The sword’s tip met the glowing barrier.
BANG!!!
A deafening roar erupted where the tip of the Canglan Sword made contact.
The hidden force of the Sushui Sword Aura exploded into waves of sword blossoms upon the Magical Artifact’s barrier.
Zhan Huaping was forced back several steps by the power of this strike.
Meanwhile, Liou Yuan was also affected by the rebounding force of the Magical Artifact’s barrier.
He felt a strong feedback force in his sword-wielding arm that made his palm ache unbearably, nearly losing his grip on the sword.
He had to retreat a few steps, carving a long trench in the mountainside with his legs, to finally resolve the recoil from the sword.
In this way, neither Liou Yuan nor Zhan Huaping gained the upper hand in their first bout.
This scene was witnessed by Liou Tao, observing from a distance.
Just as Liou Yuan was wary of his growth, Liou Tao was equally astonished by Liou Yuan’s terrifying growth rate, his eyes filled with deeper resentment.
"Two years ago he was just a guy swinging a sword aimlessly."
"Two years later, the Green Tide Pure Water Sword has achieved Small Success, capable of unleashing the Sushui Sword Aura."
"In less than ten years, he will be another Snow Shattering Sword; Liou Yuan must not be spared."
Liou Tao had absolute confidence that Zhan Huaping could kill Liou Yuan.
Seeing Zhan Huaping being pushed back by Liou Yuan, he immediately reminded, "Mr. Zhan, this kid once took on a bounty from the Law Enforcement Team, killing someone from the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer while only in the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer."
"Mr. Zhan, be more cautious and don’t hold back, lest you end up in a ditch."
Zhan Huaping was truly shocked by that strike from Liou Yuan.
In fact, without Liou Tao’s reminder, he already knew that if he didn’t get serious, he would have no easy way to take down this young man in front of him.
He cursed, "The Foundation Establishment Elixir is really not that easy to get."
After speaking, Zhan Huaping activated another bracelet he wore.
In reality, the pair of bracelets on Zhan Huaping’s hands were two Magical Artifacts.
A set of top-grade Magical Artifacts.
It was this set of top-grade Magical Artifacts that earned Zhan Huaping the title of the first genius of the Artifact Refining Pavilion.
The defensive power was just the ability of one bracelet.
The other bracelet was an offensive Magical Artifact.
On the other hand, Liou Yuan had just dispelled the recoil on the Canglan Sword.
He was cursing the damn defensive power of Zhan Huaping’s top-grade Magical Artifact.
Buzz! A vast wave of Spiritual Power suddenly erupted from the position where Zhan Huaping stood in front.
Liou Yuan immediately looked up to see Zhan Huaping’s body undergoing an astonishing transformation.
The top-grade Magical Artifact’s defensive barrier that initially resisted Liou Yuan’s Lion’s Roar Spell and blocked the Rain Curtain Stealth was now slowly dissolving.
The barrier adhered to Zhan Huaping like a liquid, then solidified, covering him with a layer of dark blue Spiritual Armor.
The other bracelet melted into Zhan Huaping’s hand, transforming into a silver, fierce long halberd, wielded by the armor-clad Zhan Huaping.
The two top-grade Magical Artifacts complemented each other, their Spiritual Lights echoing, enhancing Zhan Huaping’s imposing aura.
Liou Yuan instantly recognized the pair of bracelets as two different Magical Artifacts connected by the same source, likely even more powerful.
"That damn Zhan Huaping, carrying two top-grade Magical Artifacts on him."
"No one in the Outer Sect has better Magical Artifacts than him, right?"
Though Liou Yuan cursed Zhan Huaping, his hands did not slow down.
His eyes surged with purple light as the Evil Eyes ignited, channeling his entire Spiritual Power into his pair of eyes.
The outcome of the previous confrontation with Zhan Huaping was already clear.
With Liou Yuan’s current strength, it was very difficult to break through Zhan Huaping’s top-grade defensive Magical Artifacts.
Now, Zhan Huaping also had the support of another top-grade offensive Magical Artifact, even with the Blood Absorption Skill, it would be hard for Liou Yuan to win this battle.
Therefore, activating the Evil Eyes and pushing his cultivation to the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer is the wisest decision now.
BOOM! Liou Yuan’s entire Spiritual Power was replaced by the purple Spiritual Power of the Evil Eyes, while his Cultivation Realm surged rapidly, rising to the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer comparable to Zhan Huaping’s level.
Zhan Huaping, with two top-grade Magical Artifacts, exuded a magnificent aura.
Liou Yuan, his purple Spiritual Power swirling, the Canglan Sword’s aura surging continuously.
The two stood on opposite sides, their Spiritual Power spreading from within, clashing in the area between them, as sharp as needles.
