Astonishing Talent

## Chapter 17: Exceptional Talent

Sparks flew as their gazes met.

Chen Xuan looked relaxed and carefree, as if he didn't have a worry in the world.

He gave off the impression that he didn't take Nalan Yanran seriously as an opponent at all; rather, he seemed to view her with disdain.

Nalan Yanran's eyes flashed with a murderous glint, and she secretly vowed to teach this scoundrel a lesson once the fight began.

Since they were about to duel, she could openly go all out against Chen Xuan.

While she couldn't seriously injure him, making him suffer a bit was certainly an option.

"Senior Sister Yanran, please go easy on me later," Chen Xuan said, winking at Nalan Yanran with a smug expression. "I know I'm no match for you, but I agreed to this duel just to save face."

Chen Xuan didn't believe he would lose.

After all, he was a man with a cheat code; he couldn't possibly lose to an opponent of the same rank.

"Don't worry, I'll take good care of you. I won't go easy on you," Nalan Yanran said through gritted teeth.

Her words were practically squeezed out.

Especially the words 'go easy' which she emphasized heavily.

Chen Xuan thought it was impossible for Nalan Yanran to go easy on him.

He knew that losing would definitely not be a pleasant experience.

From Nalan Yanran's eyes, Chen Xuan could see a hint of murderous intent.

"This is a spar between fellow disciples. Stop when acknowledged, no severe injuries, and no killing. If one party surrenders, the other must cease attacking, or face disciplinary action according to sect rules."

The elder supervising the duel stepped forward and addressed Chen Xuan and Nalan Yanran.

Both nodded seriously, indicating their understanding.

"Since you both understand the rules of the duel, let's begin," the supervising elder motioned for them to start.

With permission granted, Nalan Yanran wasted no time.

Her Dou Qi instantly circulated, and the aura of a one-star Dou Zhe burst forth.

Pale green Dou Qi swirled around her, emanating a sharp, imposing presence.

Without any wasted words, she launched her attack.

The sharp sword in her hand was enveloped in Dou Qi, and a pale green sword aura flickered with a cold glint, like a deadly blade.

Her graceful figure exuded a powerful aura, moving with her body as she shot forward.

Facing the attack, Chen Xuan showed no fear, maintaining his calm demeanor, even revealing a hint of nonchalance.

He gave off the impression that he didn't even consider her an opponent.

With his Dou Qi circulating, Chen Xuan unleashed his full power as a one-star Dou Zhe, holding nothing back.

Despite Nalan Yanran's fierce charge, Chen Xuan didn't dodge. Instead, he stood his ground, waiting for the attack to arrive.

Seeing that Chen Xuan had no intention of dodging, Nalan Yanran's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she attacked with her sword.

The sword's edge shimmered with sword aura, striking like a sword qi devouring the clouds.

A slight smile played on Chen Xuan's lips.

The power of his Dou Qi gathered in his fists.

Both of his arms were enveloped in Dou Qi.

The surrounding crowd watched this scene with anticipation.

Under their expectant gazes, Chen Xuan's right fist, charged with Dou Qi, met the incoming sword.

"Clang!"

Their first clash resulted in a collision of forces.

Fist met sword, but instead of the bloodbath everyone expected, there was a sound like metal clashing.

The powerful recoil made Chen Xuan stumble back two steps.

His expression, however, remained unchanged, looking incredibly relaxed.

Nalan Yanran was also largely unaffected, only taking one step back.

Her bright eyes showed surprise; she hadn't expected Chen Xuan to block that attack with his bare fist.

Since Chen Xuan seemed completely fine, it showed how strong his physique was.

"Oh?" Yun Leng's eyes widened in surprise.

Chen Xuan's performance exceeded his expectations.

"This kid's physical toughness is much stronger than ordinary people," Elder Ge's gaze fell on Chen Xuan, secretly astonished.

Everyone watching felt surprised.

To clash bare-handed against a weapon—he truly had guts.

