Chapter Thirty-Three: Secret Technique?

“Clang, clang, clang!”

Upon the jade platform in the arena, Yang Yan and Xu Shaoguang darted back and forth, matching each other move for move. The "Moonshadow Frostblade" and "Falling Star Demon Hammer" collided intermittently, emitting crisp, ringing sounds that sent sparks flying; the battle appeared fiercely contested.

Xu Shaoguang possessed a naturally robust physique, his strength far surpassing that of his peers. Faced now with Yang Yan, his anger flared, and every swing of his hammer carried the force of a thousand pounds, whistling through the air as he relentlessly aimed at Yang Yan’s vital points.

In contrast, Yang Yan seemed to have no power to counterattack. He dodged and weaved, his body constantly shifting, his wrist flicking the sword. The "Moonshadow Frostblade" struck the sides of the hammer's head from time to time, making it appear as though he had been forced into a defensive position.

Many on the viewing stands shook their heads in silence, convinced Yang Yan would not endure much longer; only a few with keen eyes sensed something different.

“What are those pale blue threads, exactly?!”

In the Xu family seats, Xu Tianlong’s eyes flashed with surprise, then his expression grew grim as he muttered in a low voice.

He’d noticed that whenever Yang Yan’s sword struck the demon hammer, a fine blue thread would travel from the blade to the hammer, and at the same time, the red fire-attribute spiritual energy coating the "Falling Star Demon Hammer" would dim noticeably.

“It seems my suspicion was correct. That boy’s body contains not only water-attribute spiritual energy, but also a mutated ice-attribute. How odd…”

The elder in embroidered robes was also slightly astonished and spoke quietly.

Hearing this, Xu Tianlong clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking. He had already noticed the peculiarity of Yang Yan’s spiritual energy during the first round against Li Yang, but at the time there were too many uncertainties, and he dismissed it as a mistake.

Now that it was confirmed again, a chill surged in Xu Tianlong’s heart!

If Yang Yan truly possessed a rare, special spiritual body—one unseen in a hundred years—it was only a matter of time before he was recruited into Azure Profound Sect, perhaps even as an inner disciple!

If so, the sect would surely nurture him with utmost care, and over time, his position would become pivotal. By then, the Xu family might no longer have any place in Jinhuan City!

“It seems urgent measures must be taken. We cannot let this Zhang family brat continue to grow!”

At the front of the seating area, Elder Li wore a contemplative expression.

Among cultivators of the Celestial Origin Continent, even those with unique physiques might develop spiritual bodies with attributes beyond the five elements, but these were always singular. The simultaneous appearance of both ice and water attributes in one person—he had never heard of such a thing.

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“Could it be incomplete mutation?”

This was the only explanation he could conceive after a moment’s thought.

Xu Shaoguang had also sensed something was amiss. Gazing at Yang Yan, whose lips bore a faint smile, a wave of unease rose in his heart.

His rage had begun to subside, restoring some rationality. The persistent chill and icy sensation from the hammer’s grip, and his own rapidly depleting spiritual energy, made him both alarmed and furious.

“There’s something strange about this kid’s spiritual energy! I can’t afford to keep dragging this out—I must end this quickly!”

With this thought, Xu Shaoguang abruptly halted his assault, fixing a cold stare on Yang Yan. A sinister grin twisted across his face. Then he extended two fingers and suddenly pressed them against his own "Celestial Pool" acupoint.

Seeing Xu Shaoguang’s bizarre action, Yang Yan felt a jolt of apprehension. This opponent was proving far more troublesome than expected. He had intended to win easily by leveraging the principle of water overcoming fire and the unique properties of his pale blue spiritual energy, but he had underestimated Xu Shaoguang’s tactics. Clearly, Xu still had cards left to play.

Indeed, Xu Shaoguang’s face contorted with pain, alternating between blue and purple. The skin over his left chest, at the "Celestial Pool" acupoint, bulged and knotted, glowing with a strange red light, as if something was writhing inside him!

“Roar!”

Xu Shaoguang threw back his head and let out a wild howl, like the wailing of ghosts. In the next moment, a surge of red light burst from his entire body. His fire-attribute spiritual energy blazed as tangible flames, and his aura climbed sharply!

“What’s happening? Xu Shaoguang’s aura seems to have reached the third stage of the Sense Spirit Realm. Was he hiding his strength all along?!”

“It doesn’t look that way. His power may be at the third stage, but his aura is unstable—more like he’s forcibly boosted it through some secret technique!”

The spectators on the stands had all noticed the change, and in their shock, began speculating about the cause of Xu Shaoguang’s sudden surge in strength.

“I’ve said it before—the first place in the clan tournament belongs to the Xu family!” Zhang Tianlong’s face twisted into a cold smile as he growled.

“A secret technique to increase strength? For a small Xu family in Jinhuan City to possess such a method?”

At this moment, Elder Li Chengfeng of Azure Profound Sect wore a puzzled look.

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Within the Celestial Origin Continent’s cultivation world, martial arts techniques varied not only in rank, but in type as well. The rarest were secret methods capable of temporarily boosting one’s power.

Compared to standard offensive techniques of the same rank, these power-boosting arts were at least three times more valuable. Imagine two equally matched opponents—if one suddenly used such a secret method and gained an instant advantage, the outcome would be obvious.

Moreover, these kinds of secret techniques rarely fell below the Profound grade.

Profound-grade techniques were not unheard of in Azure Profound Sect, but they were far from common fare. Especially such rare secret arts—Elder Li found it hard to believe that the humble Xu family could possess such treasures.

“Could it be…?”

Elder Li suddenly looked up, his gaze sharp as lightning scanning Xu Shaoguang.

He saw that Xu’s face had turned purple, the strange and alluring red light at the "Celestial Pool" acupoint flickering ceaselessly. Upon closer inspection, its rhythm seemed to match his heartbeat!

“As I suspected… To think the Xu family would dare employ such tricks right under my nose… Well, it’s just as well. It will be a perfect test for that young man’s true strength!”

Elder Li glanced at Yang Yan, who, despite Xu Shaoguang's surge in power, showed little sign of nervousness. Silently, he pondered.

“Yang Yan, you’ve forced me to this!”

Xu Shaoguang’s face was now twisted and monstrous, illuminated by the eerie red glow at his chest, making him appear as a demon incarnate—utterly terrifying.

Yang Yan’s expression grew grave. He had not expected Xu Shaoguang to forcibly push his power up another level!

“But if you think this alone will stop me, then you underestimate Yang Yan!”

At this thought, a surge of heroic spirit arose in Yang Yan’s heart. He no longer held back, gathering all twenty-five threads of pale blue spiritual energy left in his “Qi Sea” and channeling them into the "Moonshadow Frostblade" in his hand!

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