The sudden change left everyone on the hill stunned, their eyes fixed on the scene where Chen Xian, spitting blood, retreated in an instant. A figure slowly materialized, sending a chill down many spines, causing them to discreetly step back. No one had anticipated that Xiao Yan would not only choose to stand and fight against such formidable foes, but he would also launch a surprise attack, dodging the two opponents and directly going for Chen Xian’s jugular. Everyone had seen the earlier exchange—had Chen Xian’s reaction been even a moment slower, he might have been killed right there by Xiao Yan…
Song Qing, who was nearby, looked shocked at this turn of events. His understanding of Xiao Yan was merely limited to second-hand information, most of which came from the Five Great Families’ assessment in Sacred Pill City. Though Xiao Yan had performed remarkably well in the assessment, it wasn’t enough to make much of an impression on Song Qing. Both Xiao Yan and Chen Xian were roughly at the level of a Four-Star Battle Sect, so Song Qing never expected that the battle would end so decisively with Chen Xian being defeated so easily after just one exchange.
Cao Ying’s beautiful eyes shimmered with curiosity as she focused on Xiao Yan. She hadn’t realized that, in addition to his formidable soul strength, Xiao Yan was also such a formidable combatant. No wonder he dared to challenge the Ice River Valley…
As for Chen Xian, she wasn’t particularly interested in him. She understood that Song Qing’s words earlier would have the opposite effect. Though she didn’t know Xiao Yan well, she could tell that his pride wouldn’t be easily swayed by such offers. Moreover, the strength he displayed truly warranted such confidence.
“Boy, you’re asking for death!” the two elders, snapping out of their daze, shouted in shock and anger. In a flash, they appeared behind Chen Xian, managing to catch him mid-flight.
“Kill this scoundrel! I want him to experience hell!” As the two elders held him, Chen Xian’s face twisted in a sinister sneer. The blow from Xiao Yan had thoroughly humiliated him, and he vented his anger in a frenzied scream.
Upon hearing this, the two elders exchanged glances but only one stepped forward. They were acutely aware of the terrifying speed Xiao Yan had displayed. If such a thing were to happen again, they feared for Chen Xian’s life, and they themselves would face severe punishment from the sect.
“This boy is no ordinary person. Though his surface strength is only at the level of a Four-Star Battle Sect, he’s extremely difficult to deal with…” The elder, taking slow steps, sighed as he observed Xiao Yan, regretting their earlier decisions. After all, if anything were to happen to Chen Xian, the consequences would be dire.
“By provoking the Young Sect Leader, you’ve provoked the entire Profound Yin Sect…” The elder, his face grim, stared at Xiao Yan, his voice heavy with threat.
“Those words would be better directed at your Young Sect Leader. He’s the one who has been provoking me all along…” Xiao Yan smiled, his tone dismissive.
Stymied, the elder found himself momentarily speechless. Indeed, it was true that while there was no significant conflict between Xiao Yan and Chen Xian, the latter had been secretly plotting against Xiao Yan out of spite.
Yet, despite his frustration, the elder could only shake his head. Stepping forward, he unleashed a tremendous amount of Dou Qi, causing the mountain to tremble, and the pressure of his energy caused the colors to drain from the faces of those around him.
“Even with both of you, you can’t stop me…”
Seeing the elder treat him as a serious threat, Xiao Yan’s eyes lifted, casting a casual glance at the enraged Chen Xian.
The elder had no defense against Xiao Yan’s words. They had already witnessed the horrifying speed of the youth. Even though they were stronger than Xiao Yan, they couldn’t match his speed.
“Elder Bai, kill this scoundrel already!” Chen Xian, his voice laced with viciousness, yelled from a distance. At this moment, his hatred for Xiao Yan was almost palpable.
Hearing Chen Xian’s command, the elder sighed, conjuring a massive sword, half a zhang long, in his palm. Spinning the blade, he leaped like a giant vulture, lunging at Xiao Yan. The edge of the blade, filled with the force of a mountain-cleaving strike, tore through space. The immense aura of the blade, reaching ten zhang, struck ferociously downwards!
Facing the elder’s fierce attack, Xiao Yan’s expression remained unchanged. With a flash of silver at his feet, he flickered, then vanished in a low rumble of thunder.
*Boom!*
The massive sword cleaved through space, striking the empty ground with a resounding impact. The entire hill shook, and a colossal crack spread from the point of impact, extending halfway up the hill before finally stopping.
Seeing the elder’s destructive power, everyone gasped and retreated further. Battles of this level were perilous for bystanders.
The elder, seeing his strike missed, frowned. Xiao Yan’s speed was a major headache. Casting a quick glance at Chen Xian, he saw no movement there.
“Come out, you brat!”
Sweeping the air with a chilly gaze, the elder struck at a nearby spot in space with his mighty blade.
*Clang!*
A massive black ruler flashed into existence, blocking the elder’s attack, and Xiao Yan’s figure reappeared.
In a swift motion, he deflected the icy blade, his body spinning mid-air, wielding the heavy ruler with a powerful flaming force, aimed directly at the elder’s head.
“Hmph!” Seeing this, the elder let out a cold snort. Speed was Xiao Yan’s ace, but in a direct confrontation, the elder was confident he could shatter Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi within ten rounds. As a Nine-Star Battle Sect, he was five stars above Xiao Yan—a gap not easily bridged.
Holding the sword horizontally, the elder channeled his Dou Qi, transforming it into a dazzling light that turned the sword into a divine weapon. The chilling aura radiated, distorting the space around it.
The ruler swung, but just before it connected with the sword, it paused. In that moment, Xiao Yan’s other hand formed a series of dazzling seals.
“Heavenly Fire Three Transformations, First Transformation!”
With a mental shout, Xiao Yan’s Dou Qi surged, multiplying exponentially. His mastery over Heavenly Fire Three Transformations was now at an intuitive level, and the increase in Dou Qi was silent but powerful.
The surge of Dou Qi boosted Xiao Yan’s aura, infusing the ruler with a formidable force. Before the elder’s shocked gaze, the ruler and the glowing sword collided.
*Clang!*
A deafening sound echoed, and a terrifying ring of force exploded from the center, sweeping away the surrounding crowd.
*Crack!*
Amidst the chaos, a slight sound emerged, and the elder’s face paled as he saw a tiny crack forming on the blade… How did this boy suddenly become so powerful?
Feeling the pressure, the elder’s face darkened. Had this young man been playing the underdog all along?
*Boom!*
As the elder’s thoughts raced, the ruler’s force intensified, and the elder staggered back, shaken by the force of the blow.
With the elder retreating, Xiao Yan’s expression turned cold. Without hesitation, he turned and charged at Chen Xian, becoming a whirlwind.
“Seeking death!” The other elder, guarding Chen Xian, roared in fury.
But before he could intervene, a silver figure appeared, charging at him with a ferocious gust of wind like a human tank, pinning him down.
This sudden appearance stunned the elder, who realized the silver figure was no less powerful than himself. Struggling, he found himself ensnared in the silver figure’s grip.
Seeing the elder trapped, Chen Xian’s face turned ashen. Retreating, he knew Xiao Yan was coming for him.
Though Chen Xian intended to escape, his speed couldn’t match Xiao Yan’s, especially with the latter using the First Transformation.
Just as Chen Xian took two steps, the space before him warped, and Xiao Yan’s figure materialized, his eyes filled with a chilling intent.
“Did you really think someone guarding you meant I couldn’t kill you?”
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