Regarding Xiao Yan’s sudden burst of tremendous power, Xuner and the others were well aware, so when they saw his aura surging, they didn’t feel much surprise. However, Lin Xiuya and the others from a higher vantage point couldn’t help but emit a sound of astonishment. Being as strong as they were, they could naturally detect that at this moment, Xiao Yan’s strength had almost caught up with Bai Cheng. Such a significant leap was truly shocking, after all, it was a gap of six star levels.
“This guy, no wonder I felt a sense of caution when I first met him; he was hiding such a formidable move,” Lin Xiuya’s eyes subtly revealed a hint of surprise. Clearly, Xiao Yan’s outburst was far beyond his expectations. Beside him, Yan Hao’s eyes tightly followed Xiao Yan below, seemingly showing a great interest in his sudden outburst. After hearing Lin Xiuya’s words, he nodded slightly. His gaze moved upward, finally settling on a slightly dimly lit area where he seemed to hear a faint exclamation of surprise.
“Bai Cheng really did kick a stone this time. He might even have to give up his ranking on the ‘Strong Ranking’ list,” Yan Hao smirked, delighting in Bai Cheng’s misfortune. Lin Xiuya and the others smiled and once again focused their attention on the ongoing battle below.
…
After using the Heavenly Fire Three Profound Changes, Xiao Yan’s strength undoubtedly reached a level comparable to Bai Cheng’s for a short period. Therefore, when Bai Cheng saw Xiao Yan approaching with a sudden surge of force, his sneering face couldn’t help but change several times. He knew that Xiao Yan could forcibly enhance his strength, but he didn’t take it too seriously, believing that such methods were ultimately just side paths that would reveal their true nature over time.
This disdainful thought wavered somewhat in the face of the oncoming figure with the momentum of thunder. At this moment, Bai Cheng finally realized that he had underestimated Xiao Yan from the very beginning. Clenching his teeth, he tightly gripped his long spear. Bai Cheng’s eyes were fixed on Xiao Yan, who was getting closer, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. He knew what this battle meant for him. If he lost, his ranking on the “Strong Ranking” list would likely be taken over by Xiao Yan, and the “White Gang” would also suffer a significant blow, causing their status in the Inner Academy to plummet. Thus, no matter how difficult Xiao Yan was, he had to defeat him today at all costs!
“Arrogant brat, today you’ll see the true strength of a real ‘Strong Ranking’ expert! These underhanded methods have made you overly confident,” Bai Cheng’s face was cold and fierce. Deep yellow energy flowed like the Yellow River, pouring out of Bai Cheng’s body. In the end, it enveloped his entire body, with the surface of the light sphere slowly flowing like water, resembling a whirlpool of yellow light. The yellow energy sphere trembled slightly, and then under everyone’s watchful eyes, erupted with a low roar. The long spear shot out in a flash, and with each stab, a residual image appeared. Bai Cheng’s spear speed was terrifying, and in an instant, the spear images covered the space in front of him. Xiao Yan, charging like a beast, appeared outside the spear shadow blockade.
“Ha!” The deep yellow spear shadows stopped in mid-air, their tips flashing with a peculiar cold light. Under the enhancement of the deep yellow energy, each residual image had the power to pierce through stone walls. With Xiao Yan within reach, Bai Cheng’s cold shout erupted. As his shout fell, the dense deep yellow spear shadows suddenly shot out. Instantly, sharp wind sounds whistled in the battle ring, piercingly loud. There were many spear images, and the ability to condense so many at once showed the strength of Bai Cheng. If it were any ordinary Dou Spirit, they would have been in a panic under Bai Cheng’s fierce attack. But Xiao Yan’s combat experience was no less than the former, and with the Heavenly Fire Three Profound Changes, he now had the strength to face Bai Cheng head-on. So, although the spear shadows flickered and the wind roared, Xiao Yan did not retreat. He raised the large Heavy Scale Ruler and with a simple yet powerful motion, he slashed down.
“Break!” The slash of the Heavy Scale Ruler was plain and straightforward, with no fancy tricks. A simple, powerful strike carried the overwhelming momentum of splitting mountains. The ruler split the air, leaving a faint black trace. Fierce wind formed under the ruler, and under such powerful pressure, the hard ground cracked. This displayed the strength of Xiao Yan’s attack. Seeing this, many on the viewing stands were slightly moved. Such intense combat was indeed captivating.
