Chapter Forty-Six: A Sudden Inspiration!

“Who would have thought I would be underestimated by a girl...” Yang Yan let out a bitter smile in his heart, but his expression was grave. In the clash just now with Sun Zhixin, under the influence of her pale blue spiritual power, his own robust fire attribute spiritual power and innate spiritual body had lost their advantage. However, her soul power, far stronger than ordinary people, brought Yang Yan an even more troublesome difficulty!

The instant their bodies touched, Yang Yan felt an invisible wave of energy flow from Sun Zhixin’s body into his own, as if an uninvited guest was vying with his consciousness for control of his body—a feeling so strange and terrifying that even recalling it now made cold sweat run down his back.

Sun Zhixin was using her formidable soul strength to weave a trace of soul attack into her spiritual power, making it impossible to guard against. Though such an attack could only cause a moment’s distraction, that was enough! In a duel between experts, victory often hinges on the slightest margin. The saying goes: a tiny deviation can lead to enormous mistakes. Sun Zhixin exploited this, which allowed her to strike successfully.

“So this is the power of the soul?” Yang Yan was secretly alarmed. Such power was far too frightening. If that was the case, he must avoid direct contact with her spiritual power—he would have to deploy “Moonshadow Frostblade” instead!

Yet, as soon as Yang Yan’s thought stirred and he was about to reach for his universe pouch, Sun Zhixin had already anticipated his intentions. With a sudden shift, she appeared in front of him in an instant! Clearly, Sun Zhixin also possessed a technique to increase her movement speed, likely similar to Yang Yan’s “Shadowstep Technique,” though it was a worldly martial art, not an immortal cultivation “Martial Formula.”

Such things were not particularly rare; with the Sun family’s resources, acquiring one would not be difficult. But this meant Yang Yan lost his speed advantage. Sun Zhixin pressed closer and closer, her attacks relentless, giving him no chance to draw his sword!

What troubled Yang Yan even more was her unpredictable, almost supernatural attack style. For instance, just as he barely dodged a palm strike, before he could catch his breath, a crimson “spiritual palm” would suddenly appear from somewhere on her arm and strike down at him again!

These strange, unavoidable attacks forced Yang Yan into dangerous straits, leaving him disheveled and sweating profusely. Compared to his earlier match with Liu Zhengqing, this bout was far more perilous and humiliating. If it were a straightforward contest of strength, Yang Yan would not fear anyone. But the girl before him was like a rose with thorns—impossible to touch. Dodging alone could never lead to victory!

Sun Zhixin seemed to understand this as well. She was in no hurry to win, instead maintaining a steady rhythm of attacks to force Yang Yan into exposing a weakness, so she could seize the opportunity!

“What’s wrong with Yang Yan? How can he be forced to such a state by a girl?”

“Heh, is this fellow so gentle because he’s fallen for that little girl?” Some puzzled spectators watched Yang Yan being chased around the stage and couldn't help but speculate.

“If Yan’er goes on like this, winning will be difficult... He still hasn’t comprehended the cultivation method for ‘Soul Devouring Mark,’ has he...” Zhang Tai shook his head with a bitter smile.

“Even if Yan’er’s talent isn’t weak, to comprehend and master ‘Soul Devouring Mark’ within just five days is too difficult for him. Back then, it took me nearly three months to grasp and cultivate it...” Zhang Tai mused to himself.

“Will you keep hiding like a turtle, afraid to face me head-on?” Sun Zhixin pressed her attack, her tone calm.

“What a clever girl, so young and already playing mind games with me...” Yang Yan fumed inwardly.

In truth, Sun Zhixin was not eager for victory. Her provocative words were meant to disturb Yang Yan’s mind. What she sought was a steady win, to secure first place in this competition with absolute certainty. If Yang Yan’s mind was rattled and he impulsively faced her directly, she could seize the chance to unleash a soul attack, winning in the safest way possible!

Such keen intelligence at her young age was truly terrifying!

“Yes, why am I afraid to confront her? If I want to understand soul power, isn’t now the perfect opportunity?!”

Suddenly, a bold idea arose in Yang Yan’s mind. If you don’t enter the tiger’s den, how can you catch the tiger cub!

“Then today, I’ll use your hand to truly sense and experience soul power!”

With this thought, Yang Yan burst out laughing, his voice resonant.

“What is there to fear?!”

With those words, he no longer dodged. His palms moved, and the pale blue spiritual power within him gathered instantly, colliding head-on with Sun Zhixin’s attack!

Boom!

A thunderous explosion echoed in the arena. Both Sun Zhixin and Yang Yan were sent flying. Sun Zhixin managed to steady herself after a few staggered steps on the stage, but Yang Yan, invaded by soul power and briefly dazed, landed heavily on the stone platform, grimacing in pain.

“Again!”

Unperturbed, Yang Yan slapped his backside, jumped up, and charged at Sun Zhixin once more!

Boom!

As expected, after another thunderous clash, Yang Yan rolled on the ground in a sorry state.

“Again!...”

Watching Yang Yan being blasted away time after time only to get up again, the audience was bewildered, their voices rising in confusion. Only Elder Li’s eyes flashed with a strange light as he murmured, “This boy is truly audacious, actually trying to sense soul power through this method—quite unexpected...”

In the arena, Sun Zhixin now furrowed her brows. Yang Yan seemed like an indestructible cockroach—was he really provoked by her words, his anger clouding his mind? Or had her soul attacks left him addled, foolish?

Their battle now was unlike before, a direct contest of strength without any tricks or cleverness.

Yang Yan also managed his strength exceptionally well. After each clash, the residual force pushed them apart, giving Yang Yan a brief moment to sense and expel Sun Zhixin’s soul attack from his body. After a brief daze, he regained clarity, and Sun Zhixin could not launch another soul attack in so short a time!

In this direct confrontation, Sun Zhixin’s fire attribute spiritual power was strong, but Yang Yan’s pale blue spiritual power was even more troublesome. After each exchange, a bone-chilling cold radiated from his palms, making Sun Zhixin’s expression increasingly grim.