Club!"

  "I have faith in Lu Tieshan's wisdom, he must also be giving a similar briefing at the Iron Fist Club. There is a tacit understanding between us and no one is allowed to break it, not in a million years. Do you all understand?"

  "Hooah!"

  999 young sword cultivators shouted at the top of their lungs. Apparently, their blood was boiling.

  "Alright! Let's get rid of Li Yao, capture the jade chip, and clash with Iron Fist Club. The final victory is gonna be ours!"

  Zhao Tianchong, while zealously waving the Chaos Edge Hall's banner, shouted:

  "Chaos Edge Hall members, move out!"

  Almost at the same time, at the Iron Fist Club's headquarters, Lu Tieshan, with his head held high and Iron Fist Club's banner in his hand, marched ahead.

  Following him were 999 robust teenagers, each strong as a bear and supple as a tiger. Every single one had a vivid spirit tattoo that radiated a powerful and majestic aura.

  "Let's eliminate Li Yao, seize the jade chip, and steamroll the Chaos Edge Hall. The final victory belongs to us!"

  "My brothers of the Iron Fist Club, follow me!"

  10:00 in the morning.

  Only one hour was left until the start of the match.

  A dozen luxury flying shuttles smoothly and quietly flew into the Grand Desolate War Institution.

  Aboard these flying shuttles were the executives of various combat sects in the Wasteland; they were all VIPs who had been specially invited for the Thunderbolt Cup.

  A large part of the educational fund of the Grand Desolate War Institution was sponsored by these sects. As far these sects were concerned, the Grand Desolate War Institution was equivalent to a youth training center.

  With the year at an end, they would most definitely want to check the good seedlings fostered by the youth training center this year.

  If there was a freshman with incredibly good potential, he or she would become the key focus of their investment. Maybe they would even sign a contract with him or her on the spot, entice him or her into joining them.

  It seemed that the news of three student unions contenting for the first time in twenty-seven years had piqued their interest. This year's VIP list was nothing but exemplary and magnificent. Many sects sent their elder-level executives to participate.

  The Hundred Saber Alliance had sent their Vice-President, Long Wenhui.

  The Devil Fist Sect had also sent their Elder, Bai Mushen.

  Both of them were illustrious and super fierce people who had roamed the Wasteland freely for decades and left mountains of corpses and seas of blood in their wake. Both of them were in the Core Formation Stage!

  As the matter stood, a total of four Core Formation Stage powerhouses, including the Dean of the Grand Desolate War Institution, Xiong Baili, and the head of the Combat Department, Xia Yanyan, were watching. Several dozen high-level Building Foundation Stage experts were also paying attention to the match at real time inside the VIP Hall.

  10:55 AM.

  Only 5 minutes left before the All-Freshmen Interdepartmental Thunderbolt Cup started!

  Chapter 197: Can He Fly to the High Heavens? |

  "Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

  Thousands of crystal eyes hidden in various parts of the Yellow Wind Ridge started up, providing a clear shot of each and every corner.

  The campus which used to be hustling and bustling was now utterly silent.

  Everyone was logged into the Wasteland Battle Network through the crystal processors to watch the match live.

  "Hurry up, the match is about to start! 1 vs 2000, Li Yao is definitely going to be trampled upon, devastated, hung up and beaten!"

  Whether they were in a dormitory, classroom, canteen, or playground, all of the students on campus had formed groups of two or three so that their heads were leaning against each as they waited for the match to start with bated breath.

  Meanwhile, 200 of the strongest experts of the Combat Department, under the leadership of the Iron Fist Club's President, Hua Tianxiong, and the Chaos Edge Hall's President, Xu Ge,
were watching their younger brothers compete together in the auditorium of the Combat Department.

  After the end of freshmen competition, it was the senior students’ turn to compete

  "I just hope that this year's freshmen of your Chaos Edge Hall are a bit stronger, unlike last year's, who were not even able to hold on for five hours and were completely blown away by our Iron Fist Club. It was truly boring."

  Hua Tianxiong spoke slowly and imperturbably while caressing his fists.

