Before this moment, Xie Yue and Yan had clashed many times.
Although their strengths were evenly matched, Xie Yue had always emerged victorious.
However, Xie Yue was well aware that Yan had never shown his full power.
He suspected it was because Yan harbored deep feelings for his sister, Hu Liena, and thus held back during their battles. It was as if Yan feared going all out might strain his relationship with Hu Liena.
But now, something had changed in Yan. He seemed to have undergone a transformation, becoming not only stronger but also more composed and mature.
Xie Yue could sense this shift. The current Yan didn't seem like someone who would intentionally hold back anymore.
This realization filled Xie Yue with anticipation. He was eager to face this new version of Yan in a true battle.
The other team members also felt the tension rising as the impending duel unfolded. They instinctively stepped back, giving Xie Yue and Yan ample space.
Just then, Hu Liena gracefully arrived at the scene.
"Nana, you're here!"
Li Kai greeted her warmly.
"Yes. What's going on?"
Hu Liena's gaze turned to the center of the training ground, where Xie Yue and Yan stood facing each other.
"Nana, the boss wants to spar with Yan," Sun Chuantao explained.
"What?!"
Hu Liena was clearly surprised. Her eyes quickly shifted to Yan.
"Nana, it was the boss's idea," Zhang Ping added hurriedly.
She understood Yan's feelings for Hu Liena and knew how important Hu Liena's opinion was to him.
To prevent any misunderstandings, Zhang Ping clarified that the duel was Xie Yue's suggestion, not a provocation from Yan.
Realizing the context, Hu Liena said no more and turned her focus to Xie Yue and Yan in the center of the field.
She, too, was curious to see how strong Yan had become.
In the middle of the training ground, Xie Yue locked eyes with Yan, his expression more focused than ever.
He knew Yan wouldn't unleash his full power to protect the secret of his external spirit bone.
But even so, Xie Yue couldn't afford to underestimate him, especially since Yan's spirit power was now half a level higher than his own.
"Yan, let's have a real battle. Same rules as always: a fifty-meter diameter boundary, step out, and you lose."
"Agreed."
Xie Yue established the rules, and Yan readily accepted.
A fifty-meter diameter wasn't a large area, ensuring the two could engage intensely and determine a winner quickly.
The tension in the training ground reached its peak.
Xie Yue and Yan were ready to begin their long-awaited duel.
The other team members held their breath, their eyes glued to the scene. Even Hu Liena, usually composed, revealed a glimmer of anticipation.
"Yan, release your spirit and spirit rings. Let's fight."
Xie Yue's voice was calm yet commanding. As he spoke, a massive crescent blade appeared behind him, along with four spirit rings: two yellow and two purple, glowing with potent energy.
Yan responded without hesitation. His spirit, Flame Lord, materialized instantly, a towering figure engulfed in flames, with the same configuration of four spirit rings: two yellow and two purple, marking his Spirit Elder level.
Xie Yue struck first. His crescent blade split into multiple flying blades that hurtled toward Yan at high speed.
This was his first spirit skill: Moon Blade Slash.
Yan remained composed. His first spirit ring lit up as he activated his skill, Hell Magma Surge.
A column of molten lava erupted from the ground beneath him, incinerating the flying blades midair.
Xie Yue smirked. He wasn't surprised that Yan neutralized his first skill. After all, they knew each other's abilities inside out.
"Fourth Spirit Skill: Moonlit Dance!"
Xie Yue's figure blurred as his speed surged. His crescent blade transformed into a streak of silver light, slicing through the air toward Yan.
"Fourth Spirit Skill: Blazing Slash!"
Yan countered swiftly, releasing a searing wave of sword energy from his palm.
The two forces collided with a deafening roar, sending both combatants staggering back.
Neither had the upper hand.
"The boss and Yan are so strong!"
The team members were awestruck, witnessing the sheer power of their leaders' fourth spirit skills for the first time.
Watching the duel, Hu Liena felt a mix of emotions.
She had never seen Yan so focused.
In her heart, her brother Xie Yue had always been invincible.
Yet Yan countered every one of Xie Yue's relentless attacks with unshakable calmness.
This left her anxious, who would claim victory in this battle?
This time, Yan decided to take the initiative.
He took a deep breath, gathering his spirit power and focus.
Without warning, a vortex of flames erupted beside Xie Yue, sweeping up dirt and debris. It solidified into hardened sand before fusing with the flames to form a blazing prison.
This was Yan's self-created skill: Fiery Sand Prison.
The swirling fire and sand formed an impenetrable barrier, trapping Xie Yue inside.
The spectators were stunned.
They couldn't imagine lasting even a minute inside such an intense prison of flames.
"Yan is incredible!"
"Yeah, just two months, and he's already surpassed our expectations."
The team's admiration for Yan grew, while Hu Liena's worry deepened.
Even as a Spirit Elder herself, she doubted she could withstand the Fiery Sand Prison for long.
"Yan, so you've finally used this move," Xie Yue's voice echoed from inside the cage, tinged with excitement.
He had long wanted to test Yan's self-created skill.
As the leader of the Spirit Hall Academy team, Xie Yue was no ordinary combatant.
Taking a deep breath, he unleashed his own self-created skill: Crescent Moon.
Merging with his crescent blade, Xie Yue's speed reached its zenith. His blade whirled like a silver crescent moon, creating arcs of light that sliced through the blazing prison.
With each strike, the cage's integrity weakened until it finally shattered with a resounding boom.
"Brother, you're amazing! You broke free from the Fiery Sand Prison!" Hu Liena exclaimed, her face lighting up with relief.
But before anyone could celebrate, Xie Yue's next words stunned the crowd.
"Yan, I've lost."
Xie Yue took a deep breath and admitted defeat.
Though he had broken free, the effort had drained him significantly. His pale face and weakened stance revealed the toll the flames had taken.
He knew that if the fight continued, his defeat was inevitable.
Meanwhile, Yan stood calm and steady, with strength still to spare.