Chapter 1215: The Clash

As the young figure slowly emerged before the hill, Yichen’s handsome face showed no surprise. He smiled faintly and said, “Are you that Xiao Yan?”

Xiao Yan did not respond, his gaze calm as he regarded the handsome man in front of him. The thick stench of blood on the latter’s body made his eyebrows twitch slightly. This person was clearly one who was merciless and brutal; he must have spilled countless lives to cultivate such a pungent aroma.

“Xiao Yan, don’t be provoked by him! This Yichen is not a good sort!” Qiu Ling hurriedly said from behind Xiao Yan.

“Others are already setting up a stage here, how can I refuse to fight?” Xiao Yan smiled.

Qiu Ling paused at this. Now, he understood that the situation could no longer be reconciled. Although Xiao Yan seemed composed, his pride was not weak. Treating him politely was fine, but if there was any mocking hostility, the returned attitude would not be kind.

“Xiao Yan, come on!” Suddenly, a seductive laughter that sent shivers down one’s spine rang out from behind Qiu Ling. Everyone’s eyes turned to see Cao Ying, long-unseen, standing behind Qiu Ling, her full, golden-ratio figure causing many men to light up with fire in their eyes. This enchantress’s allure was truly astonishing.

“Hehe, today will be a show. The champion of the Pill Gathering versus the Asura of the Heaven Demon Sect. This is truly one of the rarer peak battles among the younger generation. Let’s see who comes out on top.”

“I think Xiao Yan might be in trouble. Although Yichen is only at the peak of the Battle Sect stage, I’ve heard rumors that he has successfully escaped from some Dou Zuns several times. It would be impossible without real skills.”

“Yeah, after all, Xiao Yan excels in pill refining, not combat.”

“Che, I wouldn’t say that. Xiao Yan spent more than half a year in the Star Region. Who knows what cards he has up his sleeve?”

Seeing the equally outstanding young man in the square, the surrounding crowd burst into a flurry of whispers, clearly showing their anticipation for this grand battle.

Amidst the murmurs, a sinister smile appeared on Yichen’s handsome face. His unnaturally red tongue licked his lips, making him look like a beast about to eat, sending shivers down people’s spines.

“Chen Bo, let me take your place. That should be acceptable, right?” Yichen glanced sideways at Chen Tian Nan beside him and smiled.

“As long as you can kill this brat, during the future election of the Sect Master, the Dark Sect will support you,” Chen Tian Nan’s eyes flashed with a sinister glint as he growled.

Hearing this, Yichen’s smile widened. “As you wish. Moreover, I am quite interested in this champion of the Pill Gathering’s flesh and blood.”

With these words, he stepped forward under the watchful eyes of the crowd, walking to the center of the square. His blood-red gaze fixed on Xiao Yan. “During the match, fists and feet do not distinguish. If you are prepared, step forward. Of course, you can also hide under the protection of the Pill Tower. In that case, we might truly be unable to touch you today.”

Xiao Yan laughed. “No need for such taunting words. Since I’ve shown up, I won’t retreat.”

“Good, worthy of being the champion of the Pill Gathering. Such presence is indeed unparalleled,” Yichen laughed, though his laughter contained a hint of bloodthirstiness.

Ignoring Yichen’s beast-like gaze, Xiao Yan moved lightly, stepping to the center of the square. Since he had left the Star Region, Xiao Yan had not fought. With someone offering himself as a test, he naturally wouldn’t refuse.

He had heard of the name Yi Xiu Luo, and the fact that such a young person had reached the peak of Battle Sect confirmed that the reputation was well-deserved. But while it was enough to make him the strongest among the young generation, it was still far from overwhelming.

Talents, he had seen too many over the years.

“Ha ha!” Seeing Xiao Yan step forward, Yichen’s smile grew, stamping his foot on the ground. A strange surge of energy burst forth, causing the earth to tremble violently. The surrounding crowd hurriedly retreated.

As the crowd backed away, a stone platform nearly twenty zhang high suddenly rose from the ground, pausing at the height of two zhang.

“Let this platform be our boundary. Whoever steps out loses,” Yichen said with a smile.

“Mm.” Xiao Yan nodded lightly.

