C104 Shattering the Blade Light
The square lay in silence.
The plaza was utterly deserted.
All eyes were riveted on the arena, filled with anticipation for the upcoming match.
In the arena stood Lin Xuan, his demeanor calm as he gazed at Hu Yuanhua.
This time, his goal was not merely to defeat Hu Yuanhua.
He aimed to seize this chance to bolster his reputation and amass a substantial number of energy points.
A swift, decisive victory wouldn't suffice.
Though capable of such a feat.
The impact would be insufficient.
It might lead other disciples to suspect a sneak attack.
His strategy was to bide his time until Hu Yuanhua unleashed his full power, then effortlessly best him.
That would truly optimize his gains.
Hence, Lin Xuan held back, patiently awaiting Hu Yuanhua's move.
Across the way, Hu Yuanhua faced Lin Xuan with a grave expression, not allowing for any complacency.
Despite his confidence, Lin Xuan's formidable reputation meant he couldn't be entirely sure of victory.
Moreover, Lin Xuan was merely an ordinary Inner Sect disciple; it appeared as though he was picking on the weaker.
A loss would cost him more than 80,000 contribution points and his reputation.
He would become the subject of ridicule by all.
Thus, he simply could not lose this fight!
To put it bluntly, losing was not an option!
With these thoughts steeling his resolve, Hu Yuanhua's gaze hardened. Disregarding Lin Xuan's composure, he grasped the Green Flame Blade.
With a thunderous cry, Hu Yuanhua swung the Green Flame Blade with all his might.
"Raging Flame Burning Heaven!"
The blade's light sliced through the Void, transforming into a trail of crimson.
Intense flames enveloped him, and his stature surged, growing dozens of meters in moments.
He plummeted from the heavens, bearing down on Lin Xuan with crushing force.
The ferocious flames spread in every direction, causing the temperature within the entire Fighting Arena to soar.
Even the disciples and stewards outside the square felt parched and their hearts pounded with the intensity of the moment.
Hu Yuanhua fixed a solemn look on Lin Xuan.
He had tapped into the entirety of his strength.
It was a move that, aside from the elite disciples, no one within the Inner Sect could withstand.
His intent was to gauge Lin Xuan's mettle with this attack.
Defeating Lin Xuan with it would be the ideal outcome.
If he couldn't overcome Lin Xuan, he'd have no choice but to reveal his ace in the hole.
He simply couldn't afford to lose this fight!
Across the way, Lin Xuan remained serene.
Despite the fearsome descent of the Green Flame Blade's light, he was utterly unflustered.
Then, Lin Xuan took action.
His right hand slowly reached skyward.
In a move reminiscent of his confrontation with Lee Quan, Lin Xuan used his palm to counter the blade's light.
He hadn't activated his True Qi or martial techniques.
The Inner Sect disciples and stewards watching from outside the arena were stunned once more.
They couldn't fathom it.
Several of the Condensation Spin Stage Peak stewards present couldn't withstand this assault directly.
This was no mere punch like Lee Quan's earlier attempt.
Yet, Lin Xuan still opted to block with his palm.
Was he courting death?
Or did he believe himself invincible after besting Lee Quan?
The crowd was utterly astounded.
Some were baffled, others scoffed, and still others ridiculed Lin Xuan.
Hu Yuanhua, standing in the arena, was equally astonished.
He had witnessed Lin Xuan's previous fight and was taken aback by his physical prowess.
He knew he was no match for Lin Xuan.
But he hadn't expected Lin Xuan to maintain such composure in the face of his own strike.
A strike that could have easily finished Lee Quan.
He and Lee Quan were not even in the same league.
Yet Lin Xuan's approach remained unchanged.
Was it confidence or arrogance?
Hu Yuanhua couldn't tell.
Amidst his alarm at Lin Xuan's audacity, he saw a golden opportunity to defeat him.
Lin Xuan had foregone martial arts and True Qi, relying solely on his bodily strength.
He hadn't even begun to tap into his full capabilities.
It was the perfect moment.
If he could take down Lin Xuan now, he wouldn't have to expend further effort in the future.
And the rewards would be even greater.
After all, it was akin to instantaneously slaying a man!
The impact would be tremendous.
Without hesitation, Hu Yuanhua resolved to act.
His True Qi burst forth wildly, boosting his strength by an additional 30%.
The flames that had descended from the heavens surged in might once more. In the next instant, with all eyes fixed upon the scene, a colossal blade of fire, over a hundred feet in length, came crashing down upon Lin Xuan's pale palm. A ferocious wind, bearing a scalding heatwave, blasted outwards in every direction, causing the temperature within the Fighting Arena to spike dramatically.
Even a warrior at the peak of the Condensation Spin Stage, standing in the midst of the arena, would find this force unbearable. His vitality and True Qi threatened to ignite. Yet, curiously, there was no sound of shattering or the spatter of blood.
As the onlookers steadied themselves against the residual gusts, they turned their attention back to the center. Their eyes widened in sheer disbelief at the sight before them. What had they witnessed? Lin Xuan had, unbelievably, caught Hu Yuanhua's formidable flame blade with nothing but his hand.
The massive blade of fire hung suspended in midair, halted by a single, unblemished white palm. The intense heat swirled around, yet failed to mar the palm in the slightest. This astonishing spectacle had everyone in the arena rooted to the spot in shock.
Even Hu Yuanhua, from his vantage point in the arena, gaped in disbelief. Lin Xuan, however, maintained his cool composure. "You think such power can defeat me? You're underestimating me far too much," he said, shaking his head.
With a firm grip of his right hand, a succession of crisp cracks echoed through the air. Fractures began to spiderweb out from Lin Xuan's palm, swiftly enveloping the entire flaming blade. And then, with a thunderous boom, the once-mighty blade shattered like brittle biscuit, dispersing into countless fiery waves that scattered in all directions.
The disciples and deacons outside the arena felt their own vitality and True Qi heating up, as if they were on the verge of combustion. Shocked and terrified, they retreated yet again, only finding relief after putting another hundred meters between themselves and the stage. They looked on in even greater astonishment. Despite being beyond the confines of the Fighting Arena Square, they couldn't withstand the residual force of the flame blade. Its power was truly immense, far exceeding the limits of the ordinary Condensation Spin Stage Peak. Yet there stood Lin Xuan, at the epicenter, effortlessly crushing the flame blade light.
By comparison, Lin Xuan's power had become truly formidable.
All the disciples and deacons were utterly astounded by the extent of it.
