Battle Through the Heavens: Harmony of Flame and Shadow

By this time, Sun Hai and Wu Qiu had long lost their earlier contempt. Feeling the turbulent energy of the world, they knew this definitely wasn't caused by a Xuan-level combat skill.

'Di-level' — these two simple words brought about a silence, as if the entire area became as silent as a graveyard in an instant.

The difference between high-level Xuan techniques and Di techniques, despite just a single tier apart, was as vast as the gap between heaven and earth.

Xuan-level combat skills mostly rely on the practitioner's own strength to unleash power, while Di-level combat skills can harness the energy of the world to deliver devastating power. One is human strength, the other is the might of the world. The superiority between the two is clear.

Although Xuan-level combat skills are quite rare, each student in the inner courtyard of Jia Nan Academy is an elite. Even if they haven't mastered high-level Xuan techniques, mid or low-level ones are certainly possessed.

But, a Di-level combat skill... It was unheard of for anyone to possess such a skill.

Even at the Dou Wang and Dou Huang stages, Di-level combat skills are powerful trump cards. Among the predominantly Dou Ling population of the inner courtyard, they're indeed somewhat extravagant.

Cultivation should proceed step-by-step. Di-level combat skills are truly only to be encountered at the Dou Wang tier.

Staring at the coldly oppressive Jiang Yun, both their expressions grew serious. Their auras continuously climbed to jointly resist the oppression emanating from Jiang Yun.

"Is this trouble?" Sun Hai and Wu Qiu exchanged glances, clearly seeing the concern in each other's eyes.

"Isn't he a freshman? How could he be this strong?"

Not only were the members of the Heisha and Baisha teams directly facing Jiang Yun's menace, even the eliminated seniors watching from afar were dumbstruck.

"This level of combat skill definitely isn't Xuan-level."

At this moment, even the elders observing from a distance wore serious expressions. The surprises brought by Jiang Yun were unrelenting! Now, even Di-level combat skills were revealed.

With such power on display, even a slight mishap in the confrontation could prevent them from intervening in time.

"However, having witnessed Di-level techniques before, Jiang Yun's skills, while terrifying, seem to fall short somehow," thought one of the elders aloud, looking quizzically at the flaming giant hand in the arena.

"Indeed! I remember the Huoyun Hand being a regular Xuan-level technique. How did it turn Di-level?"

Many elders came to the same realization, turning to the Grand Elder for answers.

Su Qian, turning his back to the crowd, smirked. How was he to know how Jiang Yun had achieved this? As a Dou Zong possessing genuine Di-level combat skills, he was certain that Jiang Yun's technique did not reach such a level.

Yet, the disruptive energy of the world was undeniable. This could only be attributed to Jiang Yun's extraordinary talent and terrifyingly high fire affinity.

"Wu Qiu, go all out!"

Sun Hai watched the descending flaming giant hand, his pupils shrinking to pinpoints. His aura spiked to its peak as he quickly formed hand seals. A massive thunder lion materialized and charged at Jiang Yun.

"Mad Lion Break!"

"Earth Flame Slash!"

Wu Qiu didn't lag behind, fully unleashing the power of a four-star Dou Ling. The earth roared as potent energy erupted from the ground, instantly coalescing into an enormous earthen yellow sword, mirroring the greatsword on his back. He merged the two swords, creating an 'enchanted' weapon of immense power.

"Boom—"

A deafening explosion resounded, turning the scene into a sea of flames. Members of the Heisha and Baisha teams scrambled to dodge the falling fire.

"Please leave the arena!"

A soft voice rang out, and the next moment the battling seniors felt their ankles tighten. Before they could react, they were spun around, disoriented.

"Aah—"

Cries of anguish filled the air as Wu Qiu and Sun Hai gripped their numb arms, worriedly, promptly reeling from the clash of techniques. Seeing the Land's Waterfall's dregs remaining, the two now felt dizziness and confusion,

Jiang Yun stood calmly, his gaze on them. Their teammates were hung upside down from a tree with flaming ropes, faces pale, clearly unable to fight.

"Jiang Yun, let them go!" Wu Qiu, with a gruff voice, demanded, bringing forth a sense of ineptness. Failure to protect his comrades was an unforgivable dereliction of duty in his view.

"Indeed, free them. We haven't determined the victor yet!" Sun Hai echoed, their cold stares fixed on Jiang Yun.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun released the ropes binding a couple of them, letting them hit the ground, incapacitated.

"I never intended to harm them. These captives are mine now."

Jiang Yun retrieved several Flame energy cards from them, leaving five days' worth for them and transferring the rest to his own card, accumulating over a thousand points now.

"Humph, you've unleashed Di-level combat skills. Your Dou Qi is nearly depleted, right?"

"You have no chance."

Observing Jiang Yun release his teammates, Wu Qiu relaxed slightly but still spoke coldly, "You don't have endless Dou Qi."

"That will depend on your abilities!" Jiang Yun's calm demeanor, as if everything was in his grasp, infuriated them.

"I refuse to believe you, a Dou Shi, have this much Dou Qi!"

Wu Qiu charged at Sun Hai, brandishing his massive sword, unleashing waves of sword energy.

Jiang Yun, seeing the countless sword energy assaults, snapped his fingers, sending out flaming projectiles to intercept each sword strike. As Wu Qiu approached, Jiang Yun flashed and didn't retreat. His fingers jabbed forward, striking Wu Qiu's forehead.

