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**
At this moment, nearly half of the hundred-meter area at the center of the square lay in ruins, crisscrossed with fractures and littered with shattered stones.
Although Ling Xiao and Huyan Li had not moved across a wide area or chased each other down during their clash, the sheer force of their head-on collision had repeatedly hammered the ground, still resulting in significant destruction.
With the battle over and the victor decided, Huyan Li circulated his soul power to mend the injuries sustained by his Martial Soul.
Though far from a true recovery, it seemed to offer some minor relief. As the soul power nourished and repaired the damaged Martial Soul, the excruciating pain he felt began to ease a bit.
Huyan Li's chaotic aura started to stabilize.
In the next instant, the brown light enveloping him rapidly dissipated. His massive body—which had taken on the form of a half-elephant, half-human creature—seemed to transform into a ball of light before quickly shrinking back into his body.
Having deactivated his Martial Soul Possession, Huyan Li's physical appearance returned to exactly how it was before the battle. Forget about any visible wounds or bloodstains, even his clothes were completely untorn.
If not for his evaporated momentum and weakened soul power aura, one would hardly guess that he had just endured a rather fierce combat.
However, this also demonstrated that while the battle between Ling Xiao and Huyan Li was intense, it had ultimately remained within the boundaries of a sparring match rather than a life-or-death duel.
When Ling Xiao struck, he did not deliberately target vital points, nor did he strive to completely shatter his opponent's Martial Soul to severely cripple Huyan Li's physical body. He had merely confined the injuries to Huyan Li's Diamond Mammoth Martial Soul.
Even so, the Martial Soul had sustained no light injury.
Without the aid of external forces, it would require a significant amount of time to recuperate.
During this period, he would have to avoid manifesting his Martial Soul as much as possible. This was because even though the physical pain vanished after deactivating the Martial Soul Possession, as long as the internal trauma of the Martial Soul was not fully healed.
The moment he possessed it again, the injuries would still heavily impact him as if he had been severely struck. Should he incur further injuries in battle on top of that, the day his Martial Soul fully recovered would be pushed back indefinitely.
"You won, Ling Xiao. I, Huyan Li, accept this defeat wholeheartedly. You truly are the most outstanding of Spirit Hall's younger generation."
Hearing Huyan Li's words, Ling Xiao remained quiet.
He showed no signs of joy, and the excitement from the battle had entirely vanished. His entire being had returned to a state of profound calm, his expression suggesting he was deeply contemplating something.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
A sudden burst of applause echoed from high up on the platform.
Heavenly Elephant Huyan Zhen stood up, clapping his hands as he praised, "What an excellent spar. To see such a battle between the younger generation is truly rare."
Having said that, Huyan Zhen turned his head slightly to look at Ling Xiao.
With a slightly complex yet satisfied expression, he spoke, "Spirit Hall truly lives up to its reputation as the continent's number one power; the younger generation it nurtures is indeed extraordinary."
"Ling Xiao, to possess such strength and disposition at such a young age, this old man believes you will bound to become a powerhouse who shakes the world in the future."
"Senior praises me too highly," Ling Xiao replied calmly, offering a humble response. He did not become ecstatic over the flattering words of a powerful expert.
Huyan Zhen nodded, once again praising Ling Xiao's disposition in his heart. For a youth of this age to be so steady, his future was limitless. He would undoubtedly stand at the apex of Spirit Hall and even the entire continent, with few who could match him.
Turning his gaze back to Huyan Li, his tone softened as he spoke with earnest words and profound intent, "Ah Li, although you lost this match, there is no need to be disheartened. Ling Xiao's cultivation was already above yours to begin with, so it is only natural for him to defeat you."
"You must absorb more experience from this battle to improve yourself. Only by doing so can you take another step forward in the future and possess enough strength to challenge Ling Xiao once more."
"Yes, Ah Li will definitely cultivate even harder. In the past, I was indeed somewhat willful."
