As Xiao Yan stepped forward, a chorus of cheers immediately erupted from beyond the square. Regardless of whether Xiao Yan was truly a match for Wang Chen, his courage to face the latter’s challenge directly was enough to earn silent admiration. On the dais, the face of the Yellow Springs Venerable, akin to a withered tree, flashed with a sinister smile. Although the young man before him seemed a bit peculiar, he still had confidence in Wang Chen. The latter’s true strength, after being soaked in the Blood Pond on Heavenly Mountain, had already reached the level where half a foot was inside the Battle Sect realm. Given enough time, entering the Battle Sect level was just a matter of time. Even before, Wang Chen, with all his means, could hold his own against ordinary Battle Sect experts.
“Venerable Lightning, can we take a brief interlude from the proceedings?” Turning his head, the Yellow Springs Venerable looked at Venerable Lightning and smiled faintly. Upon hearing this, Venerable Lightning smiled without refusing. Though Xiao Yan appeared somewhat strange, in Venerable Lightning’s heart, the latter’s importance was far less than that of the Yellow Springs Venerable. This slight favor was naturally granted.
“Hopefully, it won’t take too long…” The Yellow Springs Venerable smiled lightly and turned his gaze to Wang Chen in the arena, saying, “This incident is due to you, so resolve it yourself. If you fail, you should know the consequences.”
Hearing the Yellow Springs Venerable’s words, Wang Chen’s hand holding the black dagger trembled slightly. He bowed slightly to the former, a wicked smile appearing on his face: “Please rest assured, teacher. This person has insulted the Yellow Springs Pavilion, and I will make him pay the price.”
The Yellow Springs Venerable slowly leaned back in his chair, nodding lightly. The Sword Venerable and Wind Venerable, who were watching, furrowed their brows slightly but said no more. If they continued to obstruct, the old man Yellow Springs might really go berserk today.
Upon hearing Venerable Lightning’s words, the contestants in the field automatically retreated to the side, their gazes fixated strangely on Xiao Yan. This guy actually dared to accept Wang Chen’s challenge; no one knew if he was crazy or had some confidence.
Feng Qing-er arched her eyebrows, looking at Xiao Yan’s figure. Her jade-like hand brushed away a strand of green hair, her beautiful eyes filled with a hint of confusion. The proceedings of the conference had stopped, but the atmosphere on the mountain top did not become chaotic. The loud, desperate cheers made the atmosphere even more intense, as many people wanted to know if Xiao Yan could indeed hold his own against Wang Chen.
Of course, this did not exclude the possibility that they also wished to see another unbelievable scene. As Xiao Yan walked into the arena, Lin Yan rubbed his hands restlessly, a tinge of regret in his heart. He could vaguely sense that Xiao Yan’s aura was much stronger than his, but Wang Chen was a genuine peak Battle Emperor, and according to rumors, he could match the strength of a Battle Sect. What worried him most was Wang Chen’s ruthless nature. In battle, his opponents would either die or be maimed… Xiao Yan’s chances against him were slim.
“Damn it, if this guy dares to hurt Xiao Yan, I’ll fight to the death to make him suffer.” Biting his teeth fiercely, Lin Yan’s eyes flashed with a fierce light. He was always a man of sentiment and shared a deep friendship with Xiao Yan. If something happened to the latter, he would not stand idly by.
In the arena, Wang Chen looked at Xiao Yan with a cold, sinister expression. The dagger in his hand whirled nimbly in his palm, coming to a stop as he clutched it. “Surrender now, kowtow three times, and I may let you leave Thunder Mountain.”
Glancing at Xiao Yan, Wang Chen sneered. But Xiao Yan only smiled, clasping his palm, causing his Dou Qi to surge out. It quickly condensed into an emerald-green energy ruler in his hand. Since the Heavy Ruler was too conspicuous, using it here might reveal his identity. The energy-formed ruler, though blurry, resembled a large knife.
Seeing that Xiao Yan ignored his words, Wang Chen’s sinister smile deepened, and the killing intent in his eyes surged. “Brat, you’ll regret offending the Yellow Springs Pavilion!”
With a low, sinister voice, Wang Chen’s body blurred, transforming into a black rainbow. In a breath, he appeared behind Xiao Yan, his dagger moving like lightning, aiming for the two vital points on Xiao Yan’s neck and back.
