Seeing Xiao Ning utterly defeated in the center of the arena, the audience below the stage fell silent for a moment, then quickly burst into an uproar. The previous shock had not completely dissipated, and now a new wave of emotions slowly rose within their hearts.
All the young members of the Xiao family, Xiao Ning's peers, stared wide-eyed and agape at Xiao Ning, who lay spitting blood on the ground. As peers, they naturally understood Xiao Ning's combat prowess exceptionally well. Among the younger generation of the Xiao family, excluding Xun'er, who was a special case and didn't count, few could stand against him. Yet now, the moment he faced Xiao Yan, he was utterly thrashed. This kind of… utterly unexpected turn of events truly left everyone scrambling.
Below the stage, watching Xiao Ning's swift defeat, Xiao Yu's face showed a faint, hidden smile, though it barely masked her utter disbelief. Her small, rosy lips were slightly parted, her heart filled with immense shock.
After a long while, slowly regaining her composure, a faint blush appeared on Xiao Yu's fair face as she softly muttered, "How did this little scoundrel become so powerful? Could it be that while diligently cultivating Dou Qi, he also had the leisure to cultivate Dou Techniques?"
"Ah, Young Master Xiao Yan not only possesses powerful Dou Qi, but he also grasps Dou Techniques with such mastery, reaching the pinnacle of skill. Perhaps Patriarch Xiao must have expended considerable effort, no?" a distinguished guest remarked. Although she had mentally prepared herself, Ya Fei was still shaken by Xiao Yan's display. As her expression subtly darkened, a strange glint flashed in her captivating eyes, and she then turned to Xiao Zhan beside her, smiling calmly.
To master profound Dou Techniques, one needs both personal instruction and a certain degree of talent. It seemed Ya Fei had assumed Xiao Zhan was Xiao Yan's instructor.
Hearing this, Xiao Zhan found it rather amusing, shaking his head with a bitter smile. Not only had he never taught Xiao Yan any Dou Techniques, he also believed that even if he had, Xiao Yan wouldn't have been able to employ this kind of… bizarre Dou Technique. Based on his understanding of the family's Dou Techniques, he had seemingly never even heard of this particular kind of… Dou Technique.
If he had never seen it before, then there could only be one explanation: "The Dou Technique Xiao Yan used was not originally a Xiao family technique."
"If it's not a Xiao family Dou Technique, then where did Yan'er learn it?" A hint of doubt in his heart, Xiao Zhan turned his gaze towards the high-ranking figures of the family, only to find them looking back at him with somewhat strange expressions.
Seeing their astonished gazes, Xiao Zhan was equally taken aback. So it turned out they all thought he was the one who taught Yan'er those Dou Techniques?
Pouting helplessly, Xiao Zhan didn't bother to explain, and instead turned his gaze towards the black-clad youth standing in the arena, muttering to himself, "This kid truly has quite a few secrets."
In the arena, looking at Xiao Ning slumped on the ground, recovering from his shock, the Second Elder helplessly shook his head, his gaze complex as he looked at Xiao Yan.
The youth stood with his head slightly bowed, and on his delicate, youthful face, there was only a calm, quiet expression, without a trace of triumphant pride or arrogance.
Letting out a soft sigh, the Second Elder raised his withered arm, just as he was about to loudly declare the match over, his expression suddenly changed.
Far off, Xiao Ning, who had been slumped on the ground, suddenly shot up like a leopard feigning death. His Dou Qi, originally faint, instantly surged. He stomped his foot fiercely, his body exploding with power as Dou Qi erupted outwards in all directions from his kick.
With slightly cold eyes, he watched Xiao Yan's figure draw closer and closer. A streak of blood at the corner of Xiao Ning's mouth gave his face a ferocious look. "You little bastard, you're asking for death!"
"Xiao Ning, stop!"
The sudden turn of events stunned the Second Elder, who urgently shouted. But at this moment, rage and jealousy had completely consumed Xiao Ning's thoughts, making him deaf to everything else. Seizing the opportunity, he swallowed a "Dou Qi Amplification Pill," gritted his teeth, and charged at Xiao Yan.
"He took a Dou Qi Amplification Pill." Ya Fei, ever knowledgeable, saw Xiao Ning's sudden surge in power, her smiling face subtly changed, and she spoke in a deep voice.
"Bastard!" Hearing this, Xiao Zhan's expression grew even gloomier. He slammed his fist hard on the table in front of him. The spider on its web in a crack of the table shook violently for a moment, turning its head to stare fiercely. Xiao Zhan's expression, now grim like the Great Elder's, he declared: "Old man, if anything happens to my son, even your grandson's life won't be enough to compensate!"
With Xiao Yan's current potential, someone like Xiao Ning could never compare. If, during the competition, Xiao Ning were to gravely injure Xiao Yan beyond recovery, then even if he was the Great Elder's descendant, the clan would not easily let him off.
Stared at by Xiao Zhan like a fierce wolf, the Great Elder's withered face twitched slightly, and a bitter smile touched his lips. If Xiao Yan were the Xiao Yan of before, and thus gravely injured, then perhaps the clan would have overlooked it. But now... even if the clan were to spare the Great Elder, that brat would not be easily forgiven, even if he were to become a Dou Huang in the future.
In the arena, the Second Elder's shout had no effect. The short distance was enough for Xiao Ning to swiftly leap towards Xiao Yan. Dou Qi rapidly condensed on his fists, and he roared: "Iron Mountain Fist!"
The immense power of this Iron Mountain Fist brought forth an oppressive, crushing gust of wind.
The strong wind blew a few strands of hair from Xiao Yan's forehead, revealing his clear yet cold black pupils.
Facing Xiao Ning's powerful strike, Xiao Yan showed no intention of retreating. His right fist clenched, his body subtly tensed like a crouching lion waiting for its moment. After a moment of silence, his body shot forward powerfully like a sharp arrow.
Xiao Ning's choice at this moment was to meet Xiao Yan head-on, strength against strength. The Second Elder couldn't help but grow angry, stomping his foot. "Bastard!"
"Eight Extremes Collapse!"
A low, muffled shout softly echoed. Xiao Yan clenched his fist. The Second Elder watched with a hint of fear in his eyes as Xiao Yan fiercely met Xiao Ning's attack head-on.
"Bang!" The two fists met in mid-air, followed by a brief moment of silence. Xiao Ning's ferocious face suddenly turned pale, and blood continuously gushed from the corner of his mouth.
His face ashen, his powerful arm trembled, and his clothes seemed to flap wildly. The impact sent him reeling, and Xiao Ning's body, like a tattered leaf in a gale, was directly sent flying off the high platform under countless shocked gazes.
At this sight, the pupils of the Second Elder on the platform suddenly constricted, and he couldn't help but suck in a cold breath. Not far away, the black-clad youth's back seemed to grow even more mysterious at this moment.