Chapter 87
Yan Zhen’s mood was a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.
According to the script, the girls should be worried about him. After all, his cultivation was two stars lower than Xiao Mie’s, and he hadn’t been cultivating for as long. They were supposed to express their doubts, creating a sense of tension before his inevitable victory.
Why were they so confident in him? More confident than he was in himself?
Every time he reached a crucial battle scene, he felt a knot of anxiety in his stomach. This duel, in particular, was one he could only win by a hair’s breadth. Whether he could successfully act it out was still uncertain.
“Ahem.” He cleared his throat, drawing their attention before sitting down. “There’s no need to worry about me. Xiao Mie might be strong, but I won’t lose to him.”
“We’re not worried~” Yan Meng’er chirped, her eyes wide and innocent. “You’ll definitely win, Cousin! I’ve bet all my allowance on your victory!”
“Me too, me too! We always win big whenever you have a duel, Little Brother Yan Zhen! We love you so much~”
Seriously? He couldn’t believe them. Not only were they ignoring the script’s instructions to express concern, but they were actually planning to profit from his duel! Is this really okay?
He rolled his eyes at them.
“Don’t be careless, Yan Zhen,” Instructor Yu Xuan cautioned. “Xiao Mie has been suppressing his cultivation for nearly a year. He’s mastered many powerful Mystic Techniques and has a lot of combat experience. Even an average One Star Mystic Scholar wouldn’t be a match for him… And, as you’re probably aware, he might even achieve a breakthrough to the Mystic Scholar realm during the duel. That will make things even more difficult.”
Yan Ruyu nodded in agreement. “It’s always best to be cautious when facing a strong opponent.”
Yan Zhen smiled gratefully at them. Finally, some sensible advice! He nodded, assuring them he would be careful. As he turned back, his gaze met Xiao Xinyan’s.
She quickly averted her eyes, her usual arrogance replaced by a meek demeanor. “Brother Xiao Mie is very strong,” she mumbled. “You should be careful.”
Yan Zhen simply grunted in response.
…
Arriving at the academy, he realized the hype surrounding this duel was even greater than for his previous match against Lan Ke. From morning to afternoon, students were buzzing with excitement, discussing the duel, speculating on the outcome, analyzing each fighter’s strengths, and gossiping about their romantic entanglements.
Most of the gossip, of course, revolved around Yan Zhen. After all, he lived with the four academy flowers and had publicly declared his intention to marry both Yan Meng’er and Yan Ruyu, even going so far as to duel Lan Ke over them. He was a true legend.
As classes ended, more than half the academy’s students flocked towards the dueling arena, as if anticipating a grand spectacle.
Even the Dean and Vice Dean were present, prepared to officiate the duel themselves. This demonstrated the importance they placed on this match.
Each year, the various Mystic Academies had to send a certain number of talented students to the Sacred Land Academy. Currently, the Silver Moon City Mystic Academy only had two students on the verge of graduating. Xiao Mie, with his imminent breakthrough, was a prime candidate.
Yan Zhen, too, possessed immense potential, his future achievements likely surpassing even Xiao Mie’s.
A rivalry between these two, pushing each other to greater heights, was exactly what they hoped to see.
[Ding! Key plot point commencing.]
[Current plot progress – Chapter 130: Dueling Xiao Mie, Battling for First Place.]
[Acting Requirements: Defeat Xiao Mie and claim the top spot on the Nine Star Rank.]
[Completion rate: 0%.]
[Note: You can do it, Host! Mua~]
As all eyes converged upon the arena, Yan Zhen and Xiao Mie stepped onto the platform, facing each other from a distance of about ten meters.
“Yan Zhen,” Xiao Mie said, his voice calm and steady, “are you certain you’re ready? I can wait a little longer.”
“Seventh Star Mystic One is enough.”
Xiao Mie shook his head. “A Seventh Star Mystic One can only help me achieve a breakthrough, not defeat me. You’re being too hasty, Yan Zhen.”
