"First Soul Skill: Hell Magma Surge!"
As the soul skill was unleashed, flames surged around Yan's fists, exploding into several terrifying magma blasts that directly neutralized Oscar's icy sword aura.
The moment lava clashed with ice, white mist billowed upward. Yan's lips curled into a proud smile, his speed increasing even further.
His figure plunged straight into the dense fog. Before it could obscure his vision, the mist was instantly vaporized by the blazing flames surrounding his body.
Oscar, expressionless, once again raised his ice blue long sword.
The next moment, Yan's flaming fists slammed fiercely onto Oscar's icy blade.
Yet, to Yan's surprise, his terrifying strength was blocked with ease. Not only that, but Oscar twisted his grip, reversed the sword, and with a sharp tremor forced Yan back several steps.
Shocked, Yan stared at Oscar in disbelief. A sword cultivator could actually wield such monstrous strength? Impossible!
Could it be a soul skill's enhancement? Or a soul bone ability?
In an instant, countless possibilities flashed through Yan's mind. But he knew Oscar hadn't used a single soul skill from beginning to end… Could it really be a soul bone?
Even if the Jade Sword Sect, though a hidden sect, rivaled the three upper sects or even surpassed them in strength could someone so young already possess a soul bone?
He himself, the great genius of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, heir apparent of Spirit Hall's future, did not yet have one. Even Hu Liena, the Pope's personal disciple and Saintess of Spirit Hall, did not have a soul bone!
And yet this sword sect disciple did?
Oscar, however, paid no mind to Yan's thoughts. He gave him no chance to speculate. After forcing Yan back with one strike, he pressed forward with his long sword.
The sword the king of weapons not only commanding in presence, but also incomparably lethal, especially in the hands of an accomplished swordsman.
As Oscar closed in, his blade thrust toward Yan's chest. Yan, truly a genius, steadied himself quickly, his blazing fists punching out once again.
Scorching flame met icy steel, this time not on the flat of the blade, but the edge itself!
Their strengths were nearly equal, yet Oscar seemed to hold a slight advantage. Worse still, Yan's fists endured not only raw power but also slicing agony from the sword's sharp edge.
Just two close encounters were enough for Yan to realize Oscar was no ordinary soul master he too was a true genius.
Yan's strength had always been unrivaled among peers of the same level. Yet here, against a swordsman, he found himself outmatched. And despite his formidable defense, after only a second clash without Oscar even using a soul skill, his fists throbbed in pain.
At this point, Yan no longer underestimated him. Regardless of whether his opponent had a soul bone, Yan resolved to fight with his full strength face him honorably, and defeat him head on.
At once, his yellow second soul ring lit up. A granite like armor, streaked with glowing magma veins, coated his body. His fists swelled to twice their size, encased in molten gauntlets.
With a punch, Yan sent Oscar stumbling back a step. This time, his fists no longer stung, but the heavy magma gauntlets chipped at the edge.
Though startled, Yan betrayed nothing. Quietly circulating soul power to restore the gauntlets, he launched another punch.
Oscar raised his sword to block. Ice and magma clashed, every collision birthing white mist instantly evaporated by Yan's flames or frozen by Oscar's ice.
Again and again, they fought within swirling fog, each strike resonating with raw, boneshaking force, laced with strange elemental beauty.
Hu Liena watched blankly, then whispered to her brother Xie Yue:
"Brother, this Oscar is no simple man. The records from the Great Spirit Arena may not reflect his full strength."
Still watching, Xie Yue nodded slightly:
"Indeed. Though Yan seems evenly matched, Oscar has yet to use a single soul skill, nor shown any sign of a soul bone ability.
His strength, speed, reflexes, and explosive power all surpass Yan's. Even his defense and strikes are effortless. This man… is terrifying."
He added quietly:
"Even I could not match Yan this way."
To the untrained eye it was spectacle, but to these two, every detail proved shocking. Their own talents already placed them at the pinnacle of the younger generation. Yet here stood someone beyond them? Impossible!
Yan felt it even more keenly. From start to finish, he had dealt Oscar no real damage. He himself, however, already bore wounds on arms and chest despite using his second soul skill, Granite Armor. Worse still, Oscar had yet to employ any soul skill.
Yan knew he couldn't keep brawling. In melee, he was no match.
His purple fourth soul ring flared. If not up close, then through control of the battlefield!
"Fourth Soul Skill: Magma Upheaval!"
Terrifying soul power erupted. A sixty meter field of boiling magma spread across the arena.
