After the day's truce, the atmosphere in the tournament square was even more heated than before. In the fight between the top sixteen, every match determined who had a chance to advance, and promised a more brutal contest.
Xiao Yan and Li Hao's match had been scheduled for the second arena. As the focus of this round, it drew everyone's attention.
On the raised platform, Li Kuangshi, patriarch of the Li Clan, sat upright, his sharp gaze fixed on the arena and a trace of cold arrogance on his face. In his eyes, Li Hao was a genius the Li Clan saw only once in a century. He had reached Peak Advanced Origin King and was only one step away from Peak Origin King. Dealing with Xiao Yan, an Intermediate Origin King, would be more than easy enough.
"Brother Kuangshi, it seems your son is determined to win this time," Wang Zhan, patriarch of the Wang Clan, said with a smile beside him, a hint of provocation in his voice. "But Xiao Yan does have some ability. You should keep a close eye on him, Brother Kuangshi."
Li Kuangshi snorted coldly. "He's just some wild brat of unknown origins, yet he dares compete with my son? Today is the day he dies!"
Wang Zhan smiled and said no more, but thought to himself, It would be best if both sides were badly hurt, so my son Wang Hao could reap the fisherman's benefit.
In the square, Xiao Yan and Li Hao leaped onto the arena at the same time.
Li Hao was tall and wore a close-fitting black outfit. His face was stern, and a fierce presence radiated from his body. He unleashed the full might of a Peak Advanced Origin King, bearing down on Xiao Yan.
"Xiao Yan, we finally meet after all." Li Hao's voice was as cold as a midwinter wind. "You injured my third brother and drove back my clan's grand elder. Today, I'll settle that debt with you properly!"
Xiao Yan remained calm and looked Li Hao straight in the eye. "I was just about to see for myself whether the Li Clan's eldest young master's abilities are as formidable as you claim."
"Sharp-tongued brat!" A vicious glint flashed in Li Hao's eyes. "Don't worry, I won't let you die too easily. I'll cripple your cultivation and break your arms and legs, then make you beg for a living in Tianbei City to wash away the disgrace you brought upon the Li Clan!"
His words were so bloody and cruel that many spectators below the arena frowned.
"What a lot of nonsense," Xiao Yan said mildly. "If you want to fight, hurry up. I don't have time to play along with your act here."
"You're courting death!" Xiao Yan's attitude thoroughly enraged Li Hao. Origin Qi surged wildly through his body, and even the air around him seemed to freeze as an icy killing intent spread out.
"Li Clan secret art-Frigid Ice Palm!"
With a low shout, Li Hao thrust out both palms. Dense white Origin Qi gathered in their centers and instantly transformed into two enormous clouds of icy mist, which swept toward Xiao Yan with bone-piercing cold. A thick layer of solid ice formed on the ground in their wake.
The Frigid Ice Palm was one of the secret arts that had made the Li Clan famous. Cultivated to its utmost, it could freeze all things, and its power was terrifying. It was thanks to this tyrannical Frigid Ice Palm that Li Hao, with his cultivation at Peak Advanced Origin King, could defeat Peak Origin King experts.
The spectators below cried out in alarm. Even a Peak Origin King expert would have to retreat before the force of that palm strike.
"Xiao Yan's in danger!" Master Liu said, unable to hide his concern.
Li Xuantong also clenched his fists. Although he knew Xiao Yan possessed extraordinary strength, Li Hao's Frigid Ice Palm was truly too overpowering.
Faced with Li Hao's strike, which seemed certain to land, Xiao Yan's gaze remained calm. He could sense that the Frigid Ice Palm was not only immensely powerful, but also carried a strange chill. If it struck him, even his Origin Qi would freeze.
But to him, that was nothing.
"Heavenly Flames aren't just for show."
With a low shout, Xiao Yan unleashed the Green Lotus Core Flame and the Fallen Heart Flame within him at the same time. The two Heavenly Flames intertwined, forming a huge barrier of fire in front of him. Flames churned, and the scorching heat they radiated instantly drove away the surrounding chill.
Boom!
The Frigid Ice Palm collided with the flame barrier, producing an earth-shaking crash. White icy mist and red flames intertwined and annihilated each other wildly. For a moment, neither could gain the upper hand. Half the arena was frozen and the other half ablaze, creating a bizarre and spectacular sight.
