One Punch Again

One Punch Again . . .

The top twelve had emerged, and now the perplexing question loomed: how should they eliminate two more from this elite group?

Among these twelve, eleven remained undefeated. The sole exception was Mo Wen, who had faced none other than Gusu Tianqi as her opponent. Eliminating her due to this would indeed be unjust. After all, how many could confidently claim they would remain undefeated if pitted against Gusu Tianqi?

The decision weighed heavily on everyone's minds, and all eyes turned to Dongsheng Ting, seeking guidance. Dongsheng Ting's gaze flitted across the assembly of immortal kings as he inquired, "What do Princess Glaze and the esteemed immortal king seniors suggest we should do?"

Princess Glaze offered a suggestion with a gleam in her eyes, "The simplest approach would be to have all twelve contestants stand on the battle platform with their cultivation bases equally suppressed. They should then collectively decide who among them should be considered the weakest."

"That's a good idea. What do the other seniors think?" Dongsheng Ting responded with a smile.

"Your highness's decision suffices," an immortal king chimed in, causing laughter to ripple through the group.

"As both Princess Glaze and your highness are in agreement, we are also in favor of this proposal," another immortal king confirmed. Dongsheng Ting grinned and announced, "The twelve heaven-chosen participants shall step onto the platform and reach a consensus regarding who should be eliminated. However, there's one condition: no one may gang up on a single target. If you have the patience to wait indefinitely, we'll gladly wait with you."

Dongsheng Ting introduced the rule to prevent alliances among the participants. He wanted to avoid a situation where they collectively voted out Gusu Tianqi, which would be unfair. Additionally, with Qin Wentian and his two sect members all advancing, they could potentially dominate the proceedings if they banded together.

All participants' cultivation bases would be suppressed to the same level during this process.

With Dongsheng Ting's proclamation, the top twelve ascended the vast battle platform. Qin Wentian, Jun Mengchen, and Zi Qingxuan stood close together, reflecting their strong bond. The other participants maintained some distance from one another.

Their eyes flickered with contemplation as they pondered the difficult decision before them. Who among the twelve should be eliminated?

Gusu Tianqi appeared supremely confident, closing his eyes as if the outcome didn't concern him.

Feather King exuded an air of arrogance, his eyes sweeping over the others before he declared, "You decide," and followed suit by closing his eyes.

Ruthless emitted a menacing aura, remaining silent and statue-like.

In stark contrast, Hua Taixu stood calmly, exuding no aura. However, no one dared to underestimate him after witnessing his earlier battle as the personal disciple of the Myriad Incarnations Immortal King.

"It's truly a tough decision," Jun Mengchen muttered, casting his gaze across the participants. He then shrugged it off, saying, "Eh, it doesn't concern me," and casually took a seat on the platform.

Qin Wentian, hands clasped behind his back, stood with an air of indifference and composure. The top twelve remained still, content to await their collective decision.

Dongsheng Ting and the other immortal kings shared the contestants' patience. If these heaven-chosen individuals displayed such remarkable endurance, they were more than willing to wait alongside them. The true test, it seemed, was to determine whose patience would run thin first.

The platform remained silent, but the ambiance of the immortal banquet was anything but. Laughter and conversations filled the air, especially among the immortal kings who appeared unfazed by the wait.

For these seasoned cultivators, time held a different meaning. A day or two was but a fleeting moment to them, and even a year or two would be considered a brief span. In their extended periods of closed-door seclusion, single sessions often spanned hundreds or even thousands of years. Their patience was beyond the comprehension of the junior Celestial Phenomenon cultivators. Gatherings of immortal kings like this were exceedingly rare, occurring only once every century. To them, this was a well-deserved respite—a joyful occasion for leisurely conversations.

"Myriad Incarnations, how far do you think your disciple can advance? If he were to reach the top three, would you allow him to become a disciple of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor?" The Undying Immortal King playfully teased.

The Myriad Incarnations Immortal King chuckled in response, "Of course, I wouldn't. You know that I accept very few disciples. While His Majesty's disciples are as numerous and powerful as clouds, he won't lack talents like Hua Taixu."

"That's true. Nonetheless, your disciple is undeniably exceptional. He is destined for remarkable achievements in the future," the Undying Immortal King remarked, his praise flowing effortlessly. It was often challenging to discern the authenticity of his words—what was truth and what was embellishment?

"Princess, among the twelve, who do you think will make the first move?" Dongsheng Ting initiated a conversation with Princess Glaze. In such a rare gathering, he sought to strengthen their rapport, ensuring she did not feel neglected.

"Qin Wentian, Jun Mengchen, Dugu Xishan, Cang Ao, and Qin Ta. Their auras and innate techniques suggest more explosive and direct personalities. However, Qin Wentian, despite his fierce combat style, appears to have good emotional control. He's unlikely to act hastily, especially if his senior siblings don't. Jun Mengchen seems to defer to him, so he may also wait for their cue. That leaves Dugu Xishan, Cang Ao, or Qin Ta as the likely candidates to act first," Princess Glaze analyzed.

