"They actually came from a lower plane?" When they heard the clan leader Tianhuang say this, the other elders finally understood. They had previously wondered why the clan leader would personally receive someone who was merely a wandering clansman. Now it made sense—Tianhuang had seen the potential in these two and was determined to win them over.
The green-robed elder also understood what kind of potential someone from a lower plane could have, so he said nothing more. Given their age and the fact they had broken through from a lower world, even if they had no connection to the Nine Nether Bird Clan, they would still try to recruit them.
"However, Elder Tianqing does have a point. Not just anyone can join the Nine Nether Enforcement Team. Let's do this—have Qin Wan'er test their strength. If they can last for one incense stick's time without defeat, then we'll allow them to join. What do you all think?" Tianhuang asked.
"We'll go with what the clan leader says." The other elders had no objections. They understood Tianhuang's intention—to test Xiao Yan's strength through this opportunity. They were also curious. After all, Xiao Yan and Qing Tan had broken through the plane's barrier—surely they had unique strengths. But then again, Qin Wan'er wasn't someone easy to deal with...
Once everyone agreed, a cold and elegant woman in a white dress descended from the peak and landed in front of Xiao Yan and Qing Tan. Her face was beautiful, but her expression was icy, making people instinctively hesitant to approach. She glanced at the two and said coldly, "Qin Wan'er, Vice-Captain of the Seventh Squad of the Nine Nether Enforcement Team. Please advise."
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow. Tianhuang had previously explained the structure of the Enforcement Team to him. It consisted of thirteen squads, each with a captain at the ninth-grade Sovereign level, while vice-captains ranged from seventh to eighth-grade. Judging by her aura, Qin Wan'er was at the peak of the seventh-grade Sovereign level—two full grades above his current fifth-grade level.
"Qing Tan, no need to step in. Let me handle this one." Xiao Yan said as he drew the Heavy Xuan Ruler from his back. Qing Tan had just broken into the first-grade Sovereign realm and was still unfamiliar with her strength. Joining the fight might be more of a distraction than help.
"Are you sure you can handle this alone?" Qing Tan asked with concern.
"Don't worry." Xiao Yan smiled. Fighting above his level wasn't new to him. Back when he fought the Evil Demon Emperor, the opponent's power would've been comparable to a fourth-grade Sovereign. Yet he had fought him to a standstill even as a first-grade Sovereign and ultimately defeated him even when the enemy had used the power of the plane itself.
So although Qin Wan'er was two grades stronger, Xiao Yan wasn't afraid. Instead, his fighting spirit surged. This was his first true battle in the Great Thousand World.
"Clan Mark, appear!" With a change of hand seal, a strange mark appeared on Xiao Yan's forehead. His aura surged instantly, rising from peak fifth-grade Sovereign to sixth-grade Sovereign.
"Your strength is indeed stronger than the average ascender... but you're still not my match." Qin Wan'er said as she took a step forward. A surge of chilling spiritual energy erupted from her body. A thick layer of frost spread from beneath her feet toward Xiao Yan.
In response, Xiao Yan summoned a wave of blazing flame that pushed back the cold. It wasn't his Emperor Flame, but the power of the Flame Ancestral Symbol. While weaker than the Emperor Flame, it was more than enough to handle this level of ice.
"Fire-type spiritual power? Too bad... my power happens to counter it." Qin Wan'er said as she shook her head. Her spiritual energy was fused with a rare substance called the Mystic Ice Crystal, which naturally suppressed flames. With both level and elemental disadvantage, lasting one incense stick's time seemed unlikely for Xiao Yan.
"Talk is cheap. Let's see it in action." As he finished speaking, Xiao Yan shot forward with his Demonic Lotus Burial Step. The ruler came crashing down toward Qin Wan'er's head, but it was blocked by a flashing spear. The force rebounded, sending Xiao Yan flying.
"That's the supreme-grade artifact—Golden Pattern Icebreak Spear. Looks like Qin Wan'er plans to end this quickly." Someone in the crowd recognized the weapon. It was nearly a quasi-sacred item. Combined with Qin Wan'er's strength, she could fight even eighth-grade Sovereigns without falling behind.
"Nether Palm!" While being knocked back, Xiao Yan struck out with his palm, forming a giant energy imprint that shot toward Qin Wan'er. But with a single thrust of her spear, she shattered the attack—proof of the overwhelming power difference.
Following up, Qin Wan'er's spear struck again like lightning. Xiao Yan barely managed to block with his Heavy Xuan Ruler. The resulting shockwave sent him flying back hundreds of meters.
Though clearly at a disadvantage, the observing elders nodded quietly.
"That ruler of his isn't ordinary. To withstand a direct strike from the Golden Pattern Icebreak Spear without damage—it must be quite special."
"Indeed, but what surprises me more is his physical strength. Even without divine techniques, Qin Wan'er didn't hold back. Most sixth-grade Sovereigns would've been heavily injured by that blow, but he only retreated slightly. His body is probably comparable to a seventh or even eighth-grade Sovereign."
"Few from the lower planes have bodies that strong."
As Tianhuang silently evaluated, the two fighters clashed again. Qin Wan'er's spear danced like a storm, unleashing thousands of thrusts in an instant. Xiao Yan's ruler danced in tandem, forming a dense net of shadows.
However, the seemingly impenetrable defense collapsed the moment her spear struck. Xiao Yan was forced back once again, blood seeping from several new wounds on his body. His expression grew solemn.
What he had just used was the Six Paths Wandering Ruler technique, something he'd inherited from the Path of Reincarnation. Though only a mid-tier Earth-rank Dou Technique, it had helped in battles at the Dou Sheng level. Yet against Qin Wan'er, it had shattered in a single clash. Was her strength just that overwhelming?
"Your combat experience is solid, but your techniques are not. That so-called defense isn't even a divine art—it can't stop me." Qin Wan'er said coldly.
The observing elders shook their heads as well. Normally, to fight above your level, one relied on divine arts. But Xiao Yan had just ascended and only knew techniques from the lower planes. Naturally, they lacked the power of divine arts—so how could he turn the tide?
(End of Chapter)
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