33: Chapter 33 Clash of Ice and Fire

"Begin the match!"

Before the referee's voice had even faded, Wang Yan let out a furious roar.

Blazing crimson light erupted from his entire body, making him look like a man on fire. The flaming broadsword in his hand, trailing scorching heat waves, executed a 'Blazing Slash' aimed directly at Ye Chen's head!

The sword wind howled, distorting the very air, revealing his cultivation at the Peak of the Fifth Level of Meridian Opening!

This strike was immensely powerful and incredibly fast, sealing off all of Ye Chen's dodging paths and forcing him to block head-on!

The crowd below held their breath.

Wang Yan's strength far surpassed Ye Ming's. Could Ye Chen still handle it as easily as before?

Facing this ferocious assault, Ye Chen's eyes sharpened, but he did not choose a direct confrontation.

He pushed his Mist Transformation Steps to the limit, his figure drifting backward like a ghost. Simultaneously, his ice scar sword traced a strange arc through the air.

The sword tip gathered bone-chilling cold qi, aiming to strike the weak point on the side of the flaming broadsword!

*Clang!*

A crisp sound of collision rang out!

Ice and fire clashed, erupting in a large cloud of white mist!

Ye Chen felt a wave of scorching, immense force travel up his arm, causing a slight numbness. He used the momentum to drift back several zhang, landing steadily.

Wang Yan was also affected by the piercing cold transmitted through the swords, his Qi and blood momentarily stagnating, his offensive slowing.

"Hmph! Not bad! Let's see how long you can dodge!"

Wang Yan sneered viciously, pressing his advantage without mercy. His broadsword danced wildly, transforming into a sea of flames that enveloped Ye Chen!

He unleashed the 'Blazing Sun Sword Art'. The sword techniques were grand and unrestrained, intensely scorching, causing the temperature of the entire arena to rise sharply!

Ye Chen pushed his movement technique to the limit, weaving through theSword shadows fill the sky. His ice scar sword stabbed and slashed, each strike accurately hitting the pivotal points of his opponent's sword momentum, using skill to overcome brute force, using cold to counter heat.

His swordsmanship wasn't flashy, but it was concise and effective, carrying an icy intent of slaughter.

The two opposing attributes of Qi—ice and fire—collided continuously, emitting sizzling sounds. White mist filled the arena, the figures of the two flickering within it.

The spectators below watched, dazzled and hearts racing.

This was no longer a simple contest of Realm suppression, but a Peak duel of attributes and skill!

"This kid, his footwork and sword Moves are both incredibly tricky!"

Wang Mang's eyes turned gloomy.

He could see that while Ye Chen's True Essence might not be as vast as Wang Yan's, his grasp of timing and application of force were exquisite.

That bizarre cold qi also had a strong restraining effect on fire-attribute Cultivation Techniques.

Lin Qingxue's beautiful eyes were fixed unblinkingly on the arena, her hands resting on her knees tightening slightly.

Ye Chen's performance once again exceeded her expectations. That ice scar sword in his hand seemed to come alive, perfectly fused with his cold qi.

Unable to gain the upper hand after prolonged attacks, Wang Yan grew anxious inside. His cultivation was clearly higher, yet it felt like punching cotton. Moreover, he was greatly discomforted by the invasive cold qi.

"Damn it! Break for me!"

He roared, frantically pouring True Essence from his body into the broadsword. The flames on the sword blade surged violently, transforming into a roaring fire dragon that charged at Ye Chen with an aura of destruction!

This was the killing Move of the 'Blazing Sun Sword Art'—Blazing Dragon Breaker!

This single strike was astonishingly powerful, almost reaching the threshold of the Meridian Opening Sixth Level!

Ye Chen's pupils contracted. He knew he could no longer dodge.

He took a deep breath. The Profound Ice True Essence within his Dantian surged wildly. The ice scar sword emitted a clear, melodious hum. The sword blade shone with intense blue light as the cold qi instantly condensed to its limit!

He held nothing back, channeling the wisp of 'Nirvana' Concept he had recently comprehended into his sword, and thrust forward!

"Profound Ice Stab!"

No flashy Moves, only a single beam of blue-cold light condensed to the extreme, like a meteor in the night sky, precisely aimed at the fire dragon's brow!

