66: Finals, Zi Yan!

At the Jia Nan Plaza, on the final arena of the Inner Academy selection competition.

Everyone's gaze was focused on the two figures on the arena.

On one side was Zi Yan, small in stature but exuding the aura of a primeval beast; on the other was Xiao Chen, with a restrained aura and deep-set eyes.

After an intense battle with Lin Xiuyai, Xiao Chen's soul power was significantly depleted, but the fighting spirit in his eyes grew even stronger.

Facing Zi Yan, he felt unprecedented pressure, but it also ignited an even stronger fighting will deep within him.

"Xiao Chen, you're quite good," Zi Yan tilted her head, her large eyes filled with excitement.

"But I won't give you a chance like Lin Xiuyai did! Take this!"

Before her words even finished, Zi Yan's figure suddenly vanished!

It wasn't that her speed was extreme, but rather that she seemed to merge into space, appearing directly in front of Xiao Chen the next instant, her small fist bringing with it a piercing shriek that tore through the air, heading straight for him!

Ancient Void Dragon, innate Power of Space!

Xiao Chen's pupils constricted slightly; the extraordinary perception granted by his Spirit Realm Soul allowed him to detect a subtle spatial fluctuation in advance.

His Swimming Fish Steps was instantly executed to its maximum, his body drifting backward like a willow catkin, while simultaneously, his hands conjured, and a condensed soul barrier instantly formed in front of him.

"Bang!"

Zi Yan's fist smashed into the soul barrier, emitting a dull thud.

That seemingly insignificant small fist, however, contained the terrifying power to shatter mountains and crack stones!

The soul barrier trembled violently, cracks spreading across it.

Although it didn't shatter immediately, the immense impact still caused Xiao Chen's blood and qi to churn, forcing him to retreat several steps.

"Oh? You blocked it?" A hint of surprise flashed in Zi Yan's eyes, quickly followed by even greater excitement.

"Fun! Again!"

Her figure moved again, this time no longer a direct charge, but rather flickering around Xiao Chen like instant teleportation.

Fists, palms, fingers, claws—attacks came from all directions, each strike simple and brutal, yet containing heart-stopping power and a faint aura of distorted space.

Xiao Chen combined his Swimming Fish Steps and soul perception to their utmost, maneuvering and dodging within a small area.

If he couldn't avoid an attack, he would condense soul power into shields or palm prints to withstand it.

On the arena, Zi Yan's figure flickered like a ghost, while Xiao Chen was like a small boat in a storm, seemingly in extreme danger, yet always managing to turn peril into safety at critical moments.

The collision of soul power and pure physical strength produced dull roars, making everyone below the stage gasp in alarm.

"Xiao Chen is completely suppressed!"

"Senior Sister Zi Yan's power is too terrifying; he can't possibly take it head-on!"

"His movement technique and soul defense are too strong; he's still holding on like this!"

On the high platform, the elders also wore solemn expressions.

"This girl Zi Yan, her use of the Power of Space is becoming more and more proficient.

Although still very rudimentary, combined with her monstrous strength, she would be almost unrivaled among those below the Dou King realm," Dean Huhan exclaimed.

"Xiao Chen's soul control is exquisite, using his limited soul power precisely where it's needed.

Every defense and dodge is just right, saving a lot of consumption.

However, prolonged defense is bound to lead to a loss," Elder Huo's gaze was sharp.

On the arena, Xiao Chen was focused entirely on the fight.

He knew that competing with Zi Yan in terms of consumption was a bad strategy; her stamina seemed endless.

He had to find an opportunity to counterattack and win with a single strike!

His brain worked rapidly, his Spirit Realm Soul continuously analyzing Zi Yan's attack patterns, the trajectory of her power, and those subtle spatial fluctuations.

"Her power comes from her Dou Di Bloodline, overbearing and unparalleled, but her moves are straightforward, lacking variation... Although her spatial flashes are fast, there's an extremely subtle ripple in the surrounding energy before each activation... Perhaps..."

After narrowly dodging another whip kick, a sharp glint flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes.

He no longer simply dodged but actively met a direct punch, his hands forming a virtual embrace, soul power flowing out like soft water, not to block directly, but to try and guide and dissipate the force!

"Hmm?" Zi Yan felt as if her fist had struck a ball of cotton, her strength being deflected by a few points, and she couldn't help but be momentarily stunned.

Now!

Xiao Chen's body sharply shifted, avoiding the fist, his left hand forming a sword-finger, highly condensed soul power transforming into an invisible "Startling God Stab."

It wasn't aimed at Zi Yan's vital points, but precisely at a joint connection in her striking arm!

