Corrected & Polished English Version (Chapter 337: The Devil God is Coming, and the Fire Washes the Ground)
That voice rang out full of confidence and absolute dominance—as though the people before him were nothing more than insignificant ants.
Bai Shan and the other two immediately looked up toward the source of the voice.
There, standing at the very center of the competition stage, was Xiao Jietian. After he finished speaking, crimson lightning continuously erupted from his body. The lightning seemed alive—constantly jumping, coiling, and flashing around him, emitting a heart-shaking, oppressive glow.
Xiao Jietian's body slowly rose into the air. Red lightning flickered through his eyes. His black robe rustled without wind. At this moment, he resembled a true Devil God descending upon the mortal world. The surging red lightning filled the surrounding air with wildness and suffocating pressure.
Xiao Jietian slowly raised his right hand. Crimson lightning rapidly condensed in his palm, writhing and roaring like furious thunder dragons.
"Xiao Jietian, stop playing tricks! Everyone—attack together and eliminate him!"
Bai Shan roared furiously. Brandishing his spear, he charged straight toward Xiao Jietian. Hu Jia and the others also launched their strongest attacks without hesitation.
As for Xun'er and the other two, they remained motionless—exactly as Xiao Jietian had instructed earlier.
"Blood Splitting Slash."
"Thunderous Eight Desolations."
"Phantom Wood Piercing the Heart."
"…"
Everyone unleashed their signature techniques, all aimed directly at Xiao Jietian.
Yet the moment their Dou Techniques touched the crimson lightning surrounding him, they were instantly blocked—then completely annihilated.
Seeing this, the scalps of the attackers instantly tingled. They froze in place, not daring to move another step.
"What exactly is Xiao Jietian's true strength? Even an ordinary low-level Dou Ling wouldn't be able to neutralize these attacks so effortlessly, right?"
An elder watching from the stands couldn't help but ask, voice filled with shock.
"It seems… we still underestimated him."
Hu Gan narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Xiao Jietian, trying to determine his exact cultivation level.
Back on the stage.
"Is this all the strength you have? You truly disappoint me."
Xiao Jietian's lips curved into a cold, domineering smile. His voice carried thick disdain.
"My power is something you simply cannot contend with."
With a casual clap of his hand toward them, the crimson lightning coiled around his arm surged outward like a violent storm. It transformed into dazzling lightning rays that blasted toward the three teams with terrifying speed.
These lightning bolts moved as fast as flashes of light. The destructive energy within them seemed capable of razing everything in their path.
Hu Jia and the others hurriedly circulated their Dou Qi, unleashing their strongest defensive techniques or ultimate moves in a desperate attempt to resist.
But in front of Xiao Jietian's attack, their defenses were like paper—shattered instantly.
As the lightning rays continued to rain down, miserable screams and the booming sounds of impacts on the ground immediately filled the arena.
In an instant, smoke and dust rose everywhere, obscuring the entire stage.
When the smoke and dust finally dispersed, the scene gradually revealed itself to the stunned audience.
Many people lay sprawled on the ground, bodies scorched black, twitching faintly from time to time. Among Hu Jia's group, Bai Shan's white robes had turned into rags. His hair stood on end, and he lay unconscious, black smoke continuously rising from his mouth.
Wu Hao fared slightly better than Bai Shan, but his clothes were also in tatters, his face charred black, eyes vacant as he lay motionless.
Both of them specialized in offense and had almost no defensive techniques. In contrast, Hu Jia was in much better condition—thanks to her Dou Qi attribute, she possessed many defensive methods.
Her clothes were torn in several places, but Xiao Jietian had deliberately controlled the attack to avoid her sensitive areas—no truly revealing scenes occurred.
Hu Jia also lay on the ground, her small face blackened, eyes fixed on Xiao Jietian. Her body was completely paralyzed.
The ground around them was riddled with craters—as though it had been strafed by heavy machine-gun fire. The entire stage was completely ruined.
"Quick—save them!"
An elder hurriedly stood up and shouted.
