Damn It, Let's Do This!

Ye Xiao raised a hand and gently wiped the trace of blood from the corner of his mouth.

He looked down at the red on his fingers, then lifted his head.

A spark finally appeared in his once-unruffled eyes.

But what blazed in them... was excitement.

Boundless excitement.

As if, after being invincible for so long, he had finally found an opponent.

"Interesting." Ye Xiao's lips curved. "Very interesting."

Li Yao's heart skipped a beat at the look on Ye Xiao's face.

Seriously? I made him bleed, and he's excited?

Is this guy a masochist?

"We're the same age. I wasn't planning to crush you with an unfair advantage."

Ye Xiao had spoken.

Li Yao froze.

Damn, this guy's a grade-A show-off.

Who knew Ye Xiao was a show-off at the competitive level?

Li Yao cursed up a storm in his head.

But his thoughts were soon interrupted.

Ye Xiao continued, "Li Yao, do you know why I stand so far above everyone else at Imperial Capital University?"

He paused, waiting for Li Yao to ask.

Li Yao looked at him as if he were an idiot.

Ask, my ass. What's it to me if you're number one?

Ye Xiao saw that Li Yao had no intention of answering, but he showed no embarrassment.

He went on anyway. "Because the art I cultivate is also a Heaven-Rank Cultivation Technique!"

The entire arena fell silent.

"I can sense that you cultivate a Heaven-Rank Cultivation Technique too. That's why no one has been able to defeat you."

Ye Xiao stared at Li Yao.

"But unfortunately for you, I have the very thing you're relying on!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Spiritual Power throughout the Martial Arts Arena began drifting toward Ye Xiao.

In an instant, thick mist gathered around Ye Xiao—the visible form of Spiritual Power condensed to its utmost.

"My god! A Heaven-Rank Cultivation Technique! Do those really exist?"

"I always thought they were just legends. I can't believe there's actually one in this world!"

"Mom, I just witnessed history..."

A roar of discussion swept through the Martial Arts Arena.

Li Yao looked at Ye Xiao, and only one thought came to mind.

Is this guy an idiot?

Doesn't he know that possessing a treasure can get an innocent man killed?

Announce it any louder, why don't you? Trying to get yourself killed?

Li Yao looked up at the raised platform.

Sure enough, the eyes of those seated there gleamed with shifting intentions.

In several of them, greed was practically tangible.

It was obvious what they wanted.

A Heaven-Rank Cultivation Technique!

With an art like that, breaking through realms would be as easy as drinking water!

Even Shi Jian's eyes had flashed with greed the moment Ye Xiao mentioned it.

But he quickly forced it down.

Li Yao watched, cursing inwardly.

What is wrong with this guy? How could he announce something so rare and valuable in public?

Right then, Li Yao wanted to kill Ye Xiao himself.

The guy was a champion-grade moron and show-off.

Forget it. If things get bad, I'll call my dad.

Li Yao quietly weighed his options.

Ye Xiao clearly hadn't realized he had made himself a target.

He was still drawing in Spiritual Power from every direction at a frantic pace.

The mist around him grew thicker and thicker, nearly swallowing him whole.

"Li Yao, I'll give you a chance."

Ye Xiao's voice came from within the mist. "Concede now, and we can still be friends."

Li Yao laughed.

"Friends? Who do you think you are?"

"I'm Li Yao. I only win—I never lose!"

Inside the mist, Ye Xiao shook his head.

"Then don't blame me for what happens next."

The mist exploded outward as soon as he finished speaking.

A powerful aura erupted from Ye Xiao.

The entire Arena shook.

Li Yao felt an immense pressure bearing down on him.

"Damn, this guy..." Li Yao gritted his teeth. "His aura's more than twice as strong as before!"

"System, how long does the Qi-Explosion Pill have left?"

"Ding! Twelve minutes remain on the Qi-Explosion Pill. Host, please finish this fight as soon as possible."

"Fine. Then I'll show you how strong I really am!"

Li Yao took a deep breath, and the Nine-Turn Profound Art began circulating furiously within him.

His aura climbed higher and higher.

"You plan to use your Heaven-Rank Cultivation Technique against me too?"

Ye Xiao's voice rang out. "Then let's see whose Heaven-Rank Cultivation Technique is stronger!"

Li Yao wasted no words. He threw a punch.

"Heaven-Breaking Fist!"

His fist tore through the air, driving a fierce gale straight at Ye Xiao's face.

Ye Xiao answered with a punch of his own.

"Boom!"

Their fists collided with an explosive crack.

The entire Arena shook as dust billowed up.

"Holy shit, these two are monsters!"

"That's a ridiculous amount of power!"

"Are they really Ninth Rank Martial Masters?"

When the dust cleared, both men stood where they had been.

A trace of blood marked the corner of Li Yao's mouth.

Blood marked the corner of Ye Xiao's mouth too.

"You..." Surprise flashed through Ye Xiao's eyes as he looked at Li Yao. "You can still hurt me?"

Li Yao grinned.

"That's nothing. I can knock you flat!"

Ye Xiao shook his head.

"You are strong, but..."

His tone shifted.

"I haven't gone all out yet."

Li Yao's heart sank.

He hasn't gone all out?

Just how strong is this guy?

"Watch closely, Li Yao."

Ye Xiao formed seals with his hands as he spoke.

An even more overwhelming aura burst from him.

"Heaven-Rank Cultivation Technique—Myriad Forms Return to Origin!"

The Spiritual Power throughout the Martial Arts Arena surged wildly toward Ye Xiao.

His aura rose in leaps and bounds, soon surpassing the limits of a Ninth Rank Martial Master.

"That... that's the aura of a Martial Venerable!"

"Is Ye Xiao about to break through to Martial Venerable?"

"No, he's holding it back! He doesn't want to break through!"

Li Yao stared at Ye Xiao, his eyes wide.

He really was suppressing his cultivation?

He's been fighting me with only the strength of an ordinary Ninth Rank Martial Master?

Only one thought filled Li Yao's mind.

That's fucking ridiculous!

Ye Xiao finished forming the seals, took a deep breath, and looked at Li Yao.

"Li Yao, you've done well."

"But it isn't enough."

"So this next move will end it."

Ye Xiao raised his hand and struck with his palm.

The strike was impossibly fast.

Li Yao didn't even have time to react.

"Bang!"

The palm strike sent Li Yao flying, and he crashed hard onto the Arena.

"Holy shit! Li Yao went flying!"

"It's over already?"

"Ye Xiao's still Ye Xiao. He's way too strong!"

Li Yao struggled to his feet and wiped the blood from his mouth.

He looked at Ye Xiao, one thought running through his mind.

This guy really is strong.

"System, do I still have a chance to win?"

"Ding! Under the current circumstances, defeat is certain, Host."

"However, this system has found the weak point of Myriad Forms Return to Origin. You still have a chance."

At the system's answer, a fierce glint entered Li Yao's eyes.

Fuck it. I'm going all in!

If I die, so be it. If I don't, I'll live to fight another day!

Today, I'm getting rid of this damn simp reputation!

"System, where's the weak point? Quick!"

"The second joint of his left index finger. Strike it, and Myriad Forms Return to Origin will break."

Let's do this!