"Greetings, Elder Geng Tian." Commander Zhang Xu ascended the stage and, after nodding to Li Xuan, bowed respectfully to Elder Geng Tian.
Elder Geng Tian nodded slightly. After clearing his throat, he announced loudly, "The duel you two have arranged has attracted many disciples to spectate. Our Mu Pavilion has not seen such liveliness in many years. I hear, Zhang Xu, that you have offered thirty Tai Yuan Fruits as stakes for this battle. Is this true?"
Commander Zhang Xu nodded. "Replying to Elder Geng Tian, this is true. If Commander Li defeats me, I am willing to offer thirty Tai Yuan Fruits. Of course, Commander Li need not do the same. After all, this battle was initiated by me, which could be considered an overbearing move."
"Furthermore, I have already told Commander Li Xuan that I would fight him at the same cultivation level. At that time, I will trouble Elder Geng Tian to seal some of my cultivation."
Elder Geng Tian nodded slightly. After glancing at Li Xuan, he said, "Although Li Xuan is also a commander, he has only recently joined our Mu Pavilion. If we were to ask him to offer an equal amount of Tai Yuan Fruits, he might find it difficult."
"How about this, I have some savings over the years. I will also offer thirty Tai Yuan Fruits as the spoils of this battle. Regardless of who among you wins, you will receive these thirty Tai Yuan Fruits."
"Elder Geng Tian, you are too generous!" Li Xuan and Zhang Xu exchanged glances, then bowed in unison to Elder Geng Tian.
"My goodness, that means there will be sixty Tai Yuan Fruits!"
"Although this battle is only a battle at the Quantity Transformation Realm level, sixty Tai Yuan Fruits as spoils is truly a considerable amount. At my level, it would take three years to save that much."
"This battle seems more advantageous for Commander Li Xuan. If Commander Li Xuan defeats Commander Zhang Xu, he will gain a full sixty Tai Yuan Fruits."
"While the spoils are great, it's not necessarily an easy win for Commander Li Xuan. After all, Commander Zhang Xu is a mid-stage Divine Transformation Realm cultivator, and I heard Commander Li Xuan has only just entered the Quantity Transformation Realm."
"I wonder how many Star Spirit Pearls Commander Li Xuan condensed when he first entered the Quantity Transformation Realm. Perhaps we can discern something from that."
"..."
As soon as Elder Geng Tian finished speaking, the disciples in the plaza and the surrounding viewing areas erupted in shocked discussion.
After all, sixty Tai Yuan Fruits as a prize was enough to make them envious. Even the four commanders of the Mu Pavilion exchanged surprised glances. Elder Geng Tian's proactive offer of thirty Tai Yuan Fruits held a different kind of significance.
"Alright, since you, Zhang Xu, wish for a fair fight, I will seal your cultivation. The disciples from the five pavilions are mostly here now. Let this battle commence." Elder Geng Tian smiled, then waved his hand, and a beam of spiritual light entered Commander Zhang Xu's body.
Visibly, Commander Zhang Xu's aura rapidly weakened. Within ten breaths, Zhang Xu's cultivation was halted at the early stage of the Quantity Transformation Realm.
"Thank you, Elder Geng Tian." Commander Zhang Xu closed his eyes briefly to sense his condition, then bowed to Elder Geng Tian and shifted his gaze to Li Xuan. "Commander Li Xuan, let us begin."
Li Xuan nodded. "Commander Zhang Xu, please."
*Hum.*
As Li Xuan and Zhang Xu finished speaking, Elder Geng Tian acted again, and a barrier enveloped the entire stage.
This time, the stage in the plaza was significantly larger than when Li Xuan had previously fought Du Jing. Furthermore, this stage was not a simple construction. Under the shroud of the barrier, fluctuations of spiritual energy rippled.
Li Xuan sensed that he might not be able to shatter it even with his full strength, and Elder Geng Tian's power inspired further awe in him.
*Bang, bang, bang!*
Li Xuan and Commander Zhang Xu exchanged glances, then both moved towards each other.
Two afterimages left arcs in the air before colliding violently.
Both of them immediately engaged in close-quarters combat. In a mere ten breaths, they had exchanged over a hundred blows.
Terrifying shockwaves raged, but they were all absorbed and dissipated by the barrier.
