C23 Xiao Yan Had Established His Name in the Blazing Fire Sect

"Xiao Yan? Is that the so-called trash from the Xiao family, Xiao Yan, who managed to secure second place in the Grand Competition? That's laughable."

The crowd burst into laughter upon hearing Xiao Yan's name.

Lau Qi shook his head, approached Xiao Yan, and said, "Senior Brother Xiao, it's all yours now."

Xiao Yan nodded in understanding. Lau Qi's gesture was clearly to help him restore his good name and shed the label of trash from Essence Opening City.

Xiao Yan leaped onto the stage, exuding the formidable presence of the Body Refining Extreme Stage, and challenged the onlookers, "Who dares to step up?"

His aura, exceeding that of the Body Refining Peak, left the crowd utterly astonished. Could this really be the same Xiao Yan they once mocked?

No one dared to face him, especially since Lau Qi had already conceded that Xiao Yan was second to none, implicitly acknowledging his inferiority.

Furthermore, Xiao Yan's presence seemed to have even eclipsed that of the three sect masters.

The Xiao family patriarch watched Xiao Yan on the stage, exclaiming with pride, "That's my son, my son Xiao Yan!"

Other patriarchs looked on with envy, offering their congratulations, "Congratulations to you, Patriarch Xiao, for having such an outstanding son!"

The Xiao family patriarch was beaming with pride, his previous grievances vanishing as his son proved himself to be a warrior even mightier than himself.

Xiao Yan turned to the judge and said calmly, "You may announce the results now."

The judge, with some trepidation, declared, "In this Grand Competition, Profound Heaven Sect's Lu Xueqi takes first place, Xiao Yan second, and Lau Qi third."

He then cast a meaningful glance at the other sects.

"Should anyone object, they are welcome to challenge the standings. A successful challenger may take the place of the current holder."

The other sects' members inwardly grimaced. If Chu Huaiyu himself didn't dare to enter the fray, what chance would they stand?

Lee Tongxuan gave Chen Feng a sidelong glance, impressed by the strength of the Profound Heaven Sect's disciples. It appeared there might be hope for the Royal Capital Grand Competition after all.

The Profound Heaven Sect, a formidable presence surrounding Essence Opening City, stood to gain immensely from its successes, much to the benefit of Lee Tongxuan.

"Would the top three from the Grand Competition please come up to receive your awards?"

"The first prize is a Yellow Level High Grade Martial Skill, the Tongbi Palm, along with ten Low Grade Spirit Stones."

"The second prize is a Yellow Level Middle Grade Martial Skill, the Inferno Sword Technique."

"The third prize is an Essence Steel Sword."

Lu Xueqi and her companions accepted their prizes with visible contempt. What was this? Did anyone even practice these Martial Skills? The Essence Steel Long Sword was not even in the same league as the skills exchanged at the sect, which was made painfully clear when Qi Yuan was swiftly defeated by Dao Kun and his saber on stage.

Lee Tongxuan observed their disdainful expressions, knowing full well that Yellow Level High Grade techniques were top-tier in a Grade Nine Sect. In a modest place like Essence Opening City, such techniques were exceedingly rare, yet here were the Profound Heaven Sect disciples, looking down on them.

Chen Feng understood their mindset. The disciples of the Profound Heaven Sect trained in at least Profound Level Martial Skills, with some even mastering Holy Grade techniques. Yellow Level Martial Skills were beneath their consideration.

With a swift palm strike, Chen Feng commanded, "Take these and store them in the Tripitaka Sutra Pavilion. These Martial Skills will henceforth be the cornerstone techniques of the Profound Heaven Sect."

Lau Qi, hands covering his head, shot Chen Feng a bewildered look. With everyone watching, why single him out for a head knock? Chen Feng was simply seizing the moment to put Lau Qi in his place, secretly envying his flamboyant charm.

Reflecting on his own years of solitude, Chen Feng couldn't help but feel that Lau Qi had monopolized all the attention from the ladies. In his mind, Lau Qi was the reason for his own single status.

The other sect leaders, overhearing Chen Feng's declaration, could hardly believe their ears. Core martial skills? They all knew too well the disdain etched on the faces of the Profound Heaven Sect disciples.

The Essence Opening City Grand Competition arrived with great urgency, largely due to the overwhelming strength of the Profound Heaven Sect. Their dominance was such that no one dared to challenge them.

Chen Feng, accompanied by Lu Xueqi, Xiao Yan, and Lau Qi, ventured into the Blazing Fire Sect's domain. Today, they were determined to take down the Blazing Fire Sect.