“Clang! Clang!” Despite Wang Chen’s speed, the emerald-green energy ruler appeared behind Xiao Yan, easily deflecting the dagger’s attack.
Having failed, Wang Chen’s expression remained unchanged. His black Dou Qi, coiled around the dagger like a venomous snake, turning into two giant black vipers, lunging at Xiao Yan’s head.
Bang! Bang! The instant the black vipers lunged, Xiao Yan’s fist, accompanied by a low sonic boom, shattered them. Breaking the vipers, the energy ruler in Xiao Yan’s hand lashed out with a low explosive sound, forcefully pushing Wang Chen back.
“Nothing special,” Xiao Yan remarked, resting the ruler on his shoulder. However, his calm tone made Wang Chen’s eyes turn murderous.
“Just a warm-up, don’t brag!” Licking his dagger with a crimson tongue, pitch-black Dou Qi surged from Wang Chen’s body like ink, rising to the sky in a massive pillar. This Dou Qi surpassed the usual peak Battle Emperor!
At this moment, Wang Chen, with just his aura, could be considered a quasi-Battle Sect. Although there was still a significant gap between him and a true Battle Sect, compared to other peak Battle Emperors, he was much stronger.
Feeling Wang Chen’s powerful aura, both inside and outside the square, a chorus of shocked exclamations echoed. All carried a tinge of envy. Wang Chen was almost half a step into the Battle Sect realm, the chasm between Battle Emperor and Battle Sect halfway crossed.
In the arena, Feng Qing-er, Mu Qing-luan, and Tang Ying showed no surprise. They had all been soaked in the Heavenly Mountain Blood Pond, benefiting immensely. Wang Chen’s near entry into the Battle Sect realm was expected.
“Quasi-Battle Sect, huh…” Eyeing Wang Chen, whose potent Dou Qi swirled like a windstorm, Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed. In the Tianmu Mountains, he had fought this person, who was then clearly a peak Battle Emperor. This breakthrough was likely due to the Blood Pond.
“You’ve lost your last chance to regret…” Wang Chen’s face twisted with a ghastly, bloodthirsty smirk, making him look extremely terrifying.
Xiao Yan’s brow furrowed. This opponent was indeed tough. If this continued, it could drag on indefinitely, and something might be noticed. A quick resolution was needed.
Just as Xiao Yan made up his mind, Wang Chen’s aura, at its peak, thickened. Moving, his Dou Qi left a long trench in the ground.
“Bone-Eroding Round Dagger Dance!” Wang Chen’s speed, now much faster, flashed to Xiao Yan, his daggers forming countless black lights, slicing through space, and swirling in a bizarre arc, enveloping Xiao Yan. The black light carried a piercing, frigid chill.
Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed. Wang Chen’s move was undoubtedly a high-level Dou Technique, possibly of a high rank. The Yellow Springs Pavilion, as one of the Four Pavilions, was no mere name.
“Six Directions Traveling Ruler!” At that moment, the heavy ruler in Xiao Yan’s hand flickered, forming a dense net of ruler shadows, wrapping around him.
Clang! Clang! Clang! The endless black light poured onto the ruler net, creating a continuous clanging sound. Each clang caused a massive energy wave, leaving spider-web-like cracks on the hard silverwood plaza.
Watching the dazzling exchange, the audience gasped. No one expected Xiao Yan to hold his own against Wang Chen, even when the latter’s Dou Qi was at its peak.
Even the slowest could see that Xiao Yan’s challenge was not foolhardy, but based on genuine strength and qualifications. On the dais, the Yellow Springs Venerable’s smile vanished, his face becoming increasingly dark. His senses told him that Xiao Yan’s aura was rapidly rising, nearly reaching and surpassing Wang Chen’s.
The faces of the Wind, Lightning, and Sword Venerables also revealed surprise, followed by thoughtful expressions. Xiao Yan was indeed hiding his true strength. Now, it seemed that Wang Chen might be the one in trouble?
At this thought, the Wind and Sword Venerables couldn’t suppress a small smile.
As the two gloated, a sudden change occurred. The ruler shadows protecting Xiao Yan suddenly dissipated, and an aura far stronger than Wang Chen’s surged like a mountain peak rising from the plain, charging towards the sky!
A vast Dou Qi easily broke through Wang Chen’s dagger net. The ruler shadow flashed, and a strange flame instantly condensed at the ruler’s tip!
“Six Directions Traveling Ruler: Fire Six Directions!”
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