Chapter Fifty-Five: Facing an Opponent at the Fifth Level of the Spiritual Awakening Realm!

“Do all members of the Xu family prefer such secrecy?”
Yang Yan’s heart was struck by a violent tremor, yet his expression remained unmoved, his voice cold.
“For someone already doomed, there’s no need for us to bother. We merely conceal ourselves to mislead others...”
The tall, slender figure in black removed his mask, his eyes sharp as a hawk’s as he fixed a cold smile on Yang Yan.
“It seems today promises little hope. With their disguises, even if someone stumbles upon them in action, their identities remain hidden. Should I die here, on the Liu family’s land, even if Ziling escapes to testify, the Xu family can simply deny everything. With only Ziling’s word, few would be convinced.”
Yang Yan mused silently.
“You three, go ahead. Leave this boy to me!”
Xu Hongfei suddenly turned, addressing the other three.
“Brother, what about that girl who escaped?”
Xu Shaoguang pressed anxiously.
“Leave her be. Our main target today is this boy.”
Xu Hongfei’s shadowed gaze swept over Yang Yan, his tone icy.
The three exchanged reluctant glances, casting cold stares at Yang Yan before turning away, leaping down the mountain slope.
“Since I crushed the Summoning Spirit Talisman, some time has passed. With my father’s cultivation, even though Xu Tianlong and the others are obstructing him, he should be arriving soon. Moreover, the commotion here is bound to draw the attention of the Liu family if it continues, leaving the Xu family exposed and unable to resolve matters.”
“Thus, the most important thing now is to delay!”
With this thought, Yang Yan suddenly laughed aloud.
“To think the grand heir of the Xu family, a disciple of Azure Profound Sect, would sneak here to strike at a junior—aren’t you afraid of becoming the laughingstock of the world?”
“Sharp-tongued brat, I know you’re stalling for time, but your petty tricks won’t work on me. Every word you speak now will only make your death more painful!”
Xu Hongfei let out a sinister laugh. His arm suddenly stretched out, two fingers shooting toward Yang Yan, unleashing a pillar of intensely concentrated golden spiritual energy that shot forth like lightning.
Yang Yan’s heart tightened, filled with shock and anger.

“The Xu family truly has no shame, attacking from the shadows despite their superior strength!”
Cursing inwardly, Yang Yan dared not slacken. He hurriedly channeled his spiritual energy, raising Moonshadow Frost before him to block.
“Boom!”
With a thunderous crash, Yang Yan felt as though struck by a hammer, forced back dozens of steps before steadying himself. His arms trembled violently, palms split and blood streaming; his sword hand shook uncontrollably.
“Such power, and it was merely a casual attack formed from spiritual energy?”
Yang Yan reeled. Xu Hongfei was a cultivator of the same era as his “brothers” Zhang Quan and Zhang Sheng, and by Yang Yan’s estimation, his strength lay around the fifth level of the Spirit Sense Realm.
Yang Yan had hoped, having bested Liu Zhengqing, a peak third-level Spirit Sense cultivator, that he could at least delay Xu Hongfei, whose power was two levels higher, even if he couldn’t win.
Yet, after facing him head-on, Yang Yan realized such thoughts were nothing but wishful thinking!
The might of a fifth-level Spirit Sense cultivator far exceeded his expectations.
Yang Yan had already infused pale blue spiritual energy into his sword to block, yet even so, Xu Hongfei’s attack was barely held off. The blow matched the force of Liu Zhengqing’s martial techniques during the clan tournament!
Xu Hongfei, meanwhile, was even more shocked.
His attack, though seemingly casual, was actually executed with his spiritual energy compressed to the utmost. Even a peak third-level Spirit Sense cultivator could not easily withstand it.
He had intended to cripple Yang Yan with a sudden strike, but Yang Yan not only blocked it, he seemed almost unscathed!
“This boy cannot be allowed to live!”
Suddenly, a chill rose in Xu Hongfei’s heart.
Yang Yan was at the peak of the second level of the Spirit Sense Realm, yet could withstand his blow. With such talent and cultivation, it was only a matter of time before he entered Azure Profound Sect. Xu Hongfei had already suffered under Zhang Quan and Zhang Sheng there; if Yang Yan joined, the Zhang family would have three disciples in the sect—an unfavorable situation for the Xu family!
To eliminate this future threat to the Xu family, Yang Yan must die today!
With this thought, killing intent surged in Xu Hongfei’s eyes. His hands crossed, and he struck out three times at Yang Yan.
“Clang, clang, clang!”
Yang Yan dared not falter, swinging Moonshadow Frost with both hands to block each blow.

A thunderous roar filled Yang Yan’s mind as he endured three consecutive attacks. His arms went numb, sword nearly slipping from his grasp. His organs churned as the taste of blood, suppressed before, began to rise in his throat once more.
“This cannot go on. If I keep defending, I won’t last long. Rather than passively taking blows, I must seize the initiative—risk everything to survive!”
With this resolve, determination blazed across Yang Yan’s face. He switched the sword to his left hand, his right palm whirling rapidly before his chest.
As his pale blue spiritual energy was depleted, the cold, murderous intent that lurked within him began to surge forth. This time, Yang Yan did not repress it, letting it grow unchecked.
“Soul Devouring Seal!”
His voice rang out, devoid of emotion. At that moment, Yang Yan thrust his right palm forward, sending a dazzling, pale blue crystalline light seal streaking toward Xu Hongfei, accompanied by faint thunder.
“A mere flicker dares to challenge the moon? Watch me shatter your martial art!”
Xu Hongfei’s face darkened; though his words were arrogant, he sensed danger from the unassuming blue seal.
With a swift gesture, Xu Hongfei’s hands moved rapidly, golden spiritual energy gathering at his right index and middle fingers, forming a brilliant golden point.
“Golden Severing Finger!”
With a shout, Xu Hongfei’s fingers shot toward the blue crystal seal like lightning. The golden light at the tips exploded forth, forming a massive golden finger as thick as an arm in an instant.
“Go!”
The giant golden finger surged forward, carrying an aura of utter destruction, smashing fiercely into the blue light seal.