The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden hue over the bustling arena as the crowds gathered for the next battle. A quiet murmur passed through the audience as they prepared to witness a highly anticipated match. The name "Yan Xingtian" had already spread like wildfire through the ranks of the Yan Clan, and his reputation as the son of Clan Leader Yan Shengtian only added to the pressure. Today, Xingtian would face off against Sheng Li, another powerful cultivator, but this match wasn't just about strength—it was a contest of will, tactics, and skill.
Yan Xingtian stood near the edge of the arena, his tall figure radiating an aura of calm confidence. As the son of the clan leader, there was an immense weight on his shoulders. But despite this, his expression remained cool, betraying no hint of nerves. His eyes flicked across the battlefield, calculating, analyzing his opponent's movements before the match had even begun. He was known for his keen mind and strategic approach, and his combat style was rooted in precision and measured power, qualities that made him a formidable opponent.
Across from him, Sheng Li stood with his fists clenched at his sides, his fiery gaze fixed on Xingtian. While the two shared a similar cultivation rank—both being 7-star Core Formation cultivators—Sheng Li's fighting style was a stark contrast to Xingtian's. Where Xingtian was calm, collected, and deliberate, Sheng Li was volatile, brimming with untamed aggression and raw power. His movements were a blur of energy, an unpredictable storm that could overwhelm an opponent if given the chance.
"Yan Xingtian, huh?" Sheng Li sneered, his lips curling into a grin. "Let's see if your strategy can match my strength."
Yan Xingtian's lips twitched into a small smile, acknowledging the challenge. He wasn't one for words; he preferred to let his actions speak for themselves.
The tension in the arena was palpable as the combatants faced off. The crowd fell into an anticipatory silence, waiting for the first move.
"Begin!" Elder Gaung's voice rang out, cutting through the tension.
In an instant, the two fighters were in motion. Sheng Li exploded forward with startling speed, his fists crackling with electricity as he charged toward Xingtian. With a roar, he unleashed his "Thunderstrike Fury," a technique that sent multiple bolts of lightning shooting from his fists. The lightning was fast, fierce, and relentless, streaking through the air toward Yan Xingtian like a violent storm.
But Yan Xingtian wasn't fazed. He calmly sidestepped the incoming bolts, his movements smooth and graceful. His eyes were fixed on Sheng Li's every move, his body flowing like water as he evaded the attacks with practiced ease. His mind was already several steps ahead.
In response, Xingtian formed a series of hand seals, summoning his own technique—"Stone Breaking Fist." With a swift, precise motion, his fist slammed into the ground, sending a shockwave through the arena. The very earth seemed to quake beneath their feet, a testament to the power behind his strike. The shockwave rippled outward, a powerful force that cracked the earth and created a momentary barrier between him and Sheng Li.
Sheng Li's eyes widened, but his reflexes were quick. With a leap, he soared into the air, narrowly avoiding the shockwave. He landed with a heavy thud, his feet digging into the ground as he prepared for his next move.
"Impressive," Sheng Li growled, cracking his knuckles. "But this isn't over yet!"
With that, he charged again, this time faster and more recklessly. His hands crackled with energy as he launched into a flurry of strikes. Every blow was designed to overwhelm Xingtian with sheer power, to force him into a corner where he would have no choice but to react.
But Yan Xingtian was a master of timing. He waited, his expression calm, and when the right moment came, he moved—his body a blur as he stepped aside just as Sheng Li's fist flew past him. In one smooth motion, he delivered a counterattack—a powerful "Rock Crushing Palm." His palm connected with Sheng Li's chest, sending him stumbling back.
Sheng Li sneered as he regained his footing. "You think that's enough?" he taunted, his voice thick with contempt. "I'll show you real power!"
With a burst of speed, Sheng Li leaped into the air, his body enveloped in a crackling sphere of lightning. He came crashing down toward Xingtian with the force of a falling star, a devastating "Thunderbolt Barrage" aimed at overwhelming him with rapid, powerful strikes.
But Yan Xingtian wasn't intimidated. With a measured step back, he activated his "Earth Shield Technique," raising a barrier of solid stone in front of him just in time to absorb the incoming barrage. The stones cracked and splintered under the onslaught, but the barrier held, protecting him from the full brunt of the attack.
"You're good, but not good enough," Yan Xingtian muttered, his eyes narrowing with focus.
The battle raged on as the two warriors exchanged brutal blows, neither willing to give an inch. Sheng Li's strikes were like a tempest—wild and fierce—while Xingtian's movements were like a chess game, every move calculated to outsmart his opponent.
The crowd watched in awe, completely captivated by the back-and-forth clash between the two fighters. Yan Shengtian, the clan leader, stood with his arms crossed, his face expressionless as he observed his son. Though there was no outward sign of emotion, there was a flicker of pride in his eyes. Yan Xingtian was living up to the expectations set by his bloodline.
"Not bad," Elder Gaung commented, his voice thoughtful as he watched the fight. "But Sheng Li's power could tip the scales if Xingtian doesn't finish this quickly."
Elder Gong, ever the optimist, chuckled. "Let them fight. This is what makes it interesting."
The battle continued, and as the two warriors clashed in the center of the arena, the outcome was still too close to call. Xingtian's tactics and precise movements were being tested against Sheng Li's unrelenting power and aggression.
Both cultivators were exhausted, but neither showed any signs of stopping. The battle was far from over, and the next move would be crucial. Would Yan Xingtian's strategy prove superior, or would Sheng Li's raw strength claim victory? Only time would tell.
