Riverfall Killing Array

In that instant, a thunderous boom crackled from Miao Ying's joints as lightning ambient energy surged through his body. An extreme pressure rolled off him in waves, cracking the ground beneath his feet.

"What?!" Kie's eyes widened in shock as a powerful gust of air slammed into him, Miao Ying's fist rapidly closing in on his face.

To his credit, Kie reacted swiftly, his reflexes honed far beyond those of the disciples Miao Ying had faced in the forest. A searing heat enveloped his fist as he assumed a unique stance designed to maximize striking power, and he launched his own punch to counter Miao Ying's attack.

The clash of their fists produced a metallic screech that grated on the ears, accompanied by a burst of air and sparks of lightning. 

Yet, instead of a horrified scream from the Body Refinement cultivator, it was Kie who let out a heavy grunt of pain.

Forced to take several staggering steps backward, Kie's feet left deep marks on the temple floor. Sweat beaded on his brow as a numbing sensation spread through his arm, the force of Miao Ying's blow threatening to snap his bones.

Miao Ying pressed his advantage, dashing forward once more, tiny arcs of lightning dancing around his fist as he aimed for Kie's chest.

Sensing the imminent danger, Kie's eyes turned crazed. He could not accept being suppressed by someone who should have been far beneath him. With a roar, he forced qi essence to burst forth from his fiery qi seed.

"Fiery Crush!" he bellowed, moving with enhanced speed. His left palm glistened with searing trails of flame qi, the air whipping around it as he sought to smash Miao Ying's arm into a pulp.

The elders narrowed their eyes. In truth, both had been prepared to call the duel after Miao Ying's initial display of dominance. They had not anticipated his decisive follow-up attack and now stood ready to intervene to save his life if necessary.

However, Miao Ying coldly snorted, pushing his body to 60% of its full power. The arcs of lightning around his fist grew more pronounced. 

Though he could have easily dispatched Kie's attack with the Devourer Art, Miao Ying refrained, unwilling to risk revealing too much in the presence of Houtian elders. Greed, after all, was an ever-present danger in their world.

Without a trace of fear, Miao Ying's lightning-imbued fist shot forward with unstoppable momentum, smashing through the searing heat emanating from Kie's palm. Nothing could hinder its path.

The impact was tremendous, accompanied by a sickening crunch and a horrified scream from Kie. Blood splattered everywhere as the hapless disciple was sent tumbling across the floor, bouncing and rolling, his blood staining the polished wood.

When he finally came to a stop, the other disciples sucked in a collective gasp. Kie's left arm was brutally twisted, bones jutting out from torn flesh as blood continued to seep from the gruesome wound. He clutched at the mangled limb, agony etched across his face.

The proctor elders blinked, briefly taken aback. Miao Ying's first blow had already demonstrated prowess surpassing the Body Refinement realm, and the dancing lightning around his fist indicated an affinity for that powerful element, as well as the skill to control it in combat. 

But to witness him overpower a high-grade Mortal Tier art with sheer physical might? 

That was not something they could overlook, even if it was the lowest tier of cultivation arts.

Quickly regaining their composure, the proctor elder addressed one of the disciples. "Take him to the infirmary to be healed." 

The startled disciple nodded and hurried to comply, not daring to spare a second glance at Miao Ying.

Turning to Miao Ying, the elder declared, "You pass. Despite your unprecedented results, you must still participate in the Riverfall Killing Array. This will allow us to determine your standing in the Ranking War and the appropriate abode for you."

Miao Ying nodded, about to ask a question, but the female elder, now wearing a gentler expression took the initiative.

There was a calculating gleam in her eye as she stepped forward with a courteous smile. "Allow me to explain a bit more about how our sect is structured. We are divided into three main groups. The Spirit Abode houses our ordinary outer sect disciples, those who have yet to distinguish themselves. The Earth Abode is reserved for true geniuses, disciples who have displayed exceptional talent and combat prowess. Those lucky enough to be placed in the Earth Abode are granted access to their own personal quarters, extra Spirit Stone allowances, additional Merit Points, which can be exchanged for various items such as arts, weapons, or treasures, and personalized instruction from the sect's elders. Finally, there is the Heaven Abode, home to the cream of our crop, the top fifteen disciples of the entire Blazing Sun Sect. The rewards for ascending to such a height are, of course, beyond the imagination of most. However, competition for those coveted spots is unimaginably fierce. And below them, there are two hundred in the Earth Abode and thousands upon thousands in the Spirit Abode."

"I understand," Miao Ying replied calmly. 

His sights were set on the Earth Abode. The Heaven Abode was not his goal, at least not yet - his cultivation was still too limited likely not even enough to truly contend with the fourth stage of Qi Establishment in a straight fight. 

But the heaven-defying advantage granted by his Devourer Art gave him confidence. With its power, he was certain he could punch well above his weight and secure a spot in the Earth Abode.

It really wouldn't matter too much about showing his talent. He would be well secured by the elders in the Earth Adobe and his prowess will remain a mystery because he will be fighting inside an array realm.

"Elders, if I may ask, what is the lowest realm within the Earth Abode?" Miao Ying inquired.

"The fifth stage of Qi Establishment," the proctor elder replied. "But do not think cultivation level alone is enough to determine one's placement. Those who ascend to the heights of our sect are monsters of battle, cultivators with exceptional combat skills in addition to powerful cultivation bases. The Riverfall Killing Array will test both your martial prowess and your staying power. You will be transported to a special dimension filled with fierce spirit beasts and human-like challengers."

The protector elder continued his explanation. "Once inside the Riverfall Killing Array, you will be given a selection of weapons to choose from. If you have a preferred armament of your own, you may also imagine making use of it. Your performance will be judged based on the number of opponents you can defeat until your body is killed. Reaching the top ranks of the Spirit Abode would already be considered an excellent result for an initial placement."

"I am ready," Miao Ying declared, his voice filled with calm assurance. He had no further questions.

The proctor elder gave a nod of acknowledgment and took out a transmission jade slip, using it to send a quick message. A reply came an instant later. 

"The Riverfall Killing Array is available. Come, I will guide you there myself."

As the elder turned to lead the way, Miao Ying fell into step behind him. The remaining disciples were left standing in the hall, looks of confusion, envy, and uncertainty playing across their faces as they tried to make sense of what they had just witnessed.

Miao Ying paid them no heed, instead focusing on drinking in more of the Blazing Sun Sect's wondrous sights as he followed the elder through the sect grounds. 

Everywhere he looked, he saw signs of the sect's fire-attuned heritage, from wisps of flame curling around the eaves of palatial buildings to the shimmering, heat-distorted air that seemed to rise from the immaculate white stones of the path under his feet.

Soon, the sounds of a great commotion reached Miao Ying's ears. They were approaching a massive plaza, in the center of which stood a raised platform. 

At the center of the platform stood a beautiful, imposing altar adorned with dazzling Dao runes. 

Tens of thousands of shimmering runes were carved into the altar, radiating palpable waves of energy. 

Beside the altar, a magical crystal projected a shimmering blanket of essence, upon which the words "Battle Results" were inscribed.

Hundreds of disciples were gathered around the platform, their attention focused on the proceedings taking place atop it.

A group of ten cultivators were at the center of the formation, each one wreathed in a brilliant white aura. Their eyes were closed in concentration as they sat in meditative poses, seemingly oblivious to the cacophony of the crowd.