Xiao Yan’s words undeniably incited an uproar across the battlefield. Immediately afterward, numerous warriors of the Hei Yan Army burst into furious cheers. In contrast, the members of the Lei Clan wore increasingly sour expressions—this was the first time someone had so brazenly slighted them.
“Hmph! Xiao Yan, don’t become too arrogant!” Lei Yun’s face lost its earlier smirking complacency as he barked out.
“Sometimes, verbal provocations do little good,” Xiao Yan smiled faintly, his face remaining tranquil as an undisturbed lake. He had heard Lei Yun’s provocations distinctly. Though he had no intent to clash heads unnecessarily with them before, the sarcastic tone aimed at Xun’er stirred some slight discontent within him. He inwardly understood that for men of pride used to dominance, to silence them cleanly would require something slightly forceful.
Furrowing his brows, Lei Dong stared warily at the young man in black clothing. Faintly, he sensed imminent danger in his gut. Perhaps others might still doubt whether Xiao Yan had truly bested Hun Miesheng, dismissing it as rumor—but Lei Dong knew better. He understood that this story was indeed real, confirmed when Hun Miesheng, not even holding back, had still been vanquished following his full exertions.
Long ago he’d heard the clan leader sigh while reminiscing that, amongst today’s generation of prodigies across the斗气(Qi) Continent —the most elite by far was none other than Xiao Yan of the萧 Clan! Lei Dun had still recalled the subtle regret in雷赢 Lei Ying’s voice upon saying those words. For such a talent to have emerged in a fading clan felt unfathomable.
Naturally fierce at heart and passionate about battle, Lei Dong had endured five years inside the雷池 (Maelstrom Pool), completely immersed in cultivation, unflinchingly bearing the torment of a thousand electric surges throughout his frame. Combined also with numerous other nurturing treasures bestowed by the clan, his accomplishments had ultimately become formidable. Deep within his conscience, he was reluctant to acknowledge his achievements were still lesser in comparison to someone from a waning clan.
Taking a slow breath, Lei Dong suddenly spoke calmly, “Since Young Xiao Yan has extended an invitation, you have best accept politely. Lei Yun, begin the challenge!”
“Very well!” Upon receiving his command, Lei Yun’s countenance shifted darkly but with disdain answered. As his feet stamped into the stone, the group surged with energy—reaching the peak of their abilities. Amongst them, Lei Yun carried the strongest presence—already reaching the upper level of half-saint! The other nine were also fully evolved斗宗 masters, each at the ninth-star!
The ferocious might unleashed by their united strength caused countless eyes to narrow. It was no simple matter to oppose ten so talented warriors cooperating together.
“Xiao Yan, let us of the Lei clan personally evaluate whether these legends truly hold up!”
Guided by their intensifying aura, brimming courage swelled within them. Letting loose a loud command, all ten warriors burst forward in synchronized motion. Like bolts of light scattering lightning-fast through space, they positioned around Xiao Yan within the ring before immediately beginning complicated sigils. Almost immediately ten massive, hundred-meter pillars of雷光 blazed forth, twisting high skyward. They coiled furiously into ten great long dragons that howled furiously from above.
“Lei-long Sha (Thunder Dragon Slash)!” At the unified cry, their faces tensing with effort, all thunder dragons roared in descent. Rumbling continuously came their crashing thunder as the beasts tore the air downward in violent onslaught. Lei Yun understood well Xiao Yan’s might, so he and the other nine launched their absolute strongest move in their coordinated assault, whose sheer strength carried devastating potential.
Silver lightning cracked across the sky as all eyes stared up. Ten of the lightning long dragons shrieked down, charging straight and mercilessly slamming hard into Xiao Yan’s position on the ground!
“Bam!” Upon impact, shockwaves radiated outwards; the solid surface burst forth clouds of pulverized dust in a blinding explosion of force across the platform.
“Did we hit?” Many eyes watched with shock at the scene. Yet earlier there’d truly been no sign indicating a single motion to dodge!
Amidst settling smoke, at last Xiao Yan’s upright stance was discernible once more under all watching eyes: still wearing his usual black cloak untouched, completely unwounded by blast or scar upon his entire body—and more surprisingly still was how even the area in proximity surrounding him for one zhang outward bore the untouched condition, standing sharply amidst destruction all about.
How…how could that be possible!
Shocked beyond belief at how Xiao Yan had not so much even faltered by half a step back, panic began creeping upon all ten warriors, especially Lei Yun, growing within their chests. For Xiao Yan’s eyes reflected clearly their overwhelming weakness…
“Still acceptable enough as strikes.”
Silence held in absolute still throughout every listener around as Xiao Yan softly smiled once more. Without giving Lei Yun’s party another look, his gaze drifted onto Lei Dong. As he lifted his arms into motion he spoke with grace.
“Please!”
Boom!
Lei Dong’s expression had already reached extremes of tension. Facing Xiao Yan’s composed demeanor filled him pressure greater than he’d known before, yet decisive as ever—once Xiao Yan’s laughing remark ended—Lei Dong’s body exploded in brilliant streak of lightning energy as he charged forth like lightening. Summoning his might forward with one outstretched palm, black electrical charges raced along his forearm in surging waves before manifesting at impact into a black-scaled great spear swirling with dangerous arcs crackling furiously over every inch of its black shaft.
Hiss!
Le Dong moved like a flash and stood abruptly before. The storming spear techniques began—a myriad spear winds lashing out from his sharpened point towards Xiao’s every vulnerable organ! And that very edge of his spear point crackled dark purple-black—capable of instantly creating grievous bloodletting wound piercing even through armor of the mightiest three-star斗尊 warrior!
Gasps were silent amidst watching crowd. None even dared blink as they watched the overwhelming speed—unthinkable how any might withstand.
