36: Chapter 36 Danfeng Demon Shadow

Just by standing on the arena, the two caused a massive uproar among the crowd.

Most people could hardly believe that these two were the ones who had reached the final showdown.

Li Ping was quite famous on Alchemy Peak; he often helped the Alchemists in the Alchemy Room and provided a lot of assistance.

He had an excellent reputation among Alchemists, and rumors said he was a close friend of Personal Disciple Xiao Hao, with the two often discussing the Dao together.

However, although this Senior Brother Li Ping had also been immersed in the Qi Refining Great Circle for several years, he had never been seen in action, so no one knew his true strength.

"It seems Alchemy Peak is a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers."

"Yeah, Senior Brother Li Ping's cultivation, appearance, and Aptitude are all unremarkable, yet he actually fought his way through to the finals."

"His opponent shouldn't be underestimated either. I've looked into this Ye Chen; he's only fifteen years old and already at the Qi Refining Great Circle. Now that is a true Prodigy."

"Increasing his Realm so quickly, it must be very unstable. He won't be a match for Senior Brother Li Ping."

"Ye Chen will win!"

"Li Ping will win!"

As the cheers from below grew louder, the expressions of the two shifted from relaxed to serious.

"Senior Brother, excuse my offense!"

Ye Chen struck first, leaving no room for error from the start. He directly unleashed a set of Tier 4 High Grade fist techniques taught to him by Old Xuan, called the "Gold-Burning Mountain-Breaking Fist."

This fist technique was fierce and violent, perfectly matching the Metal and Fire Spiritual Roots within his body.

Dual-attribute Spiritual Qi intertwined at his knuckles, emitting a light of mixed red and gold. Combined with the Tier 2 High Grade black flood dragon scale armor protecting his body, every punch he threw carried a wave of scorching heat and a piercing sonic boom, his Aura overwhelming.

Ye Chen originally thought that by going all out like this, he could defeat Li Ping within ten Moves at most.

But to his surprise, this Senior Brother, who usually kept a low profile, handled the situation with ease.

Li Ping's footwork was light, his body moving like a supple willow in the wind. Every time the force of a punch reached him, he would pivot to dodge or lightly deflect it with a hand, always neutralizing the fiercest power with the smallest movements.

Not only was Ye Chen surprised, but even Old Xuan, who was watching from the side, couldn't help but nod inwardly: This kid's Spiritual Root talent may be average, but his comprehension and application of Cultivation Techniques indeed show some extraordinary talent.

Unable to break through for a long time, Ye Chen grew slightly anxious. He let out a low shout, surged his Spiritual Qi again, and his fist momentum suddenly increased by thirty percent. The ultimate Move of the "Gold-Burning Mountain-Breaking Fist," the "Iron-Melting Form," followed, with fist shadows like a rain of meteors and fire enveloping Li Ping.

Li Ping also frowned slightly at this moment, knowing he could no longer just defend without attacking.

He suddenly shrank his body, his arms tracing arcs as he assumed a slightly strange starting stance, actually using a fist technique that also overcame strength with finesse—the "Hundred-Turn Soft-Bone Fist."

This fist technique was only Tier 3 Medium Grade, far less fierce than the Gold-Burning Mountain-Breaking Fist, but it excelled in its bizarre Moves and lingering force.

Li Ping's fists were like fish in water. Every time they were about to touch Ye Chen's knuckles, they would stick and pull, cleverly diverting and shedding that mountain-shattering force. He could even use Ye Chen's forward momentum to launch several cold counter-punches, accurately hitting the areas under Ye Chen's ribs and shoulder blades where the scale armor's protection was weaker.

With several muffled thuds, had it not been for Ye Chen's black flood dragon scale armor and his base Level 1 Body Refining cultivation, those few hits alone would have been enough to fracture his bones.

Even so, he felt waves of numbness from the spots where he was hit, and his blood and Qi surged faintly.

In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged dozens of rounds. Fist winds whistled in the arena as red-gold and gray-white spiritual energies constantly collided and dissipated.

On the surface, it seemed like a draw, but looking closer, Ye Chen's breathing had become slightly heavy, and sweat appeared on his brow. In contrast, although Li Ping's expression was solemn, his steps and breathing remained steady.

