Xiao Yan's Insight, Third Round, Battle Gu Qingyang!

Back in the stands, Xiao Yan was once again showered with praise and compliments by the women.

However, he had already gotten used to it.

Xun'er Xiao Yan had already demonstrated such a formidable level of strength, Xiao Yan's admiration and affection for him only deepened.

Brother Xiao Yan will always be so incredibly talented!

Even the most outstanding talents of the Ancient Clan are no match for him!

No one in this world can compare to him.

Meanwhile, the members of the Ancient Clan were also extremely surprised after witnessing Xiao Yan easily defeat Dou Wang.

It should be noted that although they were confident in defeating ordinary Dou Wang expert during the Dou Ling battle, Xu Kun was clearly not an ordinary Dou Wang. His foundation was solid, and his Dou Technique were also quite refined. Even so, he was still defeated by Xiao Yan so easily. Among the Ancient Clan, only a few of them could rival such a prodigy.

Therefore, at this point, even Gu Yao, who had previously disliked Xiao Yan, could no longer harbor any contempt for him.

"Big brother, are you confident you can defeat Xiao Yan?"

Gu Zhen was the least optimistic of the five. Even with the strength Xiao Yan had just displayed, he was still unable to defeat him even if he used all his skills and went all out.

However, Xiao Yan clearly still has many trump cards to play. Up until now, he hasn't really taken it seriously. Considering Xiao Yan's current age, such an opponent is truly terrifying!

You must understand that although they are about to return to the Ancient Clan and will be able to enjoy the richer cultivation resources within the clan again, Xiao Yan has only relied on the resources of this remote place, the Northwest Continent, to reach this point over the years. If they meet again in the future, the gap between them will not only not narrow, but will widen significantly!

Such a genius is indeed worthy of the young lady, but... those old fogies in the clan don't care about geniuses. Unless Xiao Yan can advance to the Dou Sheng level, no matter how talented he is, he will be useless to the Ancient Clan!

"Hard to say..."

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingyang's face turned solemn.

He genuinely didn't know what other tricks Xiao Yan had up his sleeve. Although he was already Four-Star Dou Wang, and if he really used all his skills, most of the high-ranking Dou Wang elders of the Jia Nan Academy wouldn't be his match, this Xiao Yan... it just felt like his combat power was even greater than this guy's freakish cultivation talent!

The fact that even Gu Qingyang, the number one young talent of the Ancient Clan, is wary of Xiao Yan is enough to demonstrate just how formidable he is now.

Meanwhile, on the distant stands, Hu Qingqing withdrew her gaze from Xiao Yan, a hint of doubt flickering deep within her peach blossom eyes.

With his keen eyesight, it was not difficult for him to see that Xiao Yan was indeed a human being.

But her physical abilities were practically on par with Zi Yan's!

Legend has it that in ancient times, before the Dou Qi Continent was called the Dou Qi Continent, the human race did indeed have a group of powerful individuals who cultivated their physical bodies. They tempered their bodies to an indestructible level, and with a single punch, they could tear space apart, even reaching the point where their physical strength could shake the heavens and the earth.

Logically speaking, such a cultivation method should have been lost long ago, and Xiao Yan couldn't possibly have obtained it...

Come to think of it, I don't know when I'll be able to return to Demon Saint Valley...

Thinking about this made Hu Qingqing feel somewhat distressed.

About five years ago, out of curiosity, he entered the Forbidden Ground of Demon Saint Valley and, without realizing it, fell into a spatial rift.

When he woke up again, he found himself in a strange world. After some investigation, he realized that this was the Dou Qi Continent that his aunt and the others had mentioned.

He was quite familiar with the Dou Qi Continent, having heard about it many times since childhood.

Therefore, after some twists and turns, he arrived at the Jia Nan Academy, intending to investigate and see if there was any way for him to return to the Demon Saint Valley among the records of the Dou Qi Continent in the Jia Nan Academy.

But now it seems...

That's a bit difficult.

First of all, when Demon Saint Valley was sent away from the Dou Qi Continent, it was only by Demon Saint's overwhelming strength and all his might that he barely managed to do it.

With his current strength...

Forget about going back; even if he did find a way back, the Spatial Turbulence along the way would be enough to slice him into mincemeat.

There was nothing wrong when we first arrived, seemingly because of the remnants in the Forbidden Ground.

The protection of some demonic saints.

But to go back, I obviously need to have enough strength to make it possible.

