"I won't deny it—this match has stirred my excitement. I only hope you won't let me down."
Liu Qing finally spoke, his gaze locking onto Xiao Yan. Though his voice was low and restrained, it carried with it a sharp, oppressive aura—like a blade hidden beneath calm waters.
"Rest assured," Xiao Yan replied with a faint smile. "There is something I must obtain—so I will naturally give it my all."
As his words fell, his hand reached for the hilt of the massive ruler on his back. With a swift motion, he drew it out. The heavy ruler angled downward, its sheer weight stirring a gust of wind, accompanied by a low, humming sound that echoed faintly through the arena.
Liu Qing's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed the ruler in Xiao Yan's grasp. A flicker of surprise flashed across his face. Ever since Xiao Yan's battle with Yao Sheng, he had suspected that this oversized weapon held some hidden peculiarity.
Now that he was facing it directly—hearing the wind whistle around its arc and feeling the pressure it exuded—he could confirm his guess: this black ruler was likely no less formidable than his own Mountain Splitting Spear. Its weight alone was extraordinary.
"No wonder his strikes grow fiercer once the ruler left his hand. He actually carries that burden with him at all times… treating every moment as training."
This thought surfaced quietly in Liu Qing's mind. A trace of admiration flickered in his eyes. To endure such constant strain, to forge strength through sheer persistence—this was not something an ordinary cultivator could accomplish. Only one with resolute will and unwavering focus would choose such a path.
"I won't bother with testing you or demanding some qualification before I draw my spear. Just as you said—I will go all out. You've already proven yourself."
Liu Qing lifted the Mountain Splitting Spear into his hand and raised it, pointing its tip toward Xiao Yan. A fierce grin stretched across his face as he continued,
"You've earned the right to face my 'Mountain Splitting Spear'!"
He laughed heartily, his fighting spirit rising like a blazing flame.
Xiao Yan responded with a calm smile but chose not to speak. Though they had only interacted a few times, he already understood Liu Qing's nature. If not for the prior conflict involving Xiao Yu, they might have gotten along quite well.
"Since both competitors have entered the stage," Su Qian's voice echoed through the arena, calm yet carrying great weight, "I now declare that the final match—one that will decide the last spot in the top ten—officially begins!"
As his words fell, the stadium erupted. The air instantly grew heated with anticipation, and countless fiery gazes locked onto the two figures standing in the arena.
Everyone understood—this battle, perhaps the most thrilling since the start of the Grand Competition, was finally about to begin.
…
The instant Su Qian's voice faded, an overwhelming and tyrannical aura erupted from Liu Qing's body, surging through the arena like a raging storm. Even spectators seated far from the battleground found their breath caught in their throats, their chests tightening under the sheer pressure.
A pale-golden Dou Qi burst forth from Liu Qing like a tide. As it surged, the dark-black heavy spear in his hand began to tremble, resonating with violent might. That spear, wreathed in Dou Qi, radiated a domineering force so intense that many in the audience involuntarily clenched their fists, their expressions turning grave.
Bang!
With the spear in hand, Liu Qing took a single step forward—yet that step alone was like a thunderclap, shattering the earth beneath his feet. Cracks snaked across the arena floor as a sharp, almost tangible spear aura condensed at the weapon's tip, rippling outward in fierce waves.
At the same moment, Xiao Yan exhaled slowly. His arms tensed as a faint metallic sound—clang, clang—rang out from his sleeves, which had stiffened like forged steel. The massive ruler tilted downward, its blackened surface now cloaked in light-lavender Dou Qi. A searing wind began to rise around it, distorting the air and scorching the stone floor beneath his feet.
Xiao Yan raised his head, eyes calm yet blazing. With a faint rumble of thunder echoed faintly, he shot forward in a swift movement, his figure turning into a blurred streak as he charged toward Liu Qing with an unstoppable momentum.
The clash was instant.
Liu Qing thrust his heavy spear forward with the pride of an undefeated warrior, while Xiao Yan raised the Heavy Xuan Ruler high and brought it down in a powerful arc—one spear, one ruler—colliding in a deafening explosion of power.
