Chapter 146: I Am the Reaper

The teams still standing in this vast open space are the elite among the new students, with formidable individuals in every group. Today marks the final day of the Maze Forest assessment, and all trainees have followed instructions to converge, one after another, in the heart of the forest.

By now, the clearing is packed with a dense, dark mass of people. More than a dozen massive factions have each staked out their own territory, eyeing one another like tigers ready to pounce. The aura of thousands of martial artists coalesced into a single, crushing pressure. Under this torrential force, the birds and beasts within a radius of dozens of miles huddled on the ground, trembling uncontrollably. The atmosphere was fraught with tension, ready to snap at the slightest provocation.

Suddenly, a young man clad in gold-threaded green robes appeared in the center of the Maze Forest, treading upon the treetops like a dragonfly skimming the water, sending faint ripples of energy vibrating through the leaves.

"He's walking on air! Could he be a Golden Core master? How could such a prodigy appear among the new students?" someone exclaimed, eyes wide with terror and a trembling voice.

"You fool, that is a movement technique. But to cultivate such a skill to this level is truly remarkable." Those with keen eyes recognized the youth's martial art and were simultaneously shocked by his talent; they knew that they themselves could never cultivate a movement technique to such a supernatural degree.

*Hum!*

Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, he leaped into the air, soaring upward, and landed with practiced grace right into the midst of the central team. Upon his arrival, this central faction instantly commanded the attention of everyone present. It was a formidable group, numbering in the hundreds.

"Welcome, Young Master Yi Qiu." Seeing the green-robed youth arrive, the members of the team bowed and shouted in awe. These experts, who could easily dominate among the new students, were forced to sheath their blades within this group. They were mere commoners before their leader, Sun Yiqiu, and had no standing to act out of turn.

"Is that not Sun Yiqiu?"
"He is the number one disciple from the Imperial City. It is said he recently broke through to the fifth stage of the Foundation Establishment realm. With such a titan leading them, his team is undoubtedly the strongest here."
"We must avoid them during the upcoming battle..."

There were many well-informed individuals in the crowd who recognized Sun Yiqiu at a glance, and panicked whispers began to ripple through the assembly. The heavy silence could no longer be maintained; the mounting tension began to make the martial artists restless.

A moment later, Sun Yiqiu stepped forward. His movement immediately drew the attention of everyone in the field.

"Everyone, those who remain are the strong among us," Sun Yiqiu said, scanning his surroundings until the noisy crowd fell silent. "It is only natural that we, the strong, should engage in the final decisive battle. However, it is distasteful to have trash mixed in among us. These opportunists—those wastes, for instance—should be cleared out before the real battle begins."

Sun Yiqiu’s voice was thunderous, clearly audible to all.

"Despicable!" Many of the other disciples, who had been under the protection of Li Jiansan, were participating in the final battle. Having entered the Azure Dragon Academy, they were not pushovers to be toyed with, and one by one, they showed their indignation.

"Sun Yiqiu, stop with your veiled insults. Since you call us waste, dare you fight?" A youth emerged from a corner, his fighting spirit boiling. He was burly and bald, his eyes ablaze with fury; one look was enough to tell he was a rough-and-ready brawler.

"Hah, mere ants, unworthy of crossing blows with me," Sun Yiqiu sneered. "Go, kill him!"

"As you wish."

A grim-faced youth stepped out, a cold glint flickering in his narrowed eyes. This was Zhang Jinchi, a top general under Sun Yiqiu, possessing the strength of the third stage of the Foundation Establishment realm. Sun Yiqiu stood with his hands behind his back, looking on with indifference, as if the outcome were already decided.

The burly youth was enraged; while he acknowledged Sun Yiqiu's strength, how could he endure such humiliation? He let out a roar and threw a massive punch, the sound of air being torn apart erupting in the void.

Zhang Jinchi said mockingly, "Hmph, now that looks like the work of a waste."

Hearing this, the burly youth roared again, his strength intensifying with every strike. His punch fell like a collapsing Mount Tai, its sheer power causing onlookers to panic. Facing this ferocious onslaught, Zhang Jinchi did not dodge. He simply lifted his right hand and struck back with a violent punch. Although his move was half a step behind, the force was swift and crushing.

