The Strongest Talent Tree

Chapter 179: Chapter 176: Star Moon Square Circle

As it turned out, Dugu Xiao and his three companions lived up to their reputation as elites from the major sects. Their fierce assault pressed Xiyue Peak’s team so hard they could barely breathe.

On the vast battle stage, ghostly shadows and giant beasts danced wildly. Sword light and powerful energy crisscrossed, while Secret Techniques and waves of force struck the barrier, sending ripples across its surface.

Seeing Xiyue Peak’s team steadily losing ground, West Moon Ridge grew nervous in the stands. "What do we do? I’m afraid Peak and the others are going to lose!"

"Don’t worry. Though these kids are formidable, your four great families are no pushovers," the Old City Lord said, looking completely relaxed.

"Do you mean they still have a chance?" West Moon Ridge asked, stunned. "But it’s obvious they’re already giving it their all!"

"Just keep watching patiently, and you’ll see," the Old City Lord said with a meaningful smile.

On the stage, the battle continued.

Xiyue Peak’s team was in a sorry state, steadily retreating. With the exception of Dongfang Wuji, they had all lost more than half of their Qi Blood. In contrast, Dugu Xiao’s team had abundant Qi Blood and fought with increasing ferocity.

"You Patriarchs are indeed very strong, but it’s a pity you ran into us." Hu Xun was at the forefront, his entire body shrouded in dark, ghostly shadows.

As he spoke, countless ghostly shadows howled forth like a horde of frantic demons, swarming toward Xiyue Peak’s team to entangle them.

At the same time, Dugu Xiao leaped into the air. Countless sword phantoms materialized around him, spinning and crisscrossing to form a cyan Sword Array, which then crashed down with the force of a thunderclap.

SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!

A rain of swords fell and ghostly shadows howled, tearing the gales controlled by Beixing Kuang to shreds.

"Just give up."

Meanwhile, Ye Xiaobao let out a loud laugh. The magic treasure in his hand shone brightly, and in the blink of an eye, a massive Dragon Seal condensed above his head, pressing down on Xiyue Peak’s team with unstoppable momentum.

At that moment, cries of alarm rang out both inside and outside the arena. Many people were so frightened they squeezed their eyes shut.

However, in the face of this crisis, the four from Xiyue Peak remained calm. Exchanging a focused glance, they broke through the entangling shadows and leaped up to meet the Sword Array and the Dragon Seal.

"Star!" Beixing Kuang roared, and was instantly enveloped in a hurricane.

"Moon!" Xiyue Peak followed right behind, his body encased in a layer of ice armor.

"Fang!" Dongfang Wuji charged to the very front.

"Yuan!" Nanyuan Bo leaped into the center of the other three. Raging flames shot into the sky, instantly incinerating the Sword Array and the Dragon Seal.

The next moment, wild gales howled and monstrous flames surged across the stage. A terrifying aura erupted. The entire arena suddenly darkened as the sky filled with twinkling starlight and a new moon slowly rose. The battle stage beneath their feet instantly shattered, and crimson lava gushed out.

At the same time, the movements of Dugu Xiao’s team came to an abrupt halt. Their Qi Blood felt as if it had been completely drained, and they were sent flying backward, crashing against the barrier before finally falling onto the shattered stage.

The entire audience fell silent. No one could believe what they were seeing.

In the viewing stands, everyone’s eyes were wide with shock—everyone except for the Old City Lord. This was especially true for West Moon Ridge and the high-level staff from the academy.

"What just happened? Peak and the others..." West Moon Ridge looked at the Old City Lord, her expression a mixture of shock and doubt.

But the Old City Lord just smiled without a word. With a light laugh, he waved his hand to dismiss the barrier and said calmly, "The match is decided. You little ones should leave Rongcheng as soon as possible."

With that, the Old City Lord rose and looked at Feng Hao. "Wind Boy, come see me tonight."

"Uh." Feng Hao was taken aback. Just as he was about to ask a question, he realized the Old City Lord had already vanished.

Back on the stage, Dugu Xiao and his three companions stood up, their faces pale. Their eyes were filled with shock as they looked at the four from Xiyue Peak. It took them a long while to recover from the reality of their defeat.

