Chapter 340: Brutal Talent

Everyone was somewhat surprised. The weakest one was the first to make this decision, and what basis did he have to guess the next layer of the illusion?

Long Feixue couldn't ask, but Hei Wukai laughed heartily. He was the epitome of fearlessness, and since Old Wang had recovered so quickly, it seemed he had found a way to deal with the Black Hole Syndrome. Hei Wukai was even more curious to see if the next layer was as Old Wang had said: "Since you've put it that way, I have to go down and see for myself."

Long Feixue smiled. He had no intention of retreating. Since he had come, why would he miss out?

"Then I'll go in first," Old Wang said, no longer hesitating. After speaking, he was the first to plunge in, and Mapeier naturally followed without hesitation.

"Feixue, I'll go ahead," Hei Wukai greeted, following closely behind.

Princess Xue, who had initially suggested giving up, bit her silver teeth in frustration and followed without a word.

Long Feixue smiled slightly. He was determined to explore further, but he hadn't expected Wang Feng to be the most confident. Perhaps everyone had misjudged this little spy. To have come this far, he couldn't possibly be Thunder Dragon's puppet.

Long Feixue's white robe fluttered as he followed gracefully, leaving the somewhat dazed Shadowblade Fa Cang at the entrance.

Fa Cang was genuinely stunned. It wasn't surprising that Long Feixue and Hei Wukai chose to enter. Two strong individuals who had already stepped into the Ghost Level, even if only one foot was through the threshold, were beyond his comprehension. But he hadn't expected even Cang Jue, who was of similar strength to him, and that supposedly weakest, Wang Feng from the Holy Sanctuary, to have the courage to enter.

At this moment, Fa Cang's resolve wavered slightly. Losing to Long Feixue and Hei Wukai wasn't shameful, but to be inferior to two women and Wang Feng...

Boom!

As he was lost in thought, the barriers of the surrounding space shattered violently. The altar space began to collapse from the edges towards the center, large chunks of the ground splitting and falling into the endless void below.

Fa Cang's head heated up slightly, and he was about to follow them in, but at that moment, a sharp pain in his chest caused his Soul Power to become unbalanced, making his vision darken and his steps falter.

Enough of this!

Finally jolted back to reality, he shook his head slightly, stopped in his tracks, and let the space completely collapse. Watching the entrance to the next layer disappear, his body fell with the crumbling rocks into the enormous vortex of the void.

Dragon City.

With the experience from the first layer, knowing that those who came out weren't all at the same point, both the Nine Gods and the League of Blades had made ample preparations for reception this time.

Warriors from both fortresses were already stationed throughout Dragon City and its surroundings, on high alert for several days. It was noon when suddenly, beams of light streaked down from the sky. At the center of Dragon City, a figure tumbled out of the light. The tall figure looked slightly disheveled, and many from both sides saw it—it was Steel Demon Kaiser.

Honestly, both sides were surprised. With Kaiser's strength, he hadn't even made it past the second layer, and surviving meant he had voluntarily withdrawn. This disappointed many from the Nine Gods, especially since a large number of Holy Sanctuary Disciples had voluntarily withdrawn at the end of the first layer, while only three from the War Academy had withdrawn, which had greatly boosted the Nine Gods' reputation for bravery. But this time, it was someone from the Nine Gods who came out first.

However, upon seeing Kaiser's condition, even the Nine Gods warriors who had been cursing in their hearts immediately became solemn.

This top expert, ranked third in the War Academy, had lost an arm, which he held in his own hand. This was only the second layer of the illusion. Was it really that dangerous? Did that mean...

This was no time for hesitation.

The illusion only collapses and allows exit when it's about to end. Since Kaiser had appeared, the others must be close behind. Warriors from both the Nine Gods and the League of Blades immediately prepared. Indeed, just over ten seconds later, disciples choosing to return began to descend upon Dragon City in large numbers.

Beams of light continuously streaked down from the sky, falling into various parts of Dragon City. As soon as someone appeared, they were immediately checked and treated. Of course, there were instances of misplacement, but no one openly caused trouble. After all, Dragon City wasn't that big, and both sides were everywhere, so they chose to escort and exchange each other. Naturally, there were questions asked, and some special cases, but overall, nothing too extreme.

Fan Te Xi was fortunate, landing directly in the southeast corner of Dragon City near the League of Blades' fortress. After days of groping in the dark caverns and fleeing for his life, constantly on edge, suddenly falling into the light and seeing so many warriors in League of Blades' fortress uniforms, a wave of security washed over him. Especially when a beautiful exorcist came to check his body, offering delicious food, clean water, and a bumpy but effortless ride in a modified military vehicle, Ah Xi was almost moved to tears.

Thank the heavens, my parents, Feng, the earth, Famier, and her family's eighth uncle, I, Fan Te Xi, have finally returned alive!