Yichen’s eyes flashed with a crimson gleam. He wanted to end Xiao Yan’s life, not just push him off the platform. This was merely to make Xiao Yan and Qiu Ling relax their guard. For him, a fight wasn’t over unless there was bloodshed; otherwise, the name Yi Xiu Luo would be a joke.

“Rest assured, I’ll quickly ease your pain. You should thank me,” Yichen snarled, staring at Xiao Yan a few zhang away. Stamping his foot again, he vanished in a flash.

“Such speed!” At Yichen’s disappearance, cheers erupted outside the platform.

In the center, Xiao Yan didn’t move. Moments later, his eyes flickered, and a powerful kick lashed out, tearing through the air towards a certain spot behind him.

*Boom!*

The leg left a trail of shadows in the air, and when it struck the space, a figure flashed out, blocking the kick with an arm. A roar erupted, and his palm morphed into a claw, erupting with a torrent of blood-red Dou Qi. This guy, upon the first exchange, went all out, clearly intending to kill Xiao Yan as quickly as possible.

Grasping Xiao Yan’s ankle, a cruel smile spread across Yichen’s face. “Let’s see if your blood and flesh are different from ordinary people!”

“Blood Devouring Bone Hand!”

A cold roar erupted, and a terrifying suction force emanated from Yichen’s palm. Under this force, the blood in Xiao Yan’s body began to become tumultuous, as if it were about to burst out.

Noticing this, Xiao Yan’s eyes flickered, and he roared inwardly. The Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame surged within him, surging out to counter the suction force.

*Sizzle!*

White mist erupted from Yichen’s hand grabbing Xiao Yan’s ankle, and his face changed dramatically. Retreating hastily, he looked down to see his palm was black and burnt. If not for the robust Dou Qi defense, his hand might have been ruined.

“That’s the Strange Fire, huh,” Yichen licked his red tongue, his heart sneering, and his hand clenched in the air.

“Blood Burst!”

A deep roar, and a dense blood glow erupted from his palm, spreading rapidly as a strange pulse engulfed Xiao Yan. Sensing this, Xiao Yan felt his blood begin to boil and burst through his veins.

“This demonic skill has its tricks,” sensing the change in his blood, Xiao Yan’s shoulders shook, and a purplish-brown flame surged out of him, enveloping him. The strange pulse dissipated as it touched the Three Thousand Lotus Heart Flame.

Seeing Xiao Yan’s lack of movement, Yichen’s eyes finally turned serious. This move, even against a five-star Battle Sect, could forcibly draw out their blood. But with Xiao Yan, he hadn’t even budged.

“No wonder he’s the champion of the Pill Gathering. He does have some skill. Enough fooling around, let’s end this quickly and avoid any complications,” Yichen thought, his eyes flashing with a bloodthirsty crimson. Taking a deep breath, he began to change hand seals rapidly.

As the hand seals changed, his body began to shrink under the astonished gazes, blood qi erupting from his pores, making him look like a bloody fiend.

“Xiao Yan, be careful! That’s the Blood Condensation Technique of the Heaven Demon Sect, which evaporates the blood in one’s body for a temporary surge of power!” Cao Ying, standing outside the platform, shouted, her face slightly pale.

“Xiao Yan, this ends now!” Along with the rapid surge of Dou Qi, a ferocious grin spread across Yichen’s face. Using the Blood Condensation Technique, anyone below the Dou Zun level would be hard-pressed to beat him. Defeating Xiao Yan would be a cinch!

*Boom!*

Stomping his foot, massive cracks spread across the platform, enveloping the entire area. The space in front of him twisted and he disappeared strangely.

As Yichen vanished, Xiao Yan’s brow twitched, and he quickly took two steps back. A red shadow flashed in his eyes, and Yichen appeared like a blood-crazed ghoul, his fingers forming claws, sharp nails gleaming with a cold light.

“Hand over your flesh and blood!”

With a sadistic grin, Yichen lunged at Xiao Yan, aiming for his heart.

“Get lost!” Xiao Yan’s eyes flashed coldly, staring at the blood-stained Yichen. A thunderous roar erupted from his mouth, and the aura of a nine-star Battle Sect, enhanced by the Fiery Resolution and the Strange Fire, exploded in an unrestrained burst!