The golden brilliance blanketed half the sky above the arena, while the other half was dyed in a faint yet intense purple hue emanating from the fiery arrow. Both sides radiated a piercing sharpness, and the space between them trembled uncontrollably beneath their terrifying momentum.
Cracks spiderwebbed across the sky, and the destructive force that leaked out caused the expressions of those on the viewing platform to change drastically—shocked and pale with fear. If they had been standing in the midst of that battlefield, even the residual energy would have been enough to shake their very souls or snuff out their lives on the spot. A clash of this scale—this level of sheer devastation—was beyond terrifying.
As the two fearsome attacks neared one another, every gaze was locked in place. Within countless eyes, the golden glow and purple-red radiance reflected clearly—two forces like celestial meteors, hurtling toward a fated collision!
At the moment they drew near, the hearts of all present clenched. Who would emerge victorious from such a dreadful exchange?
Bang!
Amidst the mounting tension, the fiery arrow and radiant golden line finally crashed together in the sky. A deafening, thunderous roar exploded through the entire stadium. In an instant, an overwhelming shockwave surged outward like a wild tempest, shaking the heavens and shattering the very air between them.
Yet, following the thunderous roar and the eruption of a terrifying shockwave, the entire arena was suddenly enveloped in an eerie silence.
In the sky, where the two overwhelming forces had clashed, a strange sight unfolded—a sphere of wild, condensed energy slowly formed, suspended in midair like a dormant star. Within it, two liquid-like clusters—one a deep, green hue tinged with purple, the other a brilliant golden-yellow—swirled and gnawed at each other, locked in a silent battle of erosion.
Countless stunned gazes slowly lifted toward the heavens. All eyes fixated on that ominous sphere, where opposing forces clashed without sound. Though silent, the spectacle was no less dreadful. The space around the sphere warped and twisted unnaturally, giving off an illusory, almost hallucinatory sensation—as though reality itself was bending under the pressure.
A faint hissing sound, like the burning of air, echoed faintly from the sky. The two colored energies—purple and gold—expanded outward like twin storm clouds, covering the sky above the arena in a mesmerizing yet foreboding display. Though no further explosion occurred, the surface calm belied the savage intent within—each force seeking to devour the other, refusing to yield.
Xiao Yan's gaze remained locked on the two immense clusters of energy swirling in the sky. After unleashing the Heavenly Bow: Coreflame Arrow, a wave of utter exhaustion swept through his body. His face was deathly pale, like bleached parchment, and his limbs trembled uncontrollably.
Fortunately, the heavy black ruler was within arm's reach. He leaned on it like a crutch, barely managing to stay upright. The Heavenly Bow, while mighty, had also taken a severe toll—draining every last trace of Dou Qi from his body.
On the other side, Liu Qing's condition fared no better. His figure leaned heavily on the pitch-black Mountain Splitting Spear, using its weight and the earth beneath to remain standing. Without that support, his body might have already collapsed under the strain of his own Di-Class Dou Technique.
Yet, neither man paid attention to their own state. Their eyes, sharp despite their fatigue, were fixed on the sky—on the two raging masses of energy still devouring and resisting one another.
Countless others across the stadium also held their breath, their gazes riveted on that scene. The entire arena was deathly silent, awaiting the outcome of this fearsome clash—an outcome that would declare victory or defeat between two peak geniuses.
Yet, as everyone continued to watch with bated breath, the two forces within the sphere suddenly surged. The sphere, which had been held in delicate equilibrium, began to expand in an abnormal and unsettling manner.
Numerous gazes stiffened. The massive clusters of energy had begun to swell unnaturally, and for reasons they could not name, a deep unease welled up in their hearts.
On the judges' platform, all the Elders furrowed their brows. Their eyes locked onto the swelling sphere, sharp with caution. Di-Class Dou Techniques were powerful enough to draw upon natural energy to amplify their might.
However, when two such techniques collided with equal ferocity, unpredictable phenomena could arise—changes so strange and dangerous that not even the people using them could foresee them.
Judging from the situation unfolding in the sky, such an anomaly had clearly begun the moment Xiao Yan's and Liu Qing's attacks engaged in mutual consumption.
The first to sense the true danger behind the shift was Su Qian. His expression darkened as he abruptly stood, his gaze fixed on the increasingly radiant and unstable core forming within the energy cluster. That shimmering point of light had become too piercing, too volatile.