A blazing magma pillar surged upward beneath Oscar's feet.
This was Yan's fourth soul skill half domain, half attack. A magma battlefield at his command, capable of overwhelming even a Soul King. Against a level45 ice swordsman? Surely it would be decisive.
But Oscar did not falter. He leapt high, soul power condensing on his blade as his yellow second soul ring shone. With a single slash, the surging magma pillar froze solid.
"Second Soul Skill: Fang of Ice!"
Yan gaped in disbelief.
"How… how is this possible?"
With only a second soul skill, Oscar froze a magma pillar that even Soul Kings dreaded. That could only mean one thing: his elemental power utterly suppressed Yan's.
"You're strong, but not enough."
Oscar stood calmly on a flying sword, gazing at Yan.
A purple soul ring rose around him. Soul power surged, chilling waves radiating outward, freezing even Hu Liena and Xie Yue's gazes.
"Fourth Soul Skill: Ice Thorn Heart Piercer!"
Oscar shot forth like an arrow, sword tip aimed directly at Yan's heart.
In that instant, Yan felt his heart seize. Never before had a peer filled him with such dreadnot even Xie Yue.
Yet Yan did not panic. Flames erupted around him, two fire pillars shielding his front, as his third soul ring blazed. A flaming lion's head roared forth.
"Third Soul Skill: Hellfire Lion heart King!"
A streak of ice blue cut through the fire pillars, freezing them into sculptures. Though dimmed, it pressed on relentlessly toward Yan.
The flaming lion jaws snapped down. Ice and fire clashed, energies canceling, white mist exploding outward.
The arena was shrouded. Only Luo Ying smiled faintly:
"Well done. To utterly suppress him, yet make it look like a narrow victory that gives Spirit Hall's genius some face."
When the mist cleared, Oscar was half frozen in the lion's head. But at Yan's throat, his sword gleamed. Blood already beaded at the skin. A fraction deeper, and Yan's artery would have been severed.
Yan's eyes widened in terror at Oscar's calm, handsome face. Oscar winked, the ice shattered, and he spoke lightly:
"Impressive move. But I… narrowly claimed victory."
With that, he withdrew his sword. His ice blue hair turned black again, his robes barely rumpled, not even torn.
Yan staggered back, then collapsed.
"Lost… I actually lost?"
"Yan!" cried Xie Yue, rushing forward. Checking him, he found no major injuries only soul power exhausted.
Yan lay dazed, shaken to his core. Oscar was only level 45, yet had beaten him. This was no mere narrow victory, but a crushing blow to his long held confidence.
He had truly felt death in that final strike. A hair closer, and his artery would have been cut.
"Yan, are you alright?" Xie Yue asked anxiously.
Yan gave no reply.
Oscar walked over, crouched, and said softly:
"You're strong, but still lacking. So… next time, show me some respect, or else…"
He didn't finish. Instead, he patted Xie Yue's shoulder:
"He's fine. Just drained. Take him to recover your healers can handle it."
After a moment's silence, Xie Yue nodded.
"Thank you."
As he carried Yan away, the arena erupted in cheers. Many had witnessed Oscar defeat Spirit Hall's Golden Generation genius.
Oscar allowed the cheers, straightened his robes, and descended the stage. Facing Hu Liena, he spoke apologetically:
"Saintess, our escorts are a bit too enthusiastic. Sometimes even I can't restrain them. Perhaps… you'd like to duel me yourself? Defeat me, and they'll stop cheering."
Hu Liena froze a moment. Hadn't she said that before? Was he mocking her now?
Yan's loss already bruised Spirit Hall's pride. But now, was Oscar inviting them to gang up?
Still smiling, she replied:
"You jest, Brother Ailan. You've just fought a hard battle with Yan and spent much energy. Our sparring can wait. After all… the future is long."
Oscar smiled warmly.
"True. Yan was indeed formidable. I too suffered internal injuries. A few days' rest is wise. Then… perhaps you'd join me for tea?"
Looking at his handsome, gentle face, Hu Liena couldn't shake the feeling he had held back. Yet outwardly, he had clearly endured Yan's strongest strikes. Even her brother wouldn't dare take those head on.
Perhaps he wasn't lying. Perhaps he truly was hurt. Otherwise, why forgo the chance to humiliate Spirit Hall?
Hu Liena answered with a smile:
"In that case, I'll join you in tasting your sect's delicacies as an apology for Yan's rudeness."
Oscar's smile deepened.
"Excellent. With beauty as company, my wounds will surely heal faster."
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