Tianming stood calmly in the center of the arena, looking at Guihuo.
Guihuo smirked, "What? Giving up already?"
Tianming sighed, "I can't defeat you, but you can't defeat me either. Your attacks can't hurt me."
Guihuo's face darkened. Tianming was right. No matter how strong his abilities were, at most, he could ensure he didn't lose. Winning was beyond his reach.
"Enough, Guihuo. Holding your own against an elite from Yutang is something to be proud of," Bazel said loudly.
Guihuo was unwilling to relent. "Bazel, I've heard there's a powerful Boundless Stage cultivator in the Great Yu Empire who can challenge opponents above their level. Can I have a match with them? I'd like to learn."
Everyone was stunned. Many instinctively looked at Lu Yin.
Duo Lan Yushan's expression changed. He glanced at Lu Yin before turning to Bazel, "Councilor Bazel, you've traveled a long way and must be tired. My father has prepared a banquet. Please, join us."
Bazel smiled, "You're too kind, Prince Duo Lan. There's no rush. I've heard that your country's King Zishan is undefeated at the Boundless Stage. How about a sparring match with Guihuo? Guihuo wants to learn how to achieve such a feat."
Guihuo stood proudly, his eyes provocatively fixed on Lu Yin.
Taoxiang gritted her teeth, "This guy is so annoying. You shouldn't go. He can't be defeated."
Lu Yin's eyes flickered. These people were clearly out to provoke him. They had no previous interactions, so the only explanation was Wendy Yushan. News of his engagement to Wendy must have spread, and the Undying Yushan clan was causing trouble for him.
Duo Lan Yushan was about to refuse, but Lu Yin had already stepped forward.
No matter the outcome, when someone challenges you on your doorstep, you need the courage to face them. Otherwise, you would never be able to hold your head up again.
Xiuz and the others watched Lu Yin with thoughtful expressions.
Tianming whispered to him, "Avoid his attacks. Don't be reckless. His attacks are straightforward."
Lu Yin nodded and faced Guihuo. "I am King Zishan, Lu Yin. You want to learn how to become undefeated at the Boundless Stage? I can teach you, for free."
Guihuo smirked, "Great! Teach me then." As he spoke, the black flames in his hand formed a chain that floated in the air before lashing out at Lu Yin. The black flames brought not just heat but an indescribable sense of void. Lu Yin didn't dare touch them and quickly dodged. The ground split apart, sending sparks flying.
Lu Yin casually slapped out with a palm strike. The compressed air of his Split Palm shot towards Guihuo.
Guihuo didn't even bother to dodge. He raised a hand and shattered the Split Palm.
Bazel sneered. Guihuo hadn't joined the Outer Universe Youth Council based solely on his abilities. Even without his powers, Guihuo's strength was formidable. His abilities only gave him the edge to challenge stronger opponents.
Lu Yin hadn't expected Guihuo to be so powerful, easily shattering his Split Palm. When facing Tianming, Guihuo had feigned simplicity, clearly to catch Lu Yin off guard.
The black flames around him hovered, their range expanding and gradually enveloping the space. "King Zishan, is this your so-called undefeated Boundless Stage? Disappointing," Guihuo laughed.
Lu Yin remained unfazed, using only the Shifting Steps to dodge. The expanding range of Guihuo's flames slowly constricted his movement.
Many watched anxiously. If Lu Yin lost, the Great Yu Empire would become a laughingstock.
Among the elites of Yutang, Lass sneered. He didn't care about the empire's reputation as long as Lu Yin lost. The more embarrassing, the better.
Gurbakh looked at Lu Yin with a peculiar expression. "This is his strength? Can he beat you?"
"Let's keep watching," Xiuz replied calmly.
As the black flames fully enveloped the area, even covering the sky, Lu Yin's eyes narrowed. His calves tensed, and his body disappeared, reappearing in front of Guihuo, leaving an afterimage in place.
Everyone was surprised. Bazel's expression changed. Such speed was rare among Boundless Stage cultivators. No wonder he was considered undefeated. Unfortunately, Guihuo was unbeatable.
Xiuz and Gurbakh exchanged shocked glances. "Spatial Flash! Lu Yin mastered it."
