Bang!
As the situation escalated, the two individuals on the challenge stage were separated with a loud crash.
"I didn't expect your defense to be even stronger than mine. You truly live up to your top ten ranking," Ma Yuanhua said solemnly, looking at Li Xuan.
Ma Yuanhua's gaze towards Li Xuan was now filled with a hint of seriousness. He had initially thought Li Xuan wouldn't be able to withstand his attacks, but to his surprise, the defense Li Xuan displayed from the moment they clashed was terrifying. In fact, it seemed to have subtly surpassed his own by the end.
Upon hearing this, Li Xuan smiled slightly. "Your defense is also good."
"That may be so, but I wonder if you can take this next move!" Seeing Li Xuan's calm demeanor, Ma Yuanhua quickly formed hand seals, his aura becoming even more sharp, like a drawn sword.
"Spirit Drawing Technique!"
With a roar, an unyielding aura surged from Ma Yuanhua's body, churning the winds and clouds and reaching towards the heavens. Then, like a dragon flicking its tail, he swept towards Li Xuan.
"To have pushed his physical strength to such a degree, this Ma Yuanhua is indeed remarkable," Li Xuan mused, a touch of surprise in his heart as he observed Ma Yuanhua's state.
In the next instant, Li Xuan, like a gale, surged towards the charging Ma Yuanhua.
Bang!
The two collided fiercely once more. In that instant, the space around them seemed to shatter like glass.
In their previous exchanges, they had been evenly matched. But this time, Li Xuan's fist seemed to shatter everything, meeting no resistance.
The oppressive aura radiating from Ma Yuanhua's body dissipated entirely under Li Xuan's punch. Not only that, but in just three breaths, Li Xuan's fist landed squarely on Ma Yuanhua's chest.
"Shield!" Ma Yuanhua's expression turned to one of great alarm. He immediately formed hand seals, rapidly conjuring a solid shield around himself.
Bang!
Li Xuan paid no heed to Ma Yuanhua's actions. His left fist struck down, instantly slamming onto the shield.
Crack!
With a crisp cracking sound, a hint of fear flickered in Ma Yuanhua's astonished eyes. Li Xuan, on the other hand, had maintained a calm expression from the beginning. Now, he was even more at ease, as if he had merely made a casual move.
Boom!
With a resounding boom, Li Xuan's fist landed firmly on Ma Yuanhua's chest, the immense force sending him plummeting downwards.
Hiss!
Witnessing this, the onlookers surrounding the stage were filled with shock. The two who had seemed evenly matched moments before now showed such a stark contrast.
After all, many had favored Ma Yuanhua. The resources of the Third Peak were far superior to those of the Seventh Peak, a testament to Ma Yuanhua's ability to defeat a True Self Realm beginner while only being at the Intermediate Virtual Self Realm.
"My goodness, just how powerful is Elder Li Xuan's physical strength? Even Senior Brother Ma Yuanhua, renowned for his defense, couldn't withstand it?"
"If I recall, Elder Li Xuan has only been with our Azure Hall for a little over a year. It's said he was only at the Free Self Realm before. Yet now, he has far surpassed us. It's possible that in the future, Elder Li Xuan might even stand shoulder to shoulder with those esteemed elders."
"Elder Li Xuan is indeed formidable, but Senior Brother Ma Yuanhua still has a finishing move. The previous True Self Realm cultivator was defeated by Senior Brother Ma Yuanhua's killing blow. If Elder Li Xuan cannot withstand it, he might also fall."
"..."
Disciples of the Seventh Peak whispered amongst themselves, each voicing their opinions. Seeing Li Xuan send Ma Yuanhua falling with a single punch, Su Yueze and the other three also felt a sense of relief.
After knocking Ma Yuanhua down, Li Xuan's expression shifted slightly, becoming a bit more solemn.
Ma Yuanhua, after falling to the stage, bounced back up strangely. A frenzied aura instantly erupted from his body.