Boom!
As spear tip and black ruler collided with violent force, a thunderous shockwave erupted at the point of impact, rippling out like a storm breaking upon the earth.
Yet neither Liu Qing nor Xiao Yan paused after the initial clash. Their figures blurred, turning into flickering shadows as they launched into a flurry of rapid exchanges. Sparks flew and shockwaves rippled with every collision—neither man willing to yield even half a step.
They resembled meteors colliding mid-sky, their violent crashes unfolding beneath the watchful eyes of tens of thousands. Each impact sent monstrous Dou Qi ripples surging through the air, distorting space and scattering debris across the arena.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Each clash rang out like war drums, shaking the heavens and earth. Cracks spread like spiderwebs beneath their feet as the platform struggled to withstand the force of their duel.
Chi!
At the heart of the arena, Xiao Yan's heavy ruler cut through the air like a bolt of black lightning. It carried a ferocious gale in its wake, distorting the very space it passed through as it slashed down toward Liu Qing—who stood tall and proud, exuding an oppressive might like a tyrant of the battlefield.
Under the sheer weight of Xiao Yan's blow, the air was forcefully expelled. A deep sonic boom followed, low and resonant like an explosion erupting underground—its power heavy, suffocating, and awe-inspiring.
Swooossh—!
Liu Qing responded without hesitation. His dark-black heavy spear blurred into countless afterimages as he thrust it forward with terrifying strength and tyrannical momentum. The razor-sharp tip tore through the air, creating shrill howls as it surged toward the relentless Xiao Yan—who, like a raging tempest, closed in with astonishing speed.
Under that domineering force, even the air seemed to rupture, splitting apart under the might of the incoming spear. A deep, muffled boom echoed out, reminiscent of distant thunder rumbling through the skies, sending a chill down the spines of those watching.
Bang!
Spear tip and heavy ruler collided once more with an explosive crash—the final clash before both weapons were flung from their wielders' hands by the sheer force of the impact. Yet neither Liu Qing nor Xiao Yan faltered. Neither flinched. Without missing a breath, the two surged forward again, Dou Qi erupting as they prepared to unleash their techniques.
Silver arcs of lightning flickered beneath Xiao Yan's feet as he shot forth, closing the distance in a blink. His five fingers clenched tightly, muscles coiling as the Dou Qi within his body surged like a roaring tide.
"Octane Blast!"
A low cry rang out as Xiao Yan's fist exploded forward, smashing through the air toward Liu Qing. With each inch, the wind on his fist intensified, producing a chain of deep, thunderous cracks—like firecrackers igniting one after another, echoing through the arena.
The wild, violent force behind the strike caused Liu Qing's eyes to narrow slightly. He could feel it—the same fearsome close-combat technique that had overwhelmed countless elite students before, including Bai Cheng and Yao Sheng.
"It's still not enough if you wish to defeat me with just that," Liu Qing said calmly, though a glint of excitement flickered in his eyes. "However, I'm curious to see if your close-range technique can stand against my 'Great Rift Coffin Splitting Claw.'"
A faint smile played across his face as his fingers suddenly curled into an eerie arc. Pale-golden Dou Qi wrapped around his clawed hand, fluctuating with a faint hum. The energy pulsed—expanding and contracting—carrying with it a bone-chilling pressure.
"Great Rift Coffin Splitting Claw!"
As the shout rang out, the smile on Liu Qing's face vanished. His clawed hand lashed forward with explosive force. A formless wind surged, forming a faintly glowing arc in front of his strike. Its aura was domineering, matching Xiao Yan's Octane Blast without the slightest inferiority.
From the spectator stands, waves of shocked exclamations erupted. The audience had not expected the duel to descend into such a direct and brutal contest of close-quarters combat.
But it was clear to all—both Xiao Yan and Liu Qing were masters of physical combat. Every move was clean, refined through countless battles, and backed by unwavering resolve.