Among opponents of the same cultivation level present, no one dared to fight like Chen Xuan.

"I underestimated him," Nalan Yanran thought, surprised that Chen Xuan had taken her attack so easily.

She had to re-evaluate her opponent.

The Dou Qi in her body circulated, and her aura shifted.

Her Dou Qi was operating in a unique way.

It was as if the Dou Qi in her body was being pulled by a strange force.

Looking at Nalan Yanran now, she exuded an added sense of lightness.

Chen Xuan knew Nalan Yanran was about to use a Combat Skill.

"Hmph!"

With a soft cry, Nalan Yanran attacked again.

Her momentum surged, and her figure flickered rapidly, rushing towards Chen Xuan.

Compared to before, her speed had more than doubled.

"Are we competing on speed?" Chen Xuan raised an eyebrow.

When it came to speed, he wasn't afraid of opponents at the same cultivation level.

He still fought bare-handed.

The two instantly clashed, their Dou Qi colliding and generating immense power.

Within the duel arena, they moved constantly, their positions shifting as they fought.

Fists and sharp blades clashed, a fierce sight.

The two fought for a while, neither gaining an advantage, perfectly matched.

Nalan Yanran felt a strong sense of dissatisfaction.

She possessed a Combat Skill that boosted her speed, yet she still couldn't defeat Chen Xuan.

She couldn't understand why Chen Xuan hadn't used any speed-enhancing Combat Skills, yet his speed was so incredible.

Moreover, Chen Xuan's Dou Qi wasn't wind-attributed.

"Senior Sister, if this is all the strength you have, then just surrender," Chen Xuan said with a smile.

"Dream on!" Nalan Yanran retorted sharply.

After clashing once more, she immediately pulled back, creating some distance.

If things continued like this, she knew it would be difficult to win.

So, she had to reveal some of her trump cards.

"Azure Edge Blade!"

With a shout, Dou Qi surged around Nalan Yanran, and the sharp blade in her hand was enveloped in a faint azure sword aura.

She continuously swung the blade, sending three streaks of azure sword aura flying towards Chen Xuan.

"Profound-tier Low-grade Combat Skill: Azure Wind Sword Art," Yun Leng muttered, his eyes narrowing, nodding inwardly.

From Nalan Yanran using this move, it was clear that her Azure Wind Sword Art had reached the minor accomplishment stage.

Everyone stared at Chen Xuan, waiting to see him embarrassed.

They all knew the power of Nalan Yanran's attack.

"The power is indeed strong, but it's still not enough," Chen Xuan scoffed inwardly.

Dou Qi surged wildly around him, and his aura became sharper, imbued with an overbearing essence.

Facing the three incoming sword auras, Chen Xuan made his move.

He enveloped his fists in Dou Qi, and a fearsome tiger head materialized.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

He swung his fists, smashing them towards the three sword auras.

The two forces collided, creating a tremendous roar.

With every punch Chen Xuan threw, the roar of a tiger echoed, as if a fierce tiger was bellowing.

The three sword auras were shattered.

Chen Xuan stood perfectly unharmed.

Nalan Yanran's expression was one of shock, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Yun Leng and Elder Ge stared with wide eyes, looking at Chen Xuan as if he were a monster.

"The second layer of Overlord Tiger's Furious Aura Fist, there's no mistake!" Elder Ge exclaimed.

As Elder Ge's words fell, a commotion broke out among the surrounding crowd.

Why were they so surprised?

It was because Chen Xuan had managed to cultivate the Overlord Tiger's Furious Aura Fist to the second level in less than three days.

Who among the Cloud Mist Sect disciples could possibly achieve that?

No wonder everyone was shocked.

"It's only the second level. That's not enough to beat me," Nalan Yanran said coldly.

Though she was surprised by Chen Xuan's cultivation talent, it didn't mean he could defeat her with just the Overlord Tiger's Furious Aura Fist.

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