Chapter 768: Battle Against the Thunder Serpent Prodigy, Great Ape King Fist
Within the third level of the Body Refining Tower, at its deepest point.
The space here appeared exceedingly dark and heavy. Layers upon layers of black thunderclouds stacked above, as if even the sky had been completely sealed away. Bolts of lightning tore through the heavens like massive flood dragons, the terrifying thunderous power making heaven and earth tremble.
At this moment, amidst the raging lightning, several figures stood suspended in the air. Majestic spiritual light radiated from their bodies, dispersing the continuously striking thunderbolts.
Ran Ben, Cai Lin, Mang Lie, and the others stood at the forefront, their gazes focused ahead.
There, the thunderclouds seemed to converge into a cloud platform spanning tens of thousands of zhang.
Behind the cloud platform, the space appeared in a fragmented state. However, one could still see countless streaks of light sweeping across the sky like meteors.
Everyone present could sense that within those streaking lights, droplets of liquid flickering with lightning were gathering.
An extremely pure and violent power emanated from it.
"That is... Thunder Essence?"
Greedy looks appeared simultaneously on the faces of Ran Ben and the others. Thunder Essence was something born only when the power of thunder between heaven and earth was refined to an extreme degree.
This substance possessed miraculous effects of cleansing the marrow and reforging the bones, and could also temper the physical body. Its value was in no way inferior to Blood Spirit Clay.
Ran Ben and the others gradually withdrew their greedy gazes. The Thunder Essence was located behind the cloud platform; clearly, to obtain it, they must pass through this thundercloud platform.
And this was the barrier to the fourth level.
Only by breaking through here could one enter the fourth level of the Body Refining Tower!
Their gazes fell on the rear of the cloud platform. There, ten thunder-light meditation mats, each about a zhang in size, flickered faintly. Seeing these ten thunder-light mats, their eyes flashed.
They all understood that those ten thunder-light mats represented the available quotas to enter the fourth level.
In other words, nearly half the people here would be eliminated on this thundercloud platform.
Such an elimination rate was undeniably cruel.
However, Ran Ben, Han Yue, Mang Lie, and the others remained calm and silent, a quiet confidence gathering within them. Clearly, they all had immense faith in their own strength—among those five spots, they were certain one would be theirs.
Only Cai Lin appeared indifferent, though her beautiful eyes showed faint concern as she looked behind her. Although she had confidence in Mo Yu, the fact that he had remained out of sight for so long made her uneasy.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
While Ran Ben and the others silently waited for time to pass, sounds of air being split occasionally echoed from far behind. Soon, several somewhat battered figures gradually approached.
These were the prodigies of various clans who had slightly fallen behind Ran Ben and the others. Upon seeing the ten thunder-light mats, their pupils contracted, their expressions instantly becoming much more solemn.
Clearly, they all understood just how difficult it would be to seize even one of the ten mats.
Figures stood suspended in the thunder-wracked sky, each maintaining a cautious distance from the others, obviously vigilant.
Ran Ben slightly opened his previously closed eyes, glanced around, and the corner of his lips lifted. As expected, only nineteen people had made it this far.
It seemed that Mo Yu of the Swallowing Sky Python Tribe had indeed been eliminated.
"How laughable."
Ran Ben muttered softly, then shook his head, no longer intending to pay attention to such a failure. Sweeping his gaze across the others present, he spoke with a faint smile.
"Everyone, time is nearly up. Shall we step onto the thunder platform together? As for who succeeds… that depends on one's capability."
In the distance, Han Yue, Xu Lie, and the others nodded indifferently.
Seeing this, Ran Ben smiled and took the lead.
However, just as he was about to step onto the thundercloud platform, his expression suddenly shifted. He sharply turned his head, looking toward the distant rear with doubt.
At the same time, Cai Lin, Mang Lie, and the others also narrowed their eyes, having sensed an extremely astonishing spiritual fluctuation spreading from behind.
"Someone is still coming?!" Sensing this aura, everyone was shocked. They exchanged looks, their hearts trembling slightly.
