First Encounter with a Strong Enemy

For the next few days, Fang Yan was fully immersed in his cultivation.

During the day, he practiced the Profound Ice Force, refining his Profound Ice True Qi to make it more condensed. At night, he circulated the Ice Soul Art to consolidate his realm and attempted to merge the internal energy from both cultivation techniques. Although progress was slow, he could clearly feel his strength steadily improving.

At the same time, he didn't neglect his martial skills. With the enhancement of the Profound Ice True Qi, his Great Desolation Prison Heaven Finger became more chilling and sharp, with stronger penetration. His spear techniques with the Ink Ice Spear, after being tempered in the battle with the Misty Giant Python, had also become more masterful.

Chu Feng was also cultivating diligently. His Blazing Sword Technique had successfully broken through to the third layer, making his sword qi more ferocious and greatly increasing its power. The two occasionally sparred together, verifying their learned skills, and both progressed very quickly.

Soon, it was time for the first-year Martial Arts Competition.

The competition was held in the school's outdoor martial arts arena. In the center of the arena was a huge alloy stage, surrounded by students and teachers. On the main platform, the principal, the dean of students, and the directors of each department were all present.

Su Wan had also come. Seeing Fang Yan and Chu Feng, she smiled and nodded, her eyes filled with anticipation.

"Fellow students, teachers, welcome to the Kyoto University of Science and Technology First-Year Martial Arts Competition!" the host's voice echoed throughout the venue via the loudspeaker. "This competition will determine the top three places. They will not only receive generous rewards but also represent our school in the upcoming National Collegiate Martial Dao League! Now, I declare the competition officially open!"

As the host announced, warm applause and cheers erupted from the crowd.

The competition adopted a single-elimination format, with opponents determined by a draw.

Fang Yan's first opponent was a burly man named Zhao Hu, whose strength was at the peak of the late Martial Master stage.

When the match began, Zhao Hu launched the first attack. He cultivated the Great Strength Vajra Palm, and with a powerful palm strike, it carried a whistling sound.

Fang Yan calmly circulated his Profound Ice True Qi and sidestepped to evade Zhao Hu's attack. At the same time, he pointed his right finger, and the finger energy of the Great Desolation Prison Heaven Finger, carrying a bone-chilling cold, struck directly at Zhao Hu's wrist.

Zhao Hu hadn't expected Fang Yan's speed to be so fast, nor his attack to be so chilling. He hurriedly retracted his palm to block, but he was still a step too slow. The finger energy grazed his wrist.

"Hiss!" Zhao Hu gasped, feeling a piercing pain in his wrist as if it had been pricked by ice needles. His entire arm felt somewhat numb.

Seizing the opportunity, Fang Yan leaped forward, Ink Ice Spear in hand, and thrust it towards Zhao Hu's chest.

Zhao Hu was greatly alarmed and wanted to dodge, but found his body couldn't keep up with his thoughts. He could only watch helplessly as the Ink Ice Spear came at him.

Just then, the referee shouted, "Stop!"

The Ink Ice Spear stopped an inch from Zhao Hu's chest, its chilling aura making Zhao Hu tremble all over.

"First match, Fang Yan wins!" the referee announced.

Applause erupted from the audience. Although his opponent wasn't strong, Fang Yan's execution was clean and swift, displaying a composure and strength far beyond his peers.

Chu Feng's match also went smoothly. Relying on the power of his Blazing Sword Technique, he easily defeated his opponent.

In the subsequent matches, Fang Yan and Chu Feng both advanced smoothly, making it into the top eight.

In the quarterfinals, Fang Yan encountered a formidable opponent – Li Hao.

Li Hao stood on the stage, looking at Fang Yan with cold eyes, a hint of disdainful smile on his lips. "I really didn't expect you to make it this far. However, your good luck ends here."

Fang Yan remained silent, merely tightening his grip on the Ink Ice Spear. He could sense that Li Hao's aura was more stable than when they were in the Scripture Repository, and his strength should have reached the peak of the early Martial Master stage, possibly even touching the threshold of the mid-stage Martial Master.

"Begin!"

As the referee gave the order, Li Hao immediately launched his attack. He cultivated the Gale Step, which was extremely fast. His figure flashed, and he appeared in front of Fang Yan, his long sword carrying sharp sword qi, thrusting directly at Fang Yan's throat.

Fang Yan's eyes sharpened. He circulated the Profound Ice Force, channeling Profound Ice True Qi into the Ink Ice Spear and blocking horizontally.

"Clang!"

The long sword collided with the Ink Ice Spear, producing a crisp sound. The immense force made Fang Yan's arm go numb, and the Ink Ice Spear almost flew out of his hand.

"Hm? Your strength has increased so much?" Li Hao was somewhat surprised but then sneered, "However, just this isn't enough!"

His figure flashed again, circling behind Fang Yan. His long sword swept horizontally, attacking Fang Yan's waist.