Still, everyone also knew that battles without weapons often drew more blood and carried a savage edge rarely seen in standard duels. Yet not a single male student turned their gaze away. On the contrary, their eyes were alight with excitement, a faint red glow coloring their faces as the violent clash ignited their blood.
Wu Hao and the others instinctively tensed at that moment. In a battle of pure physical combat, a single misstep could mean severe injury—or outright defeat.
While they had deep confidence in Xiao Yan's close-range abilities, they were also well aware that Liu Qing was no less of an expert in this brutal style of fighting.
"Surprisingly… Xiao Yan's Dou Technique seems to be on par with Liu Qing's Great Rift Coffin Splitting Claw," Han Yue remarked, her gaze fixed on the rippling winds around Xiao Yan's fist. A faint smile played on her lips. "But even so, I doubt it's enough to overpower that claw in a direct clash."
Xiao Yu, arms crossed, gave a light nod. She didn't deny Han Yue's words. Instead, a knowing smile curved her lips.
"Xiao Yan likely knows that as well," she said softly. "I doubt he'd stake everything on a frontal exchange. He must have something else prepared."
Under countless watchful gazes, the moment of impact finally arrived.
The claw and fist—both imbued with terrifying destructive force—collided head-on with a deafening explosive sound!
Bang!
A powerful shockwave exploded from the point of impact, sending a violent ripple outward like a raging storm. Cracks tore through the arena floor beneath them, and thunderous booms echoed as the force spread.
Crack!
The ground beneath the two shattered completely, unable to endure the strain of their unrelenting collisions. Stone and dust erupted as both fighters remained locked in their clash, standing amidst the collapsing platform as if even the earth itself couldn't withstand the ferocity of their battle.
The destructive strength created by the forceful storm caused the sound of saliva being swallowed from the viewing gallery to appear one after another. This extremely pure physical strength actually had such a frightening destructive force.
Yet, despite the ground collapsing beneath them, the two figures remained unmoved—completely unaffected by the destruction.
Fist and claw remained locked together, seemingly fused by the tremendous force between them. From beneath their feet, invisible shockwaves continued to spread outward in rhythmic pulses, distorting the air around them.
Xiao Yan's gaze was fixed on Liu Qing's excited face. His arm trembled slightly, betraying the strain he was under. The sheer force from that direct clash had nearly rendered his arm numb. A hint of heaviness crept into his heart.
This time… the Octane Blast—the technique that had never failed him—had done little against Liu Qing.
He could feel it clearly. The hidden force embedded within the Octane Blast had indeed entered Liu Qing's body, but in the next instant, it was crushed—dispersed by an even more savage counterforce. The strength behind his punch was rapidly dissipating.
Meanwhile, the large claw gripping his fist remained as firm as ever, showing no sign of loosening.
"The explosive power is decent… but the follow-up lacks depth."
At that moment, Liu Qing—who had stood like a statue of stone—suddenly opened his mouth. A faint smile surfaced on his lips as he looked at Xiao Yan and spoke in a calm, quiet voice:
"I'm afraid… this is the end."
However, Xiao Yan's left hand that had been left dangling was already prepared as it swiftly formed some seals. He smiled slightly as a hot light-lavender flame surged out from his body. As the flame surfaced, a firm flame armor, that could not be destroyed, suddenly covered Xiao Yan's body.
"That may not be the case!"
Xiao Yan's laughter rang out sharply. In the blink of an eye, light-lavender flames surged across his body and wrapped around him like a tidal wave—instantly forming a flaming armor that completely enveloped him from head to toe.
Just as Xiao Yu had predicted, Xiao Yan had anticipated that Octane Blast alone wouldn't be enough to break through someone of Liu Qing's caliber. Thus, he had already prepared for this moment. The formation of the flame armor was so swift, so seamless, that by the time Liu Qing's razor-sharp claw struck, the protective layer had already fully taken shape.
Liu Qing's pupils contracted as he caught sight of the sudden emergence of the flame armor. In such close proximity, the intense heat radiating from the light-lavender flames caused even his skin to sting faintly with pain. A jolt of shock flashed through his heart.
