Chapter 27: Instant Kill with a Single Strike

The Storm Arena was created through the combined efforts of the six kings of Eastern Wasteland. The methods of kings are beyond the imagination of ordinary people. In essence, entry and exit from the Storm Arena are mediated by the Storm Token, guiding a person’s consciousness back and forth. Within the space, a new body is shaped according to one’s true physical condition, yet it is the consciousness that dominates.

Grasping this principle strengthens one’s abilities—battle prowess, physique, talent, supernatural arts, and the like. Jiang Liu’s previous misconception of Du Gu Bieli stemmed from this very reason.

Moreover, after each battle in the Storm Arena, the space restores the combatant, achieving a state of self-perfection. Even after ten, a hundred, or a thousand battles, so long as one does not die, one can keep fighting endlessly.

The hundreds of commanders speculated about the “senior” Du Gu Bieli, unaware of the truth; wishing to conserve their strength for later battles, they became anxious, and those with urgent temperaments began to shout warnings.

Du Gu Bieli lingered within the web of blades. Hearing the cries, his body gave a slight tremor, his movements slowed, and a cascade of blades swept forth, forming a curtain that enveloped the arena, severing all escape routes.

“Now, can you still survive?” Having finally seized his chance, Jiang Liu was elated, hastening to unleash his signature technique—a single blade whirled through the air, encircling Du Gu Bieli. The ruthless gleam of the blade dazzled, blinding the eye.

Hmph!

Du Gu Bieli frowned. His figure shifted; he no longer observed but decided to strike. The opponent wielded only a single blade, but its speed created an illusion, making it seem as if dozens or hundreds danced together, forming a wheel that encompassed the world.

His gaze flickered, and he suddenly closed in. His left hand seized Jiang Liu’s right wrist, while his right hand, fingers together, jabbed like a spike at Jiang Liu’s shoulder blade. Almost simultaneously, his strength surged; his fingers curled into a fist, driving it hard against Jiang Liu’s chest. Jiang Liu staggered, his grip loosened, and Du Gu Bieli’s right elbow swung upward like a heavy hammer, smashing into his temple.

Jiang Liu was a commander; Du Gu Bieli a warrior. Inborn, Du Gu Bieli’s battle strength surpassed Jiang Liu’s. Despite Jiang Liu’s utmost effort, he only managed to cause a brief blackout. Darkness clouded Jiang Liu’s vision, his mind hazy, and the arm holding the blade drooped, swinging aimlessly.

Du Gu Bieli stepped into the center, his right shoulder striking as he sidestepped, his left hand flicking Jiang Liu’s wrist in a swift arc, a finger snapping lightly—causing the blade to slip from Jiang Liu’s grasp. He caught it immediately, his steps nimble, the blade’s edge flipped outward with a pull.

Splurt—

Blood sprayed into the air.

Jiang Liu’s body collapsed helplessly. The blood that burst from his chest shot upward, striking the Six Suns Chief, rising a yard before descending in a rolling fall. Among the observers with keen vision, some could see Jiang Liu’s eyes wide open, joy lingering, shock still evident.

He died without peace.

Even upon returning to the real world, he could not comprehend how he had died so suddenly.

Though it seemed a lengthy tale, it was all over in the blink of an eye. Du Gu Bieli’s attack flowed seamlessly, resolving the first challenger.

“Senior, invincible!”

“Senior, strongest!”

The hundreds of commanders, pent up for so long, finally found release, shouting excitedly, their spirits soaring. In their hearts, they silently proclaimed, “A senior is always formidable, no matter where. What does the Storm Ranking matter?”

A gentle beam of light descended, replenishing his body and battle strength. Du Gu Bieli, holding the great blade, gazed at the Storm Ranking suspended in the sky. In his consciousness, the commanding female voice spoke, allowing no doubt: “Reward: one insight…”

An insight reward?

Du Gu Bieli was puzzled. Almost simultaneously, his gaze fell to the end of the Storm Ranking… His codename—Nine-nine-nine—did not appear. The thousandth name remained Jiang Liu.

“What’s going on?”

While he pondered, among the hundreds of commanders below, someone noticed the issue and shouted for answers, but none came. No one understood why, though the challenge was won, the ranking had not changed. Others soon realized, whispering among themselves. Then, among those clustered around Du Gu Bieli, one suddenly exclaimed, “Senior is… still a warrior!”

His tone was full of emotion.

The listeners, confused at first, soon realized, “That’s right! Senior challenged above his level. Though victorious, the ranking is for commander level. Warriors don’t fit the space’s rules, so he cannot replace the name.”

“So that’s it.”

“Not bad, though—can exchange for an insight or twenty victories.”

…

“Option to exchange for twenty victories. Choose!”

A few seconds later, the authoritative female voice resounded again in Du Gu Bieli’s consciousness.

Du Gu Bieli waited, and when no further voice came, he quickly decided to choose victories. As a warrior, he could not ascend the ranking; he finally understood this.

Just now, he had browsed the list and found that only a handful were from Butterfly Academy, all at the lower end. The rest hailed from other academies, families, or factions. Seeing the bright affiliations and recalling the conversation between Wu Ying and the Grand Dean before entering, as well as the hint from Su Xi Ruo, he felt he ought to do something.

Victories: one hundred fifty.

With the challenge complete, he was transported off the stage, and two more commanders ascended. Du Gu Bieli willed his great blade—a weapon forged of his spirit—to vanish, though it would return at his command.

“Interesting,” he thought, adjusting his mindset and deciding to first raise his level before considering other matters. He issued another challenge, this time to the nine hundred ninetieth.

Almost at the moment he announced his challenge, a beam of light descended from the sky, transporting him away. The commander ranked nine hundred ninety was new, having recently won three or five bouts to ascend the ranking, still in high spirits. Seeing a warrior challenge, he readily accepted.

This time, the transport carried him far.

The hundreds of commanders, hoping to speak with the “senior” and build camaraderie, were startled by his sudden departure and hurried from stage to stage in search. The sharp-eyed among them cried, “There—”

But after uttering just three words, he fell silent, stunned. Those searching beside him asked in confusion, “What is it… ah, ah—”

The questioner, too, was struck dumb, his gaze fixed, as if witnessing something inconceivable, his soul thunderstruck.

Like an epidemic, this reaction spread swiftly—hundreds of commanders gaped, speechless, as tidal waves surged within their souls.

Meanwhile, at another stage, commanders erupted in cries—of surprise, excitement, horror, curiosity.

They saw a challenger, at the very start of combat, close in, draw his blade, and decapitate with a single stroke!

Du Gu Bieli.

Seeking to ascend, he no longer concealed his methods—his thunderous attack instantly slew the challenger for the nine hundred ninetieth spot.

Exchange!

…

Exchange!

…

Exchange!

…

After two more consecutive challenges, Du Gu Bieli finally advanced to commander level!

The radiance of ascension enveloped him, nurturing his mind and soul. Amidst his transformation, he gazed coldly at the Storm Ranking suspended high above.

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