Sage of Humanity

Seeing Lu Ye withstand his lightning strike with no major harm, the magic cultivator slightly furrowed his brow. He saw clearly that, at the instant his Thunder Power attacked, this combat cultivator did something to form a thick layer of defense where the attack landed, neutralizing most of the lightning strike's power. This was the key.

He didn't mind much; the duel had just begun. If he could gain some advantage, he could quickly turn that advantage into victory!

Watching the combat cultivator relentlessly charging at him again, the magic cultivator remained calm, gently waving his magic fan to unleash another lightning strike.

Lu Ye charged fiercely, swinging his long saber to slash out streams of saber light toward the Wind Blades and Fireballs, maneuvering and advancing steadily toward his opponent.

The continuous booming was the collision of the saber light with the Wind Blades and Fireballs, causing a momentary disruption in spirit force.

However, every time he got close to the magic cultivator's range, a lightning strike would unexpectedly strike from the front, forcing him back and making his efforts in vain.

The scene seemed as if Lu Ye was facing a relentless storm of magic and spells, moving against the wave, yet being blown away each time.

The opponent's lightning strike was key; without the lightning strike, Lu Ye felt he could break through the magic fan's spell blockade. Once he closed in, the combat's rhythm would be in his control.

But figuring out how to counter lightning strikes was indeed a headache; lightning type techniques are notorious for their speed. By the time you see them, they're already upon you, with no chance to evade beforehand.

Thus, the only option was to deal with the magic cultivator who cast the lightning strikes!

Lightning type techniques are indeed incredibly fast, but everything has pros and cons. It's impossible to have all advantages with no drawbacks. A major downside of lightning type techniques is their difficulty to control.

Unlike Wind Blades and Fireballs, which can be slightly controlled after being cast, a lightning strike is a straight-line attack once unleashed, even the magic cultivator casting it can't steer it.

In other words, it can't swerve!

Lu Ye had encountered other magic cultivators in Nine Provinces who could cast lightning type techniques. Of course, their skill and spell expertise weren't comparable to this fat magic cultivator, but the principle was the same.

So as long as the right method is found, there is always a way to counter.

After several attempts to advance and getting knocked back by lightning strikes, Lu Ye began to detect some patterns.

When the magic cultivator was about to use another lightning strike to repel him, Lu Ye's figure suddenly shifted direction prematurely. However, the anticipated lightning strike did not come. The magic cultivator had a meaningful smirk at the corner of his mouth, and in the moment Lu Ye paused slightly, lightning flashed forth.

This guy is so cunning!

Lu Ye thought he found some patterns, but what he actually found was rather what the magic cultivator wanted him to find—in essence, it was a deliberately exposed flaw, a well-planned trap!

Wonder how many people this magic cultivator had deceived with such a tactic.

This time the lightning strike was more powerful than any before, filled with an energy that a few hastily constructed Defense Spirit Runes could not withstand.

While Lu Ye was searching for ways to deal with the magic cultivator's lightning strike, the magic cultivator was observing Lu Ye as well. He was confident that this meticulously prepared lightning strike could severely wound the combat cultivator, and then he could reap the fruits of victory.

Quite a formidable Divine Sea Level 8, clearly having rich combat experience, though seemingly lacking encounters with top-tier foes.

One must admit, the fat magic cultivator's eyes were quite sharp!

Lu Ye had grown significantly through numerous battles, yet his cultivation advanced so quickly and was so robust. This led to a downside: he encountered very few opponents who could truly challenge him, often settling scores swiftly.

The Sacred Seeds in the Blood Refinement World had decent power, but under the suppression of saintliness, they performed poorly.

Lu Ye had also been guided and taught by figures like Jian Guhong, who were indeed powerful, but such guidance was quite different from deadly combat.

A cultivator's growth is not without setbacks; occasional adversities are not a bad thing.

Looking at it from a different perspective, it's precisely the accumulation of setbacks that forges a cultivator's invincibility!

Lu Ye realized this issue himself, and naturally was intentional about addressing this weak point. The Reincarnation Tree's Divine Sea contest was a golden opportunity. Here gather top talents from thousands of domains, each possessing exceptional abilities, with ample time to be his whetstone.

Otherwise, only if his brain was spasming would he choose such a foolish way to contend with a magic cultivator. In a situation where their strengths are equal, if you fail to close the distance with the magic cultivator immediately, you should retreat at once and seek the next opportunity, rather than stubbornly pushing forward.

