Sparks of fire appeared, and the fiery red spiritual energy in Liu Yang's palm suddenly surged, causing that miniature sun to double in size. The spiritual energy of the world around them seemed to be drawn toward the sparks on Liu Yang's body, making his aura even more terrifying.
Around the arena, the expressions of many disciples grew increasingly solemn. Liu Yang's current aura clearly showed he was putting all his strength into this; this attack would undoubtedly be as fierce as a thunderbolt.
He intended to defeat Mu Chen in a single strike.
Su Ling stared intently at the stage, his face filled with worry, and even Tang Qian'er beside him was tense. With Liu Yang's current strength, he wouldn't be considered weak even in the Heaven Branch.
"Let's see how you block this!"
Liu Yang sneered coldly as his figure shot forward. The fiery red spiritual energy in his hand was like the midday sun, violently dazzling.
*Whoosh!*
Liu Yang's speed was extremely fast. In an instant, he seemed to appear right in front of Mu Chen, throwing out a palm strike and lunging at him without mercy.
"Blazing Sun Palm!"
The violent spiritual energy whipped up a wild gale, blowing Mu Chen's clothes and fluttering his black hair. However, his dark eyes showed no fear whatsoever in the face of Liu Yang's ferocious attack.
"Still trying to put on a front at a time like this? You're courting death!"
Meeting Mu Chen's calm gaze made Liu Yang feel a sudden pang of unease, which only fueled his furious rage.
"Let's see if you can still keep that calm face of yours when I trample you under my feet in front of all these people!"
"You want to trample me?"
Mu Chen looked at Liu Yang, who was now close at hand. The coldness in Liu Yang's eyes was clearly visible, but Mu Chen made a movement that was as sharp and cold as a blade.
"Perhaps you aren't qualified..."
Mu Chen raised his eyes, clenching both fists. A powerful, dark spiritual energy surged violently, and a domineering black light shot from his fingertips like lightning.
A powerful fluctuation suddenly erupted.
"This kind of spiritual energy fluctuation..."
At the VIP seats, Principal Xiao, along with Teacher Mo and Teacher Xi, all showed expressions of shock.
"Mid-stage Spiritual Movement Stage?!"
A commotion broke out around the arena. This spiritual energy fluctuation had clearly reached the level of the mid-stage Spiritual Movement Stage. To think that Mu Chen's strength had actually made such a formidable breakthrough!
"This kid... really does have some ability."
On the West Branch stands, the expressions of the Heaven Branch disciples also turned solemn. A strength at the mid-stage Spiritual Movement Stage was definitely top-tier even in the Heaven Branch. To see it in a junior from the Earth Branch could not help but make them sigh in admiration. Mu Chen's qualification to enter the Spiritual Road was indeed not without merit.
Liu Mubai, however, did not show much reaction. He gazed calmly at the arena, making it impossible for others to read his emotions.
The dark spiritual energy inside Mu Chen's body poured out like a torrent, wrapping around his long arm. With an extremely powerful fluctuation of energy, he threw out a punch.
"Crumbling Fist!"
Mu Chen's arm was as straight as a spear. Within a short distance, a powerful force erupted, and the air seemed to be torn apart by the punch.
It was only a low-grade Common Rank offensive Spiritual Art, but when Mu Chen executed it, it was like a collapsing mountain and melting snow. The surging spiritual energy swept forward, violently colliding with the fierce palm wind of the now-startled Liu Yang.
*Boom!*
A violent sound of collision rang out, exploding in mid-air. The two glows of red and black clashed, sending out fierce shockwaves of air.
Every eye was fixed on the intersection of the two spiritual energies. There, flashes of red and black light alternated. The two figures separated as soon as they touched, both being pushed back several steps.
Two figures stood on opposite sides of the stage, locked in a silent stare. One had a gloomy, dark expression, while the other was as calm as still water.
Could it be... a tie?
The crowd stared at one another in disbelief. After such a fierce clash, was the victor still undecided?
