In the arena, Li Xiaotian’s punch shattered his forty-ninth opponent. He was breathing heavily.
So far, the opponents he had encountered were all strong individuals mimicked by this arena. Their strength was not weak, but not particularly strong either. Each possessed unique characteristics: some were fast, some had powerful attacks, and some had invincible defense.
However, he had dealt with them all in just a few moves. He frowned slightly, realizing that these preceding opponents seemed designed to test the various abilities of the trial-takers.
Yet, there was danger. If he didn't possess the Undying Body and his current strength wasn't several times greater than before, he would have met his end in such situations.
He recalled the opponents he had faced previously. The most difficult one was someone with invincible defense. That opponent also possessed the Undying Body, and it took him five direct punches to finally shatter them.
If such an opponent were a living person, he probably wouldn't have defeated them so easily.
Of course, Li Xiaotian was unaware that Zhan Tian City had its own rules. It would arrange the next opponent based on the strength displayed by the trial-taker in each match. In essence, every opponent was stronger than the previous one, and the magnitude of this increase was determined by the trial-taker’s strength.
Li Xiaotian, however, always aimed for speed in every battle. Consequently, his opponents' strength changed much more drastically than those of other trial-takers.
Other trial-takers, being familiar with Zhan Tian City, would exploit this loophole. They would deliberately refrain from displaying their full strength during exchanges with opponents, allowing them to participate in more trials.
Li Xiaotian, unaware of this, thus found his opponents becoming increasingly powerful. However, the rewards for undergoing such trials were exceptionally rich.
"Forty-ninth duel, victory! Current cumulative reward: one complete high-level expert's Great Dao! Do you wish to continue fighting?"
A complete high-level expert's Great Dao!
A sharp glint flashed in Li Xiaotian’s eyes upon hearing this. He was shocked. A complete high-level expert's Great Dao signified that upon obtaining it, there was at least an eighty percent chance of becoming a high-level expert.
What was the origin of Bai Zhan City? The rewards were astonishing!
Li Xiaotian mused, his breathing quickening slightly. After all, becoming a high-level expert held considerable appeal for him. Once he became a high-level expert, the Kyushu World would possess significantly greater self-preservation capabilities in the Western Universe.
However, he quickly dismissed this thought. Yuan was in secluded cultivation, aiming to ascend to the high-level realm. Once Yuan achieved this, Kyushu would also be able to protect itself in the short term. He saw no need to forgo this opportunity for an imperfect high-level status.
Zhan Tian City opened only once every hundred years. He wouldn’t wait another century.
A hundred years was too long; he seized the moment!
"Continue!"
Li Xiaotian declared, choosing to proceed.
"Note: Starting from the fiftieth match, trial-takers will only have the opportunity to withdraw after defeating their opponent. Failure will signify their demise!"
"Buzz!"
Instantly, the arena before him transformed. Like a holographic projection, Li Xiaotian found himself on a coastline.
"Huala!"
Dark seawater lapped against the shore. Terrifying winds raged, and cracks continuously formed in the sky, torn by the gales.
Seeing this, Li Xiaotian’s expression grew serious. The scene before him was real!
From the sand beneath his feet to the surrounding seawater and the howling wind, everything was genuine. He could even smell the distinct salty odor of the sea.
What kind of place was Bai Zhan City? Li Xiaotian wondered, his curiosity about its origins growing.
To construct such a mysterious city, as far as he knew, even the current Divine Realm lacked the capability.
However, Li Xiaotian soon focused his mind, as a figure appeared opposite him.
It was a man, clad in a black robe, but his appearance was indistinct. The entire person emanated overwhelming sword energy, capable of striking fear into anyone who glanced at him, as if a sword were poised to strike him at any moment.
This was a powerful individual! Stronger than all his previous opponents! Li Xiaotian’s expression turned solemn. The opponent before him gave him a sense of threat.
"Buzz!"
In a daze, the man in black looked at Li Xiaotian. Instantly, a beam of sword light shot towards him, his gaze like a sword, tearing through space, exuding a bone-chilling killing intent, immensely powerful.
"Kill!"
Li Xiaotian threw a punch to meet it. This opponent was another historical powerhouse, but he was formidable enough to warrant Li Xiaotian’s serious attention.
"Boom!"
The sword light was shattered by Li Xiaotian's punch. Immediately, Li Xiaotian attacked proactively, lunging towards the man in black.
The man remained silent, his sword energy soaring skyward, as if he himself were a sword. He engaged Li Xiaotian in battle.
Upon truly engaging, Li Xiaotian truly felt the man in black's power. Every move he made was imbued with sword energy, each beam possessing the destructive force to instantly kill an ordinary peak sixth-rank expert. He was exceptionally powerful.
However, to Li Xiaotian, the man in black was still not strong enough.
The man in black transformed into a streak of light, appearing in the high heavens in an instant. With his fingers pressed together, he unleashed a sword strike towards Li Xiaotian.
"Rumbling!"
A cascade of sword energy surged towards Li Xiaotian, like a waterfall descending three thousand feet. At this moment, Li Xiaotian’s mind was suddenly filled with the ancient poem circulating in Kyushu. The scene before him perfectly complemented this verse.
"Kill!"
Li Xiaotian bathed in the ascending sword energy, those beams striking his body with metallic sounds. Though powerful, unfortunately, Li Xiaotian’s Undying Body was not so easily shattered.
The two fought fiercely in the air, locked in a stalemate. This was the most exhilarating battle Li Xiaotian had experienced since entering Bai Zhan City. The man's sword was incredibly fast. If Li Xiaotian had relied solely on speed to dodge, he would have had no chance.
"Boom boom boom!"
Light flashed between them, and terrifying energies erupted continuously. They appeared like two cannonballs colliding, causing the surrounding space to shatter and warp.
Countless sword energies were reflected by Li Xiaotian and shot outwards. In the distance, the sea roared, the beach cracked, and the void collapsed.
The offensive power of the man in black could absolutely rank within the top tier of the sixth rank. It must be remembered that Li Xiaotian had just escaped a siege by the armies of Shen Yue and others. If one were to compare the man in black to individuals within Shen Yue's ranks, he would undoubtedly rank in the top ten.
Finally, the man in black became one with his sword, unleashing an earth-shattering sword light that enveloped the entire world in blinding brilliance.
Li Xiaotian roared, his body radiating light. His life force surged, and he charged upwards against the light, reaching the man in black and shattering his head with a single punch.
"Boom!"
With a tremendous sound, the man in black’s body exploded, and the scene before him instantly reverted to the appearance of the arena.
Li Xiaotian gasped for air, looking at his fist. His bones were exposed, but they quickly healed.
He couldn't help but be astonished. His current physique had long surpassed that of ordinary Undying Bodies. He never expected to be wounded by the sword light of the man in black.
Li Xiaotian wondered if such a powerful individual was still alive today. If he were, he would surely not be an unknown figure.