In less than a minute, the middle-aged man's cultivation had increased to the level of a Minor Grandmaster. Previously, he was also at the Minor Grandmaster level, and now he had pushed his cultivation to its limit.
"Kid, are you stunned? I can boost my cultivation here. Although it's only for five minutes, it's more than enough to kill you in thirty seconds. It's just a shame that the spiritual medicine my master painstakingly refined for me is being used on a little good-for-nothing like you. Such a waste, but it's enough to kill you!"
The middle-aged man roared, raising his broadsword and hacking towards Lu Yang's head. Instantly, countless vital energies merged with the sword energy, and a massive sword energy appeared in the sky, descending from above to cleave Lu Yang's head.
If struck by this immense sword energy, Lu Yang's current body could not withstand it and would be smashed into a pulp. After all, his cultivation had been completely suppressed, leaving him with the body of an ordinary person.
But they were wrong. While they had medicine to increase their cultivation, they were unaware that Lu Yang possessed the Black Dragon Token, which allowed him to elevate his own cultivation. With the boost from the Black Dragon Token, Lu Yang instantly raised his cultivation to the Grandmaster realm. He lightly extended a hand, a delicate jade-like hand that appeared ordinary and unremarkable. However, with a gentle flick against the descending sword energy, the energy dispersed, turning into ordinary air. As the broadsword continued its descent, Lu Yang clenched his fist and smashed it directly onto the blade. The five-foot-long broadsword instantly shattered into pieces.
"How... how is this possible? How can your cultivation not be suppressed?"
The middle-aged man looked at Lu Yang in disbelief. The method Lu Yang had just used was something only those with superior cultivation could employ. This was the Mountain of Death, and he had relied on the divine medicine refined by his master for a temporary cultivation boost. He never expected Lu Yang to be able to elevate his cultivation here as well, and without any visible signs.
"Your vision is so narrow. You think you're invincible here and can slaughter the innocent with impunity. Little do you know, in my eyes, you are nothing more than an ant!"
Lu Yang looked at the middle-aged man and said coldly.
"I don't believe it, I don't believe it! I will kill you!"
The middle-aged man roared these words from his mouth in a frenzy, then clenched his fist and furiously struck towards Lu Yang. His fist was as hard as iron, clearly indicating he had practiced Iron Fist techniques. However, the middle-aged man's Iron Fist was far inferior to that of the Grandmaster of the Chinese Hongmen Association. Lu Yang remained still, watching the punch connect with his body. But just as the fist was about to touch Lu Yang, it was repelled by Lu Yang's protective vital energy.
Lu Yang gave the man no chance, sending out a silver needle that pierced the middle-aged man's brow. The middle-aged man, unable to even cry out, died on the spot.
In less than two minutes, the middle-aged man, after boosting his cultivation to the Minor Grandmaster realm, was killed by Lu Yang.
The other two, witnessing this, immediately changed color and knelt before Lu Yang, begging for mercy.
"Brother, spare us! We were misled by him to intercept you. If I had known you were so powerful, I wouldn't have dared even if you beat me to death! Please, for the sake of us both being Major Generals of China, spare us this time!"
"Brother, as long as you let me go, I will no longer contend for the Lieutenant General position. I will withdraw from the competition and never dare to offend you again!"
"..."
The two men knelt before Lu Yang, speaking and kowtowing.
Seeing their state, Lu Yang did not press the matter further, merely breaking both of their legs.
After dealing with the immediate situation, Lu Yang went to find the man who had been pursued earlier, Huang Zhihua. Huang Zhihua had a stab wound in his chest and was bleeding. However, not far away lay the corpse of the man who had been chasing him, clearly having been killed by Huang Zhihua.
"You killed him? Impressive!"
Lu Yang was impressed seeing Huang Zhihua, despite his injuries, kill such a skilled opponent.
"If I'm not mistaken, you've already defeated those three. You are the most formidable. I didn't misjudge you. The moment I saw you, I knew you were an expert of the highest caliber, which is why I chose to travel with you!"
Huang Zhihua looked at Lu Yang and said with a smile.
"Alright, let's stop flattering each other. We should hurry. There are only ten spots this time. If we're late, we'll have no chance!"
Lu Yang smiled slightly and led Huang Zhihua towards the mountain peak.
On the path leading to the summit, Lu Yang saw many of the people who had come with them, either beaten and left by the roadside, or dead, their bodies already cold.
Witnessing such a scene, Lu Yang was surprised by the ruthlessness of these individuals in their pursuit of the Lieutenant General position.
"Truly, the rise of one general is built upon the bones of ten thousand soldiers," Lu Yang couldn't help but sigh.
"I also didn't expect these people to resort to any means necessary to win," Huang Zhihua shook his head with a wry smile.
When they reached the summit, eight people were already standing there.
"Haha, there are still two spots left. It seems we're really lucky this time!"
Huang Zhihua's eyes lit up, and he said to Lu Yang.
Just as the two were about to step onto the summit, a menacing voice suddenly came from behind them.
"Stop right there! Those two spots are ours. If you dare to take another step forward, I will kill you!"
Two individuals were holding crossbows, ready to shoot Lu Yang and Huang Zhihua.
Lu Yang turned and saw their methods, his expression instantly turning cold.
"The rule stated that whoever reaches the summit wins. We have arrived. Are you saying this now because it's too much?"
Lu Yang looked at one of the men and questioned him sternly.
"Too much?"
"Kid, are you an idiot? Don't you see all the corpses along the way? What does that tell you? It means only those who reach the summit are the ones who truly survive. Do you think those who are dead or severely injured will leave here alive?"
"This is the Mountain of Death. Countless people have died here. Those who complete the mission in the end can naturally leave. As for the rest, they can only fulfill the grim reputation of the Mountain of Death and leave their lives here forever!"
This man appeared to have white hair, looking around sixty years old. However, he was strong and robust, clearly a martial artist, likely trained in formidable styles like Iron Bone Kung Fu or something similar.