Fang Yan reacted extremely quickly. With a tap of his left foot on the ground, his body leaped into the air, evading Li Hao's attack. At the same time, he turned and thrust his spear, the tip pointing directly at Li Hao's back.

Li Hao seemed to have anticipated this. He lunged forward violently, evading Fang Yan's attack, and simultaneously counterattacked with a sword thrust to Fang Yan's abdomen.

The two exchanged blows, fighting fiercely. Li Hao's speed was incredible, his swordsmanship sharp, and every move was deadly. Fang Yan, relying on the defense of his Profound Ice True Qi and the reach advantage of the Ink Ice Spear, barely managed to parry Li Hao's attacks.

The audience below watched in a daze, cheering for both fighters.

Chu Feng stood below, watching Fang Yan on the stage with a tense expression. "Come on, Fang Yan!"

Su Wan also frowned. She could tell that although Fang Yan's strength had improved, he was still slightly inferior to Li Hao in experience and speed.

On the stage, Fang Yan gradually felt the pressure. Li Hao's attacks became more frequent, and his stamina and internal energy were rapidly depleting.

This can't go on, Fang Yan thought to himself. I need to find a way to counterattack.

He deliberately exposed a weakness, leaving his chest open.

A glint of joy flashed in Li Hao's eyes, thinking he had an opening. He immediately leaped up, his long sword carrying his strongest attack, thrusting towards Fang Yan's chest.

Just as the long sword was about to strike Fang Yan, Fang Yan suddenly circulated the Profound Ice Force, channeling all his Profound Ice True Qi into the Ink Ice Spear.

"Ice Dragon Roar (Profound Ice Version)!"

A massive, deep blue phantom of an ice dragon roared out from the spear tip, carrying a world-destroying aura, and slammed into Li Hao.

Li Hao's expression changed drastically. He hadn't expected Fang Yan to have such a hidden killing move. He wanted to dodge, but it was too late.

"Bang!"

The ice dragon phantom heavily struck Li Hao. Li Hao let out a pained cry, his body flying out like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily onto the arena floor, unconscious.

The referee immediately rushed over, checked Li Hao's condition, and then announced, "Quarterfinals, Fang Yan wins!"

The audience below erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers.

Fang Yan gasped for air, clenching his slightly trembling hands. That last strike had nearly depleted all the Profound Ice True Qi within him.

"Well done, Fang Yan!" Chu Feng ran over, excitedly patting his shoulder.

Fang Yan smiled, saying nothing. He knew this was only the quarterfinals; stronger opponents awaited him.

After a short rest, the semifinals began.

Fang Yan's opponent was a young woman named Lin Mengyao. She wore a pink training uniform and was quite beautiful, but her eyes were sharp. Her strength was also at the Martial Master Early-stage Peak, and she cultivated the Flowing Water Sword Technique, a style that was agile, graceful, and unpredictable.

When the match started, Lin Mengyao launched the first attack. Her swordplay was light and fluid, like flowing water, attacking Fang Yan relentlessly.

Fang Yan dared not be careless. He mustered all his focus and used the Ink Ice Spear to block each strike.

Their fighting styles were completely different: one sharp and powerful, the other agile and graceful. On the stage, spear shadows and sword shadows intertwined, captivating the audience below.

The battle raged on for a long time, both of them utterly exhausted. Yet, neither showed any intention of surrendering.

Fang Yan knew that continuing like this would be disadvantageous for him. He took a deep breath, circulated the Profound Ice Force once more, and prepared to launch a fatal blow.

Just then, Lin Mengyao suddenly changed her sword style, becoming fierce. She let out a shout, and a faint layer of water light appeared on her long sword as she thrust it towards Fang Yan's heart.

"This is the killing move of the Flowing Water Sword Technique—Raging Waves!" someone in the audience exclaimed.

Fang Yan's eyes narrowed. He could feel the extraordinary power of this strike. Instead of meeting it head-on, he flickered his body, dodging the attack. Simultaneously, he counter-attacked with his spear, thrusting towards Lin Mengyao's shoulder.

Lin Mengyao was shocked that Fang Yan could evade her killing move. With a startled gasp, she hastily retracted her sword to block.

Clang!

The Ink Ice Spear struck the sword. The immense force numbed Lin Mengyao's arm, and her sword fell to the ground.

Fang Yan seized the opportunity, stepping forward. He pointed the Ink Ice Spear at Lin Mengyao's throat and said, "You lose."

Lin Mengyao looked at Fang Yan, a flicker of unwillingness in her eyes, but she still nodded. "I lose."

The referee announced, "Semifinals, Fang Yan wins!"

Thus, Fang Yan successfully advanced to the finals. In the other semifinal match, Chu Feng also defeated his opponent with his overwhelming strength, meeting Fang Yan in the finals.

The finals were about to begin, and the entire Martial Dao arena was buzzing. Everyone eagerly anticipated this ultimate showdown.