Chapter Fifty-Four: The Outcome Decided

Still as an ancient turtle, yet moving like a dragon!

Confronted by the ferocious advance of Xu Ke, Wang Ran dared not underestimate his foe. A flash of brilliance flickered deep in his eyes as he pushed his Vajra Glass Body to its utmost limit, his palms thrusting forward across his chest.

Seeing this, Xu Ke’s gaze betrayed a hint of mockery. He was a Foundation Builder in body, peerlessly strong. In his mind, Wang Ran’s best tactic should have been to evade using agile footwork and gradually wear him down. To stand firm and attempt to clash head-on, relying solely on physical strength—such folly was beyond belief!

He was certain that even Ye Cang, the greatest prodigy of the Sovereign Sect, would never dare to contend with him physically, choosing instead to suppress him from afar with powerful spells.

Many watching disciples shook their heads at the spectacle, thoughts flashing in their minds.

"This Wang Ran has been posturing since the start. I thought he was skilled, but this is just foolishness."

"Only an idiot would go toe-to-toe with a brute like Xu Ke."

"Xu Ke’s body makes him undefeated beneath the Golden Core realm. Even if Wang Ran has extraordinary abilities, he’s merely at the third layer of Foundation Building. How can he match him? Were I in his place, I’d use my strongest techniques from a distance, whittling him down before seizing the chance to strike!"

"Has Wang Ran been frightened senseless, refusing even to dodge?"

"The outcome is clear!"

All present were prodigies, and in that critical instant, countless thoughts raced through their minds, analyzing the course and conclusion of the battle.

It was obvious: Wang Ran was now completely on the defensive, beset by Xu Ke's onslaught. Unless he possessed some heaven-defying method or superior protective artifact, his demise was certain.

The young junior sister’s delicate face was taut with tension, her heart pounding furiously as she clutched her skirt, silently cheering Wang Ran on.

Even Zhao Xiaobai’s expression grew unusually grave. Xu Ke was no mere Ma Rulong; he was a true prodigy, ranked among the top ten disciples of the Sovereign Sect, a Foundation Builder in flesh whose strength Zhao himself dared not take lightly.

Thus, even one as clever as he could not fathom why Wang Ran chose not to evade, but instead braced for a direct clash.

Under countless gazes, Xu Ke closed the distance, his face twisted in a savage grin. His arms swept up a howling gale as he collided with Wang Ran’s palms.

Against Xu Ke’s hulking frame, Wang Ran’s previously handsome physique seemed as fragile as a lone skiff amid stormy seas, ready to be crushed at any moment. Some female disciples turned their heads away, unable to watch.

The male disciples shook their heads in secret, certain the outcome was decided.

Only Zhao Xiaobai’s eyes suddenly lit up.

Soon, more disciples noticed something extraordinary.

In this exchange between Wang Ran and Xu Ke, there was no sign of spiritual energy fluctuations—something was amiss.

Those with keen senses quickly looked closer.

As the dust settled, the two figures in the center stood utterly still, like sculptures.

Xu Ke’s furious blow had not landed; his arms, mere millimeters from Wang Ran, were firmly seized, unable to advance.

Thus, the mismatched forms of the two combatants were frozen in this bizarre tableau.

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For a moment, everyone stared, their minds unable to process what they saw.

"Gasp—he actually blocked that attack with his body?!"

"Impossible! That’s Xu Ke, the Dominant Elephant!"

"Wang Ran’s strength matches his?"

"Could he be born with divine power?"

"This…this is beyond belief!"

After a brief silence, the sound of sharp inhalations rippled through the crowd.

Even the prodigies present could not help but widen their eyes.

The disciples of the Hall of Enforcement knew well the magnitude of Xu Ke’s strength, which earned him the ferocious title ‘Dominant Elephant.’

Yet now, Xu Ke’s enraged blow had been neutralized by Wang Ran’s own physical might. How could they not be astonished?