  Xu Ge coldly laughed. The blade hanging on his waist slightly trembled as he retorted; he was reluctant to appear weak:

  "Our Chas Edge Hall's freshman, Zhao Tianchong, has been pressing your Iron Fist Club's freshman, Lu Tieshan, on the newcomer rankings. This year, it will be you who is going to be blown away for sure!"

  Last three minutes.

  The 2,000 participants of Iron Fist Club and Chaos Edge Hall appeared through their respective large teleportation arrays at the base camps on the either side of the Yellow Wind Ridge.

  In accordance with the rules of the match, the members of Chaos Edge Hall could only use the mass-produced Chainswords, Vibrosabers or other close combat magical equipment specified on the list.

  The members of Iron Fist Club could only utilize the most common 1,300 spirit tattoos. They weren't allowed to utilize powerful secret tattoos.

  In addition, the contestants weren't allowed to wear their own armor. All they could wear was the gray-colored light armor provided by the Institute.

  One should not underestimate this armor. Even though it looked quite ordinary, it was top quality defense-class magical equipment. It was worth a lot. At a critical moment, it could release a powerful spiritual energy shield that could greatly mitigate the enemy attack.

  As long as the attack did not exceed the full-force attack of a high-level Refinement Stage cultivator, the light armor would mitigate the damage by one-third.

  Its effect was equivalent to the pink gel spouted by the puji critter during the Limit Challenge Competition. It would ensure the safety of the contestant.

  More importantly, it was subtle, convenient, did not need some puji critter to fly over one's head, and most of all, there was no need to worry about accidentally damaging the puji critter, thereby losing the protection.

  However, even though the light armor would mitigate the attack, the sensory array glyphs on the light armor would calculate the corresponding damage.

  When the damage value reached a certain figure, the light armor would automatically apply different magnitudes of electric currents to the wearer which would correspond to different degrees of injuries.

  And if it was "irreversible, chronic injuries", then the corresponding current would continue all the time.

  The strongest current could even knock the contestant out, which would mean that the contestant had been killed in a second!

  Last two minutes left until the start of the match.

  In the VIP room, four Core Formation Stage powerhouses and several dozen Building Foundation Stage experts stared at hundreds of constantly flashing holograms with interest.

  Especially when the crystal eyes swept through the 2,000 well-trained, powerful and grim-looking freshmen of the Chaos Edge Hall and Iron Fist Club, all of them, even more so, burst forth with a series of praises.

  "This year's Combat Department's freshmen are very good. They are comparable to Peng Hai and Ding Lingdang!"

  The Hundred Saber Alliance's vice president, Long Wenhui, was the Core Formation Stage powerhouse who had captured Demon King Pieu. However, at this moment, there wasn't even an iota of murderous aura emanating from him. His amazing cultivation was sealed tight such that not even the slightest trace of energy could escape from his body. He seemed just like a fat, middle-aged businessman. He smiled at an emaciated old man and continued, "It seems to me that the Iron Fist Club's leader, freshman Lu Tieshan, is from the Devil Fist Sect, am I right? Old Bai, congratulations! If my insight is right, if this kid is still alive after ten years, he will definitely be in the Building Foundation Stage!"

  The emaciated old man was none other the Devil Fist Sect's Elder, and a Core Formation Stage powerhouse, Bai Mushen!

  When Lu Tieshan's father was still among the living, he was Bai Mushen's favorite direct disciple. And after the death of his father, Bai Mushen directed Lu Tieshan and watched him grow up. In Bai Mushen's eyes, Lu Tieshan was no different than his grandson.

  Today was Lu Tieshan's most important battle after having entered the university, so Bai Mushen specially came to watch the match. And the results did not let him down.

  Although the match had yet to start, from Lu Tieshan's subtle movements, it was quite evident that he had advanced by leaps and bounds. As compared to the naive and ignorant juvenile from a year ago, he seemed to have been reborn completely; he had cast off his old self and taken on a new self.

  However, what made Bai Mushen most gratified was Lu Tieshan's ability to command.

  Under his leadership, 999 of the Iron Fist Club's freshmen strictly followed orders and prohibitions just like a true army.

  This kind of leadership was even rarer than battle force.

