Chapter 156: Unexpected Change
"Heh, didn't think we'd end up becoming everyone's target."
Xiao Yuan glanced ahead at the crowd eyeing them like wolves and spoke with a smile to Xiao Yan, Xun'er, and Xiao Yu, who stood behind him.
"Then their final rankings might turn out pretty bad."
Xiao Yan smiled in return.
Beside him, Xun'er shrugged playfully, but the aura around her had grown increasingly sharp and cold.
As for Xiao Yu—she figured she could just ride this out and win lying down.
The movements of the five major teams in the arena instantly drew attention from within and outside the battleground.
Some of the smaller teams looked over at Xiao Yuan's group, but none of them dared to step forward and join the attack.
After all, earlier, the joint strike from Xiao Yuan's trio had instantly blasted two Three-Star Da Dou Shi off the platform, blood spraying from their mouths. With their Dou Shi-level strength, even a stray blow would likely leave them gravely injured!
It was better to stay out of it and try to benefit later like a fisherman waiting for a catch.
However… such behavior clearly wasn't tolerated by the five major teams. Obviously, even if they did manage to eliminate Xiao Yuan's group, they'd suffer significant casualties. If others simply waited to clean up the mess, wouldn't their hard work be for nothing?
So the five teams came to an unspoken agreement to clear out the smaller teams first.
This development caused a stir in the stands. No one had expected things to escalate this way!
"Brother, should we gather those other guys to join us?" Xiao Yan asked quietly.
"No need. If they come to us willingly, maybe we'll accept them. But given their previous attitude—trying to sit back and benefit from our fight—I don't see a reason to help them win. Whether they're here or not doesn't matter to us, right?"
Xiao Yuan's lips curled into a confident smile.
With his full power, he could likely wipe the field clean. And with Xiao Yan's Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler and Heavenly Flame Triple Mysterious Change, he too could reach Dou Ling-level combat strength. Clearing the field wouldn't be hard for either of them.
As for Xun'er—Xiao Yuan wouldn't even dare claim he could beat her. The Gu Clan was an ancient powerhouse, and its foundations made Xiao Yan's seem like child's play. Even with Yao Lao's help, Xiao Yuan couldn't claim a stronger heritage.
Of course, a deadly fight between him and Xun'er was unthinkable. Even a casual spar would be only superficial.
Xiao Yu didn't fully understand why Xiao Yuan was so confident that just the three of them could handle over twenty people. But after so many years, she knew Xiao Yuan well—if he said it could be done, then it could be done.
"Didn't expect Hu Jia and Wu Hao to coordinate so well to target Xiao Yuan's group."
A white-bearded elder at the center seating area stroked his beard and sighed.
"Haha, they're in trouble now."
Another elder beside him chuckled.
"Perhaps… not necessarily."
Vice Principal Hu Qian, however, frowned slightly, gazing at Xiao Yuan's white-clad figure. Based on how he'd treated Bai Shan previously, Xiao Yuan's strength was clearly not just that of a mere Four-Star Da Dou Shi.
Based on aura alone, Xiao Yan was already at Five-Star. Two years ago, Xiao Yuan had already reached Dou Shi. It was impossible for his training speed to be slower than Xiao Yan's.
Could he be hiding his true strength? But why?
Hu Qian was starting to feel he couldn't see through this young man.
Inside the arena, under the coordinated efforts of the five major teams, the smaller groups were swiftly eliminated. Of course, they also suffered some losses—each team lost one or two members in the counterattacks.
Now, only the toughest challenge remained: Xiao Yuan's group of four.
Well, technically, just three of them could still fight. So it was twenty-three against three. Advantage clearly lay with Hu Jia, Wu Hao, and the others.
"Hey, Xiao Yuan, Xun'er, how about you two join me? I like your style—I could protect you."
Hu Jia, as blunt as ever, tried to recruit them even in the middle of all this.
"Ugh, delusional. Cringe."
Xiao Yuan scrunched his nose in disgust.
Xun'er silently took a step closer to Xiao Yan, making her position clear.
"?"
Hu Jia fumed and instantly threw out a burst of Dou Qi at Xiao Yuan.
But as soon as it entered within three feet of him, it froze into ice and shattered on the ground.
"You two go handle the two Da Dou Shi-led teams. Leave the other three to me."