"Go and knock on the door," Chen Feng instructed Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan was the right person for the task. He nodded and approached the Blazing Fire Sect's entrance. Conjuring a purple flame in his hands, he hurled a fireball at the sect's gate.

The Blazing Fire Sect disciples had never witnessed such an audacious act. As a top-tier power in Essence Opening City, their gate had never been set ablaze, not even by the City Lord Mansion.

"Who dares to destroy the Blazing Fire Sect's gate?" a disciple bellowed.

Xiao Yan regarded the disciple with indifference. Feeling no inclination to engage with someone at the mere Second Level of Body Refining, he stated calmly, "Summon your sect master and elders. Tell them the Profound Heaven Sect has come to visit."

Upon hearing the name Profound Heaven Sect, the disciple's alarm was palpable. He hurried off to notify the sect master and elders.

Shortly thereafter, a figure emerged, questioning, "Why have you come to the Blazing Fire Sect instead of attending the County Grand Competition?"

The Blazing Fire Sect's representative glared at Chen Feng, seething with hostility. The audacity of the Profound Heaven Sect knew no bounds; they had the gall to storm the Blazing Fire Sect's gate. Did they truly believe that winning the Essence Opening City Grand Competition made them unbeatable?

Chen Feng surveyed the Blazing Fire Sect's lineup. Aside from the Blazing Fire, who was at the Golden Core Level Seven, there was an Elder at Golden Core Level One and five at the Body Refining Peak. Despite having slain two of their Golden Core Elders, the Blazing Fire Sect's strength was still remarkable.

Chen Feng held back, confident that Xiao Yan could handle everyone except the Blazing Fire.

The Blazing Fire then turned to the Elders and commanded, "Capture Xiao Yan for me."

An Elder at the Peak Stage stepped forward and addressed Xiao Yan, "It would be wise for you to surrender now. I'd rather not engage, as I cannot be responsible for any harm that might come to you."

Xiao Yan gave a cold laugh in response, "Just you?"

A mere Body Refining Peak dares to speak so boldly before me? The Sect Master of the Blazing Fire Sect would have been a more suitable opponent.

The Blazing Fire Sect Elder was taken aback by Xiao Yan's lack of gratitude. Even though Xiao Yan was at the Body Refining Peak, what of it? Surely he couldn't be stronger than someone like me, who has been at the Body Refining Peak for many years?

With his hands clenched, the Elder moved towards Xiao Yan, Fire Attribute Spiritual Qi materializing in his palms. He was using the Blazing Fire Palm, a Yellow Level Middle Grade martial skill of the Blazing Fire Sect, albeit a rather outdated technique.

Xiao Yan smirked coldly, "Playing with fire in front of me? You're looking for trouble."

Both wielded the Blazing Fire Palm, but while the Blazing Fire Sect Elder's flame was roughly a meter in size, Xiao Yan's spanned about five meters, all of it a brilliant purple hue.

Chen Feng was well aware that Xiao Yan had merged with the Purple Spirit Fire Seed. Although it was merely Beast Fire, the martial skill enhanced by the Purple Spirit Fire had grown exponentially in strength.

The Blazing Fire Sect Elder was in a state of panic, having not anticipated Xiao Yan's formidable power, with flames far from ordinary.

As the two fiery palms clashed in the air, the Elder's attack was instantly devoured, and the might of Xiao Yan's Blazing Fire Palm intensified even further.

Startled, the Blazing Fire Sect Elder hastily retreated. Against a five-meter-long flame, there was nowhere to run.

He screamed loudly, but it was to no avail; within moments, he was reduced to a heap of blackened ash.

The Peak Stage Elder of the Blazing Fire Sect recoiled in fear, dreading the possibility of being called out to face Xiao Yan in combat.

Elder Zhao's expression was grim as he faced Blazing Fire. "Do you think you can handle it?" Blazing Fire asked the Golden Core Level One Elder beside him.

"I can only aim to hold him off; I'm not confident about securing a kill," Elder Zhao replied after a moment's thought. A prodigy like Xiao Yan was not someone an old man on the brink of death like himself could match.

Blazing Fire remained silent, casting another glance towards the Profound Heaven Sect. Chen Feng was his responsibility, but Lu Xueqi and Lau Qi were still factors to consider.

Lu Xueqi, as the eldest senior sister of the Profound Heaven Sect, was no less formidable than Xiao Yan, not to mention Lau Qi. If the great elder and the others had survived, they wouldn't be in such a disadvantageous position.

And then there was Yanshan, who had foolishly stirred up trouble with the Profound Heaven Sect.