"Spirit Devouring Technique!"
With a sinister voice, a black light emanated from Ma Yuanhua's surroundings. As this black light appeared, the very sky and earth seemed to change color. Where the black light passed, it spread like ink, consuming everything in its path like a whirlwind.
"Is this the Body-Spirit Servitude technique?" Li Xuan frowned slightly at Ma Yuanhua's actions. Among Spirit Masters, it was considered an extremely domineering and invincible art. And Body-Spirit Servitude was particularly perilous.
Seeing Ma Yuanhua unleash the Spirit Devouring Technique, Li Xuan finally understood why Ma Yuanhua could defeat a True Self Realm beginner while only being at the Intermediate Virtual Self Realm.
However, such a cultivation technique was not considered righteous.
After all, Body-Spirit Servitude was too bloody. Even a slight misstep could lead to being controlled by malevolent spirits, turning one into a mere killing machine. Of course, if one could control it, it could be a powerful trump card.
Cultivation techniques themselves were neither good nor bad; if one were to truly differentiate, it would depend solely on the user's intentions.
"This Elder Li Xuan is indeed not weak, to force Ma Yuanhua to directly use his killing move!"
"Although Elder Li Xuan is only at the Intermediate Virtual Self Realm, he is clearly a fighter who can battle beyond his level. Ma Yuanhua likely has no other option if he wishes to win."
"This is probably the moment when the victor will be decided."
"..."
As the black light rapidly spread towards him, Li Xuan felt a sharp aura emanating from it. With a thought, the stars in his divine mansion circulated rapidly, and vast spiritual energy erupted instantly.
"One Technique Suppresses Heaven!"
Li Xuan's hand seals shifted, and the surging spiritual energy emitted a dazzling golden light. Then, under Li Xuan's pointed finger, it shot towards Ma Yuanhua's location.
Where the golden light passed, the black light weakened. Seeing this, Ma Yuanhua spurred his spiritual energy further, his once handsome face contorting. It appeared that the Spirit Devouring Technique was not entirely under his control.
Rumble!
The golden light and black light clashed and eroded each other. In an instant, they intertwined and engulfed the bodies of Li Xuan and Ma Yuanhua, making it impossible for the watching disciples to see the scene on the challenge stage.
"Who won? Judging by this, it looks like a draw."
"You ask me? Who should I ask? I think Elder Li Xuan is stronger."
"Senior Brother Ma Yuanhua isn't weak either. If he wins, Senior Brother Ma Yuanhua would be the only one to achieve the Purple Disciple status with only Virtual Self Realm strength."
"..."
Even though they couldn't see the situation within the arena, the disciples were already brimming with anticipation.
"I... I concede!"
At this moment, Ma Yuanhua's voice rang out, clearly tinged with fear.
As Ma Yuanhua's voice echoed, a white light flashed on the challenge stage. The previously obscured scene was now clearly visible.
Ma Yuanhua stood with his clothes in disarray, a long tear across his chest from which crimson blood flowed. Above his head, Li Xuan's finger had stopped, just an inch away from Ma Yuanhua's forehead.
Hearing Ma Yuanhua's concession, Li Xuan smiled slightly and withdrew his hand, standing with his hands clasped behind his back.
Li Xuan glanced towards the back mountain and murmured, "Hmm, seven minutes have passed. My Peach Blossom Brew should be ready by now. Shall we, fellow seniors?"
"Alright!" Seeing Li Xuan's victory, Su Yueze and the others were immensely excited. Upon hearing Li Xuan's words, Song Wuwen was the first to nod in agreement.
As Song Wuwen spoke, Li Xuan nodded slightly and his figure moved instantly, shooting towards his residence. Su Yueze and the other three immediately followed.
After Li Xuan and Su Yueze and the others departed, the spectators finally came to their senses.
"Elder Li Xuan actually won?!"