Chapter 27: SS-Class versus S-Class! [Third Update]

After calming himself, Hu Li said seriously, “Liang Zixiao hails from the Nether Abyss Sect. His master is a figure on par with the pillars of the nation. In the Deep Domain, it’s best not to reveal Liang Zixiao’s identity unless you’re in a life-or-death struggle. If you must let him fight, there must be no survivors—no word can leak out.”

Yang Dai felt a warmth in his heart and replied with a smile, “I understand.”

“So, that means you were on the Northern Suburb County battlefield recently?”

“Yes!”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner? There’s a general stationed with the army there named Chen Shouxin—a member of the Combat Bureau. The Deep Domain’s main bureau oversees both Intelligence and Combat. You’re already one of the key talents the Abyss Main Bureau is nurturing. If you’d let me know ahead of time, I could have spoken to Chen Shouxin for you—he could have looked after you.”

Hu Li shook his head, feigning annoyance as he spoke.

He patted Yang Dai’s shoulder. “Yang, do you still not trust your old brother? Are you worried someone on the inside will harm you?”

Yang Dai laughed. “How could you say that? Everyone has their privacy. Besides, I can’t trouble you all the time. You need time to cultivate too.”

Hu Li found that reasonable. He had his own cards to play, after all, but he couldn’t help worrying about Yang Dai’s safety—especially after this encounter with Liang Zixiao. A typical fourth-level Qi Condensation practitioner would have died for sure.

Wait a second.

How did this kid reach the fourth level of Qi Condensation so fast? That bottle of Qi Condensation Pills should only have gotten him to the third level at most. Could it be that his spiritual roots are extraordinary too?

Hu Li suddenly felt a pang of jealousy toward Yang Dai. Comparing oneself to others was truly infuriating.

Curious, he asked, “Yang, just how many shade followers do you have now?”

Yang Dai grinned. “Didn’t I say last time? A hundred!”

Liang Zixiao, who was cultivating nearby, twitched at the corner of his mouth.

He would never forget the trauma of being beaten by five hundred shades—it had become a psychological shadow.

“Not bad, not bad. I’ll help you apply for a storage pouch and a sword soon, just in case there’s a beast tide and you’re left unarmed.” Hu Li smiled.

Yang Dai thanked him at once.

Hu Li suddenly changed the subject, smiling. “An S-class talent has arrived at the base, transferred from another province. He’s a trial-taker like you, and wants to spar. It’s a private match—the result won’t be made public. Are you willing? Of course, if not, I can refuse him.”

Yang Dai ate as he asked, “Who is it?”

“Zhou Xingma—the one who recently opened the Celestial Paradise Secret Realm. Because of this, he’s earned great merit, and the Deep Domain’s Central Bureau wants to reward him. Unexpectedly, he wants to spar with you instead.” Hu Li shook his head, smiling.

He could understand why. Without the Overlord Who Never Crosses Rivers, Zhou Xingma, with his S-class talent, would likely be the most famous rookie this year—at least, he wouldn’t be so easily overlooked now.

Yang Dai raised an eyebrow. This guy had just called him “boss” under his SkyNet post, and now wanted to challenge him.

“Alright, I accept,” Yang Dai agreed. Better to let the man give up early and see reality for what it was.

Hu Li’s smile was thin. Zhou Xingma had come from another province to challenge Yang Dai—an implicit provocation to Hanxi Province. Naturally, he was displeased.

“I’ll make the arrangements. How about noon tomorrow? Or you can pick the time,” Hu Li offered as he stood.

“That’s fine.”

With Yang Dai’s agreement, Hu Li patted him on the shoulder again and left without further comment.

Yang Dai didn’t take Zhou Xingma to heart. Even without Liang Zixiao, he was confident.

If Tian Buzhong couldn’t win, he’d send in ten shade followers to swarm the opponent!

If ten weren’t enough, then fifty!

This fight had to break Zhou Xingma’s spirit so he’d never dare challenge him again.

Yang Dai found himself looking forward to the match.

…

The next day at noon, Hu Li came in person to escort Yang Dai. Yang Dai didn’t bring along those who were still cultivating: Liang Zixiao, Ying Ji, Liu Junjie, Shi Long, or Cang Lang. He only stored Cheng Hungry Ghost, Bai Wei, and Tian Buzhong in his soul space.

He intended to let Zhou Xingma experience the might of the Grand Sky Sword Formation.

Hu Li seemed entirely at ease, showing no concern for Yang Dai as they chatted about the beast tides on their way.

A few minutes later, they arrived at a training ground about half the size of a soccer field, bordered by wire fencing and cleared of grass. A young man sat cross-legged in meditation at its center.

Yang Dai’s gaze landed on Zhou Xingma.

The guy was quite good-looking—almost as handsome as Yang Dai himself. He wasn’t especially burly, dressed casually in a white shirt and blue jeans.

But sitting in meditation in jeans—was he serious?

Zhou Xingma opened his eyes, meeting Yang Dai’s gaze.

Yang Dai wore a traditional black robe, specially made by the Intelligence Bureau. He couldn’t be bothered to change into modern clothes. Since entering the Deep Domain, he hadn’t cut his hair, letting it grow longer to fit the style of the Great Xia Dynasty. Now, he had a certain elegant flair.

Zhou Xingma had the same thought about Yang Dai.

Good-looking, but not as handsome as me.

Zhou Xingma stood, waiting for Yang Dai to approach.

Meanwhile, soldiers began gathering from all directions, standing behind the wire fence to watch.

All soldiers at the base entered the Deep Domain, though in turns and with strict order, as a garrison was always required in the real world.

“Is that the Overlord Who Never Crosses Rivers?”

“He really is a high school student—so young.”

“Amazing, he’s already at the fourth level of Qi Condensation?”

“Captain, seriously? Is his SS-class talent some cultivation talent?”

“Zhou Xingma’s done for—he’s only at the third level.”

The soldiers chatted among themselves. As a Qi Condensation practitioner, Zhou Xingma could hear clearly, and his expression changed when he learned Yang Dai had already reached the fourth level.

How could he be so fast?

Barely two months in the Deep Domain, and already at the fourth level?

Zhou Xingma himself had only reached the third level thanks to the fortune of the Celestial Paradise.

Still, he didn’t panic. Since he’d come this far, he’d see what Yang Dai was made of.

Hu Li introduced them with a smile.

Zhou Xingma’s gaze was intense. “Overlord, I’ve been looking forward to this. I want to see your talent for myself.”

Yang Dai smiled. “Of course. You’ll find out soon enough. Win or lose, let’s not take it to heart.”

Seeing Yang Dai’s easy manner, Zhou Xingma responded in kind. “Naturally.” His accent matched the current Great Xia Dynasty trend.

Hu Li smiled. “Then let’s begin. Just go to first blood—I’ll step in if things get dangerous.”

Zhou Xingma raised both hands. Blue flames surged from his palms, burning fiercely.

A black mark appeared at the center of Yang Dai’s brow. Cheng Hungry Ghost, Bai Wei, and Tian Buzhong emerged, landing in front of him.

Zhou Xingma paused in surprise. “You have a summoning talent?”

Yang Dai nodded with a smile. “Go on—defeat him.”

The three charged at once.

They moved with startling speed, reaching Zhou Xingma in an instant. As shades, they had no fear of his blue flames, closing in to attack with fists and feet.

When it came to martial skill, how could Zhou Xingma compare to three shades hardened by years in the martial world? He was immediately outmatched, forced onto the defensive and quickly taking a beating.

Yang Dai was secretly alarmed—these three shade followers were ruthless, every move a killing blow. He’d said “defeat him,” not “kill him!”