Soul Emperor Awakening

"So I’m up against you. What an unfortunate turn of events..." Lin Xuan felt very uncomfortable with the aura emanating from the snake-eyed man. ’If possible, I’d really rather not fight him.’

"For me, this is a joyous occasion! I told you we’d meet sooner or later. It’s a shame it wasn’t in the Life and Death Cave, otherwise I would’ve finished you off long ago..." The snake-eyed man let out a sinister chuckle as a cold, gloomy aura emanated from him. His Snake Eyes scanned Lin Xuan’s body, trying to see through his every secret.

"Is that so? You seem quite confident in your abilities... but so am I. If we had met in the Life and Death Cave, you wouldn’t be here for this duel either," Lin Xuan retorted.

With that said, Lin Xuan ignored him and scanned his surroundings. He discovered that among the remaining eleven competitors, seven were from the Genius Sect, two were from the Neutral Faction, and two were from the Inner Hall Sect. The Genius Sect was truly formidable, making up the vast majority. As for the Neutral Faction, the only person he recognized was Qing Yiyi.

Qing Yiyi stood silently with a cold expression on her face. She was the only woman among the eleven contestants. Had Lin Xuan not been matched against Lin Xue, there likely would have been another woman—Lin Xue—among the remaining fighters.

Tong Yulong took a seat in the audience stands. He didn’t have to fight, so he could only watch from the sidelines. His gaze kept drifting to Lin Xuan, a hint of resentment flickering in his eyes.

His defeat in the Cyan Cloud Tower had left him indignant. It was rare for him to take an interest in a woman, only for her to have some connection to Lin Xuan—and to completely ignore him! The frustration was suffocating. He wanted to vent, but there was no outlet for his anger.

The subsequent matches were straightforward. Since the dueling plaza was enormous, all ten fighters could battle at once, eliminating any need to wait. The contestants found their opponents based on their assigned numbers, picked an area, and began their duels.

Lin Xuan was matched against the snake-eyed man named Lou Yuzhi. His Talent Level was seventh-class, and his most unique ability lay in his eyes. He possessed the Snake’s Eye, which allowed him to use the Charm Technique and effortlessly see through any Illusion.

It was precisely because of his Snake’s Eye that he had cleared the Illusionary Mist Array with considerable ease, taking second place. Of course, once Lin Xuan showed up, Lou Yuzhi was bumped down to third. But it didn’t matter what rank he held; nothing was as eye-catching as first place. People only remembered the winner. Second place and below were irrelevant.

Undeniably, however, Lou Yuzhi’s overall strength was immense. His Cultivation alone had reached the Fifth Layer of the Essence Pill Stage, a frighteningly high level for someone his age.

His Cultivation was a full three layers higher than Lin Xuan’s. Yet, fighting opponents beyond his own level had become almost routine for Lin Xuan. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to advance faster; rather, he prioritized building a solid, steady foundation. It was this very foundation that enabled him to challenge stronger foes. The ability to fight above one’s rank wasn’t something anyone could achieve just by wanting it. It required an exceptionally powerful base to be possible.

By combining his many abilities, fighting above his station was no issue for Lin Xuan. For anyone else, it would have been a far more difficult feat.

Lou Yuzhi stood before Lin Xuan, his gaze still locked onto him. He hadn’t looked away even for a second since the start. It was an unsettling feeling that no one would enjoy.

"Heh heh, you took your sweet time coming out of the Life and Death Cave. Were you discussing something with your woman? How pathetic, making your own woman concede just so you could secure this spot. It’s truly disappointing," Lou Yuzhi sneered, a look of contempt flashing in his Snake Eyes.

Many people in the crowd thought the same. The two of them didn’t have a single scratch, looking as if they’d just returned from a leisurely stroll. How could they have possibly been in a fight? Therefore, most assumed that Lin Xuan had sacrificed his woman’s chance for his own advancement.

It was a natural assumption. They were a couple, so why would they fight? The woman must have yielded to let the man advance. They probably even shared an intimate moment in the Life and Death Cave. It was enough to make anyone envious.

"It seems it’s not just your eyes that are strange; your mouth is just as foul. If it’s all the same to you, could you shut it?" Lin Xuan replied, his expression calm and unfazed by the taunt.

"Heh heh, is that so? I hear you’re quite strong. I’m actually looking forward to this. And you use a staff, don’t you? Just for you, I’ve prepared one of my own." Lou Yuzhi produced a long staff. Its Grade was not low; it was an Upper Grade Spiritual Artifact.

Lin Xuan’s brow furrowed. ’What is he playing at? Is he targeting me specifically?’

"I don’t know what tricks you’re playing, but to use a staff in front of me is a direct provocation!" Lin Xuan snorted. Without another word, he thrust his staff forward. A pinprick of red light flared as he unleashed Extreme Point Inch Light, which shot out like a crimson beam.

Lin Xuan held nothing back, immediately attacking with his maximum speed. Lou Yuzhi was no weakling, so of course Lin Xuan would treat him with caution.

"Heh heh, that’s an interesting move. Watch, I can use it too!"

Lou Yuzhi swung his own staff. A point of white light flickered and shot forward in a swift, piercing thrust. In terms of speed, it was shockingly close to Lin Xuan’s own attack!

BOOM!

The two staves collided with a thunderous crash. Both men were sent stumbling back several steps. The Extreme Point Inch Light that Lou Yuzhi had just executed was in no way inferior to Lin Xuan’s, in either power or speed. In fact, it seemed to be even slightly stronger!

"This is..."

Lin Xuan frowned. ’I can’t believe he can also use Extreme Point Inch Light. His version is even more powerful than mine. The Realm behind it is a little lacking, but its raw power is definitely greater.’

"Heh heh, familiar, isn’t it? And there’s more!"

A wisp of cyan smoke curled up from under Lou Yuzhi’s feet. Then, with a WHOOSH, flames erupted. This was clearly the Cyan Cloud Fire-Treading Step that Lin Xuan himself often used!

BANG!

Lou Yuzhi stomped on the ground and charged toward Lin Xuan. He moved with incredible speed, far faster than even Lin Xuan was when using the same technique!

In the blink of an eye, he was before Lin Xuan. His tyrannical force bent the hard staff into a deep arc as he brought it smashing down. The attack was like a giant python plunging into the ocean—a true Sea Serpent!

Sea-Entry Form!

Lou Yuzhi had unleashed the second move of the Lin’s Staff Technique. An equally tyrannical power smashed down from his hands, stirring up powerful gusts of wind that seemed capable of parting the very sea.

"Eight Extremes Staff Technique!"

Lin Xuan grunted, swinging his own staff up to meet the blow. A red light flashed, tracing an arc as he countered head-on, refusing to yield an inch.

BOOM!

Another shockwave erupted from the impact. Both men were thrown backward. Lou Yuzhi only took two or three steps back, whereas Lin Xuan, the one actually familiar with the technique, was forced back four or five steps.

The difference in their power was decided in that single exchange.

Lin Xuan’s face darkened as he stared into Lou Yuzhi’s eyes. ’Mimicry? Did he just learn my moves by watching them?’