At the exchange meeting, Yan Ji stood tall on the stage, glanced around, and looked at the crowd below the stage.
As one of the Ten Saints of the Primordial Holy Heaven, his strength was not weak within the Primordial Holy Heaven.
Even compared to other countries, it's not considered weak.
Therefore, even though he knew very well that this was a gathering of geniuses, Yan Ji believed that he was no less capable than anyone else.
He was a respected senior brother in the Primordial Holy Heaven, and there were many people who knew him here as well.
Some of the students below, who knew their strength was simply insufficient, had no intention of going on stage. They just watched the stage while whispering among themselves, exchanging information and their opinions on the upcoming competition.
" Yan Ji... Let me think... If I remember correctly, he should be one of the Ten Saints of the Primordial Holy Heaven?"
"I remember he made quite a name for himself at the Demon-Suppressing Pass Suppression Pass, but I don't know how strong he really is now."
"I've heard he's quite talented. Wasn't there a rumor years ago that he almost got taken in as a disciple by a Saint Realm expert?"
"Such a thing is true?"
"It seems he did, but I don't know why he didn't agree. However, given that, his talent must be quite considerable."
Witnessing the actions of a powerful figure can also provide valuable insights into their fortuitous opportunity.
This is why, although there is no ranking at the annual exchange meeting, a large number of students from the Ten Holy Heavens still come regardless of the weather.
Looking at the stern-faced man in black on the stage, many people felt a faint sense of anticipation.
Since the start of the exchange meeting, although students from various Holy Heaven have been participating one after another, not a single one of the Ten Saints has made a move.
Yan Ji was the first.
The first person to eat a crab always attracts attention.
His appearance also added a touch of anticipation to everyone's hearts, who were looking forward to seeing what amazing and unparalleled methods Yan Ji would use.
Less than a few breaths after Yan Ji, a cold snort rang out.
A faint, chilly wind blew by, and a figure in black suddenly appeared on the stage.
A man with an ordinary face, an unremarkable aura, and plain clothes stood opposite Yan Ji.
His eyes were narrow and long, his eyebrows were raised, and his hands hung naturally at his sides without bowing. He merely twitched his thin lips slightly and uttered a few somewhat indifferent words.
" The Desolate Ancient Holy Heaven, Xiao Yuan."
Please advise.
His voice was normal, with a slight hoarseness.
But what was surprising and astonishing was the aura that erupted from him the instant his words fell.
An aura as deep as an abyss swept across the entire arena, instantly dispelling the chill that Yan Ji brought with him as he stepped onto the stage.
No.
It's not about dispersing.
It's about coverage.
The thick, inky aura bared its fangs and claws, revealing a madness that was the complete opposite of its appearance.
Upon seeing this person and hearing his name, the students below the stage did not show the same sudden realization as they did when they saw Yan Ji.
They were stunned for a moment, staring at Xiao Yuan, most of them looking completely bewildered.
"... Wait, who is Xiao Yuan?"
His words stirred up a storm.
Many people followed suit, whispering their own questions.
" Xiao Yuan... I've never heard of that name before."
"He's also Ten Saints of the Ten Holy Heavens?"
"That's not right. The Ten Saints aren't chosen overnight. The last internal academy competition was a long time ago, and the list of the Ten Saints for each Holy Heaven has been freshly released. I don't remember such a person."
Questions, doubts, curiosity.
A mix of emotions surged within me.
Only a few students from the Desolate Ancient Holy Heaven remained as steady as Mount Tai, their expressions indifferent, showing no change in demeanor despite the murmurs of others.
They sipped their tea casually, their posture relaxed and at ease, their eyes never leaving the ring for a moment, yet their gazes held only determination and confidence.
One of them, hearing the murmurs around him, sneered.
"Junior Brother Xiao is not as well-known as my senior brothers from the Desolate Ancient Holy Heaven."
"But they still possess some strength."
"Defeat this man in one move."
