Chapter 0457: Scorching Wind Life Aperture

"This blade technique is of a high grade and costs a significant number of merit points. It's not easy to exchange for, and it's difficult to cultivate. It demands extreme speed—without it, the true power of the technique cannot be unleashed. I didn't expect Miss Mu to have reached such a level with it. If it weren't for facing a Shadow Leopard, most other beasts would've been shredded to pieces by that storm of blades at first contact."

"And her movement technique—Phantom Step—that's another advanced combat technique. Comprehending its essence requires exceptional perception and a natural affinity for it."

In the spectator stands, many sharp-eyed viewers watched the brutal fight in the arena with amazement.

"Sister Guiying's talent is truly impressive. Whether it's the Gale Blade Technique or Phantom Step, she's cultivated both to a remarkable level. However, the Shadow Leopard is also a speed-type beast. In terms of agility and reflexes, it's on par with her. Winning this battle won't be easy," Cai Yan said, her eyes showing a hint of concern.

The Shadow Leopard was known for its ferocity. Once it spotted a flaw, its rapid kill strike could tear someone apart in an instant.

"Don't worry," Yi Tianxing said calmly. "With Phantom Step, Guiying's movements are incredibly elusive. Her body flickers about unpredictably, with each step naturally flowing as if by instinct, always dodging the Shadow Leopard's attacks at the last moment. And coupled with the Gale Blade Technique, she should be fine for now. For cultivators—especially battle cultivators—it's only by fighting strong enemies under pressure that one can break through, awaken potential, and grasp the true essence of their techniques."

Blades flashed across the arena.

Yi Tianxing's sharp gaze missed nothing. Even though their speed was extraordinary, every motion was crystal clear to his eyes. Against an evenly matched opponent, the optimal approach wasn't instant kill—it was using the opponent as a whetstone to hone every technique.

He could clearly see the improvement: each blade strike was faster, more precise, and more varied. The strikes became increasingly fluid and unpredictable, with wisps of wind energy swirling along the arcs. Meanwhile, Phantom Step grew ever more instinctive—each movement natural, each step perfectly timed to avoid a strike.

Her expression grew more composed and confident.

Suddenly, after another intense exchange, the Shadow Leopard's eyes flashed with murderous intent. Then, it vanished.

Its body seemed to melt into shadow, phasing through the incoming blades like a ghost—untouchable, ethereal. A terrifying sight.

Shadow Leopard's Bloodline Divine Power — Shadow Form!

Its body turned into a pitch-black silhouette, immune to normal attacks. Only true martial will could harm it. Worse still, in this form, its speed multiplied several times over.

A wave of lethal pressure surged forth like a tidal wave.

"Hah!!"

Mu Guiying let out a sudden shout.

Then—she opened her mouth and exhaled.

Woooooo!!

A gust of crimson wind burst out of nowhere, blazing with red light. It instantly enveloped the area before her.

Roar!!

The Shadow Leopard, mid-lunge, was caught in the gust and engulfed. Despite its incorporeal form, the wind crept in through every pore, seeping into its body. Its fur ignited. The heat made its blood boil—it felt like it would combust from within.

It screamed. The pain was unbearable.

It could no longer maintain its Shadow Form and reverted to its physical body.

In that instant, a blade flashed—and the Shadow Leopard's head flew off. Blood spurted as its body collapsed.

Life Aperture — Scorching Wind!!

From her Life Aperture, Mu Guiying summoned a scorching wind imbued with fiery essence. This wind could ignite a body from the outside or drill into the body and incinerate the blood, muscles, and even bones into ashes. It was overwhelmingly tyrannical.

With her Scorching Wind Divine Power, she shattered the Shadow Form, then followed up with a clean decapitation—ending the battle in an instant.

Every action was swift and decisive.

The spectators were stunned, unable to react to the lightning-fast change of events.

It felt like a dream.

Unreal.

"Amazing! She cast a divine power—not from a talisman, but directly from within! She's awakened a Life Aperture and nurtured a divine power within it. What kind of wind was that? So fierce—it burned the Shadow Leopard instantly, even while it was in Shadow Form! That wind—unstoppable!"

"No wonder the Shadow Leopard had a divine power. Its Shadow Form is said to be terrifying, especially in darkness. It turns them into deadly assassins, and their speed multiplies. If Mu Guiying didn't also have a divine power, she might've died. The battlefield changes in the blink of an eye—life and death decided in a single moment."

Many cultivators were awestruck. They looked at Mu Guiying with newfound respect.

Facing a Shadow Leopard, most of them would be killed in seconds. There'd be no hope of survival.

To kill one, Mu Guiying had proven herself a true powerhouse, even in the elite-ridden Xuanhuang City.

"That girl—she even hid this from her own father. When we get back, I'll have to teach her a lesson," muttered Mu Yu with a grunt. But his eyes gleamed with pride and joy.

That was his daughter—how could he not be proud?

Whoosh!!

Suddenly, a blood-red light flashed on the arena. The fallen Shadow Leopard was enveloped by a scarlet divine radiance. Its body vanished, transforming into a stream of blood-colored light shooting ten zhang into the sky.

The beam pulsed—and shrouded Mu Guiying in return.

Above her head, a three-zhang-tall pillar of bloodlight formed.

Streams of bloodlight flowed into her body through the beam.

"Three zhang?! That's thirty percent! She absorbed thirty percent of the Shadow Leopard's power—an immense fortune!"

"Normally, even a victor only gets one zhang. A beast's full essence only produces ten zhang total—so getting three zhang means a full thirty percent. That's three fights' worth of reward in one! Incredible. This will definitely push her cultivation up a level."

"She earned it. That duel was not just exciting—it came down to divine power vs divine power. The kill was clean and decisive. With a display like that, such a reward is well deserved."

Many onlookers gasped in disbelief, then looked at her with deep envy.

The height of the light marked the percentage of the beast's power absorbed. The beam's thickness indicated the strength and quality of that energy.

This time, the Shadow Leopard's blood pillar was thick and potent—its power immense.

A thirty percent reward—an incredibly rich harvest.

And the energy was utterly pure—no hidden dangers.

As the bloodlight continued to flow into her, Mu Guiying's aura rapidly strengthened. Her long hair fluttered despite no wind, her presence noble and awe-inspiring.

"Incredible. I didn't know Sister Guiying had such a divine power. No wonder she dared challenge a savage beast," said Cai Yan with a smile.

"She's awakened a wind-element Life Aperture, and a very rare variant wind divine power. Its destructive potential is tremendous. With proper cultivation, it'll be incredibly lethal," Yi Tianxing nodded quietly.

Compared to the immediate reward, the more important gain was the divine power from her Life Aperture. That represented her future.

If one's cultivation was lacking, time could fix that. But a weak Life Aperture divine power couldn't be made up for later—it was innate, already awakened, requiring no resources or treasures.

"Sixth level peak of the Divine Sea Realm."

Mu Guiying smiled as she absorbed the last of the energy. Her strength had clearly broken through a bottleneck. Her body and bones had also grown tougher.

It was an astonishing transformation.

Both her cultivation and physical body had evolved. The blood essence infused her flesh and bones, akin to a complete body refinement—an immense boost to her physique.

Mu Guiying received 30%; the remaining 70% of the Shadow Leopard's essence was absorbed by the arena itself—vanishing into its depths, seemingly reinforcing its foundation for future evolution.

Mu Guiying didn't linger and descended the arena, her face still lit with joy.

But the battles in the coliseum were far from over.

Every day, ten death matches would be held. Only after ten bouts would the arena close, allowing beasts to rest and recover.