Just at this critical juncture, with a whoosh, the longsword in Solomon’s hand suddenly flew out, embedding itself directly into the distant wall.

Solomon himself collapsed onto the ground with a loud clang, his head less than ten centimeters from Zhong Shenxiu’s toes.

This time, everyone was dumbfounded again, completely unable to grasp what had just happened. Why had Solomon’s sword flown out of nowhere? And why had he fallen to the ground?

Too many questions plagued them, but they had no time to ask. Each person held their breath, fixed on the unfolding situation.

Solomon might be severely injured this time, as he lay motionless on the ground for a long moment. His slightly twitching body and face, pale as paper, seemed to signal to the crowd: There is an injured person here; call an ambulance quickly!

“Oh? You were quite the show-off just now, weren’t you? How can you not even get up after just two moves?” Zhong Shenxiu turned back again, looking down at Solomon on the ground, a wicked smile creeping onto his face once more.

“...You... cough, cough...” Solomon tried to speak, but a coughing fit interrupted him.

“That’s not good! I haven’t even had my fill of fun yet, how can you just lie down and rest like this!” With that, Zhong Shenxiu lifted Solomon up with just one hand.

What did he intend to do?

Everyone’s hearts clenched, their breathing quickening several notches.

“Don’t look at me with those pitiful eyes. Rest assured, I won’t kill you off this quickly!” Another smile appeared on Zhong Shenxiu’s face. Now they finally understood why those who knew him among the cultivators feared him so much; this fellow was simply a demon when he unleashed his fury!

As soon as Zhong Shenxiu finished speaking, Solomon’s body was tossed upwards, soaring over two meters high.

And just as Solomon began his descent, Zhong Shenxiu suddenly flipped the flat of his blade and swept violently towards Solomon’s abdomen. (The abdomen is a prime spot; striking it feels excellent, and the recipient only feels agony without meeting their end. In summary, it boasts great feel, a large surface area for impact, and long-term usability—truly the preferred target for beating someone up!)

With a thud, Solomon was sent flying again, struck like a baseball, and this time, luck was somewhat on his side as he grazed past Laurent!

Laurent was startled. While dodging Robin’s stormy assault, he glanced sideways at the just-landed Solomon.

He sucked in a sharp breath upon looking.

No way? Big Brother Solomon was beaten this brutally?

Laurent could hardly believe his eyes. He knew Solomon’s strength; the man was someone Laurent deeply admired for his formidable power!

Yet, in just a few minutes, he was reduced to this wretched state. That was too exaggerated!

Amidst his shock, Laurent flicked his gaze toward Zhong Shenxiu, who was approaching.

His shock not only didn't lessen but intensified!

Big Brother Solomon was beaten by him? Heavens, what was wrong with this world? Why were the younger ones always the most monstrous?

Laurent felt a measure of relief that his opponent was Robin, because at least he was currently safe.

“Big Brother Solomon, are you alright?” Laurent dared not turn his head, only managing to shout this out.

But there was no reply. Solomon lay slumped on the ground like a pile of mud, utterly pathetic!

“Huh? You still have the breath to talk?” Zhong Shenxiu suddenly stopped near Laurent, that wicked smile reappearing at the corner of his lips.

Laurent, unaware that his situation was about to change, couldn't help but question Zhong Shenxiu, “You’ve already won, why haven’t you stopped?”

“Winning means stopping? Who made that rule?” Zhong Shenxiu uttered words that sent a chill down Laurent’s spine.

He... he wasn’t planning on playing Solomon to death, was he?

Laurent instantly felt a cold draft rise up his back, his face twisting into an expression of horror.

“Robin!” Zhong Shenxiu called softly to Robin and exchanged a look. It was this look that sealed Laurent’s fate!

Robin understood immediately and nodded, her aura drastically shifting to become utterly frigid.

What was happening?

Laurent clearly sensed the abnormality in Robin’s presence, but before he could react to what was going on, he suddenly froze!

The reason was simple: Robin, who had been fiercely attacking him moments ago, had abruptly vanished, disappearing right before his eyes!

Where was she???

Laurent broke out in a cold sweat, for an invisible enemy was the most terrifying!

Just as he searched for Robin’s figure, he felt a strong force strike his lower body—something swept against his legs.

Laurent lost his balance and stumbled forward, and just as this happened, he vaguely saw a small figure materialize before him. However, before he could get a clear look, a heavy impact struck his abdomen again, followed by a searing sensation, and then he was shot vertically into the sky!

(Laurent’s ascent was different from Solomon’s; he shot straight up, meaning he would fall back to the same spot.)

At that moment, Elina was stunned speechless the instant her brother shot into the air; she forgot how to scream!

Events had unfolded too rapidly; no one expected Laurent, who had been evenly matched with Robin moments before, to be smacked away so suddenly.

Laurent’s body stopped about twenty meters in the air and began to descend.

Everyone anxiously wondered how badly Laurent was injured, but Robin’s thoughts were different. She wondered if she should land another kick to send him flying up again! (Sweat!)

Thankfully, Robin didn’t do it, or even if Laurent survived, he would surely be close to death.

Boom~! Laurent finally returned to the embrace of the earth.

Laurent was indeed the second pillar of the “Academy Ranking Tournament”; he demonstrated the nature of freefall with his own flesh and blood, and to make his demonstration even more vivid, he left a conspicuous crater in the ground!

“Brother!” Elina cried out.

But just as order was restored on one side, new developments arose on the other.

Zhong Shenxiu had once again lifted Solomon’s body. Clearly, he intended to deliver another "home run"!

“Silent Earth Monarch, brave warrior who understands the secrets of mountain changes, steadfast Behemoth! My great ally, abiding by the sacred blood covenant, beginning with the genesis of my lineage...” At this critical moment, Thomas began casting the sixth-tier magic, “Spear of the Earth”!

And just as he started chanting the incantation, Zhong Shenxiu suddenly turned his head toward him!

“Oh? You can’t wait any longer?” With that, Zhong Shenxiu swung his sword through the air toward Thomas’s position.

Instantly, Thomas was stunned silent, Angelia was left speechless, and everyone else was dumbfounded...