"No need. That little fellow held back. They mostly have superficial injuries. They'll recover after a few days of rest."
Hu Gan pressed down on the elder's shoulder and spoke softly. He cast a grateful glance toward Xiao Jietian.
His gratitude stemmed from the fact that—with his cultivation—he could clearly sense Xiao Jietian had deliberately avoided striking Hu Jia in any vital or inappropriate areas.
Of course, what Xiao Jietian displayed this time was only a tiny fraction of his true power. If he had gone all out, they would already be drinking Meng Po's soup on the road to the underworld.
Xiao Jietian slowly descended and landed lightly on the ground. He gave them one last glance, then turned to the referee and walked back toward Xun'er and the others.
"Big Brother Xiao Jietian, you're amazing!"
Xun'er recalled Xiao Jietian's earlier domineering, Devil-God-like appearance. She immediately threw herself into his arms, praising him excitedly.
Xiao Jietian wrapped an arm around Xun'er's slender waist, lifted her up, and spun her around once.
"Am I handsome or not?"
"You are the most handsome in my heart."
Xun'er whispered softly in his arms.
"That's great! I actually made it into the top five! Thank you, Xiao Jietian—you're truly incredible!"
Xiao Yu finally snapped out of her shock and jumped up happily.
"Basic operation, basic operation—no need to praise me too much."
Xiao Yan also smiled brightly. Although he felt the gap between himself and his big brother growing wider, there was no jealousy in his heart—only pure joy.
He was happy to have easily secured a top-five spot, and even happier for Xiao Jietian's overwhelming strength.
Xiao Jietian extended his fist toward Xiao Yan. After a brief moment of surprise, Xiao Yan grinned and bumped fists with him.
"Hahaha."
The two looked at each other and laughed. The feeling of their childhood bond instantly returned.
"Vice Dean, how should this be judged?"
The head referee glanced at Hu Jia—who was struggling to sit up—and looked toward Hu Gan with a wry smile.
"They didn't violate any rules. They all won fairly and justly. Judge as normal."
Hu Gan looked at Hu Jia, thinking to himself: This time you should finally understand—there is always someone stronger. You've had it too easy before and lost yourself a little. I hope this lesson helps you rein in your temper and cultivate diligently.
"The competition is over! The top five in this Inner Academy selection are: Xiao Jietian, Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er, Xiao Yu, and Hu Jia!"
The head referee stood up, scanned the entire arena, and announced loudly.
"Xiao Jietian! Xiao Jietian!"
A wave of frenzied cheers immediately erupted throughout the arena. Everyone continuously shouted Xiao Jietian's name. His domineering, Devil-God-like figure had been deeply imprinted in their minds. Their previous hostility had completely vanished.
In Jia Nan Academy—and across the entire continent—strength was paramount. Only with a strong enough fist could one earn true respect.
With truth in hand, the world is yours. When truth fails, then heaven's justice arrives (quad-linked bazooka).
There were no objections to the top-five rankings. Among them, Hu Jia was the only one still able to move slightly.
The only person they truly envied was Xiao Yu—who had essentially "lay down and won" the entire time, yet still made it into the top five with merely five-star Dou Shi cultivation.
Is this the joy of following the right big brother and hugging the right thigh?
Everyone: "How infuriating! Simply heinous! But… I want it too."
Following the head referee's announcement, the alchemists from the Alchemy Department all walked onto the stage to carry the injured away for treatment.
"Let's go—the competition is over. We should head back. All that's left is to wait for the Treasure Pavilion to open and for the Inner Academy's official notification."
Under countless gazes, the four slowly walked off the now-dilapidated competition stage. With their departure, this year's Inner Academy selection competition officially came to an end.
Xiao Jietian's single overwhelming strike had defeated the three strongest former favorites for the championship. His domineering figure left an unforgettable impression—one that would be talked about in the Outer Academy for years to come.
The four returned to Qingya Pavilion, constantly watched by countless eyes along the way.
"Finally back. It felt like being watched like monkeys the whole way—so uncomfortable."