After a fierce battle, both individuals were covered in wounds and injuries.
"Very well, there were some trump cards I didn’t want to reveal, but now it seems I must use them," said the king of the younger generation. He always kept some cards close to his chest to prevent others from fully grasping his strength and putting him at a disadvantage. However, Ye Xuan’s strength was completely beyond his expectations. Without using this trump card, it would be hard to determine a victor.
"Trump cards? I’d like to see what else you have. You have trump cards, don’t think I don’t have any."
Ye Xuan’s gaze was piercing; he was curious about what other trump cards Qin Wuyan had. His Human Emperor’s Scepter hadn’t been used yet, but there was still Yu in the high platform. If the Human Emperor’s Scepter was recognized by the opponent, it would undoubtedly be a troublesome matter.
But even without the Human Emperor’s Scepter, he still had means to ensure victory.
"Do they still have trump cards?" The watching martial artists were completely numb, never having seen such powerful Martial Venerate Experts in their lives.
"Since you refuse to see reason, don’t blame me for not warning you," Qin Wuyan shouted, his Qi Force swelling around him, tumultuous and mighty. Although his appearance seemed unchanged, it gave one an illusion of him growing infinitely, towering into the sky.
"Emperor Yan’s Shocking Fist!"
The punch was Qin Wuyan’s ultimate move, executed with the momentum of a giant. It burst forth with a force that crushed and annihilated the void.
A fiery storm swept in immediately. Qin Wuyan seemed to transform into a tyrannical Fire God at that moment, capable of crushing and incinerating everything.
Even the martial artists in the spectator seats felt this overwhelmingly strong aura and were staggered by it.
"What a powerful punch, is this Qin Wuyan’s ultimate move?"
The audience held their breath, eyes focused. With such a move, could Ye Xuan really handle it?
"Very strong indeed. Then let’s see, the strongest against the strongest, whose move is superior."
Ye Xuan’s face was calm; he brought his hands together, and Earth Core Cold Fire slowly began to gather in his palms. The energy within it seemed highly unstable, occasionally releasing heart-palpitating fluctuations.
Under Ye Xuan’s control, the Earth Core Cold Fire began to twist and change shape.
"What is this young man doing?"
Yu wore a puzzled expression. Ye Xuan’s actions were quite baffling. Even so, Ye Xuan’s aura was rising sharply, and under his continuous hand seals, the Earth Core Cold Fire transformed into a sword form.
Once the sword-shaped flame had solidified, it emitted shockingly strong fluctuations. The entire arena seemed engulfed in intense heat, making the nearby observing martial artists sweat profusely from the unbearable heat.
After refining the sword-shaped flame to its limit, Ye Xuan forcefully pushed his hands forward, and the sword-shaped flame shot out like a meteor.
The punch and the Sword Qi collided fiercely, shattering the surrounding boundary as it was forcefully ruptured. A vast wave of Qi Force spread out, sweeping across the area.
During this intense focus, an astonishing scene unfolded. Qin Wuyan’s supreme punch strength was actually pierced through by a sword and quickly dissipated, while Ye Xuan’s Sword Qi, still carrying an overwhelming intent, heavily struck Qin Wuyan’s body.
It was as if a world-ending storm had erupted on the stage, extremely fierce. The Protective True Essence shattered, and Qin Wuyan’s body was struck as if by lightning, flung out unconscious.
Simultaneously, Ye Xuan faced the same problem; the residual punch force struck him, sending him flying as well.
Many held their breath, their eyes frozen on the stage. This moment would finally decide the winner!
But at this moment, was it a case of both sides suffering?
"I can’t lose! Stop!"
Qin Wuyan’s momentum climbed steadily, and his body gradually reddened. At this instant, he was exerting his full strength in an attempt to stabilize his body. However, the explosion created by the sword-shaped flame had inflicted heavy damage on him, making it impossible for him to exert his full power.
The force of the punch was fierce. Ye Xuan kept retreating. He transformed into a sword with his body, harshly landing on the platform surface, leaving a dazzling trace on it; simultaneously, the dragon wings on his back flapped violently, restraining his backward momentum.
The storm was extremely fierce; many people were blown to the point where they couldn’t open their eyes. However, when they managed to open their eyes, the two on the platform had both left the ring.
The venue suddenly fell silent.
Most people had a question in their minds—was it a draw? Impossible, unless both competitors touched the ground at the same time; otherwise, there would be a winner.
In the conference venue, only those experts, their gazes fixed firmly on the range of the platform, remained silent, their expressions revealing nothing.
A fragrant breeze arose, and before everyone’s eyes, a voluptuous figure had landed on the platform—it was Yu, the host of this preliminaries event.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this preliminary match has reached its conclusion."
Yu’s voice spread, yet it still left people somewhat confused. Was the result already determined? Who had won?
"We have to congratulate Qin Wuyan."
As Yu’s melodious voice settled, the crowd’s eyes suddenly lit up, then it dawned on them, "So Qin Wuyan won."
"I knew it. The exalted Fire God Crown Prince, first on the Martial Saint Candidate List, wouldn’t lose his ranking so easily."
Most people thought they had their answer, but unexpectedly, Yu’s enticing lips curled slightly, and then her mesmerizing voice once again echoed in the venue, "Congratulations to him for achieving second place in this preliminary match."
Those martial artists who thought Qin Wuyan had won were immediately stunned. Qin Wuyan was only second? Then the first must be... Ye Xuan?
At that moment, beneath the platform, Qin Wuyan took a deep breath, then managed to prop himself up and bowed in Ye Xuan’s direction.
"It really was Ye Xuan who won."
If there had been any doubts before among many, now those doubts were completely resolved. Even Qin Wuyan himself had confirmed it, indicating that the winner of this first place in the preliminaries was undoubtedly Ye Xuan.
"A nobody has also reached the top!"
Somewhere in the audience seats, someone remarked.
"Who could have predicted the current outcome before the match started? This competition, indeed, has been the most spectacular in centuries, truly a feast for the eyes and exhilarating."
"Look at those geniuses; in front of Ye Xuan, they’ve all paled in comparison."
People looked toward Bu Qianfan, Duanmu Yu, and others seated at the edge of the platform, discussing animatedly. At this moment, the latter and others were also looking at Ye Xuan with admiring eyes, feeling inferior.
In today’s battle, Ye Xuan had won the championship, rightfully earning his fame.