The moment the arena official gave his signal, both combatants moved forward simultaneously. Like two arrows on the same trajectory, destined to collide at the center of the course and determined to break their way through.

Of course, Chen Yan was faster than an arrow, and much faster than Han Xuhan.

The vital energy roaring through his limbs magnified the advantages of his already superior physique. The leap he performed at the penultimate moment of the clash took him flying across a dozen meters in the blink of an eye.

While moving through the air, the saber whipped out behind him like a single, unfurled wing.

Sweeping Saber Style: Silver Meteor!

Gone were the technical finesse and cautious approach. Gone were the clashes where every move could be seen, analyzed, and countered on the go. This time, most disciples in the audience only saw a crimson and silver blur cutting through the air.

This was the heaviest, the deadliest, and one of the ultimate moves of the Sweeping Saber Style. This was a killing technique capable of dismembering an enemy at the peak of the Physique Transformation realm!

Facing the oncoming danger, Han Xuhan’s steps seemed to falter. At his current speed, offensive tactics were out of the question!

His sprinting form staggered and came to a sudden halt, and he instinctively raised his arms above his head to defend against the wailing, cleaving, ghost-like blade.

In front of an opponent so swift and decisive, there was not much else he could do.

In the eyes of any expert, this was no different from courting death!

A third phase martial artist, hoping to block an ultimate martial move of an enemy several phases above him... It would be a miracle if he didn’t die on the spot!

Thousands of eyes in the arena widened, and every pupil shrank in absolute focus, not one heart willing to miss a single frame of this scene!

CRACK!

In the dead silent arena, this sound of metals shattering was exceptionally loud.

SHLICK!

In the deathly still arena, this faint sound of flesh tearing brought forth a wave of jarring confusion and horror.

Chen Yan’s saber, brimming with murderous intent, had completely decimated the two halves of its sheath that protected Han Xuhan’s arms. But that wasn’t the end of it.

Amidst the flying, bloodied fragments of the sheath, the saber’s blade had bitten into the flesh of Han Xuhan’s arms. The vital energy flowing through the blade was like a violent beast, ripping through Han Xuhan’s skin and muscles mercilessly!

The only reason the bones of his arms hadn’t been sliced off as well was because the dense layer of ropes wrapped over them hadn’t snapped. This refined tool had managed to withstand the remaining force of that killing move!

Those with superior eyesight could tell from a distance that one more move, even half a move this ferocious, would cut through that last layer of protection as well.

However...

Was this supposed to be the outcome of the clash?

Why did it seem like Chen Yan’s ultimate killing move had fallen short? Was that it?

Chen Yan himself had clearly not expected to see Han Xuhan standing after receiving that strike. Neither did he expect it when Han Xuhan leaped forward abruptly and smashed his knee into Chen Yan’s chest.

Lightfoot Swallow Takes Off!

To his credit, Chen Yan still reacted fast enough to form a defensive stance and bring an arm to guard his chest. To be able to accomplish this in such a short timeframe was nothing short of impressive!

A trace of madness surfaced in his gaze as he grabbed Han Xuhan’s approaching knee with an open palm.

’Han Xuhan! This is the end of your road!’

Seated in the gallery, Xiao Mei’s heart skipped a beat. She recognized that defense. If she had the time or opportunity, she would have surely screamed out to stop him.

Primordial-

THUMP!

Even as Chen Yan was sent flying, he could not understand what had just transpired. His breathing seemed to be blocked, his vision spun, and his thoughts were in complete disarray!

Why did his move not work?

Hardly had he fallen on the sandy floor of the arena when he sensed the enemy approaching once more. He tried to evade the following strike, but it still blew out one of his knees!

Dizzy in pain and roaring in fury, Chen Yan slashed out at the silhoutte running circled around him with his saber, intending to take this wretch’s life with another killing move. But perhaps because his broken knee made his stance falter, no vital energy stirred within his limbs.

Bang!

This time, his other knee was hit, leaving him on all fours. But his vision had already cleared up amidst the pain. Eyes widened, Chen Yan turned around and saw Han Xuhan springing towards him with that familiar ridiculous movement technique for the umpteenth time.

Striking the ground with both palms, he tried to use his vital energy to move his body sideways to evade the oncoming attack. But once more, his vital energy did not stir!

Lightfoot Swallow Takes Off!

That same comical display, that same ridiculous posture, and that same utterly ordinary martial move...

This time, both of Han Xuhan’s knees flew into Chen Yan’s face one after another. Both combatants slid across the ground like two Ragdolls in a heap.

The arena official appeared behind them and stopped Han Xuhan just as he managed to sit up and aim a Fleshbiting Palm at Chen Yan’s throat.

"Let’s stop it here. He’s almost unconscious already."

Palm still pointed at Chen Yan’s throat, Han Xuhan looked towards the panel of Elders at the edge of the arena. Observing their horrified, grim faces, his mouth split into a shark-like grin.

"If I stop right now, how many votes will be cast in my favor? If it’s less than nine..."

"Ten! Don’t forget me!" Kong Ye shouted from the corner, still seated with the disciples in the gallery.

The quip snapped the thread of suspense sealing the entire arena, breathing into it an air of chaos.

Thousands of voices erupted at once, their combined roars echoing across hundreds of mountains!