The fierce battle between Yan Xingtian and Sheng Li intensified as the crowd watched in awe. The air around them crackled with energy, and each strike from Sheng Li sent shockwaves through the arena. His movements were unpredictable, like a storm constantly shifting in direction. But Yan Xingtian, calm and composed, continued to react with the precision of a seasoned warrior, his every move calculated and deliberate.
"Thunderbolt Barrage!" Sheng Li shouted, summoning a barrage of lightning bolts that shot toward Yan Xingtian. The sheer force of the strike made the ground tremble as the bolts cracked through the air with blinding speed.
Yan Xingtian's eyes narrowed as he quickly raised his hand, activating his "Earth Shield Technique" once more. A wall of jagged rocks rose from the ground, intercepting the incoming attack. The lightning collided with the stone, creating sparks and fissures as the shield held firm. The crowd gasped in awe at the intensity of the strike and the resilience of Xingtian's defense.
"Impressive," Elder Gaung murmured, his eyes focused on the match. "He's holding his ground well, but Sheng Li is relentless. This will be a test of endurance."
Elder Gong grinned from the sidelines, clearly enjoying the spectacle. "Sheng Li's power is overwhelming. He's pushing Xingtian to his limits. But I'm curious how long Xingtian can keep this up."
Yan Zi, standing among the disciples, leaned forward in anticipation. His eyes never left the battle. As the son of the clan leader, Yan Xingtian had always been in the spotlight, and Yan Zi had long admired him"Come on, Xingtian... don't let him break through."
Sheng Li grinned, his chest heaving with excitement as he saw his attack had done damage to Xingtian's shield. "You're tough, but I'll break you!" He charged forward again, faster this time, with his entire body enveloped in a crackling aura of electricity.
"Lightning Flash!" Sheng Li shouted, launching himself forward like a comet, his hands outstretched as he aimed for Xingtian's chest. The speed of the attack was astonishing, and it seemed almost impossible to dodge.
But Yan Xingtian had already anticipated this. His eyes gleamed with calm determination as he met Sheng Li's charge with a move of his own. "Stone Wall Crash!" With a swift motion, he slammed both fists into the ground, and a series of massive stone pillars erupted from the earth, shooting up like a fortress wall. The pillars collided with Sheng Li's body, halting his momentum and sending him tumbling backward.
Sheng Li gritted his teeth as he regained his balance. "Tsk... you're more annoying than I thought." But he was not ready to give up. With a growl, he formed another hand seal, summoning his "Thunderstorm Fury"—a violent technique that created a swirling vortex of lightning above him, unleashing bolts of lightning from every direction.
The crowd gasped as the storm raged over the arena. The air buzzed with raw energy, and even the elders seemed to tense up at the intensity of the attack.
"Now this is a real storm..." Elder Gaung muttered, his eyes flickering with a hint of concern. "Sheng Li is going all out. If Xingtian doesn't find an opening soon, it might be over."
Xingtian's expression remained unchanged, but a bead of sweat trickled down his forehead. The sheer force of the lightning strikes made it difficult for him to maintain his stance. Yet, he stood firm, his eyes calculating the right moment to strike back.
Yan Zi's gaze sharpened as he watched xingtian. "He's not done yet... he can still win this. I know it." The tension in his voice betrayed the anxiety he felt as the storm raged on.
Sheng Li's storm intensified, bolts of lightning crashing down one after another, each more powerful than the last. It seemed as if the heavens themselves had chosen to side with him.
But just as the storm reached its peak, Yan Xingtian's eyes flashed with clarity. "Now."
With an almost imperceptible movement, he activated his "Earthquake Fist." His fist collided with the ground with incredible force, sending a massive tremor through the arena. The shockwave shattered the stone beneath his feet, creating a ripple effect that cracked the ground and momentarily disrupted Sheng Li's attack.
Sheng Li faltered, his concentration broken. The storm above him wavered, and for a brief moment, his defense was weakened.
In that split second, Yan Xingtian lunged forward, his body moving like a serpent. With a powerful "Rock Crushing Palm," he struck Sheng Li directly in the chest, the force of the blow sending a shockwave through the air.
"No..." Sheng Li gasped, his eyes wide with disbelief, as he was thrown back, his body skidding across the ground.
The audience fell into stunned silence as the dust settled. Yan Xingtian stood over his fallen opponent, breathing heavily but with a victorious gleam in his eyes. He had won.
"Victory... to Yan Xingtian!" Elder Gaung called out, his voice filled with admiration. There was no mistaking the pride in his tone.
The disciples erupted into applause, and even the elders nodded in approval. Elder Gong chuckled, his earlier teasing replaced with genuine respect. "He did it. That was impressive. Sheng Li almost had him, but Xingtian's endurance won out in the end."
Yan Zi let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "That was close... But he did it." His voice was a mixture of relief and pride as he watched his brother's victory. There was a glimmer of admiration in his eyes. "Xingtian's the real deal... even against someone like Sheng Li."
Yan Shengtian, standing off to the side, couldn't help but let a proud smile tug at the corner of his lips. His son had lived up to the expectations of the clan, defeating Sheng Li with both skill and perseverance. Though he didn't show it openly, there was no doubt in his heart that Yan Xingtian had proven himself today.
"Well done, Xingtian," he muttered to himself, watching the young man step down from the stage with a nod of approval.