"A loss is a loss. We will withdraw from Rongcheng as soon as possible," Dugu Xiao said, stepping forward and cupping his fists.

The four from Xiyue Peak didn’t look too good either; the toll from that last move, [Star-Moon Square-Circle], was immense. Nanyuan Bo laughed arrogantly, "The fact that you forced us to use [Star-Moon Square-Circle] means you’re already damn impressive!"

"Star-Moon Square-Circle?" Ye Xiaobao asked with a frown. "Is that a combination Secret Technique?"

"To be precise, it’s a bloodline combination skill," Xiyue Peak explained with a faint smile.

"We have been enlightened." Ye Xiaobao and his companions all nodded and bowed, then turned and left Rongcheng Academy.

Although Hu Xun was unwilling to accept the outcome, he still gritted his teeth and left Rongcheng Academy. There was nothing to be done. This small city of Rongcheng was far more terrifying than he had imagined. For masters above the seventh rank, the Old City Lord stood in the way, and for those below it, the four great families held the line. There was simply no way to make a move.

After Dugu Xiao and his group left, the shocked crowd gradually began to recover their senses.

Over with the members of the Thief God Hall, Kang Shuai and Wang Tongqian also sucked in a sharp breath. They stared in the direction of the four great families with astonished suspicion, clicking their tongues in amazement. "What a terrifying bloodline combination skill. Even an Eighth-rank Mage would have a hard time withstanding that."

"It seems we still underestimated this little city," Kang Shuai said, his eyes glinting.

"So... are we still doing our mission or not?" Wang Tongqian asked with a strange expression.

Kang Shuai rolled his eyes and said irritably, "They’ve already left. What’s there to do?"

"Uh, we came all this way. Isn’t it a bit embarrassing to go back empty-handed?" Wang Tongqian asked, taken aback.

"So what if it’s embarrassing? We’re used to it anyway," Kang Shuai said nonchalantly.

"That’s true," Wang Tongqian said with a self-deprecating laugh. His gaze shifted to Feng Hao. "In any case, we got to see Brother Feng, so it wasn’t a completely wasted trip."

Feng Hao looked surprised. "Did you two also come to investigate the ancient restriction?"

"Not exactly," Kang Shuai said with a faint smirk. "Our Thief God Hall doesn’t have much contact with the outside world, so we’re not very interested in the ancient restriction. Our mission was to cause some trouble for the five great sects, but it looks like that’s no longer necessary."

"..." Feng Hao was speechless.

Meanwhile, West Moon Ridge was twisting Xiyue Peak’s ear and frantically interrogating him. "Spill it! What was that bloodline combination skill all about?"

"Oww! Sis, let go! I’m a Patriarch now, you know? Can’t you spare me some dignity?" Xiyue Peak cried out in pain.

"Hmph!" West Moon Ridge said angrily. "Are you going to talk or not?"

"I’ll talk, I’ll talk," Xiyue Peak said, nodding with a wry smile.

"That’s more like it." West Moon Ridge nodded in satisfaction, her beautiful eyes fixed on Xiyue Peak, waiting for him to fess up.

Xiyue Peak rubbed his ear, speechless. He glanced at Nanyuan Bo and the other two, who were trying to stifle their laughter, then shook his head with a wry smile. "Star-Moon Square-Circle is a combination skill passed down through the generations in our four clans. Only the Patriarch of each generation can master it. It’s used to jointly resist external threats."

Hearing this, West Moon Ridge quickly understood. She pouted and complained, "That damn old man is such a jerk! He never tells me anything. It’s infuriating!"

"Uh, you can’t blame Father for this," Xiyue Peak said irritably. "He originally planned to make you the Patriarch, Sis. But you were the one who insisted on leaving the Ancient Cang Realm."

"Don’t give me that nonsense," West Moon Ridge said viciously. "Let’s go. We’re going home, and you’re going to tell me everything else I don’t know. If you don’t, watch out, or I’ll beat you up!"

Xiyue Peak let out a wry laugh and followed closely behind West Moon Ridge.

After the pair left, the other three families, led by Dongfang Wuji, also departed from Rongcheng Academy...

Meanwhile, Feng Hao had led Kang Shuai and Wang Tongqian over to the group of Class One students.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!