Cosmic Professional Gladiator

750 Xu Jingming vs. Five Demons Planet
At that moment, numerous high-dimensional beings surrounding the immense treasure trove stared at Xu Jingming in astonishment. They were well aware of Wu Ming from the Heart Realm lineage, as there were merely a handful of Heart Realm powerhouses throughout the entire dominion.

“Wu Ming only ascended to the Eternal realm around 10,000 years ago. What makes a newly-promoted Eternal dare to challenge the Five Demons Planet?”

“He’s split into five clones simultaneously. Does he really intend to take on all five Star Lords at once?”

“No matter how valuable the treasure, one must survive to relish it.”

“Has he lost his mind?”

Many high-dimensional beings secretly communicated, discussing the situation. They found Xu Jingming’s actions unfathomable!

Five Demons Planet was famous, having established its reputation through horrifying battles. Xu Jingming was taking on all five of them alone? To these beings, it seemed like a ludicrous and reckless move.

The gazes of the five Star Lords fell upon Xu Jingming.

Buzz!

Their eyes brimmed with unyielding determination. Unfazed by their stares, the expressions on Xu Jingming’s five clones remained unchanged as they continued to glare coldly at the five Star Lords.

In that instant, no high-dimensional being dared to continue mining. Even the dean and others temporarily halted their activities.

Five Demons Planet was too famous. Though the dean and his peers longed for Xu Jingming to triumph, reason told them that the likelihood of his victory was incredibly slim.

“Jingming, that’s Five Demons Planet. They’d even dare to face a half-step third-realm powerhouse in single combat.”

“Why don’t we just hand it over?” The dean, Tower Master, and Island Lord were somewhat hesitant.

Their concern wasn’t for themselves; with their forbidden weapons, they could easily protect themselves. They were anxious that the conflict would escalate and engulf the human race they supported! There were no low-dimensional races in Five Demons Planet that required protection.

“Dean, don’t worry,” Xu Jingming assured via voice transmission, his confidence unwavering.

“Interesting, very interesting.”

The five Star Lords studied Xu Jingming.

“It’s been ages since a high-dimensional being dared to provoke all five of us at once,” one of the Star Lords remarked with a grin. “The last time we joined forces was when we battled Ancient Tree World Lord. We lost that fight to him.”

Within this dominion, there were three half-step third-realm powerhouses, and Thearch Dragon Island Lord boasted the most formidable background! The mightiest among them was Ancient Tree World Lord!

When Five Demons Planet’s members united, they were unafraid even of a half-step third-realm powerhouse. They had clashed with Ancient Tree World Lord in the past, a battle so cataclysmic it left the world in ruins.

The conflict was devastating, and the five of them ultimately suffered defeat. However, that battle only made other high-dimensional beings fear the Five Demons Planet even more.

“I recognize you. Myriad Star Island’s Wu Ming, a youngster who ascended to the Eternal realm a mere 10,000 years ago,” sneered a short and rotund Star Lord. “If you’re bold enough to provoke us, you must be prepared to face the consequences.”

“Since he dared challenge all five of us, we shall all ensure his demise.”

The five Star Lords grinned. Abruptly, dark star projections materialized around them, and golden flames surged forward—directly towards Xu Jingming!

As the flames spread, rocks were incinerated and pulverized. The Primordial Gold Beads started melting under the golden flames’ heat. Even the void itself burned, reaching deep into the Heart Realm.

The Dark Star Fire is a unique flame exclusive to the Celestial Body lineage’s Dark Star school, ranking among the top three flames within the innumerable schools of the Primordial Star. Xu Jingming knew this.

The potency of the Dark Star Fire hinged on its wielder.

In the hands of a Firstborn realm high-dimensional being, its power would naturally be insignificant. However, Five Demons Planet had amassed immense knowledge. When the five of them unleashed the Dark Star Fire simultaneously, they could incinerate spacetime, the Heart Realm, and everything in their path.

Even Natuo would be reduced to ashes.

“Wu Ming is far too presumptuous. How dare he defy Five Demons Planet?”

“If you wish to die, feel free to attack. How could he be so insolent toward Five Demons Planet? Words invite disaster.”

