44: Chapter 44: First Victory

"Eighth Demon Son Xiao Ran has arrived!"

As the words fell.

A grey-black streak of light swept over from the east and landed on the viewing platform belonging to the Eighth Demon Son.

Xiao Ran wore a simple black robe, his aura restrained, but his eyes were as bright as stars.

As his gaze swept across the arena, many Disciples who met his eyes felt their Divine Soul tremble slightly.

"Hiss... Is he already at the last stage of Golden Core?"

"Going from a novice to the last stage of Golden Core in just one year, this speed..."

"He is worthy of being the Demon Son personally appointed by the Sect Master; he is truly terrifying. I heard that three months ago, he even joined forces with Hall Master Mo to wipe out the remnants of the Shiyin Sect, achieving great merit."

"Comparing people to others only brings frustration!"

"The Eighth Demon Son is strong, but the ranking battle depends on actual combat. Which of the first seven Demon Sons isn't a veteran of many battles?"

"It will be difficult for the Eighth Demon Son to climb higher."

"I think so too. Not to mention the other Demon Sons, even Seventh Demon Son is hard to say. Seventh Demon Son has spent three full years honing his skills at the Peak of the Golden Core Realm, and he is a Body Cultivator to boot; his strength is unquestionable."

Discussions broke out on various viewing platforms.

Xiao Ran turned a deaf ear to them, his gaze calmly sweeping over the other seven Demon Sons.

Li Tianxing closed his eyes to rest, not glancing at him at all.

Poison Lady's eyes were playful, with colorful smoke swirling around her fingertips.

White Bone Scholar smiled and nodded at him, appearing to be a good-natured person.

Yin Jiuyou's dark green eyes lingered on him for a moment before shifting away.

Blood Slaughterer grinned, revealing ghastly white teeth, full of Battle Intent.

Ghost Shadow's figure was blurry, and his expression could not be seen.

Tie Kuang nodded at him. This Demon Son, who was a Body Cultivator, had a straightforward personality and seemed to harbor no hostility toward Xiao Ran.

At this moment, Xiao Ran already had a plan in his mind.

The ranking battle was not just about rankings, but also resources, status, and the Sect's attention.

But more importantly, it was about knowing one's limits.

Being too rigid leads to breaking, and being too conspicuous invites jealousy.

Six months ago, he had just joined forces with Mo Yuan to wipe out the Shiyin Sect, and he was currently in the spotlight.

Today, most people were likely here for him.

"The pressure is immense!"

Xiao Ran sighed once again.

Just at this moment.

"Silence."

An aged voice resounded across the Heaven Rank.

The figure of Deacon Hall Master Mo Yuan appeared silently on the Void Realm throne directly above the dueling platform.

Sitting with him were three other Elders with auras as deep as the sea.

They were all Elders of the Eternal Night Demon Sect, with at least Void Refining cultivation.

The four high-ranking members of the Sect had come in person, demonstrating the importance placed on this battle.

"I will not say any unnecessary words."

"I declare the Demon Son ranking battle to begin now."

Mo Yuan's voice was indifferent, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"According to the rules, the lowest-ranked participant challenges first. Eighth Demon Son Xiao Ran, you may choose to challenge Seventh Demon Son Tie Kuang, or abstain to retain your position."

All gazes instantly focused on Xiao Ran.

The first battle had arrived.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ran slowly rose to his feet. With one step, his figure appeared on the dueling platform.

He looked toward the viewing platform where Seventh Demon Son Tie Kuang was located and cupped his hands.

"Senior Brother Tie, please offer your guidance."

Tie Kuang laughed heartily, leapt down, and landed a hundred zhang away from Xiao Ran.

"Junior Brother Xiao, ever since you wiped out the Shiyin Sect half a year ago, I have wanted to spar with you!"

"Today is the perfect time!"

As his words fell, Tie Kuang's Golden Core Great Perfection aura erupted violently!

As soon as his Vajra Demon Body was activated, his skin instantly turned dark gold, his muscles bulged, and an aura as heavy as a mountain permeated the area.

The Foundation he had honed for decades was terrifyingly robust!

Xiao Ran's expression was solemn; he gripped his right hand in the air, and Guixu Demonic Light faintly swirled within it.

"Senior Brother, please."

"Come!"

Tie Kuang let out a violent shout and stomped his right foot!

"Boom!"

The Nether Profound Iron floor cracked like a spiderweb, and his entire body shot out like a cannonball.

His right fist struck directly at Xiao Ran's forehead; as the fist passed, the air compressed into a white shockwave!

Simple, direct, the ultimate aesthetic of power!

This is a Body Cultivator.

Xiao Ran dared not take it head-on; he activated Blood Shadow Escape, and his figure split into nine afterimages.

His true form appeared five zhang to the left of Tie Kuang, and he struck with a Three-Part Return to Origin Finger, pointing directly at the spot three inches below his left rib.