"It's Mo Yu! He actually made it here at this moment!"
Even Han Yue, usually indifferent, revealed some emotion on his face. Looking into the distance, he said in a deep voice, "Such speed. Does he not fear the thunder here?"
Clearly, he had sensed that the spiritual fluctuation was charging forward recklessly, as if unconcerned about being struck dead by lightning.
Boom!
As shock rippled through the prodigies, the thunder behind grew even more violent. In just a few breaths, they saw a streak of black light, like a giant ape, tear through the dark world and roar forward.
Bolts of thunder descended one after another. But when they struck that black streak of light, the figure merely trembled slightly—its speed remained completely unaffected.
Swoosh!
The black light flashed and finally appeared outside the thunder platform. As the black light dispersed, a young figure emerged under everyone's watchful eyes.
The dark light faded; Mo Yu stood suspended in the air. He looked toward those staring at him and smiled faintly. "Thank you all for waiting."
His feet stepped upon black light, his figure slender, a dark sheen flowing across his skin.
At this moment, facing Mo Yu who arrived with the power of wind and thunder, even formidable figures like Ran Ben and Han Yue narrowed their eyes. Clearly, they had sensed a faint trace of danger emanating from him.
"This guy… he seems stronger than before?!" Ran Ben's expression remained emotionless, but his hand involuntarily clenched. He could feel that Mo Yu was now somewhat different from earlier.
Cai Lin merely smiled, the corner of her lips curving into a sensual arc that spoke of inevitability.
Han Yue gazed deeply at Mo Yu, then swept his eyes across the platform. "Since everyone is here, let's begin. Whoever enters the fourth level will depend on individual strength."
As his words fell, he moved without hesitation, transforming into light and shadow before landing on the thundercloud platform. He stood with hands behind his back, but faintly, a savage aura began to erupt from him, chilling to the bone.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Following Han Yue, the others also shot forth, landing upon the thundercloud platform while still keeping their distance from one another.
Mo Yu also landed upon the thunder platform, his gaze flickering. Judging by this setup, the challenge to the fourth level appeared to be a battle royale. Regardless of method, only the ten who remained standing on this platform would qualify to enter the fourth level.
"Eliminating half, is it?"
Mo Yu muttered, and spiritual light gathered at his fingertips.
Just as spiritual light gradually condensed in his palm, Ran Ben's eyes narrowed, and he turned his head toward another direction.
There stood a black-robed man. At this moment, that man stared coldly at Mo Yu. This person was the Thunder Serpent Tribe prodigy, who had previously crossed paths with Mo Yu and Cai Lin in the meteor belt.
Their gazes briefly crossed, seemingly reaching an agreement. The black-robed man let out a chilling smile and stepped forward directly toward Mo Yu.
Cai Lin and Mang Lie immediately noticed the Thunder Serpent prodigy targeting Mo Yu. Their brows furrowed, and they were about to intercept him.
But just as they moved, figures flashed before them—Ran Ben appeared in front of Cai Lin with a half-smile, while a prodigy from the Heavenly Dog Tribe, friendly with Ran Ben, blocked Mang Lie.
"I have long heard of the Nine-Colored Swallowing Sky Python's fame in the Spirit Beast Realm. I hope to learn from you," Ran Ben said faintly, gazing at Cai Lin's stunning beauty and icy demeanor.
Cai Lin stared at him coldly. It was clear he was intentionally stalling her to give the Thunder Serpent prodigy time to take out Mo Yu.
"You're courting death," Cai Lin said, her voice icy.
"Is that so?"
Ran Ben chuckled, tilting his head to glance at the black-robed man who had already reached Mo Yu. A hint of cold amusement flashed in his eyes.
That kid rushed here with all his might, yet he'd probably be the first to be eliminated.
On the other side, the Thunder Serpent prodigy stood before Mo Yu. Grinning and baring his pale teeth chillingly, he pointed toward the edge of the platform.
