Danwu God Emperor

Ten steps! Ye Ping only retreated ten steps!

The footprints on the ground were clearly visible, and many people were already rubbing their eyes. They should have been knocked away with one blow, but instead they only took ten steps back.

Although Ye Ping got to where he is today through his own strength, in everyone's eyes, luck played a huge part.

But when Ye Ping only retreated ten steps in his battle with Ding Mao, all his ordinariness began to shine. Surrounded by the crowd, this happiness came so suddenly that it even felt unreal to him.

After all, Ye Ping had the best score among all the candidates. No matter how powerful Ye Lou was later, he could still get into Tianyi.

Ding Mao's slightly narrowed eyes finally showed a change in expression. This small town has finally produced one or two lads with decent talent. Although Ye Ping's strength is average, he can quickly see through the opponent's weaknesses and there is still hope for improvement.

"I did it! I actually did it!" Ye Ping stared at his trembling hands in disbelief, as if he were dreaming. But he knew it was all because of Ye Lou's care. If it weren't for Ye Lou's reminder at the last minute, being kicked out of the arena would have been his fate.

"Brother Ye Lou, thank you!" Ye Ping looked at Ye Lou with eyes full of awe.

Ding Mao ignored Ye Ping and turned to look at Ye Lou on the other side. His expression was solemn, but there was a hint of expectation in his eyes. Ye Lou was the only candidate he thought was decent so far.

"Ye Lou, it's your turn. You'd better not hold back, because I'm prepared to use 20% of my strength!"

These words caused another wave of shock. If even 10% of his strength was enough to overwhelm the candidates present, how terrifying would 20% of his strength be?

No matter how strong Ye Lou is, how can he withstand Ding Mao's attack with only 20% of his strength?

The Ye family members, in particular, were filled with righteous indignation. This unfair treatment made them feel that Ding Mao was targeting the Ye family. But the stage was the Tianyi Academy, which was the focus of everyone's attention. What could they do? They could only swallow their anger.

"Instructor Ding, I hope you can unleash thirty percent of your strength!" Ye Lou looked at the other party with a determined gaze, standing firmly in place.

Ye Lou's words were like a thunderclap, causing an uproar. Some said he was arrogant, others said he was overestimating himself, and opinions were divided, but no one believed in his abilities.

The Ye family was also puzzled, not understanding why Ye Lou would make such an absurd request.

The happiest people were the Wu and Dong families. They were naturally delighted to see such a fool in the world.

Dong Qianqian couldn't help but let out a cold snort. "Truly ignorant of one's own limitations!"

However, these words brought a rare smile to Ding Mao's face, and he retorted, "Do you know that even if I exert 30% of my strength, you still cannot enter Tianyi if you cannot withstand it?"

"I know!" Ye Lou replied calmly.

"Alright, since that's the case, I'll grant your request and unleash thirty percent of my strength!" Ding Mao smiled broadly, his serious expression relaxing for once.

Ding Mao stepped forward a few steps, his posture suggesting he was actually preparing to attack, and he seemed to have no intention of holding back.

Ye Lou had already made preparations, his nerves were on edge, and his fighting spirit was rising. The opponents he was facing now were not his peers; in terms of strength and experience, they were all seasoned experts in the Spirit Transformation Realm.

Thirty percent of one's strength may not seem like much, but against a martial artist who is only at the internal energy stage, it's nothing more than a matter of making a few moves.

It moved! Ye Lou moved!

Ye Lou unleashed his lightning-fast footwork, pushing the speed of his elusive steps to the limit. He moved like a ghost across the circular platform, his longsword soaring into the sky, its light swirling in mid-air before returning to his hand.

This sudden move caused an uproar throughout the arena. Ye Lou had indeed been holding back his strength all along. Even though he was reserved and unassuming, the elegance of this sword strike was enough to make him stand out from the crowd.

"Not bad!"

Seeing the sword thrusting towards him, Ding Mao was filled with satisfaction. Ye Lou's growing strength once again made him even more excited. Suddenly, a hand reached out!

Ding!

A crisp sound of impact echoed throughout the entire square!

The Green Peak Sword, which was about to pierce his face, was actually deflected by a single finger!

Despite using only the force of a finger, Ye Lou felt an immense force emanating from the sword. The Qingfeng Sword shook violently, emitting a buzzing sound, and Ye Lou felt a sharp pain in his hand as he tumbled through the air.

Zizizi!

The longsword slid several meters on the ground, sparks flying, before Ye Lou finally regained his footing.

"The power of thirty percent of the Spirit Transformation Realm is so strong!"

In their first encounter, Ye Lou deeply felt the terror of Ding Mao. After calming himself down slightly, a strangely excited smile appeared on his lips.

This was Ye Lou's original goal: to constantly challenge himself so that he could become stronger. He took a deep breath and thrust his sword forward again.

"If that's all there is to it, I'm afraid you'll have to pay the price for your arrogance!" A hint of confusion flashed across Ding Mao's face. Had he misjudged Ye Lou, or was Ye Lou still hiding his strength?

Ding Mao also moved, covering three zhang in an instant. His green robes danced wildly, his toes tapping the ground rhythmically, effortlessly. At the same time, his long sword was already drawn, creating cracks in the air as it flew towards Ye Lou with violent energy.

Externalizing spiritual energy! An ability possessed only by those at the Spirit Guiding Realm!

Although Ding Mao agreed to suppress his strength to 30%, he did not say he would not use his own abilities. However, in everyone's eyes, Ding Mao was a bit too strict this time.

