Chapter 136 - 135: A Ruthless Hand on a Flower

Liu Ziyan, having activated her Martial Vein Power and the Blood Burning Technique, elevated her combat prowess to the level of a Sunshine Student, making her even more troublesome than Xu Mengxin.

Although Luo Tian was confident he could win, it wouldn’t be simple to defeat her easily.

If he were to use the Blood Burning Technique himself, or try to wear her down through a battle of attrition, he would be playing right into Liu Ziyan’s hands.

This was because, waiting after Liu Ziyan was the far more powerful Seventh Prince, Li Yao.

"Hmph! I will make you suffer a great fall."

Li Yao’s smile was radiant, but a cold, harsh glint flashed in his eyes.

’Defeat Luo Tian?’

The Seventh Prince was already eighty percent sure of victory, but merely defeating him wasn’t enough.

After he was worn down by both Xu Mengxin and Liu Ziyan, then, Li Yao would strike like lightning, manufacturing a "slip-up" to heavily injure him. The higher Luo Tian stood, the harder he would fall.

But both the Seventh Prince and Liu Ziyan had underestimated Luo Tian.

「On Platform 1.」

Faced with Liu Ziyan’s deliberate attempt to wear him down, Luo Tian’s gaze remained sharp, and his demeanor was calm and unhurried.

Celestial Star Second Technique, Star Shifting Shadow!

Luo Tian’s Body Technique and Swordsmanship moved as one as he infused them with fifty to sixty percent of his Divine Vein Power.

SWISH! WHOOSH! SHING! SHING!

His flickering, phantom-like Body Technique, combined with the Starlight Sword Aura’s illusory and real attacks, assailed Liu Ziyan from all directions.

Strands of tyrannical Yin Netherworld Cold Power weaved through his attacks, clashing with Liu Ziyan’s Martial Vein Power.

The Celestial Star Second Technique, Star Shifting Shadow, didn’t consume much energy, and he hadn’t fully activated his Divine Vein.

Under these conditions, Luo Tian kept his own energy consumption to a minimum while placing immense pressure on Liu Ziyan.

BOOM! BOOM! HISS!

The purple mist manifesting from Liu Ziyan’s Martial Vein wavered under the assault, its light dimming as frost began to form upon it.

Luo Tian’s unpredictable Body Technique and his Star Shifting Shadow threw her into disarray, forcing her into a completely defensive and reactive position.

"In terms of Martial Arts accomplishment, Liu Ziyan is more than just a step behind Luo Tian."

From the spectator stands, Vice Manor Master Yue remarked with a sigh.

Combat strength forcibly boosted by a Secret Technique was ultimately unreliable; she was being completely overwhelmed by Luo Tian’s superior Martial Arts Realm.

Even the Martial Vein Power from her Earth Tier Martial Vein, which she was so confident in, was being soundly suppressed by Luo Tian.

"This boy’s Martial Vein is at least Earth Tier Middle Grade."

A sharp glint flashed in the eyes of the Poison Dragon Mansion Master from the Martial Kun Holy Mansion.

From the perspective of a Holy Mansion Master, he could naturally see the deeper gap between Luo Tian and Liu Ziyan.

Luo Tian’s path of cultivation was built step by step. His Cultivation Technique was profound, and his mastery of Martial Skills was extremely high.

"Hahaha... Liu Ziyan! Are you so terrified of me that you don’t even have a shred of conviction you can win?"

Luo Tian let out a long laugh, his eyes fixed on the purely defensive Liu Ziyan.

WHOOSH!

Luo Tian’s robes and hair whipped about as his eyes radiated an oppressive, divine light of absolute confidence.

BOOM!

The color drained from Liu Ziyan’s pretty face. Her heart trembled as Luo Tian’s words struck a vulnerable chord deep within her.

Facing the Luo Tian of today, she had long felt outmatched, a feeling mixed with hatred and fear.

In that instant, Liu Ziyan’s tight defense faltered in her panic, revealing an opening that Luo Tian immediately exploited to press his advantage.

"Ziyan! Don’t fall for it! This is a psychological attack!"

The Seventh Prince Li Yao’s expression changed.

’A psychological attack!’

Some in the crowd had also figured it out.

"Liu Ziyan, what you truly fear is my rapid growth," Luo Tian’s voice was low, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

He wasn’t merely using psychological warfare; he had subtly infused his words with the power of the Demon Thought Technique, making his voice and gaze carry a soul-shaking impact.

