An hour later, Xiao Han opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them. His injuries had completely healed.
His spiritual power had also recovered to its peak state. In fact, due to the breakthrough he had made after being pushed to the limit, his cultivation had subtly improved a bit, and he was only a step away from the Martial Master Realm Fourth Level.
"Martial Soul Origin Awakening, lasting thirty minutes, must be used at the most critical moment."
Xiao Han pondered, "A perfect enlightenment of a cultivation technique or martial skill lasts for an hour, which is relatively generous. If Long Aotian's Purgatory Demon Dragon Domain proves too troublesome, perhaps I could upgrade the 'Shadow Void Scripture' or 'A Step to the Ends of the Earth' to perfection, seeking a breakthrough in spatial manipulation."
He carefully considered all possibilities, adjusting his state of mind to a state of calm and composure, yet concealing his sharp edge.
The battle drums for the semi-finals of the Imperial Capital Academy Grand Competition have finally sounded amidst great anticipation.
The entire Central Martial Arena was packed to capacity, filled with the roar of voices. Cameras from major media outlets were already focused on the athletes' passage, and countless eyes were filled with anticipation and fervor.
"He's here! It's Long Aotian!"
Someone shouted, and the entire stadium fell silent for a moment before erupting into even more enthusiastic cheers.
A tall, slender figure slowly emerged from the contestant tunnel. The young man possessed striking features, with handsome eyes and a captivatingly wicked charm. His dark red outfit further accentuated his extraordinary aura. He was none other than Long Aotian, the top student in the Core Sequence of the Imperial Capital Academy, the undisputed strongest genius!
As soon as Long Aotian appeared, an invisible, terrifying pressure spread out.
The aura of Martial Master Realm Eighth Level Peak was released without reservation. In the distance, it seemed as if a ferocious Purgatory Demon Dragon was roaring behind him, making the air scorching and oppressive.
This aura alone was enough to make countless students with slightly weaker cultivation levels feel terrified and have difficulty breathing.
"So strong! Is this the strength of Long Aotian? His aura alone is so terrifying!"
"As expected of the owner of the SSS-level Purgatory Demon Dragon Martial Soul!"
"It seems this year's champion is definitely his!"
In the VIP section, a look of seriousness flashed in Lin Qingxia's beautiful eyes. Su Linglong clenched her jade-like hands slightly, and a rare look of worry appeared on her usually cool face.
Amidst the deafening cheers, Long Aotian stood arrogantly, basking in the worship of the crowd, his gaze haughty, as if the arena were his own personal throne.
Then, another figure emerged from the passage.
It's Xiao Han.
Compared to Long Aotian's dazzling brilliance, Xiao Han's appearance was much calmer.
He was still wearing a plain blue martial arts uniform, his expression calm and his steps steady.
However, when he stepped onto the arena and faced Long Aotian from afar, his deep eyes suddenly burst forth with an astonishing brilliance, like stars suddenly shining in the dark night, burning with an indomitable fighting spirit!
Faced with Long Aotian's almost suffocating pressure, Xiao Han stood straight as a spear, showing no sign of backing down.
"Hmph, you do have some guts." Long Aotian's lips curled into a contemptuous smile, not taking Xiao Han seriously at all.
In his view, Xiao Han was just a dark horse who had just awakened two useless Martial Souls and got here by relying on the system and fortuitous encounters.
Sensing the starkly different auras emanating from the two figures on the stage, the referee took a deep breath and announced loudly, "The first match of the semi-finals of the Imperial Capital Academy Grand Competition: Xiao Han versus Long Aotian! The match... begins!"
No sooner had he finished speaking Long Aotian moved!
Without any probing or fancy moves, the spiritual power within him erupted like a volcano, and a dark red light shot into the sky, condensing into a huge phantom of a demonic dragon above the arena, emitting a deafening roar!
SSS-level Martial Soul [Purgatory Demon Dragon], unleash its full power!
The terrifying dragon's might instantly swept across the entire arena, and the tangible mental pressure made countless spectators dizzy, and even some Martial Master Realm masters couldn't help but retreat.
At the same time, a dark red domain rapidly expanded from Long Aotian's center. Within the domain, the air distorted, flames and darkness intertwined, as if one were truly in the Nine Netherworld Purgatory. This was his [Purgatory Domain]!
Die! Purgatory Dragon Breath!
Long Aotian swung his arms, and the enormous phantom of the demonic dragon opened its massive maw, unleashing a dark red energy beam containing extreme destructive power, carrying the momentum to incinerate everything, straight towards Xiao Han!
At the same time, the flames and dark energy within the Purgatory Domain transformed into countless sharp blades, attacking from all directions and completely blocking all of Xiao Han's escape routes.
This strike was Long Aotian's killing move, enough to instantly vaporize an ordinary opponent at the seventh or eighth level of the Martial Master Realm! He wanted to crush this dark horse who dared to challenge his prestige in the most domineering way!
Faced with this overwhelming and inescapable terrifying attack, Xiao Han felt an unprecedented pressure!
The might of the Purgatory Demon Dragon eroded his spirit, the Purgatory Domain suppressed the flow of his spiritual power and the execution of his movements, and the earth-shattering dragon breath locked away all his life force!
The shadow of death loomed over him, but there was no fear in his eyes, only an intense fighting spirit ignited within him!
"Come on! Let me see what's above SSS+!"
Under the horrified gazes of Long Aotian and the entire audience, Xiao Han did not dodge or defend, but instead—exploded!
"System! Martial Soul Origin Awakening! Now!"
[Ding! Host command received! [Martial Soul Origin Awakening (Temporary)] activated!]
"Boom--"
An indescribable, terrifying power erupted from Xiao Han's body!
The illusory image of the Chaos Green Lotus Martial Soul behind him seemed to come alive at this moment. It was no longer a faint azure light, but transformed into an ancient divine tree rooted in the chaotic void, with its branches and leaves spreading into the depths of the universe!
The bluish light was no longer gentle, but carried a sharpness and vitality that seemed to have created the world; each leaf seemed to contain a world within it!
At the same time, the illusory image of the Eternal Night King Martial Soul on the other side also underwent an astonishing change! It was no longer a blurry shadow outline, but solidified into a supreme figure that seemed to have emerged from eternal darkness, draped in endless night, with eyes as deep as the starry sea, exuding a terrifying aura that controlled the shadows of all things and devoured all light!
Dual Martial Souls! Dual Transformation!
Blue and black, life and death, light and darkness—two completely different extreme forces—were perfectly fused within Xiao Han's body, yet erupted with distinct differences!
That power transcended the limits of SSS+ and surpassed the comprehension of everyone present! It did not belong to any known system in this world; it was filled with an ancient, primal, yet supreme aura!
"Buzz--"
Centered on Xiao Han, an invisible force instantly spread out!
Long Aotian's prized Purgatory Domain seemed to have encountered its natural enemy in the face of this incomprehensible power!
The twisted flames were extinguished instantly, the dense darkness dissipated rapidly, and the terrifying dragon's might crumbled like ice and snow. Even the phantom of the demonic dragon behind Long Aotian let out a painful wail and became illusory!