Secondly, on this Dou Qi Continent, he could clearly feel that his cultivation speed had slowed down considerably. He didn't know how many more years it would take to cultivate to the Dou Sheng!

But...

Hu Qingqing's gaze turned to Xiao Yan again, her slender, fair fingers gently pressing against her brow.

Within his soul's sea of consciousness, a talisman was trembling slightly.

This guy can actually make his Life-Bound Spirit Talisman fluctuate; perhaps he's the key to helping me get home?

While everyone had their own thoughts, Xiao Yan himself also fell into deep thought.

Xu Kun's words just now reminded him.

Greatsword...

Indeed, in a sense, the Heavy Profound Ruler is a broken, blunt, heavy sword.

Logically speaking, one should be able to adopt a fighting style that emphasizes simplicity and unpretentious skill.

But!

As his physical body grew stronger, the Heavy Profound Ruler, which he once found incredibly heavy, was now much easier to control.

In other words, he could use the Heavy Profound Ruler as a sword.

Therefore, let's expand our thinking a bit.

The Misty Cloud Sect Dou Technique that Teacher Yun Yun taught me can also be performed using the Heavy Profound Ruler as a medium.

Although the Dou Technique used might become unrecognizable, the effect shouldn't be bad...

Thinking about this, Xiao Yan felt a surge of excitement.

If that's really the case, then things will get much more interesting.

No, I need to go and practice...

So, Xiao Yan stood up and instructed the women:

"I suddenly have some insights and need to practice my Dou Technique. You all stay here and watch. Let me know when the matches are over and we need to draw lots for the next round."

Upon hearing this, the women were also taken aback.

You can even gain insight from this?

This guy is just too monstrous!

"Don't worry, Brother Xiao Yan, Xun'er will keep an eye on things for you."

Xun'er didn't need to participate in the competition, so she spoke up immediately.

Upon hearing this, Han Yue, a junior student who was bored, quickly added, "Don't worry, senior, I'll let you know in advance."

"Okay, I'll be going now. Good luck in the next match!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan smiled at Xun'er and Han Yue, then glanced at Xiao Yi Xian and the others, offering a sincere word of encouragement before turning and leaving.

Xiao Yan wasn't worried that his absence from watching the girls' upcoming matches might make some of them feel that he wasn't caring enough about them.

The reasoning behind this is actually quite simple.

If Xiao Yan only has one or two girls around him, then this possibility still exists.

But if you include Zi Yan, there are now nine girls.

Feeling neglected and wanting to throw a tantrum?

Go away and play somewhere else!

What's the point of having an immature girl?

Moreover, the girls who know Xiao Yan know that he has always been like this, valuing cultivation more than his own life. If someone is unreasonable, it's actually a good thing, as one less competitor is not a bad thing for them.

Hun Li Li has a deep understanding of this.

Having lived as a working person in her past life, she understood all too well the principles that "if you don't do it, someone else will" and "if you're immature, someone else will be sensible."

But it becomes clearer that while Xiao Yan may genuinely love cultivation, a large part of the reason for this intense passion is the potential threat posed by the Soul Clan.

However, judging from recent exchanges with members of the clan, they seem more concerned with the clan's grand plan to become emperors. Most of their manpower is either collecting souls or setting up formations across the continent. As for the Xiao Clan Ancient Jade...

There's no information available at the moment.

Just like in the original novel, the Soul Clan doesn't seem to take the Xiao Family too seriously, or rather...

After being outsourced layer by layer by the clan's high-ranking officials, the Soul Hall's high-ranking officials, the Soul Hall's middle-level officials, and the Soul Hall's lower-level officials, the effort put into handling the Xiao Clan Ancient Jade matter was obviously much less, and even somewhat perfunctory.

Looking back now, if Xiao Yan hadn't gone to the Misty Cloud Sect to fulfill his Three-Year Agreement and had his identity discovered by Wu Protector, the Xiao Family wouldn't have faced any security issues for the time being.

After all, there are many people with the surname Xiao on this continent; could they all be from the Xiao Family?

This kind of situation is one where you deal with it if it happens, but you're too lazy to actively seek it out if it doesn't. In a sense, it has a bit of a "passive" feel to it.

However, to obtain firsthand information, it's clearly necessary to start with the Soul Hall...

Or perhaps we should discuss infiltrating the Soul Hall with Xiao Yan later?

And then what if we have to add a trope like the group chairman's daughter falling in love with a new employee?

Well...

Forget it, if that were the case, Xiao Yan would most likely be slapped to death by Hun Tian Di or Hun Miesheng on his first day at the company, right?

