Beyond the grand hall lay a spacious open ground, with a clear and unobstructed view. At the very end of the open ground, there were dense, verdant woods that formed a ring around the hall. Xiao Yan stood outside the great hall, his face calm. However, the energy within him began to slowly surge, waves of power filling every corner of his body. At the entrance of the great hall, a steady stream of elders from the Burning Flame Valley followed, led by Tang Zhen and Tang Huo’er, along with the Second Elder. Given that this area was frequented by disciples of the Burning Flame Valley, many of them caught sight of the emerging group. The scene suggested something significant, and whispers immediately spread like ripples in water. In less than ten minutes, the area surrounding the great hall was filled with a dense throng of red-clad figures.
Xiao Yan, unmindful of the growing commotion around him, fixed his gaze on the white-robed, red-robed elder in front of him—Wu Chen. With his hands clasped behind his back, a faint smile played on Wu Chen’s weathered face. The gap in strength between Xiao Yan and Wu Chen was like a chasm. Although he had heard a bit about Xiao Yan’s deeds, it did not overly concern him. In the face of absolute power, all tricks and schemes were futile.
Tang Zhen, standing on the steps, gave Wu Chen a slight frown before turning his gaze to Xiao Yan with a tinge of helplessness. “Are you really determined?” he asked.
Xiao Yan nodded with a smile. Wu Chen was indeed formidable, but for the current Xiao Yan, he was not an unbeatable monster. He was confident he could hold for ten rounds.
“Such a stubborn lad,” Tang Zhen sighed at the sight.
Seeing that Xiao Yan remained resolute, the smile on Wu Chen’s face grew wider. He turned to Xiao Yan and said, “Let’s skip the small talk. If you can hold your own against me for ten rounds, you win, and the Three Heavenly Fire Mystical Changes will be yours. But if you cannot, it only means it wasn’t meant to be. Still, you can choose any other high-tier skill or technique from the Burning Flame Valley.”
Upon hearing Wu Chen’s words, the disciples of the Burning Flame Valley present erupted in a clamor. Unbelieving glances were cast at Xiao Yan. While many knew of his alchemical skills, being adept at alchemy did not necessarily mean one was strong. Wu Chen was the Third Elder of the Burning Flame Valley, and there were few who rivaled him in strength. Could this young man, who seemed close in age to them, truly stand up to such a powerhouse?
“Save the lecturing, Elder Wu. If I fail, I’ll leave immediately. I won’t covet any other skills or techniques,” Xiao Yan replied, his tone indifferent. He was not particularly fond of this old man.
Wu Chen did not mind Xiao Yan’s tone. As long as he prevented the Three Heavenly Fire Mystical Changes from falling into outsider’s hands, a little tarnish to his reputation didn’t matter. After all, someone had to play the villain, or else everyone might think the Burning Flame Valley’s top skills could be easily obtained—a far too cavalier idea.
With a gentle step forward, a massive, crimson energy surged from Wu Chen, his white hair flying and his red robe billowing. The momentum was utterly terrifying. The fiery energy, like a flaming cloud, enveloped the air, and an intense, piercing light flashed in his previously unremarkable eyes. Staring directly at Xiao Yan, his voice carried a resonant, intimidating quality, “Are you ready?”
Xiao Yan took a few more steps forward, his energy flowing faster within him. His expression became increasingly serious. He then raised his right hand, “Let’s begin!”
Wu Chen laughed heartily, his laughter booming like thunder under the amplification of his mighty energy. As he stepped forward, his figure vanished instantaneously!
To the ordinary disciples of the Burning Flame Valley, Wu Chen seemed to have mysteriously disappeared. Yet, with Xiao Yan’s keen senses, he could vaguely perceive a crimson shadow approaching with a sharp, whistling sound.
Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly, and a silver light swiftly surged to his feet. His body quivered!
*Boom!*
A fiery fist appeared out of nowhere, crashing heavily into Xiao Yan’s chest, followed by a muffled sound, as if it had passed straight through.
