Thump... thump... thump...
Soon, most of the disciples could no longer withstand the aura emanating from that colossal dragon. Their legs went weak; some knelt down, others collapsed onto their backsides, utterly immobilized.
In moments, the vast majority of the disciples were slumped on the ground, panting heavily.
Even the higher-ups felt immense pressure, their faces flushing red, cold sweat pouring down.
This giant dragon was precisely the Earth Dragon Ye Yunfei had subdued not long ago in the cavern beneath the Earth Pagoda.
Even in its weakened state, the aura released by this Earth Dragon had formed the energy pressure within the Earth Pagoda, provided for the disciples of the Houtu Sect to cultivate with.
Now, this Earth Dragon had replenished sufficient earth energy and recovered to its peak state. One could easily imagine its might!
Fortunately, Ye Yunfei could control this Earth Dragon, making it restrain most of its energy pressure.
Otherwise, most of the Houtu Sect disciples present would probably have been shattered to pieces.
"Now, do you think I know the Dragon Summoning Art?"
Ye Yunfei stood upon the dragon's head, looking down from a superior position at Xiao Liang as he asked indifferently.
Xiao Liang stood on the arena platform, closest to the Earth Dragon and thus bearing the greatest pressure.
He had long been pressed flat against the platform, cracks splitting open all over his body, blood streaming out.
"Roar..."
Xiao Liang circulated all the power within his body, desperately trying to rise, but he couldn't do it.
Even the higher-ups of the Houtu Sect couldn't withstand the pressure released by the Earth Dragon, let alone him.
"Alright, now, you can go die."
Ye Yunfei said with an expressionless face.
Boom...
An even more terrifying wave of energy pressure erupted from the Earth Dragon's massive form, rolling forth majestically to crush Xiao Liang.
Despair filled Xiao Liang's eyes. Faced with such terrifying energy pressure, there was simply no way he could resist!
"Su Ye, show mercy!"
At that moment, the Sect Leader suddenly called out.
"Oh?"
Ye Yunfei's gaze turned towards the Sect Leader.
"Xiao Liang is one of the Houtu Sect's most outstanding disciples. His death would be a tremendous loss for our sect.
Su Ye, could you give me some face and spare him this once?"
The Sect Leader looked at Ye Yunfei with beseeching eyes.
"And if I insist on killing him?"
Ye Yunfei said lightly.
"I cannot stop you."
The Sect Leader was taken aback for a moment before sighing.
"I can give you this face and spare him this time. However, if there is a next time, I will show no mercy!"
Ye Yunfei declared.
Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, Xiao Liang couldn't help but feel a wave of relief. Then, he completely gave up struggling. Like a fish being sun-dried, he lay sprawled there, gasping for air in huge gulps.
"Is there anyone else who objects to me being the Saint Disciple?
If you object, step forward now."
Ye Yunfei stood atop the Earth Dragon's head, looking down coldly at the disciples of the Houtu Sect.
Originally, Ye Yunfei didn't care at all about this Saint Disciple identity.
But since so many people opposed it, Ye Yunfei decided he would indeed take up the role.
All around, the Houtu Sect disciples looked up at Ye Yunfei standing high upon the giant dragon's head, their hearts trembling with fear. No one dared step forward.
"No!
How could this be!"
Xiao Wu had long since hidden himself within the crowd, his eyes fixed on Ye Yunfei with venomous resentment, filled with extreme unwillingness.
But he didn't dare make a single sound.
"Damn it!
To think he managed to steal all the glory!"
In the distance, Ouyang Feng's face was gloomy to the extreme.
He understood that the events of today would undoubtedly cause this Su Ye's prestige within the Houtu Sect to soar.
It might even begin to severely affect his own status!
The methods Su Ye had displayed were simply beyond his ability to match!
"Sect Leader, could this be... the legendary..."
Yan Tianzong suddenly whispered to the Sect Leader.
"Indeed.
This should be the legendary Earth Dragon.
Su Ye can actually control an Earth Dragon!
It's simply unbelievable!"
The Sect Leader nodded, feeling immensely shocked.
"Earth Dragon!
So this is the legendary Earth Dragon!"
The other higher-ups, hearing the Sect Leader's words, were also shocked to the core.
"Is there anyone else who objects to me being the Saint Disciple?"
Ye Yunfei's gaze swept slowly across the crowd as he asked once more.
At that moment, the Earth Dragon hovered in mid-air, its thick body stretching thousands of meters long, draping across a vast expanse of sky, imposing immense pressure.
Meanwhile, Ye Yunfei stood with his hands clasped behind his back upon the Earth Dragon's head, looking down from on high, his robes fluttering in the wind like a deity!
Looking up at Ye Yunfei, the Houtu Sect disciples couldn't help but feel a sense of unworthiness.
"Su Ye, you are stronger than me. I endorse you as the Saint Disciple."
Suddenly, a weak voice sounded.
Everyone looked towards the source and discovered it was actually Xiao Liang speaking!
At this moment, Xiao Liang was covered in blood, supported by a disciple, his aura weak and depleted.
Gazing at the Earth Dragon beneath Ye Yunfei, he realized that even if he cultivated for another ten-plus years, he might not be a match for this dragon.
Therefore, he couldn't help but feel deeply disheartened. At the same time, he had no choice but to concede to this Su Ye before him.
He knew that he and his brother had already formed enmity with Su Ye. Having such a terrifying opponent would make life very difficult in the future.
After weighing the pros and cons, he decided to voice his support.
Hearing Xiao Liang's words, the other disciples were somewhat surprised.
"Senior Brother Su, I endorse you as the Saint Disciple!"
Suddenly, someone else shouted.
"Senior Brother Su, I also endorse you as the Saint Disciple!
Because you have the qualifications!"
"I endorse you too..."
...
One voice after another rang out incessantly.
What a joke, facing such a terrifying existence, no one wanted to make an enemy of him!
Stepping forward now to show support, leaving a good impression, might bring great benefits in the future.
Thus, more and more disciples stepped forward to express their endorsement.
Other disciples, seeing so many people voicing their support, worried that if they didn't express their stance and Su Ye remembered them, seeking revenge later, that would be a huge problem.
Therefore, moments later, the vast majority of disciples were stepping forward, loudly shouting their endorsement.
Seeing this scene, Tao Wenzhi and Ouyang Feng, master and disciple, along with the higher-ups aligned with Tao Wenzhi, all wore extremely unpleasant expressions.
But there was nothing they could do.
"Hahaha...
Excellent.
Since everyone endorses it, it shows that Su Ye's identity as the Saint Disciple is the shared aspiration of all!
Henceforth, if anyone dares to question Su Ye's status as Saint Disciple, do not blame me for being impolite!
Our Houtu Sect has rules: the Saint Disciple's status is noble and cannot be lightly insulted!"
The Sect Leader laughed heartily and declared.
He knew that with this, Su Ye's position as Saint Disciple would become unshakeable!