179 Yan Zhen vs. Wen Canglan
In the packed Grand Dueling Arena, two figures, wreathed in different types of Mystic Power, clashed fiercely on the stage, their fists and palms a blur of motion, sparks flying.
The Wen family cultivated Crystal Mystic Power, a mutated form of Metal and Earth Mystic Power, stronger than ordinary single-attribute Mystic Power.
Logically, it should overpower Yan Zhen’s Fire Mystic Power, but Yan Zhen cultivated the Emperor Flame Technique and had refined three Extreme Flames, integrating them into his Mystic Power, making it incredibly domineering.
If not for the vast difference in their cultivation levels, Yan Zhen’s Mystic Power alone could crush Wen Canglan’s.
Even with a nine-star difference, he could still hold his own.
Yan Zhen’s fist met Wen Canglan’s palm, their Mystic Powers clashing violently, then, with a loud bang, they both leaped back.
Wen Canglan’s aura surged, and powerful Mystic Power gathered in his palm, then he struck.
“Crystallization Palm!”
Yan Zhen planted his feet firmly, his fist enveloped in eight spiraling layers of Mystic Power, and punched.
“Eight Extremities Burst!”
Boom!
The massive crystalline palm print shattered before it could reach Yan Zhen, exploding into countless shards of Crystal Mystic Power that flew towards him like living things, trying to invade his body and crystallize his meridians and Mystic Power.
Crystallization!
A smirk appeared on Wen Canglan’s lips. However, before he could fully smile, blood-red scales appeared on Yan Zhen’s skin, forming a protective layer that repelled the Crystal Mystic Power.
The Dragon Blood Scale Transformation!
Wen Canglan’s face darkened. Crystal Mystic Power, like Ice Mystic Power, grew stronger with each hit, eventually crystallizing or freezing its target.
Yan Zhen had specifically cultivated a defensive technique to counter his Crystal Mystic Power.
But the Inner Academy didn’t have such a technique. Even if it did, Vice Dean Wen Qingshan would have confiscated it, preventing it from spreading, as it would be a significant weakness for Wen family cultivators.
Where did Yan Zhen learn it? Did Grand Elder Yu Yan give it to him? Or… Zi Xunyi?
Thinking of the latter possibility, Wen Canglan felt a surge of anger, which he channeled into his Tier 5 Rigid Crystal Sword.
This sword, capable of injuring even Mystic Kings, was one of his most powerful trump cards, rarely used.
“Die!”
However, as Wen Canglan drew his sword, Yan Zhen also summoned the Extreme Tyrant Sword.
Two sword beams shot out from their blades, colliding mid-air after traveling nearly ten zhang, canceling each other out.
Then, they clashed with their swords, their rapid movements leaving trails of light in the air.
Wen Canglan realized that his Rigid Crystal Sword, incredibly hard and capable of corroding other weapons, wasn’t just ineffective against Yan Zhen’s Extreme Tyrant Sword, but was even being damaged by it, small chips appearing on the blade as gold and silver flames clung to it like a persistent disease.
The Gold and Silver Fire was extremely effective against metal and jade, countered only by wooden, ice, or sand swords, or by weapons of a higher tier, like Tier 7 Mystic Tools.
Another of his advantages neutralized.
Was this flame sword even higher tier than his Rigid Crystal Sword?
Dozens, hundreds of clashes, their powerful sword Qi leaving crisscrossing marks on the arena floor, some scorched black, others covered in a layer of crystal.
Finally, after one hundred and eight exchanges, Wen Canglan, unable to hold back any longer, unleashed his Mystic Power and used Sword Six: Army Breaker from the Nine Swords Technique.
A sword beam, powerful enough to pierce through an army, shot towards Yan Zhen. He immediately unleashed his Extreme Flames, three different colors swirling around his Extreme Tyrant Sword as he used the Grand Flame Extinguishing, Ashless Slash to block Wen Canglan’s attack, shattering his Rigid Crystal Sword.
Boom!
A wave of sword Qi and flames surged forth, engulfing Wen Canglan. However, Yan Zhen didn’t let his guard down.
As expected, when the flames and sword Qi dissipated, Wen Canglan reappeared, unharmed, his body covered in a layer of translucent crystalline armor, similar in material to his Rigid Crystal Sword.
This was Wen Canglan’s greatest trump card, the Sword Sacrifice Technique. By sacrificing his sword and merging with it, he could temporarily boost his cultivation.
And using this as a catalyst, Wen Canglan unleashed the black hole within his dantian, connecting with the power of heaven and earth.
He was advancing to the Mystic King realm!
Clad in crystalline armor, Wen Canglan hovered in mid-air, his body like a vortex, absorbing the surrounding Mystic Qi, his aura intensifying.
“Did you think this was all I had? Since you’re so eager to die, I’ll grant your wish!”
Multiple Rigid Crystal Swords materialized around him, then, as if alive, curved through the air towards Yan Zhen, a dense barrage of flying swords.
Yan Zhen charged towards Wen Canglan, dodging the incoming swords, then swung his burning greatsword.
However, Wen Canglan blocked the attack with a shield formed from hundreds of sword shadows, the layered defense dissipating the sword Qi and flames.
After several unsuccessful attempts, Yan Zhen was even grazed by the flying swords, his shoulder bleeding.
“This technique is truly troublesome!”
Yan Zhen retreated, stabbed his sword into the arena floor, then quickly formed hand seals, his bright eyes turning into dark vertical slits, a sinister aura emanating from him.
“Roar!”
Powerful sound waves, visible to the naked eye, erupted from his mouth, engulfing the hundreds of sword shadows. Cracks appeared on the hard crystal surfaces, and they shattered.
Heavenly Dragon’s Eight Tones, Second Tone!
“What?!”
Shock and panic, emotions he shouldn’t be experiencing, appeared on Wen Canglan’s face.
Another technique countering his Crystal Mystic Power, no, this was a soul skill.
The sound waves assaulted his ears, and Wen Canglan screamed, his eardrums rupturing, his head throbbing, his crystalline armor shattering and falling away.
However, he still had his newly acquired Mystic King cultivation. Seeing Yan Zhen charging towards him, sword in hand, he endured the pain, summoned a Rigid Crystal Sword shadow, and tried to block the attack.
However, an invisible tendril, crackling with lightning, shot out from Yan Zhen’s forehead, striking Wen Canglan like a whip.
Crack!
Bzzt!
“Aaaaaghhh—”
A searing pain shot through Wen Canglan’s head, followed by intense numbness, his mind reeling.
Yan Zhen’s Extreme Tyrant Sword cleaved through the sword shadow and slashed across Wen Canglan’s chest, creating a deep wound. Blood, mixed with crystal shards, sprayed out, instantly evaporating in the intense heat, the air thick with the metallic scent of blood.
Yan Zhen kicked the momentarily paralyzed Wen Canglan, sending him tumbling off the stage. As he watched him crash to the ground, a cold glint flashed in his eyes. He raised his burning greatsword, pointing it at the fallen Wen Canglan.
“How dare you, you brat!”
Vice Dean Wen Qingshan, on the platform, jumped to his feet, his Mystic Ancestor aura surging towards Yan Zhen like a tidal wave.
Grand Elder Yu Yan, beside him, opened her narrowed eyes, her own Mystic Ancestor aura intercepting his attack, preventing him from teleporting to stop Yan Zhen. “Vice Dean Qingshan, are you planning to interfere in a duel between juniors? You’re the Vice Dean!”
Wen Qingshan glared at her furiously. “That boy is trying to kill him! Stop him!”
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