On the route back to the League of Blades' fortress, military vehicles were busy shuttling back and forth. Inside the League of Blades' fortress camp, most of the Holy Sanctuary Disciples who had chosen to withdraw during the first layer were still there. The scene of large-scale light beams falling from the sky over Dragon City had already caught their attention. Now, they were waiting by the roadside in the camp. As modified military vehicles arrived, many were peeking out, some waiting for their friends and teammates, others observing the situation of their academy's competitors. As the vehicles entered the camp, many Holy Sanctuary Disciples came forward to inquire and gather information.

"Is there anyone from Dragon Moon Holy Sanctuary on the vehicle?"

"Zhang Han? Is Zhang Han on the vehicle?"

"Brother! That brother from West Peak! Have you seen any of our Sand Eagle Holy Sanctuary disciples?"

"Which Holy Sanctuary disciple has news about our Canglan Holy Sanctuary disciples? Please let me know, I would be extremely grateful!"

The place was bustling with voices, some embracing and crying, others silently weeping. When they first came to the Blade Temple, they might have been the proud and arrogant prodigies, but after experiencing all this, their arrogance has faded, their edges smoothed, and they are no longer the same youths they once were.

Ah Xi didn't pay attention to these scenes, and no one was paying attention to him either. Everyone from Rose and Ice Spirit was safe and should have come out by now, definitely on the military vehicles behind. He went to the camp to register and then directly returned to the dormitory to wait. Sure enough, his friends returned one after another.

Kela, Winnie, Xue Zhiyu, and others waited a bit longer, even Aota and Mo Tong had returned, but Hei Wukai and Wang Feng were nowhere to be seen. Old Hei's strength was extraordinary, and this journey through the illusion had made everyone realize the gap between them and him even more. It felt like he was no longer on the same level as everyone else, so it was completely understandable that he didn't return, and no one would worry. But what was Wang Feng up to?

Fan Texi had just heard from Winnie that Wang Feng was with Mo Tong, so he quickly asked, "Mo Tong, where's Feng?"

"He's still inside!" Speaking of this, Mo Tong was furious: "That guy who never lets anyone rest easy, he actually colluded with someone to drag me down, that bald guy from Longyue, humph! That bald guy is as sneaky as Wang Feng, who shaves their head at such a young age? He even grabbed my hand, clearly not a good guy! If it weren't for the fact that we're all Holy Sanctuary disciples, I would have beaten him up!"

Xue Zhiyu was worried about this, she had just heard from Winnie about being pushed into the vortex by Wang Feng, and her concern couldn't help but show. Aota beside her scratched his head awkwardly: "Zhiyu, this really can't be blamed on me! I was definitely holding the front, fighting for them for a long time, Mo Tong can testify! I originally agreed with Wang Feng to leave together, but the problem is he stood me up at the critical moment and tricked me into coming back! You know, my big brother has ten thousand ways to deceive people, all different! Who can handle that..."

"Right, right!" Mo Tong nodded vigorously: "Wang Feng is no good, he never deceives people by the book, and he especially deceives acquaintances, even someone as smart as me has suffered a lot from him!"

"Indeed..." Winnie's face darkened: "I was also pushed down by him! What does he want? Does he think his life is too long, staying there to seek death?"

"Everyone, don't speak of Captain Wang Feng like that." Kela was probably the calmest among everyone. Honestly, following Hei Wukai through the dark caves these past few days, although her strength hadn't increased much, her perspective had truly broadened. Sometimes, what people lack at lower levels isn't talent or effort, but perspective. Only when you can see further can you reach higher places.

"Hasn't everyone noticed?" Kela said with a smile: "When the Naga appeared, the soul pressure was very difficult for us, but Captain Wang Feng faced it very easily..."

Everyone was stunned, Winnie opened her mouth, originally wanting to refute something, but couldn't: "...seems, a bit?"

"Kela's observation is too sharp! It's more than just a bit!" Aota immediately gave a thumbs up, as long as it could reassure Xue Zhiyu, he wished he could say now that Wang Feng was Wang Meng reincarnated, dominating inside, capturing the Naga like catching a chicken: "There's even more fierce stuff later!"

He exaggeratedly described the situation when the Naga transformed for the second time: "At that time, I could barely stand, but my big brother didn't even blink, he didn't take the Naga seriously at all! If you don't believe me, ask Mo Tong!"

Everyone immediately turned to look at Mo Tong, who puffed out his cheeks. He was a thousand, ten thousand times unwilling to say that Wang Feng was fierce, but at this time, he couldn't say the Naga wasn't fierce either, otherwise what would that make him for choosing to give up? To refute would be to kill eight hundred enemies at the cost of a thousand of his own, so he reluctantly said: "Well, Wang Feng was quite calm, he was standing quite far away at that time... but when the Naga transformed for the second time, it was really fierce, super fierce I tell you! I was holding the front at that time, even I couldn't hold on..."

Others knew too well about the relationship between Mo Tong and Wang Feng to believe he would speak for Wang Feng, so they listened with some skepticism. However, recalling the calm expression Wang Feng had when the Naga first appeared and forced everyone to leave, it did seem quite composed.

Honestly, although Wang Feng gave his friends the impression of being not very serious, every time they faced a desperate situation, he always had a way to turn the tide, or he would effortlessly defuse the crisis. In fact, everyone had unknowingly become accustomed to this, having a strange trust in him.

