Everyone's eyes eagerly shifted to the two youths facing each other on the platform. They were all extremely curious to know if, after three years, this young man, who had once again created a miracle, had also made such terrifying progress in battle techniques.
In the VIP section, Xiao Zhan frowned, his expression somewhat troubled, as he watched Xiao Ning on the platform. Although Xiao Yan's Dou Qi had exceeded his expectations, when it came to battle techniques, he had never once seen Xiao Yan visit the family's Battle Technique Hall to learn from a specialized battle technique master.
One must understand that battle techniques were unlike cultivating initial-stage Dou Qi. While low-tier Huang-rank battle techniques could still be self-taught, some mid-tier and high-tier Huang-rank battle techniques required learning from the family's specialized battle technique masters. Yet, in these past few years, Xiao Zhan had never heard any battle technique master mention Xiao Yan coming to them for lessons. Xiao Ning, on the other hand, was a frequent visitor.
As far as Xiao Zhan knew, Xiao Ning possessed the strength of an eight-stage Dou Qi practitioner and had mastered at least three mid-tier Huang-rank and one high-tier Huang-rank battle techniques. These battle techniques were enough to make him formidable among those of the same level. In this match, Xiao Yan seemed to be at a disadvantage.
"Oh, Patriarch Xiao," Ya Fei asked with a soft chuckle, her gaze fixed on the center of the platform beside Xiao Zhan, "what do you think? Can young master Xiao Yan win?"
Xiao Zhan slowly suppressed the anger in his heart and said with a faint smile, "Yan'er isn't very proficient in battle techniques, and he's only just entered the eighth stage. Facing Xiao Ning, who has been at this level for about a year, I'm afraid his chances of winning aren't very high."
"Oh, really?" Her enchanting eyes flickered slightly. Ya Fei blinked her long, slender eyelashes, her beautiful gaze briefly sweeping over the black-robed youth standing calmly and composedly in the center of the platform. Her rosy lips curved upwards, and the smile on her face held an indescribable mature charm. "I don't know why," she said, "but I trust young master Xiao Yan. I believe he will definitely achieve victory."
Xiao Zhan was startled, seemingly a little surprised by her unwavering belief. He shook his head with a smile. "Then, as Miss Ya Fei says."
……
Looking at Xiao Yan standing casually before him, Xiao Ning let out a cold laugh. His hands slowly clenched into fists, and a faint Dou Qi rapidly surged through his body, bringing with it a powerful sensation of strength.
After a brief silence, Xiao Ning stomped his foot heavily on the ground, his figure immediately shooting towards Xiao Yan. As he charged, Xiao Ning's hands slightly bent, and the slightly sharpened nails on his ten fingers glinted with a cold light.
When he was still half a meter from Xiao Yan, Xiao Ning's figure suddenly stopped. His right claw drew an arc, aiming for Xiao Yan's throat. "Mid-tier Huang-rank Battle Technique: Rending Claw Strike!"
With a calm expression, Xiao Yan watched the claw rapidly lunge towards him. He unhurriedly raised his hand, his fingers slightly bent, and a powerful thrust shot out...
Under this unannounced thrust, Xiao Ning's expression changed. His body seemed to be struck by a sledgehammer, and he retreated more than ten steps before he managed to stop himself with difficulty.
On the high platform, witnessing this scene, Xiao Zhan's expression showed a hint of surprise. Ya Fei, beside him, merely smiled calmly. She elegantly picked up the white jade teacup from the table, her rosy lips parting as she took a delicate sip.
"This little fellow truly keeps his abilities hidden..." A charming smile played on her lips as Ya Fei murmured to herself.
"You... What kind of battle technique was that?" Rubbing his slightly aching chest, Xiao Ning's expression changed slightly as he roared the question.
Xiao Yan glanced at him indifferently, then immediately looked at his own palm. This "Flame Ejection Palm" certainly had an unpleasant name, but the powerful thrust it could generate truly satisfied Xiao Yan.
Seeing Xiao Yan ignore him, Xiao Ning's face twitched slightly. Gritting his teeth, he charged at Xiao Yan again, fueled by anger.
His palm still outstretched, Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes, watching Xiao Ning get closer and closer. A cold, faint curve slowly appeared at the corner of his mouth.
His right hand opened, then suddenly clenched into a fist. A fierce suction force shot out from his palm: "Profound-tier Dou Skill: Suction Palm!"
Seeing Xiao Yan clench his fist, Xiao Ning's feet instinctively dug into the ground. But the pushing force he expected didn't come; instead, a suction force powerfully pulled him forward.
His body arced through the air, hurtling straight towards Xiao Yan.
Although his body was controlled by the suction force, when Xiao Ning saw the distance between himself and Xiao Yan getting closer and closer, he couldn't help but show a pleased expression. He let out a cold laugh as Dou Qi rapidly condensed on his fist.
"Iron Mountain Fist!" With a loud shout, Xiao Ning clenched his fist. A powerful, wind-breaking force, low and resonant, echoed in the air, heading towards Xiao Yan's shoulder. Judging by its momentum, if it landed, Xiao Yan's arm would surely be severely injured. It seemed this person had no intention of holding back from the start.
Iron Mountain Fist, a High-grade Yellow-tier Dou Skill, its power was considerable, requiring a minimum of seven Dou Qi segments to cultivate.
Narrowing his eyes to sense the sharp force, Xiao Yan slowly exhaled. The path of Dou Qi circulation within his body suddenly changed: "Profound-tier Dou Skill: Flame Ejection Palm!"
Following the internal shout, a fierce, powerful thrust erupted from Xiao Yan's palm once more.
"Bang!" The air rippled slightly as an invisible thrust fiercely shot towards Xiao Ning. The two opposing forces attacked in conjunction, instantly making his face turn pale.
"Pfft."
Of the two opposing forces, the thrust ultimately gained the upper hand. After a brief stalemate, Xiao Ning was directly thrown to the ground by that thrust. After being dragged for over ten meters, his body slowly came to a halt. At the same time, a mouthful of fresh blood was miserably spat out.
Looking at Xiao Ning lying on the ground, then glancing at the silent arena, Xiao Yan's hand slowly lowered, and he uttered a few indifferent words: "You lose..."