The arena fell into complete silence. The square was utterly empty. All eyes were fixed on the stage, anticipating the unprecedented strongest duel within this betting arena.
On the stage. Lin Xuan’s expression was calm as he looked at Hu Yuanhua. This time, he wasn’t just aiming to defeat his opponent and claim eighty thousand energy points. He also wanted to use this opportunity to expand his reputation further and earn a large number of energy points. To achieve that, he couldn’t simply kill his opponent in one blow. Even though he could do it. But that effect wouldn’t be enough. Other disciples might think he only succeeded through a sneak attack. It was better to let his opponent unleash his full strength first, then effortlessly crush him. That would be the best approach, maximizing the gains. So, Lin Xuan didn’t make a move, waiting instead for his opponent’s action.
Across from him. Hu Yuanhua also looked at Lin Xuan, his expression solemn, not daring to be careless in the slightest. Although he was quite confident, Lin Xuan’s reputation was too formidable for him to be absolutely certain. Moreover, as a ranked powerhouse on the Strong List, facing an ordinary inner disciple like Lin Xuan already carried a hint of bullying the weak. If he couldn’t win, it wouldn’t just mean losing eighty thousand contribution points and his reputation. He would likely face universal condemnation. Thus, this duel—he couldn’t lose! Or rather, he couldn’t afford to lose!
With these thoughts, Hu Yuanhua’s gaze turned resolute. Ignoring Lin Xuan’s demeanor, he reached out and grasped the Green Flame Blade. “Lin Xuan, fall!” With a loud shout, Hu Yuanhua swung the blade. “Blazing Sky Inferno!” The blade light streaked through the void, transforming into a crimson blade glow. Scorching flames coiled around his body, which swelled instantly to several zhang in size. Descending from the sky as if tearing through the void, it crushed down toward Lin Xuan. The terrifying flames scattered, causing the temperature in the entire arena to skyrocket. Even the disciples and stewards outside the square felt parched and shaken.
Hu Yuanhua stared solemnly at Lin Xuan. This strike had already used all his strength, aside from a few trump cards involving his realm. It could be said that, except for other Strong List experts, no inner disciple could withstand it. He used this move to test Lin Xuan. If it could defeat Lin Xuan, that would be ideal. But if not, he would have to resort to his realm trump cards. In any case, he couldn’t lose this duel!
On the opposite side, Lin Xuan remained cold and composed. Even as the terrifying flame blade glow descended like a sky-rending force, he showed no change. Then, Lin Xuan acted. His right hand slowly reached upward. This time, Lin Xuan was again using his bare palm to meet the attack, just as he had against Li Quan. And again, he didn’t channel any true qi, didn’t activate any martial arts, and displayed no momentum.
Watching this, the inner disciples and stewards outside the square were once again dumbfounded. Filled with disbelief. Hu Yuanhua’s strike—just its momentum alone was something even the stewards, including several at the peak of the Condensing Whirlpool realm, couldn’t withstand head-on. That showed its power! Far beyond Li Quan’s earlier punch. Yet despite that, Lin Xuan still chose to catch it with his bare palm. Was this suicide? Or did Lin Xuan, after nearly one-shotting Li Quan, think himself so strong that he could ignore even a Strong List expert like Hu Yuanhua? Everyone was deeply shaken. Their expressions were a mix of confusion, mockery, and sneers.
On the other side of the stage, Hu Yuanhua was equally stunned. He had watched Lin Xuan’s previous battle from afar. Lin Xuan’s physical strength had already horrified him. At least, he knew he was inferior in that regard. But he hadn’t expected that, facing his strongest strike aside from his trump cards, Lin Xuan would still act this way. This strike could kill Li Quan in one blow. The two were on completely different levels. Yet Lin Xuan’s approach hadn’t changed. Was this confidence? Or arrogance? Hu Yuanhua couldn’t tell. While alarmed by Lin Xuan’s audacity, he also realized this might be a golden opportunity to defeat him. Lin Xuan hadn’t used any martial arts or true qi, relying only on physical strength. Most of his power wasn’t being brought to bear. This was a perfect moment. If he could defeat Lin Xuan now, there would be no need for further effort. And the rewards would be greater. After all, a one-strike victory was akin to a kill! The impact would be even more profound.
Thus, Hu Yuanhua made his decision. True qi surged wildly, adding three parts more force. The descending flame blade glow grew even more formidable. The next moment, under the gaze of everyone present, the massive, dozen-zhang-long flame blade glow crashed down, striking Lin Xuan’s pale palm.
Whoosh... Gusts of wind mixed with terrifying heat waves spread in all directions. The temperature in the arena soared again. Even a Condensing Whirlpool realm martial artist, if standing on the stage, might not withstand it—their blood and true qi would ignite, burning them to death. But strangely, no explosive sound or spray of blood was heard.
After barely enduring the residual waves and steadying themselves, everyone looked back. Instantly, their eyes widened, frozen in place, filled with disbelief. Were they seeing this right? Lin Xuan had actually used his palm to catch Hu Yuanhua’s terrifying flame blade glow head-on. On the stage, the massive blade glow, which had been slashing down heavily, was now suspended midair. Blocked by a pale palm. Scorching flames surged but left no mark on that pale hand. Such a horrifying sight stunned everyone present. They stood frozen, unable to snap out of it. Even Hu Yuanhua, on the other side of the stage, widened his eyes in disbelief.
But Lin Xuan remained indifferent. “With such power, defeating me is far from enough.” Lin Xuan shook his head and uttered a single sentence. Then, his raised right hand clenched.
Crack, crack... A series of crisp sounds rang out. Several fissures began at Lin Xuan’s palm and spread upward. In an instant, they covered the entire flame blade glow. Then— Boom! A loud explosion. That awe-inspiring, dozen-zhang-long flame blade glow shattered like a brittle biscuit. It burst into countless waves of fire, scattering in all directions.
The disciples and stewards outside the square felt their blood and true qi heat up, as if about to ignite at any moment. Terrified, they retreated again. After pulling back another hundred meters, they felt somewhat better and stopped. Looking back at the stage, they were even more horrified. Standing outside the arena, they couldn’t even withstand the residual waves of the shattered flame blade glow. That showed how immense its power was! It had already surpassed the ordinary peak of the Condensing Whirlpool realm. Yet Lin Xuan, at the center, had crushed the blade glow with a single squeeze. In comparison, Lin Xuan’s terrifying strength was even more apparent. The disciples and stewards were utterly astounded.