"No! Shut up—"

Liu Ziyan put on a fierce front, gritting her teeth, but she couldn’t hide the panic and guilt in her heart.

Her schemes and assassination attempts had failed time and time again.

Luo Tian’s constant growth and immense potential filled her with fear and anxiety.

It was extremely difficult to consciously suppress such a deep-seated flaw in her mental state.

What’s more, Luo Tian wasn’t just using psychological tactics; he was augmenting them with the Demon Thought Technique.

"My growth is unstoppable! Within half a year, I will claim the number one spot on the Human List!"

A tyrannical, oppressive light shone from Luo Tian’s eyes.

Ah!

Liu Ziyan’s body and soul trembled. She nearly let out a scream as fear consumed her.

’Claim the top spot on the Human List?’

The spectators were shaken, finding it hard to believe.

’What arrogance from this Luo Tian!’

A peculiar glint flashed through Xia Bingyue’s beautiful, ethereally cold eyes.

"No! You arrogant brat, I don’t believe you..."

Luo Tian’s display of power and dominance had shaken even the onlookers. Liu Ziyan was so shocked and enraged she started speaking incoherently.

"Heh! Even the man backing you will be defeated by me. You will forever live in my shadow, always looking up."

Luo Tian let out a wicked laugh, seeming to transform into an Evil Monarch.

This statement was like a sledgehammer, shattering Liu Ziyan’s psychological pillar of support. Her body swayed, her face paled, and she was on the verge of collapse.

PFFT! SHHNK!

A couple of Starlight Sword Auras, shifting from concealed to visible, left bloody gashes on Liu Ziyan.

A chill ran down Liu Ziyan’s spine, jolting her back to her senses.

"Ziyan! Control your emotions! Watch out for his Spiritual Secret Technique!" the Seventh Prince roared through a voice transmission.

’Damn it! I fell for his trick.’

Liu Ziyan mostly regained her composure, but she was seething with shame and anger.

In front of everyone, Luo Tian had exposed and shattered her innermost weakness, causing her immense public humiliation.

And now, not only was Liu Ziyan lightly injured, but under the pressure of Luo Tian’s assault, she was in constant retreat, unable to defend herself.

"Celestial Star Six Techniques, Starfire, Spreading Like Wildfire!"

Luo Tian pressed his advantage. With a flick of his Wind and Snow Sword, the surrounding Starlight Sword Auras converged, seeming to ignite.

WHOOSH-BOOM!

A massive blade of light, like a spreading wildfire, churned the frigid air. It resembled a great dragon of starfire as it ruthlessly slammed into Liu Ziyan.

’So strong!’

The terrifying might of this sword strike made the hearts of the crowd pound with fear.

PFFT! PFFT! HISS!

The violet-blood glow and Martial Vein Power protecting Liu Ziyan were forcefully shattered, breaking apart layer by layer.

BANG! WAH!

In the next moment, her delicate body was sent flying, and she coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"How could this be..."

Liu Ziyan’s face was ashen. Dazed and dispirited, she couldn’t process what had just happened.

She had been focused solely on defense, hoping only to wear him down.

’How did I lose so quickly?’

Luo Tian’s sudden, powerful sword strike had completely overwhelmed her, leaving her stunned.

SWISH!

Luo Tian shadowed her movements like a wisp of smoke, suddenly appearing before Liu Ziyan.

Intense unwillingness filled Liu Ziyan’s heart. She wanted to counterattack, but the movement aggravated her injuries. She grunted in pain and her body faltered.

The next moment, Luo Tian was in front of her. Without a word, he slapped her across the face.

SLAP!

Liu Ziyan’s beautiful, resentful face was knocked to the side, a red and swelling handprint already forming.

"You... you slapped me..."

Liu Ziyan’s face was filled with resentment, shame, and rage. An intense feeling of humiliation washed over her.

She was a renowned beauty and a genius on the Human List!

To have her innermost thoughts exposed, to be so utterly defeated, and then to be slapped in public—what an insult!

But Luo Tian wasn’t finished after just one slap.

SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!

Luo Tian delivered a series of slaps, battering her face until her head wobbled left and right.

"Ah..."

The crowd was stunned. A beauty as delicate as a flower was having her face beaten by Luo Tian like this.

"Stop it!"

The Seventh Prince roared, utterly enraged.

"Stop at once!"