“Residual image? Hmph, I guess this is the Three Thousand Lightning Flashes from the Wind Lightning Pavilion, then. It seems quite formidable,” Wu Chen sneered, shattering the residual image with a punch. His palms were enveloped in flames, and the firelight somehow made his hands grow larger, resembling a pair of giant fans.
Meanwhile, a short distance away, Xiao Yan’s figure flashed and appeared. He glanced down at his slightly scorched clothes, a hint of seriousness in his eyes. This Wu Chen was worthy of being the Third Elder, for his strength was truly astonishing. From the previous clash, Xiao Yan could sense Wu Chen’s speed, though it didn’t match Fei Tian’s, his attacks were far more powerful. A blow like that, if landed, would instantly incapacitate Xiao Yan.
As he reappeared, a flash of alertness crossed Xiao Yan’s mind. He quickly sidestepped to the left.
*Pfft!*
The moment he moved, a large, fiery hand whizzed past his torso, the heat searing his skin.
“Pure Yang Soft Hand!” Just narrowly evading the hand, Xiao Yan didn’t have time to retreat before a cold shout echoed. He saw the fiery hand extend mysteriously, then strike his waist with a twist.
*Bang!*
With a low thud, Xiao Yan was sent flying amidst gasps, but he managed to regain his footing, flipping in mid-air, before landing on one knee. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. Wu Chen’s peculiar technique had left him significantly disadvantaged.
Some distance away, Wu Chen appeared, clenching his fiery palms. He looked at Xiao Yan and said flatly, “Pure Yang Soft Hand, one of our high-tier techniques. When mastered, it allows your arms to extend freely, making it highly effective in combat.”
“Truly fitting for the Third Elder, I admire your skills…” Xiao Yan wiped the blood from his mouth. The lotus-shaped flame within him surged, violently devouring the intruding, ferocious, burning energy. He stared at Wu Chen, laughing, “Again!”
Seeing that Xiao Yan was undeterred, Wu Chen was surprised. “For this boy to have such a reputation in the Northern Region, it’s no mere fluke. Seems I need to take this seriously…”
Wu Chen’s expression became grave, and the fiery glow of his palms intensified. Simultaneously, a flame-like energy started to emerge from his feet.
“I’ve always wanted to see the Wind Lightning Pavilion’s Three Thousand Lightning Flashes, to determine whether my Burning Flame Valley’s Heaven Strength Boulder Step is superior!” Wu Chen chuckled, stomping his flaming foot on the ground.
*Boom!*
A solid piece of bluestone where Wu Chen’s foot landed cracked and shattered. His figure vanished instantly.
As Wu Chen disappeared, Xiao Yan’s expression grew even more serious. Moments later, all his body hair stood on end. Acting almost reflexively, he unleashed the Three Thousand Lightning Flashes to its peak, creating a residual image…
*Swish!*
A fiery figure, accompanied by a low sonic boom, struck the image, causing it to shatter.
The fiery figure stabilized itself, then released a burst of energy, which caused a crack in the ground. Before the sound traveled, the figure stomped again, soaring skyward, appearing before Xiao Yan in an instant!
“Such incredible speed!” Watching the fleeting red shadow, Xiao Yan’s expression changed. Wu Chen’s technique might not be as flexible as the Three Thousand Lightning Flashes, but its impact and destructive power were horrifying.
His heavy scale appeared in his hand, and his arm muscles tensed. “Six Combination Body Shield, Six Combination Fire!” he roared internally, striking with his most powerful move, without holding back. Fighting an 8-star Douzong, he knew the battle would be perilous.
With the force of gale winds, the heavy scale came down, and a red figure emerged. The glowing, red hands met the scale with a fierce slap.
*Clang!*
The ringing of metal echoed in the air, followed by a violent wave of energy spreading out. Under the tense watch of the crowd, both figures were thrown back, crashing into the high walls around the great hall.
*Boom!*
A huge dent appeared in the wall behind Xiao Yan, with cracks spider-webbing out. He coughed, then slowly raised his head, wiping the blood from his lips. The wild, warlike fervor in his eyes startled everyone. This boy, daring to clash with an 8-star Douzong, was truly admirable.
“Again!” Xiao Yan stepped forward, his voice once more reverberating, his fervor making the onlookers’ hearts race.
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