Chapter 647 646: Han Xuanming

"No, this is impossible!"

Lin Yuantu's body was smashed to smithereens by that seemingly crude and ordinary sword strike.

His aura vanished in an instant.

At that exact moment, every Tutor shot to their feet.

The pleasant ease of watching a good show was completely gone from their faces.

In its place were shock, confusion, doubt, and a hint of fear.

"That's Instructor Lin Yuantu, an existence at the Half-Step True God Level! How could he…"

Someone sighed softly.

Their eyes were filled with utter disbelief.

And it wasn't just the Tutors; the academy's True God Level Elders were equally stunned.

If the Demigod Level Tutors, amidst their fear, shock, and confusion, still harbored a sliver of doubt, suspecting that Yang Xiao's sword strike didn't represent his true strength, then the True God Level Elders saw it with perfect clarity.

That sword strike.

Was born from the boy's own power.

That was why their shock was even greater.

After all, most of the True God-level powerhouses present were only Tier One True Gods. And as Tier One True Gods, while they were much stronger than the so-called Quasi True God Lin Yuantu, killing him with a single sword strike was practically impossible.

Unless the one attacking was a Tier Two True God.

Of course, by their judgment, the power Yang Xiao had just unleashed was nowhere near the level of a Tier Two True God; it hadn't even reached Tier One True God.

It was merely the power of a Demigod Peak.

The only explanation was that Lin Yuantu had grossly underestimated his opponent, thinking only of killing Yang Xiao with a single punch and failing to guard against the young man's counterattack.

That was the only way it could have happened.

But even so.

It was still incredibly strong.

More importantly, from the beginning of the confrontation until now, Yang Xiao had killed two people in succession: Zhou Tao, at the Great Divine Power Realm Sixth Stage Peak, and Lin Yuantu, at the Half-Step True God Level.

In both attacks, the power he unleashed wasn't particularly overwhelming compared to his opponents; it could only be considered on par with them.

Simply put, when he killed Zhou Tao, the power Yang Xiao unleashed was comparable to Zhou Tao's.

When he killed Lin Yuantu, the power he unleashed was also comparable to Lin Yuantu's.

So.

Who could say for certain that this Half-Step True God Level of destructive power was his absolute limit?

If this kid was still hiding his strength, then just how powerful was he really?

Realizing this,

the expressions of the Tier One True Gods, and even the Tier Two True Gods, shifted slightly.

Their gazes on Yang Xiao

were filled with immense apprehension.

At that moment, however,

Yang Xiao smiled.

"A pack of cowardly rats!"

The words were undisguised. Though not loud, everyone present was a powerful expert; how could they not hear?

In an instant,

many faces flushed red with shame.

Others were furious.

But when they recalled how Yang Xiao had just slain Lin Yuantu with a single strike, they couldn't help but shrink back.

Only one person

stepped forward.

His expression was grim and his features ugly. It was the very same Half-Step True God Level Tutor who had earlier called Lin Yuantu shameless, but in an appreciative way.

"It's Han Xuanming!"

The moment he stepped out,

many people's gazes sharpened.

"Han Xuanming has always been on par with Lin Yuantu. Letting him test the waters might allow us to gauge this kid's true strength."

A True God Level Elder suddenly sent a sound transmission to the others.

The other True God-level powerhouses

all nodded in agreement.

Just now, Yang Xiao had called them cowardly rats.

They were deeply displeased.

But as ageless and immortal True Gods, they had no desire to confront Yang Xiao at this moment.

It was too dangerous.

If this guy was truly a tiger pretending to be a pig, then it was quite possible they'd be walking to their own deaths.

Even if the kid was later killed by Star God Academy, or even by the men brought by the Third Young Master, avenging them—they would still be dead.

What good was revenge then?

Therefore, each and every one of these True God Level Elders was eager to see how Han Xuanming would fare against Yang Xiao.

In fact,

some had already sent secret sound transmissions,

ordering Han Xuanming to use his full strength.

With that,

Han Xuanming, who had originally just been disgruntled and wanted to teach Yang Xiao a small lesson, was now forced to go all out.

His sinister, vicious eyes locked onto Yang Xiao.

His heart was filled with killing intent.

'A mere Small Divine Ability Realm brat, not even twenty years old—how strong can he be? How dare he act tough in front of me, Han Xuanming, and call me a cowardly rat? Still, that sword strike of his had some tricks to it, so I should be careful. But as long as I don't let him touch me, what the hell is there to be afraid of?'

Han Xuanming sneered.

He appeared cold and arrogant, but in reality, he was a man of extreme insecurity. Otherwise, upon breaking through to the Demigod Realm, he wouldn't have slaughtered the entire clan of the woman who had scorned him for his ugliness—a woman from a family with generational ties to his own.

He didn't even spare the members of his own family.

It was because

he was insecure.

Therefore, the people he couldn't stand the most weren't those who defeated him, but those who looked down on him. A moment ago, Yang Xiao's taunt of "cowardly rats" had thoroughly enraged him.

Otherwise, having no particular relationship with Lin Yuantu, why would he have stepped forward?

Moreover, driven by curiosity, he had been paying closer attention to Yang Xiao than any other Tutor.

He knew the power Yang Xiao had just unleashed was no weaker than a Demigod Peak, but it seemed crude and not any stronger than his own.

Normally,

he might have been as apprehensive of Yang Xiao as the True God Level Elders were.

But that one taunt—"cowardly rats"—

stabbed him right where it hurt.

He felt deeply insulted.

Furthermore, unlike the True God Level Elders, Han Xuanming simply didn't believe this was Yang Xiao's own power. He still thought it was strength produced through some special means.

Because he himself

possessed such means. The fortuitous encounters Han Xuanming had experienced to become a Half-Step True God Level powerhouse step-by-step were beyond what any outsider could imagine.

Taking a massive step back,

even if this kid in front of him truly did possess strength comparable to the Half-Step True God Level,

so what?

Once he used his trump card, even a True God would have to kneel.

Therefore, Han Xuanming wasn't the least bit worried about being in any danger.

He only cared about

the insult this guy before him had delivered.

'This insult can only be washed away with his blood.'

Han Xuanming sneered inwardly.

Just then,

Yang Xiao's gaze fell upon him.

It was only natural.

Among so many people, only one had stepped forward. It would have been difficult for Yang Xiao not to notice him.

Not to mention,

the killing intent rolling off the man was so obvious.

"Interesting. Looks like another one has come to test the waters."

Yang Xiao smiled faintly.

He had spoken the words lightly, with no other meaning intended.

But to Han Xuanming's ears, they became a taunt, mocking him for being someone else's attack dog sent to probe his strength.

Instantly,

Han Xuanming's already unpleasant expression turned even uglier.

Without another word,

he raised a hand from a distance

and blasted a palm strike toward Yang Xiao.

Immediately,

a frigid energy surged through the world,

sweeping toward Yang Xiao like a world-engulfing tide.