Chapter 669: Ten Moves

After settling Pang Gate, Xiao Yan finally let go of his worries. Since Xiao Li still needed some time to gather personnel, he decided not to leave the Inner Academy just yet. The news of Xiao Yan’s departure was not publicized, as Wu Hao and the others knew that if the members of Pang Gate found out, it would only cause disappointment. After all, Xiao Yan frequently vanished, and it was quite normal for him to be absent for months. Therefore, it was easy to keep it a secret for now. They could reveal it when the time was right.

During the following days, Xiao Yan stayed peacefully within Pang Gate in the Inner Academy. Occasionally, he would publicly concoct some low-grade pills, then give them as gifts to the watching Pang Gate members. Every time he did this, countless people would gather to watch. Though Pang Gate had already recruited a considerable number of Alchemists, everyone, including those within Pang Gate, were immensely curious about Xiao Yan, who held the title of the Inner Academy’s top Alchemist. Many new students had never seen the legendary alchemy duel between Xiao Yan and the Medicinal Sect leader.

While Xiao Yan was basking in his leisure, one day, Lin Yan came with a mischievous smile and dragged Xiao Yan out of Pang Gate, leading him to the always bustling arena within the Inner Academy. The arena was the most lively place in the entire Inner Academy, where countless people sweated and competed every day. Winners would enjoy cheers, glory, or rankings, while losers would only retreat in dejection, then train hard, hoping for the day they could regain their honor.

Upon entering the arena, the usually crowded venue was surprisingly empty. Instead, the tiers around were packed with people, whispering like a swarm of flies. When Xiao Yan stepped into the arena, the whispers suddenly stopped, and intense gazes followed. Moments later, deafening cheers erupted like thunder.

“What are you up to, really? Do you want to fight me here?” The loud noise made Xiao Yan frown, and he turned to Lin Yan with a helpless look.

“I don’t want to get beaten, but someone else does,” Lin Yan chuckled and clapped his hands. As the sound echoed, two figures suddenly appeared in the arena, flashing below. Xiao Yan glanced over and was astonished to see Lin Xiu Ya and Liu Qing.

“Those two?” Xiao Yan asked in surprise, looking at the eager faces of Lin Xiu Ya and Liu Qing.

“I know you need help on your trip back to the Jia Ma Empire, so I told these two about your departure. I didn’t explicitly invite them, but they said if you can beat them, they’ll come with you to the Jia Ma Empire to see the so-called Yunlan Clan,” Lin Yan shrugged and grinned.

Xiao Yan was surprised, looking at the two figures below. Lin Yan going with him was natural, but these two…

“Heh, most of the old friends have left the Inner Academy, staying here doesn’t mean much. Those guys actually admired you. Don’t look at how arrogant they appear, but they see you as a worthy friend,” Lin Yan smiled.

“If you think they’re worth befriending, agree to their terms and don’t hold back. Give them a good beating.”

“Right, Xiao Yan, beat these two. They have the highest winning rates in the arena. Before you leave, leave a mark that’s hard to surpass. Young men should do something crazy sometimes,” a voice chimed in from behind, and Xiao Yan turned to see Wu Hao, Xiao Yu, and a large group of others, all seeming to know about this.

Looking at Lin Yan’s semi-serious face and the encouraging looks from Wu Hao and the others, Xiao Yan nodded and smiled, “Alright, I’ll give them a good thrashing. I’ve wanted to for a long time, but I didn’t have the skill back then.”

With that, Xiao Yan tapped the ground with his foot and leaped over the railing, appearing in the arena in an instant. Looking at the two, who seemed excited, he grinned and clutched his hand, causing bean-like cracking sounds.

As Xiao Yan entered, cheers erupted from the stands. A single fighter against two inner academy Dou Wang-level elders was a rare and thrilling sight. These three were once the best on the Strong Rankings, and Xiao Yan’s legendary status in the Inner Academy was unparalleled. Lin Xiu Ya and Liu Qing were also among the top three and had become formidable elders.

“Don’t hold back, Xiao Yan. Liu Qing and I will also use our full strength,” Lin Xiu Ya smiled at the black-robed, tall, and smiling young man.

“Beat us, and we’ll be your enforcers!” Liu Qing said with fervor.

Xiao Yan smiled and showed a gesture, “Ten moves! If I can’t make you two step out within ten, I’ll count it as a loss!”

“Haha, arrogant. Even the Grand Elders are watching, don’t bite off more than you can chew,” Lin Xiu Ya grinned, pointing to a section of the stands where Su Qian and the other elders sat.

