Chapter 9: One Punch to the Head! Everyone Is Shocked!

BOOOOM!

In the next instant, Gu Yang’s fist punched straight through the giant layer of hide armor and slammed directly into the Giant Rock Turtle’s body.

A split second later, its massive eyes bulged wide open as blood vessels surfaced.

Then came a bone-chilling roar.

BOOM!

The Giant Rock Turtle’s head exploded on the spot!

Flesh and blood splattered across the entire dueling arena.

A thick, iron-sweet stench of blood quickly filled the square.

Just one punch…

A clean kill!

The crowd fell completely silent.

Those outer sect disciples who had been waiting to enjoy the spectacle stood frozen in shock.

The Giant Rock Turtle, known for its incredible defense, couldn’t even withstand a single punch from Gu Yang?

He actually killed it with one blow?!

This…

And it wasn’t just them.

In the rest area, Zhao Wei and Nie Jin also stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

“Wait… is this for real?!”

“Holy crap!”

Everyone was dumbfounded.

There was no helping it—what had just happened was simply too shocking. They couldn’t believe their eyes.

Even Ding Xuan could no longer remain composed.

His face was full of astonishment.

Of course, it wasn’t Gu Yang’s strength that surprised him.

It was the fact that… someone had just threatened his claim to the championship!

This was no trivial matter!

“Gu Yang?!”

He murmured the name under his breath, eyes fixed on Gu Yang with an unshakable intensity.

Meanwhile, the outer sect elder and the deacon beside him were just as stunned.

They stared at the scene in disbelief.

Clearly, even they hadn’t expected Gu Yang to be this powerful.

“Wait a minute… The footwork he used just now was Shadowstep—at the perfected stage! That’s how the Giant Rock Turtle failed to react in time. And that punch? That was Vajra Fist! Also perfected!”

“That explains how he was able to one-shot the Giant Rock Turtle!”

The elder quickly recovered from his shock. His eyes gleamed with admiration.

To cultivate a martial art to the perfected realm was no small feat—let alone two of them at the same time.

Gu Yang was clearly a peerless genius with extraordinary perception!

Looks like this inner sect selection had unearthed a true prodigy!

As Gu Yang walked calmly out of the dueling arena, the outer sect elder no longer hesitated and spoke up:

“All matches of the inner sect selection are now complete.”

“The disciples who have passed the selection and earned entry into the inner sect are: Zhao Wei, Nie Jin, Ding Xuan, and… Gu Yang!”

As the elder’s voice fell, many outer sect disciples couldn’t help but exclaim in awe.

Zhao Wei, Nie Jin, and Ding Xuan all turned to look at Gu Yang.

After all, before the results were announced… no one had expected someone like Gu Yang to appear out of nowhere.

He’d even overshadowed Ding Xuan completely.

Becoming the most dazzling presence of the entire selection!

“Next, we will announce the champion of this selection.”

The elder’s voice rang out again.

Immediately, Ding Xuan’s entire focus sharpened.

After all, this was about ten low-grade spirit stones.

He had no intention of handing them over!

That reward should have been his!

With that in mind, he stared at the elder with blazing intensity, waiting in silence.

Soon, the outer sect elder didn’t beat around the bush.

He made the announcement directly:

“This year’s inner sect selection champion is… Gu Yang!”

BOOM!

Thunderous applause erupted.

Well deserved!

No one questioned the result.

After all, Gu Yang had blown up the Giant Rock Turtle in front of everyone!

Even Ding Xuan couldn’t do that.

Gu Yang was clearly the rightful champion.

But just as the elder’s voice faded…

An unpleasant voice rang out:

“I object!”

Everyone turned toward the source of the voice.

Ding Xuan stood there, glaring at the elder in open protest.

The elder frowned and looked over.

“What seems to be the problem?”

Ding Xuan didn’t hesitate.

“Of course there’s a problem!”

“If Gu Yang can blow up the Giant Rock Turtle with one punch, then so can I! Why should he be the champion? That title should be mine!”

The elder’s brow furrowed even deeper.

“You took ten moves to kill your beast. Gu Yang only needed one. Based on performance, you’re simply not on the same level. As for your potential, that’s irrelevant to us.”

The elder’s voice was casual but firm.

Ding Xuan’s fists clenched in frustration.

His eyes locked on Gu Yang.

“You! I, Ding Xuan, formally challenge you!”

“Whoever wins will be the champion and receive the reward of ten low-grade spirit stones!”

He had barely finished speaking when—

“Oh? You’re challenging the champion?” the elder raised an eyebrow.

“That’s right! I refuse to accept this result!”

Ding Xuan declared loudly.

Many around them were clearly displeased.

You lost, and now you can’t even accept that?

But the outer sect elder wasn’t particularly bothered.

A good show was about to unfold—how could he miss it?

“Very well. You two will fight. Whoever wins shall be the champion,” he said eagerly.

Ding Xuan’s eyes lit up at once.

Gu Yang, however, looked completely unimpressed.

“I refuse.”

“He’s already second. Losing won’t change much for him. But if I lose, I lose the championship. How is that fair?”

Hearing this, the elder nodded slowly in agreement.

“Gu Yang makes a good point. So let me add a condition: if Ding Xuan loses, he will hand over five low-grade spirit stones from his own pouch to Gu Yang. Agreed?”

As he spoke, the elder turned to look at Ding Xuan.

Five spirit stones?

Ding Xuan’s face turned a little pale.

That was a lot!

But after a moment, he regained his confidence and agreed.

“No problem!”

Even if he had to give up five spirit stones… with his strength, he was unmatched among peers!

There was no way he’d lose!

What was there to be afraid of?

The elder turned to Gu Yang.

“And you?”

“I accept the challenge,” Gu Yang replied with a faint smile.

No reason to refuse—after all, there were spirit stones to be earned.

Ding Xuan’s face lit up with joy.

He had been afraid Gu Yang would decline.

But now that he’d accepted…

That championship will belong to me, Ding Xuan!

“Excellent. Since both sides agree… get ready. We’ll begin immediately!”

The outer sect elder’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

Ding Xuan’s strength and talent were commendable.

Of course, he still fell short compared to Gu Yang.

But if he was this confident, he must have a hidden trump card.

That thought only made the elder more curious.

Upon hearing there was still more to see, the disciples who had been about to leave immediately stopped in their tracks.

They surged forward again, eager for the next match.