Ye Xuan’s words brought a wave of astonishment to the training ground. His words were somewhat overconfident; after all, Luo Zhi was a four-star commander, outranking Ye Xuan by one military rank.
"It’s just a sparring match, what’s the harm? Is Commander Luo afraid of losing?"
Ye Xuan said with a calm smile.
Luo Zhi laughed loudly, his eyes mocking, "I, a dignified four-star commander, would be afraid of a nobody like you? What benefit do I gain battling you? Why should I accept this challenge?"
"It’s just sparring." Ye Xuan’s expression remained indifferent as he summoned a set of Golden Radiant Armor, "Since you feel it’s of no benefit, how about this? I’ll use this armor as a wager. If I lose, the armor is yours. How about it?"
Luo Zhi’s eyes gleamed with interest. A complete set of holy-grade armor was quite valuable. Even if he couldn’t use it, he could sell it for a good price.
Moreover, from his perspective, Ye Xuan was way too arrogant; it’d be good to teach him a lesson. Why not?
"Alright then, since you are so eager for a fight, it would be unkind of me not to oblige you."
Luo Zhi said, smiling at Ye Xuan with a flicker of coldness deep in his eyes. He was not a magnanimous person.
Luo Zhi drew out a cyan long blade, stared at Ye Xuan, and shouted, "Begin!"
A set of holy-grade armor could be traded for a substantial amount of merit points even at Xuri Tavern.
"Let’s make it quick; you won’t have many chances to act."
Ye Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, smiling lightly.
Luo Zhi’s face sank again; this guy truly regarded him with no esteem.
"Daring to provoke Commander Luo continuously, he truly knows no fear.
"Commander Luo’s Star Casting Divine Fist, they say it can penetrate a star; that’s incredible."
"While Commander Luo may not be outstanding among four-star commanders, he’s no mediocre. Ye Xuan underestimating him will certainly lead to misfortune."
Generals and soldiers under Luo Zhi’s command discussed fervently, expressing full confidence in him.
"Seems like there’s a good show ahead."
Ba Zhuo said with a smile.
"No, it’s Luo Zhi who’s in danger."
The one speaking was Luo Qing.
"Why do you say that?"
If anyone else had said such a thing, he would have scoffed or retorted, but it was Luo Qing, who always had a unique and accurate perspective.
"The opponent surely knows Luo Zhi’s strength, yet challenges him anyway, surely with some confidence." Luo Qing said calmly.
"That’s just your guess; maybe he’s just overly arrogant."
Ba Zhuo couldn’t believe a nobody could stand against Luo Zhi, though the event hadn’t happened yet.
"We’ll soon find out; talking is pointless now."
Luo Qing chose not to argue.
"Fine, soon you’ll pay the price."
Luo Zhi’s brow furrowed, his gaze slightly icy.
Footsteps sounded as Ye Xuan walked towards the opponent step by step.
Ye Xuan’s actions baffled not just Luo Zhi but others as well.
"You’ve thoroughly angered me."
Never had anyone treated him with such contempt. With a flash, Luo Zhi vanished from his spot, reappearing at Ye Xuan’s side. His right hand shifted, muscles writhing, nails extending, transforming into a horrific demon claw aimed at Ye Xuan’s chest.
Onlookers felt a momentary blur as Luo Zhi reached Ye Xuan’s side.
Luo Zhi shouted fiercely.
The one injured was not Ye Xuan but Luo Zhi; his right cheek caved in, spewing blood and teeth as he couldn’t close his mouth, his eyes bulging, full of disbelief.
In the next moment, Luo Zhi flew off the stage, unable to rise for a long time.
"I told you to remain fully vigilant."
Ye Xuan shook his head at the foolish moves made by his opponent. Even the strongest predator uses all its strength against mere prey; this wisdom should be known. No matter the opponent’s anonymity, recklessness should be spared.
"Commander Luo was knocked away; when did he strike?"
"I don’t know; I couldn’t sense his attack at all."
Voices of disbelief arose as Ba Zhuo looked at Ye Xuan like he was a monster, while Luo Qing, though unsurprised, remained astounded, not noticing when Ye Xuan acted.
Everyone’s eyes turned grave; this seemed to be a genuinely dangerous individual, possessing power to rend the heavens within an ordinary body.
A sound unlike a human roar escaped Luo Zhi’s throat as he supported himself on the ground, slowly standing upright, locking eyes on Ye Xuan.
"Damn, I underestimated your strength. Failing to defeat me earlier, you’ll regret it."
Ye Xuan replied, "I can defeat you now."
"I won’t give you another chance."
Luo Zhi roared again, his eyes changing, focused on Ye Xuan. His body increased by two-thirds in height, behind him extending three spikes, each emitting a cyan glow, like divine weapons inserted on his back.
Simultaneously, an eerie aura emanated from him, enhancing his demon-like stature. Yet quickly, that aura became reined in, leaving not a shred outward, his body shifting to dark cyan, skin gleaming like dark cyan gemstones, reflecting a cold sheen.
"Hmm? Is your true form a Demon Beast?" Ye Xuan raised an eyebrow.
"Commander Luo has demonized."
Expressions of surprise arose among the onlookers.
Demon Beasts indeed wield immense power in the early stages of cultivation, but as time progresses, their advantage diminishes, turning into a disadvantage—their bodies are too large, or rather, too crude in controlling power compared to human forms. Even when shape-shifting into human form, they remain Demon Beasts, and power control isn’t their strong suit.
Only in demonization can they unleash their maximum power.
If not forced, Luo Zhi would not have demonized so readily.
At the Martial Saint level, demonization triggers their beast blood, leading to an extremely frenzied state.
"It’s just sparring, who knew it would turn serious."
Ba Zhuo’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"It’s about honor; if Luo Zhi loses, he’d be utterly disgraced. You think he can accept that?" Luo Qing shook his head.
"Earlier, if Ye Xuan struck harder, Luo Zhi might have been defeated already." Ba Zhuo remarked.
"Probably on purpose."
Luo Qing’s eyes gleamed, "If the fight was decided early, many would think Luo Zhi was careless, and Ye Xuan won through unsavory means. That would nullify the fight’s meaning, wouldn’t it?"
Ba Zhuo nodded in sudden realization; he hadn’t considered this angle.