That was the weakest point in Tie Kuang's attack, according to the perception of the Guixu Demonic Body.

Tie Kuang's expression changed slightly upon seeing this, and he blocked with his left arm.

"Clang!"

The Three-Part Return to Origin Finger struck the dark gold arm, sparks flew, and a shallow mark was left behind.

Xiao Ran's eyes widened in shock. This was his Three-Part Return to Origin Finger at nearly full strength; how could it only leave a shallow mark?

Are Body Cultivators this monstrous?

"Great eye!"

On the other side, Tie Kuang couldn't help but praise.

His attack speed was already fast enough, yet Xiao Ran could still find his weak points; his keen eyes went without saying.

"Next, Junior Brother, you must be careful."

Tie Kuang grinned, then charged forward once again.

This time, his offensive was even fiercer; his fists were like a rainstorm, and the fist shadows covered ten zhang!

Every punch was as heavy as a mountain, and the wind from his fists tore through the air!

Xiao Ran dared not clash head-on, so he had to push his movement technique to the limit, turning into a black shadow weaving through the fist shadows.

The Three-Part Return to Origin Finger would strike out or block from time to time, always managing to avoid heavy blows at critical moments while precisely attacking the weak points in Tie Kuang's Qi and blood.

"He is looking for the flaws in Ninth Demon Child's Cultivation Technique!"

On the viewing platform, many True Disciples' eyes gleamed.

On the platform.

Tie Kuang became more and more alarmed as the fight went on.

The Body Tempering Cultivation Technique he practiced, the Eight Gates Void Refining Technique, had already reached Minor Achievement. Once he faced an enemy, his Qi and blood would surge, enough to shock most opponents at the same level.

But facing Xiao Ran, who was one Realm lower than him, he could not win.

Because Xiao Ran could always find the weak points in his Qi and blood at critical moments.

This was what alarmed Tie Kuang the most; his body-tempering weaknesses were constantly changing and extremely obscure, difficult for even ordinary Nascent Soul Cultivators to catch.

But this Xiao Ran... every finger pointed to his vital spots!

"This cannot go on..."

Tie Kuang's thoughts raced, and suddenly, his fist style changed!

From a violent rainstorm, it turned as heavy as a mountain.

He drew his fists back to protect his body, his steps steady, and every step he took made the dueling platform tremble slightly.

Was Tie Kuang actually starting to play it safe, using defense as offense?

He wanted to use his body to clash head-on with Xiao Ran!

Seeing this, Xiao Ran's lips curled slightly.

I was waiting for you to switch from offense to defense!

Xiao Ran got his wish and began to attack fiercely.

Tie Kuang switched to defense, occasionally using his body to clash with Xiao Ran.

The two seemed to fall into a kind of balance, and for a time, neither could do anything to the other.

Just like that, after dozens of Moves.

Xiao Ran's Moves changed abruptly, his figure suddenly accelerated, and the Guixu Demonic Light was completely restrained.

The next second, he circled behind Tie Kuang like a ghost, his right hand forming a sword finger, and he pointed at the spot three inches above his tailbone.

Sensing the danger, Tie Kuang turned around abruptly and threw his right fist at Xiao Ran's face, using offense as defense!

But that finger of Xiao Ran's... was a feint.

In the moment Tie Kuang turned, his left hand had already pressed onto Tie Kuang's vital spot.

"Guixu Demonic Light!"

A wisp of grey-black demonic light penetrated his body, precisely cutting off the flow of Qi and blood in Tie Kuang's right arm!

The force of Tie Kuang's right fist suddenly decreased by thirty percent, and his momentum stalled.

Xiao Ran took the opportunity to close in, striking out with one finger, and stopped one inch in front of him.

"Senior Brother, I am humbled."

The finger force was not released, but the meaning was clear.

Tie Kuang froze in place, and after a long while, slowly retracted his fist.

"I have lost."

"Junior Brother Xiao not only has exceptional eyesight but also brilliant tactics. I am convinced of my defeat in this battle."

He looked at Xiao Ran deeply.

"Senior Brother, you overpraise me."

Xiao Ran withdrew his hand, stepped back three paces, and cupped his hands.

"Senior Brother's Vajra Demon Body is incomparably robust. If not for your deliberate suppression of your Realm to hone your skills, you would have already formed your Nascent Soul."

"Today, Junior Brother only used a trick; it was purely luck."

These words were spoken sincerely.

It both pointed out Tie Kuang's strength and gave him enough face.

Tie Kuang laughed heartily and patted Xiao Ran's shoulder.

"A loss is a loss; where is the luck in that!"

"After I form my Nascent Soul, I will find Junior Brother for another satisfying battle!"

"I will await you, Senior Brother."

Tie Kuang turned and leapt back to the viewing platform, admitting his defeat openly.