Supreme Taming Authority

Chapter 63: Ying Yue’s Win, Xian Tiandi’s Turn

*Boom! Boom!*

The dual impacts drove the Crimson Ape to its knees. It swayed once, then collapsed forward and dissipated into spiritual energy.

"Winner, Ying Yue!" the examiner announced. "Excellent tactical control and efficient energy usage!"

Ying Yue bowed and left the arena. She showed no signs of exhaustion, and her robes weren’t even dirty. She’d dominated the fight without ever being in real danger.

"She didn’t need her martial spirit either," someone noted with awe.

"Heaven ranked spirit roots make that much difference," another replied. "Pure technique and spiritual energy were sufficient."

Ying Yue was practically skipping in her mind, ’Yes, I did it!’

Subtly she glanced at Xian Tiandi and saw him smile at her in approval and that made her smile back.

A number of spectators noticed this and some noted the interaction...well, those who were eyeing the Jade Beauty.

Next...

More matches proceeded. The Qi Refinement evaluations finally concluded as the sun began its descent toward the horizon. Elder Zhang announced the transition.

"Qi Refinement testing is complete. We now move to Qi Condensation realm applicants. Be aware that rank two demonic beasts are significantly more dangerous than rank one. Prepare yourselves accordingly."

The difficulty increase was immediately apparent. The first Qi Condensation applicant faced a Frost Wolf, a rank two beast with ice element abilities. The wolf moved with pack predator instincts, circling and feinting before striking with devastating speed.

The applicant, at early Qi Condensation, barely held his own. His fire techniques gave him elemental advantage, but the wolf’s superior speed and combat instincts nearly overwhelmed him. He won eventually but was covered in claw marks and frost burns by the end.

"Rank two beasts are brutal," someone muttered. "That’s what we’ll face on real missions if we join the sect."

"Better get used to it now," a sect disciple replied grimly.

Another applicant faced a Stone Armored Bear, a massive beast with rock-like hide. She used mobility to her advantage, staying away from its crushing strength while chipping away at its defenses with precise strikes. The battle took nearly six minutes before she found a weak point and finished it.

A cocky young man at mid-stage Qi Condensation drew a Blade Mantis. The insect-type beast had scythe-like forearms sharp enough to cut through steel. The applicant tried to match its speed and paid the price. One of the mantis’s blades caught his arm, leaving a deep gash that sprayed blood across the arena.

Medical disciples intervened immediately. The fight was called, and the wounded applicant was carried away, disqualified for insufficient ability.

"Anyone who thinks these trials are easy is a fool," Elder Zhang said coldly from the platform. "Demonic beasts kill cultivators every day in the wilderness. We test you with them because your lives may depend on this experience."

The evaluations continued through the late afternoon. Dozens of Qi Condensation applicants faced rank two beasts. Some won decisively. Others scraped by with narrow victories. A few lost and were eliminated.

Finally, as the sun touched the horizon, Xian Tiandi’s number was called.

"Number forty-seven, Xian Tiandi. Central arena."

The crowd stirred with excitement. This was the peak heaven ranked talent, the one who’d dominated the spirit root testing. Everyone wanted to see what he could do against a demonic beast.

Xian Tiandi walked to the central arena, the largest and most prominent testing ground. As he entered, he noticed all three Golden Core examiners had moved to observe his match personally.

Elder Zhang spoke. "Given your exceptional talent at peak Qi Condensation realm, we’ve prepared a special challenge. You will face a rank two demonic beast at the upper tier of that classification."

The formation activated. Spiritual energy swirled and condensed, taking shape in the center of the arena.

A Shadow Panther materialized.

The crowd gasped. Shadow Panthers were legendary for their lethality. They were ambush predators with darkness element affinity, capable of moving through shadows and striking from impossible angles. Even experienced cultivators feared encountering them in the wild.

The beast was sleek and muscular, its black fur seeming to absorb light. Its eyes glowed an eerie yellow-green, and spiritual energy radiated from its body in waves. This was a rank two beast at its peak, just a step away from rank three.

"That’s insane!" someone in the crowd exclaimed. "Shadow Panthers are classified as extremely dangerous even among rank two beasts!"

"The examiners are really testing him," another said nervously.

Xian Tiandi simply settled into a relaxed stance. His golden eyes tracked the panther calmly, showing no fear or hesitation.

The examiner raised his hand. "Begin!"

The Shadow Panther didn’t attack immediately. It circled slowly, melting in and out of the shadows cast by the barrier formation. One moment it was visible, the next it had vanished into darkness.

The crowd held its breath. Where would it strike from?

The panther attacked from behind, materializing from Xian Tiandi’s own shadow. Its claws extended, aiming for his neck in a killing blow.

Xian Tiandi moved.

His body shifted with minimal effort, tilting just enough that the claws passed through empty air. The panther shot past him, its momentum carrying it forward.

Before the beast could recover, Xian Tiandi struck. His palm thrust forward in a simple, direct motion.

*Thud!*

The blow connected with the panther’s flank. The impact sent the beast tumbling across the arena floor despite the massive strength difference between human and demonic beast.

The Shadow Panther rolled to its feet, hissing with fury. It vanished into darkness again, this time moving faster, attacking from multiple shadow points in rapid succession.

From the left. From above. From below. Each strike came from a different angle, meant to overwhelm with unpredictable patterns.

Xian Tiandi didn’t rely on sight alone. His combat instincts, honed over a lifetime of experience in his past life, read the panther’s intentions through minute spiritual energy fluctuations. He dodged each strike with minimal movement, always staying just outside the beast’s reach.

"How is he doing that?" someone whispered. "He’s not even using techniques! Just pure physical movement!"

"His battle awareness is incredible," a sect disciple breathed. "He’s reading the beast like an open book."

The Shadow Panther grew more frustrated. It unleashed its most powerful ability, splitting into multiple shadow clones.

Five identical panthers surrounded Xian Tiandi from different directions.

They all attacked simultaneously.