At the same time, his right foot silently swept towards her supporting leg!

Attack where she must defend, disrupt her balance!

Zi Yan reacted extremely quickly, shaking her arm, and her formidable power dispersed most of the Soul Impact, but her movement was still delayed for an instant.

The attack on her lower body caused her center of gravity to shift slightly.

"Good opportunity!" Xiao Chen pressed his advantage, his soul power erupting fully, and the Illusionary Dream Realm was instantly deployed!

However, this time the goal was not to create complex illusions, but to extremely condense it, only affecting the space within a foot around Zi Yan, creating several indistinguishable true and false afterimages of himself to interfere with her judgment!

At the same time, the faint Dou Di Bloodline within him was subtly activated, his clan mark appearing faintly between his brows, and a majesty originating from deep within his bloodline permeated the air.

Although extremely faint, it caused Zi Yan, who possessed the Ancient Void Dragon royal bloodline, to feel an inexplicable tremor deep within her soul!

At this moment, Soul Impact, movement interference, afterimage confusion, and bloodline suppression were all unleashed simultaneously!

Zi Yan experienced a momentary trance and discomfort!

For a top-tier duel, this was already a fatal flaw!

Xiao Chen's figure was like lightning, thrusting into the center, his right hand's index and middle fingers pressed together, soul power condensed to its extreme at the fingertip, carrying a sharpness that could pierce through everything, aiming directly at Zi Yan's Jianjing acupoint!

If this finger strike landed, it would be enough to temporarily seal the power of one of her arms!

The entire arena gasped in surprise!

No one expected that Xiao Chen, who had been on the defensive, could suddenly unleash such a fierce counterattack!

However, just as his fingertip was about to touch Zi Yan's clothes, Xiao Chen's movement suddenly paused, and the finger force quietly dissipated.

He took a step back, cupped his hands, and said, "Senior Sister Zi Yan, you've yielded."

Zi Yan recovered, blinked her big eyes, looked at her uninjured shoulder, then at the calm-faced Xiao Chen, and pouted her small mouth: "Hmph! Why did you stop? Do you think you've won? I haven't even used my full strength yet!"

But she knew in her heart that in that instant, she had indeed revealed a flaw.

If Xiao Chen hadn't held back, although she wouldn't have lost, she would have certainly suffered a minor setback.

Her personality was straightforward; though competitive, she acknowledged the truth.

"Senior Sister's bloodline is formidable, and her strength is unfathomable.

Xiao Chen merely took advantage of a lucky opportunity.

If Senior Sister had used her full power, I would undoubtedly have lost," Xiao Chen said sincerely.

He wasn't being modest, but stating the truth.

Zi Yan surely had stronger trump cards she hadn't revealed, such as the power of the Ancient Void Dragon's true form.

Stopping at this point was the best outcome.

Zi Yan's mood improved considerably upon hearing this, and she clapped her hands: "You know how to talk!

But you, your soul power is truly strange; it made me feel constrained.

Consider you amazing this time!

The championship is yours!"

With that, she hopped off the arena, as if the fierce battle just now was merely a playful skirmish.

The entire arena was silent for a moment, then erupted in thunderous cheers!

"Xiao Chen won!"

"Oh my god! He actually defeated Senior Sister Zi Yan!"

"Soul power can be used like that!"

On the high platform, the elders exchanged glances, their eyes filled with astonishment.

Xiao Chen's performance repeatedly subverted their understanding.

Dean Huhan, the head of the Outer Academy, took a deep breath and announced loudly: "Inner Academy selection competition final, Xiao Chen, wins!

This year's selection competition champion is—Xiao Chen!"

At this moment, the name "soul sword" Xiao Chen resounded throughout Jia Nan Academy!

He won the crown of the Inner Academy selection competition with undeniable strength and wisdom!

Xiao Chen stood in the center of the arena, feeling the gazes from all directions, his heart calm.

He knew this was just the beginning.

The Inner Academy, that broader world, held more challenges and opportunities awaiting him.

And the shadow of the Soul Hall had never been far away.

At the award ceremony, Xiao Chen received generous rewards, including a large amount of fire energy, an opportunity to choose a Dou Technique from the higher levels of the library, and... most importantly, the qualification to cultivate in the deeper layers of the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower!

The competition concluded, and the crowd gradually dispersed.

Xiao Chen was about to leave when a lazy voice called out to him.

"Kid, you're pretty good with soul power."

Xiao Chen turned his head and saw that the mysterious Sloppy Old Man (Blood Axe Xiao Chen) had appeared behind him at some point, smiling at him, a meaningful glint in his eyes.

A new chapter was about to unfold.