On the arena stage.
Lin Xuan still wore a calm expression, but a glint flashed in his eyes as he gave a slight nod.
The power of the *Golden Scale Barbarian Elephant Art* had indeed not disappointed him.
That blade strike from Hu Yuanhua just now—even many at the peak of the Whirlpool Realm couldn't have withstood it.
Yet he had taken it head-on with his bare palm, feeling no pain whatsoever, not even leaving a single mark.
By comparison, the difference was clear.
This level of defense had already surpassed the bounds of the Whirlpool Realm.
He estimated that at least a Spirit Opening Realm expert or above would be needed to possibly break through it.
And at this moment, he hadn't even reached the entry level.
This only further revealed the extraordinary nature of the *Golden Scale Barbarian Elephant Art*.
It also strengthened Lin Xuan's resolve to cultivate this martial art.
Now that he had tested the defensive aspect, it was time to try out the power.
With that, Lin Xuan turned his gaze to Hu Yuanhua, clenched his fists, and awaited the other's attack.
On the opposite side.
Hu Yuanhua's expression darkened, his heart heavy.
He had anticipated that Lin Xuan could take that strike.
But he hadn't expected it to be so effortless.
Without even channeling true qi or martial techniques, he had simply caught it with his bare hand.
Such physical strength was utterly terrifying!
Probably few on the Strength Ranking could match it, right?
This showed that he had still underestimated Lin Xuan.
This duel had become even more arduous!
Lin Xuan's strength was likely far greater than he had imagined.
But he couldn't afford to lose—if he retreated in defeat, his fate would be miserable.
With these thoughts, Hu Yuanhua's gaze hardened.
He could no longer hold back.
He would go all out.
All he sought was to defeat Lin Xuan.
Then, Hu Yuanhua shouted coldly:
"Lin Xuan, you're very strong!
But I still have more tricks up my sleeve.
Take this!"
As his words fell, a scorching aura and an unmatched sharpness radiated from Hu Yuanhua.
It was none other than half-step Blade Intent and one-tenth Fire Intent!
The only intents Hu Yuanhua possessed.
To defeat Lin Xuan, he was now unleashing all his trump cards, holding nothing back.
Under the spread of these two intents, the entire arena shimmered with faint, distorted ripples, as if even space couldn't bear it.
The inner disciples and stewards outside the square felt a deadly threat wash over them, retreating in panic another several hundred meters before stopping.
They stared at the arena, even more shocked and expectant.
With both intents unleashed, it was easy to imagine how fierce and thrilling the upcoming battle would be.
They were naturally filled with anticipation.
At the same time, they prepared to flee at any moment.
Even now, with just the two intents activated and the battle not yet begun, such power was already unleashed.
When the real clash started, even the residual energy would be too much for them to bear.
Better to be prepared, or they'd suffer severe injuries when it was too late.
On the arena.
After Hu Yuanhua activated both intents, the temperature within several hundred meters soared, the air boiling hot, mixed with countless sharp edges.
Even a peak Whirlpool Realm cultivator couldn't last more than a few breaths here.
But Lin Xuan remained calm, feeling nothing.
He didn't even need to channel true qi or intents to resist.
His current physical strength alone was enough to keep him unharmed.
Still, since Hu Yuanhua had brought out both intents, Lin Xuan was eager to see what attack would come next.
On the opposite side, seeing Lin Xuan so at ease under the influence of his two intents, completely unaffected, Hu Yuanhua's heart grew even heavier.
Especially since Lin Xuan still stood there, not even drawing his sword.
He remembered the rumors about Lin Xuan—that his true strength lay in swordsmanship, and he had even comprehended one-tenth Sword Intent.
Once his sword was drawn, it was unstoppable.
Most of his previous opponents had ultimately fallen to his sword techniques.
After fighting Lin Xuan for a while, he knew the rumors were true, and he had even underestimated Lin Xuan.
But seeing Lin Xuan's attitude now, it seemed he had no intention of using his sword.
Could it be that even now, Lin Xuan still hadn't shown his full strength?
If so, wasn't that too terrifying?
The power Lin Xuan had displayed already surpassed that of inner elite disciples, placing him on the Strength Ranking.
And Lin Xuan was only at the seventh layer of the Qi Transformation Realm.
Yet even so, he still held back a lot—that was just absurd!
Hu Yuanhua dared not imagine further.
He could only fight with all his might.
As for victory or defeat, that was up to fate!
With that, Hu Yuanhua stopped overthinking, took a deep breath, and let out a low shout.
"Blazing Inferno!"
True qi surged as he drove both intents, slashing out with his blade.
Whoosh!
A spark-like crimson point shot forth.
Crackle!
In an instant, that crimson point expanded rapidly in all directions.
Within moments, the entire arena turned into a sea of blazing red flames.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
Countless flame blades, several zhang in size, flew out from the sea of fire.
Enhanced by half-step Blade Intent, their sharpness increased by another level.
Any single flame blade would be impossible for the inner disciples and stewards outside the square to withstand.
But now, hundreds or even thousands of them formed a terrifying torrent, surging toward Lin Xuan.
Such was its power.
On the opposite side, Lin Xuan remained cold and composed, not dodging but charging straight ahead.
"Good timing!"
Lin Xuan shouted, striking out with both palms.
"Shocking Wave Palm!"
In an instant, boundless surging power poured forth, turning into rolling ocean waves that spread in all directions.
Crack, crack!
A series of crisp sounds rang out.
It was the sound of air being shattered.
At first glance, its momentum seemed far inferior to the endless flame blades shooting from the sea of fire.
But the next moment, when the two collided—
Boom, boom!
Thunderous, ear-splitting explosions erupted.
At the moment of impact, those incoming flame blades, fierce and unstoppable, shattered.
As if crushed by some invisible force.
Utterly fragile.
Even the surrounding sea of fire seemed to meet its bane.
It receded from Lin Xuan, pulling back.
At this moment, Hu Yuanhua's awe-inspiring attack crumbled like dry weeds under Lin Xuan's two palms.
Witnessing this, the disciples and stewards who had already retreated to the square and then another several hundred meters stood frozen in disbelief.
Hu Yuanhua's strike, empowered by both intents, had multiplied in power several times over.
Even its residual force had forced them to retreat again.
Yet it was repelled by Lin Xuan's two palms.
The gap was so vast that it felt like they weren't even on the same level.
Such a scene was too hard for them to accept.
On the other side of the arena.
Hu Yuanhua was equally stunned.
He hadn't expected Lin Xuan's terrifying strength to once again far exceed his expectations.