As the referee's words fell, the arena fell into silence. Nearly everyone's gaze converged on the third platform. Although matches were also taking place on the other platforms, almost no one paid them any attention. Because none of them could compare to Lin Xuan, who had risen abruptly and burst onto the scene.
On the platform, Zhou Wenjie looked at Lin Xuan, his expression extremely grave, and cupped his hands: "Brother Lin, please go easy on me!"
Though he hadn't witnessed Lin Xuan's previous match, after hearing about Lin Xuan's feats, he knew he was no match. However, as the second-ranked junior disciple of the Red Flame Kingdom's royal family and a top genius of the Red Sun Domain, he naturally couldn't concede. He had to go all out and witness for himself the prowess of this rapidly rising fifth young master.
With that, Zhou Wenjie made his move. The full force of the Peak Spirit Opening Realm erupted. Several insights of no small depth unfolded. A sharp aura surged skyward, instantly shredding the surrounding air into nothingness. Spiritual power churned wildly, and the sword in his hand trembled slightly. He was clearly unleashing his full strength.
Many spectators in the square were forced to retreat. This momentum, amplified by several insights, was not far off from the First Layer of the Spirit Origin Realm. The onlookers all felt a chill in their hearts and nodded slightly. Truly worthy of being the second-ranked junior disciple of the Red Flame Kingdom's royal family, a top genius second only to the four young masters in the Red Sun Domain. Impressive indeed.
And how would Lin Xuan respond to such power? Everyone was eager to know. Their eyes fell on Lin Xuan.
But they saw Lin Xuan standing still, his expression calm, as if nothing was happening. That aura, so close to the Spirit Origin Realm, seemed nonexistent to him, having no effect at all. Witnessing this, the crowd was shaken. They felt even more that Lin Xuan's strength was unfathomable. Their anticipation for the upcoming match grew.
Barring surprises, Lin Xuan should win. How many moves could Zhou Wenjie endure? Could he force Lin Xuan to reveal his true strength? Everyone secretly looked forward to it.
On the platform, Zhou Wenjie saw Lin Xuan's calm demeanor and felt a jolt in his heart, vaguely sensing he might have underestimated Lin Xuan. But at this moment, he had no time to dwell on it.
"Cloud-Piercing Sword!" With a low shout, he swung his sword.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh... A continuous series of piercing sounds rang out. Dozens of sword beams shot forth, transforming into clouds of white that drifted toward Lin Xuan. They seemed gentle but concealed deadly intent. Their speed appeared slow but arrived in an instant. This was the famed White Cloud Sword Technique passed down by the Red Flame Kingdom's royal family.
In the span of a breath, dozens of white clouds scattered above Lin Xuan. The chilling killing intent caused the temperature in the air to plummet. Amplified by several insights, the power surged dramatically. An ordinary Peak Spirit Opening cultivator facing even one of these clouds would be instantly slain. Under the encirclement of these dozens of cloud sword beams, even an early Spirit Origin cultivator would find it hard to withstand them easily. Indeed, this strike was Zhou Wenjie's full-powered, strongest attack, holding nothing back. Knowing his strength couldn't match Lin Xuan, he dared not reserve anything.
The next moment, the dozens of cloud sword beams descended upon Lin Xuan. The void itself seemed to be pierced through. Below, Lin Xuan remained expressionless.
"To unleash an attack of this power, you're not bad among Spirit Opening cultivators," Lin Xuan commented flatly.
Then, he made his move. To him, this Red Sun Domain Grand Tournament posed no challenge at all. He came only to harvest energy points and replicate some treasures. To ensure maximum energy points, he had to wait for his opponent to unleash their strongest strike. Then he would crush them overwhelmingly. Now was the time.
He pushed out a palm. This palm was just like the chaotic first battle. No martial arts, insights, or spiritual power were used—just pure physical strength unleashed. And only a fraction of it at that. But even so, it was astonishing enough.
Instantly, it was as if a level-nine gale had erupted, a fierce howl spreading across the entire square. Terrifying force, like endless waves, surged forth and scattered in all directions. Its power was unstoppable. Cracking sounds echoed, as if even the void couldn't bear it.
In that moment, the dozens of cloud sword beams Zhou Wenjie had unleashed met the force of Lin Xuan's palm.
Crack, crack, crack... But then, chilling brittle sounds rang out continuously. The dozens of cloud sword beams from Zhou Wenjie's full-force strike shattered like thin, fragile biscuits. In an instant, they broke apart and dissipated. Offering no resistance at all.
"This... how is this possible?!" On the opposite side, Zhou Wenjie stared at the scene, his pupils dilating as he cried out in shock, his face full of disbelief. His full-force strike, combining his strongest martial art, all his insights, and wildly driven spiritual power, had produced a sword beam so powerful that even an early Spirit Origin cultivator wouldn't find it easy to block. In his mind, though it couldn't defeat Lin Xuan, Lin Xuan would still need to exert some effort to withstand it. But now, with a casual palm, Lin Xuan had shattered it all. The gap was as vast as a chasm. How could he believe it?!
The crowd was also stunned by this sight. They never expected such an outcome. This finally revealed Lin Xuan's strength. It was far greater than they had imagined. Everyone was deeply shaken by Lin Xuan's power, unable to calm down. Even the four young masters wore grave expressions, no longer daring to underestimate Lin Xuan in the slightest. Even though Lin Xuan was only at the Eighth Layer of the Spirit Opening Realm while they were at the Spirit Origin Realm, it was the same.
On the platform, The terrifying force from Lin Xuan's palm, after shattering the dozens of cloud sword beams Zhou Wenjie had unleashed, did not weaken in the slightest. It pressed forward, crushing everything in its path toward Zhou Wenjie.
"Not good!" Zhou Wenjie realized this, his heart leaping and cold sweat breaking out on his back. He instantly knew he couldn't withstand this wave-like force. The thought that Lin Xuan had casually shattered his strongest attack with a single palm and was now counterattacking made him realize that Lin Xuan's strength was likely no weaker than an ordinary early Spirit Origin cultivator. He was also astounded by Lin Xuan's formidable power.
But at this moment, he had no time to think further. Because the terrifying force from Lin Xuan's palm was too fierce and fast. He couldn't even defend, let alone flee. It had already arrived.
In an instant, Zhou Wenjie felt a sharp pain in his chest, and his vision went black.