"All Elders, move! Shield those two and the other students—immediately!"
As his deep, commanding voice echoed across the arena, Su Qian's figure vanished from the judges' platform like a wisp of smoke, streaking toward the sky in a flash.
The moment Su Qian vanished, the Elders on the judges' platform moved without hesitation. Some swiftly formed protective barriers around the students, while two others shot toward Xiao Yan and Liu Qing, grabbing them just in time and retreating toward the viewing platform.
Their figures streaking through the air in an attempt to contain the impending destruction affecting the students. However, despite their swift and precise movements, they were a step too late.
In that very instant, the two brilliant light clusters in the sky swelled once more—then burst like overfilled balloons.
Bang!
A piercing radiance exploded across the horizon as wild, chaotic natural energy surged out from the point of collision. The cluster of greenish energy, mixed with purple and golden hues, finally collapsed under the strain of instability.
A thunderous explosion, even more terrifying than before, erupted and sent a monstrous storm of energy howling across the sky. Space itself rippled violently wherever the storm swept past, as though the heavens had been torn open.
Countless spectators within the viewing platform stared wide-eyed in horror. Even from such a distance, they could feel the dreadful might of the approaching energy storm. It was clear—if this storm reached them, few, if any, would survive unscathed.
Su Qian floated in the air, his gaze heavy as he faced the raging energy tide.
"These little brats…" he muttered, sighing deeply. "If I don't clean up this mess, the entire Inner Academy might very well be reduced to rubble…"
As Su Qian muttered those words, the space around him suddenly twisted. In the blink of an eye, his figure appeared before the colossal energy storm looming in the sky—like a phantom shifting through the void itself.
With a single finger, he sliced through the air. In the next moment, an enormous spatial fissure appeared, stretching across the sky like a dark scar. He thrust both hands into the glowing rift and, with a forceful pull, tore it open wide.
A crack spanning over a hundred feet tore through space, revealing an endless abyss of darkness that seemed to devour even light. Just gazing at it caused one's soul to tremble in unease.
Tearing space—a soul-stirring feat only achievable by those who had stepped into the realm of the Dou Zun.
Following Xiao Hua's rise to the rank of eighth-tier alchemist, he had assisted the First Elder and the two Guardians in breaking through to Dou Zun. Through countless refinements and relentless effort, all three had successfully taken that final step into the Zun realm.
"Go!"
Su Qian's voice echoed calmly as he extended both arms toward the whirling storm. His fingers suddenly clenched, and under the might of his will, the wildly spinning energy began to slow.
Then, as though obeying his command, the storm was forcefully drawn forward—its violent form compressed and hurled directly into the pitch-black rift.
The moment it entered the spatial tear, the crack began to close. Within a mere breath's time, both the energy storm and the rift vanished—completely and without a trace.
The terrifying force that had threatened to swallow the Inner Academy... was gone, as if it had never existed.
After expelling the terrifying energy storm, Su Qian turned his gaze toward the viewing platform to assess the students' condition. Fortunately, the storm had not spread far. Thanks to the swift response of the elders, the students had been shielded in time and were only lightly affected.
Only after confirming their safety did Su Qian quietly exhale in relief. His gaze then shifted to two familiar figures—Xiao Yan and Liu Qing—both unconscious, their bodies covered in bloodstains and their robes in tatters.
His eyes narrowed slightly as they fell upon the two elders who had managed to retrieve them. The two men exchanged bitter smiles and gave a silent shake of their heads.
Su Qian sighed. From the looks of it, Xiao Yan and Liu Qing had been too close to the energy storm when it erupted. Although the elders had caught them just before they were flung into the viewing gallery, they had clearly still suffered injuries from the aftermath of the explosion.
Throughout the stadium, the spectators slowly stood straight, one by one. Their eyes were fixed on the two unconscious young men lying motionless on the ground. Many couldn't help but swallow hard, their expressions a mix of awe and disbelief.
"These two lunatics… this was just a match for the top ten, yet they went so far as to end up like this..."
Even so, when they recalled the overwhelming power unleashed moments ago, many couldn't help smacking their lips, as their hearts continued to race.
"That earlier clash…" The memory of that destructive energy storm still echoed within their minds—it was a spectacle few would ever forget.
