Chapter 512: Fight to the Limit

The Ancient Phoenix Wings flared once, instantly transmigrating through space and time; behind Xiao Yan, the wings unfolded—he moved so fast that even a Dou Zun could barely see him, and in the instant he moved, countless afterimages streaked across the sky, stretching endlessly.

With a loud bang, Xiao Yan instantly struck at Gu Qingyang's chest, leaping up sharply and, before Gu Qingyang could defend, driving his knee hard into Gu Qingyang's chest, sending him flying high into the air.

Coughing, Gu Qingyang spat blood from his lips—clearly, Xiao Yan's knee strike was terrifying!

"Grand Commander!!"

"Damn, I almost forgot—Xiao Yan possesses a Heavenly Realm Soul Force!"

Boom! Xiao Yan's Ancient Phoenix Wings flared again, chasing after Gu Qingyang, who had been blasted skyward. Seeing Xiao Yan's terrifying speed, Gu Qingyang's eyes gleamed with a spark of battle intent; he wiped the blood from his lips, smiled, and hadn't encountered an opponent who forced him to go all out in a long time!

"Void Sky Steps!"

Puff! Xiao Yan's punch missed; in that instant, Gu Qingyang vanished entirely—gone without a trace, as if evaporated from the world. Even his Soul Force could not sense him.

Xiao Yan frowned—this Body Technique must be Heavenly Rank; even his Heavenly Realm Soul Force couldn't locate Gu Qingyang for a moment!

Although Heavenly Rank Flying Dou Techniques are rare on the Dou Qi Continent, for a super Dou Emperor Family like the Gu Clan, who possess Dou Emperor legacies, a Heavenly Rank Body Technique, though precious, is not impossible to obtain!

Hum! In that split second, a terrifying punch wind roared from Xiao Yan's side—so fierce was this blow that even Xiao Yan could barely evade it.

The punch struck—Xiao Yan's body exploded. Gu Qingyang gasped in shock: "It's a Phantom Body!"

Since you can't dodge, then don't dodge at all!

Zzzzz!! The Thunder Phantom Body Xiao Yan smiled, and instantly, terrifying thunderfire erupted, forming a vast Thunder Pool.

"Flame Explosion!"

The next second, Xiao Yan, enveloped in Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Fire and Yin-Yang Twin Flames, appeared behind Gu Qingyang; the two Strange Flames detonated instantly, and in that moment, terrifying flames ravaged heaven and earth, incinerating Space itself.

In an instant, the Strange Flames surged into a colossal tidal wave, overwhelming Gu Qingyang with boundless fury.

Boom! In that instant, Gu Qingyang formed a hand seal, and a brilliant Emperor Seal appeared in his palm—five seals fused instantly, crushing down as he roared: "Ancient Emperor Seal!"

The power of the Ancient Emperor Seal was no weaker than a Heaven Tier Low Grade Dou Technique—it instantly pierced through Xiao Yan's Sea of Fire!

In the instant Gu Qingyang shattered Xiao Yan's Sea of Fire, Xiao Yan's Ancient Phoenix Wings flared violently, reversing flight to evade the Ancient Emperor Seal's attack.

"Space Lock!" Gu Qingyang narrowed his eyes; the space around Xiao Yan turned into a spatial quicksand, and an immense gravitational force crushed down instantly.

Before Xiao Yan could even react, Gu Qingyang caught up with him at unmatched speed—BOOM! The Ancient Emperor Seal slammed into Xiao Yan's body, knocking him crashing down from the sky.

Coughing, Xiao Yan spat blood—the terrifying power of the Ancient Emperor Seal had even caved in his chest, forcing out a mouthful of blood!

"Brother Xiao Yan!" Xun Er stood up anxiously, her beautiful eyes tense, fists clenched tight.

Boom! Xiao Yan's body plummeted like a meteor, smashing through a stone pillar and crashing onto the Yishi Guangchang, scattering mud and stone, leaving a massive crater.

Seeing this, everyone drew a sharp breath—Xiao Yan's speed was already astonishing, and he'd used two Strange Flames and a Soul Technique, yet Gu Qingyang was no less than Gu Qingyang: the true top-tier powerhouse of the Gu Clan—his speed, strength, spatial mastery, Dou Technique cultivation, and battle acuity were flawless!

You were peerless in your rank—Gu Qingyang once was too!

In fact, across the entire Dou Qi Continent, the Young Generation could hardly produce anyone who matched him in spatial manipulation.

"Is this the super-intuition granted by a Nine-Star Dou Di Bloodline? Cultivating Dou Techniques feels like child's play."

"But Xiao Yan still fighting at this level despite the rank gap? He's too monstrous."