"How is that possible?!" Li Hao's expression changed drastically, his eyes full of disbelief. His Frigid Ice Palm was so overpowering that even a Peak Origin King expert had to give everything to block it. He had never expected Xiao Yan's flames to stop it so easily!
The spectators below were stunned as well. Xiao Yan's flames could actually contend with Li Hao's Frigid Ice Palm?
On the raised platform, Li Kuangshi's expression grew grave. He stared at Xiao Yan in the arena, a trace of unease rising in his heart for the first time.
"You thought you could defeat me with just that?" Xiao Yan's voice came from behind the flame barrier, carrying a hint of mockery.
Before his words had faded, Xiao Yan moved. He shot through the flame barrier like an arrow loosed from a bow, a longsword formed from Heavenly Flames appearing in his hand at some unknown point. Flames churned along the blade as he thrust it straight at Li Hao's chest, with enough force to burn mountains and boil seas.
Li Hao was horrified and hurriedly brought his palms back to defend himself. Dense white Origin Qi gathered into a thick ice shield in front of him.
Sizzle!
The flaming longsword struck the ice shield with a piercing sound. The seemingly indestructible shield melted and was pierced through in an instant, as though it were made of paper before the flaming sword!
Li Hao's pupils shrank. Frightened out of his wits, he hurriedly twisted aside.
Pfft!
Though the flaming sword failed to pierce his chest, it left a deep wound in his shoulder. Scorching flames instantly invaded his body, burning his Origin Qi and meridians.
"Aah-!" Li Hao let out an agonized scream and staggered back several steps. His face was as pale as paper, and his gaze was full of fear and disbelief as he looked at Xiao Yan.
He could not understand how the Frigid Ice Palm, his pride and joy, had been so completely countered by his opponent's flames!
"So this is the Li Clan's eldest young master's strength?" Xiao Yan stood with his sword in hand, looking coldly at Li Hao. "How disappointing."
"I'll kill you!" Xiao Yan's mockery thoroughly enraged Li Hao. Paying no heed to his injuries, he let a hint of madness flash in his eyes as the Origin Qi in his body began to surge out of control.
"This is bad, he's going to burn his Origin Qi!" Li Xuantong's face changed drastically.
Burning Origin Qi could increase one's strength for a short time, but the price was enormous. The slightest mistake could damage one's foundation or even ruin one's cultivation entirely. To defeat Xiao Yan, Li Hao was willing to pay such a price!
On the raised platform, Li Kuangshi also stood up, his face livid, but he did not stop him. In his eyes, the clan's honor was far more important than Li Hao's future.
White flames rose from Li Hao's body, the power produced by his burning Origin Qi. His presence surged instantly to Peak Origin King, and there were even faint signs of a breakthrough.
"Xiao Yan, even if I have to burn my Origin Qi, I'll kill you!" Like a madman, Li Hao charged at Xiao Yan again, the icy mist over his palms growing denser. This time, both his speed and power far exceeded what they had been before.
Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened, and he did not dare be careless. After burning his Origin Qi, Li Hao's strength had indeed increased considerably. Even Xiao Yan had to give his all.
"Heavenly Flames Eternal Ruler!"
With a low shout, Xiao Yan condensed the two Heavenly Flames into a huge flaming ruler. Intricate flame runes were inscribed along its length, and it radiated a terrifying presence that made hearts tremble.
Gripping the flaming ruler, he met Li Hao's Frigid Ice Palm and smashed it down with all his might!
Boom-!
This collision was even more violent than the last. The white icy mist and red flames formed a stark contrast as a terrifying shockwave spread in all directions. The entire arena shook violently, as though it might collapse at any moment.
The spectators below backed away, their faces filled with shock and horror.
"Come on, Xiao Yan!"
"Li Hao will win!"
The supporters' cries rose and fell, bringing the atmosphere to a fever pitch.
On the raised platform, Zhou Xiaotian frowned slightly and watched the arena intently, ready to intervene at any moment to prevent casualties.
In the arena, Xiao Yan and Li Hao's figures repeatedly collided and crossed paths within the storm of power. Every collision carried enough force to destroy heaven and earth.
With the power gained from burning his Origin Qi, Li Hao fought Xiao Yan to a standstill for a time and even seemed to gain a slight advantage. But his face grew paler and his breathing more erratic. Clearly, burning Origin Qi was taking a heavy toll on him.