Duo Lan Yushan's eyes lit up. "Such a proficient Spatial Flash."
Taoxiang clenched her fists and cheered.
Guihuo was unimpressed. "All you do is run? Look up, you have nowhere to hide." With that, the black flames in the sky crashed down like a dark cloud, covering the entire arena. Everyone backed away.
Lu Yin used Spatial Flash again, but this time he didn't evade. He faced the flames directly, cold air surging from his body, forming ice as he charged into the flames. The best way to combat fire was with ice. He used White Snow's ability for the first time. Though unfamiliar, it provided brief protection.
Guihuo couldn't see Lu Yin but Bazel and the others could. They were shocked to see ice covering Lu Yin's body, a sign of an ice ability.
Duo Lan Yushan was surprised. According to the report from Sykenmardo, Lu Yin's ability was something akin to dice. How could it be ice?
Ordinary ice couldn't withstand black flames, but it helped Lu Yin penetrate the flames, appearing above the arena. He flashed beside a large bell and kicked it, sending it crashing down on Guihuo.
Because of the flames, Guihuo couldn't see around him. He didn't care, confident Lu Yin couldn't harm him. But when the bell landed, he realized the trouble. Darkness enveloped him, not from the flames, but because he was trapped under the bell.
Guihuo was like a mouse in a cage, unable to escape.
The bell was made of special materials, capable of withstanding attacks from Peak-level cultivators. The ground was also tough to damage, becoming harder deeper down. A Boundless Stage cultivator would need three hours to break through.
Everyone was dumbfounded. This worked?
The bell echoed with Guihuo's attempts to escape, but to no avail.
Lu Yin landed on the bell, tapping it casually. "Not bad, pretty sturdy."
"Cheating! This is cheating!" a Peak-level cultivator beside Bazel shouted angrily.
Lu Yin was surprised. "Didn't you say there's no fairness in battle? How is this cheating?"
"You!" the Peak-level cultivator was furious.
Bazel raised his hand, stopping him, and looked at Lu Yin. "He's right. A battle is a battle, fairness doesn't matter. If he challenged you and lost, he lost. We, the Youth Council, don't mind losing."
Duo Lan Yushan said, "Councilor Bazel, it's just a sparring match. No need to determine a winner. Besides, Guihuo hasn't lost. He can escape in three hours at most."
Bazel replied solemnly, "Even if he escapes, with King Zishan's speed, Guihuo can't win."
"My brother can't defeat Guihuo either. How about we call it a draw?" Duo Lan Yushan suggested with a smile.
Bazel neither agreed nor refused, just stared at Lu Yin. Listening to the bell's clamor, he frowned and waved his hand. The ground of the arena exploded directly below the bell. Everyone felt a powerful gust, like a blade, revealing Bazel's strength.
Guihuo emerged from the ground, glaring at Lu Yin. "Despicable! Fight me fairly if you have the guts. Using tricks, what kind of skill is that? Is this how the Great Yu Empire fights?"
Lu Yin laughed, "Battle is about more than strength. You need brains too. I said I'd teach you for free, remember?"
Guihuo was furious, his already pale face turning whiter.
"Guihuo, come back," Bazel commanded angrily.
Guihuo gritted his teeth. "Bazel, let me fight him again."
"I said, come back," Bazel's roar was like that of a ferocious bear, shaking the arena, evaporating clouds, and destabilizing the space.
Everyone felt their scalps tingle, stunned by Bazel's power.
Lu Yin's pupils contracted. The pressure from this man far surpassed what he had felt from Sykenmardo and others.
Guihuo's expression changed drastically. He quickly complied, not daring to argue further.
Bazel calmed his anger and looked at Duo Lan Yushan. "Prince Duo Lan, apologies for the scene. Let's go. We're hungry and eager to try the Great Yu Empire's cuisine."
Duo Lan Yushan smiled and made a gesture of invitation.
Everyone watched Bazel and his group leave, finally breathing a sigh of relief. The Outer Universe Youth Council had exerted immense pressure on them. A single Boundless Stage cultivator had left the head of Yutang helpless. If not for Lu Yin turning the tide, the Great Yu Empire would have been ridiculed across the universe.
Taoxiang appeared beside Lu Yin, "Well done, friend."