'As expected, Xiao Yan truly possesses a Heavenly Flame…' Liu Qing thought to himself grimly.
He had long heard that the six founders of Chaos Gate wielded unique powers—flame, thunder, and ice among them—so discovering that Xiao Yan possessed a Heavenly Flame didn't surprise him… but experiencing its heat firsthand was another matter entirely.
"I'd like to see whether that armor of yours can truly block everything!"
A cold gleam flickered in Liu Qing's eyes. Instead of retreating, his strike pushed forward with even greater force. The attack was already at the point of no return—withdrawal was impossible.
With a roar in his heart, Dou Qi surged violently within his meridians. The pale-golden energy burst out from his body in a blinding glow, forcibly isolating the intense heat as his claw continued its fierce charge toward Xiao Yan.
Stimulated by the surge of Dou Qi within his body, Liu Qing's claw became even sharper—its edges gleaming with a deadly light. A moment later, the claw struck heavily against Xiao Yan's flame armor.
Clang! Clang!
The harsh sound of metal colliding rang out across the arena as claw met armor.
At the point of contact, a faint dent appeared on the otherwise flawless surface of the flame armor. Though it might appear thin and ethereal, this armor was formed from the Ten Thousand Beast Lotus Flame. Even under Liu Qing's vicious blow, it held strong.
"Kuh!"
Beneath the armor, Xiao Yan let out a muffled groan as he staggered half a step back. Though the flame armor had absorbed most of the impact, a portion of the force still penetrated through, causing his chest to shake and his balance to waver slightly.
Clang! Clang!
Liu Qing was unsurprised. The moment he saw Xiao Yan recoil even slightly, he struck again without hesitation—his figure flashing forward like a ghost.
He refused to let this opportunity slip past.
With rapid, merciless precision, his clawed hand unleashed a flurry of blows, each one aimed at the weakened armor, intent on shattering it and breaking through Xiao Yan's defenses once and for all.
A golden glow surged across his clawed hands as countless afterimages blurred in the air. Each claw strike descended with vicious speed, one after another, like a torrential downpour meant to shatter the flame armor completely.
The sharp golden claws landed again and again, producing a continuous stream of metallic crashes, their fierce rhythm echoing like war drums across the arena.
Clang! Clang!
Metallic echoes rang out through the entire arena like thunder, each strike reverberating in the hearts of the spectators, leaving them gripped by a sense of dread.
With Liu Qing's wild and relentless barrage, more and more dents began to appear on the flame armor that had once seemed nearly indestructible. No matter how unique or resilient Xiao Yan's Dou Qi armor was, it could not remain unscathed under such a violent onslaught. Deep impressions marred its surface, a testament to the ferocity behind each blow.
By the time Liu Qing's flurry of attacks came to a halt, the once-pristine armor was riddled with dents and cracks, its surface practically torn apart. Xiao Yan, shaken by the brutal force, was forced to retreat over six steps before stabilizing himself.
And this—was even after the flame armor had absorbed the brunt of the assault.
It was difficult to imagine what state he would be in had he not secretly prepared this defense in advance. If that claw—capable of shattering gold and slicing through stone—had landed directly on his body, he would no doubt have sustained serious injuries, if not been rendered incapable of continuing the fight altogether...
Countless students in the viewing gallery were drenched in sweat as they watched the flurry of afterimages dancing within the arena. Liu Qing's wild, unrelenting assault continued with overwhelming momentum—each strike more domineering than the last.
"Tyrant Spear Liu Qing...He truly lives up to that name..."
A mix of awe and fear welled within them. His assault was brutally sharp, each strike carrying a savage edge that left the onlookers breathless.
Many were left speechless by the sheer ferocity of Liu Qing's offensive. Yet, alongside that shock, admiration quietly rose in their hearts for the figure who still stood in the midst of the storm.
Though it appeared that Xiao Yan was being pushed into a disadvantage under Liu Qing's ferocious barrage, he had not fallen. Even now, he remained standing—resilient and unyielding.