"Why haven't you considered Feather King, Ruthless, and Gusu Tianqi in your speculation? They all possess formidable attacks," Dongsheng Ting inquired curiously.

"Members of the Winged Devil Race endure solitude in the starry space during their training, which cultivates remarkable patience. Feather King won't act. Ruthless, as a devil cultivator, possesses a heart of iron determination that surpasses our expectations. Gusu Tianqi, on the other hand, has no reason to take action, and no one would dare provoke him," Princess Glaze explained, concluding, "Dugu Xishan, Cang Ao, or Qin Ta are more likely to make the first move, ultimately leading to the elimination of either themselves or their chosen opponent."

Dongsheng Ting grinned, commenting, "These three are undoubtedly formidable. Let's observe and see."

On the platform, silence persisted as the contestants maintained their extraordinary patience. The immortal banquet carried on, punctuated by laughter and joyous conversations. The eliminated participants watched the proceedings with keen interest, eager to discover who would emerge as the final top ten.

The anticipation in the air was palpable as the question hung like a heavy mist: Who would secure the top three ranks in this fiercely contested competition?

It seemed as though any of the twelve participants had the strength to secure a spot in the coveted top ten. Not a single one of them could be deemed a weakling.

As time ticked on, Jun Mengchen's patience began to wane, his restlessness becoming evident in his fidgeting. However, as Princess Glaze had foretold, when he glanced at his senior brother and sister, Qin Wentian and Zi Qingxuan, who remained remarkably composed, he reined in his impatience. It appeared that in this gathering, it was only his senior siblings who possessed the power to calm his fiery impetuosity.

Yet, the silence couldn't last forever, and it was Cang Ao who finally broke it.

"Why wait? If you're itching for a fight, just start one. No need to make it so complicated," he remarked with a smirk.

Jun Mengchen's eyes flashed with irritation as he fixed his gaze on Cang Ao. "What's it to you?"

A cold, arrogant grin crossed Cang Ao's face as he retorted, "Amongst the three of you, isn't it obvious that at least one should get lost?"

The spectators watched with keen interest as the verbal sparring escalated.

Dongsheng Ting exchanged a glance with Princess Glaze, acknowledging her foresight. "Indeed, Princess, your insight is truly impressive."

Jun Mengchen rose to his feet, his impulsive nature breaking free of its restraints. Encased in a king's armor, he exuded an air of supreme authority, each step resonating with dominion over the world.

"Step up," he demanded, his challenge aimed squarely at Cang Ao. The latter advanced, radiating an overwhelming aura of dominance.

"In fact, I believe that not just one but all three of you should pack up and leave," Cang Ao taunted with an icy sneer.

The king's aura emanating from Jun Mengchen intensified, a regal phantom materializing behind him as his power surged, casting a blinding radiance.

"I'll make you leave with a single strike," Jun Mengchen proclaimed brazenly. The two combatants closed in on each other, their auras clashing with a thunderous resonance. The space between them birthed a raging tornado from the sheer force of their presence.

"Brazen," Cang Ao bellowed, summoning forth a tremendous surge of power within him.

"Get lost!" Jun Mengchen roared, his king's phantom radiating with unparalleled strength. His punch ruptured the fabric of space, reverberating throughout the surroundings.

"Die!" Cang Ao retaliated with an equally devastating punch, unleashing a golden beam of light that raced towards Jun Mengchen. The destructive power contained within their fists reached legendary proportions, poised to collide in a cataclysmic explosion.

Cang Ao's countenance remained insufferably arrogant, his punch carrying the weight of his full strength. As it tore through the air, it left golden fissures in its wake—a force capable of rending anything in its path.

Yet, at the critical moment of impact, Cang Ao felt an ancient power imbued with the essence of countless primordial kings within Jun Mengchen's fist. It was as if a supreme monarch gazed down upon all existence with disdain.

The collision of their punches resounded with a deafening "BANG!"

The collision between Jun Mengchen and Cang Ao was nothing short of spectacular. A blinding burst of light illuminated the surroundings as shockwaves rippled out, threatening to engulf the entire platform. Quick-thinking participants launched their own counterattacks to neutralize the shockwaves; failure to do so would result in their annihilation.

Amid this breathtaking display, the spectators witnessed Cang Ao being propelled through the air, hurtling like a shooting star before crashing down with a resounding thud. His arm, the very one he had used to deliver his devastating punch, had met a catastrophic end, shattering into oblivion. Agonized screams filled the air, accompanied by the unmistakable look of terror etched onto Cang Ao's face. Regret gnawed at him as he grappled with the stark reality of his choices—why, oh why, had he chosen to provoke Jun Mengchen?

With his defeat now glaringly evident, Cang Ao had no place left among the top ten contenders.

The onlookers were left in awe, their astonishment palpable. This fearless and arrogantly invincible youth had unleashed the might of his punch once more, leaving them in utter shock.

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