*Boom!*

A dull thud echoed out. The two fists collided, and it was the burly youth who went flying. This effortless strike left the crowd in dead silence. If a subordinate of Sun Yiqiu was this terrifying, what kind of strength did the man himself possess? Even the external recruits who had previously been shouting their defiance now lowered their heads in helplessness. Against such people, they had no power to resist.

Zhang Jinchi shook his head and sneered, "Too weak. Is this the strength of your external recruitment? To think someone I can defeat with a single punch is qualified to face Young Master Yi Qiu—it’s laughable. Who else among you trash refuses to accept this?"

Although many students were seething with anger, no one dared to speak up. The scene of Zhang Jinchi defeating his opponent with one blow had shocked them to the core. Who would dare to go up and throw their life away now? Perhaps only that renowned Reaper could stand against them.

"The Reaper hates these arrogant Imperial City disciples more than anyone. Once he arrives, he will surely stand up for us." As they thought of that name, hope ignited in their eyes once more.

Sun Yiqiu seemed to hear their thoughts and laughed loudly. "The Reaper? You place your hopes in him? How hilarious." He stood proudly, looking down at the crowd. "He has repeatedly slaughtered my Imperial City disciples, and he has stirred my wrath. It has always been us killing you wastes from the backwaters; when did it become your turn to lay a hand on us?"

Sun Yiqiu’s implication was clear: the Imperial City disciples could kill them, and they should simply bow their heads and wait for death, but they were absolutely forbidden from fighting back. This statement only fanned the flames of the other disciples' rage.

"The Reaper is already on my must-kill list. I had intended to slay him when I crossed his path, but the wretch has had nothing but blind luck—I’ve searched for days and found no trace of him." As the leader of the Imperial City disciples, Sun Yiqiu considered himself the supreme authority. That Li Jiansan had slaughtered his followers was, in his eyes, a slap in the face—something he could never tolerate. He could trample on others' dignity, but others could never slight his own face; those who did must die.

"I shall use this final battle to cut down the so-called Reaper, so you may all recognize reality." Sun Yiqiu stood high above, speaking coldly, "Reaper, I know you are here!"

"You have killed my Imperial City disciples one after another; today, I will certainly kill you! Get out here at once and let me taste the skills of the 'Blood Calamity Bringer'."

The vast space fell into absolute silence, with only Sun Yiqiu’s thunderous roar echoing slowly. Those who had never heard of the Reaper were left with one thought: Who is the Reaper? How could he have slaughtered so many internal students, and why would he incite such fury from Sun Yiqiu, the number one new student, that he would threaten to kill him personally?

One breath, two breaths, three breaths... Half a quarter of an hour passed. The field remained silent. The Reaper did not appear.

"Is the Reaper too afraid to show himself?" Many began to tremble with fear.
"Haha, he’s probably fled to who knows where; you really expected him to show up?" The Imperial City disciples began to laugh triumphantly.

"You don't have the ability to kill me."

Suddenly, a clear, resonant voice echoed from the distance. Instantly, every gaze in the field converged on the speaker.

"Are you mad? This place is crawling with experts, stop talking nonsense!" Zi Xuan broke into a cold sweat. This was the site of the final battle; Li Jiansan’s words would likely draw the siege of everyone present. Although Li Jiansan’s combat power was astounding and he could withstand small teams, Zi Xuan did not believe he could face everyone here alone.

As Zi Xuan hesitated, wondering if she should drag Li Jiansan away, a murderous glare swept over them. Under that icy gaze, she dared not even move. Instantly, after that cold light shot toward them, the people around Li Jiansan scattered, terrified of being associated with him. Li Jiansan and his companions stood out like cranes in a flock of chickens.

Zi Xuan pulled at Li Jiansan desperately. "Let's go, that person’s aura is terrifying!"

Li Jiansan smiled at her. "Don't worry, it's fine."

Then, with calm composure, Li Jiansan began to walk forward. The dense crowd parted as he passed.

"Boy, he’s calling for the Reaper. What kind of thing are you? Get lost!" some Imperial City disciples barked.

Li Jiansan said indifferently, "Since he dares to humiliate me, I will naturally make him pay the price!"

"He’s humiliating the Reaper, what does that have to do with you? You don't even know who Young Master Yi Qiu is, yet you dare to be insolent here."

Li Jiansan’s eyes flashed with a chilling light. "I am the Reaper."