"Hmph! Then I'll see if you have the strength for it!" Xuanyuan Dapan attacked in anger, transforming into a streak of light. Terrifying energy tore through the heavens and earth, heading towards Zhou Yan.
Zhou Yan chuckled, raising his left hand. Thunder roared, merging with the lightning in the sky, and a terrifying bolt of divine wrath descended.
"Crack!"
The divine wrath struck, releasing a fearsome energy that shattered the incoming surge of power. Then, Zhou Yan, once again wielding heavenly thunder, descended like a thunder god, unleashing bolts of terrifying celestial lightning.
The earth instantly cracked open with deep pits from the lightning strikes, each one spewing forth wisps of smoke.
Xuanyuan Dapan dared not be careless. Zhou Yan's manipulation of the heavens' lightning had significantly amplified its power. He could only dodge. However, as a cultivator at the Celestial Phenomena realm, Xuanyuan Dapan's own strength was considerable, otherwise he wouldn't have dared to challenge Li Chungang.
But Zhou Yan's methods were numerous. His left hand controlled lightning, while his right hand held the Duan Yun Sword. A powerful Yin-Yang force coalesced, eventually forming a Tai Chi sword diagram. Zhou Yan had unleashed his "Tai Chi Seven Stars Sword Control Technique," manifesting a celestial sword energy that surged towards Xuanyuan Dapan.
Xuanyuan Dapan projected a powerful internal force from both hands, forming a shield that firmly protected him.
The onlookers were astonished to see Zhou Yan, from his very first move, completely overpowering Xuanyuan Dapan, a strong cultivator of the Celestial Phenomena realm.
"This Zhou Yan's strength is simply too terrifying. Even a powerhouse like Xuanyuan Dapan can only defend," Jiang Ni remarked in surprise.
"This lad is indeed a martial arts prodigy, and his methods are bizarre. Though he hasn't reached the Celestial Phenomena realm, his true combat power is in no way weaker than that of someone in that realm. Look at his ability to draw upon the heavens and earth; even those in the Celestial Phenomena realm find it difficult to achieve such a feat," Li Chungang praised without reservation.
"Then how long will it take for me to reach Zhou Yan's level of strength?" Xu Fengnian asked.
"Although your aptitude is far inferior to Zhou Yan's, you are still considered a prodigy. With effort, perhaps twenty years should suffice," Li Chungang calculated roughly.
"Twenty years? That's too long," Xu Fengnian felt a sense of defeat. Compared to Zhou Yan, he felt like trash.
"You ungrateful brat! Others might not even reach this level in their entire lives," Li Chungang berated him.
"Such formidable strength. Qingfeng, if you follow this person in the future, our Xuanyuan family will not be without a powerhouse in the Celestial Phenomena realm," Xuanyuan Jingcheng said to his daughter.
"Father, what are you saying? I've only met him a few times."
Xuanyuan Qingfeng's cheeks flushed slightly. She too was awestruck by the strength Zhou Yan displayed. In this world, to be able to contend with someone in the Celestial Phenomena realm at such a young age, only he could achieve it.
"Haha, look at your blushing face. This is for the best. Someone like Xuanyuan Dapan deserves to die. Even if this person hadn't appeared, I would have sacrificed my own life to eliminate him!"
Xuanyuan Jingcheng had not intended to descend the mountain alive this time. He simply hadn't expected such a legendary genius as Zhou Yan to emerge.
Following this, Zhou Yan's subsequent techniques amazed them. He first commanded the heavenly lightning, then unleashed a terrifying flame. The combination of lightning and fire further suppressed Xuanyuan Dapan.
Zhou Yan's methods were incredibly diverse. His attacks came from both sides, making it seem as though two people were fighting Xuanyuan Dapan.
Zhou Yan's offensive techniques were ever-changing. One moment it was lightning and fire pressing down, the next he stirred the winds and clouds, then transformed them into fire dragons, or summoned icy rain from the heavens, even plunging the world into darkness. It was as if a deity controlled the elements, utterly bizarre and mysterious.
Zhou Yan's right hand frequently unleashed torrents of terrifying energy. Sword qi crisscrossed the sky like a river of stars pouring down, a setting sun on a vast river, making the very world seem newly born. This left Xuanyuan Dapan feeling incredibly stifled.
He could clearly sense that the opponent's cultivation realm was below his own, yet he had to defend against these attacks. Moreover, each technique was incredibly refined and powerful. A single hit would result in death or severe injury.
Xuanyuan Dapan dared not be negligent, seeking an opportunity to counterattack, but he couldn't find one. Zhou Yan's onslaught was too swift, leaving no opening for Xuanyuan Dapan to retaliate. He could only endure the barrage of attacks.
This spectacle left the others in awe, their admiration for Zhou Yan deepening.
Finally, Zhou Yan transformed into a sea of fire, completely engulfing Xuanyuan Dapan. Then, Zhou Yan became a shooting star, his Duan Yun Sword held aloft as he charged towards Xuanyuan Dapan.
Sword qi flew through the air, figures clashed repeatedly amidst the lightning and rain.
"Boom!"
Micro Mountain became the battlefield for the two of them. Everything around them suffered. The mountain itself seemed to have been bombarded by countless explosives, leading to large-scale collapses. The pavilions built upon it were also struck, reduced to ruins.
The once scenic mountaintop began to vanish under the ferocity of their battle.
The battle of the strong could change the color of the heavens and earth, cause mountains and rivers to collapse, and destroy endless pristine lands.
The two fought for several hours. Xuanyuan Dapan's stamina began to wane, while Zhou Yan, on the other hand, grew more vigorous and powerful with each passing moment, as if his energy was inexhaustible.
They had been locked in aerial combat for a long time. Xuanyuan Dapan finally felt the threat of death and hastily spoke, "You want Xuanyuan Jianfeng. I will hand him over with both hands, and I will make you the ruler of the Xuanyuan family. With your talent, you will surely become a figure who dominates the entire martial world in the future."
"What I want, I will take myself. There's no need for you to give it to me. Furthermore, I have no desire to dominate the martial world. I only wish to kill you," Zhou Yan remained unmoved, continuing to unleash various spells and sword techniques.
Despite his powerful cultivation realm, Xuanyuan Dapan found himself unable to even touch Zhou Yan. Zhou Yan's speed was too great, coupled with various shadow-like illusions, making it impossible for him to discern the real person.
This difference highlighted the contrast between Xuanyuan Dapan and Li Chungang. If it were Li Chungang, a single sword strike could break ten thousand techniques; no matter how you changed, he could counter with just one sword.
But Xuanyuan Dapan was ultimately not Li Chungang, and he would never qualify to step into the realm of terrestrial immortals. His cultivation to the Celestial Phenomena realm was entirely reliant on various "furnaces" (cultivation partners). Such methods were not derived from his own understanding, and his combat power was incomparable to Li Chungang's.
"Puff!"
Xuanyuan Dapan, his stamina finally exhausted, was struck by Zhou Yan and began to fall from the heavens.
Zhou Yan condensed a heavenly sword, expanding it to hundreds of meters in size. Its terrifying sword light, like the blazing sun, erupted with radiant divine light, and then it descended.
"No!" Seeing this move, Xuanyuan Dapan's eyes widened, filled with a roar of unwillingness.
"Boom!"
With a violent explosion of light that shook the heavens and earth, Xuanyuan Dapan was utterly annihilated by Zhou Yan. His invincible form stood proud in the void, like a god commanding awe.