Though Xiao Yan had also expended a great deal, his Origin Qi was purer, and with the support of two Heavenly Flames, he had plenty of strength in reserve. He calmly exchanged blows with Li Hao, searching constantly for an opening.
At last, after a fierce collision, Li Hao's movements slowed slightly.
Now!
A fierce glint flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. Seizing the fleeting opportunity, he closed in on Li Hao like a ghost and swept his flaming ruler out, avoiding Li Hao's palms and smashing it heavily into his chest.
Crack!
A sharp crack of breaking bone rang out, accompanied by Li Hao's piercing scream of agony. His body flew backward like a kite with its string cut, slammed heavily into the edge of the arena, and slid to the ground, his fate unknown.
The clothes over his chest had been charred black by the flames, revealing his caved-in chest. Clearly, all his ribs had been broken. The Origin Qi burning in his body also scattered completely from the blow, and his presence instantly weakened until he was little stronger than an ordinary person.
The entire venue fell deathly silent once more.
Everyone stared dumbfounded at Xiao Yan in the arena, their faces filled with astonishment.
Li Hao had burned his Origin Qi and reached Peak Origin King, yet he had still lost to Xiao Yan?
Just how strong was this Xiao Yan?
On the raised platform, Li Kuangshi's face was deathly pale, and his body trembled slightly. His eyes were full of disbelief and anger, but there was nothing he could do. With everyone watching, no matter how angry he was, he could not attack Xiao Yan.
A trace of surprise flashed in Wang Zhan's eyes before he regained his composure. He thought to himself, The stronger Xiao Yan is, the better. He can keep Wang Hao in check.
A look of appreciation flashed in Zhou Xiaotian's eyes, and he nodded slightly, holding Xiao Yan's strength in even higher regard.
Li Xuantong and Master Liu let out long sighs of relief, gratified smiles appearing on their faces.
Xiao Yan stood in the arena with the flaming ruler in hand. His gaze swept across the crowd before finally settling on Li Kuangshi on the raised platform. His eyes were calm, yet carried an invisible pressure.
When Li Kuangshi met Xiao Yan's gaze, he involuntarily took a step back, a chill rising in his heart.
Only then did the referee come to his senses and hurriedly announce, "Second arena, Xiao Yan wins!"
Cheers instantly rang throughout the square. Countless people had been won over by Xiao Yan's strength and began shouting their support for him.
Xiao Yan leaped down from the arena. Ignoring the cheers around him, he silently returned to the contestants' area and began circulating his Origin Qi to recover what he had expended.
Defeating Li Hao was only the beginning. The matches ahead would be even more difficult.
His next opponent would very likely be that mysterious young man in black.
Thinking of the mysterious young man's strangeness and strength, Xiao Yan's expression gradually grew grave.
The other matches between the top sixteen also came to an end one after another.
Wang Hao, Su Muxue, the mysterious young man in black, and the others all advanced smoothly to the top eight. Every match had been spectacular, displaying the bearing of top geniuses.
Among them, Wang Hao's match against a Peak Origin King expert had been especially fierce. In the end, Wang Hao won with difficulty, relying on the overpowering force of his Hegemon Qi, proving his strength once again.
Su Muxue, meanwhile, once again froze her opponent with her exquisite ice-element Origin Qi and advanced with ease. Her aloof bearing and formidable strength made her increasingly popular.
The mysterious young man in black won by crushing his opponent as before. His opponent had not even managed to see his movements before being blasted off the arena. His mystery and strength made him the greatest favorite to win the championship.
After the top eight were decided, the tournament paused again, and the quarterfinal matchups were announced.
When Xiao Yan saw his opponent for the next round, his gaze instantly sharpened.
His next opponent was none other than the mysterious young man in black!
This was undoubtedly the most anticipated match of the round. On one side was Xiao Yan, a dark horse of unfathomable strength who had fought his way through every obstacle. On the other was a mysterious, cold-faced killer who had never been defeated.
Everyone was looking forward to this clash at the peak.
On the raised platform, the mysterious young man in black lifted his head slightly. His gaze from beneath the brim of his hat seemed to pass through the crowd and settle on Xiao Yan, carrying a trace of icy killing intent.
Xiao Yan met his gaze calmly, but the Origin Qi in his body began to stir quietly.
He could feel that this mysterious young man in black would be the strongest opponent he encountered in this tournament.
An even fiercer, more brutal contest was about to unfold.