The Liuhe Youshen Chi has three distinct stages—Liehuo, Youshenhuo, and Liuhehuo—each differing significantly in power. However, since mastering this technique, Xiao Yan has rarely used the offensive capabilities of the Liuhe Youshen Chi, placing greater emphasis on its defensive techniques. Naturally, this does not diminish the value of the Liuhe Youshen Chi, which has already reached the mid-earth stage. When fully realized, its offensive power undoubtedly surpasses that of Yan Fen Shi Lang Chi. In the past, due to his own strength, Xiao Yan could only achieve the Liehuo stage, with Youshenhuo being somewhat difficult, and Liuhehuo even more distant. However, after his recent breakthrough to Douzong rank, all his abilities have surged dramatically overnight, and the Liuhe Youshen Chi has now directly advanced to the Liuhehuo stage. This, precisely, is the advantage brought by ascending to the Douzong rank—where the Douzong and Douhuang ranks represent entirely different levels. A Peak of the Duophoenix rank aiming to challenge a Duozong-level powerhouse directly would face a dire fate unless truly equipped with some exceptionally strong reserves—given the vast gap between the two ranks. Since his attainment of Duozong status, this has been the first time Xiao Yan has deployed the Liuhe Fire of the Liuhe Soaring Body Measure. Although he finds it somewhat difficult to gauge its full power, he is certain it will surpass the strength achieved when he fully unleashes the Yan Fen Shi Lang Measure. A strange flame, leaning toward a dark green-brown hue, gently adheres to the tip of the measure. This flame is not a true flame; rather, it emerges when the compression of Xiao Yan's Qi reaches an unimaginably intense level. In strict terms, however, it might not even qualify as a flame—merely a unique form of highly compressed Qi. Compressing the Qi to this extent was only possible because he had now reached the peak of the Douzong level; otherwise, with his previous Douhuang strength, such a feat would have been utterly impossible. A dark-brown flame adhered to the top of the staff, appearing as if it would vanish with a mere breath. Yet, as the staff wind swept across it, this seemingly unremarkable flame cut through space like an unmatched blade, tearing open a narrow, one-finger-wide black fissure in the very fabric of reality. With a single stroke of the staff, there was no sonic boom or any other unusual sound—only a profound stillness, reminiscent of the moment just before a volcanic eruption. Even so, beneath this seemingly effortless motion, those present with discerning eyes all exchanged subtle expressions of surprise. Tang Ying, Mu Qinglun, and even Feng Qing'er all grew visibly serious, their gazes fixed on Xiao Yan, filled with an overwhelming sense of disbelief. "He's a Douzong-level powerhouse?" Although Xiao Yan's appearance had changed, he still looked remarkably young. When Tang Ying and the others witnessed the aura radiating from within him—reaching the level of a Battle Sovereign—they were naturally struck speechless, their minds stirred like waves crashing in a storm, unable to settle. "This person..." Feng Qing'er furrowed her brows, her eyes fixed intently on Xiao Yan. When his aura had first fully erupted, that strange sense of familiarity had suddenly deepened considerably. She knew such feelings were never random, and her own perception was far sharper than most. Of course, compared to Tang Ying and the others, the most stunned were the vast crowds outside the plaza. From the beginning, few had believed that Xiao Yan could defeat Xiao Yan. But now—this aura surging forth from within him, like a volcanic eruption—was truly surpassing Wang Chen! Wang Chen is a near-Divine Sovereign. Then, what level would surpass him? The answer is just two words: Divine Sovereign! Losing the "near" prefix, yet the gap between them is as vast as heaven and earth. "This guy... has actually reached the Divine Sovereign level..." Lin Yan stood at the edge of the arena, stunned by the figure of Xiao Yan. When he had left the Gamma Empire, he clearly remembered Xiao Yan possessing only peak Divine Sovereign strength. Yet in just a few years, Xiao Yan had surged to become a true Divine Sovereign—such a pace of cultivation is truly astonishing. After all, Lin Yan himself had reached his four-star Divine Sovereign rank only through a fortunate inheritance from an elder mentor. His once-prided progress now seems rather unimpressive compared to Xiao Yan's. Although Lin Yan had always held great respect for Xiao Yan, his highest expectation upon their next meeting was that Xiao Yan's strength would at most match Wang Chen's—yet he had never imagined Xiao Yan could truly reach the level of a Battle Sect Master! Now, he finally understood why Xiao Yan had dared to accept Wang Chen's challenge publicly. With his current strength, how many young talents in the younger generation could possibly stand against him? Even Wang Chen, backed by the formidable Huang Quan Pavilion, had only just reached the level of a near-Battle Sect Master. At the seat, Huang Quan Master's expression grew unusually stern, his gaze dark and fixed upon Xiao Yan—this time, he had indeed missed the mark. Of course, not only did he miss the mark—Lai, Feng, and Jian, the three Monks of Esteemed Rank, also displayed expressions of astonishment. After a brief pause, a sense of gravity passed over their faces. Though it was