"If they were equal in rank, it'd be uncertain."

Nine-Star Dou Di Bloodline! This was nearly the ceiling of Dou Emperor Families—even Elder Tong Xuan and Mang Tianchi, those Half-Saint powerhouses, possessed only Eight-Rank Dou Di Bloodlines.

Normally, Dou Di Bloodline's influence weakens by the time one reaches Dou Saint—but that's because having Eight Grade Dou Di Bloodline is already a blessing; Nine-Star is unthinkable!

Even within the Gu Clan, those with Nine-Star Dou Di Bloodline are few and far between!

Even without the Gu Clan's resources, with Gu Qingyang's talent and intuition, breaking into Dou Saint was virtually guaranteed!

Yet despite this, Gu Qingyang, standing mid-air, showed no trace of pride—he stood silently in Space, his gaze heavy, fixed downward.

If Xiao Yan could be defeated so easily, it'd be laughable.

Whoosh! At that moment, Xiao Yan's Soul Force pushed aside the stones, waved his hand to clear all dust, and shot straight into the sky.

"I've never actually been hit by an Emperor Seal Technique," Xiao Yan said, standing in Space, gazing at the caved-in chest, slowly nodding.

He had cultivated the Emperor Seal Technique, but this was his first time being directly struck by the Ancient Emperor Seal—Gu Qingyang truly was a formidable foe; utterly unlike Gu Yao, his foundation was rock-solid, his Dou Qi thick and profound.

At this moment, everyone turned to Xiao Yan; seeing he looked unharmed, many faces paled.

"It's the Yin-Yang Dual Flames... and Three Thousand Yan Flame," Huo Xuan, long since lost his temper, had forgotten—this guy was the Pill Gathering Champion, had refined Three Thousand Yan Flame, everyone knew that!

"Six... and one of the top ten Strange Flames," Huo Zhi's eyes were grave—if the Five Wheel Fire Method had used Strange Flames ranked in the bottom ten, even bottom twenty, she wouldn't have been alarmed—but the Ninth-ranked Three Thousand Yan Flame was entirely different.

For Dou Emperor Families, Strange Flames ranked below the top fifteen don't matter much—if they encounter one, they take it; if not, they let it go. Those ranked in the bottom ten? Unless acquired by someone like the former Pill Sovereign, or by Jia Nan Academy with Mang Tianchi, or by the Burning Flame Valley guarded by a One Star Dou Saint, they'll all try to seize them.

As for the top ten Strange Flames... just look at how many the Yan Clan and Yao Clan hold—top ten Strange Flames hold immense allure even for Dou Emperor Families!

If not for the Dan Tower's current ancestral elder being a Six Star Dou Saint, Three Thousand Yan Flame would've been seized long ago!

"Three Thousand Yan Flame"—seeing the starlight flickering on Xiao Yan's body, Ren Yaozi clenched his fists in envy, his eyes filled with greed.

His own Strange Flame was the Ninth-ranked Nine Underworld Wind Flame—still inferior to Three Thousand Yan Flame—but it had already granted him tremendous aid, and was a treasured ancestral flame of the Yao Clan!

Xiao Yan paid no mind to others' gazes—he understood: the more dominant he appeared, the safer he was. Not even mentioning the Soul Sovereign, just the title "Gu Clan's son-in-law" was enough to keep him safe.

"Warm-up's over. Bring out your weapon," Xiao Yan said to Gu Qingyang.

Gu Qingyang paused, then nodded—using a weapon meant relying on Gu Clan resources, which would be unsportsmanlike; his weapon, naturally, was peerless—one of the Gu Clan's finest.

But as Gu Qingyang had said from the start—he would show no mercy, and give his all!

Hum! The instant Gu Qingyang drew his weapon, the heavens brightened.

Gu Qingyang's Spiritual Pressure shifted—he became deep-eyed, battle intent soaring, strikingly calm, majestic and grand.

In his hand, he held a halberd longer than himself; now, with halberd in hand, he radiated an unmatched aura—like one man holding a pass against ten thousand.

When Gu Qingyang held the halberd, it seemed as if all his weaknesses vanished—he had no openings whatsoever; only with weapon in hand was he truly himself!

Xiao Yan stared at the halberd in Gu Qingyang's hand—it was pure white, towering and domineering, faintly releasing a Dragon's Might from its blade.

Even if Xiao Yan didn't know its origin, he understood: this weapon was immensely powerful, renowned even within the Gu Clan.

Alchemy Furnaces have the Heavenly Cauldron List; weapons, too, have rankings. Gu Qingyang's white halberd was an ancient relic passed down by the Gu Clan, forged from the bones and Magic Core of a Nine Rank True Dragon that had gone extinct since ancient times—a top-tier Nine Rank weapon!

