Chapter 571

Chapter 571: Mad with Cruelty

The third round of combat commenced. With nine participants remaining, one would inevitably receive a bye.

Fang Lie never entertained hopes of securing such an advantage. His gaze immediately locked onto the Ten-Thousand Gu Sect’s Five-Venom Fairy, anticipating her challenge.

During the first two rounds, the Ten-Thousand Gu Sect had consistently challenged him. Though Fang Lie had pledged to the Xuan Sect to confront the Golden Crow Ancient Kingdom’s Prince Gu Ren, this recurring nuisance demanded his attention first.

To his surprise, the Five-Venom Fairy remained motionless this time, as though she’d forgotten his existence entirely.

In truth, self-preservation governed her actions. Previously underestimating Fang Lie as weak prey, she’d boldly issued challenges. But witnessing him annihilate two formidable righteous sect experts had instilled deep fear.

Over a hundred indistinguishable clones, each possessing undying nature, spatial teleportation techniques, and two enigmatic karmic divine skills—who wouldn’t dread such an opponent? Moreover, Fang Lie had relied on years-old tactics, revealing merely two Eighth-rank Treasures at most.

The absence of new divine skills or secret techniques defied reason. Any participant in the Celestial Platform Competition would naturally prepare hidden trump cards. Even someone as simple-minded as Fang Lie understood this basic principle.

Five-Venom Fairy privately acknowledged her odds against Fang Lie’s current display were poor enough—let alone against his unrevealed capabilities. Sect honor paled before survival instincts, especially when a potential bye could propel her closer to victory.

Though Fang Lie harbored elimination intentions toward her, his resolve wavered. Having prioritized his promise to the Xuan Sect, he instead turned to the smug Golden Crow Prince. "Gu Ren! Face your death!"

Prince Gu Ren’s expression hardened. "What grudge exists between us?"

"You’re the weakest link here," Fang Lie taunted. "Among nine participants, only you cling to victory through shameless tactics. Did you truly believe dishonorable methods could conquer all?"

Laughter erupted from both righteous and demonic factions. Even most Demonic Path cultivators disdained hostage-taking strategies, maintaining their own codes of honor.

"Insolent whelp!" The prince’s face flushed crimson, veins bulging. "Today you’ll rue your arrogance!" He leapt onto the Celestial Platform first.

Fang Lie followed, sneering. "Make me regret it then. But know this—if you resort to slaughtering mortals for advantage, even your defeat will be contemptible."

"Your scorn means nothing!" Gu Ren roared. "Did you think petty taunts would restrain me? Die!"

Without allowing Fang Lie footing, the prince unleashed over a dozen thousand-foot Fire Dragons, each entwined with tens of thousands of mortals, hurtling forward.

Fang Lie grimaced. Despite his bold claims, the twenty-year-old couldn’t easily sacrifice millions. He retreated a thousand miles via Void Escape, then activated his blood clone technique—108 replicas materializing instantly.

The pursuing Fire Dragons found their target vanished, reappearing behind their master. This brilliant feint—luring enemies before bypassing them—showcased Void Escape’s supremacy.

Spectators murmured approval. "Without hostages restricting him, Fang Lie’s unleashed!"

Seizing the moment, Fang Lie activated the Great Thunder Sound Temple’s Bronze Chime Bells. All 108 bells resonated, generating sonic shockwaves that tsunami-crashed toward the prince.

This ancient relic’s combined might rivaled an eighth-rank top-grade treasure’s full power—enough to maim even Thunder Tribulation Immortals.

Yet Gu Ren reacted swiftly. Bellowing, his body erupted into golden flames coalescing into a ten-meter-tall Great Golden Crow—the Golden Crow Ancient Kingdom’s secret technique, Great Golden Crow Transformation.

This fiery avatar, composed of Golden Crow Heavenly Fire, proved impervious to physical strikes. Only superior Five Elements Dao Magic could breach its defenses—a rarity given the heavenly fire’s potency.

The bell barrage merely ruffled the flaming avatar. Fang Lie privately consulted his artifact spirit: "Why no effect? The bells attack both body and soul!"

"Fool!" the old bird snapped. "That form contains wisp of Divine Beast’s spirit soul! Even Ninth-Rank Treasures struggle against such defenses!"

Meanwhile, Gu Ren—shaken by his near-death—unleashed over a hundred Fire Dragons. But instead of attacking, he performed a vile sacrifice—detonating every mortal hostage.

Blood and souls merged into the dragons, transforming them into crimson Blood Dragons radiating lethal resentment. Each strike now equaled a Fire Tribulation Immortal’s assault, while their corrupting toxins threatened even Dao Bodies.

The prince’s true stratagem revealed itself—mortals weren’t mere bargaining chips, but components for this abominable technique. Such depravity transcended mere cruelty.