Chapter 55

After all, Gu Yang was only seventeen. His journey had just begun.

With the judge announcing the match results, the first round of the finals came to a close.

Now, only three remained:

Gu Yang, Yunhai, and Chen Wu of North Snow Sect, who had a bye.

Just as the drawing ceremony was about to begin, several judge elders gathered and discussed briefly.

They seemed to reach a decision.

Then one of them announced:

“Due to the emergence of a Core Formation Realm cultivator in this tournament, the rules will be adjusted.”

“Gu Yang of Flowing Cloud Sect will battle Chen Wu of North Snow Sect. The winner will challenge Yunhai of White Sun Sect.”

The True Disciple Tournament had always been fair.

But fairness here was relative.

Whenever a disciple far outclassed the others, the rules would be revised to grant them privileges.

Previously, each top disciple had their own bracket.

Now, Yunhai…being Core Formation…was placed directly into the final.

After the rule change was announced, none of the top disciples objected.

After all, once Core Formation appeared…

The top spot was essentially untouchable.

The remaining two were only fighting for second place.

However, Yunhai frowned slightly upon hearing the announcement.

Straight to the final?

He had hoped to use this chance to teach Gu Yang a lesson.

Why skip that?

Still, it didn’t matter.

Given Gu Yang’s strength, Chen Wu wouldn’t be able to beat him.

Once Gu Yang reached the final, he’d still have to face him.

Thinking this, Yunhai’s lips curled into a cruel smile.

Compared to Liu Tianxiang, he wanted to torment Gu Yang even more.

Gu Yang’s talent was simply too monstrous.

If given a few more years to grow…

Even Yunhai might not be his match.

So…

He had to eliminate the threat while it was still young.

“When you reach the final… that’s when I’ll kill you.”

His heart surged with killing intent. He had already decided…

When he faced Gu Yang in the final, he would go all out.

Even if it meant breaking the tournament rules, he would kill Gu Yang.

Gu Yang sensed Yunhai’s murderous intent.

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

“First layer of Core Formation, huh?”

He murmured to himself, then looked away.

“The next match: Gu Yang of Flowing Cloud Sect versus Chen Wu of North Snow Sect…begins now!”

As the judge elder’s voice faded, Gu Yang and Chen Wu stepped into the arena.

Chen Wu stared at Gu Yang with a serious expression.

He had witnessed Gu Yang defeat Qi Tianhe with a single punch.

His own strength was on par with Qi Tianhe.

If Gu Yang could beat Qi Tianhe so easily, then he likely wasn’t a match either.

Still…

He wanted to try.

As the top disciple of North Snow Sect, surrendering to a third-layer Condensed Truth Realm disciple would be humiliating.

So even knowing he’d lose, he chose to fight.

The two locked eyes in silence.

Then Chen Wu made the first move, unleashing a surge of powerful true energy.

Many disciples watched with curiosity.

Could Gu Yang defeat Chen Wu?

Unlike Qi Tianhe, Chen Wu practiced staff techniques.

His mastery of the Shunyang Staff was exceptional.

He had even grasped two-tenths staff intent.

If he fought at full strength and kept Gu Yang at a distance…

He might have a chance.

That was exactly Chen Wu’s plan.

He drew his meteoric iron staff and kept his distance, aiming to strike Gu Yang while staying out of reach.

At first, it seemed to work.

But Gu Yang frowned.

Instead of punching at Chen Wu himself…

He struck the staff directly.

Then…

Chen Wu, along with his staff, was sent flying by a single punch!

The entire exchange lasted less than five minutes.

The crowd fell silent.

Monstrous.

Absolutely monstrous.

Was Gu Yang really just at the third layer of Condensed Truth Realm?

His opponents were all peak tenth-layer cultivators…and top disciples!

Yet they lost so miserably.

With Chen Wu defeated, the tournament’s outcome became clear.

Yunhai, at Core Formation, would undoubtedly take first place.

Gu Yang, the dark horse, would claim second.

Chen Wu, having suffered only minor injuries, would take third.

As for Liu Tianxiang…

He was gravely injured and likely unable to continue.

Many disciples sighed.

No one had expected the tournament to unfold like this.

They looked at the proud Yunhai and the calm Gu Yang.

Both were monsters.

Yunhai was monstrous for being the only top disciple to break through to Core Formation…

Crushing all opposition.

Gu Yang was even more monstrous.

Not yet eighteen.

Only at the third layer of Condensed Truth Realm.

Yet he had defeated two top disciples and reached second place.

A true freak of nature.

While the crowd marveled, Grand Elder Li Tianming of Flowing Cloud Sect returned to the viewing platform after tending to Liu Tianxiang.

He arrived just in time to hear the judge announce Gu Yang’s victory.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

Then grew tense again.

Because next…

Gu Yang would face Yunhai.

He glanced at Yunhai.

Yunhai’s gaze was locked onto Gu Yang.

His killing intent was unrestrained.

Seeing this, Li Tianming’s brows furrowed.

Without hesitation, he called out to Gu Yang:

“Gu Yang, that’s enough. You’ve done exceptionally well.”

“For the final match…just surrender.”

“There’s no need to continue!”