C158 Shocking!!

After its initial strike failed, the creature did not continue its descent into the ground. Chu Yi was no longer seen as a threat, so there was no point in it wasting time on additional tactics.

The disparity between its massive size and its frightening speed was stark. In a flash, it was right beside Chu Yi.

With no hesitation, the two front claws, significantly larger than its other limbs, swiftly swung towards Chu Yi.

The menacing edge of those claws could send a chill down anyone's spine, even through a screen.

It was at this moment that the audience came to the sobering realization that what they were witnessing was not a movie, not a staged scene crafted for their amusement. This was a scenario where real danger lurked, where lives could be lost.

Frankly, many were thrilled by Chu Yi's ascent.

This was no longer Earth, where only humans existed and internal conflicts were rife.

In this corner of the universe, the Terran Federation was merely a nascent civilization. Though not surrounded by formidable foes, the human race's survival hinged on its ability to keep pace; otherwise, it could easily be obliterated.

Years of exposure to Cosmic Civilization had taught many the grim fate that awaited a fallen civilization.

It's fair to say that now, every person on Earth yearned for the emergence of prodigies within humanity, individuals who could dominate an era.

In doing so, they too would reap untold benefits.

Now, as Chu Yi seemed poised to be crushed by those massive pincers, many spectators felt their allegiances shift.

At that very moment, the government elites stationed at the premier Martial Arts Stadium in the heart of Redmarsh City watched with faces pale and tense.

Indeed, they had stationed numerous elite guardians in secret during this third phase. These young talents represented the future of humanity, and the loss of even one was too great to bear.

The trial was designed to expose the human race's youth to the harsh realities they would soon face.

The human race was on the cusp of ascending to a Second Level Civilization.

Advancing to a Second Level Cosmic Civilization meant relinquishing certain protections and confronting the brutal competition of the cosmos head-on.

Thus, they had devised this method.

Their intentions were noble, and they certainly hoped to avoid any mishaps.

Unfortunately, the situation had become truly perilous, perilously so!

Though the Demonic Beast was merely a mid-level Gold rank, its incredible speed meant that not even the hidden guardian stood a chance against it.

At that moment, the guardian sprang into action.

A formidable surge of energy burst forth, hurtling towards the Demonic Beast.

Regrettably, the Demonic Beast's velocity was too great. Under the guardian's lethal assault, its massive pincers could easily cleave Chu Yi in two.

It seemed as though all was lost...

A wry smile played across Chu Yi's lips.

He had intended to conceal some of his power, but now it appeared to be an impossibility.

He would have to unveil at least a portion of his true strength.

After all, the guardian had intervened.

If he continued to mask his abilities now, he would owe his survival to the guardian's intervention.

And that would mean failing this assessment.

So...

"Move aside!"

Chu Yi's voice thundered across the heavens.

In the next instant, as countless onlookers watched in shocked silence, Chu Yi hurled himself towards the beast's formidable pincers!

The crowd was frozen, disbelief etched on their faces. Even the most formidable beings present were taken aback.

They had never witnessed such audacity in the younger generation.

No, not audacity.

Foolishness!

Chu Yi was indeed of the Gold rank, and the Demonic Beast was also of the Gold rank.

But Chu Yi's Gold status was at the Elementary level, whereas the Demonic Beast's was at the Intermediate level.

Moreover, being undefeated within one's own rank was expected.

What was more critical was the widespread belief that Chu Yi's Gold rank was artificially cultivated by the Chu family to ensure a favorable outcome for him.

Such a Gold rank couldn't possibly be seen as the mark of a true genius...

Everyone suddenly thought Chu Yi had overestimated himself.

And the consequence of that was—

Bang!

Rumble!

Crack!

Three distinct sounds erupted simultaneously.

Then, everyone witnessed a scene they would never forget.

"This can't be!"

"I refuse to believe it!"

"Oh my heavens!"

"Look, it's like watching a superhero in action!"

The Demonic Beast was still the same creature, but now it was no longer whole.

The Shocking Shock's most formidable attack and weapon, its pair of giant pincers, had now fallen to the ground, with more than half of them lying there. Countless onlookers were left staring in stunned silence.

"Roar! Roar! Roar!"

Suddenly, a fearsome roar echoed, jolting the entire world. The Shocking Shock had gone mad. Even through the screen, people could see its eyes burning with a furious red glow. However, just when many expected the Shocking Shock to engage in a deadly battle with Chu Yi, it vanished in an instant. No, it didn't just disappear—it burrowed into the earth at an unimaginable speed, a testament to its innate ability.

