A vast and boundless spiritual energy, like an infinite wave, swept across the sky, instantly bringing with it an incredibly terrifying pressure. It streaked towards the purple-robed elder like lightning, and wherever it passed, the space trembled, and faintly dark cracks silently spread! Although spiritual energy is intangible and colorless, those with even a bit of strength could feel the terrifying aura that filled the sky. This aura stemmed from the depths of the soul, making one feel a sense of trembling. At this moment, the hushed whispers outside the arena abruptly ceased, and those who had scoffed at Xiao Yan’s previous actions found their expressions frozen in a somewhat comical manner.
Now, after ascending to the Battle Sect realm, if one were to talk about alchemist rankings, Xiao Yan might truly be able to reach the 7th Grade. Moreover, his spiritual energy was already extremely impressive, and he could certainly hold his own even against some true 7th Grade alchemy masters. Such a terrifying spiritual energy, once unleashed, naturally exerted an extraordinarily fearsome power. Forget that Zeng Xiu was only a 6th Grade Alchemist; even if he reached 7th Grade and fought against Xiao Yan, the outcome would be unpredictable!
Elder Chihuo gazed in awe at the sweeping, majestic force across the sky. After a while, he took a deep breath and turned to Xiao Yan not far away, his eyes filled with shock. A hoarse voice, tinged with disbelief, slowly emerged from his throat: “7th Grade Alchemist?!”
Spiritual energy is essentially the foundation upon which alchemists rely for survival. Only with powerful spiritual energy can alchemists control the fire needed to successfully refine medicinal pills. Therefore, the strength of spiritual energy is closely tied to the alchemist’s rank. In Central State, many people differentiate between alchemists based on the power of their spiritual energy.
This is why Elder Chihuo could instantly discern Xiao Yan’s alchemist rank when he sensed such potent spiritual energy. Of course, in Elder Chihuo’s heart, a storm was brewing. He never imagined that Xiao Yan was not only a Battle Sect but also had such profound mastery in alchemy. A 7th Grade Alchemist, with such a status, would carry significant weight even in the Central Region. After all, alchemists of this level, even in the Pill Pagoda, though not at the very peak, were still among the top.
What shocked Elder Chihuo most was Xiao Yan’s age. A 7th Grade Alchemist of such a young age, even with his experience, was something he had never seen before. Such talent in both Dou Qi and alchemy was almost inhuman.
Old Zeng Xiu is going to have a bad time. To dare to be so arrogant. Thinking of Zeng Xiu, Elder Chihuo let out a sigh and couldn’t help but show a hint of a malicious smile. He found the other’s arrogance somewhat distasteful, but due to Zeng Xiu’s status, he could only be mildly polite.
As Elder Chihuo sighed for Zeng Xiu, the latter’s regret was tenfold or more. Of course, no one would remain calm when facing such overwhelming spiritual energy. Zeng Xiu’s face was now completely pale, his eyes showing a hint of daze and fear.
As an alchemist, he was extremely sensitive to spiritual energy. The formidable force rushing towards him made him feel as if he were facing a vast ocean. This feeling, he had only experienced with some of the elders in the Pill Pagoda, all of whom were well-renowned in Central State!
But this time, it was not one of those Pill Pagoda elders giving him this sensation, but a young man in his twenties.
“7th Grade Alchemist? How is that possible?”
Zeng Xiu’s body trembled slightly. After a while, a frenzied and fierce look appeared in his eyes. He absolutely refused to believe that a young man, who didn’t seem much different from a rash youngster, could reach the 7th Grade, a level that even he could only look up to.
With a fierce expression, Zeng Xiu quickly retreated several steps. At this point, he no longer cared about the big talk he had spouted earlier. With a low roar, a robust spiritual energy burst forth from his body, swiftly forming an invisible barrier of spiritual energy before him.
“Young man, stop playing tricks in front of me,” Zeng Xiu growled, his eyes fixed on Xiao Yan.
Ignoring his threat, Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile curling his lips. A 6th Grade Alchemist daring to show off his spiritual energy in front of him was truly a sign of self-inflicted pain.
With a light flick of his fingers, Xiao Yan softly said, “Go!”