“He’s just overconfident.”

The hearts of the onlooking high-dimensional beings trembled with trepidation. Simultaneously, they observed Xu Jingming’s end, all believing that Myriad Star Island’s Wu Ming would lose at least a few clones, if not all of them—resulting in his complete annihilation.

“Jingming, why don’t you seek refuge in the forbidden domain?” the dean suggested.

“There’s no need.”

Confronted by the fearsome golden flames, the eyes of the five Xu Jingmings blazed with excitement.

He had developed his psychic spear technique, the Golden Halberd, but had yet to find a worthy adversary! He believed that the Golden Halberd’s first strike was mightier than even Granddreamer’s ultimate move, and it could effortlessly slay Natuo. He hadn’t even needed to use his second attack.

Regardless of Five Demons Planet’s collective strength, individually, they hadn’t reached the half-step third realm! They were the perfect targets.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

As the five illusory Xu Jingmings—each wielding a phantom spear—approached the golden flames, they transformed into five dazzling beams of light that plunged into the golden inferno, barreling straight toward the five Star Lords.

It was the Golden Halberd’s first move—Thunderbolt!

In the sea of Dark Star Fire, the light emanating from Xu Jingming’s five clones possessed an astonishing penetrative force, ripping through the flames. As he executed this maneuver, his entire body radiated light.

He became one with the spear! The Dark Star Fire couldn’t penetrate the whirling layer of light to harm Xu Jingming.

Huh? The five Star Lords were taken aback when they saw this, unleashing terrifying beams of light at Xu Jingming. As members of the same school who had trained together for ages, their techniques were strikingly similar. However, even though Xu Jingming—now transformed into light—was slightly slower, he still reached the five Star Lords.

The five spear-wielding phantom figures tore through the five Star Lords in a flash.

“Wh—?”

“Did he really just strike the five Star Lords?”

The many high-dimensional beings watching couldn’t believe their eyes. They initially assumed that Xu Jingming’s clones would be annihilated by the Dark Star Fire and other means, but who could have imagined that Myriad Star Island’s Wu Ming could rip through the five Star Lords despite such daunting obstacles?

The five Star Lords quivered, with the short and rotund Star Lord trembling even more. He murmured, “That truly hurts.”

“It targets not the body but the mind?” The other Star Lords also regarded Xu Jingming.

“Regrettably, our Dark Star lineage has cultivated to an extraordinary depth. Our bodies and minds are intimately connected, as if our minds are sheathed in armor. You seek to shatter our minds? Hmph, that’s far from sufficient!”

The Star Lords simultaneously fixed their gazes on Xu Jingming, their expressions growing stern.

Xu Jingming’s five illusory clones stood at a distance, each gripping a phantom spear, their expressions growing even more serious.

“Five Demons Planet certainly lives up to its reputation,” Xu Jingming remarked, his eyes fixed on them. “I needed only a single strike to kill Natuo. I never imagined that the same move would merely inflict minor injuries on the five of you.”

“He killed Natuo?”

“The five Star Lords sustained injuries in a one-on-five battle?”

The nearby high-dimensional beings were dumbfounded. What kind of day was this, witnessing such an extraordinary spectacle?

“No wonder you had the audacity to provoke all five of us,” the short and rotund Star Lord said, smiling. “However, we’ve already recovered from your so-called minor injuries in the blink of an eye.”
Their bodies nourished their minds, and their physical forms were their most potent assets. A half-step third-realm powerhouse had to expend considerable effort just to destroy their bodies. With their relatively weaker minds protected by their robust bodies, they possessed exceptional resilience and regenerative capabilities.

“In terms of individual strength, you’re likely the most formidable being in the entire South Pavilion 3609 Dominion below the half-step third realm,” another Star Lord declared. “However, you’re still doomed to fail for daring to challenge the five of us simultaneously.”

“You should take pride in losing to the five of us in a one-on-five confrontation.”

“Attack.”

The auras of the five Star Lords shifted, transforming them into five enormous black, burning celestial bodies. They were colossal, tearing open the fabric of reality.

The surrounding rocks crumbled like quicksand, dissolving into liquid.