While everyone was still filled with doubt, on the stage, Liu Yang's gloomy face suddenly turned pale. His body doubled over, and with a sharp cough, he spat out a mouthful of blood.
With that mouthful of blood, Liu Yang's aura instantly withered, and his deathly pale face triggered another wave of commotion throughout the crowd.
Liu Yang had lost!
With Liu Yang's face pale and Mu Chen remaining as calm as ever, the outcome of the duel was clear!
"Brother Mu won!"
"Brother Mu is amazing!"
"Haha, our East Branch has finally reclaimed the number one spot in the Earth Division!"
The East Branch stands erupted in cheers. Su Ling and his group, who had been watching the scene below in astonishment, also jumped up in excitement. Their cheers echoed across the square, completely drowning out the dead silence of the West Branch stands.
Even Liu Yang had been defeated; their West Branch had undoubtedly lost to the East Branch this time.
Mu Yuan and Xue Dong gritted their teeth in frustration, but they had to admit that Mu Chen was formidable. They had originally thought he was only at the Initial Stage of the Spiritual Movement Stage, but they didn't expect... he had already reached the Middle Stage.
Hearing the earth-shaking cheers from the East Branch, Mu Chen smiled. His tensed body gradually relaxed a bit. He looked at the extremely gloomy Liu Yang and said:
"There's no need to continue, is there?"
Liu Yang slowly raised his head, his dark eyes looking as if they wanted to tear Mu Chen to pieces. Those cheers were like knives cutting into his heart, shattering his pride. The corners of his mouth twitched, and his eyes grew even more ferocious.
Seeing Liu Yang like this, Mu Chen frowned. His year of training in the Spiritual Road allowed him to sense a faint trace of danger.
"I'll slaughter you!"
A ferocious look contorted his face. Liu Yang clenched his fist, and a red light appeared in his palm as an incredibly terrifying fluctuation of Spiritual Energy erupted violently.
On the main stage, Principal Xiao and the instructors of both branches also changed their expressions. Suddenly, Teacher Mo stood up abruptly and barked:
"Liu Yang, what do you think you're doing?!"
*Whoosh!*
However, just as Teacher Mo shouted, Mu Chen coldly lunged forward, appearing directly in front of Liu Yang. He thrust out two fingers wrapped in dark Spiritual Energy, emitting an extremely sharp wind that pointed straight at Liu Yang's vulnerable throat.
"You..."
Liu Yang did not expect Mu Chen to react so quickly. It seemed Mu Chen had no intention of defending himself; the icy killing intent in those cold eyes made his heart tighten.
This killing intent made Liu Yang realize that even if the item in his hand could kill Mu Chen, he would also lose his own life.
A life for a life!
Panicking, Liu Yang clearly lacked the courage to trade his life for Mu Chen's. He could only grit his teeth, retract his hand, and block his throat.
*Thup!*
Mu Chen's two fingers, like a sharp dagger, pierced into Liu Yang's palm, causing fresh blood to splatter. Liu Yang let out a miserable shriek, and the red light in his hand slipped out.
Mu Chen leaped forward and snatched the red light.
"Give it back to me!"
Seeing him snatch the red light, Liu Yang's face changed drastically as he screamed.
Mu Chen did not care about his fury. The moment he grabbed it, he retreated. Suddenly, a sharp rushing sound tore through the air as a powerful, oppressive wave of Spiritual Energy shot toward him like a sharp arrow.
The sudden attack made Mu Chen frown. Tapping his toes on the ground, he nimbly retreated more than ten steps, dodging the fierce onslaught, before casting an icy gaze at the figure rushing onto the stage from the outside.
"What do you think you're doing?"
The tall figure came to a halt beside Liu Yang, revealing the handsome face of Liu Mubai. With an expressionless face, he looked at Mu Chen and extended his hand.
"Hand that back."
Mu Chen sneered, looking down at the red glow in his hand. When he saw the item clearly, the corners of his lips curled up slightly.
"To think you would even bring out something like this... You truly live up to your reputation as the Young Master of the Liu Territory."