As the word fell, the sweeping spiritual energy instantly condensed, and in the stunned gazes of countless spectators, it formed a spiritual hammer of solid substance, then crashed down heavily on the thick spiritual barrier. Boom!
The two collided, creating a shocking wave that instantly spread out. Like ripples, the wave spread throughout the square, causing fine cracks to form and spread continuously.
Crack!
As the heavy spiritual hammer struck the barrier, waves of invisible force rapidly expanded, and Zeng Xiu’s face turned beet red as he desperately channeled his spiritual energy into the barrier.
“Break!” Xiao Yan stretched out his hand, pointing at Zeng Xiu from afar. With a light, cold laugh, he tapped the air.
As the words left his mouth, the energy in the spiritual hammer suddenly surged, and crackling sounds immediately followed. Cracks rapidly spread across the invisible barrier, in full view of Zeng Xiu and the startled crowd.
Bang!
As the cracks spread, the already wobbling barrier finally shattered under the onslaught of the powerful spiritual energy, exploding into countless pieces.
Puff!
With the barrier shattered, Zeng Xiu’s face instantly blanched, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. His body was thrown back, crashing to the ground, and skidded nearly a hundred meters before finally stopping.
Silence filled the square… Countless stupefied gazes watched the fallen Zeng Xiu, unsure if he was dead or alive. For a moment, no one spoke. Just one round, a 6th Grade Alchemist had been soundly defeated, and by a young man in his twenties.
After a moment of silence, gasps began to break the hush. Gazing at the young man who hadn’t taken a single step forward, everyone realized that his alchemist rank must be higher than Zeng Xiu’s.
Zeng Xiu was a 6th Grade Alchemist, and since Xiao Yan surpassed him, the answer was clear: 7th Grade! Only alchemists of such a level could defeat a 6th Grade Alchemist so thoroughly in a contest of spiritual energy.
“A 7th Grade Alchemist?!” Countless throats gulped, their eyes nearly blank. A 7th Grade Alchemist was not your average figure. Such an alchemist, even in the Flame Valley or the Pill Pagoda, was an absolute top-tier existence!
Cheng Yao and other members of the Cheng family stared agape at Zeng Xiu lying far away, unsure of his fate. After a while, they finally managed to swallow a mouthful of saliva. A 7th Grade Alchemist? Just thinking about it made them shiver. Such a person could easily wipe out their Cheng family. If he spoke, many super-strong figures would be willing to act on his behalf. The appeal of a 7th Grade Alchemist was indisputable.
When did the Liu family make an acquaintance of such a high-ranking alchemist? Why hadn’t they heard any news about it? Cheng Yao’s expression fluctuated, his thoughts racing. A 7th Grade Alchemist was not someone they could invite, and he couldn’t understand how the Liu family managed to do so.
Not far from Cheng Yao and his group, Liu Qing, Liu Fei, and their companions also stood with their mouths agape, staring at Zeng Xiu lying on the ground. The fact that Zeng Xiu, a 6th Grade Alchemist, could not even last one round against Xiao Yan was preposterous.
“7th Grade Alchemist…” The two white-haired elders behind Liu Qing also drew long, deep breaths, their voices filled with suppressed delight. “He is actually a 7th Grade Alchemist. Clan Leader, is he really your friend?”
Hearing the disbelief in their voices, Liu Qing’s heart swelled with pride. These two old men, though elders, had always harbored some prejudice against him as the clan leader. Today, Xiao Yan had helped him to put them in their place.
Liu Qing, maintaining a calm expression, said coolly, “If not for me, would the two elders think anyone else would do it?”
Hearing this, the two elders forced a smile and did not retort. If Liu Qing indeed had a 7th Grade Alchemist friend, it would undoubtedly be a major blessing for the Liu family.
“Senior, has this match concluded?” With a wave of his sleeve, Xiao Yan made the vast spiritual energy dissipate, and he smiled at Elder Chihuo.
Hearing Xiao Yan’s words, Elder Chihuo quickly tore his gaze from the downed Zeng Xiu, a rare smile appearing on his weathered face. He nodded.
“Your strength is extraordinary; the victory naturally belongs to you. The authority over the Tianhuang City spatial wormhole will be handed over to the Liu family for the next three years…”
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