An earth-shattering explosion, amidst countless startled gazes, roared like thunder over the spacious square! A mighty gust of destructive force, carrying scorching heat, surged out from the center of the exploding lotus, spreading in all directions like a tempest! Wherever the storm passed, the ground crumbled, and cracks as thick as an arm’s width rapidly spread across the entire field like a spider’s web. The once seemingly robust battlefield was turned to rubble within an instant. On the stands, dumbfounded gazes stared at the utterly devastated field, their minds struggling to comprehend the scale of destruction. They never imagined that the indistinct blur of blue-purple light they saw earlier could unleash such a terrifying force!
After a long while, the crowd slowly regained their senses, and their gazes shifted towards the black-robed youth with his pale face and heaving chest. Every eye was filled with astonishment and shock; the fearsome attack Xia Yan unleashed had truly left them stunned.
On the high platform, Liu Fei’s face was deathly pale as she gazed at the dust-clouded field below, her hand covering her mouth, her eyes wide with fear. The sudden and terrible counterattack by Xiao Yan had dragged her from the heights of elation to the depths of despair. She never thought that Xiao Yan, the man she always held a grudge against, would have such a formidable ace up his sleeve.
Next to Liu Fei, Yao Sheng’s mouth slowly opened wider, and after a moment, a flicker of both terror and relief crossed his eyes. Fortunately, during yesterday’s battle, this opponent hadn’t used this move. Otherwise, even with his full strength, Yao Sheng knew he would likely have been severely injured by this attack with its terrifying power. “Fei’er, don’t worry. The leader’s strength far exceeds Xiao Yan’s. Even if he has displayed a powerful skill now, the leader hasn’t yet shown his full might,” Yao Sheng comforted the visibly shaken Liu Fei beside him.
Hearing Yao Sheng’s reassurance, Liu Fei’s complexion improved slightly, but there was still a hint of fear and unease. Her beautiful eyes slowly shifted from the dusty field to the cold, stern face of the black-robed young man. For some reason, her gaze now lacked the usual malice and was instead filled with a bit of anxiety and a touch of fear. Her greatest support in the Inner Academy was Liu Qing, but now, Xiao Yan had demonstrated a fighting power that could rival Liu Qing. This meant that her biggest advantage was now rendered almost ineffective. Without this support, what right did she have to show such arrogance before Xiao Yan?
“I’ve heard that Xiao Yan wields a fire lotus skill of great power, but according to the rumors, it shouldn’t have such destructive capability, right?” Yan Hao murmured, staring at the nearly obliterated field.
“When Xiao Yan was merely a Great Fighter, his skill was already impressive. Now, having advanced to a Spirit Fighter, the power of his skills naturally grows with him,” Lin Xiu Ya said with a smile, though his eyes held a faint, subtle gravity. If he hadn’t been fully prepared, even with his strength, he might have been severely wounded by the fire lotus. He hadn’t expected… that Xiao Yan really possessed such a strong card.
“How is Liu Qing? Could it be…?” Han Yue’s eyes quickly scanned the field, but the dense dust made it impossible to see any figure.
Lin Xiu Ya’s eyes narrowed, then shook his head softly, “Though I must admit that Xiao Yan’s fire lotus skill is terrifying, it’s not so easy to defeat Liu Qing just with this. Due to his fighting spirit, Liu Qing’s defense is even stronger than mine.”
Hearing this, Yan Hao and the others nodded slightly, turning their gaze back to the dust-filled arena. As everyone’s attention returned to the field, the thick dust gradually began to clear. After a moment, a sudden breeze swept across the arena, dispersing the dust, and a tall, straight figure emitting a sharp, lance-like aura slowly came into view amid the ruins.
The figure stood like a spear in the midst of the wreckage. Although the imposing silhouette was now covered in tattered clothing, revealing scorched patches of skin, the disheveled appearance did nothing to diminish the low cheers that arose from the stands.
Staring coldly at the distant figure in the ruins, Xiao Yan’s eyes focused. He finally noticed that Liu Qing now held his dark, heavy spear, which he usually carried on his back, in his hand. With the spear in his grip, Liu Qing’s aura transformed, exuding a sharpness much fiercer than before, like a gleaming spear.