The Gu Clan's depth was truly immense!

Whoosh—a single sound of wind tearing through air—Xiao Yan naturally wielded only one weapon: the grotesque, massive black ruler gripped in his hand.

Although the legacy of the Medic Sovereign never stated what rank the Xuan Zhong Chi belonged to, Xiao Yan knew it was no higher than eighth-rank; an attack from a high-grade Dou Zun might crack it.

When the Gu Clan youths saw Xiao Yan pull out that ugly, black ruler, they burst into laughter.

"The Xiao Clan has truly declined—using such a broken black ruler."

"It can't even compare to the Silver Dragon Battle Spear of the Grand Commander."

But the next second, their laughter and smirks were cut off like ducks with their necks wrung.

Whoosh—a sharp wind tore through air—as Xiao Yan gripped the handle of the Xuan Zhong Chi, holding it horizontally before him, his left hand summoning a mound of earth-yellow Spirit Flame, which surged like a desert tornado.

It was none other than the Eighteenth-ranked Wind Fury Dragon Flame!

Snap—the sound echoed as Xiao Yan's terrifying Soul Force merged into the Spirit Flame, then he slammed it into the Xuan Zhong Chi, his fingers curling into claws over its surface. Gak-gak-gak-gak-gak—the five fingers scraped a piercing, grating sound across the ruler.

Boom!! As the screeching grew faster and sharper, the strange patterns on the Xuan Zhong Chi seemed to awaken—a storm-wrapped, earth-yellow flame began to rise.

Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed; he swung the Xuan Zhong Chi, slicing through Space! The ruler, as if opening its eyes and awakening, emitted a faint glow—its once ugly, pitch-black form now wrapped in Wind Fury Dragon Flame, radiating divine majesty.

"This strange black ruler can absorb Spirit Flame?"

"Not just that—he's using his immense Soul Force to control the flame."

"And Fire Control Power—no one else could achieve such precise control without his level of Fire Control Power!"

"Spirit Flame, immense Soul Force, and refined Fire Control Power—these three things have leveled the Gu Clan's deep reserves for Xiao Yan!"

Slowly rising, Xun Er looked up at the man in the sky, her beautiful eyes filled with sorrow—she knew how arduous and treacherous Xiao Yan's path had been.

Refining Spirit Flame isn't like eating a meal!

Just the Fallen Heart Flame alone—Xun Er knew how great a risk Xiao Yan took—and the unused Lotus Earth Core Fire nearly got him killed by Mei Du Sha.

That Spirit Flame was covered in invisible scars and blood.

Even when refining the weakest Xuan Huang Flame, Xiao Yan was tense and solemn—only after enduring the pain did he truly understand how dangerous Spirit Flame was!

"Stop sighing—act now. If you lose in front of so many, the Gu Clan will lose all face," Xiao Yan said with a smile, noticing Gu Qingyang's sigh.

Gu Qingyang smiled and nodded. "Then take my strike!"

Gu Qingyang was no soft-hearted fool—he moved his Silver Dragon Battle Spear, and Space itself trembled. As the spear emerged, wind and clouds churned, Space shattered, and the entire arena gasped—countless onlookers turned pale in awe.

With a casual thrust, it was clear Gu Qingyang had devoted real effort to his cultivation—his spear strike was as elusive as a deer's hoofprint, leaving no trace.

Facing Gu Qingyang's strike, Xiao Yan let out a long roar—his Xuan Zhong Chi rang with heavy weight; fused with Wind Fury Dragon Flame, it was not only massive but also razor-sharp.

Dong—the sound echoed as Xiao Yan fully mastered the Six Directions Swirling Body Ruler Technique, meeting Gu Qingyang's battle spear head-on.

With a dull boom, Xiao Yan's Xuan Zhong Chi, like a black mountain, instantly absorbed and deflected the force—his parry unleashed a storm of Spirit Flame, tearing Space and burning all in its path, blocking Gu Qingyang's stunning thrust.

In the instant he blocked, Xiao Yan slammed his palm onto the Xuan Zhong Chi—suddenly, streams of wind-blades wrapped in Spirit Flame shot forth from the ruler.

Sensing the exquisite precision of Xiao Yan's Spirit Flame assault, Gu Qingyang gripped his spear, shook it—Space twisted, the spear followed his motion, effortlessly blocking Xiao Yan's Spirit Flame attacks.

For a time, the two clashed in a dazzling battle—the Xuan Zhong Chi fused with Spirit Flame and Gu Qingyang's Silver Dragon Battle Spear collided, releasing Spirit Flame and Dragon Might, shaking heaven and earth.