With a tilted smile, Xiao Yuan stepped forward, releasing the aura of a Four-Star Da Dou Shi and locking onto the teams led by Hu Jia, Wu Hao, and the remaining peak Dou Shi members.
Xiao Yan and Xun'er were both surprised. They could handle two teams on their own, but could Xiao Yuan really take on three teams alone?
His voice wasn't quiet, and Hu Jia, Wu Hao, and the others heard it loud and clear—fury ignited in them.
That pretty boy dared to look down on them?
"Arrogant bastard!"
Wu Hao snorted coldly and unleashed his Dou Qi.
"Cringe loser!"
Hu Jia copied Xiao Yuan's insult, releasing an aura slightly stronger than Wu Hao's—Six-Star Da Dou Shi level.
Xiao Yuan raised an eyebrow but remained unfazed. Frost swirled around his hands, and black icy mist spread, cooling the temperature of the entire field.
"What pure ice-element Dou Qi!"
Many sharp-eyed observers couldn't help but exclaim.
"Ice Palm!"
Xiao Yuan casually formed hand seals. Two black ice-shrouded palm prints flew toward Hu Jia and Wu Hao.
As for the other Dou Shi-level fighters, their attacks were either casually dodged or frozen into brittle shards by Xiao Yuan.
Elsewhere, Xiao Yan and Xun'er's flames burst out, drawing attention with their powerful Five-Star and Seven-Star Da Dou Shi auras.
Hu Jia and Wu Hao instantly recognized that Xiao Yuan had launched a Profound-Rank Dou Technique with such ease, and dared not slack off. They quickly countered with their own powerful skills.
The chaotic, explosive exchange triggered thunderous cheers from the stands.
Just as they were fending off his attack, Xiao Yuan vanished like a ghost, reappearing behind a peak Dou Shi student. A light tap sent the poor guy flying out of bounds—he didn't even know how he got eliminated.
"Huh?"
He blinked in confusion, dumbfounded.
"Ho! Looks like there's a master behind Xiao Yuan."
A nearby alchemy elder raised his eyebrows, intrigued. "He's freezing enemy attacks into his ideal environment, then combining clever footwork and skill to take them by surprise. That's no weaker than a typical Six-Star Da Dou Shi."
"Indeed. The way he uses Dou Qi and Dou Techniques—some Dou Wangs wouldn't be this smooth. If his Dou Qi level is lower, it's understandable, given how much effort he's poured into technique."
Hu Qian nodded thoughtfully.
As they spoke, two more participants were knocked out. The judges exchanged puzzled glances.
Hu Jia and Wu Hao had just neutralized Xiao Yuan's strike when they realized he'd already eliminated three of their teammates. Shock crossed their faces—if they had to fight Xiao Yuan one-on-one, they might lose!
They had underestimated him!
Determined not to let things slip, both charged at Xiao Yuan again.
This time, Xiao Yuan had no time to eliminate another opponent. He raised his hand and made a grabbing motion.
Whoosh—whoosh!
Ice crystals surged from the ground, frost condensed from the air, and curved ice blades formed and spun before him, creating a black ice-blade storm.
Glacial Blade Vortex!
The intense danger made both Hu Jia and Wu Hao tense.
A high-level Profound-Rank Dou Technique!
They quickly unleashed their own high-level skills, but Xiao Yuan's casting speed was far faster. He was already darting toward other targets.
"Damn it!"
Hu Jia cursed as she watched him eliminate more people with ease.
"Just how much effort has he put into Dou Techniques?!"
"Hrah!"
Wu Hao's expression hardened. His blood surged, and his heavy sword came crashing down, aura blood-red.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yuan's flickering figure left only one peak Dou Shi opponent remaining.
But—
Things were not looking good. That last opponent had taken position beside Xiao Yu—just one strike and she'd be eliminated!
The unexpected turn made many spectators leap to their feet. Even Xiao Yan and Xun'er spared a glance from their battles.
"Junior Xiao Yuan, I won't hurt Xiao Yu. Just don't knock me out, and we'll call it even," the student said, forcing a smile.
"You're threatening me?"
Xiao Yuan frowned coldly.
"Not at all—just proposing a deal. The longer I stay, the more resources I'll earn later!"
The student grinned.
"Sounds reasonable… but…"
Xiao Yuan's eyes narrowed.
"I refuse."
(END CHAPTER)
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