"Shuigel He Dong, thank you for your guidance."
As soon as Li Xuan steadied himself, his opponent, who had already found his footing, cupped his fists and said. As his voice fell, his aura surged instantly, revealing the early stage of the Years Realm for all to see.
"Mu Ge's Li Xuan." Li Xuan cupped his fists in return, his expression growing solemn. Among the threatening auras he felt, this person was one of them.
"So it's the rapidly rising Commander Li Xuan, it's been a while. I didn't expect Commander Li Xuan to have broken through to the Divine Transformation Realm. How about we settle this in one move?"
He Dong's pupils constricted at the words, clearly having heard of Li Xuan's deeds.
He hadn't expected that after his seclusion in the Furnace of Creation, Li Xuan would be able to enter the Divine Transformation Realm.
However, even so, He Dong wasn't overly fearful. Compared to Li Xuan, who had just broken through to the Divine Transformation Realm, He Dong had been immersed in the Years Realm for several years. A one-move victory would undoubtedly be more advantageous for him.
Li Xuan smiled slightly at this, naturally guessing He Dong's intentions. However, he paid it no mind and nodded, "Alright."
Seeing Li Xuan agree, a hint of joy flashed in He Dong's eyes. Although the first round of the assessment wouldn't eliminate anyone, losing would undoubtedly be disadvantageous for the subsequent two rounds.
Moreover, He Dong was confident that he was stronger than Li Xuan, and a one-move victory gave him a significant advantage. Although He Dong knew he had gained an advantage, it didn't matter at this point.
"This move is called Freezing Three Feet, it's a Divine Grade low-tier technique, the Water Wash Ice Art divine skill. Commander Li Xuan, be careful!" Perhaps feeling a pang of guilt, He Dong spoke up proactively.
"Commander He Dong, please proceed." Li Xuan smiled and nodded, his impression of He Dong improving slightly. Then, with a thought, his physical strength surged. Simultaneously, the Star Spirit Pearls in his Divine Mansion began to circulate.
"Heavenly Sun, turn!"
He Dong let out a low roar, and a Heavenly Sun instantly appeared. Immediately after, a second Heavenly Sun emerged. This He Dong actually possessed two Heavenly Suns.
As the Heavenly Suns rotated, He Dong's aura sharply intensified. The aura enveloping the Star Spirit Pearls washed over Li Xuan. After a brief sensing, Li Xuan's expression turned serious.
With the enhancement of the Heavenly Suns, the number of Star Spirit Pearls in He Dong's Divine Mansion reached over eighteen million.
"Freezing Three Feet, descend!"
He Dong rapidly formed hand seals, and a ripple of water instantly materialized. In the next moment, it transformed into an ice dragon at a visible speed. The temperature of the world grew noticeably colder.
Then, He Dong pointed a finger forward, and the ice dragon, imbued with the might of over eighteen million Star Spirit Pearls, surged towards Li Xuan. Wherever the ice dragon passed, even the air seemed to freeze.
"I didn't expect there to be such a hidden expert in the Water Pavilion," Li Xuan mused inwardly, seeing this. No wonder he had felt threatened. Besides the Star Spirit Pearls amplified by the Heavenly Suns, He Dong himself possessed nearly twelve million Star Spirit Pearls.
"Vast Void Thunder Law, Thunderous Might!"
As He Dong's attack approached, Li Xuan quickly made his move. Two Heavenly Suns also appeared, and with their amplification, over eighteen million Star Spirit Pearls flowed rapidly. Thunderous serpents writhed, and a sky full of lightning transformed into a thunder dragon that roared forth.
Boom!
The ice dragon and the thunder dragon collided, unleashing a terrifying roar. Fortunately, the arena was constructed by Supreme Master Zhang Chao, its defenses exceptionally strong, only trembling slightly from the impact.
"Unexpectedly, both have two Heavenly Suns, and their Star Spirit Pearl counts have both reached over eighteen million. These two are quite evenly matched."
"The Sky Yi Pavilion truly has prodigious talents. If these disciples continue to cultivate, they should reach the Years Realm one day."
"I wonder who will win this battle. Judging by their moves, it seems they're preparing for a one-hit victory."
"Fortunately, the first round of the Pavilion Master selection only counts points and doesn't eliminate contestants, otherwise, one of them would have to lose. I think these two are strong contenders for the Pavilion Master position."
"..."
The leaders of various factions naturally witnessed the duel between Li Xuan and He Dong. Those possessing two Heavenly Suns and such a high number of Star Spirit Pearls were few and far between.
Although there had been disciples with over twenty million Star Spirit Pearls before, their battles had ended swiftly, lacking the spectacle of Li Xuan and He Dong's confrontation.
On the high platform, everyone's gaze was fixed upon Li Xuan and He Dong. In comparison, their gazes towards Li Xuan were even more unusual.
After all, Li Xuan had only joined the Sky Yi Pavilion for just over ten years. Even with his cultivation in the Furnace of Creation, to break through an entire major realm and be evenly matched with He Dong, who had been in the Years Realm for several years, was truly terrifying talent.
Crack!
At the same time, the clash between the thunder dragon and the ice dragon finally yielded a result. The hundred-meter-long ice dragon and thunder dragon eroded each other. Under the thunderous roar, cracks began to appear on the ice dragon's body. With a crisp sound, the cracks spread rapidly across its form.
Boom!
With a deafening roar, the ice dragon instantly crumbled into dust. Though the thunder dragon had also sustained significant damage, it maintained its dragon form and shot towards He Dong. Under the glare of the lightning, He Dong was sent flying by the thunder dragon.
"Wood Venerable's disciple has produced a remarkable talent," Supreme Master Chen Peng said with a slight smile, looking at Supreme Master Mu Lan Xin as his disciple was sent flying.
"Water Venerable flatters me. The path of lightning is inherently outside the Five Elements yet contains their power. Li Xuan's temporary victory over He Dong is partly due to luck. Moreover, He Dong's mastery of the Water Wash Ice Art to such a degree indicates he will undoubtedly lead the Water Pavilion in the future."
Supreme Master Mu Lan Xin replied with a smile.
Supreme Master Chen Peng nodded with a smile and then shifted his gaze back to the arena.
"Cough, cough, Commander Li Xuan truly lives up to his reputation. I have been taught a lesson," He Dong said, steadying himself and cupping his fists towards Li Xuan with a pale face.
Since Li Xuan could withstand his strongest attack, he could naturally defeat him.
Furthermore, unleashing that move had been immensely draining. He Dong now understood why Li Xuan had agreed to a one-move victory. On the surface, he had gained the initiative, but who could have predicted that the outcome would be so different?
He Dong knew clearly that Li Xuan, currently in the Divine Transformation Realm, had a comparable number of Star Spirit Pearls to him. When Li Xuan entered the Years Realm, he would likely only be able to look up to him. Such an existence would surely surpass him in future achievements.
"Commander He Dong, you are too kind," Li Xuan clasped his fists and nodded slightly, then moved to exit the arena.
As the battle between Li Xuan and He Dong concluded, Supreme Master Zhang Chao once again stood at the front of the high platform.
"The first round of assessment is over!"