The arena remained tense as Xu Ren slowly pushed himself up from the cracked ground, his face twisted with humiliation and fury. The earlier exchange had already shaken his pride, but now, under the watchful eyes of countless disciples, he could no longer hold anything back. His breathing grew heavier, and his gaze locked onto Fang Lin with a cold, burning intensity.
Xu Ren said in a low voice, "You forced this… don't blame me for what happens next."
The moment his words fell, a powerful surge of Qi erupted from his body. The air trembled as his aura expanded violently, and a dense pressure spread across the arena like a rising storm. Dust lifted from the ground, and even the nearby disciples instinctively stepped back.
Murong Yue's expression changed slightly as she leaned forward and said, "That aura… it's not just late stage."
Han Zhi narrowed his eyes and replied calmly, "He has reached the peak of the Late Qi Conjunction Realm."
Zhao Feng added in a quiet voice, "He was hiding it all along."
The crowd stirred with shock as whispers spread rapidly. Many had expected a close fight, but few had realized Xu Ren had concealed such strength.
Xu Ren slowly stepped forward, his aura pressing down heavily with each movement. He raised his chin slightly and looked at Fang Lin with renewed arrogance.
Xu Ren said, "Now… let's see how you handle this."
Fang Lin stood calmly, his expression unchanged. However, deep within his spiritual sea, his soul began to stir.
Over the past night, his cultivation of the Soul Metamorphosis Technique had advanced once more. His soul had stabilized and strengthened, and he had successfully stepped into the Middle Stage of the Solid Soul State. At this level, his soul was no longer fragile. It was firm, condensed, and capable of exerting influence over others.
Even someone at the peak of the Qi Conjunction Realm—
Could be affected.
Fang Lin could feel it clearly.
If he wished, he could release a soul attack and disrupt Xu Ren's mind instantly.
And now—
He had also grasped the second ability of the technique.
Soul Trasher.
A direct attack on the soul itself.
Silent.
Invisible.
But devastating.
For a brief moment, Fang Lin's eyes flickered.
"If I use it… this fight ends instantly," Fang Lin thought.
But then—
He suppressed the thought.
Too many people were watching.
Too many unknown forces were observing him.
If he revealed such a technique now, it would bring unnecessary danger.
Fang Lin's expression returned to calm.
"I will not use it," he decided.
Xu Ren suddenly moved.
His speed exploded forward, faster than before, as his figure cut through the air like a sharp blade. He appeared directly before Fang Lin and struck with full force, his attack carrying both speed and overwhelming pressure.
Fang Lin raised his arm and blocked, but this time the impact was far heavier. His body shifted slightly backward, and the ground beneath his feet cracked from the force.
The crowd reacted immediately.
"He forced Fang Lin back again!"
Xu Ren laughed loudly, his confidence rising.
Xu Ren said, "Now you understand the difference? This is peak strength!"
He attacked again without pause, his strikes becoming more aggressive and more violent with each movement. His speed, combined with his peak-stage Qi, turned his attacks into a relentless storm.
Fang Lin did not respond immediately.
Instead, he observed.
His soul quietly spread outward, invisible and undetectable.
The moment it touched Xu Ren—
A subtle effect appeared.
Xu Ren's movements slowed slightly.
Not enough for the crowd to notice.
But enough for Fang Lin.
Xu Ren frowned briefly, a strange discomfort appearing in his mind.
"What is this feeling…" Xu Ren thought.
He shook his head and attacked again, trying to suppress the sensation.
Fang Lin's eyes sharpened.
"This is enough," Fang Lin thought.
Fang Lin stepped forward.
The Nine Nether Phantom Body activated instantly, and a heavy, dark pressure spread from his body. At the same time, Flowing Wind Steps merged into his movement, making his speed rise sharply.
Xu Ren attacked again, but this time Fang Lin did not dodge.
Instead—
He raised his palm.
A sharp wind began gathering instantly.
The air twisted and compressed, forming a dense force that vibrated with power.
Murong Yue's eyes widened as she said, "That technique…!"
Han Zhi continued calmly, "Wind Break Palm."
Zhao Feng's gaze sharpened as he added, "And not at a basic level."
Fang Lin stepped forward and struck.
The moment his palm descended, the compressed wind exploded outward with tremendous force.
Xu Ren raised his arms to block, but the impact shook his entire body violently and forced him backward.
Zhao Feng spoke slowly, "Intermediate mastery."
Han Zhi nodded and said, "Only peak geniuses within the Qi Conjunction Realm can cultivate a high-grade mortal attack technique to intermediate mastery."
The crowd fell silent for a brief moment.
Even among the top disciples—
This was rare.
Xu Ren's expression changed completely.
"You…!" he shouted.
Before he could react further, Fang Lin moved again.
His attacks came one after another.
Each palm carried compressed wind.
Each strike was heavier than the last.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
Xu Ren's defense began to crumble.
His arms trembled.
His breathing became chaotic.
His Qi flow destabilized.
The subtle pressure from Fang Lin's soul only made it worse.
His reactions slowed slightly.
His judgment faltered.
Fang Lin appeared directly before him once more.
This time—
There was no hesitation.
His final palm descended.
The force slammed into Xu Ren's body and sent him crashing to the ground with overwhelming power.
The arena shook slightly.
Silence fell.
Xu Ren lay on the ground, his body trembling, his mind in complete disarray.
He tried to stand.
But failed.
His pride—
Had been completely crushed.
Fang Lin stood above him, calm and unmoved.
Xu Ren lifted his head slowly, his eyes filled not with fear—
But with burning hatred.
"You… hid your strength…" Xu Ren said through clenched teeth.
Fang Lin looked at him quietly and replied, "You revealed yours."
Those words struck deeper than any attack.
Xu Ren's fists clenched tightly as his entire body trembled with rage.
"This is not over," Xu Ren said in a low, cold voice.
Fang Lin turned around and walked away calmly.
He did not respond further.
Inside his spiritual sea—
The grey stone pulsed once more.
The smokey aura around it thickened slightly.
Still far from complete.
But steadily growing.
And deep within Fang Lin's mind—
The Soul Metamorphosis Technique remained silent.
Hidden.
Waiting.
For the right moment to be unleashed.