One figure after another shot skyward, heading straight for the Desolate Heaven Sword Sect’s mountain gate.

Killing intent surged to the heavens, battle lust roiled!

After a month of training, regardless of age, anyone who passed the trials had been honed into a being of pure slaughter, their fighting spirit blazing fiercely—so intense it could chill the soul!

Now, bathed in the murderous aura of the Desolate Heaven Sword Sect’s enemies, even those who felt fear found that terror brutally dispelled, and rushed forward with abandon.

"War King Clan, and Daluo Vajra Sect—don’t scatter, press forward in order!"

Shi Feng shouted in a thunderous voice, rallying the crowd.

The two hundred advanced, immediately compressing their formation like a tidal wave of beasts.

In mere moments, everyone arrived at the mountain gate.

The gate stood majestic and solemn, deathly intent swirling.

An ancient sword hovered above the gate, radiating a suffocating Sword Dao aura of slaughter.

Legions of Sword Sect disciples burst from the gateway, their battle cries shaking the heavens.

Xu Yang swept his gaze over them and saw that, as expected, the sect’s heavy hitters were all suppressed by the ancient formation in the sky.

"Xu Yang, fight for the rankings!"

"Second-tier Immortal Soldier level—there are too many strong cultivators on all sides, the War King Clan doesn’t have the advantage; only the third tier is left. We can’t help directly, but at least we can keep some enemies away!"

"And those badly wounded—we’ll leave them for you to finish!"

Shi Feng’s transmission sounded in his mind, and Xu Yang nodded heavily.

The top ten rankings—no matter what, he had to fight for a spot!

Shi Feng’s proposal made his eyes light up.

Outsiders couldn’t interfere, but if someone was already injured or weakened, then he moved in for the kill—surely that wasn’t against the rules?

With that thought, Xu Yang leapt forward.

Everyone was responding to each others’ moves.

Second-tiers fought second-tiers, third-tiers took on third-tiers.

Boom!

Xu Yang swung his blade down— a white-robed Sword Immortal staggered back, nearly dropping his Immortal Sword.

Xu Yang’s body seemed ghostly, appearing in a flash, his frame like a mountain, ramming in with terrifying force.

Bang!

The white-robed Sword Immortal exploded from the brutal collision.

Buzz!

Xu Yang instantly sensed another stream of energy appear in his Immortal Soldier Token.

"Xu Yang, over here."

Xu Yang glanced over—Shi Hu had knocked back an Immortal Soldier, and immediately withdrew.

Xu Yang flashed over.

Boom!

Clang!

Bang!

A second energy stream merged into the Immortal Soldier Token.

"It works!"

Xu Yang shouted, charging into the mountain gate.

Inside the Sword Sect, pavilions and towers gleamed, clouds and immortal mist curled about, the scenery gorgeous.

But now all was drowned in slaughter, stained with bloody red!

"Kill! Slaughter all these mongrels!"

"Dare defy my Desolate Heaven Sword Sect? Die, every last one!"

"Kill!"

...

Xu Yang couldn’t help but marvel—at a glance, there were thousands upon thousands of Immortals in the sect.

Yet the strangest sight: Some seemed to be fighting against air itself; in the heat of battle, people would suddenly convulse as if struck by invisible force, limbs torn apart, dying instantly.

This scene was odd, but Xu Yang instantly understood.

These were the once ten thousand Immortal Soldiers!

The thousand-plus here now only held a fraction of those original quotas.

The projections appeared, but the Immortal Soldiers of old did not!

Moreover, he noticed that after Spirit Realm Martial Artists were killed, their bodies shattered and vanished into thin air, leaving not a single trace.

It seemed as though they’d been transferred out.

He guessed the chances of actual death were low.

Seeing this, Xu Yang and the others realized it too.

Though survival wasn’t certain, the sight dispelled much of everyone’s inner dread; fighting spirit blazed!

Clang!

A dazzling sword-light blasted forth, its terrifying pressure distorting the space around—made Xu Yang’s heart pound.

His reactions were lightning-fast; he raised his blade to block!

Bang!

The tremendous force slammed him backward several steps.

"So strong!"

Xu Yang was amazed—then unleashed his full power, clashing again as blade met sword.

Bang!

