Chapter 469 - 465: Blasted

Chapter 469: Chapter 465: Blasted

Ning Jiang stepped out onto Meteor Peak.

The summit of Meteor Peak was quite vast, spanning hundreds of yards—more than enough space for them to go all out in their battle.

"You’re courting death! I’ll crush you today!"

Hong Xiao let out a savage laugh, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes as he unleashed the full might of his aura without reservation.

Sensing his powerful aura, many in the surrounding crowd were inwardly stunned.

"Hong Xiao may be a notorious evildoer, arrogant and overbearing, but you have to admit he has the strength to back it up. To be able to kill an Earth Martial Realm expert with only an Immortal Realm Cultivation is truly remarkable."

"But who is this mysterious expert in white? I wonder how strong he really is."

"Hong Xiao is a long-established expert. Of everyone present, the only ones who could definitively suppress him are the three great Earth Martial Realm masters: Meng Zihao, Fan Hailong, and Hua Feiyu. I don’t think this newcomer’s chances are good."

While the crowd murmured amongst themselves, Hong Xiao suddenly threw a punch.

"Thunder Shark Transformation!"

CRACKLE.

Lightning erupted from his body, condensing into a massive Thunderbolt that shot toward Ning Jiang.

He, too, cultivated a Thunder Element Technique.

In mid-air, the Thunderbolt actually transformed into a ferocious thunder shark. It opened its cavernous mouth and charged violently at Ning Jiang.

Witnessing this technique, many became even more convinced of Hong Xiao’s profound strength, and their estimation of Ning Jiang’s chances plummeted.

However, a few people didn’t see it that way.

A cold sneer touched Meng Tianyu’s lips, his eyes filled with pity. "Using a Thunderbolt in front of Mr. Ning? That’s like showing off your axe skills to a master carpenter."

Just a few days ago, during a massive thunderstorm, Ning Jiang had harnessed the storm’s Thunder Power for his training. Compared to that world-shaking spectacle, Hong Xiao’s petty tricks were nothing but a joke.

Yet, as the attack bore down on him, Ning Jiang stood perfectly still, not moving an inch.

BANG.

The next moment, the thunder shark slammed into him with a tremendous roar. The powerful attack instantly disintegrated, failing to cause Ning Jiang even the slightest injury.

"What?"

The crowd gasped in disbelief.

Ning Jiang hadn’t even swayed. ’He blocked such a tyrannical attack with his physical body alone?’

"What is his body made of? Indestructible Divine Gold?"

The crowd cried out in alarm. The strength of Ning Jiang’s physical body was simply beyond comprehension.

"It seems this year’s Meteor Festival has another formidable contender."

Nan Lingshuang’s beautiful eyes shimmered with a peculiar light. Before, she had been captivated by Ning Jiang’s otherworldly good looks, thinking she had never seen such a handsome man in her life. She never imagined his strength would be just as astonishing.

"Just who in the world are you?"

Hong Xiao’s expression turned grim. He now realized that Ning Jiang was a formidable foe.

"Is that all the power you have? Truly disappointing."

Ning Jiang shook his head. Now that his Nine Tribulations Celestial Thunder Body had reached the Perfection stage, an attack of this caliber was barely a tickle.

Without moving from his spot, he simply reached out his palm and made a grasping motion toward Hong Xiao in the distance.

WHOOSH!

An immense Devouring Power materialized out of thin air. Hong Xiao felt as if he were caught in a whirlpool, his body yanked uncontrollably toward Ning Jiang.

"Stop!"

Hong Xiao’s expression changed drastically. Lightning erupted from his body as he pushed his Cultivation to its absolute peak, attempting to break free from the terrifying Devouring Power.

But his struggles were in vain. Before this Devouring Power, he was like a tiny boat battling a massive whirlpool capable of swallowing a galleon.

"Damn it."

Hong Xiao roared in fury, horrified to find that the Devouring Power was far beyond his ability to resist. His body hurtled uncontrollably toward Ning Jiang.

SWISH.

In an instant, he crossed the distance of over a hundred yards and was caught in Ning Jiang’s hand.

Ning Jiang’s fingers were like a vise, gripping Hong Xiao’s neck tightly. He held him up like a chick and asked, "What was that you were saying? That you could kill me with a single slap?"

"You bastard! Go to hell!"

Hong Xiao’s eyes blazed with a fury that could almost spit fire. His ugly face twisted into a ferocious snarl. Lightning surged through his entire body and gathered in his hands, which he then used to strike madly at Ning Jiang.

But all the lightning that struck Ning Jiang was completely neutralized, leaving him entirely unharmed.

"Your Thunder Power is too weak. Let me show you what true thunder is."

BOOM!

As Ning Jiang spoke, an even more brilliant radiance of lightning erupted from his body. The moment this tyrannical Thunder Power appeared, Hong Xiao’s pupils shrank to pinpricks.

Within this thunder, he sensed a vast, heavenly might. At that moment, the thunder within his own body seemed to cower in fear, refusing to obey his commands no matter how desperately he tried to summon it.

"I was wrong! Spare my life!"

Hong Xiao finally realized that the man before him was someone he should never have provoked.

But Ning Jiang paid him no mind. The Thunder Power surged violently into Hong Xiao’s body.

"Aaaah!"

A bloodcurdling scream rang out. Hong Xiao’s body was instantly blown apart by the thunder, exploding into a cloud of blood mist, which was then annihilated by the lightning into a wisp of green smoke.

HISS...

The entire crowd drew a sharp, collective breath, their gazes fixed on Ning Jiang as if he were some kind of monster.

Hong Xiao had experienced his own share of fortuitous encounters. While his strength wasn’t top-tier among those present—he couldn’t compare to the three great Earth Martial Realm masters like Meng Zihao—he was still at the peak of the Immortal Realm and could even kill Earth Martial Realm experts.

And a man of his strength was killed after being grabbed just once by Ning Jiang?

"So strong... Even the three great Earth Martial Realm masters wouldn’t have had such an easy time killing Hong Xiao, would they?"

"He definitely isn’t from our Meteor Sea Region."

"It looks like Meng Zihao and the others have another rival."

At this moment, many people had already begun to rank Ning Jiang alongside Meng Zihao and the others, placing him among the four great masters. There was no longer any suspense; this year’s champion would surely emerge from one of them.

As for the rest, none had reached the Earth Martial Realm. They were merely second-tier experts, lacking the strength to truly compete for the title of champion.

"Alright, let the Meteor Festival officially begin."

At this, Meng Zihao gave Ning Jiang a long, deep look, then announced in a clear voice, "Feel free to challenge anyone you wish. That includes me—it makes no difference."

The Meteor Festival had no complicated rules. As long as you stood upon the peak, you could challenge anyone. It was for this very reason that those who lacked sufficient strength dared not ascend in the first place.

"Meng Zihao, you’ve always been the number one expert in the Meteor Sea Region. Who would be so rash as to challenge you?"

Someone said, shaking their head.

"Chu Qingqing, I hear you have comprehended Sword Intent and that your Sword Technique is sharp and peerless among your generation. I would like to experience it for myself."

The first voice to ring out was, surprisingly, that of the fiery beauty, Nan Lingshuang.

"Very well."

Chu Qingqing, of course, would not refuse a challenge, and she walked forward.

This surprised many in the crowd. Both Nan Lingshuang and Chu Qingqing were famous beauties of the Meteor Sea Region. Their looks were comparable, though each possessed her own unique charm.

Instantly, countless faces in the crowd lit up with interest.