Su Qian's figure flickered and reappeared in the center of the ruined arena. As he looked around at the shattered earth, torn stage, and deep fissures, he let out a helpless sigh.
"This may very well be... the most destructive match in the history of the 'Strong Ranking' Grand Competition."
Moreover, Su Qian was well aware that the two powerful Dou Techniques had been gifted to them by Xiao Hua—especially the Heavenly Bow, which he distinctly remembered witnessing during the Fire Energy Hunting Competition.
"Xiao Hua truly handed out high-level Dou Techniques... I refrained from questioning him before, but I still can't help feeling curious—just where did he obtain techniques of this level?"
Su Qian smiled wryly and shook his head as he muttered to himself. He knew that Xiao Hua had ventured into many ancient ruins, yet he found it hard to believe that every single one yielded treasures of such caliber.
Still, since he had made the decision not to pry, he forcefully suppressed the curiosity in his heart and cast aside those questions, never intending to raise them again.
He then lowered his body, and with a wave of his hand, two gentle streams of Dou Qi surged into Xiao Yan and Liu Qing's bodies. After a brief moment of inspection, Su Qian exhaled softly in relief. Fortunately, while their injuries were severe, their lives were not in danger.
A large group of figures swiftly descended from the high platform, converging around First Elder Su Qian and the others in the arena.
Yan Hao's gaze quietly fell upon Liu Qing, whose body was drenched in blood and riddled with injuries. A trace of disbelief flickered across his eyes as he muttered, "To think that even someone of Liu Qing's strength would end up in such a miserable state at Xiao Yan's hands…"
Lin Xiuya, standing beside him, gave a slight nod, his expression calm. Yet within the folds of his sleeve, his hand trembled ever so slightly. The sheer destructive force contained within those two terrifying energy clusters still lingered in his mind.
He knew with absolute clarity—if either of those attacks had struck him directly, he would have been gravely injured… or perhaps even killed!
'Now I'm even more eager to unleash this Di-class high-level Dou Technique of mine…' A flicker of fervent anticipation ignited within Lin Xiuya's heart. The technique had been bestowed upon him by Xiao Hua, and he had yet to fully display its might.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yu, Wu Hao, Hu Jia, and the others rushed to Xiao Yan's side. Xiao Yu knelt beside him and quickly checked his condition, while the rest stood close, their faces filled with deep concern and unease.
A short while later, Xiao Yu exhaled softly. Turning to the group with a gentle smile, she spoke in a soothing voice, "Don't worry. He'll be alright."
"He is indeed," Su Qian nodded while stroking his beard. In truth, he would have been far more alarmed if either Xiao Yan or Liu Qing had sustained injuries severe enough to hinder their cultivation path.
With his reassuring words, the members of Pan's Gate visibly relaxed. The heavy weight in their hearts seemed to lift, and their expressions brightened.
"First Elder, now that both of them are unconscious… who should be considered the victor of this match?" an Elder asked hesitantly, his gaze shifting between the two motionless figures lying within the wrecked arena.
The surrounding crowd immediately perked up, ears sharpened in anticipation. This was the question that lingered in everyone's mind.
Su Qian furrowed his brows slightly, clearly troubled. "According to the rules, both have technically fallen outside the bounds of the arena. Moreover, they're unconscious… it's difficult to determine a clear winner—"
Just as his voice trailed off, an arm—caked in blood—slowly rose from the ground amidst countless stunned gazes.
"Cough… I… I'm still breathing."
All eyes turned toward the black-robed youth who, despite his battered form and blood-covered face, was raising his hand with what little strength remained. He fought to keep his eyes open, refusing to yield to unconsciousness.
The entire arena fell silent. No one knew what to say.
This fellow... was really a strong man who could not be beaten to death. He was still able to maintain some consciousness even after receiving such a frightening retaliation of the remnant Dou Technqiues.
A flicker of surprise passed across Su Qian's face as his gaze landed on Xiao Yan. Even in such a miserable state, a determined glint still lingered in the depths of his eyes. It was clear that Xiao Yan had already reached his true limit.
The only thing keeping him conscious now was sheer willpower—the unwavering desire to enter the top ten and pass the trial that Xiao Hua had entrusted to him.
Su Qian let out a bitter chuckle and shook his head. After a moment of silent deliberation, he slowly opened his mouth and declared, "This match shall be considered a draw. In other words, both of you will be acknowledged as having entered the top ten. There is no need to worry."
