Chapter 527 - Lei Wushuang’s Death

“Alright, the Grand Sect Conference matches shall begin now!”

All the attendees were boiling with excitement, as this was a once-in-a-decade event.

Unlike a martial meet like the Four Sects Martial Arts Competition, this was a grand stage where the top geniuses of the entire Great Chu Empire competed.

Excelling in a martial meet like the Four Sects Martial Arts Competition was one thing, but shining at the Grand Sect Conference was a whole other deal. Participants could be eliminated even in their very first match.

Those who stood out on this stage would go on to represent the Great Chu Empire at Hidden Dragon Island, competing with geniuses from other nations in the Hong Domain.

This was the ultimate test for geniuses.

Throughout history, many exceptional talents have emerged victorious on this stage, transforming from a snake into a dragon.

For example, the Spring Autumn Sect’s leader, Feng Baiyu, and high elder Yun Tu were once top holy disciples who excelled at the Grand Sect Conference. Their outstanding performance earned them a spot to explore ancient ruins, leading to great gains. Today, they were mighty Divine Nascent realm powerhouses, at the pinnacle of the Great Chu Empire.

This was also why the various forces across the entire Great Chu Empire, and even the Hong Domain, attached such great importance to the Grand Sect Conference.

“Group One, Zhang Qing versus Yang Chong. Group Two, Lin Wushang versus Wang Qi. Group Three, Zhao Xun versus Shao Sheng...” The top royal official presiding over the assembly read aloud. The geniuses whose names were called quickly went on stage and began battling.

The two participants from Group One were disciples of the Floating Cloud Sword Sect and Divine Light Sect, both at the seventh level. They began fighting intensely as soon as they went on stage.

For Group Two, Lin Wushang was the first to enter the arena, but his opponent did not even dare to go up on stage and directly admitted defeat.

It was understandable since Lin Wushang was ranked second on the Geniuses of Heaven Leaderboard and a supreme expert in the one-revolution Golden Core realm.

In contrast, Wang Qi was only at the seventh level. The strength gap between the two was immense. Rather than face inevitable defeat, potential injury, and humiliation, Wang Qi chose to surrender to save himself for future battles.

The Grand Sect Conference had a point accumulation system from the battles rather than an elimination format.

The contenders in each group would spar with the other contenders in the same group. The winner would obtain one point. The thirty highest scorers would earn a place at Hidden Dragon Island.

Every point was crucial, so contenders risked everything to win.

However, if the difference in strength between the two fighters was too great, one point wasn’t worth the risk of injury. A single palm strike from a much stronger opponent could easily send a contender flying off the stage and leave them hurt.

The Grand Sect Conference did not allow time for rest and recovery. Any injury could directly affect a participant’s fights further down the line.

Flashes of blades and swords immediately shone on the ten fighting arenas as the participants’ cultivation and qi erupted. Terrifying qi currents tumbled in the air, causing the spectating crowd to exclaim from time to time.

Chen Fan’s name hadn’t been called yet, and he also wasn’t in a hurry to participate. Since he was at the ninth level and could fight those at the three-revolution Golden Core realm, he was way stronger than the 720 contenders.

He was, very likely, the strongest among all the contenders. Even Qi Feifan, ranked first on the leaderboard, was no match for him.

At the sixth fighting arena, Gongsun Long was on stage.

His opponent was a holy disciple of the Cloud Sky Sect, similarly at the seventh level. They fought back and forth; the battle was very hot and intense.

Gongsun Long was the number two holy disciple of the Spring Autumn Sect.

He used to be at the sixth level of the Core Formation realm. After the battle, the sect had provided him with great support, allowing his cultivation to soar, reaching the late stage of the seventh level. He was just a step away from the eighth-level Core Formation realm.

Unfortunately, even that kind of strength couldn’t guarantee him a spot in the top thirty.

Chen Fan had taken a look earlier and realized that sixteen participants were at the ninth level. If nothing unexpected happened, they were sure to earn a spot for themselves.

So, the competition was actually seven hundred and four people fighting for less than fourteen spots.

Meanwhile, there were forty to fifty people at the eighth level, with some of them being the number one holy disciples of various sects. Consequently, it would be truly difficult for Gongsun Long to seize a spot for himself.

And if even Gongsun Long had basically zero chance, nothing needed to be said about Yue Zhongtian, Lei Wushuang, and the others who were inferior to him.

Therefore, Feng Baiyu also did not hold high hopes for Gongsun Long and the others in the Grand Sect Conference. He only wanted them to gain some experience by comparing notes with the top geniuses of the other sects.

The Spring Autumn Sect placed its true hopes on Chen Fan. Feng Baiyu and the others were confident he would secure a spot.

If Chen Fan couldn't earn a spot, then no one among the seven hundred and twenty participants could.

Chen Fan abruptly sensed two sharp gazes directed at him. Turning around, he saw that one belonged to Dongfang Yu, and the other to someone wearing royal robes, with an imposing appearance and sharp features—the eighth prince, Chu Pengfei.

Dongfang Yu was hostile toward Chen Fan. As for why, he could roughly guess a thing or two but didn’t put it to heart. Although Dongfang Yu had improved significantly, reaching the ninth level, he still wasn’t a match for Chen Fan. His progress was great, but Chen Fan’s was beyond compare.

As for the eighth prince, Chu Pengfei, Chen Fan's eyes flickered briefly as he guessed the reason for his hostility.

“Group Ten, Jin Yang versus Lei Wushuang!”

Swish!

As soon as the officiator’s voice fell, a golden figure leaped onto the fighting arena. He was the Golden Ring Sect’s top disciple, Jin Yang. He was ranked twelfth on the Geniuses of Heaven Leaderboard and was at the ninth level.

Lei Wushuang gritted his teeth; ultimately, he chose to stand up and fight.

“Jin Yang, please advise me!” Lei Wushuang said with a solemn expression.

He had wanted to surrender but was somewhat unwilling to do so. Even though he was sure to lose, he didn’t want to lose his momentum.

Jin Yang looked at Lei Wushuang and said with a cold smile, “Lei Wushuang, it has been a long time. You snatched my miraculous encounter back then. Now, it’s time for you to pay back!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Jin Yang turned into a streak of golden light, instantly appearing in front of Lei Wushuang. A resplendent golden light shone in his palm, transforming into a huge golden palm seal that flew toward Lei Wushuang.

Jin Yang and Lei Wushuang had a history of hostility. When Jin Yang struck, he showed no mercy at all and aimed to kill.

The Grand Sect Conference did not forbid killing, and any deaths were accepted as part of the harsh reality.

Seeing Jin Yang's lethal strike, Lei Wushuang's expression changed drastically.

“

Roar

!”

Sensing the oppressive force coming at him, he let out a roar and channeled his qi to the limit. Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled around him, crackling chaotically as the silhouette of a thunder god appeared behind him.

“Thunder God Palm!”

He threw out a palm strike, resembling the hand of a thunder god descending upon the mortal world.

Boom tch!

However, Lei Wushuang’s attack was like a block of butter or tofu in front of Jin Yang’s huge golden palm, shattering instantly.

The terrifying palm landed on Lei Wushuang’s chest.

“The price you have to pay is your death!” Jin Yang’s cold voice rang out, his tone filled with icy killing intent.

Lei Wushuang flew out instantly, his chest caved in. Blood bubbled from his seven orifices. He twitched a few times before breathing his last.