This display of endurance and strength stirred genuine respect among the crowd. One after another, heads began to nod, acknowledging Xiao Yan's tenacity.
Some even murmured softly, "No wonder Liu Qing and Lin Xiuya regard him so seriously… This dark horse of the new students truly has strength to match his reputation. Bai Cheng and Yao Sheng didn't lose without reason…"
Within the short distance of a few steps, Liu Qing's countless afterimages unleashed the force of a hundred fierce strikes, each one mercilessly pounding against Xiao Yan's flame armor.
Under such a savage onslaught, the once-sturdy armor began to show signs of collapse. Cracks faintly webbed across its surface, and its originally vibrant light-lavender hue had dimmed noticeably.
On the elevated platform, Liu Fei's face lit up with wild joy. Her hand gripped the arm of the man beside her as she cried out sharply, voice filled with excitement, "That annoying bastard is about to be defeated!"
The man next to her was garbed in blue robes, his features somewhat delicate, almost feminine, with brows that carried a subtle, graceful sharpness.
This young man was Yao Sheng, Xiao Yan's second opponent in the Grand Competition. Despite his appearance, he was ranked seventeenth on the Strong Ranking—proof of his considerable strength within the Inner Academy.
He clearly belonged to the same faction as Liu Qing, but unlike Liu Fei, he could not share in her enthusiasm. His gaze remained fixed on the arena, brows drawn together in a slight frown. With his experience and strength, far surpassing Liu Fei's, his discerning eyes could see far more than hers.
Though Xiao Yan had been forced to retreat again and again under Liu Qing's heavy blows, Yao Sheng—having once crossed fists with him—was well aware of just how terrifying that flame armor truly was.
"Junior Xiao Yan truly possesses exceptional combat awareness. To form his flame armor in that instant… it's clear, just as you said, that he had prepared something in advance," Han Yue remarked with a faint smile, her voice tinged with quiet admiration.
"It's fortunate he had that hidden card," Xiao Yu replied with a quiet sigh, shaking her head slightly. "If not for that flame armor, Liu Qing's sudden and ferocious assault might have forced him into a disadvantage. Even if only a minor one, it could've been enough to shift the tide..."
"Still," Han Yue added, her brows knitting slightly, "it seems that even this flame armor can't fully withstand Liu Qing's assault. From the look of it, the armor is already on the verge of collapse..."
Just as her voice faded, both she and Xiao Yu simultaneously sensed a faint ripple in the natural energy within the arena. It was subtle—almost imperceptible—and clearly masked by something.
As her voice trailed off, both Han Yue and Xiao Yu suddenly sensed a subtle fluctuation in the natural energy within the arena. It was faint—almost imperceptible—and seemed to be deliberately concealed.
Only those with sharp perception could catch such a change. Aside from Han Yue and Xiao Yu, a few of the elders, as well as Lin Xiuya, also detected the faint ripple in energy.
"No wonder Xiao Yan isn't panicking..." Lin Xiuya murmured with quiet astonishment. "So he was just buying time—for this."
Lin Xiuya narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharpening. A moment later, a flicker of realization flashed across them as he suddenly turned his attention to Xiao Yan—who was still retreating step after step under Liu Qing's fierce and unrelenting assault. His lips moved slightly as he murmured with surprise, "Xiao Yan might be... preparing to retaliate."
"Retaliate?"
Yan Hao was momentarily stunned by the remark. His brows furrowed as he turned their eyes toward Xiao Yan, who seemed to be crumbling beneath Liu Qing's overwhelming offensive. In his view, he was barely holding on. If Liu Qing's assault continued for just a while longer, victory would be decided the moment Xiao Yan's flame armor shattered completely.
From their perspective, there wasn't the slightest sign that Xiao Yan was in any condition to fight back.
Lin Xiuya chuckled softly, yet said nothing more. Instead, he offered a faint, knowing smile.
"It's surprising… Xiao Yan is far more cunning than he appears. Even now, under Liu Qing's intense pressure, he hasn't lost his composure in the slightest. Truly a troublesome opponent to deal with."
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