Yet the observations made earlier are not entirely meaningless. Especially when faced with a threat capable of severely injuring oneself, Lu Ye had a warning in his heart. So the instant the warning emerged, though he did not understand what was about to happen, he instinctively shifted his body slightly.

A thick bolt of lightning grazed past his body, surging into the distance, crackling with explosive sound, leaving a pitch-black scar in the void, the scent of charred air entering his nose.

The smile on the magic cultivator's face transformed into astonishment. He never imagined Lu Ye could do this. What was certain is that his strategy was sound; during the previous domain competition, his strongest opponent was similarly taken down by him.

The strategy was correct, yet he failed to succeed ultimately for one reason only: the combat cultivator has extremely powerful instinctual foresight, allowing him to evade simultaneously when the magic cultivator acts, rendering his lightning strike ineffective.

Impressive! The magic cultivator silently marveled; this opponent can't be measured merely by Divine Sea Level 8. He is indeed a formidable rival equal to his own strength.

The magic cultivator felt a bit troubled. Truthfully, he thought he would be dealing with a soft target, but instead, he kicked an iron plate. The battle for Divine Sea has just begun, contending with such a strong adversary is not wise. Excessive consumption would be detrimental to subsequent actions.

However, at this juncture, neither side has a retreat route. It's not just a matter of saying to stop and reconcile. The magic cultivator hardened his heart; this is the first opponent he encountered, if he can't resolve this, what hope is there for the future? No matter what, he must slay him!

The fierce battle continues, and the magic cultivator soon finds something amiss.

It seems the combat cultivator's perception of lightning strikes grows increasingly keen. Previously, each time a lightning strike was launched, the opponent was forced to activate defensive power to resist, but since that flawless dodge, the opponent seems to have realized something. Now, he evades nearly half the lightning strikes in advance!

The magic cultivator couldn't help but sigh; lightning type techniques are truly elusive, appearing in an instant, yet the one who casts them has flaws. Smart individuals don't target the lightning techniques, but rather the ones casting the spells.

He initially concealed well, even intentionally selling another flaw to hide his true weakness. Yet the combat cultivator's perception was too sharp, and his vision too discerning, having already noticed something.

This is the reason he can evade in advance.

Continuing like this, the situation will undeniably become more unfavorable!

Indeed, the situation keeps deteriorating for the magic cultivator. Since the lightning strikes are unable to exert effect each time, Lu Ye's advance becomes easier. In the initial battle, the magic cultivator was calmly standing his ground, but now he is forced to retreat continually.

Retreating is unavoidable; failing to retreat would quickly result in the combat cultivator getting in his face.

Yet he still has no intention to give up because his strongest lethal strike is being brewed; once it takes form, it won't just be a matter of victory or defeat, but life and death!

With the situation developing to this point, he can only go all-in, and before the combat cultivator breaks through his spell blockade to attack, he must prepare his strongest attack thoroughly. Thus, he had to accelerate the cast of the Lightning Strike Technique!

Ordinarily, he shouldn't do this because it exposes his flaws when casting lightning techniques too easily. But since others have seen through it, there's no need to hide; might as well proceed boldly.

The result leads to one thing only: Lu Ye managed to evade all the lightning forces!

Yet he felt no happiness because with the opponent continually casting lightning techniques, a daunting sense of danger loomed over him. Initially unclear, but becoming increasingly intense with time, like a sword hanging over his head, ready to fall at any moment!

He quickly identified the problem, which is that around him, for reasons unknown, a trace of Thunder Power is lingering, unshakable no matter how he maneuvers.

Moreover, this Thunder Power is being enhanced continually with the magic cultivator's spell casting, appearing ready to explode at any moment!

Lu Ye felt apprehensive; should this Thunder Power burst, it would be akin to him falling into a Lightning Pool. Then even with his exceptional constitution, it would likely result in severe injury.

This chubby magic cultivator, having too many tactics, initially convinced he'd defeated him, who would've thought he'd produce such a trick.

However, it granted him valuable insight; encountering such an enemy in the future will allow him to prepare in advance.

In the current predicament, he actually has one option for a quick resolution, a measure prepared to deal with the magic cultivator long ago, but doing so might force the opponent to prematurely unleash the power of the Lightning Pool, causing mutual destruction, as he couldn't escape the Thunder Power encircling him, clinging persistently like a leech.

He could only endure for now, misleading the opponent with an even more ferocious assault, appearing eager to eliminate the adversary swiftly.

The distance between them closed rapidly; when the magic cultivator's lightning strikes failed to significantly obstruct Lu Ye, this outcome was already destined.