C22 The Prismatic Force Displayed Its Might!

On the expansive grassland, a riot of lush flowers and plants vied for attention, blooming with vibrant life. The verdant grass underfoot lent the landscape an air of vitality, while the bright blossoms scattered among the blades perfumed the air with their fragrance.

Eyes drifting upward from the verdant expanse, one would find two figures locked in a standoff. The tension between them was palpable, the atmosphere charged as if a battle could erupt at any moment.

With a decisive step, Ye Xuan shattered the silence. He leaned forward, advancing one foot while retracting the other, his toes poised to spring. His body tensed, ready to launch forward. In an instant, he surged towards Qing Guang with the speed of an arrow released from its bow.

Qing Guang, eyeing the rapidly approaching Ye Xuan, remained vigilant. He was, after all, facing the top contender from the Inner Sect Assessment, a man of undeniable skill. Despite his outward scorn, Qing Guang was inwardly cautious, well aware of Ye Xuan's reputation on the Inner Sect Ranking. To underestimate such an opponent would surely prevent him from maintaining his 45th position on that prestigious list.

Ye Xuan's form loomed larger in Qing Guang's vision until, at a critical moment, a fierce gust from Ye Xuan's punch met Qing Guang's face, tensing his features. Qing Guang let out a grunt but chose not to evade. Instead, he channeled his cultivation method, the vital force coursing through him, filling him with strength. He raised his solid fist to meet Ye Xuan's oncoming blow.

Bang!

The collision of their fists was witnessed by all, the resulting shockwave uprooting the surrounding flora. Bright green stems snapped in half, scattering in the vicinity of the two combatants.

Hei Ling observed the scene with a smirk. He mused to himself that Qing Guang, despite not having reached the fifth level of the Whispering Souls Realm, was a force to be reckoned with. His raw physical power was such that even cultivators at that advanced level hesitated to confront him directly, wary of his formidable strength.

Seeing Ye Xuan recklessly go toe-to-toe with Qing Guang, Hei Ling couldn't contain his glee. This way, even if Ye Xuan didn't lose his ability to fight, he'd surely sustain significant injuries, making it unlikely for him to last fifty rounds.

With this thought, Hei Ling's gaze shifted to the advanced second-level cultivation method in Bai Lan'er's grasp, his eyes blazing with fervor. Securing that method would enable him to ascend to the sixth level of the Whispering Souls Realm, nudging his position upward in the Inner Sect Ranking. The gap between him and those ranked higher was marginal; with this boost, he could even aim for the top ten. Imagining the glorious future that awaited him with the cultivation method, Hei Ling's smile grew more pronounced.

In the arena, Qing Guang watched Ye Xuan choose a direct confrontation, a subtle smile playing at the corner of his mouth. But as he took a closer look at Ye Xuan, the smile froze. There was no trace of pain on Ye Xuan's face; the collision seemed to have left him unfazed. But how could that be? Qing Guang's vital force might be just shy of the fifth level of the Whispering Souls Realm, but his physical prowess was such that even those at the fifth level would go to great lengths to avoid close combat with him, preferring to attack from a distance to wear him down.

Ye Xuan, feeling a slight numbness in his fist, gleaned a glimpse of Qing Guang's actual strength. Qing Guang's true level was likely at the half-step fifth level of the Whispering Souls Realm. He had previously claimed to be at the peak of the fourth level, likely as a ruse to lull Ye Xuan into complacency before striking unexpectedly. Misjudging Qing Guang's strength could have cost Ye Xuan dearly, potentially leading to a swift and unforeseen defeat. That would mean losing the duel.

Fortunately, Ye Xuan had mastered necromancy and become a Spirit Weaver, his soul perception far sharper than most. He had sensed something off about Qing Guang's vital force fluctuations even before the duel began, as if Qing Guang was intentionally concealing his aura. With this in mind, Ye Xuan had been cautious. Upon engaging, he deployed the onefold art, Prismatic Hands, averting the trap Hei Ling and the others had set for him.

Despite the lingering pain and numbness in his fist, it was clear that Qing Guang's physical strength was formidable. His robustness exceeded that of his peers, which explained why Hei Ling was so certain Ye Xuan would lose. Qing Guang's rank should arguably be within the top forty, not merely forty-fifth, likely hindered by the trade-off between his physical strength and speed.

Indeed, Ye Xuan's suspicions were confirmed. Qing Guang's physical prowess surpassed those at his level and was even comparable to someone at the fifth level of the Whispering Souls. However, this enhancement in strength had inversely affected his speed, which, if not for the reduction, would have placed him several ranks higher on the Inner Sect Ranking.

When Qing Guang's punch failed to deliver the devastating impact he anticipated, he intensified his efforts, and Ye Xuan met him with equal force. They stood their ground like two opposing forces, neither willing to concede even an inch.

