Soul Emperor Awakening

Lou Yuzhi had mostly replicated the Lin’s Staff Technique. He had clearly studied Lin Xuan. While his execution wasn’t as fluid, the power behind it was considerable.

It was no surprise that the technique was powerful. Lou Yuzhi’s Cultivation was higher than Lin Xuan’s to begin with, so of course his version would be slightly stronger. But only slightly. This was the problem with a lack of integration—it was a mere copy, and its power was nowhere near what Lin Xuan could truly produce.

Besides, Lin Xuan hadn’t even used his full strength. He was attacking in his normal state, unleashing half his true power at most.

"How does it feel to be pushed back by your own move? Didn’t expect that, did you? I can imitate my opponents’ techniques. I’ve watched many of your matches, so I can replicate them to some extent. My greatest pleasure is defeating someone with their own signature move. The look of despair on their face... there’s nothing better!" Lou Yuzhi laughed, his face twisting into a manic grin, his Snake Eyes fixed on him.

Seeing Lin Xuan at a disadvantage, the surrounding disciples of the Genius Sect erupted in cheers.

"Snake Eyes, crush him! Defeat him with your greatest ability!"

"Yeah, take him down quickly! That’ll show the Inner Hall Sect for being so arrogant! And he wants to be on the same level as our leader? What a joke!"

"Copy all his Martial Arts and show him what you’re really made of!"

...

They all cheered for Lou Yuzhi, desperate to see Lin Xuan defeated; it was the only way to sate their resentment. They couldn’t stand the thought of someone from the Inner Hall Sect successfully becoming a candidate for Elder!

Tong Yulong narrowed his eyes at Lin Xuan and sneered, "If this is all you’ve got, then you’re not even worthy of carrying my shoes!"

The commentary from the crowd had no effect on Lin Xuan whatsoever.

"Getting pushed back by my own technique... to be honest, it pisses me off. Not because I couldn’t block it, but because your execution is pathetic! It’s an insult to the Martial Arts, and an insult to me!" Lin Xuan pointed his rod at Lou Yuzhi and said coldly, "Good. You’ve managed to get my attention. Now you’re going to pay the price!"

Lou Yuzhi said dismissively, "Isn’t this your actual level? Your techniques are sloppy and easy to copy. There’s no challenge at all. I’m standing right here. Tell me, what price am I going to pay...?"

"Cloud Return Technique!"

With a light swing of the Chi Dragon Heavens Rod in his hand, the Bloodline Power within Lin Xuan instantly flared to life, surging through his entire body. As this torrential power flowed, steam rose from his skin, which had turned a deep crimson. His aura skyrocketed, and his entire presence changed dramatically.

"Cyan Cloud Fire-Treading Step!"

Lin Xuan stomped the ground and shot toward Lou Yuzhi like a Phoenix. His speed far surpassed the version Lou Yuzhi had previously copied; it was on a completely different level!

Before Lou Yuzhi could even react, Lin Xuan was upon him, smashing down from above. Under the force of his tyrannical Bloodline Power, the Chi Dragon Heavens Rod bent into a perfect arc. The tension in the bent staff was so immense, it felt as if the subsequent release could shatter anything in its path.

"Sea-Entry Form!"

A red light flashed in Lin Xuan’s eyes as a crimson aura erupted from his body, coalescing into the form of a Chi Dragon that roared as it descended, ready to bite down with vicious force.

Such a tyrannical surge of power made Lou Yuzhi’s heart practically stop. The increase was too sudden. ’He thought Lin Xuan had already used his full strength! He never imagined this was only the beginning!’

But he wouldn’t admit defeat. He immediately executed the Eight Extremes Staff Technique. A streak of white light arched up from below, like a silvery moon, attempting to counter the attack just as he’d seen Lin Xuan break the Cloud-Entering Form.

BOOM!

Lin Xuan completely ignored Lou Yuzhi’s counter and brought his rod crashing down. A force of six hundred thousand jin slammed down—sheer, tyrannical power comparable to the strike of a Giant Beast!

As the two attacks collided, Lou Yuzhi felt as if his hands were about to shatter. The tyrannical force vibrated through his arms, and he found himself unable to hold onto his staff. His grip loosened against his will, and once it did, there was nothing to stop the descending rod.

At that moment, Lou Yuzhi felt an overwhelming sense of danger. A green light flashed in his pupils and his lithe, snake-like body immediately began to twist, becoming unnaturally slippery as he tried to evade the tyrannical strike.

And indeed, when the tyrannical blow struck Lou Yuzhi’s body, it felt incredibly slick. The rod found no purchase, simply sliding down his body toward the ground. If this continued, Lin Xuan’s attack would miss entirely and strike the arena floor.

"Burst!"

With a furious roar, Lin Xuan twisted the Chi Dragon Heavens Rod in mid-air, instantly switching to a sweeping motion from the Eight Extremes Staff Technique. The rapid rotation whipped up a wave of Qi Force that billowed outwards. Because of its proximity to Lou Yuzhi’s body, the blast of Qi Force slammed directly into him!

BANG!

The violent blast of Qi Force sent Lou Yuzhi flying. He soared backward, spitting a mouthful of blood, his snake-like contortion snapping back to normal. His evasion had been completely ineffective against Lin Xuan’s attack!

"Extreme Point Inch Light!"

The red light in Lin Xuan’s pupils flashed relentlessly. A crimson burst of Qi erupted from under his feet, doubling his speed once more!

The crimson glow was a perfect reflection of the rage in his heart, fully manifested in his attack.

Lou Yuzhi, still in mid-air, tried to twist and dodge, but found himself locked in place by the lingering Qi Force from the Eight Extremes Staff Technique, temporarily unable to move an inch! He could only watch helplessly as Lin Xuan thrust toward him. The last thing he saw were Lin Xuan’s eyes, blazing with red light, as if they were roaring in fury at him. ’They screamed that he had insulted the Lin’s Staff Technique, and this—this was its true power!’

’This was indeed its true power. It was far, far stronger than the imitation he had used—they weren’t even on the same Level. To put it simply, it was the vast chasm between a Human Level Martial Arts and a Celestial Level Martial Arts.’

THUD!

The Extreme Point Inch Light struck Lou Yuzhi squarely in the waist. Lin Xuan hadn’t aimed for his chest; if he had, Lou Yuzhi would surely be dead.

Lou Yuzhi was sent flying once more. He had lost consciousness before he even began to fall. The last image burned into his memory was of Lin Xuan’s eyes, blazing with red light. It wasn’t bloodlust, but battle intent—a boundless, unyielding battle intent. It was as if he were born to fight.

The Steward below the Martial Arts Arena immediately flew up to catch him, but the force of the impact sent the Steward flying back as well. Only after sliding a great distance to absorb the momentum did he finally come to a stop.

The Steward, a Late Stage Essence Pill Stage expert, couldn’t help but wipe the sweat from his brow. ’That technique was unbelievably powerful,’ he thought. ’Catching him was like catching a falling boulder. I almost lost my footing and made a fool of myself.’

Lin Xuan rested the tip of his Chi Dragon Heavens Rod on the ground, his powerful aura receding. He stared coldly at the unconscious Lou Yuzhi and said, "That is the price."

Lou Yuzhi couldn’t hear him, but he said it all the same.