Winnie pouted: "That still doesn't cover up the fact that he deceived me... humph! When he comes out, see how I deal with him!"

Xue Zhiyu's mood had also calmed down by now, she had a general understanding of the situation, and there was no use worrying blindly here: "With Hei Wukai and Long Feixue there, there's still a chance to fight, but whether they can kill the Naga or not, they probably won't go any deeper. I'll go to the camp entrance to see, maybe they'll come back soon."

"I'll go too!"

"Let's go together!"

………

People from both sides had mostly returned, even representative figures like Ye Dun and Fu Yu had come out, and various statistical data quickly spread.

The current result was almost a complete wipeout, the original numerical gap between the Blade Temple and the Nine Gods had been completely leveled, with only three people left inside from each side.

From the War Academy side, Long Feixue, Cang Jue, Fa Cang, undoubtedly the top trio. From the Blade Temple, besides Hei Wukai who was in a league of his own, there was also the bottom-ranked Wang Feng, and an ordinary female disciple ranked beyond four hundred. Honestly, although the numbers were even, the quality difference was clear at a glance...

After the higher-ups from both sides learned about the Naga's strength, few still hoped to obtain the ultimate treasure of the Soul Illusion Realm. The danger of the illusion usually increases layer by layer, and with the power of a mid-level ghost appearing in the second layer, even Hei Wukai and Long Feixue would definitely not be able to withstand it further down. Currently, the most controversial and concerning issues about the illusion were only two.

Could the six people left in the illusion kill the Naga?

Frankly, neither side was optimistic, the mid-level ghost Naga had surpassed the limit that even the most talented at Tiger Peak could overcome, no matter how genius you are, sheer force can crush you.

The remaining question was the most crucial, could these six people still come out alive? And in what manner? Also, in this struggle between the Nine Gods and the Blade Temple, who would be the final winner?

This isn’t hard to figure out. Undoubtedly, the six who stayed until the end knew they carried a certain mission. Whether they could defeat Naga Luo or not, they would inevitably determine a winner before coming out, especially the much-anticipated battle between Hei Wukai and Long Feixue.

Both sides are abuzz with discussions and speculations, each favoring their own side. The mainstream view at the War Academy is that they have more top-tier experts left. Long Feixue, teamed with Cang Jue and Fa Cang, could absolutely crush Hei Wukai, who is dragging two liabilities. On the other hand, the League of Blades believes that the situation is too unpredictable. Just because the War Academy has Cang Jue and Fa Cang doesn’t guarantee victory, especially with the truly invincible Naga Luo standing in the way. After all, it’s often the skilled who drown. Maybe Wang Feng and his female follower are hiding, watching, and might end up benefiting. By the way, what’s the name of Wang Feng’s female follower? It seems she’s from Aurora City’s Judgement?

...It’s Mapeier! Andy was already on edge. In the eyes of others, Mapeier was far too inconspicuous.

Both sides are patiently waiting. Many of the higher-ups, and even some disciples, have chosen to return to Longcheng after resting to wait. After all, the battle with Naga Luo wouldn’t last too long, and regardless of the outcome, the final result would soon be revealed.

Sure enough, around dusk, a layer of mirage-like clouds in the sky gradually dissipated, and a beam of light shone through.

It seemed the second layer of the illusion disappeared. Someone had returned, which meant the battle was over, and Naga Luo had likely been defeated. But... only one person?

This was probably the final result. Both sides were immediately on edge. The landing point was in the city center, and most people rushed over there. Xue Zhiyu, Winnie, and the others were especially anxious.

Honestly, if only one of the six made it back, chances were slim it’d be Wang Feng.

This view wasn’t unique to Rose. Everyone believed the returnee would either be Long Feixue or Hei Wukai. But when they gathered at the spot and took a look, they were all dumbfounded. It was actually Fa Cang—Shadowblade Fa Cang!

Was he the ultimate victor? But what Fa Cang said next truly stunned everyone.

“Hei Wukai and Long Feixue reached the ghost level and killed Naga Luo. None of the six who stayed until the end died. Except for me, who chose to return, the others have already entered the third layer.”

Fa Cang’s voice was calm. This was an undeniable fact, but his words left the entire place in stunned silence.

“Ghost-level combat power? And two of them!”

“Long Feixue and Hei Wukai have both reached...”

“Once-in-a-generation talents, unmatched prodigies!”

After a brief silence, the crowd erupted. What ghost level meant was all too clear to these Tiger Peak-level disciples.

In fact, whether at the War Academy or the Holy Sanctuary, those who could step into the ghost level before graduation—even if only barely crossing the threshold—were exceedingly rare in the entire history of the academies. True ghost-level powerhouses were invariably top-tier geniuses who, after graduation, underwent numerous trials across the continent to reach that level. Looking at the current Holy Sanctuary, even the exceptionally talented Karida from a few years back only reached this stage after extensive training and experience, and that was in her mid-twenties. But how old are Long Feixue and Hei Wukai? Are they even twenty?

This is just insane talent! Beyond belief!