Indeed truly enough, this Lei Dong had quite enough merit behind his name, admitted quietly those watching including elders. Such force would require formidable effort just merely to evade long enough for the chance to counter.
“He can’t even touch Xiao Yan!”
The observing ancient clans including Gu Xing spoke aloud in horror.
This man was none lesser than three star斗尊, enhanced further with his transformed electrical Qi capable easily against foes at four star斗尊. And even still the younger man could not land so much even the tip of his hair to his opponent! Exactly what level was this Xiao Yan at?!
The ancillary watchers nodded solemnly with mutual fear reflected across gaze; even that ancient妖, who once dueled Xiao Yan once and only narrowly escaped with heavy injury had silently laughed bitterly, recalling the memory: when Xiao initially set foot upon his lands years ago, Gu had been barely enough to best him by grave effort—and yet today the distance in strength between them now appeared infinitely widened instead of even narrowing one bit.
Others could see the imbalance, naturally, no less missed by Lei Dong himself—who only became more and terrified further. As he kept attacking fiercely with each blow after another, Xiao Yan remained as an unshakerable gravity well of power effortlessly absorbing and swallowing every piercing strike thrown toward him without yielding damage in any way.
“Sky雷陨! (Heavenly雷霆陨 Death!)”
Suddenly, a cruel glint flashed across his eyes. As his furious attacks halted at peak moment with an unrelenting silence, with an aggressive bite on his lower lip he spat a fountain from his own tongue. Crimson red blood sprayed into air—where within it arcs shimmered in violent darkness—as it fully condensed upon his spear tip now dark as death’s veil itself. The air buzzed as a furious energy gathered; and suddenly, he surged once more, the blur instantaneous, as he dashed forward spear poised at Xiao Yan’s throat.
“Unbelievable speed!!”
His sudden burst astounded the crowd into collective gasps as not even the masters as formidable asGu Qingyang even could fully follow in full except only glimpse of fleeting dark streak passing.
Hiss.
And within that infinitismal sliver of perception, came contact.
Hardly before anyone even finished registering his acceleration, a sound—only slight like whisper—shattered through space.
All looked to where it came, and found Lei Dong’s spear driving straight and unrelentless at Xiaoyan, right into an open-right palm outthrust at him.
But yet—those with sharp eyes could discern clearly the last tiny stretch of less than half a 寸 of distance still remaining between palm and tip—Lei Dong’s entire strength strained yet unable even so as much so force a further hairbreadth forwards!
Lei Dong’s utmost desperate stroke effortlessly received and swallowed by but a single palm from Xiao Yan!
Bang!”
Grimacing furiously Lei Dong struck a furious blow straight into haft itself of shattered remains—releasing torrenting bursts of pure darkness down shaft which exploded violently outward, charging straight into Xiao Yan’s own arm.
Even still… not yet letting a shred of celebration arise—the surging torrents of dark lightning quickly dimmed and were drawn in… swallowed—as though by an unseen abyss…
“Huh—Familiar flavor…”
As he devoured the dark雷霆 energy now invading his system, Xiao Yan smiled faintly with satisfaction as suddenly he squeezed fingers inward with effortless might, crushing the darkened pole spear in one motion—exploding fragments violently outward into sharp shrapnels flying in arcs. Then, stepping swiftly toward forward with grace, like ghostly shadow he ghosted instantly next Lei’s side. And with only just single open-palm, striking softly against his chest—he unleashed a shock.
The onlooking throng could only witness helplessly from outside in a helpless hush—as Lei Dong was launched sky-ward backwards through the air—clearly a most humiliating and painful retreat.
“With the favor of opportunity granted!” Xiao Yan’s smiling form remarked nonchalantly as his opponent was pushed back, offering courteous address with practiced tone and decorum.
The swiftness in resolution was so breathtaking so sudden even the onlookers struggled to realize what just transpired—so swiftly had the whole group of Lei’s elite fallen before him—only moments ago standing tall in confident formation, now all so suddenly humbled to ground beneath one sole youth’s strength! All across the field all watching was absolute silent reverence broken after silence with loud roaring cheers—eroded through all restraint the voices of gathered Heiyan forces burst out deafening—shouting until sky seemed near collapsing above them.
Bang!
As tumult of thunder-like cheers still rumbled all about, Lei Dong hit the ground hard, biting his lips as though preparing once again for another challenge forward—when abruptly, like a clashing drum strike from heavens a thunderous laugh rolled out from above.
“Ha! Another prodigy from the Xiao clan, hah? You kids really can’t hope to stand beside him—not by even an inch! However now my hands begin itching! Boy—how dares you take me on—see whether you bear the strength to endure single strike of mine?!”
“The clan head of the Lei Clan is here himself…”
“He shouldn’t be intervening in our younger generation’s affairs!”
Upon hearing this loud booming declaration, ancient elders like Gu Qingyang and Xun’Er couldn’t help but stiffen visibly at his presence and intention—completely caught unexpected by sight that this veteran, a hotheaded warhound of endless combat desire who cherished and spoiled his own people so dearly—that actually decided finally he could sit idle any longer… witnessing Xiao Yan singlehandedly dismantling all these upstarts from Lei’s youth—enough to finally provoke action.
Unexpected was their turn in events; Xiao Yan furrowed his brows lightly at the sudden intrusion of such elder figures in battle.
“Do not concern yourself. This old fellow shall wield but only a paltry five of power!” Lei Ying’s booming laugh rang through once more.
Seeing no other choice for now, Xiao Yan breathed out, composed but resolved into his stance—refusing verbal back and forth—bowing once.
“Xiao Yan of the Xiao Clan… I accept your challenge!!”
—Thus concluded the battle in dazzling grandeur…
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