A sky filled with shadow-legs was the main feature of the Windstorm Kick.
"The Windstorm Kick is a Yellow Rank Advanced technique. One must reach at least Level Six to cultivate it, but it will be a struggle. In order for a person to truly exert a certain level of its power, it requires at least Level Seven cultivation to support it!"
For many people, combat techniques were something that they could only watch but could never succeed. Throughout their lives, most people would be unable to break through Level Three. Except for those trashy Yellow Rank Primary skills that could be found on the streets, others required at least Level Four to perform.
Otherwise, the bloodsoul strength within one's body would fail to support the energy consumption, thus making an even bigger fool out of those low-level disciples.
At that point, Li Ye had a serious expression on his face.
"Li Gei is able to maintain his top ten ranking for many years. His reputation is completely deserved. He has cultivated his Windstorm Kick to the point where I can't just hit him directly!"
Li Ye had already observed several of Li Gei's battles in early stages.
The match with Li Xuan, was actually an unjustified defeat. When it came to strength, the two were almost equally matched. Li Gei might even edge Li Xuan out slightly. It was unfortunate that Li Xuan's Ice Crystal Fist was also a Yellow Rank Advanced technique. Its properties managed to restrain the Windstorm Kick's efficacy!
"The Windstorm Kick is known for its agility and speed. If it faces a combat technique that has the effect of slowing actions down, such as the Ice Crystal Fist, then the Windstorm Kick's success would be greatly limited."
As he thought of that, an idea popped up suddenly in Li Ye's mind.
"Ice Crystal Fist!"
He struck a punch and immediately caused the surrounding temperature to drop by several degrees. Due to the icy atmosphere, the multitude of shadow-legs seemed to be enveloped in a layer of gauze, thereby revealing Li Gei's figure.
"I won't fall for the same trick twice!"
Li Gei roared. Having been defeated by that move once before, he flew into a rage after seeing Li Ye using it against him.
"Now break!"
The disparity of their states was evident. The bloodsoul within Li Ye's body was unable to truly display the Ice Crystal Fist's might. Consequently, the faint icy vigor was shattered.
Nevertheless, he successfully avoided the danger and retreated, leaving Li Gei's strikes hitting blanks.
"Good!"
Li Hounian could not help but blurt out from the fringes of the arena. He looked at Li Ye's even more warmly.
By then, Li Huangran's eyes flickered and traces of chilliness began emanating from his body.
Finding no success, Li Gei put aside his underestimation of Li Ye. He then stared at his opponent and said, "It's surprising that you've achieved such heights even though you are only at peak Level Four. Even if you lose, it is an achievement worthy of pride!"
Upon completing the sentence, Li Gei took a deep breath and glanced at everyone. The pride in his eyes was still undiminished, but he said, " I heard about you several years ago. You were the Li clan's biggest failure in history. Looking at you now, those who said those words about you were idiots. Although your talent is not as good as mine, you put many people in the clan to shame! "
Li Ye did not know whether to cry or laugh when he heard Li Gei speak highly of him.
Li Gei was a proud young man who dared to speak his mind. Those words of his had no doubt offended many people in secret. After all, it was precisely those higher-ups in the clan that chased Li Ye out last time.
"Unfortunately, even a genius like you will eventually fall at my feet!"
Madness! Which young prodigy was not frivolous and carefree? Only those who immersed themselves in madness would accomplish the ultimate martial achievement!
"Are you sure your win over me is guaranteed?"
As a last resort, Li Ye interrupted his narcissistic words. Although Li Gei was much more pleasant than Li Xuan, Li Ye did not want to waste time there.
"Three moves are enough for me to defeat you!"
Li Gei stretched out three fingers. Self-confidence was oozing from his expression as he said, "I have to admit that you have skill, since you are able to come so far with your peak Level Four. Unfortunately, I see through your advantage. Speed is your biggest asset, and even a Level Seven cultivator may not be better than you in this respect. It's a pity that you're facing me! The Windstorm Kick that I cultivate is even faster than most ordinary Level Seven cultivators! You don't stand a chance! You may have learnt the Ice Crystal Fist, but it's unfortunate that you don't have enough bloodsoul strength to drive it! "
Many people nodded to themselves after hearing Li Gei's analysis. Even Li Huangran gave him a brief glance, apparently agreeing with him.
That was also why he called out Li Gei to battle Li Ye.
On the other hand, Li Hounian frowned and was clearly contemplating whether or not to intervene.
Having heard all that, Li Ye had to admit that his opponent was a tricky person to come up against, even among ordinary inside disciples. As Li Gei already mentioned, speed was Li Ye's advantage, so much so that it was on par with the speed of a peak Level Seven cultivator. His weaknesses were nevertheless obvious too—the low-level state prevented Li Ye from utilizing the full extent of the Ice Crystal Fist, making it even harder to restrict his opponent's Windstorm Kick.
"I made my first move already!"
Li Gei smiled coldly. The next moment, he rose into the air, creating numerous shadow-legs in mid-air. They were much more violent than before and their numbers were increasing. It looked exactly like a strong wind, and it appeared more than capable of crushing someone in an instant.
"Ice Crystal Fist!"
"It's futile!"
The faint chill was unable to stop the storm-like attacks and the technique was dispelled immediately.