"That was close, that was close. The Shocking Shock fled. We're safe now," someone exhaled deeply in relief.

But before the words were fully out, a terrifying disturbance rippled through the area. The entire scene shook violently, clearly indicating that the ground itself was quaking.

"Not good!" a nearby guardian exclaimed, his face turning grim.

"This is the Shocking Shock's innate skill—Earth Shaker!"

"Run!"

But the warning came too late. In the next moment, the ground beneath Chu Yi collapsed. Dust billowed, obscuring the entire scene in a haze of grey. Once again, everyone was left in a state of shock.

"Is... is Chu Yi dead?"

"I knew it was too good to be true..."

Anyone could see that even if Chu Yi hadn't died instantly, being targeted by the Shocking Shock likely spelled doom for him. The powerful onlookers' faces turned ashen. They had been genuinely awestruck by Chu Yi's performance moments before! His strength was pure Gold, matching even the peak Gold-level burst of power. Otherwise, Chu Yi couldn't have possibly shattered the Shocking Shock's two giant pincers with a single blow. Those pincers were the beast's strongest offensive tools, known for their incredible hardness. Chu Yi's ability to break them so effortlessly spoke volumes about his formidable power.

However, it was all over...

In the eyes of these onlookers, Chu Yi was merely a warrior who had reached the pinnacle of the Gold rank, nothing more. In other respects...

He was still just a child...

The dust cloud slowly cleared, yet in the next instant, the ground trembled once more!

The scene quaked violently, followed by another earth-shattering roar.

The guardian's expression changed repeatedly.

As a guardian, his role was to ensure Chu Yi's safety.

But in his heart, he feared Chu Yi was likely finished.

Should he still go in at such a time?

Within that dust-filled environment, even he wasn't confident he could emerge unscathed!

After all, he might be a Diamond, but he was merely an Elementary Diamond, and a common one at that.

In the midst of this chaotic battlefield, he could even be injured...

The guardian hesitated, while the multitude of spectators grew furious.

"What kind of guardian are you?!" one shouted.

"You're a Diamond and you can't even rescue someone from a Gold Demonic Beast?!" another accused.

"Useless, completely useless!"

"Damn it, what are you waiting for? Get in there and check! Chu Yi might still have a chance!"

The audience was incensed, and the expressions of some of the big shots darkened.

They knew that if the guardian had acted decisively earlier, when Chu Yi shattered the Demonic Beast's pincers with a single punch, his strike could have severely wounded or even slain the beast!

But to stop because of Chu Yi's roar? Unforgivable!

Even though it was Chu Yi who had called out, the guardian had indeed failed in his responsibilities.

Moreover, when Chu Yi was hit by the Earth Shaker attack and plunged into the endless dust, if the guardian had been more decisive in his rescue, there would have been endless possibilities!

After all, the Demonic Beast's roar proved that Chu Yi was still alive and battling!

But now...

"This is unacceptable!"

A high-ranking official turned to his colleague with a grimace. He was responsible for the security operation, and the failure was his to own; those involved were his subordinates.

Such a significant oversight, especially during a live broadcast, had thoroughly embarrassed the government.

"I will take responsibility..."

Despite his reluctance, the official conceded.

However—

"Take responsibility? Are you kidding me?!"

"Can't you see Chu Yi's talent?!"

"Your worthless subordinate couldn't hold a candle to Chu Yi, not if you had ten thousand of them!"

Many in the room exchanged knowing glances as the normally amiable official erupted in anger.

This time...

It was becoming clear to many.

This official was likely one of the backers of the Lang Wook website, and given the site's feature on Chu Yi, it was a topic of widespread discussion.

So...

"What do you propose we do?!"

The official who bore the brunt of the blame struggled to maintain composure in the face of the outburst.

If only Chu Yi were incompetent, none of this would have happened.

But Chu Yi was far from that; he was a prodigy, a supreme talent!

The recent strike might have been lost on the general public, but these leaders could discern its significance...

"I think—"

The official's face was taut with anger, veins bulging, but suddenly, his expression froze.

He wasn't alone; every leader in the room was equally stunned.

In fact, everyone around the world watching the battle was struck with disbelief...

As the dust settled, the scene became clear.

Before their eyes lay a 300-meter-long Demonic Beast, its body contorted and parts of it shattered into fragments.

It lay motionless, without so much as a twitch, resting quietly on the pockmarked grassland.

Before this immensely terrifying Demonic Beast, there stood a young man, calmly dusting himself off. He seemed to be spitting out something that looked like dust, appearing utterly at ease.

They all recognized the young man; his name was Chu Yi...

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