Hmm... what if it's a spoiled young lady who makes things difficult for new employees every day, even putting them in dire straits?

Would this be safer?

That doesn't seem right either... It would be best to have one overt and one covert...

Thinking of this, Hun Li Li seemed to be deep in thought, and a bewitching smile appeared on her lips.

Although the Soul Clan is not a place for humans, it would be a joyful thing to be able to see Xiao Yan often.

At least, it will make her days a little less unbearable...

Time passed slowly, and Xiao Yi Xian and the other girls who participated in the Strong Ranking Tournament all completed their matches.

However, this time, unlike yesterday, they didn't all advance.

Yao Ling's opponent is Gu Zhen.

Although Gu Zhen was the weakest of the five members of the Ancient Clan, he was still incredibly strong and had exceptional combat experience. After trying his best to defeat him, Yao Ling decisively chose to concede defeat.

The difference in combat strength is too great; she doesn't want to fight Gu Zhen to the death over a competition.

There's absolutely no need for that.

As expected, Shi Xuanxuan, Ling Yanfei, Hun Li Li, Xiao Yi Xian, and Zi Yan emerged victorious.

Although their opponents were not weak, their own strength was even greater.

Even a true Dou Wang expert) wouldn't dare touch Xiao Yi Xian's Woe Poison Body. Dealing with these students who have no experience in dealing with poison masters would be quite easy for them.

As for the others, their combat power is all at the Dou Wang level, so the outcome against opponents at the Dou Ling level is naturally a foregone conclusion.

Huo Zhi then faced off against Gu Hua. Although Gu Hua was quite strong, Huo Zhi was, after all, one of the most outstanding daughters of the Yan Clan, and naturally defeated him after a fierce battle.

On the other side, Gu Qingyang's opponent was Hu Qingqing.

The result was obvious: Gu Qingyang won easily.

Although Hu Qingqing's abilities surprised Gu Qingyang, that was all. As a prodigy of the Ancient Clan, his strength was naturally quite formidable.

Meanwhile, on the mountaintop Back Mountain the pavilion where Xun'er often stayed, Xiao Yan excitedly shared his thoughts briefly with Old Yao.

"Hmm, I understand your thinking. Although the effect should be stronger, with your current Dou Qi, it seems you can't withstand such a waste."

As a seasoned cultivator with extensive experience, Old Yao instantly discerned the flaws in Xiao Yan's idea.

In Xiao Yan's plan, he would use the Heavy Profound Ruler to unleash the Dou Technique that the Misty Cloud Sect originally used to match the longsword.

However, this means that Dou Technique like the Wind Spirit Fractal Sword, the Extreme of Fire - Annihilation, or the Extreme Wind - Meteor Kill, which condense Dou Qi into a thin sword, will require Xiao Yan to consume more Dou Qi to achieve the same effect as the sword when used on the Heavy Profound Ruler due to the ruler's enormous size.

However, this is not a waste, but a trade-off that results in a stronger attack after squandering a large amount of Dou Qi.

What was originally a condensed attack like a thin line has become a beam of light, and the range of attack will also expand accordingly, making its destructive power even more terrifying.

"That's true, but once I advance to the Dou Wang level, I'll be able to mobilize a portion of the energy of heaven and earth for combat. At that time, this shouldn't be a problem."

Xiao Yan had somewhat anticipated this. Moreover, he was quite confident in his own foundation. Whether it was his cultivation technique that surpassed most people, his Dou Qi that had been tempered by the Heavenly Flames to an extremely solid Dou Qi, or the pile of Dou Qi recovery pills he had refined in his Storage Ring, these were all the reasons why he could recklessly squander his Dou Qi.

"Hmm, you can give it a try. You have a high talent for cultivating Dou Technique, and perhaps you'll reap some unexpected rewards in the process..."

Upon hearing this, Old Yao smiled and nodded. He only needed to give Xiao Yan a general direction; the specifics of how to proceed were up to Xiao Yan.

That morning, the second round of the competition ended. Apart from Li Da, who drew a bye, Xiao Yan's side once again occupied a large portion of the remaining twelve winners. After today, the Student Union will become the most powerful force in the Inner Academy.

Han Yue promptly called Xiao Yan back from his cultivation and had him participate in the lottery.

However, this time, Xiao Yan's opponent was once again beyond everyone's expectations.

"Round 3, Match 1: Xiao Yan vs. Gu Qingyang!"

As the elders on the referee's platform finished speaking, the entire Central Plaza erupted in a frenzy!