The cheers didn't last for too long, because at this time, the map changed. The simple and crude 'Training Ground No.1' gradually disappeared, and a new map appeared — the 'Purgatory Furnace'.
This map was no stranger to the students of Starlight, because it was extremely difficult. Inside a ten-story factory, there was a ten-story alloy steel frame installed in the middle of the factory. Various mechanical devices were in operation on each floor, and various lifting devices and sharp blades would constantly drop down from the ceiling. At the center of the first floor was a pool of fiery red lava. The map had many changes, and all sorts of random events could be triggered at any time. It was publicly acknowledged as one of the most difficult maps.
Ding Meng was a thermodynamic Origin Ability user, so he had an advantage in choosing this map. However, the words that appeared on the screen were: "Jiang Haiyi VS Ding Meng!"
The crowd immediately quieted down. This was the most important battle to begin in advance.
However, everyone understood that Jiang Haiyi couldn't possibly let Ding Meng challenge Sun Shiling three times in a row. The more Sun Shiling was beaten up, the more Jiang Haiyi's face would fall. In any case, the two of them were going to meet sooner or later, so it was better to strike early and strangle his opponent.
Now, no one doubted the results of this exam. In terms of one-on-one combat ability, no one was stronger than these two. This battle would very likely decide the champion of the second stage in advance.
At this moment, not only was the crowd silent, even the teachers of Training Ground No.1 and Training Ground No.2 were nervous, especially the eight instructors of Training Ground No.1. They were well aware of Sun Shiling's strength, but Ding Meng was dealing with Sun Shiling as easily as killing a chicken. If Jiang Haiyi didn't show his true strength, there was a high chance he would fail.
Mirror images of the two of them quickly formed on the map. The two of them were standing opposite each other on the 10-story steel frame. The distance between them was about 30 meters, but the boiling magma in the pool on the first floor was setting off a large heatwave.
Little Rascal said, "Be careful, the air temperature has already reached 1635 degrees."
The ten-story steel frame was at least sixty meters above the ground. One could imagine that the lava in the pool was no ordinary lava, and the surrounding alloy steel was no ordinary material either. It couldn't even melt at such high temperatures.
Based on this map alone, Ding Meng was certain that Jiang Haiyi's basic Origin Energy was definitely of the thermodynamic type.
Jiang Haiyi had calmed down, but his expression was still ugly. Ding Meng had really beaten Sun Shiling up badly just now. He had to get back at him tenfold.
If he couldn't find it, his ranking and popularity would be in danger. The Jiang family had done a lot of things outside of the exam for him and had paid a huge price. They only had one goal, and that was to get first place. If they couldn't get first place, all their efforts would go down the drain.
Therefore, Jiang Haiyi was not in a hurry to make a move. He was carefully sizing up Ding Meng.
However, Ding Meng said mercilessly, "I heard that the store Zheng Ming rented is the property of your Jiang Family."
There was really no way to deny this kind of thing. It was very easy to investigate. One wristwatch was enough. Jiang Haiyi had to say it even if he didn't want to. "Yes!"
Ding Meng said, "Five hundred thousand star coins is nothing to you. You even care about this little bit of money? Do you have any shame?"
Jiang Haiyi calmed down and said, "I didn't know about that."
Ding Meng laughed. "Don't tell me you didn't know about his engagement with Sun Shiling?"
Jiang Haiyi didn't say anything. He refused to answer this kind of question. It was very simple. It would be strange if he didn't know about it. However, if he said "yes", he would have to protect his image with tens of thousands of spectators staring at him.
He had no idea that his reaction had already fallen into Ding Meng's trap. Ding Meng laughed even harder. "At the end of the day, Zheng Ming is just a low-class citizen. If you bully him, then so be it. That's why you didn't know and didn't ask about it."
Jiang Haiyi's face darkened. "What are you trying to say?"
Ding Meng said, "What I mean is very simple. I'm also a member of Old Zheng's Eel Noodles. I'm also a refugee. Today, I'm here to bully third-class citizens like you. Anyway, I've already bullied one, which means that citizens can be bullied. I was having a good time beating you up just now. Now that I've dealt with you, I'll challenge her. I want to show you how ugly you people are."
Jiang Haiyi replied coldly, "You're too confident."
Ding Meng said casually, "In front of trash like you, I am indeed confident."
Jiang Haiyi took a deep breath. "Come on, let me see."
Ding Meng laughed again and made a classic "two" sign. "I'll take your two points."
Jiang Haiyi did not say anything else. He just stared coldly at Ding Meng.
After staring at each other for two minutes and eighteen seconds, the center of the first floor suddenly surged violently. Suddenly, a large stream of magma splashed out, just like the surface of a water explosion. A stream of fiery red magma rushed between the two of them.
At this moment, Jiang Haiyi finally made his move. He pushed forward with one palm. In the blink of an eye, the stream of lava turned into countless sparks and covered Ding Meng.
Ding Meng was not a fool. He knew that there was something wrong with the lava. After the lava was activated by Jiang Haiyi's Origin Energy, it would become a very dangerous weapon.
Ding Meng gently floated to the right. The sparks of lava hit the alloy wall behind him. A large piece of the steel plate melted instantly. Jiang Haiyi's figure magically appeared on the right side of Ding Meng. His other palm hit Ding Meng's shoulder.