After a fierce exchange, they both let out a forceful shout, pushing their energy into their punches. They each staggered backward several steps before regaining their balance. The bout ended in a draw, with both combatants proving their mettle.

Ye Xuan observed the faint redness on his knuckles, the mark of their clash. Yet, he suspected Qing Guang was worse off. Earlier, Ye Xuan had activated his Prismatic Hands, turning his palms as solid as stone, which undoubtedly put Qing Guang at a disadvantage in their direct confrontation.

Qing Guang's expression darkened as he inspected the abrasions on his fingers, his face contorting with displeasure. He had intended to play the fool to catch the wise, but instead, he found himself capsized in a ditch, having underestimated his opponent. Ye Xuan, who appeared innocuous, had proven to be unexpectedly fierce and cunning. With this realization, Qing Guang shed any remnants of underestimation and engaged with full seriousness.

Ye Xuan observed Qing Guang's aura intensifying sharply around him, realizing that Qing Guang was now taking the fight seriously. At that moment, Ye Xuan fully activated the Prismatic Mantra within him. The vital force from his Qi Sea surged, coursing through his limbs and bones, filling him with a profound sense of power. Clenching his fist, he felt a surge of strength far greater than before, and his eyes took on a fierce, penetrating look.

The two combatants charged at each other once more, engaging in a fierce hand-to-hand battle on the open grassland. The ferocity of their fight was enough to make onlookers' hearts race. On the sidelines, Mu Hua and Bai Lan'er were sweating with anxiety, while Hei Ling's composure had vanished. He had not anticipated that Ye Xuan, a newcomer, could hold his own for so long against Qing Guang, a veteran. Observing the ongoing battle, it was clear that without some powerful, hidden techniques, it would be difficult to declare a winner anytime soon.

Ye Xuan nimbly sidestepped Qing Guang's punch, then spun around with a sweeping leg kick. Qing Guang blocked the attack with his arms crossed over his chest, but the pain that followed revealed the strength behind Ye Xuan's strike.

Ignoring the throbbing in his arms, Qing Guang seized Ye Xuan's extended leg and began to spin. Ye Xuan, with one leg trapped, attempted to retract it, but as Qing Guang accelerated his rotation, Ye Xuan was thrown off balance. Just as Qing Guang was about to hurl Ye Xuan away, Ye Xuan's free leg lashed out, striking Qing Guang squarely in the chest.

With a resounding thud, Qing Guang was sent sprawling backward, releasing Ye Xuan's leg as he did so, causing Ye Xuan to plummet to the ground.

Both fighters hit the earth with a heavy thump, their bodies leaving visible indentations in the grass.

Coughing violently, Ye Xuan rose to his feet in a disheveled state, the collision clearly having inflicted significant damage. Qing Guang was in no better shape, his appearance equally battered, with traces of blood lingering at the corner of his mouth.

"It's been forty-nine rounds already," Ye Xuan reminded Qing Guang, who was visibly tense. Qing Guang hadn't anticipated Ye Xuan to be such a formidable opponent and realized he had no choice but to resort to his special technique.

Vital force surged violently around Qing Guang, his fists' veins throbbing as he readied a powerful attack. Hei Ling, observing Qing Guang's demeanor, recognized the impending use of his ultimate move. This was Qing Guang's strongest attack, one that had propelled him to the forty-fifth position on the Inner Sect Ranking. Everyone was eager to see how Ye Xuan would counter.

Aware that Qing Guang was unleashing his final strike, Ye Xuan no longer held back. His vital force condensed in his palm in a unique pattern, forming a needle-like shape that radiated a piercing chill.

As Qing Guang completed his power buildup, he launched his fist, now enveloped in an awe-inspiring aura, at Ye Xuan. "Advanced first-level shadow arts, Groundbreaking Fist!" he silently roared within.

The force of the punch sent Ye Xuan's hair flying back, revealing his eyes, deep and serene. With a sly grin exposing his pearly white teeth, he prepared his response. "Twofold art, Prismatic Force, shatter!" he mentally commanded.

Their fist and palm met in a collision that echoed like a meteor strike, resonating with a thunderous boom. The resulting shockwave cleared the ground of all flora.

Before Qing Guang could assess Ye Xuan's condition, he felt an excruciating pain in his fist that had made contact, contorting his face in agony. "Explode!"

A brilliant light burst forth at the moment of impact. Bai Lan'er, Hei Ling, and the others watched, eyes wide, as Qing Guang's towering figure was sent hurtling backward, his palm torn and bleeding.

Ye Xuan, watching Qing Guang crash onto the grassy field, withdrew his blood-stained hand, his breathing now heavy. The Prismatic Force had drained much of his vital force, yet the outcome was surprisingly effective.

"I declare Ye Xuan the victor of this match."

With Bai Lan'er's crystalline voice marking the conclusion, the match officially came to a close.

The victor was none other than Ye Xuan!