"Mo Yu, is it? If you jump off now, you might still make it in time. Otherwise, you may die here, and there won't even be anyone to collect your corpse."
Mo Yu merely stared at him indifferently. That expression instantly ignited fury and killing intent in the black-robed man's heart, because to him, Mo Yu looked as though he were staring at an idiot.
"Courting death!"
Murderous intent surged. The black-robed man stomped fiercely, and a violent and overwhelming force of spiritual energy burst from within.
Within that vast wave of spiritual power, arcs of lightning flickered, thunder roared, as if resonating with the lightning that raged across the heavens.
A powerful pressure radiated from his body.
Sensing it, Mo Yu raised an eyebrow. This Thunder Serpent Tribe prodigy appeared to possess extremely strong resonance with the thunder power between heaven and earth. Even his spiritual force contained thunder energy, making it incredibly violent.
"I'd like to see what someone of merely Sixth Grade Sovereign strength can actually do here!"
The black-robed prodigy's eyes brimmed with killing intent. The next moment, thunder roared as his figure turned into lightning and shot forth, his speed akin to a flash of electricity. In an instant, he appeared above Mo Yu in midair.
Boom!
With a cold expression, he looked down upon Mo Yu and struck down with a palm. In his palm, boundless thunder gathered. Though the palm descended lightly, it carried nearly destructive power.
"Great Thunder Palm!"
The palm gathered countless bolts of lightning—one strike to shatter the heavens.
Thunderlight reflected in Mo Yu's pupils as he looked at the black-robed prodigy descending with raging thunder. His eyes narrowed slightly.
This man was clearly stronger than the previous one from the Red Python Tribe. It was no wonder he was considered a prodigy of the Thunder Serpent Tribe—definitely not to be underestimated.
Yet despite the ferocity of the palm strike, Mo Yu showed no hint of fear. Instead, deep within his eyes, blazing battle intent surged. He could feel his blood and flesh stirring, yearning for combat.
After enduring the tempering of three entire levels of the Body Refining Tower, the power dormant within his blood and flesh had become exceedingly potent.
Though the Shaking-Heaven Force Ape might not be one of the strongest spirit beast bloodlines, Mo Yu had fully excavated its potential. His current strength likely surpassed even the prodigies of the Force Ape Tribe.
With an indifferent expression, brilliant black light erupted from his body. His bones trembled, as if echoing the roar of a giant ape within.
Thud!
Blood and qi surged. The power could no longer be contained. Mo Yu stomped down fiercely and shot upward, charging directly toward the descending palm.
"Courting death!"
Seeing Mo Yu charge in head-on, the black-robed prodigy let out a savage grin. The thunder amassed within his palm became even more violent.
Explosive thunder roared as though shaking the heavens. Lightning coiled around his palm, which seemed to swell to hundreds of times its size, like a thunderous mountain crushing upon Mo Yu.
Swoosh!
Mo Yu's ghost-like figure suddenly appeared midair. Staring at the giant thunderous palm descending like a mountain, he took a deep breath. In that instant, his arms grew long and pitch-black, like iron-forged ape arms—unleashing terrifying power.
Shaking-Heaven Arm!
A force akin to shaking heaven and earth erupted from Mo Yu's arms. The power was so overwhelming, even he felt somewhat astonished.
As his physical body had advanced over this period, Mo Yu gradually realized that the true power of a divine beast body was being awakened.
"This punch… is called Shaking-Heaven Arm, Great Ape King Fist!"
Veins bulged like coiling dragons beneath the skin of his elongated, blackened arms. He lifted his head, watching the lightning mountain-like palm grow rapidly in his vision. Through the thunderlight, he could see the savage expression on the black-robed prodigy's face.
The man was already savoring the thrill of crushing Mo Yu with his palm.
Unfortunately for him, that wish would not come true.
Mo Yu smiled faintly, then without hesitation, hurled his terrifying fist—shrouded in black light—straight forward. Carrying unimaginable weight, his fist smashed directly into the colossal thunder palm.
The moment the punch landed, space itself shattered.
(END CHAPTER)
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