“You guys are free,” Xiao Yan shook his head, then looked at the two, “But it’s still ten moves.”

Lin Xiu Ya and Liu Qing raised their eyebrows, chuckled, then powerful dou qi surged from their bodies. They moved apart, positioning themselves in a way that piqued Xiao Yan’s interest. This formation allowed them to counter any attack from any angle. How did these two achieve such seamless coordination?

“Bold, huh? You must have some tricks up your sleeve,” Xiao Yan laughed, shaking his head. His greenish dou qi surged, flooding his meridians like a flood, filling every cell under his skin with potent energy.

The sudden surge of three mighty auras made the cheers even louder, and many red-faced spectators watched the spectacle.

“Ready?” Xiao Yan said softly, looking at the two.

“Whoosh!” Instead of answering, Lin Xiu Ya and Liu Qing moved, turning into two blurs. They charged towards Xiao Yan in a strange arc.

“Nice speed,” Xiao Yan smiled, his body unmoving. In an instant, gale-force winds rushed at him.

The sharp gusts, with ear-piercing roars, attacked from both above and below. These positions were well chosen, making it impossible for Xiao Yan to defend both.

As the observers watched, Xiao Yan, like a statue, suddenly blurred, and two phantom feet appeared on either side. When the phantoms collided with the fists of Lin Xiu Ya and Liu Qing, they solidified, releasing terrifying power.

First move!

*Boom!*

A low, muffled sound rang out, and a flood of power sent Lin Xiu Ya and Liu Qing staggering back nearly a dozen steps, leaving deep marks on the floor with each step.

“His speed and power… terrifying…” Liu Qing, having steadied himself, suddenly felt his skin crawl. A black line zipped through the air, heading straight for him.

Reacting quickly, Liu Qing stomped, and his large frame retreated rapidly. The black shadow, Xiao Yan, smiled, extending a hand as a fierce suction force pulled Liu Qing to a halt. Just as he was about to push back, the suction disappeared, and a powerful repulsive force sent him flying, creating a long trail on the floor.

Second move!

Suppressing the internal discomfort, Liu Qing glanced at the exit line, just a few meters away, and sweat trickled down his forehead.

“It’s not over yet,” a smile came from Xiao Yan, followed by a faint rumble. The black shadow appeared again, stunning Liu Qing.

“Great Splitting Coffin Claws!” Liu Qing, having long prepared, shot out his hand, enveloped in metal claws, aimed at Xiao Yan’s chest.

Xiao Yan didn’t dodge. His fingers extended, and with each snap, air turned into invisible bullets, deflecting Liu Qing’s claws and neutralizing his power.

Third move!

As Xiao Yan’s fingers hammered, pain shot through Liu Qing’s hand, but he didn’t retreat. With a fierce momentum, he grabbed Xiao Yan’s arms, yelling, “Go!”

As Liu Qing yelled, a cool breeze swept past Xiao Yan. Lin Xiu Ya emerged, charging with spinning wind blades like sharp spears toward Xiao Yan’s back.

The crowd gasped, fearing Xiao Yan wouldn’t escape.

Lin Xiu Ya’s blade-like palm slammed into Xiao Yan’s back, but it oddly passed through him. The crowd erupted in shock.

“He has refined ‘Three Thousand Lightning Motions’ to this extent,” Su Qian murmured.

Lin Xiu Ya and Liu Qing, realizing Xiao Yan had vanished, were shocked.

“Should this be the fifth move?” icy hands pressed against their chests and backs, and the sudden cold made them shiver. A small burst of power could kill or grievously wound them.

Caught, Lin Xiu Ya and Liu Qing froze, sweat pouring from their foreheads.

*Boom!*

A gentle force pushed them out of the arena, tumbling on the ground before stopping.

“Is it over?” Xiao Yan’s voice echoed, and the bewildered crowd, who barely saw the fight, was shocked by Xiao Yan’s ghostly speed.

Finally, a clap broke the silence, and a thunderous round of applause followed.

Getting up, Lin Xiu Ya and Liu Qing exchanged resigned glances. The gap was too great, especially against such terrifying speed.

“Back then, I could still match him, but now…” Liu Qing sighed.

Lin Xiu Ya agreed, remembering how Xiao Yan was just a prodigy, but now… “No wonder the remarkable Xun’er favors him… indeed, he’s qualified,” he thought, staring at the smiling, warm-hearted youth.