443: Chapter 443 Han Xiao vs. Yin Wujiang

A night passed.

The next day, Huangji Square remained open for the arena defense battles, but the excitement was clearly not as high as the previous day.

Yin Wujiang did not appear; it was said he was in secluded cultivation.

The challenges from other prodigies also became much more cautious.

Ye Tian did not go to the square. Instead, he stayed in his room to continue studying his counter-strategies while attempting to regulate his breathing, trying to break through the Bottleneck of the fifth level of the Huahai Realm.

He swallowed a Medicinal Pill and circulated the Chaos Derivation Art, guiding the thick Chaos True Essence within his body to launch an assault on that barrier.

The True Essence washed over it time and again, and though the barrier shook, it remained steadfast.

With every impact, he felt his state of mind waver slightly.

Yin Wujiang's eerie devouring field, along with the pressure brought by the ruins core and the mark, made it difficult for him to completely calm his mind and focus.

After about two hours of attempts, the barrier remained unbroken. Instead, due to the mental exhaustion, his face grew several shades paler.

Ye Tian had no choice but to stop. He slowly exhaled a mouthful of turbid Qi, his brow furrowed deeply.

"My state of mind is obstructed..."

He murmured to himself.

Worry, urgency, and vigilance against an unknown powerful enemy—these emotions had become distracting thoughts hindering his Breakthrough.

Feedback came from the chaos bead; it wasn't that his comprehension of the Realm was insufficient, but rather that his own state had not reached Perfection!

After successive major battles and tempering in the Secret Realm, his Foundation had improved rapidly, yet there were instabilities—specifically regarding the Five Elements, which had not been tempered in a balanced manner.

"I need to first use the power of the Five Elements to temper my body and shore up my Foundation. Only then will the Breakthrough happen naturally."

Ye Tian realized.

However, Five Elements Body Tempering required time and suitable spiritual items, and time was exactly what he lacked most right now.

At noon, an unexpected visitor arrived at the post house.

Li Xuanxiao came alone to the outside of Ye Tian's room.

The wound on his shoulder seemed to no longer be a problem, though his expression was still somewhat cold.

"Is something the matter?" Ye Tian opened the door and looked at him.

"Let's talk inside," Li Xuanxiao said in a flat tone.

The two entered the room and sat opposite each other.

The atmosphere was somewhat subtle; they had once fought to the death, but now they had to face a common external enemy like Yin Wujiang.

"Yin Wujiang's target is the marks on our bodies."

Li Xuanxiao got straight to the point. "His Cultivation Technique counters ours. Facing him alone, the chances of winning are not great."

"So?" Ye Tian looked at him.

"A temporary alliance."

Li Xuanxiao stated his purpose: "In the duel three days from now, no matter who faces him first, the other will provide support from the side to force out more of his trump cards, or even... find an opportunity to severely wound him. After it's done, we can settle the matter between us."

Ye Tian fell silent for a moment, then shook his head. "I refuse."

Li Xuanxiao seemed somewhat surprised by Ye Tian's answer, and his gaze instantly turned cold. "Why? Do you think you can beat him alone?"

"I can't."

Ye Tian said honestly, "But joining forces might not work either. Our Daos are different and our fighting styles are worlds apart. Forcing a coordination will likely only create more openings."

"Furthermore..."

He looked directly at Li Xuanxiao. "I don't trust you! In the Secret Realm, you just betrayed your companions. How do I know you won't stab me in the back at a critical moment, or use me as a decoy and a shield?"

Li Xuanxiao's face grew even colder. "That was a transaction; everyone got what they needed. My dealing with Yin Wujiang is for self-preservation and to validate my sword. Us joining forces is the most rational choice right now."

"The most rational isn't necessarily the most reliable."

Ye Tian's attitude was firm. "Your Dao is to cut through everything and walk alone without hindrance. My Dao... hasn't learned to leave my back to someone who might strike at any moment. As for dealing with Yin Wujiang, we'll each rely on our own abilities."

Li Xuanxiao stared at Ye Tian for a few seconds, then suddenly gave a cold laugh. "Pedantic. Since that's the case, I hope that three days from now, you don't die too quickly and waste the Legacy you carry."

With that, he stood up and left without looking back.

Ye Tian sat where he was, his expression calm.

He did not regret refusing Li Xuanxiao.

Scheming with a tiger was too high a risk.

He would rather face it alone; at least then all variables would be within his control... or rather, his own to bear.

In the afternoon, a bombshell news came from Huangji Square: Han Xiao was going up to challenge Yin Wujiang!

Ye Tian immediately rushed to the square.

When he arrived, a fierce battle was already underway on the arena stage.