*BOOM—!!!*

Ice dragon and fire dragon collided head-on!

A deafening explosion sounded! A violent shockwave centered on the impact point swept outwards in all directions, causing the arena floor to crack inch by inch!

Scorching flames and freezing ice shards flew in all directions!

As the light dissipated, Ye Chen could be seen with a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth. He retreated seven steps in succession, only stabilizing his stance by planting his ice scar sword into the ground, his face pale.

Wang Yan was in worse shape. The flaming broadsword in his hand was now covered in cracks, its flames extinguished.

He himself looked as if struck by a heavy blow, sent flying backwards. Even in mid-air, he spewed a large mouthful of blood.

A thick layer of frost covered his chest. He crashed heavily off the arena, unconscious!

Silence.

Deathly silence.

Meridian Opening Stage Five Middle Phase, directly clashing with a Peak Fifth Level of Meridian Opening killing Move... and he actually... won?!

Everyone was dumbstruck, staring incredulously at the blue-robed youth standing with his sword on the arena.

Challenging a higher level!

And such a clean, decisive challenge at that!

"Yan'er!"

Wang Mang shot to his feet, eyes wide with fury!

The sneer on Wang Teng's face froze completely, transforming into shock and violent rage!

Grand Elder Ye Rushan's pupils contracted, his palms slick with cold sweat.

Lin Qingxue's tightly clenched hands slowly relaxed. A strange light flickered in the depths of her eyes, even a hint of pride she herself hadn't noticed.

"The... the thirtieth match, Ye Chen, wins!"

The referee's voice trembled slightly as he announced the result.

*Whoosh—!*

The entire venue erupted into a tidal wave of uproar! Ye Chen's name instantly resounded throughout the entire Trial Valley!

Who could have imagined that this 'Trash' abandoned by the Ye Family could fight his way into the top four!

And with such an overwhelmingly dominant posture!

Ye Chen suppressed his churning Qi and blood, swallowing a healing Medicinal Pill he had prepared earlier.

Taking the Blazing Dragon Breaker head-on had also inflicted serious internal injuries, but it was worth it!

In this battle, he had not only tested his own strength but had also completely established his fearsome reputation!

He slowly walked down from the arena. Wherever he passed, the crowd automatically parted, their gazes filled with awe, wariness, and even fanaticism!

Xiao Yu had already rushed over, tightly hugging his leg, her small face a mix of worry and pride.

"Brother! Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

Ye Chen patted her head, his gaze calmly sweeping over the Wang Family and Ye Family areas.

Wang Teng's eyes were venomous as a snake's. Ye Hu's face was ashen.

He knew the truly difficult battles were still ahead.

The top four were born: Ye Chen, Wang Teng, Lin Dong, Zhao Feng.

The semi-final draw. Ye Chen took a deep breath and stepped forward to draw a lot.

"Number two."

His opponent was... the black-clothed youth of the Wheel Sea Realm, Zhao Feng!

The other match would be Wang Teng versus Lin Dong.

As the results came out, the crowd buzzed.

Ye Chen was up against the most mysterious Zhao Feng!

Meanwhile, Wang Teng faced the slightly weaker Lin Dong, almost guaranteeing a spot in the finals!

A cold, confident sneer appeared on Wang Teng's face.

Ye Chen looked towards the ever-silent black-clothed youth, Zhao Feng. The other happened to glance up at that moment, his gaze calm and unruffled, yet carrying a deep, abyss-like profundity.

After a one-hour rest, the semi-finals began.

The first match: Wang Teng versus Lin Dong.

The result was unsurprising. Though Lin Dong fought with all his might, the difference in strength was clear. He was defeated by Wang Teng within ten Moves, severely injured and spitting blood.

Wang Teng hadn't even used his full strength, his aura still robust, clearly conserving energy for the finals.

Next was the most anticipated second semi-final: Ye Chen vs. Zhao Feng!

The two ascended the arena.

Ye Chen held his ice scar sword, his face still somewhat pale, but his eyes sharp as blades.

Zhao Feng stood empty-handed, clad in black, his aura restrained, his depth unfathomable.

"Begin the match!"

As soon as the referee's voice fell, Zhao Feng moved!

