Chapter 246: Ying Xiaoxiao Defeated, Lin Fan Takes the Stage!
The clear sound of her voice echoed through the mountain peak, like it carried a magic of its own—instantly silencing the crowd.
All eyes locked on the two figures on the platform without blinking.
Wang Yan lifted his gaze slightly to look at Ying Xiaoxiao. For the first time, a ripple of emotion stirred in his usually indifferent eyes.
Even his expression, cold and lifeless, grew momentarily complex.
"You've always been this calm since we were kids. After all these years, you're still the same," Wang Yan said hoarsely.
"You, on the other hand, have changed," Ying Xiaoxiao replied softly, staring at the young face that now seemed weighed down by years of sorrow.
Wang Yan fell silent for a moment. "You know why I've returned—and you know what kind of person I am. I won't hold back."
Ying Xiaoxiao took a breath of cool air. "And you should know what kind of person I am."
Understanding the meaning behind her words, Wang Yan's eyes dimmed slightly. He shook his head. "One day… I'll repay Dao Sect with my life."
"Senior Brother Wang Yan... let's begin," she said gently.
Outside the stage, Ying Huanhuan watched them, fists clenched tightly, lips pressed together. The lines of her mouth drew into a pained expression. No one wanted to see this moment come.
From the high platform above, Ying Xuanzhi's deep eyes watched the match quietly. Then he closed them and gave a small wave of his hand.
Seeing this, the officiating deacon nodded, raised his hand, and called out:
"Let the match begin!"
BOOM!
In an instant, two surging waves of Yuan Power erupted from the combatants.
The sheer pressure left even other personal disciples of the Four Halls visibly shaken.
This was the peak of the Ninth Nirvana Stage—the summit of the Nirvana Realm.
Ying Xiaoxiao gripped her jade-green sword. As light reflected off the blade, it mirrored the chill in her gaze.
With a flicker, her figure vanished into a streak of light and shot straight toward Wang Yan.
In a flash, she appeared before him. Her sword gleamed with cold light as it stabbed toward his face.
But Wang Yan finally moved.
A terrifying aura of cold killing intent exploded from his body. His two fingers shot forward, and unbelievably—he pinched the sword blade between them.
The duel officially erupted.
Massive Yuan Force clashed, stirring up fierce storms across the platform.
Their figures moved like phantoms, exchanging blows with terrifying precision.
Even the onlooking Dao Sect disciples were pale and anxious. If they had been the ones fighting either of these two, they would've already been defeated.
"Senior Sister Xiaoxiao is truly powerful. Even Wang Yan can't overwhelm her," Fang Yun murmured, then looked at Lin Fan. "Junior Brother Lin Fan, who do you think has the better chance?"
Lin Fan frowned. "In terms of raw strength, Senior Sister Xiaoxiao has a slight edge. But… she lacks Wang Yan's ruthlessness."
"If she can't go all in soon, this match may turn against her."
Fang Yun and the others focused more carefully on the battle—and they began to realize Lin Fan's words were true.
Lin Fan turned his gaze toward the Heaven Hall's area.
Ying Huanhuan stood with a worried expression and an anxiety she was clearly trying to suppress.
Her sensitivity let her see things others couldn't.
Sensing Lin Fan's eyes, she turned and met his gaze.
This time, she didn't blush—but there was a flicker of sorrow in her beautiful eyes, like a shadow passing over a clear sky.
Lin Fan stared into her eyes and sent her a divine-sense message:
"Don't worry. Even if Senior Sister Xiaoxiao loses… I'm still here. I told you—first place in this trial is mine."
Ying Huanhuan's expression eased slightly at those words.
She nodded. Lin Fan then turned his focus back to the battle.
The clash had reached its climax.
"Heaven Emperor Scripture: Great Sky Cloud Sword!"
Ying Xiaoxiao reached out and grabbed a massive sword of condensed Yuan Power—hundreds of feet long.
She appeared atop the sword and slashed downward with all her might.
SWOOSH!
The giant sword pierced the sky, carving the space itself like paper. The sword's pressure alone cleaved the arena platform in half.
Wang Yan stood motionless as the sword descended, his clothing plastered to his body by the pressure.
"Heaven Emperor Scripture, huh?" he muttered. "Don't forget—I'm from Heaven Hall too…"
BOOM!
An equally massive black sword formed before him, no weaker than Ying Xiaoxiao's.
"Great Sky Cloud Sword!"
He waved his sleeve, and the sword shot forth. He stepped onto it and slammed head-on into Ying Xiaoxiao's sword.
BOOM!!!
The titanic swords collided like meteors, obliterating more than a dozen nearby platforms. Disciples scattered in panic.
Black and green energy surged, like the end of the world.
Ying Xiaoxiao's sword barely missed her ear—cutting away a lock of her hair.
Still, her gaze never wavered.
As the sword clashed, she darted forward—her jade sword aimed straight for Wang Yan's throat.
But Wang Yan didn't dodge.
His hand shot forward and caught her sword, letting it pierce his palm.
Ying Xiaoxiao's eyes flickered. Her resolve faltered for an instant.
Her sword slowed.
"I told you… don't hold back," Wang Yan said hoarsely.
In that moment of hesitation, he struck her shoulder with his palm.
BOOM!
The blow landed like a volcano erupting. Ying Xiaoxiao staggered and fell hard onto the ground.
From afar, Ying Huanhuan turned pale.
SWOOSH!
Wang Yan appeared beside her in an instant, his massive black sword pointed at her.
"You've lost," he said coldly.
The entire mountain peak fell silent.
"Shall I announce the result?" he asked the officiating deacon calmly.
The deacon looked up to Ying Xuanzhi, who nodded.
"Winner: Wang Yan!"
Still, no one cheered.
Wang Yan didn't react. He put away his sword and turned to leave.
"I'll return for the Sect Tournament."
Ying Xiaoxiao watched him go. For the first time, tears welled in her eyes.
But then—
"Senior Brother Wang Yan, did you forget what I said the other day?"
Lin Fan stepped onto the stage, voice calm.
"I told you… First place is mine."
At that moment, the world fell silent once again.
All eyes turned toward Lin Fan.
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