"Did Ye Lou offend Ding Mao before, that he's pushing him so hard!"

"He told himself to brag like that. Let's see how badly he loses!"

No one in the crowd believed that Ye Lou could withstand Ding Mao's sword energy. Although the Spirit Transformation Realm suppressed his strength, he was still still only at the Spirit Transformation Realm. Wherever the sword energy passed, the void trembled and buzzed, gradually solidifying into a tangible form before swiftly attacking.

Fortunately, Ye Lou was quick-witted and prepared. He leaped up and slashed down with his Qingfeng sword, creating a thunderous explosion in the air.

Whoosh!

Before Ye Lou could react, another sword aura appeared in front of him. Ye Lou was shocked and subconsciously turned his head away. The sword aura grazed his skin, leaving a bloody mark on his face.

"That was close!" Ye Lou was shocked. This sword energy was domineering and fierce. If he had been hit by even one of these strikes, he probably wouldn't have been able to continue the exam.

However, before Ye Lou could recover, Ding Mao was already in front of him, his long sword sweeping out horizontally, the blade surrounded by white light, which should be the condensation of sword energy. Ye Lou was a little overwhelmed and fought and retreated.

If this continues, he will eventually force them to step down.

"What incredible swordsmanship! It's as if you're performing two sword techniques simultaneously. It requires an extremely high level of proficiency in both swordsmanship and talent to complete. In this way, the two sword techniques complement each other, leaving no flaws whatsoever!"

If you can't find the opponent's weakness, you can't unleash the second sword of the Three Swords Style.

"If he hadn't combined his movement and swordsmanship quite well, he probably wouldn't have been able to hold out against Brother Ding for so long. This candidate is quite good!" Xi Yan murmured to herself with satisfaction. Although she said this, she was very satisfied with Ye Lou in her heart. With proper training, he would definitely become a top student in the West Academy.

However, Liu Changfeng was always strict and especially harsh on his students. This time, Xi Yan dared to mention Ye Lou in front of him, which was quite a feat, and he didn't dare to exaggerate Ye Lou's reputation at all.

After speaking, Xi Yan glanced at Liu Changfeng, her serious expression preventing her from looking at her any longer. She secretly made a face and then fell silent.

"Look, Ye Lou is already struggling to hold on."

On the round platform, Ye Lou struggled to defend against every sword strike from Ding Mao, his strength dwindling until he seemed on the verge of collapsing at any moment.

In a moment of carelessness, Ding Mao's sword swept swiftly, tearing through the void. Ye Lou hastily parried with his longsword, only to be blasted into the air and stagger back several steps.

"Ye Lou!" The Ye family members shouted almost in unison, their hearts pounding in their throats.

Ding Mao shook his head in disappointment, realizing he had misjudged Ye Lou after all. Even though Ye Lou's talent could be considered among the best in the West Academy, the increasingly declining West Academy needed students with near-demonic talent.

Once upon a time, Ding Mao saw a glimmer of hope in Ye Lou, but now it seems that he has ultimately been disappointed.

"As I said, you are more capable than them, so naturally I have higher expectations for you. You can say I'm biased, or that I'm unfair, but there's nothing I can do; these are my rules. You're eliminated!"

As everyone watched Ding Mao approach step by step, they were greatly alarmed. No matter what, Ye Lou's strength was superior to the others.

Ding Mao raised his longsword without hesitation. Ye Lou, who was unarmed and exhausted, could be easily knocked off the platform with a single stroke. Some people below the platform felt sorry for him, some were nervous, and some were gloating.

In short, Ye Lou's fate seemed predetermined.

"Is that so?" Ye Lou smiled inexplicably, which startled Ding Mao. He thrust his longsword forward, but the casual strike was full of flaws.

Ye Lou suddenly looked up, as if he had become a different person. He was no longer as dejected as before. He easily caught Ding Mao's longsword with two fingers. The latter was shocked. It was all an illusion. Ye Lou was pretending. He realized that he had been tricked.

"Ye Lou actually caught Ding Mao's sword!"

The quiet atmosphere off the field suddenly became agitated again, and many of the veterans' eyes lit up, instantly turning the tide of the game.

Ye Lou didn't give Ding Mao a chance to draw his sword at all. With his other hand, he unleashed a powerful attack on Ding Mao's chest, causing a fierce wind to howl and making their hair fly wildly.

"not good!"

Ding Mao was secretly startled and quickly clenched his palms to meet Ye Lou's. With a loud bang, Ding Mao was sent flying more than ten steps backward, while Ye Lou stood in place, his posture upright and his pride awe-inspiring.

Ding Mao was defeated!

The instructors at Tianyi Academy were actually defeated!

Everyone was completely taken aback, as if their understanding of the world had been turned upside down.

Ye Lou looked at Ding Mao and breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Fortunately, he had used a little cleverness. Otherwise, with the perfect combination of his two sword techniques, he would have inevitably lost. To break his swordsmanship, he could only pretend to be outmatched and then take advantage of his unpreparedness.

Of course, Ye Lou was also gambling that someone with such strong swordsmanship shouldn't be good at palm techniques. Fortunately, Ye Lou's gamble paid off; Ding Mao's palm techniques were indeed quite ordinary.

"Hahaha!" Ding Mao suddenly burst into laughter, relieved. "Good! Not bad! Tactics are also a form of strength. I underestimated you. Congratulations on becoming a member of Tianyi Academy!"