"Bang —"
This palm hit Ding Meng's shoulder. The air instantly exploded, creating a huge force that pushed the two of them away.
Ding Meng retreated a few steps. He was a little surprised. This Jiang Haiyi really had some skills.
Little Rascal had already calculated the results. Jiang Haiyi's palm, dodge, and then another palm showed that he was not only a high-level War Supremacy, but also a Heat and Light Dual Cultivator. The 《Sacred Tiger Yang Palm》, 《Transient Steps》, and 《Explosive Force》 were all quite accomplished.
Ding Meng slid backward. When he raised his head again, he was also surprised. Not only did Ding Meng react quickly, but he was also fine after being hit by Jiang Haiyi's palm. Instead, Jiang Haiyi was pushed back by Ding Meng's Explosive Force. This was a high-level War Supremacy with a strong foundation. This battle would be very difficult. It would not be a good idea to fight head-on.
However, the two of them were too close. It was unrealistic to not fight head-on. Ding Meng took another step forward and flashed in front of Ding Meng. Both of his palms attacked Ding Meng's chest. Ding Meng did not panic. He met the palm with palm and retreated as he attacked.
However, this could not be seen clearly in the eyes of the audience. The speed at which the two of them struck out was too fast. They could only feel that there was a ball of red Origin Energy between Ding Meng and Jiang Haiyi that was constantly emitting waves in all directions. Even their arms could not be seen clearly. All they could hear was the sound of firecrackers striking each other.
Naturally, only a few people could see this clearly. Galloping Horse revealed a satisfied expression. "Haiyi is still stronger than Ding Meng."
Cartel did not answer because he could not see clearly. The only thing he could see was that Ding Meng kept retreating. Ding Meng had already retreated to the edge of the steel frame. If he retreated any further, he would fall.
It was also at this moment that the steel plates on the ceiling suddenly cracked open. Black steel cables as thick as an arm descended from the ceiling. The other end of the steel cables was connected to a hook. This was a moving device used by many transport ships. A thin cold light flashed in Jiang Haiyi's hand, and the steel cables were cut in half. The hook immediately fell down.
Everyone could clearly see that Ding Meng had been hit by the hook. The steel frame cracked and collapsed. Ding Meng and the hook fell to the first floor. If they fell into the pool, they would instantly be turned into smoke by the lava.
"Swish —"
An illusion appeared. Ding Meng appeared behind Jiang Haiyi at lightning speed.
Jiang Haiyi seemed to have expected Ding Meng to use the Instant Step. He did not even turn his head. Instead, he used his left hand to hit his right armpit.
This time, the audience could see clearly. This silver blade that was as thin as a piece of paper was like a square piece of paper. It directly sank into Ding Meng's ribs.
Jiang Haiyi suddenly leaned back and kicked back with his right leg. His body was enveloped by a golden-colored ancient martial warrior's mirror image. The warrior's two long sabers slashed back from the bottom to the top.
Not only was the timing of his Blazing Sun Battle Pattern good, but his posture was also quite elegant. At the same time, there was a deeper meaning in using it at this time. At the same time, the layer of lava erupted again. This time, it was not fiery red lava that rushed up. Instead, it was yellowish-white liquid that was thousands of degrees higher in temperature.
The two swords of the Blazing Sun Battle Pattern seemed to be slashing at Ding Meng's head. In fact, the two swords formed a thin layer of Origin Energy Force Field. This layer of Origin Energy Force Field rolled up the yellowish-white lava. This time, it was not just speckles. It was completely a piece of bright fog that formed a cross section. Ding Meng, who was on the steel frame, could not avoid it at all.
It had to be said that Jiang Haiyi's attack, reaction, strategy, and the continuous use of martial arts in actual combat were all vividly displayed at this moment.
With another rumble, the steel frame collapsed. The thick fog wrapped around Ding Meng. Ding Meng fell from the steel frame to the first floor again. The light in the factory was not bright. Ding Meng seemed to have fallen into the lava pool and turned into smoke.
"Oh —"
The whole audience let out a sigh of regret in unison.
Xu Qianqian was dumbfounded. "No way?"
Eirinn looked at Dai Yi. Dai Yi's expression was a little gloomy. No one had expected that Ding Meng would be defeated by Jiang Haiyi like this.
However, everyone knew that although Jiang Haiyi seemed to have only used two moves, in fact, it was not simple at all.
From the beginning, he had predicted all the situations that would happen. The stab into Ding Meng's ribs was a crucial step. It forced Ding Meng to retreat, injured. Secondly, the Blazing Sun Battle Pattern was also very clever. He did not turn around, but instead kicked backward, which saved him a precious few tenths of a second. The thick fog formed by the Blazing Sun Battle Pattern was caused by the Origin Energy of the Thermodynamic System.
Of course, the most important point was Jiang Haiyi's understanding of the map. He knew when there would be mechanical devices falling from the sky. He also knew that the lava would erupt every two minutes and fifteen seconds. He made good use of these details. Therefore, he was able to defeat Ding Meng not through trickery but through solid foundation.
Tengma turned his head and smiled at Cartel. "How is it?
Are you convinced this time? "
Cartel did not reply. His gaze was fixed on the stage, and his expression was very serious.