"Today, I have finally learned that there is always a higher heaven and people beyond people. In the future, I will surely strive hard, never tarnish the prestigious name of our sect, and carry forward our Elephant Armored Sect."
Huyan Zhen was the head of the Huyan Clan, the Sect Master of the Elephant Armored Sect, and furthermore, Huyan Li's grandfather.
His comforting words were naturally highly effective on Huyan Li. Moreover, throughout this battle, Huyan Li had gained quite a bit of insight himself, recognizing his own shortcomings.
He had already intended to correct his past prejudices and stubbornness on his path of cultivation, intending to wholeheartedly study his clan's unique secret techniques and comprehend the profound mysteries of his Martial Soul.
Thus, upon hearing Huyan Zhen's words, he replied with utmost seriousness.
"Good."
A single word spoke volumes of the importance and expectations Huyan Zhen placed on Huyan Li. As the master of a sect, he usually maintained a solemn and majestic demeanor, but at this moment, he revealed a hint of gentleness.
After speaking, Huyan Zhen regained his usual authority, turning his head toward Chrysanthemum Douluo to speak, "Chrysanthemum Douluo, the match between Ah Li and Ling Xiao has already concluded."
"If he is to spar with the other genius disciple from Spirit Hall, he will still need to recuperate for a few days. After all, following this battle, he is completely exhausted in both mind and body, and his Martial Soul has sustained no light injuries."
"Even if his wounds can be healed using medicinal pills or the power of a healing-system Martial Soul, the exhaustion of his mind and spirit cannot be instantly replenished. Such a state is truly not his best; it would likely be unfair to the other person, and a sparring challenge would lose its meaning."
"Mm."
Yue Guan nodded upon hearing this, offering a faint smile as he said, "Very well, let it be as Sect Master Huyan says. In three days' time, we will arrange a spar between Yan and Huyan Li."
"Yan, are you willing?"
"Yes, Elder Chrysanthemum," Yan replied respectfully.
Just as Yue Guan and Huyan Zhen were preparing to officially conclude this round of sparring, Ling Xiao's voice suddenly drifted up from below the platform.
"Wait, this battle is not over yet."
Everyone on the field paused in their tracks, their faces instantly filling with confusion.
"Ling Xiao, what do you mean by this? Ah Li no longer has the strength to fight; this match is already finished," Third Elder Huyan Heng of the Elephant Armored Sect said, his expression betraying his displeasure.
After all, what Ling Xiao was saying right now directly contradicted what both their Sect Master and Chrysanthemum Douluo had just agreed upon. It was inevitably a bit too audacious. Was this how Spirit Hall disciplined its disciples?
Huyan Zhen also frowned slightly, secretly wondering to himself if Spirit Hall still had some other hidden agenda. He couldn't help but steal a glance at Chrysanthemum Douluo.
But how could he know that at this moment, even Yue Guan had no idea what Ling Xiao was trying to pull? His head was filled with question marks, but it was improper for him to show it, so he could only remain silent.
Out on the square, facing the confusion of everyone around him, Ling Xiao took a deep breath, stepped forward, and cupped his fists in a polite salute. He spoke deliberately, "Senior, you have misunderstood. I am not saying that I want to continue fighting with Huyan Li."
"If that's the case, then you don't need to compete with anyone else either. Ah Li is already the strongest among the younger generation of our Elephant Armored Sect."
With a gentle smile, Ling Xiao raised his head and spoke up.
His steady tone and resonant voice were not remarkably deafening, yet the content of his words stirred up a massive wave in the hearts of everyone present. For a moment, every single person was thoroughly shocked.
"Ling Xiao has heard that the Elephant Armored Sect possesses a formation known as the Elephant Armor Formation."
"This formation is immensely powerful, specifically designed to be executed through the coordination of Soul Masters who possess the Diamond Mammoth Martial Soul. Ling Xiao lacks talent, but I wish to experience the power of the Elephant Armor Formation."
**
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