The auras of the five black celestial bodies were undeniably more potent than before.

Boom! Boom!

Five dark stars hurtled toward Xu Jingming simultaneously.

Before they could reach Xu Jingming, the surrounding spacetime warped and compressed drastically.

High-dimensional lifeforms at a distance struggled to maintain their footing. They felt various chaotic forces within the void interfering, as spacetime constantly distorted and shifted.

“Revealing your true forms?” The five Xu Jingmings grew even more excited. “Very good, excellent.”

The five spear-wielding Xu Jingmings converged their auras, transforming into five beams of light—like the sole glimmers in the darkness of night. Though they appeared gentle, they were capable of tearing through the shadows.

The second move of Golden Halberd—Luminous Ember!

This was the second move Xu Jingming had deduced from studying the silver parchment’s spearmanship. This move clearly placed a much greater burden on his mind and consciousness, allowing Xu Jingming to use only seven clones simultaneously.

For example, the first move, Thunderbolt, taxed the mind significantly less. Xu Jingming could have dozens of clones use it at the same time.

Luminous Ember required channeling adequate mental strength.

Light a lamp to illuminate my heart and vanquish the darkness.

The five lights seemed gentle, but they were unstoppable! When the five lights touched the five dark stars, they penetrated them forcefully.

The process of the lights piercing through them was the process of obliterating all darkness.

“What move is this?”

“How is that possible?”

“Could he be a half-step third-realm powerhouse from the psychic lineage?” The five Star Lords were horrified as their minds were shattered by the light.

Their bodies were their strongest aspect, and even though their bodies protected their minds, their minds remained relatively weak. They were more fearful of half-step third-realm powerhouses of the Heart Realm lineage. Thankfully, the entire South Pavilion 3609 Dominion didn’t have any half-step third-realm powerhouses of the Heart Realm lineage.

From their perspective, although Xu Jingming’s previous move—Thunderbolt—was formidable enough, it still couldn’t threaten them. They had also encountered Heart Realm powerhouses at this level.

However, the might of the second move, Luminous Ember, was terrifying. It even led them to believe that… the other party was a half-step third-realm Heart Realm powerhouse.

“We’re screwed.” The five Star Lords realized this in that instant. The light seemed slow, but it rapidly penetrated the five dark stars, bringing them to a halt.

Merely observing the five lights from a distance made the hearts of numerous high-dimensional lifeforms tremble in fear.

“Is this Jingming?” The dean, Tower Master, and Island Lord found it hard to believe. Even though they had heard from Xu Jingming that he had killed Natuo with a single strike, the scene before them was still too astonishing.

The five lights merged into Xu Jingming’s body.

Xu Jingming furrowed his brow slightly, gazing in the direction of the Primordial Star.

The five Star Lords also have other clones. Having forged such karma, Xu Jingming could naturally sense the other clones of Five Demons Planet’s members. They each have one clone extremely close to the Primordial Star and one or two clones in other dominions.

I can’t reach the Primordial Star at all. Once I appear, I’ll be instantly incinerated. Xu Jingming knew this.

Five Demons Planet belonged to the Primordial Star lineage and the Dark Star school, so they could get very close.

Xu Jingming, of the Heart Realm lineage, wasn’t suited for the harsh environment near the Primordial Star. Even though he had reached the half-step third realm, the Primordial Star would obliterate him if he dared to approach that closely!

Even if half-step third-realm powerhouses can barely reach it, their strength will be significantly diminished in the harsh environment. As for Five Demons Planet, they will thrive like fish in water. Xu Jingming had an epiphany. No wonder they’ve acted so brazenly for so long.

Having clones extremely close to the Primordial Star was Five Demons Planet’s greatest reliance for survival.

However, they’re nothing to worry about. They can only hide there. If they dare to come out and fight me, I can still easily kill them, Xu Jingming thought.

Xu Jingming strode toward the five massive, motionless dark stars.

As he approached, the other high-dimensional lifeforms watched. None of them dared to disturb him.

At this moment, Xu Jingming’s status in this dominion had already surpassed that of Five Demons Planet! He was close to the half-step third realm!