Clearly, in the continuous exchange of blows, Ye Chen's consumption was greater, and his state had fallen slightly behind.

Watching from the side, Yun Ming grew anxious. "Oh no, is this kid going to lose?"

Yun Ming's every Move was under Old Xuan's careful observation. Seeing Yun Ming's expression suddenly change, Old Xuan subconsciously spoke to warn Ye Chen: "Watch out, something's wrong."

Sure enough, the moment after Old Xuan's warning, Li Ping threw a punch from an extremely hidden and tricky angle, his fist covered in blackish-red Spiritual Qi.

With Old Xuan's early warning, Ye Chen naturally wouldn't be caught easily. He forcefully broke free from the struggle and retreated dozens of steps.

After escaping the danger, he stared at Li Ping with a furrowed brow. "Senior Brother Li Ping, that Move just now didn't seem like a Righteous Path technique."

Taking advantage of the fact that the spectators in the stands weren't paying attention, Li Ping flicked his wrist to disperse the black Qi and said calmly, "What is the Righteous Path? I only seek the Great Dao."

Old Xuan smiled disdainfully. "Severing one's own future, yet speaking of the Great Dao? Kid, teach him a lesson."

"Yes!"

Ye Chen completely unleashed his strength, his Aura rising continuously. Those unaware would have thought he had already reached the Foundation Establishment Realm.

"How did Ye Chen's Realm suddenly rise?" a young Disciple rubbed his eyes and whispered in disbelief.

"He hasn't reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, has he?" someone nearby clenched their fists nervously. "Then how can this match even continue?"

"Impossible," an older Disciple snorted, interrupting. "If the Foundation Establishment Realm were that easy to break through, what would we need foundation establishment pills for?"

"Exactly," another person chimed in, looking up at the high platform. "If he were really breaking through to Foundation Establishment, the Elders would naturally step in to stop the match."

"I think," a thin Disciple said, stroking his chin in analysis, "he's likely used some secret technique to temporarily boost his Realm."

A Junior Sister from Alchemy Peak standing at the back looked at the arena with worry and whispered, "Then... wouldn't Senior Brother Li Ping be in danger?"

Just as everyone was guessing whether Li Ping would easily fall,

Li Ping's Aura also suddenly surged, and it was even more powerful and violent than Ye Chen's, instantly overwhelming him.

Feeling Li Ping's Aura, Ye Chen felt as if he were facing a true Foundation Establishment Cultivator. The pressure coming from before him caused the bones throughout his body to emit crackling sounds.

"Damn it, how is he so strong?" Ye Chen said, gritting his teeth as he withstood the Aura.

"It's normal. Demonic Techniques are like pulling up seedlings to help them grow. Although he looks tall and strong, he isn't far from death," Old Xuan said nonchalantly.

"Junior Brother, just concede. I only want a foundation establishment pill; you still have time," Li Ping advised.

Ye Chen snorted and said with a firm attitude, "Hmph! I will never surrender or beg for mercy from the Demonic Path!"

As he spoke, he withstood the pressure from Li Ping and swung his fist, charging at him.

Li Ping's face turned cold, and a surging killing intent appeared in his eyes. "You're seeking your own death."

After saying that, he didn't dodge or yield, instead meeting the attack head-on.

In an instant, the arena was filled with a chaotic blur of afterimages.

The two fought with blinding speed, the sound of their fists and feet clashing as dense as a rainstorm, actually creating a series of piercing sonic booms in mid-air.

Every collision shook the stone platform beneath their feet, causing it to hum. Spiderweb-like cracks spread rapidly from where they stood, and shattered stones shot out in all directions along with the exploding waves of Spiritual Qi.

Dozens of Moves passed in a mere instant. The entire arena was enveloped by chaotic Spiritual Qi turbulence and flying dust, with only the continuous roar of explosions and shouts audible from within.

The more intensely they fought, the more enthusiastic the cheers from below became.

Yun Ming was also cheering, but amidst the excitement, he caught a glimpse of Senior Brother Xiao Hao standing below the arena.