Chapter 115: The Refined Steel Giant

Yang Fengge stared coldly at the steel giant. The killing intent radiating from him was palpable, wave after wave washing over the colossus, yet he showed no intention of striking first. He simply watched, his eyes filled with indifference.

"What is he trying to do?" Even the thick-skinned Li Zhen could not help but ponder this. It was obvious that the steel giant was renowned for its sheer strength; the only way to surpass it was to use superior footwork to weave around it, lure it into exposing a flaw, and then charge into the second level in one go. Yet Yang Fengge did not do this. He was waiting for the giant to strike first. Could he be planning a frontal assault? That would be far too arrogant.

"Ah—!" The steel giant was finally infuriated by Yang Fengge's demeanor. Although its intelligence was minimal, it could sense the blatant disregard emanating from the small human before it—a cold, naked dismissal of its existence.

"Die!" The steel giant stepped forward, its thick, pillar-like legs striking the ground with a rhythmic "thud, thud, thud" that shook the earth and rattled the nerves of everyone present.

The giant sword whistled through the air, descending like a massive slab of iron, aimed squarely at Yang Fengge’s head. Many were convinced that such a ferocious strike would either crush Yang Fengge into the ground or, if he were any weaker, kill him instantly.

*Boom! Boom! Boom!* Suddenly, a fist, swift as a hammer, struck a precise, vulnerable point on the giant blade at an ingenious angle. The violent explosions of air echoed in rapid succession, the shockwaves forcing the surrounding youths to retreat repeatedly. Yet, at the center of the fray, Yang Fengge did not budge an inch. With a single fist, he held the overwhelming weight of the giant sword firmly in place.

"Is this the extent of your strength?" Yang Fengge’s voice remained detached. "You cannot even break my defense in a direct confrontation. If I were to use my footwork to entangle you, what hope would you have of surviving?"

Hearing Yang Fengge’s mocking words, the steel giant roared in fury. It swung its blade repeatedly, but Yang Fengge countered every blow with his iron fists, neutralizing them one by one. No matter how hard the giant hacked, its sword could never find its mark.

"Get out of my way! Do not waste any more of my time or my patience." Yang Fengge suddenly moved, his speed surging to its peak in an instant. The steel giant gripped its sword tightly, cautiously guarding against a sneak attack, but it had not anticipated that Yang Fengge would forgo a surprise strike. Instead, he leaped high into the air while sprinting and delivered a straight, frontal punch aimed directly at the giant’s face.

*Boom, boom, boom...* The collision between flesh and the giant’s face produced thunderous echoes, as if metal were striking metal. Under the impact of Yang Fengge’s heavy blow, the steel giant staggered backward, only managing to steady its massive, powerful frame after taking a dozen steps.

The steel giant was a puppet forged from unknown, special materials. Ever since it had gained sentience, it had guarded the Heaven-Ascension Tower. Countless years had passed, yet it had never suffered such a humiliation—being struck in the face by a mere youth.

In the past, others had attempted to clear the tower—some were young disciples, others renowned masters, including one at the Deity Transformation stage. But what of it? Though it had taken some effort, the giant had eventually slain that expert. Damn the laws of the Heaven-Ascension Tower! If not for the restrictive arrays of the first level limiting its power and techniques, how could it have been humiliated by a youngster?

"Roar—!" The steel giant let out an inhuman howl, scouring the area for Yang Fengge, vowing to execute him on the spot. But Yang Fengge was far too fast; the giant could not catch a glimpse of him. In the blink of an eye, Yang Fengge reached the area enveloped by the light pillar; his figure blurred and then vanished under the giant’s furious glare.

The steel giant knew Yang Fengge had entered the second level. Though filled with bitter resentment and a desire to hunt down the boy who had shamed him, the constraints of the array left it helpless. Its range of motion was confined to the first level; it could not even step into the light pillar without risking punishment by the laws—or worse, having its consciousness erased and replaced.

"I am enraged! I am utterly furious! You brats, prepare to face my burning wrath!" Seeing Yang Fengge gone, the steel giant vented all its fury on the remaining youths. Its sword moved like the wind; before one youth could react, the giant strode forward and tore him into a mist of blood with a single swing.

Having claimed a life, the giant’s momentum grew even more ferocious. With cruel, eerie red light flashing in its eyes, it continued to hack at the nearest youths. One after another, they were butchered into pulp. Bathed in blood, the giant looked like a peerless demon god.

"Run!" Seeing the giant’s savagery, some youths fled in a panic.

"I give up... I surrender..." Cries of resignation echoed. Unable to bear the murderous atmosphere, many decisively surrendered. Every youth who shouted "I surrender" was swiftly teleported out of the tower by the mysterious arrays. Seeing this, the giant’s rage only intensified.

Yang Shi watched the chaotic scene, his expression grim. Yang Fengge had left alone—did he have no regard for the Yang family? It had been agreed that Yang Fengge, Yang Qi, and he, Yang Shi, would work together to restrain the giant, allowing more members of the Yang family and their allies to pass. Yet, Yang Fengge had chosen to play the individual hero and abandoned them.

"Yang Qi... Yang Yu, the three of us will intercept the giant and create an opportunity for the others to pass!" Yang Shi shouted, his face stern amidst the chaos. "Anyone from the Yang family, and our friends, follow me! I will hold the giant back... as for the others, if you lack the ability, give up now. Do not throw your lives away for nothing."

Just as Yang Shi finished speaking, another figure moved. It was a woman in black, her lithe, graceful silhouette flickering like a bird in flight. In an instant, she reached the front of the steel giant. Yang Shi’s eyes narrowed: "Ye Xuan... it is her. Does she intend to clear the tower alone as well? But can she succeed?"