“Clang, clang…” Under the heavy ruler, spear shadows filled with sharp wind continuously emitted crisp metallic clashing sounds. The spear shadows rapidly dissipated, and only the ripples of energy spreading out hinted at the intensity of the collision. The large number of spear shadows quickly vanished, and in the end, only a few remained. Finally, the remaining spear shadows abandoned their futile attacks. The spear condensed, and a substantial long spear tore through the air, its tip gathering sharp energy, and aimed directly at Xiao Yan’s chest.
Narrowing his eyes, Xiao Yan’s Heavy Scale Ruler flexibly retracted and then stood firmly in front of him like a black shield. The deep yellow spear struck the wide ruler. The contact between the two weapons caused a burst of strong energy, and under this force, Xiao Yan’s feet slid back several meters before coming to a stop.
“Hmph!” Bai Cheng let out a cold snort, shaking Xiao Yan back. His arm holding the spear trembled slightly, and the spear’s light suddenly intensified, dazzling like the sun, flashing from the battle ring.
“Whoosh!” As the yellow light intensified, a yellow energy sand snake-like entity rushed out, its monstrous mouth slamming into the Heavy Scale Ruler with a savage impact.
“Boom!” The clash between the two produced a loud explosion, and a visible wave of energy spread out. The hard floor under Xiao Yan’s feet began to crack.
“Roll!” Xiao Yan’s palm struck the spear handle, and the full strength of a six-star Dou Spirit erupted. The incomparably powerful energy hit the ruler, and with a forceful push, the black Heavy Scale Ruler flew out of Xiao Yan’s hand, spinning in the air before skewering into the ground outside the battle ring.
Seeing Xiao Yan’s Heavy Scale Ruler slip away, the crowd on the stands burst into an uproar. Except for Xuner and a few others who knew Xiao Yan well, even members of the Pan Gate clenched their fists in nervousness.
“Without your weapon, what can you do?” With a strike using his full strength, Bai Cheng finally disarmed Xiao Yan. For a moment, Bai Cheng saw victory within reach and laughed triumphantly. However, his spear didn’t pause and continued to thrust towards Xiao Yan’s chest.
With the Heavy Scale Ruler out of his hands, Xiao Yan’s brows furrowed. It had to be said, Bai Cheng’s spear techniques were more ruthless and lethal than those of Bai Shan. The spear moved like lightning, and feeling a slight stabbing pain in his chest, silver electrical sparks appeared on Xiao Yan’s feet. His body trembled, leaving a faint afterimage, and he appeared several meters away.
The spear pierced through the afterimage, and with a slight stir, it dissipated. Bai Cheng looked at Xiao Yan, who was now several meters away, and sneered, “Still not giving up? Kneel and beg for mercy now, and I might spare you. Otherwise, weapons are blind, and if your arms or legs are severed, don’t blame me.”
In a place like the arena, the Inner Academy did not restrict the use of lethal force, but generally, unless the relationship between the two parties was extremely bad, they usually left room for mercy. After all, this was still an academy, not a blood-drenched battlefield.
Ignoring the smug Bai Cheng, Xiao Yan casually glanced at the Heavy Scale Ruler outside the arena and slightly twisted his body. Feeling the surge of thick energy within him, free from the Heavy Scale Ruler’s constraints, he smiled, causing Bai Cheng’s expression to darken.
Turning his gaze to the grim and cold Bai Cheng, Xiao Yan chuckled but did not speak. Silver light flashed on his feet, and with a light step, his figure appeared beside Bai Cheng like a ghost. His fist, covered in hot, blue energy, brought a fierce and scorching wind, smashing towards Bai Cheng’s head.
Xiao Yan’s terrifying speed at this moment made Bai Cheng’s pupils contract. His head instinctively jerked back, and the heated fist brushed past his face, causing a burning pain.
“This guy… how did his speed suddenly increase so much?” The black shadow passing before Bai Cheng’s eyes sent a wave of shock through him. Unaware of Xiao Yan’s abilities, he didn’t know that without the Heavy Scale Ruler, Xiao Yan’s true combat power was fully unleashed. For others, losing a weapon might be a fatal blow, but for Xiao Yan, it was a release from a constraint.
Xiao Yan with the Heavy Scale Ruler was not the most fearsome. Xiao Yan with his bare hands was a true melee machine!
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