History Has Fallen Ill

Chapter 72: Jiang Yan's First Battle, Ruthless Overwhelming!

Lei Jun had not been swayed by the offer from the Tianshi Mansion because the Division had given him a small piece of the Kui‑niu descendant’s hide, which helped him successfully cultivate the transcendent-grade Sea of Trees Kui‑niu Foundation.

A cultivator continually evolved his body toward the ancient Kui‑niu, gaining a powerful physique and an intense battle will.

Thunder belonged to Jia Wood, symbolizing the outbreak of all things, and therefore was full of vitality.

It could temper one's own vitality and also enhance thunder techniques with it.

A cycle repeating endlessly, a continuous flow of life!

Boom!

In an instant, electricity engulfed Ge Xianyao's figure. Lei Jun did not lower his guard; he kept striking his chest, using thunder techniques to continue his assault, pressing the advantage.

A clash between experts—resolved in a moment!

“Arrogance is the greatest enemy. I accept this victory!”

Lei Jun was thrilled inside as he looked at Ge Xianyao trapped within the thunder prison. He couldn't help but feel the opponent was all name and no substance.

True geniuses, like himself, ascended to the peak one step at a time.

“Is that all the strength you have?”

Amidst the thunderous roar, a voice floated out, reaching Lei Jun's ears and instantly changing his expression.

With a bang—

The cage of lightning shattered in an instant. Ge Xianyao stood at the center of the arena, hands folded, Daoist robes fluttering in the wind, his black eyes beneath long hair calm as water.

He was completely unscathed!

Beneath his feet, countless wooden tendrils spread out, covering the arena in the blink of an eye, then grew upward and suddenly contracted.

As if seen from the sky, one would witness a massive wooden hand closing in a palm press.

“Damn!”

Seeing this, Lei Jun decisively shifted his fists into open palms and began pounding his abdomen. With each strike, electric serpents spread, forming black lightning-shaped incantations all over his body.

That was the very hide of the Kui‑niu descendant he had fused!

The accumulated thunder from over a hundred strikes now combined into a terrifying sonic wave.

In an instant, countless wooden tendrils shattered. Around Ge Xianyao, a resonating frequency erupted completely.

Kui‑niu Curse—Disarming the World!

Legend said that the Yellow Emperor used Kui‑niu hide to make a drum, its bones as drumsticks. When struck, it resonated through the world, making all submit.

After the historical mutation, that ability had been inherited.

Though he seemed to major in thunder techniques, Lei Jun's true killing move was a sonic attack!

Thunder—commanding all beings with sound, shaking demons and monsters alike!

Lei Jun roared, “It’s over!”

This move should compel the judges to declare him the winner!

But out of the corner of his eye, he saw the three judges completely unmoved, and a bad feeling rose in his heart.

The next moment—

“Ge Xianyao” was shattered by the sonic kill, his body bursting into a flurry of wood shavings!

It was... a fake!

At the same time, a finger touched the back of his head.

Ge Xianyao’s calm voice came from behind:

“Since you understand that thunder stems from the transformation of Jia Wood, did you not know the [Four Seasons Azure Dragon Dripping Heavenly Essence Method] specializes in seizing the changes of the four seasons? You revealed your every intent from the beginning, full of flaws.”

“Well, it's understandable. You think I'm arrogant only because ordinary people can see no more than my shadow. Unable to glimpse my entirety, they’re left with only…”

“Noise.”

Jia Wood Curse—Coiling Dragon Prison!

As the words fell, masses of wooden tendrils spread from under Lei Jun’s feet, instantly binding him, transforming into a hornless Coiling Wooden Dragon that restrained him tightly, severing his surging vitality.

“Victor—Ge Xianyao!”

Zhou Li’s voice rang out, declaring the result.

“I… lost!”

The wooden tendrils dispersed. Lei Jun collapsed powerlessly to his knees, both hands propped on the ground, finding it hard to believe that he had actually lost in a single exchange.

So he... was this weak?

“So terrifying!”

The other participants all wore solemn expressions.

Among them, Lei Jun was already one of the best. Everyone had thought he could have a fierce showdown with Ge Xianyao.

But the result far exceeded expectations.

Ge Xianyao had moved leisurely the entire time, not even getting serious.

The gap between geniuses could sometimes be greater than that between humans and dogs.