His words, brimming with confidence and arrogance, were spoken at the slightest provocation, reaching not only the ears of Holy Heaven nearby but also echoing throughout the otherwise quiet exchange venue.
For a moment, many people's eyelids twitched.
How arrogant!
Although it is true that in the Saint Heaven Realm Domain, the top three are Immortal-Burying, Grand Void, and Desolate Ancient, and other Holy Heaven can't even squeeze into the top three positions, and the top three are always just competing among these three, isn't this statement a bit too arrogant!
but...
Even though the students of the Primordial Holy Heaven were displeased and annoyed by the speaker, they did not utter a single sarcastic remark.
Nothing more.
Each Holy Heaven has a different style.
To the Primordial Holy Heaven, the Golden Feather Holy Heaven was truly disgusting, the Immortal-Burying Holy Heaven was exceptionally aloof, and the Northern Dipper Southern Li, apart from a few arrogant students, was not so difficult to get along with...
The Desolate Ancient Holy Heaven is the most unique.
First, the location of the Desolate Ancient Holy Heaven is the most remote—though remote, it is not desolate.
The Dean of the Desolate Ancient Holy Heaven is a prodigy who cultivates both swordsmanship and Dao of Arrays formations, and was once famous throughout the Eastern Continent.
The entire Desolate Ancient Holy Heaven is shrouded in an extremely mysterious and vast array. Without a guide, one cannot even find the entrance to the Holy Heaven.
Secondly, most of the students of the Desolate Ancient Holy Heaven are very arrogant and mysterious.
Let alone the Ten Saints of the Primordial Holy Heaven.
Even the Ten Saints of the Immortal-Burying Holy Heaven, apart from Jiang Chengzun, were basically not taken seriously by them.
But style is style.
Xiao Yuan isn't one of the Ten Saints.
After their initial astonishment, many people frowned, their brows furrowing with disbelief and skepticism.
A battle between one of the Ten Saints and a non- Ten Saints.
this...
"Even if Xiao Yuan comes from the third-ranked Desolate Ancient Holy Heaven, to say that he could defeat Yan Ji in one move is still an exaggeration, isn't it?" someone couldn't help but say.
"Yes, Yan Ji is no newcomer. He has a proven track record at Demon-Suppressing Pass."
It could even be said that Yan Ji was one of the faces of the Primordial Holy Heaven.
If he weren't so young, he probably could have been among the top three of the Ten Saints of the Primordial Holy Heaven.
Even so, his strength is not bad.
How could we possibly lose so easily?
The crowd below the arena was buzzing with discussion.
A few words were carried by the wind to the ears of the people on stage.
Xiao Yuan remained expressionless.
Yan Ji remained calm.
He is not someone who is easily swayed by the words of others.
Besides, they know their own business best.
Since the academy's grand competition, he has clearly realized his shortcomings and has been working hard to cultivate and practice diligently.
During this time, he never neglected his cultivation.
Now, his cultivation level has reached the Peak Earth Venerable.
In terms of strength, even Heavenly Venerable could fight him to a draw.
To defeat him easily, you'd need at least the level of Half-Emperor!
Xiao Yuan, on the other hand, clearly showed no signs of entering the Thearch Realm.
With his mind racing, Yan Ji cleared his mind of all distractions, focused his Spiritual Qi in his Dantian, and prepared to make his move.
However.
Almost immediately after he mentioned Spiritual Qi.
Xiao Yuan suddenly vanished from the arena.
Silently.
He didn't even notice what the other person was doing!
In an instant, Yan Ji was startled. Before he could react, he heard a contemptuous and cold voice in his ear.
"Too slow."
boom!
One strike.
Smoke and dust billowed.
The Spiritual Power swept away the dust on the arena in an instant, revealing Xiao Yuan's unremarkable face. He looked down at the crowd with disdain and curled the corners of his mouth.
"If it's said to be one move, then it's one move."
"I won this battle."