Watch Closely! This Palm Strike of Mine Will Be Very Cool!

That secret technique recorded a method called the Reverse-Flow Meridian.

It could not be used lightly in ordinary times. Once activated, it could forcefully raise one's Dou Qi by a significant level for a short period! Though it would leave one weakened for several days afterward, at a life-or-death moment, it was a killing move capable of turning the tide!

"For these three days, I'll properly refine this secret technique."

Xiao Chen sat cross-legged and began deducing that explosive secret technique.

For three days straight, the sound of fists tearing through the air echoed through the small courtyard without pause, day and night.

"With this secret technique to back me up, I'm at least ninety-nine percent certain of tomorrow's battle!"

He took out a Bone Tempering Pill and placed it in his mouth, slowly nourishing his meridians and conserving his energy for the battle ahead.

Meanwhile, the Jia Lie Clan had not been idle either.

The moment Guest Elder Han arrived, they began spreading word everywhere, stirring up a storm throughout the city over this arranged battle:

"I hear that consecrated elder of the Xiao Clan is merely a Dou Zhe!"

"Lord Han is a Dou Ling expert! One slap, and he'll turn that Xiao Chen into minced meat!"

"This time, the Xiao Clan is afraid they'll make fools of themselves in public!"

The news spread throughout Wutan City, and everyone was discussing it.

On the evening of the third day.

Xiao Yan came to the small courtyard, his face full of worry. "Elder Xiao, that Dou Ling expert... how about I fight in your place?"

"You?"

Xiao Chen raised an eyebrow. "You may be a Da Dou Shi, but a Dou Ling is an entire realm above you. If you go, you'll just be throwing your life away."

"But Elder Xiao, you..."

"What? You don't believe in your elder?"

Xiao Chen smiled and patted him on the head. "Go back and train properly. Tomorrow, watch how your elder handles that old bastard."

Xiao Yan hesitated, but ultimately nodded and turned to leave.

Watching his departing figure, Xiao Chen thought to himself.

This kid truly did care about him, his elder.

"That thought alone is enough."

"This battle will be the one in which the Xiao Clan truly establishes its prestige."

"Success or failure rests on this one move."

The three-day deadline arrived in the blink of an eye.

That day, a sea of people gathered before the Xiao Clan gates.

Men, women, young, and old from Wutan City had practically all come out, packing the long street before the Xiao Clan until it was impenetrable.

The Jia Lie Clan had claimed the best spots at the edge of the arena long ago. Clan Head Galle Bi himself was there, wearing an expression of certain victory.

"Today is a battle between Dou Lings! You might not get to see one even once in your lifetime!"

"Exactly! That consecrated elder of the Xiao Clan is probably in deep trouble this time!"

"Shh—don't speak too soon! That elder is someone who hides his true strength!"

"No matter how well he hides it, can he defeat a Dou Ling? The Jia Lie Clan has invited a true god this time!"

Discussion rose and fell without end, and the entire street was filled with a tense, sword-drawn atmosphere.

By late morning.

Guest Elder Han arrived as expected.

He wore fitted martial attire, and his Dou Qi surged around him, faintly condensing into a pale golden gauze-like garment that gleamed brilliantly beneath the sunlight, radiating overwhelming pressure!

That Dou Qi garment was as thin as cicada wings, yet it remained condensed without dispersing. With every step he took, the ground trembled faintly!

The crowds on both sides were forced back again and again by that invisible aura!

"So this is the pressure of a Dou Ling expert..."

"Just standing there makes it hard to breathe!"

"Is that elder of the Xiao Clan really going to fight someone like this?"

"Xiao Chen! Han has come to honor the appointment!"

He shouted loudly, his voice rolling like thunder. "Why haven't you come out to die?!"

"Come out to die?"

A calm voice came from within the Xiao Clan gates.

"Guest Elder Han, aren't you being a little too impatient?"

As the words fell, Xiao Chen emerged with his hands clasped behind his back.

He wore a gray robe and appeared utterly composed, as if the Dou Ling expert before him were no more than an ordinary passerby.

"Dou Zhe Peak..."

Guest Elder Han's gaze sharpened, then he threw back his head and laughed.

"Ha ha ha! I wondered what kind of remarkable figure the Xiao Clan's consecrated elder was. So he's just a brat at the Dou Zhe Peak!"

"The Xiao Clan truly has no one left!"

The moment those words were spoken, the surrounding crowd erupted.

"Dou Zhe Peak? Fighting a Dou Ling? Isn't that courting death?!"

"The Xiao Clan is really going to fall flat this time..."

"It's over, it's over. The Xiao Clan is going to lose so much face!"

Xiao Zhan's face turned ashen. He clenched his fists, yet he could not utter a single word.

Dou Zhe Peak against a Dou Ling—there was a full two major realms between them. How could this fight even be fought?!

Only Xiao Chen remained fearless.

"So what if I'm at the Dou Zhe Peak?"

He spoke slowly. "It's enough to deal with you."

"Arrogant!"

Guest Elder Han was so furious that he laughed instead.

"Since you seek death, I'll grant you your wish!"

As his words fell, his body shot forward!

He threw a punch, wrapped in powerful Dou Qi, tearing through the air with a deep sonic boom as it smashed viciously toward Xiao Chen's face!

Golden Dou Qi condensed around that fist into a powerful aura. Wherever it passed, visible ripples spread through the air!

"So fast!"

"That punch could probably kill a wild bull!"

The surrounding crowd cried out in alarm.

Yet Xiao Chen merely shifted slightly to the side. With a strange turn of his footwork, that terrifying punch grazed past his robe!

Guest Elder Han's pupils shrank sharply.

"How do you know such exquisite footwork?!"

"You can't take even this? Your elder knows plenty more than that!"

Xiao Chen said calmly, striking back with a palm!

The palm wind howled, carrying pale cyan Dou Qi as it blasted toward Guest Elder Han's chest like rushing thunder!

As that palm descended, the air itself seemed compressed into rippling waves!

"Wind-Splitting Palm!"

Bang—!

Guest Elder Han hastily raised his arms to block, but he felt an immense force crash over him like a mountain flood, forcibly knocking him back seven or eight steps!

His face filled with horror as he stared fixedly at Xiao Chen, his voice trembling.

"No! You can't possibly be at the Dou Zhe Peak! You're a Da Dou Shi... no! A Half-Step Dou Ling!?"

"So this old man misjudged you. I truly never expected to find a genius like you in a tiny place like this!"

"But a Half-Step Dou Ling is still not a Dou Ling. To this old man, killing you is as easy as taking something from a bag!"

Guest Elder Han flew into a rage, throwing both fists as Dou Qi poured forth like a raging storm!

At this point, though he was somewhat outmatched by Xiao Chen, being defeated and driven out of Wutan City was something he found even more unacceptable!

The next moment.

The golden Dou Qi garment around him began, under the force of his fury, to faintly solidify into actual armor!

A layer of pale golden Dou Qi Armor covered his entire body, gleaming beneath the sun and protecting him completely!

That

The armor possessed a heavy, mountain-like texture, as though it were indestructible!

"Dou Qi Armor! That old bastard is getting serious!"

"Elder Xiao Chen, dodge!"

The spectators turned pale with fright.

Yet instead of retreating, Xiao Chen advanced. His body flickered, and he slipped into Guest Elder Han's guard like a ghost!

"Watch closely! This palm strike of mine will be very cool!"

He gave a low shout and struck out with his palm!

The palm looked casual, yet it carried terrifying force that tore through the air as it slammed heavily into Guest Elder Han's chest!

Crack—!