“No wonder he withstood the explosive force of the Fiery Lotus; he’s pulled out his trump card.” Xiao Yan’s heart loosened slightly as his gaze met Liu Qing’s. In the interplay of their eyes, Xiao Yan sensed the seriousness and respect. After that initial clash, this proud man had finally regarded Xiao Yan as an equal.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Liu Qing slowly pointed his heavy spear at Xiao Yan, his deep voice resonating across the arena: “You are worthy for me to use my Mountain-Splitting Spear!”
Liu Qing’s words were an acknowledgment of Xiao Yan’s strength. After witnessing the earlier attack, no one doubted Xiao Yan’s qualifications. Thus, the arena fell silent, all eyes fixed on the two standing in opposition.
Xiao Yan’s fists slowly clenched, the knuckles cracking. Liu Qing’s sharp, intimidating aura was indeed overwhelming. It was clear that he was now pushing his strength to the limit. The upcoming fight would see Liu Qing’s attacks become even more ferocious.
“Liu Qing is going to use the Mountain-Splitting Spear…” On the high platform, Lin Xiu Ya, looking at the dark spear in Liu Qing’s hand, sighed, “To force Liu Qing to this point, even if Xiao Yan loses, it will be a noble defeat.”
Yan Hao nodded slightly. In the Inner Academy, besides Lin Xui Ya and Zi Yan, the king of brute force, no one else could force Liu Qing to use his Mountain-Splitting Spear. Even with Yan Hao’s pride, he had to admit that even he didn’t have the ability to do so.
“But Xiao Yan values the top ten slots very highly. I think he won’t give up easily,” Han Yue said, her brows slightly furrowed.
Lin Xiu Ya smiled lightly, “Unless Xiao Yan has something even stronger than the fire lotus, securing one of those top ten spots will be extremely difficult.”
There was a trace of regret in his voice. Seeing Xiao Yan’s exceptional strength, Lin Xiu Ya felt a growing desire to challenge him, but if Xiao Yan lost to Liu Qing, that chance would vanish.
Looking at the black-robed youth with his cold gaze, Lin Xiu Ya’s eyes flashed, hoping this surprising young man would create another miracle…
“One move!” In the arena, Liu Qing’s heavy, dark spear landed heavily on a piece of rubble as he spoke to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan’s brows furrowed slightly as he looked at the increasingly menacing aura emanating from Liu Qing.
“Let’s end this with the final move.” Liu Qing’s previously stern face cracked into a somewhat stiff smile as the Mountain-Splitting Spear sliced through the air, leaving a faint golden trail in the void.
“This is my ace for dealing with Lin Xiu Ya, but it seems I need to use it on you first.” Hearing Liu Qing’s words, the spectators on the stand stretched their necks, their eyes darting between the two figures.
Seeing the confidence on Liu Qing’s face, Xiao Yan knew that the next attack would decide the outcome of the match…
His lips pressed together, Xiao Yan, under the scrutiny of the audience, took a deep, warm breath and bowed slowly, “Xiao Yan accepts the challenge!”
A place in the top ten was a goal Xiao Yan would not abandon, no matter who stood in his way. He would strike them down with all his might!
“Good, that’s the spirit!” Liu Qing’s eyes glowed intensely as he yelled, shifting his stance, gripping the Mountain-Splitting Spear tightly with both hands, and pointing the glittering tip directly at Xiao Yan.
With Liu Qing’s posture set, Xiao Yan felt a chill run down his spine, sensing himself locked in the path of Liu Qing’s onslaught. A strange, oppressive force enveloped him, but under this pressure, a boiling fighting spirit surged in Xiao Yan’s chest. His body straightened abruptly, and a clear, resonant laugh dispelled the previous tension, “Senior Liu Qing, bring it on! Today, I, Xiao Yan, am determined to secure a place in the top ten!”
His laughter reverberated like thunder, filling the arena with a sense of heroic grandeur, stirring the blood of even the spectators.
As his laughter faded, Xiao Yan stepped forward, extending his palm towards the ruins. A burst of suction force emerged, and the dark, heavy ruler shot back into his grasp.
“Senior Liu Qing, let’s see who will fall in defeat!” With the ruler aimed at the razor-sharp aura of Liu Qing, the energy of the arena suddenly became extremely violent. Even the elders on the referee platform were shocked by the sudden change!
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