In the spacious arena, two figures stood facing each other from afar, one in black and the other in white, standing out prominently against the light gray backdrop. “It’s actually Xiao Yan and Bai Cheng? These two have met again…”
“Hehe, this is going to be a good show. I heard that after losing to Xiao Yan last time, Bai Cheng always claimed it was because Xiao Yan had taken Dragon Strength Pills. Now, in a competition where using pills is forbidden, I wonder if he can turn the tables on his previous defeat?”
“I doubt it. Last time, Xiao Yan even defeated Cheng Nan on the challenge platform. That’s a Dou Ling at the 6th or 7th Star, no less, not any weaker than Bai Cheng…”
As the two figures faced off in the arena, the packed stands erupted into a flurry of hushed whispers. Almost everyone in the Inner Academy recognized these two who had engaged in a fierce battle before. The previous fight in the arena solidified Xiao Yan’s position in the Strong Rankings, but Bai Cheng’s reputation took a hit. Now, meeting again, it could truly be said that enemies were bound to meet.
Ignoring the whispers around him, Xiao Yan’s palm spun slightly, and a massive Black Heavy Scale flashed out. With a casual wave, a strong gust of wind formed beneath him, blowing dust in all directions.
Bai Cheng, staring coldly at Xiao Yan, saw him take out his weapon and immediately drew a pale yellow spear. The spear quivered, shaking rapidly, forming a flower before vanishing swiftly. Although a faint fear lingered deep in his heart, at this moment, it was blown away by the wind. If he could defeat Xiao Yan now, his former glory would return, and so would his lost ranking on the Strong Rankings.
“Defeat this bastard at all costs!” Gritting his teeth, Bai Cheng’s eyes turned even more frigid. For this match, he was prepared to use any means. Rules like not taking fatal strikes were all rubbish. To the victor goes the spoils, and with victory, all rumors would cease!
Xiao Yan glanced at Bai Cheng, whose face flickered before settling into a gloomy expression. Then, he turned his gaze to the judge’s stand.
Noticing Xiao Yan’s gaze, Su Qian slowly rose to his feet. As he stood, the noise in the arena automatically quieted down. Looking around, he did not waste many words: “The fourth match, begin!”
As the words fell, the audience’s eyes focused intently on the two figures in the arena, their gazes burning with excitement. This match was perhaps the most thrilling of the previous rounds in the Strong Ranking tournament.
Of course, it wasn’t just the audience’s attention that changed; the aura of Xiao Yan and Bai Cheng also exploded with ferocity. A blue and yellow Dou Qi surged out of their bodies, enveloping them in a glowing aura. The pressure from the powerful Dou Qi spread, causing the breaths of some students near the stage to hitch.
“Indeed, they are among the top-ranked fighters on the Strong Rankings. Compared to the previous matches, they are not just one level higher.”
Feeling the spreading pressure, the surrounding students secretly praised.
Xiao Yan twisted his neck slightly, allowing a robust Dou Qi to flow through his veins, filling his body with continuous power. His hand gripped the Black Heavy Scale, and a clear Dou Qi swirled around it. Occasionally, a faint green flame flared up, and every time it did, the space around it briefly distorted, imperceptible to those with untrained eyes.
Their heads lifted, and their eyes met in the arena, sparks flying, each carrying a hint of icy intent.
“Cough.”
The four eyes locked, and the tense atmosphere in the arena spread. After nearly a minute, a cough from the crowd became the final straw, igniting the tension to its breaking point!
“Whoosh!”
Two figures, enveloped in robust Dou Qi, shot out like arrows as the cough sounded. Due to their incredible speed, the audience could only see two blurry shadows shooting out, colliding in the center with the force of meteorites, making for a spectacular impact!
“Clang!”
At the center of the arena, the two blurred figures crossed paths, Bai Cheng’s sharp spear thrusting lightning-fast, but easily blocked by the thick, shield-like black scale. Sparks flew, and a small energy ripple expanded from the point of contact.
As their bodies crossed, Xiao Yan, expressionless, swung the heavy scale fiercely behind him. The intense wind from the swing tore through the air, the sharp sound of the wind piercing the ears.
“Clang, clang, clang!”
As the heavy scale swung, Bai Cheng forcefully twisted his body, thrusting his spear dozens of times in a short span. Each thrust hit a point on the heavy scale, the crisp sounds almost merging into one, extremely neat. Compared to the last time, Bai Cheng seemed stronger this time.