Xiao Yan, half-conscious, barely registered Su Qian's words. Only then did the tension in his body loosen. His eyelids finally fell shut, and his consciousness slipped into the abyss of unconsciousness...
Su Qian sighed once more as he looked at the now-unmoving Xiao Yan. Judging from the state of their injuries, both he and Liu Qing would likely be unable to participate in the remaining battles.
His gaze lingered on Xiao Yan's bloodied form for a moment before he shook his head yet again. Though Su Qian was somewhat surprised by the intensity of the clash and the injuries it had wrought, he had long expected Liu Qing to fall under Xiao Yan's hand.
After all… how could someone who had caught the attention of a man like Xiao Hua possibly be ordinary?
Thus, unlike the majority, Su Qian was not the least bit surprised that Xiao Yan had managed to defeat Liu Qing. In truth, he would have been far more astonished had Xiao Yan lost that match.
"First Elder," an elder finally spoke up, hesitation in his voice, "since the match ended in a draw… doesn't that mean there will now be eleven names on the top ten list this season? Would that also mean eleven individuals are to enter the tower and undergo refinement by the Essence Heart Flame?"
Su Qian nodded slightly and waved his hand in a dismissive manner. His tone was calm, yet carried a trace of finality.
"Then let there be eleven shares. If adjustments must be made, so be it. We already owe Xiao Hua far more than he would ever claim."
His words were light, yet they carried weight. He was genuinely satisfied with Xiao Yan's performance and had no intention of denying him a place among the top ten. After all, this would also allow him to pass the trial personally set for him by Xiao Hua.
The surrounding Elders no longer raised objections after hearing Su Qian's decision. One by one, they nodded and withdrew in silence. In truth, they too were aware—they owed Xiao Hua more than they could repay.
Therefore, giving away one share of the Essence Heart Flame was of little consequence. After all, the Inner Academy had quietly accumulated several spare portions over the years.
Seeing that the elders no longer voiced any objections, Su Qian gave a small nod of approval. His gaze swept across the viewing platform, scanning the crowd in every direction. A faint smile surfaced on his face as his voice, steady and resonant, echoed throughout the entire gallery.
"For the remaining matches, we shall shift to the spare arena to conclude the Grand Competition. That said, due to their current condition, Xiao Yan and Liu Qing will no longer be able to continue. However, the matter of greatest importance—the selection of the top ten—has already been resolved. As for the ranking within the ten, it is of lesser significance. After all, in everyone's hearts, there exists a scale that can weigh the true strength of each contender."
A wave of murmured agreement rippled through the crowd. Most felt a palpable sense of relief. The earlier exchange between Xiao Yan and Liu Qing had shaken them deeply; with both now stepping down from the rankings match, the remaining bouts would proceed with far less pressure.
Though Lin Xiuya felt a tinge of regret at losing the chance to challenge powerhouses like Xiao Yan and Liu Qing, his fighting spirit remained unshaken. There were still Han Yue and Xiao Yu—worthy opponents in their own right.
Moreover, the thought of testing his Di Class Dou Technique against theirs stirred a flicker of anticipation within his heart. His excitement had yet to wane.
Naturally, the other two shared similar sentiments. As their fighting spirit surged within, both Han Yue and Xiao Yu couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement ignite in their hearts.
"However," Su Qian continued with a faint smile, his gaze sweeping across Lin Xiuya, Han Yue, and Xiao Yu, "should the arena collapse like that again, both combatants will be disqualified."
The three flinched slightly and let out dry coughs, their expressions turning awkward. They quickly suppressed the burning intent in their hearts, knowing full well that the First Elder's words were more than a casual remark—they were a clear warning.
Even so, a trace of frustration and envy lingered in their hearts. After all, Xiao Yan and Liu Qing had been allowed to fight to their hearts' content, unleashing everything without restraint. That alone stirred a sense of grievance within them.
Watching the three fall into slight dejection, Su Qian shook his head and sighed. He could clearly sense that the flames of battle within these three had already been thoroughly stirred.
To avoid further destruction—and unnecessary expenses—he had no choice but to issue an early warning and suppress their fervor before it escalated.
'I expected this from Lin Xiuya and Xiao Yu… but to think even that Han Yue lass would be so eager…' he mused inwardly, feeling both amused and helpless.
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