Echoing laughter reverberated throughout the area, while a violent surge of unusual energy abruptly surged and undulated across the battleground. In an instant, the first aware of this tremor were the elders seated at the judge’s table, and their complexions swiftly changed with alarmed expressions. All pairs of eyes locked sharply onto the black-clothed youth who was proudly gripping his heavy cleaver at the center. This youth indeed radiated that perilful burst! The elders exchanged tense glances then slowly swallowed hard; the energy here had become several times fiercer than its previous terrifying explosive fire bloom!
“How many hidden strengths,” echoed in the elders’ minds at this instant, even though this youth, Yan Xiao, barely reached the Dou Ling level. Still, amidst the battle’s array, besides the minority amongst them, all others could not avoid a sense of being entangled. When facing his endless array of powerful martial moves, none remained without headaches.
Within the battlefield space, the wave of energy became fiercely intense when abruptly, a trace, almost solid, reddish-hot power began seeping from invisible space folds and coiling tightly around Yan Xiao in wild swirls. These dim red energies, rotating like whirling gales that emerged abruptly, then blew across in every direction. The force of the gale had been so severe, it caused even some hefty stones to roll multiple times from their stationary state along the ground.
At this juncture, the change surrounding Xiao Yan attracted nearly every audience member’s gaze toward him, a surge of stunned gazes pouring his way. Initially unnoticed by ordinary spectators, the top-ranked students positioned high up within the academy suddenly recognized the crimson fiery energies cloaking the young fighter like silken cocoons.
First bewildered and then alarmed, as sound of rustling fabric arose, all present stood up suddenly; their faces were filled with terror and disbelief.
“Gu,” gulpped the stern-eyed Yan Hao, his widened expression frozen like lifeless fish staring unflinchingly at that violently enshrouded youth in the black robes within the ring below, his throat moved moments later letting an icy and ragged whisper escape him, “Which move, just what, martial skill is he using?”
From the signs evident to all at once clear that Yan Xiao was deploying a martial art more deadly than the last fire burst!
Next to him, the tranquil smile on Xiu Ya Lin’s countenance dissolved. His expression turned gravely serious as the chilling sense triggered by this immense pressure gnawed at his composure, locking his sight rigidly at the source within. The dread that rippled in the surrounding aura shook even he to the core.
“A martial technique able to summon elemental forces must be ranked no lower than the Earth-tier!”
Xiu Ya Lin inhaled deeply, attempting to steady himself from such internal storm brewing with difficulty voicing,”Earth-tier?!”
The mere pair of words sent Han Yue’s slender hand reflexively covering pale red lips; on her icy and striking face lay pure amazement interlaced with disbelief. Though separated by merely a tier, the difference between Martial and Earth ranked abilities was colossal—akin even, to the heavens parting skies.
Most typically, martial skills relied entirely on personal strength to enact damage. Earth-tier ones though had achieved the ability of bending heaven’s and earth’s energies themselves against any opponent with absolute obliteration, thus creating a complete gap between sky and terrain, where they couldn’t even equate.
Frankly speaking, even if arcane skills were considered rare in their right, almost half in the top rankings would wield one or two themselves. But Earth tier? Not one, up until just now, had demonstrated its might publicly!
Such a level was both extraordinary and perilous—back during Xiao Yan’s practice of the Fire-Cutting噬Wave-Swarming Slash technique with Pharmacist Lao beside, instructing him step-by-step through each trial, every hardship had only barely brought Xiao Yan to its beginning mastery state.
During recent cultivation, his usage of the Sky-Swiping Thrill move subjected him equally rigorously, needing to pass perilous storms’ transformation. Without the safeguard of Earth-Core Blue Flame, not only the skill’s initial mastery would remain elusive beyond reach, even learning its first steps impossible!
Thus illustrating fully just how impossible, how unapproachable the divide between arcane to earth-bound tiers lay.
On the platform in the opposite quadrant within high observation stands, Fu Liu had been momentarily startled. This, when abruptly a surge caused姚Sheng and other elite members to abruptly stand—her beauty’s eyes shifted with curiosity down to the battleground center yet, with present insight lacked in discernment regarding precisely how terrifying those encircling crimson energies around XiaoYan could be exactly.
“Yan Xiao, h—he seemed like he is preparing… an Earth-tier ability!” Sheng Yao suddenly realized throat dried up completely, uttering hoarsely under this tension.
Hearing the word Earth-tier itself caused Fei Liu’s slightly parting lips as well as expression itself in shock to lock up, unmoving.
Long after hesitating, she finally cast eyes quivering from afar towards that black-cloaked youth. Her personal power might not match Yao/Sheng’s levels, yet she understood too clearly the devastation Earth-Tier implied. “D-does Brother, my cousin end… win?”
She managed a smile with a slight, defiant gesture of her posture attempting nonchalance. It was a strained smile, so transparent, she found ridiculous on her own.
For once overly confident Yao/Sheng standing beside her however fell uncharacteristically silent.
The weight that Earth-tier implied was like a boulder on his soul. Each breath became heavier. Observing Yao Sheng’s heavy silence rendered Fei Liu’s face completely whitened, biting lips; watching from afar at last, some remorse flickered within. When she’d faced down XiaoYan previously—then simply as a rookie fresh at Dou Ling ranking unwelcome for any top-tier recognition—attract little respect from her or others—today though? This young upstarting foe now had stepped across countless experts scaling to a prime spot within elite tier! Even driving to use a once-unleashing sealed treasured artifact known only to few: the Shattered Mountain Lance.
Then just now… now, he unveils an Earth-tier!
Such overwhelming power rendered every hope once carried within her hollow shell.