Yan Zhen shook his head in return. “You’re being too cautious. This isn’t a game. Playing defensively won’t guarantee you a victory… Too much of anything is never good. You need to know when to adapt and change, when to advance and when to retreat. It all depends on your judgment and luck. Stagnation will only lead to ruin. Time is a monster that will slowly strip away everything you hold dear.”
“Let’s not waste time on words.”
“Then let our fists do the talking!”
Mystic Power flared around them, their auras clashing, drawing the gazes of the spectators.
Both their auras showed signs of forming a protective barrier.
Yan Zhen’s aura flickered with the intensity of his Gold and Silver Fire, while Xiao Mie’s pulsed with the power of his imminent breakthrough!
At the Dean’s signal, they charged towards each other, fists colliding. One fist blazing with Fire Mystic Power, the other crackling with Lightning Mystic Power.
Bang! Fire and lightning exploded, and a fierce exchange of blows commenced.
They traded punches, their movements blurring, the air filled with the crackle of energy.
Yan Zhen’s fists burned, while Xiao Mie’s delivered jolts of electricity. By the end of the exchange, both their fists were stained with blood.
One felt a searing pain, the other a numbing weakness.
They separated, creating distance, but their movements didn’t cease. They used the opportunity to gather their strength.
Xiao Mie channeled his Lightning Mystic Power into his fist, forming a spiky, electrified aura resembling a hedgehog’s spines.
Earth Mystic Technique – “Lightning Thorn Fury”!
Yan Zhen, in turn, focused his Mystic Power, coordinating the joints of his arm to create a spiraling, double-layered force.
Double Burst “Eight Extremes Explosion”!
Lightning spikes clashed with a fiery vortex, the energy exploding outward.
Although Yan Zhen was only using the Double Burst, “Eight Extremes Explosion,” being a Heaven Mystic Technique, was more refined than the Earth Mystic Technique “Lightning Thorn Fury.” Its layered force could trigger multiple bursts of damage.
Unable to withstand the onslaught, Xiao Mie was sent flying backward, skidding nearly ten meters before coming to a halt.
Yan Zhen pressed his advantage, pursuing him relentlessly.
“Good!”
Xiao Mie roared, swiftly regaining his balance. Without even pausing to catch his breath, he charged towards Yan Zhen, his movements amplified by his Lightning Mystic Power, his attack heavy and powerful. His kick sent Yan Zhen stumbling backward.
Yan Zhen’s eyes narrowed. If not for his Spiritual Power, he wouldn’t have been able to react in time to block that attack.
Xiao Mie had been holding back, baiting him into attacking before launching a surprise counterattack. He was a seasoned fighter.
His arms ached from the impact, a tingling numbness spreading through them. He channeled the Gold and Silver Fire through his meridians, purging the lingering effects of the Lightning Mystic Power.
His duel with Xiao Mie would unfold in four stages.
This was merely the first stage. He was holding his own against Xiao Mie, relying on the power of his Extreme Flame and the Double Burst “Eight Extremes Explosion.”
The second stage would arrive soon. With each passing moment, Xiao Mie’s aura intensified, building towards his breakthrough. Once he achieved the Mystic Scholar realm, his attacks would become even more ferocious.
In the third stage, under immense pressure, Yan Zhen would cross the threshold into Body Tempering, unleashing the Triple Burst “Eight Extremes Explosion” repeatedly, shattering Xiao Mie’s Mystic Power barrier and forcing him to cough up blood.
The final stage would be a battle of endurance, a test of their willpower and resilience. Xiao Mie cultivated the King Rank cultivation technique “Lightning Shadowless,” while Yan Zhen practiced the Emperor Rank “Imperial Blaze Art.” Furthermore, Yan Zhen had entered the initial stage of Body Tempering, his blood and Qi radiating a faint glow, while Xiao Mie only possessed a strong physique. The outcome was inevitable.
Leave a Reply to Soul Cancel reply