The referee also reacted. Furious and embarrassed, he released an immense pressure, preparing to intervene.

Luo Tian’s actions were a disgrace to the Wu Mansion’s grand event.

"Senior! She hasn’t collapsed, nor has she conceded. What if I stop and she counterattacks?"

Luo Tian was prepared for this.

Upon hearing this, the referee was left speechless, caught in a dilemma.

According to the rules of the Wu Mansion’s grand event, Liu Ziyan had not conceded, was still on the Martial Combat Platform, and could potentially counterattack. Luo Tian’s actions were, technically, within the rules.

"I..."

A few more resounding slaps sent Liu Ziyan’s head spinning. She was so dazed she couldn’t even speak the words to concede.

"Get lost!"

Luo Tian roared and launched a flying kick!

THWACK!

The kick connected with Liu Ziyan’s delicate face, sending her flying off the Martial Combat Platform with a dirty black shoe print stamped on her cheek.

This scene left the students in the audience stunned, a chill running down their spines.

’How could Luo Tian bring himself to do that to such a beautiful genius?’

Inevitably, Luo Tian cemented a cold-hearted image in everyone’s minds—that of a man who would mercilessly crush a beautiful flower.

"Ziyan!"

Li Yao roared and flew over to catch Liu Ziyan.

Seeing her swollen and battered face, especially the conspicuous, filthy shoe print, he began to tremble with a rage that burned within him.

Liu Ziyan was Li Yao’s woman.

Luo Tian’s actions were a direct slap to his face, a trampling of the Seventh Prince’s dignity.

"Number 66 wins."

The referee announced Luo Tian’s victory, his brow slightly furrowed.

This was Luo Tian’s fifth consecutive victory.

As he walked off the Martial Combat Platform, Luo Tian met Li Yao’s gaze, which was burning with murderous rage.

At the same time, he felt a different gaze, one so cold it pierced his very soul. It felt like a sharp sword stabbing into him, chilling him to the bone.

This gaze came from Xia Bingyue!

Xia Bingyue’s picturesque brows furrowed slightly. She was disgusted by how Luo Tian had just humiliated Liu Ziyan.

"Pray you don’t run into me."

Xia Bingyue’s voice was as tranquil as a secluded valley, but her peerlessly beautiful, ice-cold face now showed a trace of hostility.

Immediately, the people around Platform 1 looked at Luo Tian with schadenfreude.

Luo Tian’s ruthless act had made many people sympathize with Liu Ziyan.

It was because of this that Xia Bingyue had developed a poor impression of Luo Tian.

If she encountered Luo Tian in the tournament, she would be sure to teach him a lesson.

"Luo Tian! What kind of man are you, humiliating a defenseless woman like that?"

"Fairy Xia, Seventh Prince, you two must teach this brat a good lesson!"

Quite a few people in the crowd, filled with righteous indignation, began to condemn him.

Of course, their condemnations were only verbal. They wouldn’t dare make a move against a ruthless and domineering "villain" like Luo Tian.

Luo Tian sneered internally, feeling not a single shred of regret.

’This woman, Liu Ziyan, is as venomous as a viper, yet these people who know nothing of the truth are quick to label me a villain.’

’A woman who tried to have me killed time and time again.’

’If I wasn’t so lucky and blessed by fortune, an ordinary person in my shoes would have died several times over by now.’

Luo Tian only regretted that the venue prevented him from killing her. Doing so would ruin his own future, and the gain was not worth the loss.

Within the rules of the tournament, Luo Tian had slapped and stomped on Liu Ziyan’s face, finally venting some of his pent-up anger.

’When I have the chance in the future, I must eliminate this woman to truly settle this score.’

「Time passed.」

The fifth round of the tournament concluded, eliminating another batch of students.

Now, fewer than five competitors still maintained a perfect winning streak.

Xia Bingyue, the Seventh Prince, and Luo Tian were among the few who held a glorious record of five consecutive victories.

’The sixth round is about to start.’

Luo Tian’s eyes glinted.

In the next round, the probability of him facing either Xia Bingyue or the Seventh Prince was extremely high. It was bound to be one of them.

The Seventh Prince hated him to the bone and would surely seek insane revenge.

Xia Bingyue was disgusted with him, so not only would she show no mercy, she would actively try to teach him a lesson.

No matter who it was, Luo Tian possessed the heart of a true expert and did not fear any challenge!