154: Chapter 154 Fierce Battle

When the scene before him was clearly projected onto his retinas through the high-tech glasses,

Qin Yan's breath hitched, and an indescribable shock surged within his heart!

On the high-altitude arena, figures stood proudly!

Powerful auras emanated from their bodies.

Even more striking were the dazzling lights of various colors swirling around them—blazing crimson like fire, heavy earthy yellow like mountains, sharp, unyielding metallic white light, or deep, sea-like dark blue... This was clearly the external manifestation of Qi with different attributes!

Every swing of the weapons in their hands was no longer confined to physical collisions but accompanied by piercing sounds of tearing through the air.

Sending out condensed, clearly visible Qi attacks that shot out from their bodies!

"Whoosh—!"

A razor-sharp, several-zhang-long silver sword aura tore through the sky, carrying a bone-chilling cold!

"Boom!"

A violent crimson fist imprint descended like a falling meteor, the air crackling in its wake.

The scorching heat waves even caused violent ripples on the distant protective energy shield!

"Roar!"

Spear Qi like a dragon roared as it pierced; fist force like a mountain shook heaven and earth;

There were even bizarre movement techniques leaving afterimages, their speed exceeding the limits of naked-eye perception!

All sorts of attacks formed from pure, projected Qi crisscrossed.

Turning the entire high-altitude arena into a storm center filled with an aura of destruction!

The air wailed, the space around the arena slightly distorted from the violent collisions, creating wave-like patterns!

The pale blue super protective energy shield enveloping the arena,

Under such violent Qi impacts, continuously erupted with dazzling blue light.

Like a calm lake surface struck by a giant rock, ripples spread wildly.

Firmly blocking all shockwaves and energy fragments within.

Ensuring not a single leak endangered the spectators below.

Qin Yan watched, utterly captivated, his breathing unconsciously growing rapid.

Especially when he saw that condensed Spear Qi seemingly capable of piercing through anything, his gaze burned with intense heat!

That was a power only attainable after reaching the fifth stage in Spear Technique! A higher realm beyond Spear Light!

Its power, its agility, the martial intent it contained—

Were countless times stronger than the one-foot Spear Light he had just begun to grasp!

That was the true Spear Dao in his mind!

"Sigh, what a pity. It's quite lively, but they're all battles between Fourth Rank Martial Artists."

"After seeing a few, it's all the same. Not very interesting."

Right then, Lu Youyou's voice, carrying a hint of disappointment and pickiness, came from beside him, interrupting Qin Yan's awe.

She tilted her head, pouted, and said, "What I most want to see is a duel between Fifth-Rank Martial Artists!"

"That's what you call spectacular! Qi transforming into weapons, condensing one's own natal spirit weapon, connected by heart and mind, as easy to wield as one's own arm!"

"When they fight, the spectacle, the destructive power, truly deserve the title 'Heaven's Pride'!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wangshu beside her also nodded slightly, her cool voice ringing out, "Indeed, battles at the fifth rank are more worthy of observation."

Listening to the two girls' conversation, Qin Yan couldn't help but show a wry, helpless smile on his face.

For him, being able to observe so clearly the all-out battles of Fourth Rank Martial Artists—these senior martial artists who were already masters—was already an eye-opening and immensely beneficial experience.

Yet in the eyes of these two with their profound backgrounds and terrifyingly high standards, this was merely "not very interesting" and "low-level" combat?

The gap between people... was simply too vast!

Qin Yan once again deeply felt the difference in perception and starting point between himself and these top-tier scions from prominent families.

"I wonder... if we'll even have the chance to return and participate in this exchange competition this time next year."

Lu Youyou gazed at the senior students locked in fierce combat on the arena above, their life force soaring to the heavens.

A faint, almost imperceptible trace of dejection and confusion flickered through her bright eyes as she whispered.

Hearing this, Qin Yan's heart sank, unsure how to comfort her.

He understood what Lu Youyou was lamenting.

In this graduating class of both Modu University of Martial Arts and Jingdu University of Martial Arts, Fifth-Rank Martial Artists did exist.

Those were the true pinnacle talents among the students.

But for this exchange competition, they were all collectively absent.

The reason was simple—they were currently in the alien world connected to Blue Star, carrying out dangerous and important missions, unable to return.

Not just them, many outstanding sophomores and juniors were in the same situation.

By next year, when Qin Yan and the others became sophomores,

Once their strength reached a certain standard, they would likely also begin entering the perilous alien world for training and campaigns.

By then, friends would see each other less and part more.

Companions laughing side by side today might face uncertain farewells tomorrow, with life or death hanging in the balance.

This was the reality every powerful martial artist had to face—cruel and stark.

"It's alright, Youyou. I'll be with you."

Xiao Wangshu extended her cool, small hand and gently grasped Lu Youyou's hand.

Although her tone remained cool, the care and firmness within it were undeniable.

Feeling the warmth in her palm, Lu Youyou immediately shook off her low spirits.

She tossed her head, regaining her tsundere demeanor, and pouted, "Pah! Who needs you to accompany me!"

"Clearly, it's this young lady who's accompanying you!"

"Otherwise, with your sense of direction, if you got lost in a place like the alien world, what if someone sold you off!"

"You...!"

Poked at her sore spot, a captivating blush actually appeared on Xiao Wangshu's cool face.

Somewhat embarrassed and annoyed, she turned her face away, refusing to look at Lu Youyou.

Watching the girls' amusing interaction, Qin Yan couldn't help but sigh inwardly; their relationship was truly excellent.

This kind of friendship, supporting each other and teasing one another on the harsh martial path, was exceptionally precious.

After watching the senior matches a while longer, Xiao Wangshu and Lu Youyou left the spectator seats first, seemingly having other plans.

Qin Yan did not follow.

He put on his smart glasses again, raised his head, and immersed himself completely in observing the battles of the senior upperclassmen.

These fights, imbued with higher-level martial concepts and energy application techniques, were full of novelty and inspiration for him.

He needed to contemplate them carefully; perhaps they could benefit his own cultivation.

...

At noon, all the morning matches temporarily came to an end.

Qin Yan followed the crowd out of the bustling Martial Arts Arena.

He waited for a short while in a relatively quiet corner near the entrance.

Soon, he saw his four old friends—Zhou Yuan, Lin Yang, Zhao Bin, and Zhou Nan—walking out while excitedly discussing.

"Brother Yan! Tell us honestly, just what is your identity?!"