Liou Tao was seeing Liou Yuan’s Evil Eyes for the second time.
The first time, he couldn’t quite understand why Liou Yuan’s cultivation had surged suddenly, thinking it might be due to some secret technique to enhance his cultivation.
Now, however, he could see it clearly.
"Liou Yuan’s cultivation enhancement is linked to his pair of eyes!"
Liou Tao steadfastly gazed at Liou Yuan’s Evil Eyes, exclaiming in surprise as if he had realized something: "Mutated Spiritual Eyes!"
The potential that Liou Yuan has already shown is frightening enough, and now with Mutated Spiritual Eyes, should he reach Foundation Establishment, it would undoubtedly pose a threat to Xiangshan the Liou Family.
Could even shake the Liou Family’s status.
"If Zhan Huaping fails to kill Liou Yuan, once outside the Outer Sect training grounds, this matter must be reported upward, asking the family’s Foundation Establishment cultivators to take action."
"Can’t let him continue growing."
In just two short years, Liou Yuan has progressed from a new disciple to now possessing combat power comparable to the Qi Cultivation Eighth and Ninth Layers.
If Liou Yuan is given a few more years, he might not lack the possibility to reach Foundation Establishment.
Liou Tao is already considering asking the family’s Foundation Establishment cultivators to eliminate Liou Yuan.
On the other side, the battle between Liou Yuan and Zhan Huaping had been going on for some time.
This area is not within a canyon, with open surroundings, the commotion from the battle had spread, drawing the attention of nearby Outer Sect disciples.
After all, the intense fluctuations in Spiritual Power clearly indicate that two Outer Sect disciples are engaged in a duel.
Many of those sensing the Spiritual Power fluctuations started to approach eagerly.
Of course, this process was quite stealthy, as those watching the spectacle were afraid of being noticed by others and having their stone beads snatched.
Only one person was an exception.
That youth stood tall, dressed in light golden clothing, made from what appeared to be silk spun by celestial worms, exuding a gentle and warm sheen, swaying lightly under the lamp’s light on Erosion Land like flowing sands.
The youth’s face was extraordinarily handsome, eyes like stars, clear and bright, radiating vitality.
His posture was straight, back as firm as a pine tree, with an ethereal and exceptional aura, as though he had stepped out from a painting, untouched by mundane fumes.
Despite being farthest from the battle zone between Liou Yuan and Zhan Huaping, he was the first to sense the combat.
His star-like bright eyes glanced in that direction, revealing a slight smile before striding boldly, surfacing like a clear breeze, shooting out swiftly.
He had Spiritual Power like the wind beneath him, carrying his body as if flying in the sky.
He was undoubtedly the quickest, the first to reach the battle area between the two.
He landed silently on the battlefield’s edge, coincidentally stopping behind Liou Tao.
Liou Tao was contemplating grimly how to eliminate Liou Yuan, completely unaware of the youth’s approach.
Until the youth’s cheerful voice startled Liou Tao.
"Such a lively fight."
"You!" Liou Tao was shocked, his hair standing on end. His power in the Outer Sect training and ranked among the strongest with Zhan Huaping was still a bit behind.
However, he ranked solidly in the second tier of power, able to urge Liou Yuan to use the Evil Eyes; Liou Tao’s strength shouldn’t be underestimated.
Even Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer cultivators couldn’t approach him silently.
That today, he was approached unawares by this young man, was shocking.
Without his proactive voice, it would be unknown how long until Liou Tao noticed him.
If he bore malice towards him, Liou Tao wouldn’t even know how he’d die.
The youth seemed accustomed to others showing shock toward him, and didn’t explain, just watched calmly with hands behind his back at Liou Yuan and Zhan Huaping quickly approaching, ready to explode in new combat.
Mumbling to himself, "That pair of Cold Star and Moonlight Bracelets are rare top-tier artifacts in the Outer Sect. This must be Zhan Huaping?"
Though asking, he seemed more like talking to himself, affirming Zhan Huaping’s identity through the Cold Star and Moonlight Bracelets.
He then looked towards Liou Yuan enveloped in purple Spiritual Qi, thoughtfulness in his eyes.
After searching his memory for a while and failing to find any recollection of Liou Yuan, he shook his head saying, "This purple Spiritual Qi carries an evil aura, haven’t heard of anyone like this in the Outer Sect."
During his self-talk, Liou Tao had silently stepped a few positions back, unwilling to stay too close.
From brief contact, a suspicion arose in Liou Tao’s heart, roughly guessing the identity of the youth.
His gaze toward the youth was mostly filled with reverence and caution.
Even facing Zhan Huaping, Liou Tao had never shown such an expression.