Outside the arena, countless spectators watched the flashing figures in amazement. With their eyes, they could mostly only see the sparks and the fleeting shadows of the two combatants as their weapons met.
“Bai Cheng seems to have become much stronger than last time,” Lin Xiuya observed, frowning as he watched the intense battle in the arena.
“Indeed, he has grown stronger. This time, it doesn’t seem like he has taken any pills; it looks more like he has broken through a rank,” Yan Hao mused.
“Looks like his defeat to Xiao Yan last time gave him some benefits,” Han Yue said, twirling a silver lock of hair.
“Temporary progress, but that defeat has cast a shadow over his mind. If he can beat Xiao Yan, he might overcome this shadow and grow much stronger in the future. But if he fails again, he will likely forever stagnate at the Dou Ling level,” Lin Xiuya said calmly.
“That seems rather difficult,” Han Yue said, a faint smile appearing on her cold, beautiful face as she glanced at the black shadow that moved like a bone-attached worm in the arena. “In just two months, Xiao Yan has jumped to a 3-Star Dou Ling, a speed unmatched in the Inner Academy. And his speed… he might be second only to a Dou Wang.”
Lin Xiuya shrugged, having witnessed Xiao Yan’s speed before and not doubting Han Yue’s words. Even he, without using the somewhat forced Dou Qi Wings, would find it hard to match Xiao Yan’s speed.
As they spoke, Xiao Yan’s thoughts churned in the arena. As the one facing Bai Cheng, he keenly felt the other’s strength. But to him, it was not much of a threat. When he first reached the Dou Ling level, he needed the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes to compete with Bai Cheng. But now, as a 3-Star Dou Ling, his strength had greatly increased. With the special effects of the ‘Flame Decree’ technique, even a 5-Star Dou Ling wouldn’t be his match. Adding to his reinforced physical strength and the ‘Three Thousand Thunderbolt,’ Xiao Yan could now fight Bai Cheng without the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes.
“No wonder he has some confidence, he broke through a rank… but that’s not enough.”
A sneer curled on Xiao Yan’s lips as he concentrated, his attention fully on the heavy scale. In his mind, he recalled the overwhelming waves of tree branches from the mountains, and as he immersed himself, he suddenly thrust the heavy scale, several scale shadows forming in mid-air. The trajectory abruptly changed, and the previously clumsy heavy scale, now in Xiao Yan’s hands, was as flexible as a normal spear, even matching Bai Cheng’s spear in agility. During the entanglement, Bai Cheng’s spear had no chance to break free.
“Huh?”
As Xiao Yan’s scale technique changed, several astonished voices rang out from the high platform and the judge’s stand, their faces filled with surprise.
Of course, their reactions were understandable. If Xiao Yan’s earlier attacks were characterized by brute force, his current technique showed a high degree of skill, which was quite advanced.
Bai Cheng, as Xiao Yan’s opponent, naturally felt the change most clearly. His expression darkened. In the comparison, the only advantage he had over Xiao Yan was his true strength and the sophistication of his spear technique. But now, with Xiao Yan’s freakish cultivation, that gap was narrowing, and Xiao Yan’s current scale technique was no weaker than his spear technique. The scales were tipping in Xiao Yan’s favor!
Bai Cheng’s eyes widened, a hint of savagery hidden in their depths. His spear, like a trapped venomous snake, darted around, but was always closely pursued by the cumbersome heavy scale. The spear technique required distance, and with Xiao Yan’s interference, its sharpness was halved.
After several minutes of tangling with Xiao Yan, Bai Cheng’s eyes turned red, and the savagery in them grew. He shouted, “Let’s go all out!”
With a roar, he struck the spear handle, and the spear shot towards Xiao Yan’s heart. There was no mercy; if it hit, Xiao Yan would be killed on the spot.
Xiao Yan’s face darkened, and he flicked his arm, the heavy scale spinning back, blocking the spear. The force from the spear pushed him back two steps.
Footsteps steady, Xiao Yan looked up, surprised to see Bai Cheng’s face turning an eerie blood red.
With a savage grin, Bai Cheng’s voice sounded like it came from the netherworld, sending chills down spines.
“Don’t think you’re the only one who knows secret methods to boost your strength!”
“Today, I will completely cripple you, little bastard!”
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