unlikely that a Cultivator of the Du-Zong level could impress them so profoundly, this particular Du-Zong was barely in his twenties. To achieve such a level at such a young age was no ordinary feat. Unless this individual possessed near-divine talent, he must surely have an exceptionally strong supporting background behind him. "Indeed, this person seems quite remarkable," said the Monk of the Sword, stroking a strand of his beard with a measured tone. "Wang Chen is no mere opponent of his." Upon hearing this, the Huangquan Monk's eyes darkened, and his voice grew cold. "The contest has far from concluded. Making hasty judgments now would only be embarrassing." The Monk of the Sword gave a slight disdainful lift of his mouth, his gaze fixed on the scene, and coldly remarked, "I shall see who ultimately ends up looking foolish." "Amidst the intense confrontation between the two, the situation on the field grew exceptionally perilous in an instant. Facing Xiao Yan's silent, unyielding stance of just one foot, the fierce expression on Wang Chen's face grew increasingly rigid, and a deep, pervasive sense of danger began to radiate from within, spreading to every corner of his body. "How is this possible? How can this young man possibly be a Cultivator of the Du-Zong level?" Clenching his teeth tightly, Wang Chen took a deep breath, then his eyes rapidly turned crimson, a surge of wild determination surging from within. He knew clearly that if he were defeated by Xiao Yan, the punishment he would face upon returning would be severe. As this thought took root, Wang Chen's inner fervor intensified, until finally, a low, wild roar, reminiscent of a beast, erupted from his throat. With this roar, the tiny blood vessels beneath his skin suddenly burst, instantly turning his entire body into a bloodied figure. "Yellow Springs Blood Technique!" The roar surged forth, and Wang Chen's breath surged in an instant, rocketing upward with tremendous force. As his breath intensified, his eyes transformed directly into deep, obsidian black. A vast surge of black energy erupted from within him, spreading out in countless tendrils. From a distance, he appeared like an ancient, fearsome beast of darkness, radiating a stern, menacing aura. Witnessing this spectacle, Tang Ying and the others could not help but take a sharp breath. "He's even summoned the Yellow Springs Blood Technique... truly a madman." The black energy swirled around Wang Chen, its immense power causing subtle tremors in the very space around him. His eyes flashed with fierce intensity, and as he clenched his fists, the black energy rapidly condensed into sharp, lightning-like formations. As the black energy coalesced, a strong, decaying odor emanated from Wang Chen's right arm, soon spreading to cover the entire limb, turning it completely black as ink. "Yellow Springs Decaying Corpse Arm!" A low roar echoed, and the black arm thundered forth. Black arm extended, and the space itself cracked open, a fissure forming instantly. The sturdy silver-wood plaza, like it had encountered its match, rapidly lost its luster, turning dry and yellowed, growing brittle and decaying... A quiet collision gave rise to a thunderous roar. An immense wave of energy surged forth from the point of contact, sweeping out like a storm, carving a massive crater on the silverwood plaza. A crack as thick as a person's thigh rapidly spread outward, like the radiating threads of a web, covering nearly half the plaza within mere eyeblinks—amidst a flurry of flying wood shavings. The silver shavings whirled like a storm, shimmering brilliantly under the sunlight. Wang Chen struggled to push himself up, but a thick stream of bright red blood erupted from his mouth. As he reached for his qi, waves of searing pain surged through his body. Panicking, he quickly turned inward and was stunned to see a vivid, intensely hot emerald-green flame raging within him, releasing scorching heat and violently destroying the surrounding tissues. "What is this?" His eyes widened in shock upon sensing the emerald flame. The storm formed by silver wood fragments gradually dissipated, and Xiao Yan's figure emerged slowly, his gaze sharp and solemn, first scanning Wang Chen, who still had some breath left, before lifting his eyes to meet the pale, thunderous expression of the Yellow Springs Sovereign. "Excellent! Remarkable! You truly have surprised me, young one!" The Yellow Springs Sovereign rose steadily, his voice carrying a restrained coldness and simmering fury. Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, then bowed respectfully to the Sovereign. "My obligations have been fulfilled. I shall now be departing." "As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Yan turned directly and walked toward the edge of the square, under the steady gaze of the crowd. 'Hold on...' A crisp, composed cough, tinged with a cold, amused tone, suddenly broke the silence. Xiao Yan paused, his gaze sharpening as he turned to look at Wang Chen, who was struggling to rise from the ground. His voice was icy as he asked, 'Do you still intend to come?' 'Cough...' Wang Chen expelled a stream of blood, his fierce, grim smile now starkly contrasted by the blood staining his face. 'I never thought it possible—within less than three months, you've advanced all the way to the Dou Zong level. It seems the greatest beneficiary of the Tian Shan Blood Lake's blessings has been you. Isn't that right, Xiao Yan?"