Some with sharper minds noticed that, though the scene appeared a stalemate, Wang Ran still had reserves of strength, while Xu Ke had exerted himself fully.

Indeed, Xu Ke’s heart was in turmoil. He knew precisely the extent of his own power; barring those at the Golden Core level, who could stop him with flesh alone?

Yet Wang Ran’s strength was outrageously formidable. The hands gripping his wrists were like iron clamps, impossible to escape no matter how he struggled.

"Damn it, how does he possess such divine might?"

Xu Ke’s mind thundered, feeling as though all his dignity had been stripped away.

Wang Ran’s lips curved into a faint smile. Xu Ke’s physique was truly remarkable—among their generation, he was almost invincible. But Wang Ran’s body-tempering technique was superior: the Eight-Star Daoist Art, ‘Vajra Glass Body,’ outclassed Xu Ke’s Six-Star ‘Myriad Forms Dragon Transformation.’

Moreover, Wang Ran’s own life-bound Daoist Art, ‘Eternal Immortal Skill,’ focused on cultivating the body. At its zenith, even the sun and moon could not destroy him, nor could the heavens or earth erase him—he would exist eternally.

Though only partially mastered, it far surpassed ordinary practitioners; his body was as resilient as a Golden Core cultivator.

In other words, Wang Ran, though at the third layer of Foundation Building, truly feared nothing beneath the Golden Core.

Even faced with a monstrous genius like Ye Cang, he might not win, but he would never lose.

In the arena, the stalemate persisted. As time passed, Xu Ke grew ever more furious, suddenly unleashing his full strength and breaking free from Wang Ran’s grip.

"Wang Ran, you are worthy of my full power!"

Xu Ke’s eyes blazed, and with a sudden step, he unleashed his spiritual energy and physical might together. Behind him, the roar of elephants and dragons echoed as if an ancient beast had descended.

His body surged, growing several times larger, clothes ripping apart until only a pair of shorts remained. His aura reached its peak.

"This is my true strength—Nine Elephants’ Power! Let’s see if you can withstand it!"

Xu Ke roared, his massive fist descending upon Wang Ran.

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The full force of Nine Elephants surged forth, truly formidable. Wang Ran was compelled to fight with all his might, battling Xu Ke in earnest.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A storm of fists swept across the arena, shattering the marble floor beneath their feet, leaving web-like cracks everywhere.

The wind from their blows swept in all directions, forcing many disciples from both inner and outer sects to retreat.

Only a handful of prodigies, or members of the Hall of Enforcement, could withstand it directly.

Yet even they were shaken by the pair’s power, most astounded by Wang Ran.

Who could have imagined Wang Ran’s strength would be so terrifying?

Even members of the Four Great Alliances wore grave expressions, reassessing Wang Ran’s standing in their minds.

Ma Rulong, meanwhile, trembled in the crowd, his eyes wide. He had hoped to reclaim three thousand spirit jades from Wang Ran and humiliate him, never expecting that even the invincible Xu Ke would be helpless.

"Wang Ran…is too strong!"

Everyone’s mind flashed with that thought, none more so than Xu Ke himself.

It was one thing for Wang Ran’s strength to match his own, but his body’s resilience was even more incredible—perhaps even superior.

Xu Ke panted heavily, growing weary, while Wang Ran seemed entirely unaffected, as though his endurance was boundless.

"Damn it, if this continues, I’ll lose!"

Xu Ke grew anxious, unable to find a solution. Wang Ran, seeing his distraction, unleashed his dominance with a sudden sweep, causing Xu Ke to falter.

Though it lasted only a moment, in a contest between experts, such lapses were fatal.

Wang Ran leaped forward, his fist striking with fierce force, breaking through Xu Ke’s defenses. The blow was swift as a shooting star, executed in an instant.

With a dull thud, the burly giant could no longer withstand Wang Ran’s force: he dropped to his knees, coughing up four or five mouthfuls of blood.

The crowd gasped, and the more perceptive sighed softly.

Victory had been decided!