A splendid crystal handprint floated above Xiao Yan’s palm, exuding a powerful aura of energy that caused the very space to tremble violently. “Go!” With a deep breath, Xiao Yan flicked his finger. The crystal handprint shivered and emitted a low hum similar to sacred chants before streaking across the sky like a comet, crashing headlong into the colossal starry hand. “Break for me!” The Star Picking Old Ghost’s face twisted with savagery. With a thought, the massive starry hand clenched down fiercely on the crystal imprint. Although the crystal handprint was formidable, he held unwavering confidence in his own power. As long as Xiao Yan did not unleash that terrifying fire lotus, he was certain he could suppress him without any counter!
But, at this moment, he had forgotten. Xiao Yan was no longer a nine-star Peak Battle Sect, now possessing the strength of a three-star Dou Zun. Though there was still a considerable gap between him and the Star Picking Old Ghost, this gap was not insurmountable.
“Boom!” The disproportionate hands and light imprint collided under countless gazes, creating a thunderous roar that reverberated across the land. “Bang!” Upon impact, monstrous waves of energy surged outwards, causing the central space to crumble, revealing a vast, dark void that chilled the hearts of those who witnessed it.
Amidst the obsidian emptiness, the giant star hand and crystal imprint burst with blinding radiance, their violent energies eroding each other furiously, akin to ferocious beasts eager to devour one another. “Ssss!” The relentless clash of energies from the giant star hand and crystal handprint culminated in the sudden dimming of both, as if doused flames…
The energy storm abruptly ceased and, under many stunned eyes, rapidly dissipated. “This brat actually blocked my Great Star Hand?” The Star Picking Old Ghost’s face darkened instantly. At this point, he realized the difficulty. Xiao Yan’s true level was only a one-star Dou Zun, but his high-level Dou Skills were endless, and with the help of exotic flames, subduing him was more troublesome than anticipated. “If this boy has grown so strong after just reaching Dou Zun, will I no longer be a match if he continues to grow?” The Star Picking Old Ghost’s face, resembling gnarled tree bark, twitched. A fierce killing intent flared within him. His vacant sleeve suddenly wriggled, releasing countless black chains that entwined to form a metallic arm.
Gripping the metal chain arm, the Star Picking Old Ghost’s visage turned grim. His body became slightly ethereal, like a faint mist, then he vanished eerily. At the disappearance of the Star Picking Old Ghost, Xiao Yan’s brows furrowed. His immense soul power spread out, and his expression suddenly changed as he retreated swiftly. As Xiao Yan retreated, a phantasmal figure appeared before him, delivering a cold, powerful punch toward his head. “Bang!” Seeing the rapidly enlarging fist, Xiao Yan hurriedly blocked with his arms, absorbing the terrible force. His arm went numb, and he staggered back, outclassed in a direct strength contest.
“Ah!” After retreating Xiao Yan, the Star Picking Old Ghost sneered. In a flash, he reappeared in front of Xiao Yan. Faced with the tenacious pursuit, Xiao Yan activated Three Thousand Lightning Steps, leaving behind numerous afterimages while retreating quickly. “My Illusory Soul Technique is far beyond your Three Thousand Lightning Steps!” A cold laugh echoed through the void. The Star Picking Old Ghost appeared before Xiao Yan again, bypassing the afterimages. “This old fiend is so fast…” Xiao Yan’s face changed seeing the relentless ghost. Despite using the peak Three Thousand Lightning Steps, he couldn’t match the Star Picking Old Ghost’s speed. The Illusory Soul Technique was indeed superior.
“Die!” The Star Picking Old Ghost bared his teeth in a gruesome smile. This secret technique, never used on those below five-star Dou Zuns, was now forced out by Xiao Yan. Under the intense onslaught, Xiao Yan was driven back. Yet, his composure remained; the purple-brown flame swirling around his injuries healed them rapidly. The Three Thousand Flaming Fire’s regenerative power was showcased fully. As long as the flame burned, Xiao Yan’s wounds continuously repaired. Of course, this required a sufficient amount of Dou Qi. As the cycle of injury and repair continued, Xiao Yan lost all defenses, engaging in reckless exchanges. Each time the Star Picking Old Ghost hit him, Xiao Yan struck back, secure in the protection of the Three Thousand Flaming Fire. While enduring pain, he wasn’t in life-threatening danger.
“Booom! Booom! Boom!” Watching the two entangle in a wild melee, everyone was dumbstruck. It was unheard of for a one-star Dou Zun to hold his own against a five-star Dou Zun. “This bastard…” The more he fought, the more alarmed the Star Picking Old Ghost became. Xiao Yan had taken dozens of hits, yet he was unfazed, his aura becoming stronger. “It must be the Three Thousand Flaming Fire!” The Star Picking Old Ghost, realizing the purple-brown flame’s purpose, his face turned pale. With such immediate healing, how could they compete? Thinking so, the Star Picking Old Ghost decided to end the skirmish. Though the Three Thousand Flaming Fire needed Dou Qi to heal, Xiao Yan’s vitality indicated he was far from depletion. “Use a Dou Skill, one strike to kill!” The Star Picking Old Ghost’s form turned ethereal once more before vanishing.
“Another speed contest…” Xiao Yan, ragged and sore, gritted his teeth. Though the Three Thousand Flaming Fire quickly healed his wounds, the pain was magnified tenfold. “Too much Dou Qi consumption… I can’t keep up… or I’ll be the first to fall.” Suppressing the pain, Xiao Yan altered his hand seal. His tattered robes moved, and with a rip, a pair of bone wings erupted. These gleaming wings, crafted from the Demon Phoenix, bore a mix of green and red lines. Long kept hidden, these wings were his trump card. Today, he had no choice but to reveal them. “Swoosh!” The Star Picking Old Ghost materialized in the void, his hand forming seals as immense energy condensed. Just as the energy formed, a searing, sharp wind assaulted him, forcing him back. The wind deftly curved, landing on his back. “Hmph!” The sudden impact sent the Star Picking Old Ghost staggering, disbelief in his eyes at Xiao Yan, whose speed, enhanced by the jade wings, reached an unimaginable level. “Old ghoul, try my fire lotus again!” Wings fluttering, Xiao Yan summoned three flames, preparing to fuse them. Witnessing this, the Star Picking Old Ghost’s expression contorted. He dashed toward Xiao Yan, swift as lightning. “Your speed isn’t enough,” Xiao Yan smirked, using his wings to retreat meteorically, easily outrunning the Star Picking Old Ghost. Yet, just as he finished, a sinister laugh rang out, and two shadowy figures appeared in front of Xiao Yan. “Just the two of us should be enough, right?” Recognizing the pair’s avian wings, Xiao Yan’s heart sank. “Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan?”
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