Swish!
Lu Yi's body abruptly vanished from where it had been standing, and the blade light sliced across the ground, leaving a deep mark. Jiang Fan didn't even glance at the mark; his footsteps shifted, and he too disappeared from sight.
Boom!!
The next moment, at one corner of the arena, both Lu Yi and Jiang Fan reappeared simultaneously, the roaring noise echoing around. Spiritual energy swirled around their bodies, almost forming faint light shields with halos circulating. Powerful aftershocks spread out from the point of their collision, turning into semi-transparent waves radiating outward.
The collision lasted for an instant, and their bodies vanished from their spots again.
The next moment, their bodies flickered continuously across the entire arena, which was now filled with blade lights and sword clouds over a dozen meters long. The deafening clash sounds erupted frequently.
In just a few moments of battle, the already scarred arena had become a complete wreck.
The intense fight drew gasps of amazement from the disciples watching around.
The combat prowess displayed by both of them was top-tier even among those at the Qi Cultivation Tenth Layer, leaving few who could match them.
After a moment of battle, their bodies reappeared on opposite sides of the arena, holding their blades and swords as they watched each other.
Lu Yi sighed inwardly. He had to admit that Senior Brother Jiang Fan's strength exceeded that of Senior Brother Bai Yulong. His White Cloud Sword Technique and White Cloud Stance had both been pushed to the Returning True state's limit, and he had even channeled a significant amount of high-quality spiritual energy through the White Cloud Qi Refining Art repeatedly without being able to suppress this senior brother.
Just then, Jiang Fan took a deep breath and slowly said, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, is this your full strength?"
Lu Yi was taken aback, then after recalling his yet unused level 7 and 8 White Cloud Sword Technique and White Cloud Skill, as well as the nearly mist-like spiritual energy and the newly mastered sword intent, he coughed and said, "It's nearly my full strength."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Fan's expression changed, "So, it's not your full strength yet?"
Jiang Fan thought he understood Lu Yi somewhat; not a single word of "nearly full strength" could be trusted—he definitely held back quite a bit!
Thinking of this, Jiang Fan hesitated briefly, took a deep breath, and said, "In that case, I will have to use my strongest move, deciding the outcome with one strike."
Lu Yi was momentarily stunned and then felt curious. With Jiang Fan's current exhibited strength, he should pose no real threat to him. The only thing that had felt slightly threatening before must have been this strongest move?
Lu Yi smiled, "Please, Senior Brother Jiang Fan."
Jiang Fan's face turned solemn. He slowly said, "This move, I haven't completely mastered it, so I can't control it perfectly. Junior Brother Lu Yi, be careful."
As he spoke, the spiritual energy around Jiang Fan began to surge, and his aura rapidly heightened.
The spectators around them heard the conversation between Jiang Fan and Lu Yi, and they were somewhat puzzled.
"Senior Brother Jiang Fan is still holding back despite showing such strong strength?"
"What trick is Senior Brother Jiang Fan holding back? I've never seen Senior Brother Jiang Fan use it before."
Below the arena, Bai Yulong watched Jiang Fan, feeling even more curious, "What on earth is this guy hiding?"
At this moment, the sound of waves rose around Jiang Fan as his spiritual energy erupted, forming a powerful wave of aura that spread in all directions, making his black hair dance constantly.
Lu Yi's pupils shrank slightly as he watched Jiang Fan intently.
Wow, his aura is quite intimidating?
In the sky, the elders with Gudu Fang slightly changed their expressions, feeling somewhat surprised.
"Is this... Surging Wave Palm?"
"This little fellow has quite the talent, to comprehend a Foundation Establishment Skill at just the Qi Cultivation Tenth Layer?"
"Interesting, I originally thought that Lu Yi would definitely win. Now it seems there's still a twist?"
The elders also showed slight variations in their expressions as they looked at Jiang Fan. Being able to grasp a Foundation Establishment Skill at the Qi Cultivation Realm, and even being able to use it required both solid basic skills and considerable comprehension ability.
Jiang Fan's performance evidently surprised them.
They glanced at the awe-inspiring Jiang Fan and then back at Lu Yi, feeling somewhat curious.
Qi Feiyu said with a smile, "I wonder if Lu Yi can withstand a Foundation Establishment Skill?"
"I think it will be difficult; his White Cloud Sword Technique and White Cloud Stance have already reached their limit. Even if his refined spiritual energy from the White Cloud Qi Refining Art improves a bit more, it's still limited. Wanting to resist a Foundation Establishment Skill is just too challenging." An elder shook his head.
The other elders nodded slightly in agreement.
Even Dugu Fang nodded slightly, "If Lu Yi doesn't have any more means, he's likely to lose."
An elder laughed, "I thought Lu Yi would take the first place this time, but Jiang Fan has hidden so much."
In the distance, Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi watched Jiang Fan's impressive aura, their expressions changing.
Lu Gaoyang frowned slightly, "Surging Wave Palm? Jiang Fan has actually mastered a Foundation Establishment Skill?"
Wang Siqi worriedly said, "Surging Wave Palm is formidable; Yi'er won't get hurt, right?"
Honestly, Lu Yi making it to second place in the competition had already far exceeded Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi's expectations. Now, they were concerned about whether the Surging Wave Palm's power would hurt Lu Yi.
Standing beside them, Li Mang laughed, "Sister-in-law, don't worry. With so many elders watching, how could they let such a talent like Nephew Lu Yi get hurt?"
Others too offered words of reassurance.
Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi thought the same and their expressions relaxed.
Below the arena, Bai Yulong, Lin Wan'er, and the others were also watching Jiang Fan's mesmerizing aura.
Bai Yulong's pupils contracted; he slowly said, "Unexpectedly, Jiang Fan hid this well? Kept such a card in hand!"
Li Yun crossed his arms and couldn't help but say, "Junior Brother Lu Yi is in danger."
Tie Man nodded slightly, "A Foundation Establishment Skill, Junior Brother Lu Yi likely can't withstand it, right?"
"Hmph! I believe Junior Brother Lu Yi can definitely withstand it!" Lin Wan'er snorted coldly, glancing at Bai Yulong and the other two.
The three were speechless; was this woman only looking at Lu Yi's handsome face? Handsomeness doesn't equate to strength.
The three didn't want to speak further.
Just then, Jiang Fan stepped forward and shouted, "Junior Brother Lu Yi, watch out!"
His right hand formed a palm, and he struck toward Lu Yi. A massive blue ripple appeared, and a palm imprint, about two meters in radius, charged rapidly toward Lu Yi.
Where the palm imprint passed, the ground of the arena cracked inch by inch, and the surrounding air seemed filled with water spiritual energy, sealing off space and giving Lu Yi no chance to dodge.
Facing this powerful palm imprint, Lu Yi's expression remained calm, with a sliver of sword light flashing in his eyes.
The next moment, an incredibly sharp sword intent soared to the sky, and clusters of sword clouds rose up from Lu Yi's long sword.