Chapter 497: Sweeping the Transcendent Prodigies

“Who else dares to challenge me?!”

As the words echoed, the arena fell into complete silence.

The Extraordinary Talent Prodigies exchanged glances, yet none dared to step forward.

A Primitive Aptitude warrior had declared war on the transcendent prodigies, yet none dared to accept the challenge.

This unprecedented scene was destined to be etched in history.

The reason was simple: Jiang Ye’s power was overwhelming, so terrifying that even these transcendent prodigies trembled in fear.

“No challengers?”

“Then I’ll take you down one by one.” Jiang Ye gripped his long spear and charged forward.

Boom!

Jiang Ye transformed into a streak of flowing light, his terrifying speed closing the distance in an instant.

“Damn it!”

“Attack together! Team up against him!”

“Block him now!” The remaining transcendent prodigies panicked, hastily forming a defensive formation to resist Jiang Ye’s onslaught.

But it was futile.

Even when Chu Jingye was still present, they had been no match for Jiang Ye.

Now that Chu Jingye had been eliminated, how could these remnants possibly withstand a single strike from Jiang Ye?

“Eliminated,” Jiang Ye said coldly, his spear tip tracing a dazzling arc across the sky before crashing down on one of the transcendent prodigies.

This group had previously ganged up on him and Chen Zilu.

Now, Jiang Ye showed no mercy.

“Block it!!” The transcendent prodigy roared, unleashing every ounce of his strength to parry Jiang Ye’s strike.

But in the next instant…

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A series of explosive sounds erupted as the long spear pierced downward, crushing the opponent’s defenses like dry leaves.

One spear, one kill!

Thwack! The transcendent prodigy was completely impaled. A tidal wave of force slammed into him, sending him flying backward, blood gushing from his mouth.

Whoosh!

An invisible wave enveloped him, instantly teleporting him out of the arena.

“First one down,” Jiang Ye said coldly, turning to his next target.

Second!

Third!

Fourth!

Empowered by numerous buffs and the Ash Law, Jiang Ye moved like a God of Slaughter, utterly unstoppable.

Within a single minute, all the transcendent prodigies had been eliminated.

Only Jiang Ye, Chen Zilu, and Li Zihuang remained in the tournament arena.

Though the two women possessed distinct appearances, their faces now wore identical expressions of shock.

“It’s over?” Li Zihuang murmured, staring at the empty arena, her voice filled with disbelief.

Even Chen Zilu was deeply shaken.

“Jiang Ye…?”

“When did he become so strong?” Chen Zilu’s delicate face was etched with astonishment.

She knew Jiang Ye was skilled and had always believed in him.

But this?

Slaughtering transcendent prodigies like chickens? Was this truly the Jiang Ye she knew?

At that moment, Jiang Ye turned his gaze toward the purple-robed girl standing a short distance away.

“Li Zihuang.”

“Your turn.”

Silence hung heavy in the air.

Jiang Ye didn’t make the first move, and Li Zihuang remained silent for a long moment.

A moment passed.

“Thank you,” Li Zihuang murmured with a sigh.

Her gratitude was for Jiang Ye’s decision to let her keep the third-place position. Otherwise, given her true strength, she might not have even made the top five. This year’s Great Stellar War was overflowing with formidable contenders.

“There’s no need for thanks,” Jiang Ye replied calmly. “Since you chose to help me, I will ensure your safety. However, my goal is the All-Stars Champion, so our paths will inevitably clash.”

He made his intentions clear to ensure he could act without restraint later.

“Understood,” Li Zihuang nodded slightly.

A shrewd woman, she immediately grasped Jiang Ye’s meaning.

“Then let’s fight,” she declared. “I want to see just how vast the gap between us truly is.” Battle intent flared in her eyes; her competitive spirit burned fiercely.

Boom!

A powerful aura erupted from Li Zihuang’s body.

A snow-white sword materialized in her hand, and a boundless sword intent surged skyward.

“Kill!” Li Zihuang gripped the sword and charged directly at Jiang Ye.

Clang!

The two clashed instantly. In the very first exchange, Li Zihuang was completely overwhelmed by Jiang Ye’s relentless assault.

“His spear is too long,” Li Zihuang struggled to defend.

An inch longer, an inch stronger.

With Jiang Ye’s current skill, wielding his spear in battle, Li Zihuang couldn’t even get close.

“Heavenly Maiden Heart Sutra,” Li Zihuang murmured, her purple eyes flashing. An invisible wave of energy surged forth, instantly enveloping Jiang Ye.

The Heavenly Maiden Heart Sutra was a demigod-tier technique specializing in targeting the sea of consciousness. It could create hyperrealistic illusionary realms, trapping opponents in complete immersion. Even those with exceptionally strong wills might experience a momentary lapse in focus. In the split-second clashes between seventh breakthrough experts, such a lapse could determine victory or defeat.

“Succumb!” Li Zihuang’s crimson lips parted slightly.

The most remarkable aspect of the Heavenly Maiden Heart Sutra was its ability to tailor illusions to each opponent, striking directly at their weaknesses.

From Jiang Ye’s perspective, Li Zihuang shed her outer robes, revealing skin as pale and smooth as jade. She rose onto her snow-white toes and began to dance gracefully before him.

“An illusionary realm? Break!” Jiang Ye snorted coldly, his spear slashing through the air.

Jiang Ye’s willpower was unparalleled. For countless days and nights, he had repeatedly endured the trials of the Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder’s first level. It could be said that even the martial willpower of a ninth breakthrough expert might not match his.

The Heavenly Maiden Heart Sutra was undoubtedly extraordinary, yet it proved insufficient to sway Jiang Ye.

“What?”

“Completely unaffected?” Li Zihuang exclaimed in astonishment.

She could faintly sense Jiang Ye’s illusionary realm, after all, she had cast it herself. His complete indifference stirred a complex mix of emotions within her.

Am I really that unappealing to him?

Li Zihuang felt a surge of indignation, but she had no time to dwell on it.

Jiang Ye’s spear, long and ferocious, was already hurtling toward her.

Boom!

Endless stellar energy converged, crashing down like a meteor.

This time, Li Zihuang couldn’t withstand the force. Her strength, while formidable, was not among the top-rank among the transcendent prodigies.

Thwack! The spear pierced through her defenses.

Sigh.

Li Zihuang sighed softly, her beautiful eyes fixed on Jiang Ye. “You’re truly strong. I’m no match for you.”

Whoosh! An invisible force surged, and her figure gradually dissipated.

“Senior Sister,” Jiang Ye said, turning to Chen Zilu.

In the Great Stellar War, there were no joint champions.

The two would ultimately have to face each other in a final battle.

“Jiang Ye, thank you,” Chen Zilu said with a smile. “I wouldn’t have made it this far without your help.”

“There’s no need for such words,” Jiang Ye said, shaking his head. “But if you insist, without you, Senior Sister, I might not have reached where I am today.”

This was the truth.

Without Chen Zilu’s past assistance—the Enlightenment Divine Jade, the space bracelet, and numerous fifth-tier opportunities and supreme treasures—Jiang Ye might not have even successfully achieved his fifth breakthrough.

Let alone now, sweeping through the Battlefield of the Myriad Stars and dominating the transcendent prodigies.

“Alright,” Chen Zilu said, her peach blossom eyes hardening with resolve. “Let’s have a battle. I’ll give it my all.”

This was her greatest respect for Jiang Ye.

Boom! Boom!

(End of the Chapter)