Chapter Thirty-Five: Striking with Ruthless Resolve!

Xu Shaoguang’s heart sank as he realized something was terribly wrong. In his desperation, he had completely overlooked the possibility that Yang Yan might be protected by a body-shielding artifact. The three “Lockbone Darts” he had just launched were all blocked by Yang Yan’s protective spiritual energy and the inner armor he wore close to his body.

While he was fuming with regret and hatred, he glimpsed a fleeting, chilling intent to kill in Yang Yan’s cold expression. Yang Yan’s attack did not falter; the long sword in his hand shimmered with an icy, piercing blue light, sharp enough to cut through anything, aimed straight at Xu Shaoguang’s brow!

At that moment, every hair on Xu Shaoguang’s body stood on end, and for the first time in his life, a powerful sense of fear gripped his heart. He could feel it—if this continued, he would truly be killed by Yang Yan!

He shuddered violently, stumbling backward in terror, his face twisted in panic. With a voice broken by fright, he cried out, “I concede!”

Yet, Yang Yan, his face still indifferent, showed no intention of stopping. Instead, he tapped lightly against the air, his speed suddenly increasing as he charged toward the stunned Xu Shaoguang. The sword, Moonlit Frost, flickered with electric blue light, swirling like the grim scythe of a soul-reaping god!

Uproar swept through the audience. According to the rules of the Inter-Clan Martial Gathering, once an opponent conceded, further attacks were forbidden; any violator would be disqualified. Who could have imagined that this third young master of the Zhang family would so brazenly disregard the rules and attempt murder before the entire assembly?

“How dare you, boy!”

Just then, a furious shout erupted from near the white jade platform, cutting through the noise and freezing the commotion. In the next instant, the crowd saw a surge of blazing, crimson fire-attribute spiritual energy shoot forth, aiming directly at the Moonlit Frost in Yang Yan’s grasp. Simultaneously, a tall figure leapt from the audience seats, charging straight at Yang Yan!

A clear, metallic clang resounded through the arena. Yang Yan felt as if his right arm had been struck by lightning, his palm splitting open, unable to hold onto Moonlit Frost any longer. The sword flew from his grasp, its tip embedding itself in the white jade nearby, the blade still trembling and humming from the force.

The searing pain in his hand jolted Yang Yan, and as he regained his senses, he suddenly felt a surge of overwhelming, violent fire-attribute spiritual power rushing toward him!

A deafening explosion shook the arena, leaving the audience’s ears ringing and their heads spinning. Forcing themselves to focus, everyone stared intently at the stage.

Upon the stone platform, two middle-aged men now stood beside Xu Shaoguang and Yang Yan, each with a frosty, forbidding expression. They faced each other, eyes locked in cold confrontation.

“Xu Tianlong, what is the meaning of this? When is it your place to lay hands on my son during a match between juniors?” Zhang Tai’s face burned with anger as he spoke.

“Hmph! Shaoguang had already admitted defeat, yet this little brat pressed on ruthlessly, intent on killing him! If I hadn’t intervened in time, would my son still be alive?” Xu Tianlong’s face was equally livid, the scar on his cheek twisted with rage as he retorted coldly.

“If your son hadn’t used hidden weapons first, why would Yan’er act as he did?” Their words were sharp, and for a moment it seemed a deadly fight would break out over a single misstep. The tension in the arena skyrocketed, and the audience exchanged uneasy glances, murmuring in disbelief.

Who could have imagined that a contest between juniors would erupt into such chaos?

“Enough!”

As the two glared at each other atop the stone platform, a resonant, commanding voice thundered forth from the front of the audience, deep and powerful as a great bell and rolling thunder.

Elder Li slowly rose, his rotund frame swaying as he strode unhurriedly toward the platform. At the same time, a terrifying aura swept across the entire arena, its oppressive force spreading in all directions.

The hall fell silent. Under that fearsome pressure, not a soul dared resist.

On stage, the furious Xu Tianlong calmed somewhat. He bowed deeply to Elder Li, clasping his fists, and spoke first.

“Elder Li, according to the rules of the Inter-Clan Martial Gathering, once my son Shaoguang concedes, his opponent is forbidden from attacking further. Yet the Zhang family’s boy continued his assault with lethal force! By the rules, he should be stripped of his qualification to compete!”

Before the authority of the Azure Profound Sect’s elder, Xu Tianlong’s usual arrogance vanished; every word and gesture was filled with deference.

He knew all too well that though both he and Elder Li were Spiritual Communion stage cultivators, if it came to a real fight, he wouldn’t last three moves against the elder. One stood at the fourth level, the other at the peak of the stage—the gap between them was vast, not to mention that behind Elder Li stood the mighty Azure Profound Sect of Jin Prefecture.

“Elder Li, it was clearly Xu Shaoguang who used hidden weapons first…” Zhang Tai hurriedly interjected, bowing in explanation.

But he had barely begun before Elder Li raised his hand to silence him. Though anxious, Zhang Tai could do nothing but hold his tongue.

Xu Tianlong was overjoyed at this, certain that Elder Li would take his side and disqualify Yang Yan. But just as this thought arose, the smile froze on his face at Elder Li’s next words.

“This round goes to Yang Yan of the Zhang family. As for the Xu family, you may withdraw from all further matches.”

“Elder Li, this—” Xu Tianlong was stunned, struggling to find words, but Elder Li cut him off coldly.

“Hmph! Let us set aside your son’s use of hidden-weapon artifacts. Simply the fact that he took the ‘Blood Mirage Pill’, which is strictly forbidden by the rules of the Gathering, is enough to disqualify the Xu family from participating!”

Elder Li made no attempt to conceal his words. Every single person in the arena heard him clearly.

“So the Xu family’s young master didn’t use a secret art to boost his power, but actually took a banned pill!”

“No wonder—I always wondered how the Xu family came to possess such high-level martial techniques…”

Though the Gathering’s rules prohibited hidden weapons, certain offensive artifacts were difficult to classify. But the use of banned ‘forbidden pills’ for a sudden boost in power was an inviolable law.

Xu Tianlong, thinking himself clever, had managed to obtain such a pill from somewhere, and in his hubris gave it to Xu Shaoguang, hoping to get away with it. He never expected Elder Li to see through it at a glance. With sudden understanding, the crowd burst into discussion.

Xu Tianlong’s face alternated between livid and ashen, and for a long while, he was unable to utter a word. Enduring the pointing fingers and scornful stares of the audience, he finally could not bear the humiliation any longer. Dragging the dazed Xu Shaoguang with him, he slunk off the stage.

Xu Shaoguang had long since been scared witless by the killing intent Yang Yan had shown earlier. The terror of facing death so closely was something he had never known. It was only when Xu Tianlong half-dragged, half-carried him away that he began to recover his senses. In his panic, he couldn’t help but glance at Yang Yan, standing silently behind Zhang Tai, and at the sword that had nearly claimed his life. Suddenly, a strange feeling struck Xu Shaoguang’s heart.

“Why does that sword look so familiar?”