Zhu Zhuqing stared at Xiao Yan, a storm raging within her: So this is what he's been researching? The human body can actually unleash such powerful strength?
Ning Rongrong's eyes darted around, and she thought to herself, If the Spirit Masters of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could learn this move, wouldn't they all be able to protect themselves in the future?
Having experienced the new Flying Waterfall Rage Tide, Xiao Yan calmly said, "Indeed, I am a Food-Type Spirit Master."
His voice shifted, and suspicion flashed in his eyes. "But are you really a Spirit Saint? Your strength is miles away from what I've heard a Spirit Saint is capable of, the kind who can traverse a vast army with ease."
"You arrogant brat!" Zhao Wuji's old face stiffened.
He, the Immovable King, couldn't even handle a twelve-year-old boy. If this got out, wouldn't he become the laughingstock of the other teachers?
Zhao Wuji chuckled awkwardly, trying to save face, "I was just testing you earlier, naturally I didn't use my full strength."
With a sly smile, Zhao Wuji continued, "Kid, you seem very interested in the strength of a Spirit Saint. It's too cramped here to fully demonstrate, come with me outside the village. I'll give you a clear understanding of just how strong a Spirit Saint truly is."
Zhao Wuji turned and sprinted towards the edge of the village, determined to regain his lost face.
"Let's hope so," Xiao Yan said, touching his nose and leaping forward to follow.
Xiao Xue and Xiao Yi naturally followed Xiao Yan.
"To dare challenge a Spirit Saint... this Xiao Yan is truly interesting." Ning Rongrong's second spirit ring flashed, granting her a speed boost, and she hurried after them.
She couldn't miss this good show.
Curious about Xiao Yan's techniques, Zhu Zhuqing, with her agile movements, followed behind the group.
Dai Mubai, having been taught practical combat skills by Zhao Wuji for years, understood his strength very well: "To actually challenge Teacher Zhao directly... this Xiao Yan is probably going to get wrecked."
As Spirit Masters, the group soon arrived at a forest outside the village.
Zhao Wuji crossed his arms in front of him, his aura completely different from before in the village, like a beast awakened from slumber.
"So, your name is Xiao Yan, right? I'm going all out now. You better be prepared."
Xiao Yan's fighting spirit soared. He gestured with his hand, inviting the attack. "Please, come at me."
Zhao Wuji didn't waste any words. Golden light flashed around him as he summoned his Martial Soul once more.
The moment the Martial Soul attached to him, his fourth purple spirit ring began to shimmer.
Purple light flashed, and surprisingly, Zhao Wuji's fourth spirit ring flew out, as if it had eyes, heading towards Xiao Yan's body.
"What kind of spirit skill is this?" Xiao Yan, puzzled, looked at the purple spirit ring on his body and patted it.
The spirit ring simply settled on him, without causing him any harm.
"Teacher Zhao actually used his Fourth Spirit Skill right away! Looks like he's serious!" Dai Mubai's eyes were fixed on Xiao Yan, who was encircled by a purple spirit ring.
He knew this spirit skill very well; others might not.
Teacher Zhao's Fourth Spirit Skill was called Positioning Tracking. Once locked by his Fourth Spirit Ring, he could instantly close the distance within a hundred meters using his jumping ability.
This skill might not be very useful for other Spirit Masters, but it was perfect for a power-type like Teacher Zhao.
By instantly closing the distance with his opponent using Positioning Tracking, his strength and attacks would have the most room to develop.
By using this spirit skill, Teacher Zhao could end the battle as quickly as possible. "Xiao Yan, recognize the gap. If I get serious, you won't even be able to take a single move from me."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Zhao Wuji's thick legs abruptly exerted force, and his entire body leaped off the ground.
Watching Zhao Wuji pounce from above, Xiao Yan figured out the effect of this spirit skill.
Xiao Yan drew a circle with his left hand, placing his right palm on Zhao Wuji's left wrist and releasing a horizontal force.
Zhao Wuji's body involuntarily lurched forward, taking two steps before regaining his balance.
After being "pushed" by Xiao Yan's Tai Chi, which used softness to overcome strength, Zhao Wuji felt as if the immense force he possessed had vanished into a vast ocean, leaving no trace. His body was even moved sideways by his own power for two steps.
"It's that... that style of boxing from before..."
Xiao Yan's movements were extremely slow. Ning Rongrong, who was watching from the side, quickly recognized the technique he was using.
Zhu Zhuqing, perched in a tree, also recognized Xiao Yan's movements: "Another technique that doesn't rely on a Martial Soul? Why does it have such power? It even effortlessly neutralized the Fourth Spirit Skill of a Spirit Saint."
"Can those soft, gentle movements really achieve that kind of effect?" Dai Mubai found it hard to believe. He knew how powerful Zhao Wuji's Fourth Spirit Skill was.
He had even experienced it firsthand.
That power was so strong that even if he had advanced to Spirit Emperor, he would find it difficult to defend against it.
Having his Fourth Spirit Skill easily neutralized by Xiao Yan, Zhao Wuji was surprised at first, but then felt his face burn with shame. His second spirit ring flashed, and he unleashed Great Strength Diamond Palm strikes one after another, as if dozens of palms were striking out simultaneously.
Dai Mubai and the other two, witnessing Zhao Wuji's violent, storm-like attacks, were shocked. "A Spirit Saint-level Spirit Master getting serious is truly on a different level than the earlier playfulness."
Xiao Yan intended to force Zhao Wuji to use his Martial Soul True Body. He didn't use any of the martial arts he was proficient in, instead employing the somewhat lackadaisical Tai Chi he had mastered.
However, he cultivated Taoist techniques and possessed an incredibly profound inner strength, unparalleled in the present and the past.
With Taoist inner energy fueling his Tai Chi, the movements flowed with unexpected smoothness, each move graceful and unrestrained.
Xiao Yan circled his hands, left then right, one circle following another: large circles, small circles, flat circles, upright circles, straight circles, and slanted circles. He released one Tai Chi circle after another, and within a couple of breaths, he had dissolved the ferocious power of Zhao Wuji's Great Strength Diamond Palm attacks into nothingness.
After a round of exchanges, Zhao Wuji felt that this Xiao Yan was truly a monster.
Under Xiao Yan's palms, Zhao Wuji felt he couldn't dodge or defend. He gritted his teeth, circulating his spirit power to meet Xiao Yan's palm head-on, while simultaneously throwing a right hook, hoping to win the match with his strength advantage.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Yan's hands changed, adopting a Tai Chi stance. An immensely powerful force created a vortex, causing Zhao Wuji to spin rapidly in place, like a top, for seven or eight turns.
Stomping heavily on the ground, Zhao Wuji finally stabilized his body.
Xiao Yan's movements were graceful and elegant, captivating Ning Rongrong and the others. They felt a newfound yearning for this circular motion.
"It seems I can't hold back anymore."
At this point, Zhao Wuji could no longer afford to hold back. He roared towards the sky, and his seventh spirit ring, a deep black, erupted.
Intense black light instantly enveloped Zhao Wuji, and his body began to undergo a massive transformation.