  However, Bai Mushen's eyes didn't reveal the slightest bit of smile as he spoke:

  "Chaos Edge Hall's Student Zhao Tianchong is also a one-in-million cultivation genius. In my opinion, he will become an outstanding sword cultivator within ten years!"

  "Zhao Tianchong is pretty good, but his parents are loose cultivators. If I am correct, then he will walk on the path of loose cultivators. Even if he joins some cultivation sect, it would absolutely not be the Hundred Saber Alliance as he is a pure sword cultivator!"

  Long Wenhui sighed before smiling again, "However, I did not come just for Zhao Tianchong, there is yet another freshman who is also very interesting. He is none other Li Yao, who is taking part in the match on behalf of the Refining Department. Old Bai, in just a minute, you will need to pay attention to him."

  "I have indeed heard of this Li Yao. He is one of the three experts among this year's freshmen. In the battle of Verdant Tarn City, his performance was shocking, if not crazy. Not only had he carried a Six Barrel Rotary Cannon while casually walking through the battlefield, he also had ten Hellfire-Lightnings strapped on his back, which he finally blasted a Six-Armed Naga to death with. He is indeed quite formidable!"

  "However, from his combat videos, in my opinion, he is a very powerful refiner. He specializes in modifying and controlling heavy magical equipment."

  "In the city battle, he had logistics support and also had the support of his teammates."

  "However, now, all he can carry is a backpack full of magical equipment. He doesn't have any logistics support. Not to mention that inside the jungle and swamps, he will be encircled by 2,000 contestants. Can he fly to the high heavens?"

  Bai Mushen disapprovingly said.

  He was the most traditional body practitioner who only believed in fists. Even though he had seen Li Yao 's combat videos, he did not appreciate the combat method employed by Li Yao. Li Yao placed too much emphasis on magical equipment, a trait Bai Mushen did not appreciate.

  Long Wenhui calmly smiled.

  "Maybe, maybe not. In any case, at least Li Yao's appearance has added a small bit of variability to this match, which has been dull for over two decades. I believe that this year's match will be very exciting. Ah, only ten seconds are left before the game starts."

  Last ten seconds to the start of the match.

  Li Yao, through a small teleportation array, entered the Yellow Wind Ridge!

  "Look, it's Li Yao!"

  Three crystal eyes simultaneously turned towards Li Yao. All the holograms switched to different angles of his face in the blink of an eye. Tens of thousands of spectators in the campus had their eyes upon him; not bit of the expression on his face could be missed. Everyone was hoping to guess his plans from his expression.

  However, everyone was disappointed.

  Li
Yao wore green jungle camouflage clothing. Even his face was painted with alternating yellow and green stripes, making it extremely difficult to discern even his eyes and nose, much less the expression on his face.

  The only thing that could identify him as Li Yao was the weird magical equipment worn on his left ear. At present, many people were already aware that this thing was called a Demon Beast Detector, a reconnaissance-class magical equipment invented by Li Yao himself.

  "Why is he wearing the Demon Beast Detector?"

  Although the Yellow Wind Ridge was home to some demon beasts, they were of "ordinary" level. As far as cultivators were concerned, they were nothing more than clay chickens and pottery dogs. They could be easily killed; there was simply no need to take any kind of precautions for them.

  Apart from the Demon Beast Detector, Li Yao had a bulging, standard-issue jungle backpack strapped to his shoulders as well as a short, double-edged scimitar hooked to his belt. Dressed in his neat and tidy jungle camouflage uniform, Li Yao didn't give any kind of impression of someone who had carried Six-Barrel Rotary Cannon and ten Hellfire-Lightnings during the battle of Verdant Tarn City.

  "Li Yao's skills completely lie in heavy magical equipment. Without the Six-Barrel Rotary Cannon and Hellfire-Lightnings, he is unable to do anything and will be eliminated at once!"

  Many people said it with certainty.

  Making the best use of the last few seconds, Li Yao jumped and rotated his joints with all his concentration; stretching each and every strand of muscle to the limit.

  At this instance, he was at the southernmost tip of the Yellow Wind Ridge.

  Right behind him was the Iron Fist Club's base.

  1,000 stalwart and tall fellows cast a covetous stare right at the back of his head.