However, Li Ye made full use of his vampiric agility. His entire body floated like a boat in the middle of a storm—though it looked as if it could be destroyed at any time, it was constantly moving in tandem with the waves.
"I wonder what kind of physical technique he cultivated. His speed is just outstanding. Li Gei's Windstorm Kick is known for its speed and tenacity even within Yellow Rank Advanced techniques, but he doesn't look capable of dealing with Li Ye."
Many people broke in cold sweat when they realized the possibility of the figure being wiped out by the wind at any given time.
"Hmph, you can hide for a while, but you can't hide forever! The biggest feature of the Windstorm Kick gale-like kicks, but the continuous barrage of follow-up attacks! It's like a storm that will never end, unless the caster is exhausted or the opponent is killed!"
Li Gei was also rather surprised when he saw how strong Li Ye was. It did not worry him though, because even a Level Eight heavyweight would be unable to escape his mad attack in time. What more a peak Level Four cultivator?
Sure enough, the sky-filling shadow-kicks came in droves. It directly created a violent wind that threatened to swallow Li Ye in it.
Li Ye noticed it as well and began feeling the pressure slowly.
"It's not good for me to keep dragging this on. Most of a vampire's ability is diminished in the day. Unless the night comes, I can't change that within this short amount of time!"
Li Ye was once again profoundly affected by his low state. Although he was confident that he could challenge someone beyond his level, it was quite a strain on him to face a peak Level Seven opponent that wielded Yellow Rank Advanced techniques.
"The Ice Crystal Fist doesn't do much, it seems. Well, if that's the case!"
Li Ye made a decision. Concurrent to that, his pupils slowly turned blood-red. His unusual pupils were captivating, like a quiet, blood-colored spring.
The next moment, Li Gei's movements were ten times slower. The flow of power within his body was clearly visible, including the circulation of his bloodsoul strength.
Slow though the process may seem, it actually happened within a very short period of time.
"Windstorm Kick!"
Li Ye then let out a cry, soared into the air, and immediately delivered dozens of shadow-kicks!
"How is this even possible!"
A huge uproar quickly ensued! Li Huangran was so surprised that he stood up abruptly. At the same time, a substantial amount of murderous intent flickered on his body and was biting cold!
"Windstorm Kick!"
"Windstorm Kick!"
The two shouted at almost the same time. Following that, they exchanged blows with each other using the same technique.
Unfortunately, Li Ye followed the pattern exactly. He struggled to execute it and was slightly weaker, so about a dozen of his shadow-legs were quickly dispelled. During a critical moment however, the energy within his body changed abruptly, causing an icy coldness to erupt almost immediately.
"Ice Crystal Fist!"
Such rapid transformation took Li Gei by surprise, and a direct hit was inflicted on his chest. Although Li Ye was not strong enough to execute it in haste, he sent Li Gei back with one punch.
Without waiting for Li Gei to regain his senses, a blood-colored brilliance lit up imperceptibly in Li eyes. In an instant, his spiritual essence assailed Li Gei's mind.
"Kneel!"
Attacks originating from the soul, as well as illusionary techniques deriving from the bloodpupil's essence, were the hardest to defend against. It was especially so when facing an opponent who had his guard down and had just suffered from a panicked state.
Boom! The crowd did not notice anything at all. The only thing they saw was the sudden change in Li Gei's face. It appeared as though he was struggling, with his eyes seeing a blur and his legs trembling slightly. Then, his feet weakened and his body lost its balance entirely.
Li Ye was not going to waste that rare opportunity. He leaned forward and struck a punch right in the middle of Li Gei's face, knocking him out with a single punch.
Everything turned quiet. Extremely quiet.
The crowd looked at the collapsed Li Gei lying on the arena floor. He was once a mighty inner disciple who ranked in the top ten.
They then looked at the arena, where the boy with a trace of blood in his mouth stood proudly there.
" Li Ye won!"
Many outer disciples rubbed their eyes in disbelief. The inner disciples had nasty looks—they stared at Li Ye with a touch of fear in their eyes.
"Is Third Elder satisfied with this match! Li Ye humbly asks!"
Looking up at the stands, it was obvious by then that Li Huangran had an incredibly sour face. Clearly, he was trying to hold in his anger and murderous intent. Facing Li Ye crisp and loud voice, Li Huangran—the clan's Third Elder—was silent for a moment before finally gritting his teeth and speaking.
"Li Ye! I didn't expect to overlook all this. You not only stole the Ice Crystal Fist; you even stole the Windstorm Kick! How do you think you should pay for your sins!"
Whoa! All of a sudden, everyone looked at Li Huangran in puzzlement.
Even the smile on Xiao Qing's face became cold. Such blatant twisting of the facts was unprecedented!
Despite thousands of staring eyes, Li Huangran was still adamant on condemning Li Ye for stealing techniques!
"Come over and grab him! If you resist, you'll be executed on the spot!" Li Huangran had absolutely lost his mind! He made decisions by himself in that kind of situation!
Li Ye miscalculated as well. He did not expect Li Huangran to go berserk in a mad quest to go against him! However, he heard a scream just as someone was going to apprehend him!
"I'll kill whoever that dares to lay a hand on him!"