"The match begins!"
As the voice fell, Li Xuan and Han Mo both looked up at each other.
Li Xuan had heard of Han Mo. He was considered a leading figure in the Free Realm within the Second Peak.
Han Mo, on the other hand, looked at Li Xuan with curiosity. He was well aware of the affairs of the Seventh Peak. Anyone taken as a disciple by Elder Luo Kang was naturally not to be underestimated. Thus, as he regarded Li Xuan, Han Mo circulated the spiritual energy within him, ready to strike at any moment.
"A disciple accepted by Elder Luo must possess extraordinary qualities. The fact that you have been chosen to face me indicates that Junior Brother Lin's strength is not to be trifled with. However, as your senior brother, I will not hold back. So, Junior Brother Lin, be careful!"
As Han Mo's words ended, his figure spun rapidly, and in an instant, he swept towards Li Xuan like a powerful gust of wind.
Li Xuan, hearing this, found his impression of Han Mo to be quite favorable. Seeing Han Mo launch the first attack, he instantly moved, his figure shooting out to meet Han Mo.
Bang!
Amidst the whirlwind, Han Mo's palm met Li Xuan's left fist squarely. However, soon after the brief collision, both figures used the rebound force to retreat.
"Such formidable physical strength!" Han Mo looked at Li Xuan, his eyes filled with deep shock.
But upon remembering that all disciples taken by Luo Kang were exceptional, he quickly understood.
If Li Xuan had been mediocre, he wouldn't have been accepted as a disciple. At this moment, Han Mo's expression gradually became serious.
From their initial probing exchange, Han Mo had realized that Li Xuan and he were of equal strength, both in the advanced stage of the Free Realm.
Li Xuan, facing him, now also regarded Han Mo with a more serious expression. He knew his own physical strength very well.
However, after their recent clash, Han Mo had not sustained any injuries. Although it was merely a test of strength, it demonstrated that Han Mo was not weak.
"I can't hold back any longer. Otherwise, I might expose more of my trump cards," Li Xuan thought. With a change of mind, he rapidly formed hand seals. The spiritual energy within his Divine Mansion circulated swiftly, and potent spiritual power condensed between his hands.
"Is he going to decide the outcome directly?" Han Mo, seeing this, immediately understood Li Xuan's intention. He no longer held back, and with a movement, seven afterimages rapidly appeared in mid-air.
These seven afterimages did not dissipate, remaining as if frozen in the sky. Then, as if coming to life, the hand seals formed by the seven afterimages were identical to the seals formed by Han Mo's main body.
"Sky-Reversing Seven Roars!"
"One Technique Suppresses Heaven!"
Han Mo and Li Xuan shouted in unison, and the sky above trembled.
Seven afterimages of Han Mo rapidly merged into a spiritual light, transforming into seven colossal dragons that roared and shot towards Li Xuan.
Meanwhile, Li Xuan pointed a finger, and the long-prepared pillar of spiritual energy, like a wild horse released from its reins, shot directly towards the seven dragons.
Roar!
The seven dragons let out fierce roars, instantly charging into the pillar of spiritual energy.
Boom!
High above the arena, spiritual light flickered incessantly.
Bang!
As Han Mo intently watched the confrontation, Li Xuan's figure, like a phantom, rapidly appeared behind him. With a swift palm strike, he landed squarely on Han Mo's shoulder.
With a resounding bang, Han Mo's body was propelled upwards, drawing a perfect arc in mid-air before falling out of the arena.
"Pfft!" Han Mo, sent flying out of the arena, immediately spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes filled with astonishment.
Clearly, Han Mo had not yet comprehended how Li Xuan had managed this. After all, it was incredibly difficult to appear behind him without him realizing it.
"I apologize," Li Xuan said, bowing his fist towards Han Mo as a beam of multicolored light moved towards him.
In fact, after Han Mo and Li Xuan had engaged, Li Xuan had activated his Carefree Steps, making his body ethereal and mysteriously appearing behind Han Mo. Although Han Mo's strength was comparable to Li Xuan's, his attention at that moment was focused on the sky.
Combined with the mystifying nature of Li Xuan's Carefree Steps, Han Mo was caught completely off guard, resulting in him being struck by Li Xuan's palm and losing the match.
"How could a disciple chosen by Elder Luo be so simple? I was careless in this match." Han Mo did not show any displeasure at Li Xuan's bow and apology. After a brief cough, he returned the gesture.
Li Xuan nodded slightly. If Han Mo had activated his spiritual energy barrier from the start, his maneuver might not have been so successful. Bowing again, Li Xuan swiftly moved towards Luo Kang of the Seventh Peak.
"Master, I have not shamed your teachings!" Li Xuan stopped and bowed slightly to Luo Kang with a smile.
"Not bad, but this victory was somewhat opportunistic. If Han Mo had been more vigilant, this match might have taken longer."
"Although this battle was won with ease, the subsequent matches will certainly not be so simple. Therefore, Li Xuan, do not become complacent because of this," Luo Kang said slowly.
"Your disciple remembers," Li Xuan replied with a bow.
Li Xuan looked up and observed the arenas in the sky.
Upon closer inspection, Li Xuan saw that his second senior brother, Chai Jingyuan, his third senior brother, He Xidong, and his fourth senior brother, Song Wuwen, were all in fierce battles with their opponents, locked in a stalemate.
For the moment, it was almost impossible to determine a winner. After a brief sense of relief, Li Xuan shifted his gaze to the arena where their eldest senior brother, Su Yueze, was fighting.
With just one glance, Li Xuan frowned slightly.
In the current battle between their eldest senior brother, Su Yueze, and Wang Hong of the Third Peak, Su Yueze was clearly at a disadvantage. Although both were in the early stage of the Shore Realm, Wang Hong had entered the Shore Realm more than five years earlier than Su Yueze, allowing him to display the full potential of his early-stage Shore Realm strength.
"Eldest Senior Brother's battle looks difficult," Li Xuan remarked involuntarily, then looked towards his master, Luo Kang.
Luo Kang nodded slightly. "Your eldest senior brother practices the methods of Yi Mu. His regenerative ability is stronger than opponents of the same rank. Now, we can only see how long they can endure."
Li Xuan understood. As long as there was enough time, Su Yueze would be able to win and secure a spot in the top ten.
However, if he could not outlast Wang Hong until his spiritual energy was depleted, then this match would likely be lost.
"Eldest Senior Brother, hold on," Li Xuan thought to himself, and he raised his head again to watch the battle between Su Yueze and Wang Hong.
Unbeknownst to Li Xuan, a gaze from the Third Peak briefly swept over him before quickly retracting.