The spectators, with their sharp eyes, could clearly see the ferocity of their exchanges.
Many disciples' eyes showed a hint of shock. After more than a hundred breaths, Li Xuan and Zhang Xu showed no signs of stopping.
Although Zhang Xu's cultivation had been sealed by Elder Geng Tian to the early stage of the Quantity Transformation Realm, his physical prowess remained undiminished.
In contrast, Li Xuan, having only recently entered the Quantity Transformation Realm, was able to hold his own against Zhang Xu for so long without being defeated. This truly made everyone curious about the extent of Li Xuan's physical mastery.
Above the Mu Pavilion mountain range, amidst the clouds, stood an elegant figure. This person was none other than the esteemed Mu Lan Xin, the ruler of the Mu Pavilion.
Watching the battle below, Supreme Mu Lan Xin also showed a trace of curiosity in her eyes.
Although Li Xuan was a disciple of the Mu Pavilion, he had only enjoyed its cultivation resources and had not yet exchanged for any cultivation techniques within the Tian Yi Pavilion. To have cultivated his physical body to such a degree required great fortune.
"To be able to fight for so long without losing, how many Star Spirit Pearls did this young man condense when he entered the Quantity Transformation Realm?" Supreme Mu Lan Xin murmured, her gaze briefly falling on the direction of Su Nu Peak before she slowly faded into the clouds, disappearing from sight.
*Boom!*
A massive roar echoed, and the figures of Li Xuan and Zhang Xu were finally repelled. After several minutes, neither had managed to gain the upper hand.
After retreating, both of them wore expressions of seriousness.
Upon entering the Quantity Transformation Realm, a spiritual master could freely control their spiritual energy. The combined might of their Star Spirit Pearls could be fused into a single punch, capable of defeating any spiritual master below the Boundless Realm.
And in these past few minutes, Li Xuan and Zhang Xu had exchanged hundreds of punches without a clear victor. The spectators were utterly awestruck.
"This battle today has been exhilarating. Commander Li, I eagerly anticipate your performance after you ascend to the Divine Transformation Realm." Commander Zhang Xu said with a smile.
"Should Commander Zhang find the time then, we can spar again. There is nothing to prevent it." Li Xuan replied with a slight smile.
He was somewhat surprised by Zhang Xu's strength. After all, Li Xuan's physical mastery had improved again, yet he could not gain an advantage over Zhang Xu.
If Zhang Xu were at his peak, Li Xuan was not confident he could remain undefeated as he was now.
"Excellent! After this battle, I, Zhang Xu, will consider you my friend!" Commander Zhang Xu let out a hearty laugh, then his body flashed with spiritual light, and a tiger silhouette instantly materialized.
The tiger silhouette gradually solidified within the spiritual light, its body reaching over ten zhang in height. A terrifying beastly aura emanated, and even Li Xuan felt a strong sense of pressure.
"Heavenly Wave Tiger Phantom Art! I didn't expect Commander Zhang Xu to have cultivated the Heavenly Wave Tiger Phantom Art to this extent. This tiger form is likely at great completion!"
"The Heavenly Wave Tiger Phantom Art is a low-grade divine-tier cultivation technique. Possessing it alone is enough to increase one's cultivation by thirty percent. I've seen Commander Zhang Xu defeat peak mid-stage Divine Transformation Realm experts with this technique before. Now that he has manifested the tiger form, Commander Li Xuan may find it difficult to resist."
"I believe Commander Li Xuan's physical prowess is extraordinary. Perhaps he has his own methods."
"..."
As the tiger form materialized, the surrounding crowd erupted in astonished discussion.
Clearly, the technique displayed by Commander Zhang Xu was extremely powerful. If Li Xuan had no trump card, this move would likely decide the victor.
"A low-grade divine-tier cultivation technique, truly extraordinary." The crowd's chatter did not affect Li Xuan.
Li Xuan had some understanding of cultivation technique tiers. Previously, he knew they were divided into Profound, Yellow, Earth, Human, Heaven, King, Immortal, and Divine tiers.
After entering the Tian Yi Pavilion, Li Xuan also learned that above the Divine tier was the Saint tier of cultivation techniques. However, even the domain lords of the nine domains had not obtained such techniques. Whether they truly existed, Li Xuan had his doubts.