Han Xiao still had that silent look, carrying a sword casket on his back, but at this moment he held no sword. Instead, his hands were forming seals, and his entire body emitted Xuanming Qi.

Upon the stage, the temperature plummeted. Countless tiny ice crystals condensed in the air, and the ground was covered in a layer of frost.

Yin Wujiang, standing in the midst of it, was visibly slower than before. That ubiquitous dark green Death Qi also seemed to be suppressed.

Xuanming Qi was extremely Yin and cold. To some extent, it belonged to the same Yin-cold category as his Death Qi, causing interference.

"A kid from the Xuanming Way? Interesting."

Yin Wujiang made his first proactive move, his Death Qi lunging toward Han Xiao.

Han Xiao pointed his sword-finger, and the Xuanming Qi in front of him instantly condensed into an ice shield.

"Chiii!"

The Death Qi slammed into the ice shield, making a corrosive sound.

The ice shield melted rapidly, but as it did, it also released an aura of extreme cold that surged back toward Yin Wujiang.

The Death Qi around Yin Wujiang automatically protected him, blocking the cold air, but he himself was actually forced back half a step by this counter-force!

"He retreated! Yin Wujiang retreated!"

"Han Xiao forced him back!"

Exclamations immediately rang out from below the stage.

This was the first time since the competition began that Yin Wujiang had been forced back in a frontal confrontation!

Although it was only half a step, the significance was immense!

Ye Tian's eyes lit up.

Xuanming Qi could indeed interfere with or even counter that Death Qi to a certain degree!

Han Xiao's cultivation was inferior to Yin Wujiang's, but the uniqueness of his Cultivation Technique allowed him to create a sliver of opportunity!

On the stage, Han Xiao pressed his advantage, his hand seals changing again as he shouted low: "Xuanming, Seal!"

"Crack, crack, crack!"

With Yin Wujiang as the center, four walls of Profound Ice suddenly appeared above, below, left, and right, snapping shut instantly. He intended to seal him within the ice!

The cold was so intense that even the spectators at the edge of the arena felt it to their bones.

Yin Wujiang clearly hadn't expected Han Xiao to have this move. His figure was instantly frozen inside, turning into an ice sculpture.

"He's sealed?!" Everyone held their breath.

However, just one breath later.

"Boom!!!"

The ice sculpture exploded!

Dark green Death Qi gushed out, shattering all the Profound Ice!

Yin Wujiang's figure reappeared, the ghostly green light under his hat brim flickering violently. He was clearly truly enraged.

"How dare an ant try to trap me?!"

He let out a hiss, his speed exploding as he instantly crossed several yards. His hand, shrouded in Death Qi, slammed heavily toward Han Xiao's chest.

The power of this palm far exceeded anything before.

Han Xiao's expression remained unchanged. The sword casket on his back gave a soft hum, and a sword light flew out automatically to block in front of him.

"Clang!"

Han Xiao groaned as he and his sword were sent flying. He spat out a mouthful of blood while still in the air. After landing, he struggled twice but could not stand up.

As for that longsword, its light was dim, and a crack had actually appeared on the blade.

The absolute gap in cultivation was, in the end, difficult to overcome.

Han Xiao had used the uniqueness of his technique and a sudden burst to force Yin Wujiang back half a step and even briefly freeze him, but once he provoked the other's full strength, he could not withstand it.

"Han Xiao's challenge has failed!"

The Enshrinee immediately announced, while medical personnel took to the stage.

Yin Wujiang stood on the stage, his chest heaving slightly. The ghostly green light under his hat brim stared fixedly at the Han Xiao being carried away, his voice raspy: "Xuanming Way... very good. Once I obtain the mark, I will settle the score with you."

He then looked toward the crowd below, his gaze sweeping across until it finally settled on Ye Tian. His voice spread throughout the square: "Two days left. Ye Tian, enjoy your final moments. Your mark is as good as mine!"

After leaving those harsh words, he floated away once more.

Below the stage, Ye Tian helped the injured Han Xiao up, channeling a stream of Chaos True Essence to help stabilize his injuries.

"Thank you," Han Xiao said softly, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"I should be the one thanking you,"

Ye Tian said solemnly. "You allowed me to see the possibility of a weakness."

Han Xiao shook his head. "The cultivation gap is too large. Relying solely on Xuanming Qi can only interfere, not achieve victory. His Death Qi... is very ancient, as if it comes from some... special place."

A special place?

Ye Tian's heart stirred.

After sending Han Xiao back to the Xuanming Way's residence, Ye Tian returned to the post house, only to receive some unexpected news: the Ghost Girl had woken up.

He immediately went to visit her.