It was likely only Di Shengyi, who had already planted a Law Seed in advance, and that one from the Xiang family bloodline who could rival him.

Ge Xianyao did not feel any joy from the victory. Instead, he tilted his head toward Jiang Yan inside the White Jade Disc, wanting to see fear and unease in the other's eyes.

Yet all he saw was that gaze—calm as still water.

“Good... very good!”

He could tell that the calm was genuine, not an act. The corners of his mouth curled upward. Things were starting to get interesting.

Looks like a worthy prey.

Ge Xianyao said, “I'll be waiting for you on the arena.”

According to the rules, the winner could stay on the arena and continue matching opponents, accumulating points continuously.

Everyone looked at Jiang Yan with a bit of sympathy.

Although matchups were random, being targeted by such a genius was truly unfortunate.

If one was matched with Ge Xianyao, even shouting surrender on the stage would be difficult.

Only by voluntarily forfeiting could one preserve their strength and avoid elimination.

This was the most rational choice, but...

It was humiliating!

The first round quickly ended. The drones projected the screen again and began re-matching new contestants.

Jiang Yan saw his number appear on Arena Seven.

The opponent he was matched with was number [77], a burly man standing 2.5 meters tall. Both his arms were wrapped in yellow cloth filled with runes, resembling a Yellow Turban Strongman from mythology.

Zhao Yinman’s voice came through: “He’s called Shi Ju. He practices an advanced cultivation method, Moving Mountains and Filling Seas Giant Spirit Method, emulating the ancient mountain-moving strongmen to cultivate himself into a giant spirit, with boundless strength. He appears as Wu Earth, but in fact, he walks the path of Geng Metal—a mountain-felling axe.”

“No wonder he’s so robust.”

Jiang Yan nodded slightly and stepped onto Arena Seven.

Shi Ju looked down at Jiang Yan from above and spoke in a deep, rumbling voice:

“I like your personality, but your luck sucks, meeting me in the first round. But it’s fine—after I beat you, I’ll go teach that poser Ge Xianyao a lesson.”

Jiang Yan chuckled and replied, “What if I win?”

“That’s impossible. I’m very strong. If you really do win... I’ll be your porter for a whole year!”

Shi Ju snorted. Once the drone displayed the start of the match, his giant hand extended.

Boom!

Tremendous force spread out, like a terrifying mountain pressing down, crushing all things in its path.

Mountain-Moving Palm Seal!

“Unlucky!”

Everyone sighed inwardly. The outcome seemed inevitable. Not only was Shi Ju immensely strong, but he was also impervious to blades and spears.

Even the Fly Boy Jiang Yan had once faced would get scalp-numb before Shi Ju. All the fly swarms would be crushed to mush, forcing them into guerrilla tactics.

But on an arena, the space was limited. There was nowhere to run.

‘Let me see your strength.’

Ge Xianyao’s gaze was filled with amusement. If Jiang Yan couldn’t even get past Shi Ju, he wasn’t qualified to face him.

However, Jiang Yan suddenly turned around, hands in his pockets, not even looking back as he spoke: “Gambling is bad. Besides, I don’t need a porter. Just buy me a meal.”

“Even if you can’t win, you should fight to the last moment!”

Shi Ju was enraged. He hated cowards the most in his life.

He had been holding back, but now he went all out. The giant palm seal came crashing down.

Buzz!

Yet, just as he neared Jiang Yan, his mind shook violently. His soul felt as if struck by a massive bell. His head throbbed with pain. In an instant, his eyes rolled back, and he lost consciousness.

Boom!

The giant body staggered and fell, kicking up a storm of dust, making the entire arena tremble endlessly.

The invisible arms of the Heart Monkey beside his head formed the Three-Lives Subduing King Seal, though it bore a subtle difference.

It was the fourth technique Jiang Yan had developed through studying the Heart Monkey Technique, distinct from the soul-shaking, consciousness-disrupting Soul-Stirring Bell Seal.

This one targeted the Seven Souls—Soul-Shattering Bell!

It attacked the Seven Souls of man. When the Seven Souls faltered, the soul itself wavered.

No matter how strong the physique, it would be useless.

Theoretically, with enough impact force, it could shatter the Seven Souls and cause total annihilation of the soul.

But they were colleagues, and the other guy was a good-natured person. No need to go overboard.

“Jiang Yan, victory.”

A voice rang out from the Judges’ Platform.

The whole arena...

Fell silent.