His figure flickered, vanishing from his original spot like a ghost. The next moment, he appeared to Ye Chen's left, a single finger pointing out!

The finger wind was sharp and fierce, aimed directly at Ye Chen's temple! Its speed was unbelievably fast!

A sense of extreme danger surged in Ye Chen's heart. He urgently activated his Mist Transformation Steps, narrowly avoiding the finger wind. His ice scar sword swept backhand towards the other's wrist!

Zhao Feng's figure swayed again, avoiding the sword edge as if boneless. Another finger was already pointing towards Ye Chen's ribs!

His Moves were vicious and tricky, his movement technique bizarre and unpredictable!

Ye Chen pushed his movement technique to the limit. His ice scar sword danced, creating an impenetrable defense, cold qi spreading as he engaged Zhao Feng!

The two fought with blinding speed, their figures flickering unpredictably across the arena. The sounds of metal clashing and energy colliding were incessant!

The more Ye Chen fought, the more alarmed he became!

This Zhao Feng's movement technique and finger arts were too bizarre. It was as if he could predict Ye Chen's movements, always attacking where he was forced to defend!

Moreover, his True Essence was incredibly condensed. The penetrating power of his finger wind was extremely strong. Ye Chen's cold qi found it difficult to effectively invade the other's Meridians!

This was the first time he had encountered an opponent unfazed by his cold qi!

"Can't drag this out!" Ye Chen's mind raced. The opponent's movement technique was too fast; prolonged combat would be disadvantageous.

He deliberately left an opening, taking a finger strike on purpose. Pain shot through his shoulder as he used the momentum to retreat.

Simultaneously, he raised his ice scar sword high, unleashing the Profound Ice True Essence within his body and that wisp of Nirvana Concept with full force!

"Frozen Thousand Miles!"

A single sword slash descended!

Not truly freezing a thousand miles, but a condensed blue swordGang, carrying the Nirvana chill that could freeze all things, swept towards Zhao Feng!

This was a self-created technique born from his insights into the Profound Ice Origin fused into his swordsmanship!

For the first time, Zhao Feng showed a grave expression. He brought two fingers together, a deep black light glowing at their tips, and pointed out!

"Nirvana Finger!"

Black finger radiance collided with blue swordGang!

There was no loud explosion, only a dull *thump*! The two forces, both containing the Nirvana Concept, mutually eroded and annihilated each other!

The ground at the center of the arena silently collapsed, covered in thick frost, which was then turned to dust by a force of lifeless stillness!

A momentary stalemate! Ye Chen grunted, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth again as he retreated three steps!

Zhao Feng's figure also swayed, retreating half a step, an unnatural flush flashing across his face!

A draw?!

The spectators below watched, hearts enthralled and spirits soaring!

This Ye Chen could actually fight the unfathomable Zhao Feng to this extent?!

Zhao Feng took a deep look at Ye Chen, a flicker of surprise in his eyes before they returned to calmness.

He did not press the attack further. Instead, he cupped his hands and said, "Brother Ye's strength is astonishing. I, Zhao, am impressed. For this match, I concede."

Concede?!

The entire venue was stunned!

Zhao Feng clearly showed no signs of defeat. Why concede?

Ye Chen was also taken aback.

Zhao Feng offered no explanation. He nodded to the referee, then drifted off the stage and disappeared into the crowd, leaving behind a field of confusion.

The referee was stunned for a moment before loudly announcing.

"Semi-final second match, Ye Chen, wins! Advances to the finals!"

Ye Chen stood on the stage, looking in the direction Zhao Feng had disappeared, his brow slightly furrowed.

He felt that Zhao Feng hadn't used his full strength and that the concession was inexplicable.

But there was no time to dwell on it now, because the final battle was about to begin!

His opponent was none other than Wang Teng, in perfect condition!

Wang Teng had already leaped onto the arena, his crimson longsword pointing at Ye Chen as he sneered viciously.

"Ye Chen! I never thought you'd actually make it this far! Perfect! Let me cripple you with my own hands, to wash away the previous humiliation! That spot in the Tianyun Sword Sect is mine!"

The final battle was about to erupt!

The atmosphere in the entire Trial Valley instantly tightened to its limit!

Everyone's gaze focused on the two figures on the arena!