Watching the Golden Core Level One Elder from the Blazing Fire Sect step forward, Xiao Yan felt his blood surge with excitement. Engaging a Golden Core Stage expert in combat was an opportunity for him to gain deeper insights and improve.

Xiao Yan moved forward, his battle will soaring, his fists enveloped in purple flames.

Elder Zhao was taken aback; he hadn't expected to be seen as a mere stepping stone. The gap between Golden Core Level One and the Body Refining Peak might only be one level, but it was as vast as a chasm. No matter how much Elder Zhao tried to preserve his health, he couldn't keep his composure in the face of such audacity.

Chen Feng instructed Lu Xueqi and Lau Qi, "Keep an eye on Xiao Yan. Don't let him get overwhelmed by multiple opponents."

Both nodded in understanding, aware that Chen Feng was set to confront Blazing Fire Sect. The outcome of their duel would render any other conflict irrelevant. However, Lu Xueqi and Lau Qi had immense faith in Chen Feng, confident in their Sect Master's invincibility.

Blazing Fire Sect, too, was watching Chen Feng, knowing the decisive battle was about to commence. Whichever side lost would inevitably face the demise of their sect.

Chen Feng watched with a hint of envy as Lu Xueqi, Xiao Yan, and Lau Qi were all considered one-in-a-million top-tier prodigies. Having just one of them in a sect could elevate it beyond the status of the Purple Chu Kingdom.

If Chen Feng were aware of this, he would undoubtedly chuckle dismissively, considering such a perspective to be narrow-minded. After all, his goal was for the Profound Heaven Sect to become the strongest sect on the Holy Profound Continent.

The Blazing Fire Sect's leader approached Chen Feng and proposed, "Sect Master Chen, let us cease hostilities and make peace. I am willing to offer appropriate compensation."

The disciples of the Blazing Fire Sect were taken aback by their leader's words, finding it hard to believe that their Sect Master would suggest a compromise with the Profound Heaven Sect. Could the Profound Heaven Sect truly be that formidable?

The Blazing Fire Sect's leader felt cornered. If they failed to eliminate these individuals today, it was only a matter of time before they were surpassed. Would the Blazing Fire Sect even have a future then?

Facing Chen Feng, Lu Xueqi, and the others, there was little confidence in securing a victory.

Chen Feng was equally astonished to see that the relationship between the two sects had deteriorated beyond repair. Even though the Blazing Fire Sect sought reconciliation, Chen Feng had no interest in it. As someone from the modern era, he understood all too well the adage about leaving no root to prevent regrowth.

"Make your move, for you'll soon be out of opportunities," Chen Feng declared.

The Blazing Fire Sect's leader, undeterred, drew a large saber from his storage bag, stating, "If Sect Master Chen is not inclined towards reconciliation, then I have no choice but to engage."

His words were courteous, but his actions were slow. A flash of his blade surged towards Chen Feng.

Chen Feng, without further ado, summoned an Essence Steel Sword into his hand. Having never fully exerted himself in this world, he was eager to test his mettle against the Blazing Fire Sect's leader.

With a loud cry, Chen Feng unleashed, "Nine-level Cascading Sword Technique: Surging Waves!"

The Blazing Fire Sect's leader's expression tightened as a massive wave bore down on him, and he realized, "This is a Profound Rank Martial Skill. The Profound Heaven Sect truly has a deep heritage."

Channeling his spiritual energy, he bellowed, "Profound Rank Low Grade Martial Skill: Wind Breaking Slash!"

His blade shadow cleaved the towering wave in two, a testament to the skill's potency.

Chen Feng's aura intensified as he unleashed the Nine-level Cascading Sword Technique once more. This technique comprised nine increasingly powerful levels, each surpassing the last, with the combined force rivaling that of a Profound Rank High Grade Martial Skill.

"Shocking Waves and Storms!"

"White Waves Skyward!"

...

"Nine Forms Unite, Waves Envelop the Heavens!"

Upon reaching Great Completion, the Nine-level Cascading Sword Technique's power was undeniable. As the nine waves converged, they stripped the world of its hues, with dark clouds casting the earth into shadow and floods rampaging across the land.

The Blazing Fire Sect disciples were in agony, their Body Refining Stage unable to withstand such formidable might.

The leader of the Blazing Fire Sect's complexion turned ashen. He hadn't anticipated Chen Feng possessing such formidable strength and cried out, "You've driven me to this!"

With those words, he retrieved a pill from his storage bag and swallowed it. His presence exploded, with his cultivation level at Golden Core Level Seven rapidly ascending.

Golden Core Level Eight!

Golden Core Level Nine!

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