The sound resonated throughout the arena, and at the same moment, an unusually violent surge of energy rippled through the plaza. The first to sense this surge were the elders seated on the judges' bench, whose faces instantly changed, their eyes converging simultaneously and settling on the young black-robed figure standing tall, holding a heavy measuring rod. That very figure was the source of the surge! The elders on stage exchanged glances, then gently rolled their throats—this energy surge was nearly several times stronger than the previously observed, devastating fire lotus! "What kind of reserves does this young man truly possess?" At this moment, even with the combined strength of the senior elders, a sense of being at a loss crept in. Though Xiao Yan's current rank was merely Spirit Realm, when faced with the ever-escalating, formidable techniques he displayed, most of the elders—save for a few—had to admit they were genuinely troubled. As the energy surges grew more intense, thin, tangible streams of warm, pale red energy suddenly seeped out from the void of space, wrapping around Xiao Yan and spinning rapidly. With each rotation, a sudden gust of wind erupted, sweeping outwards in all directions. The force of this wind was so powerful that even large stones on the ground were thrown into several rolls before coming to rest. By now, almost every person in the audience had noticed the unusual development on Xiao Yan's side, and a wave of astonished glances immediately swept toward him. While ordinary students lacked keen observation, those on the upper platform—outstanding performers among the inner academy—were first taken aback by the vibrant, crimson energy swirling around Xiao Yan like a cocoon. Their expressions quickly turned pale. With a series of sharp, rustling sounds, nearly everyone sat upright in their seats, their faces filled with sheer shock. "From this unusual display, anyone could clearly see that Xiao Yan was now employing a technique far more formidable than the previous fire lotus. Beside him, Lin Xiu'ya, who had maintained a calm, composed smile throughout, now saw that smile vanish entirely. His face, now deeply serious and filled with astonishment, was fixed intently on the scene, absorbing the overwhelming energy surge radiating from it—so intense that even he felt a subtle chill. 'A technique capable of stirring the celestial and terrestrial energies... must at least be of Earth Rank to be possible,' Lin Xiu'ya said, struggling to suppress the turmoil within, his voice slightly strained. Earth Rank?" As soon as those two words were spoken, even Han Yue's delicate fingers couldn't help but cover her red lips. On her cold, elegant face, shock and disbelief spread like waves. Though only a single rank apart, the difference between the high-level Xuān-stage technique and the Di-stage technique was as vast as that between heaven and earth. Most Xuān-stage techniques relied heavily on the user's personal strength to manifest their power, whereas Di-stage techniques could harness celestial and terrestrial energies to achieve devastating destruction. The contrast between a single individual and the combined forces of heaven and earth was nearly incomparable. Without reservation, while Xuān-stage techniques were indeed rare, every one of those who had made it onto the strong list possessed at least one or two such techniques. Yet, the Di-stage techniques—no one had ever truly witnessed them in action. This level of technique is not only rare but also exceptionally difficult to master. When Xiao Yan was practicing Yan Fen Shi Lang Chi, even with Yao Lao providing hands-on guidance, he endured countless hardships before finally achieving a modest success. When he later trained in the Three Thousand Thunder Strikes, he also faced significant risks of bodily refinement through the combined forces of wind and thunder. Had it not been for the Qinglian Earth Heart Fire protecting him, not only would he have failed to reach even the initial stage of mastery, but he would have certainly struggled to achieve the foundational level. From this, it is evident how formidable the gap is between techniques of the Xuanyuan rank and those of the Di rank. Yao Sheng suddenly felt his throat grow extremely dry, his voice coming out thick and strained. The moment he heard the four characters—"Earth Rank Combat Technique"—Li Fei's mouth, which had just begun to slightly open, froze in place, her facial expression likewise stiffening. For a long time, she only managed to tremble slightly and finally turn her gaze toward the young black-robed figure across the field, whose face was cold and composed. Though her strength didn't quite match that of Yao Sheng and the others, she was well aware of just how formidable an Earth Rank Combat Technique could be. "Brother... will he win, then?" Li Fei said, straightening up with a smile. Yet the smile was clearly forced, even she herself found it somewhat insincere. Yao Sheng, who had always held strong confidence in Li Qing, now found himself silent. The weight of the four words—"Earth Rank Combat Technique"—pressed down upon his chest like a heavy stone, making even his breathing seem labored. Feeling姚盛's silence, Liu Fei's face instantly turned pale. She clenched her lips tightly, and in the gaze she fixed upon the black-robed young man in the center of the arena—there was now a hint of regret. Back then, when she had clashed with Xiao Yan, he had merely been a newcomer at the early stage of Douling, even without the qualification to enter the Strong Ranks list. Yet now, this young man who had once filled her with disdain and resentment, had steadily risen through the ranks, defeating one strong contender after another to secure his place on the Strong Ranks list. Earlier, he had even compelled her proud, always-assertive cousin to deploy his most powerful, signature weapon—the Mountain-Shattering Spear. And now, with this newly demonstrated Douling-level technique, he had finally completely dismantled all of Liu Fei's key strengths and advantages. Faced with someone who, at any moment, could potentially shatter his unbreakable myth, even Li Fei's usual stubbornness could not help but stir a sense of regret—regret over why she had chosen to clash with this formidable opponent. Of course, by now, any regret was futile; the battle had reached a point where there was no room for retreat or hesitation. Xiao Yan was unaware that, merely at the beginning of his combat technique, he had already stirred profound waves of emotion within countless hearts. At this very moment, his gaze remained fixed, unwavering, on the distant Li Qing, who held her