Sparks showered, the Asura Blood Saber trembled and screamed.

Again forced into retreat!

Xu Yang grunted, spiritual markings flaring up.

"Lock!"

The young Sword Immortal froze, ancient sword ringing out, violently struggling.

Pfft!

Xu Yang’s blade pierced straight through his chest.

Xu Yang spat out blood, eyes ferocious.

"No wonder they’re called Immortal—their strength is indeed immense."

"But with spirit marks nine feet long, fused with the Heaven and Earth Divine Chain, the sealing power—even among second-tier Immortal Soldiers, few can resist!"

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!

Xu Yang weaved through the crowd, killing furiously.

Of course, allies were falling around him too!

But at this moment everyone was killing madly, no one cared.

As time passed, the once-immortal-shrouded Desolate Heaven Sword Sect was transformed into an Asura Hell—too gruesome to behold!

Xu Yang glanced at his Immortal Soldier Token: forty-five!

Forty-five points, forty-five lives!

Far from enough!

"Lock!"

The spirit mark twisted, splitting into three, sealing off dozens of feet around him.

Five figures shuddered as one, and froze where they stood!

A flash of bloody light, like lightning, streaked through them.

Pfft pfft pfft!!

All five fell together.

Five more points secured!

Xu Yang flashed forward, hurtling through midair toward his next target.

Suddenly, his brow lifted.

He’d spotted several Cloud Dream Soul Sect Martial Artists lurking at the edge.

"Hmm?"

"Cloud Dream Soul Sect, Jun Family, Star Nebula Infinite Sea, Five Elements Celestial Realm!"

The War King Clan had, without realizing, been surrounded at the edges by these four forces and the elite Martial Artists under their sway.

What are they up to?

"Xu Yang, killing so wildly—you really want first place in the trial, don’t you?"

Men Long sneered, "The only one who can challenge Xiao Ming is you. Have to admit—you’re too strong."

"But this time, first in the trial is beyond your reach; we’ll make sure you don’t even get second, third, or fourth!"

Xu Yang’s brows furrowed.

The forces of the four great sects pressed in.

The War King Clan, though with superior numbers, now found their maneuvering space squeezed tight.

"Damn it, these bastards!"

"Cloud Dream Soul Sect, Jun Family, Star Nebula Infinite Sea, Five Elements Celestial Realm—they’ve all joined forces!" Shi Hu’s face was ashen.

Shi Feng and the others’ expressions grew gloomy too.

If it were just one or two sides, the War King Clan’s numbers would be an advantage.

But with four forces united, their numbers matched the War King Clan’s.

"Break through!"

Shi Feng barked coldly.

Figures surged forward, fighting both Sword Sect foes and trying to tear open an opening, expand their ground.

The four great factions were no pushovers—seeing this, they immediately closed ranks, shrinking the encirclement.

Xu Yang led the way, his face grim and uncertain.

"Daqian, cut a path through them for me!"

A roar split the chaos.

In the midst of the melee, a group burst forth like the edge of a blade, plunging into the ranks of the four great forces.

"Daqian, damn them!"

"But with only two or three dozen left, they dare interfere?"

"Break them up!"

Angry shouts rang out.

No one made direct moves yet; their true enemy remained the Desolate Heaven Sword Sect.

But as fights raged, turbulent energy blasted outward, making others wary to approach.

At this moment—

The Dongyang Profound Sect and Bright Mirror Grotto Heaven entered the fray too.

The factions instantly became much clearer.

"Daqian, Dongyang Profound Sect, War King Clan!"

Xiao Ming smashed a Sword Immortal with one punch, his gaze cold as he eyed the scene, a sneer flickering in his eyes.

He suddenly exploded into motion, breaking from his group to charge into the Desolate Heaven Sword Sect ranks.

Five-colored immortal light erupted, like a thunderous rage-beast—wherever he passed, blood surged like waves!

That crushing pressure made one think he’d already stepped into the second-tier Immortal Soldier realm!

Unbelievably powerful!

The lure of first place in the trial—even Xiao Ming couldn’t resist.

He would never allow anyone else to take first!

"Xiao Ming, you want first—you’ll have to get past me first!"

Xu Yang locked his gaze on Xiao Ming, coldly shouted, and broke from his own ranks to charge toward the core.