Standing before this challenger who, at any given moment, might shatter myths of invincibility from those dear to her heart, even a haughtily born like Liu Fei found herself with a rare wave of regret: Why did this terrifying opponent have to bear conflict with her so…
Of course, past such a crucial juncture all thoughts of regret were futile; the moment was set, the inevitable engagement about to unleash.
Oblivious of countless agitated minds stirred by him initiating a mere martial skill alone, at this moment Yan Xiao’s sight never blinked away from the distant figure of Liu Cheng grasping tightly the Shattered-Mountain Lance, now leveled toward his very body.
Xiao Yan’s surging flame energy coiled over his every inch of form. It was the very instant to appear causing Liu Cheng pupils narrowing sharply, needle points.
From experience and instinct he knew instantly exactly what this energy wave implied.
But, battle already committed, regardless if Yan truly soared to Dou Wang levels instantly, his nature demanded no retreat!
Drawing in deeply, a powerful surge glowing pale gold erupted forth from within Liu Cheng’s figure—bright intense enough, akin to radiantly burning sunlight—making one’s vision unable face its glow directly. From the brilliant brilliance surged a sharply refined spear force.
Unintimidated at these unexpected fears displayed from XiaoYan, even his Earth-Tier skill he understood, could never be fully harnessed. Yet with a card he has refined over many battles, harmonizing fully through mutual energy alignment, he was confident this strike would elevate past arcane-tier’s summit—meeting even earth-class moves head-on unflinching. Even more, it stirred up fiery combat drive.
Today, come what may, he’d make all watching remember—arcane level might still stand when facing Earth itself.
Eyes blazed wildly; as final combat neared Liu felt whole blood coursing like never before through veins – such long missing sensation only surfaced when back in his dueling glory days battling Lin XiuYa himself!
Laughter echoed bold and full-bodied through the square:
“Come on Yan Xiao, let’s settle today whose hand raises victorious!”
Thundering merriment rang bold enough sending every observer’s faces aflaming with passion – those more excite able stood roaring with loud chants!
The young Xiao Yan merely raised his head. Meeting Cheng’s bold roar with zero hesitance; stance remained unbendingly erect, embodying sheer boldness. A striking picture for many beautiful female students watching from stands suddenly finding hearts stirred by this dark-drenched youth.
“Well, whether you can prove strong enforces your challenge remains,” The golden brilliance swelled to overwhelming proportions finally wrapping all around Liu Cheng. Then, resound laughter of rumbling thunder rang.
As golden lights covered half expanse within field, Yan Xiao extended forth heavily, the cleaver rising steadily from grasp. Then surrounding fiery aura intensified violently; swirling even twisting the air around, space itself subtly warping.
With a deep breath Yan Xiao suddenly released a roar—raw torrential power burst flowing into his Ancient Deep Cleaver without cease;
Already an ebony hued blade began shifting an eerie dark red hue as fiery aura danced across its surface wildly:
Suddenly the earth trembling, as a great boom resounded, and the audience turned to see a bright golden silhouette rising.
As golden glow faded revealing Liu Cheng standing now on a boulder once intact beneath which the ground now shattered into dust, residual ripple waves from his release evident.
“Yan Xiao, if you can survive my next strike—you may ascend to rank third on the strength list with my blessing alone.”
Came the arrogant call as, from the golden brilliance emerged a spear thrust pointing straight towards Xiao Yan!
“Survive my blow instead,” replied XiaoYan, voice sharp, the black-blade completely dark red at this phase, aimed at Liu Cheng’s location—each inch the heavy blade swung, caused even space shuddering with waves in its trail.
The battle-ready cry arose loud once again, echoing across with bold confidence from this young man.
“Hah hah hah!”
The resounding gales swept in sudden silence of golden aura collapsing within the lance itself as streams trickled forth from its edge in living motion akin molten golden liquids flowing rhythmically.
Then all erupted:
With his cry, all settled—just this singular clash now.
The spear swept downwards and struck hard. With each motion, its energy shook through terrain and crushed massive debris around to powdered ruins under countless widening eyes of horror.
Then:
With an explosive cry:
**”Big Crack of Stone!”******
From the very spear point exploded a golden light, like torrential floods rushing from high to low — brilliant, roaring thunderously forward in a trail crackling, shrieking ear-splitting booms as it surged unapologetically through intervening space.
Toward XiaoYan this torrent surged!
Its advance, even the elders judging had turned pale and grim—such ability brushing closely to fully becoming an Earth-tier, just how fearsome was this Liu Cheng truly to master?
At XiaoYan’s end, every drop of golden lance radiated fully within black irised eyes as deadly focus honed in its trajectory.
XiaoYan felt deeply: what power the radiance carried within those golden streaks — deadly beyond words.
Yet, in face of all else his unshattered belief stood strong.
Any might, any energy would fall before the Ancient Deep Cleaver. A final intake sharply followed next.
As all stood fixated Xiao Yan moved—deliberate slow advance, raised high above, his arms bulging with cords of strength under taut bulging skin, a veritable army of serpents wriggling.
All spectators in collective silence now watched this climactic strike. Their sight trained fully.
In unison:
XiaoYan’s muscles tensed!
Down crashed the blade.
“Fiery-Searing Surge Cleaver.”
“Feel the crushing force!”
From two separate warriors’ calls erupted an explosive crimson ray stretching several zhàng from cleaver point. In its rush forth, reality shook as stone ground fractured, splitting across the area as if a mighty quake struck in its path!
All watching—transfixed by fate decided at last—none breath drawn, as fate of duel now lay cast within the storm of final clash unleashed.
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