splitting mountain spear pointed directly at him. The intense, turbulent thermal energy swirling around Xiao Yan's body at the moment of its emergence instantly caused Liu Qing's pupils to shrink to pinpoints. With his experience, he naturally recognized the nature of that energy. However, by now, the battle had progressed far enough that even if Xiao Yan suddenly surged to the level of a Battle King, Liu Qing could only raise his lance and charge forward—his nature never allowed him to retreat, especially when facing a true newcomer. A deep breath he had been holding was slowly exhaled, and a brilliant, pale golden light surged forth from within him. This radiant, dazzling glow, as bright and intense as the sun itself, made it difficult to look directly at it. Within that light, a sharp, piercing lance-like gust of wind surged upward with unmatched intensity and sharpness. Faced with Xiao Yan's sudden and terrifying combat technique, Liu Qing still demonstrated his stance through his actions. Moreover, he understood that even if Xiao Yan truly commanded a Terran-class combat technique, it would still fall short of its full potential. His final reserve, however—refined over years through seamless coordination with the homologous aura—was capable, in his confident belief, of reaching the true peak of a Xuanyuan-class combat technique. Even when confronting a Terran-class technique, he felt no hesitation; rather, this very challenge ignited a surge of determination within him. Today, he intended to prove to everyone that a Xuanyuan-class technique could stand a genuine fight against a Terran-class one! With brilliant flashes of determination in his eyes, the true battle was drawing near. He felt his blood surge throughout his body—a sensation he had last experienced when competing against Lin Xiu'ya! "Ha ha, Xiao Yan! Come on, let me see—today, who shall emerge victorious?" A resounding, majestic laugh filled the square, surging the atmosphere to a boiling climax. The audience on the stands grew flushed with excitement, some with greater self-control even rising to their feet, shouting passionately at the scene. "Li Qing, senior! Xu Yan has secured one of the top ten spots!" The young man in black robes raised his head with unwavering composure, neither intimidated nor shaken by Li Qing's commanding presence. His posture stood straight as a spear, exuding an impressive dignity that caught the eyes of several beautiful senior sisters. "Then it's up to you," Li Qing replied, "to prove you have both the strength and the qualification!" The brilliant golden light intensified steadily, eventually enveloping Li Qing's entire body, leaving only the thunderous laughter echoing through the arena. Gazing at the brilliant, pale golden glow that nearly filled half the arena, Xiao Yan slowly extended his heavy jade measuring rod. Instantly, the turbulent, fiery energy swirling around him grew more powerful, even causing the space around him to subtly warp. Then, with a mere light exhalation, waves of almost tangible, furious red energy surged into the rod, flowing continuously and steadily. As this overwhelming surge of energy poured in, the once entirely black rod began to subtly glow with an eerie deep red hue, as if wrapped in an invisible flame of dark red. "Xiao Yan, if you can block this move, I'll hand you the top three spots—both hands on offer!" A spear shadow, wrapped in golden light, extended and pointed directly at Xiao Yan, as Liu Qing's confident, proud voice resonated. "If you can block this move, you'll secure the top ten—Xiao Yan automatically forfeits!" The Xuan Zhong Chi, now almost entirely transformed into deep crimson, slowly pointed toward Liu Qing. As the heavy staff passed, ripples of spatial disturbance spread out. Xiao Yan's face flushed, and he erupted into a proud, booming laugh. "Hah! Hah! Hah!" With the laughter echoing, the brilliant golden light suddenly grew more contained. Within a moment, the once glaring golden radiance swiftly contracted—like lightning—back into the Cracking Mountain Spear. As such immense energy surged through it, a liquid-like golden essence flowed seamlessly from the spear's tip, shimmering and dancing like living spirits. "One move—it shall decide the outcome!" The arm surged with a sudden jolt, the long spear slanting skyward. Then, with a rushing wind sound, the heavy spear crashed down, landing with a resounding impact. A terrifying dark energy radiated out from the point of contact, spreading across the ground, instantly turning the surrounding ruins and massive stones into fine powder—within moments, under a wave of stunned gazes. "Great Rift Rock!" A thunderous roar erupted as the tip of the mountain-splitting spear burst forth with golden light, like a mountain flood. A dazzling wave of golden radiance surged across the sky, cutting through space with a sharp, piercing sonic boom, streaking directly toward Xiao Yan in the distance. Where the light touched, the colossal stones throughout the arena shattered instantly. Li Qing's full-force attack had been nothing short of astonishing! And yet, in the face of such overwhelming power, the entire arena went pale with shock. Even the elders on the judges' bench were visibly serious—the intensity of this duel had nearly reached the threshold of a Supreme Rank Technique. Li Qing truly was formidable. Within his dark pupils, the golden, brilliant lance beams poured in like a deluge, overwhelming him. As the primary target, Xiao Yan could clearly sense the terrifying, piercing assault embedded within that golden radiance. Yet, Xiao Yan was equally confident—any such attack would dissipate under the weight of his Xuan Zhong Chi. He drew in a deep, slightly warm breath, and with steady steps, slowly advanced forward under the watchful eyes of all present. Raising his Xuan Zhong Chi high above his head, the veins on his arms bulged prominently, pulsing like tiny, wriggling serpents. As the spectators gazed at Xiao Yan’s raised staff, they all momentarily held their breath, their faces flushed with excitement. Under the unyielding gaze of countless eyes, Xiao Yan’s arm trembled slightly, and then, with a resounding crash, his Xuan Zhong Chi descended. "Yan fen shi lang chi!" "Break through!" Two thunderous roars erupted instantly, and from the heavy staff, a massive dark red beam several zhang in length surged forth with an unstoppable, devastating force! As the beam shot out, the space rippled like a lake disturbed by a massive stone. The already ruined ground, now split open, rapidly expanded along the beam's path, forming a crack half a meter wide, spreading swiftly under a wave of stunned gazes!