"Looks like I really underestimated you."
Cough, cough.
The Ninth-Rank expert crawled out of the dozens-of-meters-deep crater. Blood mist covered his face, making him look terrifying.
Standing across from him, Zhao Xuan could clearly see the wounds on the man's body rapidly healing.
"As expected of a Ninth-Rank expert. Your recovery ability really is strong. Even my full-power strike couldn't kill you."
In the blink of an eye, the blood on the Ninth-Rank's body evaporated. His face became clear once more.
"The strength of a Ninth Rank isn't just about recovery. I won't deny that you're quite capable—but if you think you can deal with me, that's a bit unrealistic."
"Dare to take one of my moves?"
Arrogance and disdain were written all over his face.
In his eyes, what happened just now was merely a surprise attack. If given another chance, the same situation would never occur again.
"Hmph. Why wouldn't I? But let's go over there. I can't fight freely here."
With that, the two reached a silent agreement and flashed toward the distance together.
"Heavenly Cloud Palm!"
His aura merged with the world. As the clouds churned, a gigantic hand descended from the sky toward Zhao Xuan.
"Iron Body!"
His body turned to diamond-hard steel as he allowed the giant hand—connected with heaven and earth—to slam down on him.
Boom!
A deafening explosion rang out. The winds shifted, clouds scattered, and the sky dimmed.
"Hmph. There's an entire rank between us. Even if you have some special life-saving tricks, how much of a storm can you really stir up?"
"It's all futile."
Smoke and dust billowed. The Ninth-Rank expert's face was filled with contempt.
Suddenly—
A tearing sound pierced the air.
Light burst upward.
A massive azure dragon coiled in the sky. Its roar changed the color of heaven and earth. Lightning gathered wildly in the clouds.
Azure Dragon Form — fully unleashed.
A state beyond Dragon-Man Form.
"This level of attack isn't even enough to scratch my itch. Did you really think you could kill me?"
At that instant, the Ninth-Rank's brows knitted together. His pupils trembled with disbelief.
"How is this possible? I clearly used my full strength just now. How are you still alive?"
Even someone of the same level would struggle to block that attack.
How could this kid—barely twenty years old—do this?
"You're just too narrow-minded. Man can achieve anything. What's impossible about it?"
"As the saying goes, courtesy demands reciprocity. Since you already made a move on me, it would be rude if I didn't return the favor. Try this one."
"Shave · Thunder Bagua!"
The two techniques fused into one.
With Zhao Xuan's roar, all his power condensed into a bolt of heavenly lightning and smashed straight toward the Ninth-Rank.
"Heavenly Cloud Shield!"
Milky white clouds fused together, forming a barrier that blocked the descending thunder.
This time, the Ninth-Rank did not dare be careless.
Even so—
He watched in horror as the cloud shield protecting him was being blasted apart piece by piece.
"Gaaah—!"
A miserable scream echoed across the sky.
The Ninth-Rank's chest was pierced through.
His body crashed violently to the ground.
The earth trembled.
Zhao Xuan instantly flashed back toward the relic entrance, afraid the shockwaves might affect his treasure.
"Close one… good thing I made it in time."
"So this is the strength of a Ninth Rank? Seems… nothing special."
His massive dragon body gradually shrank, returning to his normal form.
But compared to the excitement on his face, Zhao Xuan's physical state was far from good.
That last move had drained nearly all the strength from his body.
If another powerful enemy appeared now, he would have a hard time fighting back.
And as the saying goes—
The more you fear something, the more likely it is to happen.
"Boom!"
From where the Ninth-Rank had fallen, a silver beam of light shot into the sky.
"Damn it. He's signaling other experts."
"Moon Step!"
Zhao Xuan flickered through the sky. Each step carried him more than ten meters.
But he had already exhausted almost all his strength.
After several movements, fatigue became obvious.
"Damn it… too late?"
In the end, he failed to stop the silver signal.
The blinding light flashed in the sky as a low voice echoed outward:
"I am in danger. Come quickly to assist."
Zhao Xuan looked toward the hundred-meter-deep crater where the Ninth-Rank lay on the verge of death.
"He absolutely cannot be allowed to live. If he recovers, things will get troublesome."
Killing intent surged in his eyes.
"Finger Pistol!"
A flash of light shot out.
For a Ninth-Rank on the brink of death, even a Grandmaster-level Finger Pistol was enough to finish him.
But—
A cold voice echoed from the distant sky.
"Youngster, you have quite the nerve."
A milky white light curtain appeared in front of the wounded Ninth-Rank.
The Finger Pistol struck it and only caused a slight ripple.
"Another Ninth Rank… so he really did call someone."
As Zhao Xuan spoke, the space around the crater began to distort.
The next second—
An old man in green robes appeared before Zhao Xuan.
Compared to the one Zhao Xuan had just defeated, this one looked much older.
And the aura radiating from him was far more terrifying.
"Boy. You injured my son. Leave your life here."
An ocean-like pressure spread outward.
Zhao Xuan's heart trembled.
This was definitely not a newly advanced Ninth Rank.
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