"It seems we're making the first move!"
Bai Yetian smiled faintly, looking towards Lu Fan. "Brother Lu, are you ready?"
"I am well prepared, but I ask Senior Brother Bai to go easy on me," Lu Fan replied. "I may not be your match."
To this, Bai Yetian nodded and smiled. "Rest assured, we are all disciples of the Northern Sea Academy. Even if I defeat you, I won't make you look too bad. Moreover, I don't have absolute certainty of defeating you."
"Senior Brother Bai is too humble."
Lu Fan smiled faintly, then stepped forward into the barrier. He knew very well that Bai Yetian's strength was immense, and defeating him would not be easy.
Entering the barrier, Lu Fan cupped his fists and made a gesture of invitation.
Bai Yetian didn't mind. His form shifted instantly, and he charged directly at Lu Fan. He wanted to test Lu Fan's true strength, and revealing his full power now would be unwise.
Seeing Bai Yetian charging forward, Lu Fan retreated slightly and threw a punch, augmented by lightning power. The benefit of the Xuan Lei Jue was the reinforcement of power with lightning, making his attacks more formidable.
*Boom...*
A loud impact echoed. Lu Fan was violently repelled, his mouth twitching, his arm numb. Only now did he truly grasp Bai Yetian's strength. Such formidable talent was why he could become the master of the White Sect.
Seeing Lu Fan at a disadvantage early on, the Qingyun Sect members frowned. However, it was understandable. Bai Yetian was known as a top expert in the academy, and one would need to be extraordinary to defeat him. Even someone as powerful as Lu Fan might not be able to win.
"Brother Lu's strength is indeed formidable," Bai Yetian said, cupping his fists. "No wonder you made it into the top three."
"Senior Brother Bai, there's no need for flattery!"
Lu Fan waved his hand, and spiritual energy surged around him, gathering from all directions. In that instant, lightning crackled around Lu Fan, making him appear even more terrifying.
"What kind of cultivation technique is this? It's so peculiar!" Bai Yetian exclaimed. He had seen many techniques, but never one so strange. If he guessed correctly, this technique was not from the Northern Sea Academy.
"This technique is called Xuan Lei Jue!" Lu Fan declared. "It possesses unfathomable power. When unleashed, the Xuan Lei Jue strengthens the physical body, even granting it invincibility. Senior Brother Bai, be careful."
As Lu Fan finished speaking, he transformed into a gust of wind, rushing towards Bai Yetian. He wanted to test how astonishing his physical strength had become after being empowered by the Xuan Lei Jue.
In that very moment, Bai Yetian and Lu Fan collided. However, this time, Bai Yetian found no advantage. Instead, he was sent flying backward, blood trickling from his lips, his expression filled with disbelief. He felt as if he had struck steel, unable to harm Lu Fan at all.
"What cultivation technique is this? It's so powerful!" the Grand Elder exclaimed. "This will be difficult for Bai Yetian."
"Bai Yetian's true strength doesn't lie in his power," the Third Elder stated. "His greatest advantage is his footwork. His speed is exceptionally fast, capable of moving unseen. If he unleashes it, even if Lu Fan's body is as hard as steel, he won't be able to touch him."
Bai Yetian seemed to get serious. He glanced at Lu Fan, and his form suddenly became elusive, creating multiple afterimages within the barrier.
Lu Fan was about to attack but couldn't pinpoint Bai Yetian's true position. In the blink of an eye, he took a palm strike and spat out a mouthful of blood. Even with his robust physique, such a surprise attack was difficult to guard against.
"Senior Brother Bai's Heavenly Soul Ghost Steps! This is his signature technique from his early days!" many exclaimed, their eyes sharpening. "To make Senior Brother Bai use the Heavenly Soul Ghost Steps is already something to be proud of."
Conversations continued, and the crowd gasped, already familiar with the Heavenly Soul Ghost Steps.
After taking the palm strike, Lu Fan immediately expanded his senses. As a third-rank alchemist, his perception was exceptionally keen. Although he couldn't see Bai Yetian's form, he could sense his aura, allowing him to strategize.
Indeed, just as Bai Yetian was about to approach Lu Fan, lightning crackled around Lu Fan's palm, and he unleashed the Xuan Lei Palm.
*Boom...*
A deafening collision ensued. Bai Yetian was violently repelled, lightning energy engulfing him, causing immense pain. He collapsed on the spot, unable to move. The powerful lightning force left him completely numb.
"How could this be?" Bai Long frowned. Bai Yetian was a seasoned Spirit King, and under normal circumstances, he likely had no equal in the entire academy. To think he would be defeated by Lu Fan today.
"Senior Brother Bai, are you alright?" Lu Fan asked. This was merely a peak competition, and he didn't want anything to happen to Bai Yetian.
"Even if you wanted to kill me, you wouldn't have the means," Bai Yetian said with a wry smile. "But I know that after this exchange, I have lost, and I have lost thoroughly!" He looked at Lu Fan again. "You are excellent, so excellent that I envy you!" With that, Bai Yetian turned and left the barrier.
The crowd watched the scene before them in utter disbelief. Bai Yetian of the White Sect had lost; it was as fantastical as a fairy tale. They had never imagined Lu Fan could win this match.
"Lu Fan advances!" the Grand Elder's voice rang out. The duel had been spectacular, and he understood clearly that Bai Yetian was no match for Lu Fan. However, if the fight had dragged on, a draw might have been possible. But Bai Yetian was proud. If he couldn't defeat someone, he would concede directly, as in his world, no one was stronger than him.
After Bai Yetian left, Bi Yao looked at Lu Fan. "You're quite the schemer. When we fight, you'll have to go easy on your senior sister."
"Senior sister, you jest. No matter how strong I am, I'm unlikely to be your match," Lu Fan replied with a wry smile.
"You told Brother Bai the same thing earlier. I think you're just talking nonsense here." Bi Yao stated, "This act of pretending to be weak to deceive the strong is not a good thing."
Lu Fan felt a sense of helplessness, unable to refute her. However, Bi Yao's words were not wrong; he did seem like he was playing the role of a pig to eat the tiger.
"The next match will be between the two of you," the Grand Elder announced. "The true final battle for the peak!"