Wu Qiu, with much combat experience, sidestepped Jiang Yun's punch at an odd angle, letting his giant sword deliver a crippling attack in return.

"Not bad—"

"Don't underestimate me—"

Refusing to retreat, Wu Qiu swung his sword forward, striking down.

"Clink—," the sword's tip clashed with Jiang Yun's palm, curving the blade slightly while sending Wu Qiu sliding backward, creating two long furrows in the ground.

"Thunder Sword Fist!"

As Wu Qiu was blasted away, Sun Hai launched his attack. His left hand gathered Dou Qi, and lightning sword energy coalesced in his five fingers, aiming for Jiang Yun's chest at the moment he repelled Wu Qiu.

His timing was impeccable, attacking just as Jiang Yun shifted from parrying Wu Qiu.

So, Sun Hai unleashed his highest Xuan-level combat skill, "Thunder Sword Fist."

Finger technique combat skills are among the most potent single-target attacks, and coupled with his rare lightning attribute Dou Qi, it was enough to seriously injure an advanced Dou Ling.

But Sun Hai underestimated Jiang Yun. Deflecting Wu Qiu's attack wasn't his full power.

Thus,

A slender hand reached out, gleaming like prime iron.

The finger and palm collided, producing a deep explosive sound, sending shockwaves surging across the area.

"This can't be real—," realizing Jiang Yun still had strength to spare, Sun Hai's composure shattered with terror, seeing Jiang Yun's calm eyes.

Jiang Yun exploited the error, flashing his right hand, unleashing numerous thunderous sword energies.

"Fire Cloud Seal!"

A massive fire emblem formed, pressing against Sun Hai's chest under his despairing gaze.

Sun Hai's body trembled violently, feeling countless fire tendrils constricting his veins. Activating any Dou Qi would bring fiery torment.

Seeing his pale complexion and staggering retreat, the ground marked with deep imprints at each step,

The White Sha team was fully eliminated!

On the other side, Wu Qiu's numbed arm recovered as he stopped, staring at the tiny nick on his sword's edge, eyes wide in disbelief at the defeated Sun Hai. "Are you even human?"

Jiang Yun's revealed strength surpassed mere talent, entering the realm of monstrous.

To Wu Qiu, Jiang Yun defeating Sun Hai was nothing compared to the shock of his terrifying physical body.

While strong physiques exist among humans, they're typically achieved after years of cultivation. Jiang Yun, so young with high Dou Qi, exhibited formidable spiritual strength, as seen earlier.

Now, even his body was this freakish, unsettling Wu Qiu raised in the halo of a genius.

"As you see."

Jiang Yun walked leisurely towards Wu Qiu, shrugging.

Wu Qiu breathed deeply, feeling the invisible pressure from the approaching Jiang Yun. The pressure rivaled that from the inner courtyard's top ten.

"Jiang Yun, I know you're strong. I'm no match, but let's settle this with a final strike."

Hearing this, Jiang Yun gestured, signaling him to use his final technique.

Wu Qiu gravely faced Jiang Yun, gripping his greatsword tighter. Dark red Dou Qi enveloped the sword, a menacing cold gleam.

"Shattering Mountain Slash!"

With a roar, Wu Qiu leapt at Jiang Yun, sword slashing down with overwhelming force. Invisible winds formed arcs ahead, the air around Jiang Yun grew oppressive.

"Fire Cloud Sword!"

Jiang Yun's calm eyes watched Wu Qiu descend. His hands formed a flaming sword, radiating intense heat, aiming at Wu Qiu.

As the blade neared, the surrounding moisture evaporated, parching Wu Qiu's throat. Seeing the seniors' eager eyes, he gritted his teeth, cracked lips bleeding as he brought all his strength to bear.

"Bang—"

Wu Qiu's crossed arms blocked the flaming sword, causing a resounding explosion. Energy waves spread, plowing the ground into furrows.

The storm settled quickly.

"We've lost…"

A dejected voice cut through, and the observing seniors looked on with disappointment.

A figure slowly emerged, two incapacitated bodies behind him. Green flame cards on their faces, conspicuously visible, they were Wu Qiu and Sun Hai.

After defeating the White Sha and Black Sha teams, Jiang Yun walked towards a nearby hill, scattered with rocky mounds.

On these rocks and around stood middle-aged men with steady auras, evidently inner courtyard officials.

Standing among them was also Zi Yan, excitedly waving at Jiang Yun.

Jiang Yun smiled back. Across the hill on a stone platform sat two elders.

Su Qian and Elder Qing watched Jiang Yun in his tidy outfit, as if the Heisha and Baisha teams hadn't troubled him at all.

Su Qian and the elders twitched their lips slightly.

"Is he really only ten? He's bulldozed through, and while we haven't grasped his full capabilities, the inner courtyard's secrets are laid bare to him!" lamented Elder Qing, seeing Jiang Yun's seamless progress.

"…"

Su Qian sighed, having known Jiang Yun's extraordinary background and talent. Choosing to let him grow without interference originally seemed wise.

Turns out,

Jiang Yun needed no assistance. With his endless combat skills and absurd training speed, given a stable environment, he'd conquer the world.

(End of chapter)