Next moment, the Shi sword appeared directly in Li Xuan's hand.
At this point, Li Xuan no longer held back any of his strength. This was not only respect for Gu Yang but also the proper attitude towards a strong opponent.
Seeing the Shi sword appear in Li Xuan's hand, Gu Yang understood Li Xuan's intentions. With a slight movement of his mind, Gu Yang also produced a folding fan.
Both were strong individuals and naturally appreciated each other. Yet, fighting with all their might was also a form of mutual respect.
In the next instant, Li Xuan and Gu Yang moved simultaneously.
"One sword breaks ten thousand laws!"
"If you can't sweep a room, how can you sweep the world!"
Sword and fan clashed, instantly igniting lightning and sparks. Terrifying might spread outwards in waves. Even the steadfast arena began to crack once more.
Boom!
After enduring for a moment, both Li Xuan and Gu Yang were sent flying back.
This was the first time Li Xuan had not suppressed his opponent with a single sword. Previously, Li Xuan had almost always killed his opponents with one strike.
One had to admit, Gu Yang's strength was unprecedented.
In truth, Gu Yang's shock at this moment was far greater than Li Xuan's. He didn't feel ashamed to be at a disadvantage against Li Xuan in a physical confrontation, as his own strength was evident. However, this encounter had sobered him up.
The Li Xuan before him was not as simple as he appeared on the surface.
In fact, he far surpassed any opponent of the same rank Gu Yang had ever faced.
"Brother Gu, please be careful this time." As Li Xuan spoke, sword intent surged around him. The eight-zhang sword domain instantly expanded.
Gu Yang's expression tightened upon seeing this. The moment Li Xuan produced the Shi sword, Gu Yang understood why Li Xuan was so formidable.
Sword cultivators were always the strongest among those of the same rank.
Even when fighting opponents of a higher level, sword cultivators often displayed an invincible demeanor.
"Brother Li, please." Gu Yang took a deep breath, waved the folding fan before him, and a stream of light was outlined.
Gu Yang knew that Li Xuan had not used his full power in the previous strike. This time, he would undoubtedly unleash his full might. His own response had to be equally full-hearted. This was not contempt for Li Xuan, but the pride of fellow young cultivators.
"Sword Domain, Three Swords Severing the Heavens!"
Li Xuan swung the Shi sword, and with the continuous surge of sword intent, it directly attacked Gu Yang.
"Ancient Art, Fan of the Universe!"
Gu Yang attacked simultaneously, the stream of light before him outlining a landscape of a thousand miles. Like a scroll painting, it surged towards Li Xuan's Shi sword.
Hum!
The sword's hum grew, and the eight layers of sword intent poured into the Shi sword. Wherever it passed, space collapsed.
Buzz!
The scroll painting of a thousand miles seemed to come alive, a buzzing sound emanating from its movement.
In the next moment, the Shi sword plunged directly into the thousand-mile landscape scroll.
Boom!
Accompanied by a resounding boom, a massive explosion echoed across the sky.
In an instant, Gu Yang's attack, transformed into a landscape of a thousand miles, was shattered.
Puff!
Gu Yang spat out a mouthful of blood, his aura instantly weakening.
Hum!
The Shi sword did not stop. With a sword's hum, it rested directly on Gu Yang's brow.
Gu Yang looked up slightly, his expression somewhat complex as he gazed at the Shi sword at his brow.
All the spectators were shocked into silence. From the initial physical confrontation between Li Xuan and Gu Yang to this point, both had left a deep impression with their power. However, in a battle, one party must eventually fall.
What was difficult for some to accept was that the loser would be Gu Yang.
Gu Zhengqi and Li Tieyi, watching from the high platform, exchanged a silent glance before their gazes shifted to Gu Yang.
Although Gu Yang appeared to have lost, as long as he had not yet spoken the words of surrender, they could not forcibly end the duel.
"Brother Li, I concede," under everyone's gaze, Gu Yang showed no shame, smiling as he spoke to Li Xuan.
Upon hearing this, Li Xuan's regard for Gu Yang grew. With a thought, the Shi sword returned to his hand.
"Brother Gu, I yield," Li Xuan sheathed the Shi sword and then clasped his fist at Gu Yang.
"I hope to have the opportunity to spar with Brother Li again in the future," Gu Yang said with a smile.
The moment Li Xuan's Shi sword touched his brow, Gu Yang had considered struggling further. But then he thought, if this were a life-or-death duel, he would likely be dead already. Continuing on like this felt somewhat shameless.
More importantly, in this battle with Li Xuan, Gu Yang discovered that his bottleneck had begun to loosen. Even if he didn't break through to the advanced stage of the Mortal Breaking realm quickly, he could still improve his cultivation by one or two levels.
"It's possible," Li Xuan nodded. He expected to remain on the Hun Tian Continent for some time. Building a good relationship with the heir of the Gu family wouldn't be a bad thing.
More importantly, Gu Yang was very strong. It was only in battles like this that he could truly fight to his heart's content.
Gu Yang nodded with satisfaction and then moved away from the now ruined arena.
"Li Xuan wins this match," Li Tieyi announced the result as Gu Yang retreated.
"Brother Li, you're awesome!" As soon as Li Xuan stepped off the stage, Li Mingkai rushed forward, giving him a thumbs-up with a smile.
Initially, Li Mingkai had only spoken casually, but he hadn't expected Li Xuan to actually defeat Gu Yang. Gu Yang was undoubtedly a mountain for their generation. Now that this mountain had been conquered, they naturally felt much more at ease.
"Brother Li, if you work hard, you can also reach this level in the future," Li Xuan said with a smile.
As the heir of the Li family on the Hun Tian Continent, Li Xuan believed that Li Mingkai's future achievements would not be low. However, whether he could reach that point depended on Li Mingkai's own efforts.
Li Xuan did not leave, as the battles between cultivators of the Mortal Annihilation realm had yet to begin. Li Xuan also wanted to see how strong the Mortal Annihilation realm cultivators were.
Time passed gradually, and the duels grew increasingly fierce. Perhaps spurred by the fight between Li Xuan and Gu Yang, the subsequent battles reached a new peak.
"Brother Li, looking at this, it seems today won't end. How about we go for some drinks first?" As one group of matches concluded, Li Mingkai looked at Li Xuan and asked.
Li Xuan nodded and replied, "Let's go."
In the next moment, Li Xuan and Li Mingkai moved, disappearing from their original positions.