With the Silver Dragon Battle Spear in hand, Gu Qingyang seemed to grasp the entire world—each strike was peerless, astonishing even the Gu Clan Elders and Mang Tianchi, who watched in awe.

Xiao Yan was no less impressive—though the Six Directions Swirling Body Ruler Technique was crude compared to the Gu Clan's spear arts, not a profound Dou Technique at all, Xiao Yan matched Gu Qingyang blow for blow, holding his own through Soul Technique and Spirit Flame.

With the Silver Dragon Battle Spear, Gu Qingyang unleashed countless spear shadows—each one radiating terrifying, razor-sharp Dragon Qi, achieving a spear art so magnificent it left observers breathless; this cutting art, though not universally unmatched, was exceedingly rare, a testament to his grueling training.

Gu Qingyang and Xiao Yan fought from sky to ground, then from ground back into Space, their blows ferocious beyond measure—even freely traversing Space, triggering Space Storms.

One spear, one ruler—they clashed fiercely, captivating the young generation present, who watched in rapt awe at this battle.

Watching this battle, countless youths of the Young Generation would remember it for life—and even learn much from it!

"Great Dismal Art! Great Dismal Finger!!" Gu Qingyang's First-Transformation Dou Qi erupted—First-Transformation Dou Zun meant twice the power of a Nine-Star Dou Zun, let alone a powerhouse like Gu Qingyang!

Gu Qingyang pointed at Xiao Yan—a breath of annihilation, extinguishing all life, surged forth—a colossal, condensed Dou Qi finger pressed down upon Xiao Yan.

Facing Gu Qingyang's Great Dismal Finger, Xiao Yan formed a hand seal—the Five Wheel Fire Method arrayed once more! Five Spirit Flames instantly transformed into Spirit Flames, endless beams of Spirit Flame erupting from the array.

Boom-boom-boom!! Gu Qingyang's Great Dismal Finger was even weaker than the version he'd used without his Clan Mark—it clashed and annihilated against Xiao Yan's Five Wheel Fire Method.

These Heavenly Rank techniques were merely minor skills in their battle!

Shii-shii!! Two figures burst from the collision of Spirit Flame and Dismal energy—Dang! The spear and black ruler clashed head-on, sparks flew, shockwaves ripped through heaven and earth, stirring colossal waves.

"Quick! Thicken the defenses!" Three Elders gasped in alarm—their Space Lock was nearly shattered by their clash; the sheer ferocity of their attacks was unimaginable!

Dong—Gu Qingyang swept his spear in a plain, unadorned strike; Xiao Yan blocked with his black ruler, the immense force sending him reeling backward, shattering Space beneath his feet!

"Catch this palm!" Xiao Yan gripped the Xuan Zhong Chi in his left hand, his right hand swiftly forming seals—hum—a black dot condensed in his palm, heavenly forces surging wildly into it as he thrust the palm toward Gu Qingyang.

Great Heaven Creation Palm!!

Boom-boom-boom! The Great Heaven Creation Palm expanded wildly—after training with Nalan Yanran and Yun Yun, Xiao Yan's Great Heaven Creation Palm had finally reached Minor Perfection.

The black hole expanded rapidly, accompanied by a powerful Gravity Pull—even Gu Qingyang couldn't evade it.

"Silver Dragon Tail Whip!"

At that moment, Gu Qingyang infused his Dou Qi into the spear, and heavenly forces surged again—he reversed his grip and lashed out, like a divine dragon whipping its tail, a massive silver Dou Qi streak slashing across the battlefield.

Dong—the Silver Dragon Battle Spear in Gu Qingyang's hand became a whip; since evasion was impossible, he shattered it outright!

He had cultivated many Heavenly Rank Dou Techniques!

Boom—the black dome of the Great Heaven Creation Palm clashed with Gu Qingyang's silver streak—two true Heavenly Rank Dou Techniques collided; the scene was unimaginable—pure Heaven meeting Heaven!

"What rank of Cultivation Method is Xiao Yan practicing? His Dou Qi quality rivals the Grand Commander's!"

"It's certainly no lower than the Grand Commander's Heavenly Tier Low Rank Cultivation Technique, Silver Dragon Heavenly Scripture!"

Seeing this evenly matched scene, Gu Qingyang finally unleashed his full strength—the true depth of the Gu Clan's heritage.

Hum—a dazzling, radiant purple-gold light erupted from Gu Qingyang's forehead; within the purple-gold, faint flecks of iridescent light flickered.

Jiupin Zuweng!

(End of Chapter)