And now, Commander Zhang Xu possessed a low-grade divine-tier cultivation technique, undoubtedly far superior to Li Xuan's current capabilities.
However, Li Xuan did not give up. Under everyone's gaze, he calmly formed hand seals.
As his hand seals shifted, the stars in Li Xuan's divine mansion flickered. A total of nine hundred and fifty Star Spirit Pearls erupted with intense light simultaneously. A surging and boundless spiritual energy poured out.
The spiritual energy interwove, and under the control of Li Xuan's hand seals, a bolt of lightning as thick as an arm quickly condensed. Under everyone's watchful eyes, this lightning bolt rapidly compressed. In less than ten breaths, it had compressed into a thin line of lightning.
But the surrounding energy was so sharp that it sliced through space. Pockets of void emerged, then continuously flowed into the lightning line.
"My heavens, nine hundred and fifty Star Spirit Pearls!"
"I heard Commander Li Xuan had just entered the Quantity Transformation Realm, and he has condensed nine hundred and fifty Star Spirit Pearls!"
"No wonder he could match Commander Zhang Xu. He actually has nine hundred and fifty Star Spirit Pearls."
"Our Mu Pavilion will have another peerless expert in the future!"
"..."
As Li Xuan's Star Spirit Pearls appeared, the spectators were instantly filled with shock.
Even Elder Geng Tian's pupils constricted slightly.
It was well known that those who could condense nine hundred Star Spirit Pearls upon entering the Quantity Transformation Realm were considered prodigies. The higher the number of Star Spirit Pearls, the further their future path would extend.
Li Xuan's nine hundred and fifty Star Spirit Pearls undoubtedly delivered a massive impact to everyone.
In fact, if not for the admonitions from Supreme Bai Su Xin and Madam Mo Ning Xiang, Li Xuan would likely have unleashed all his Star Spirit Pearls this time. The effect would have caused a sensation throughout the Cloud World.
And unleashing nine hundred and fifty Star Spirit Pearls was a decision Li Xuan made after careful consideration.
"Heavenly Tiger, go!"
Commander Zhang Xu's expression shifted slightly upon seeing this, clearly surprised by the number of Li Xuan's Star Spirit Pearls.
However, Commander Zhang Xu did not hesitate. He changed his hand seals and pointed a finger.
The enormous tiger silhouette pounced directly at Li Xuan.
Li Xuan's expression remained unchanged. The next moment, he flicked his finger, and the lightning line, resembling a thunderous serpent, shot towards the pouncing Heavenly Tiger silhouette.
*Boom!*
The lightning line and the Heavenly Tiger silhouette collided, and two immense forces of spiritual energy intertwined. A deafening roar echoed, and the spectators' eyes widened as they waited.
If nothing unexpected happened, the result of this confrontation would be revealed.
*Crack!*
As time passed, after a five-minute stalemate, a crisp clicking sound was heard. The crowd looked and their expressions changed.
The Heavenly Tiger silhouette, over ten zhang tall, was being cut by the extremely thin lightning line! The imposing aura of the tiger silhouette began to dissipate. If this continued, the Heavenly Tiger silhouette would undoubtedly be destroyed by the lightning line.
Commander Zhang Xu's pupils contracted slightly. He changed his hand seals, and Star Spirit Pearls flickered above his head. In a short time, nine hundred and twenty-eight Star Spirit Pearls were revealed to everyone.
Clearly, these nine hundred and twenty-eight Star Spirit Pearls were what Commander Zhang Xu had condensed upon entering the Quantity Transformation Realm.
Now, Commander Zhang Xu had activated his Star Spirit Pearls, preparing to decide the victor with Li Xuan.
Boundless spiritual energy surged into the Heavenly Tiger silhouette, and the areas cut by the lightning line instantly repaired themselves. The lightning line was also repelled.
"Nine hundred and twenty-eight Star Spirit Pearls, no wonder he has such strength." Looking at the flickering Star Spirit Pearls above Commander Zhang Xu's head, Li Xuan nodded slightly and changed his hand seals.
Similarly, the Star Spirit Pearls above his head flickered rapidly, and spiritual energy flowed towards the lightning line like a tide.
Suddenly, the lightning line visibly thickened. In mere seconds, it expanded to ten meters wide. The two forces once again entered a stalemate.