Xiao Yan had no intention of testing him out. Han Xuanji had reached this stage, and his strength was unfathomable; he could not afford even the slightest carelessness.
He immediately activated the first level of the "Heavenly Derivation Eight Methods."
This was one of his trump cards, based on a Dao technique created by a top-tier Sage of Da Sheng. By using a special method of circulating spiritual energy, he could forcibly elevate his Physical Body strength by one level.
This technique had eight levels, each placing extremely high demands on one's Physical Body and spiritual energy.
Previously, he could only activate the first level, but for some reason, after that battle with Shi Ziyun, he felt in his heart that his body was finally capable of unlocking the second level.
At this moment, under his full-force activation, that barrier actually shattered as expected.
An incredibly domineering aura erupted from within Xiao Yan, like a suddenly erupting volcano, sweeping in all directions with scorching and wild power.
The trees within a hundred zhang of him simultaneously turned to dust and were uprooted, while sand filled the sky, surging and rising amidst the waves of Qi.
His physical form did not grow larger, but every inch of his muscles seemed to be infused with more power. Faint golden patterns appeared on the surface of his skin, emanating an incomparably noble aura, as if he were a natural-born king.
That was the mark branded in his bloodline Awakening.
"That's quite impressive."
Han Xuanji felt that aura, and his heart stirred slightly.
Xiao Yan's current Physical Body strength was already on par with his own.
And the other party had not yet even used his Bloodline Power, that Origin power of the ancient Sage King.
Before he could think more, Xiao Yan had already moved. His figure left an afterimage in place, while his actual body was already dozens of zhang away.
The long sword in his hand was unsheathed, and the sword light, like a silver-white ribbon, slashed toward Han Xuanji, accompanied by the sound of tearing through the air.
This sword strike was fast to the extreme, so fast that even the air was torn apart, leaving behind a visible white trail.
Just like Han Xuanji's previous fighting style, it focused on being fast, accurate, and ruthless.
His Dao Realm in swordsmanship was naturally not as formidable as Ling Cang's, but its power was certainly not lower.
Han Xuanji did not retreat. He opened the fingers of his right hand, and the Hanchi appeared, meeting that sword light.
A harsh metallic clashing sound rang out in the air, and sparks flew in all directions.
The aftershocks spread outwards, shattering the reef beneath their feet, and rock fragments flew like rain.
Xiao Yan did not pause; after the first strike was blocked, the second followed immediately. His sword moves were continuous, surging like a tide, with each strike heavier than the last.
Han Xuanji remained motionless as he received them all, and the reef below shattered from the collisions.
Xiao Yan's expression remained calm, but the surprise in his heart was slowly deepening.
The power of the second level of the "Heavenly Derivation Eight Methods" not only strengthened his Physical Body but also made his spiritual energy flow more smoothly.
His strength was definitely more than twice as strong as before, yet Han Xuanji could still handle it with ease. It was a good thing he hadn't tried any testing; otherwise, given his previous state, how could he possibly have been Han Xuanji's opponent?
"This Sage King bloodline is somewhat domineering..."
Han Xuanji thought to himself.
Xiao Yan's power was indeed formidable, but that wasn't the main point.
In his perception, with every collision, the Profound Heaven Power attempted to penetrate into Xiao Yan's spiritual energy, but deep within Xiao Yan's spiritual energy, there seemed to be an invisible protective layer that deflected all the Profound Heaven Power.
That power carried an ancient and inviolable aura. This was also the first time the Profound Heaven Power had been thwarted.
However, Han Xuanji's expression remained composed. He guessed that as someone with an awakened Sage King bloodline, Xiao Yan's bloodline naturally possessed a defense against powerful external forces.
This was underlying code.
In other words, precisely because the Profound Heaven Power was too strong, it triggered this mechanism.
The two traded blows, sword lights clashing and intersecting across the entire island, leaving behind deep ravines, almost causing the massive island to sink directly.
Outside, in front of the light screen, the audience in the stands watched intently, exclaiming repeatedly.
Not a single person had imagined that Xiao Yan could actually push Han Xuanji to this extent.
"Just what is Yan Xiao's background? How is he so strong?"
"He didn't seem this fierce when he fought Shi Ziyun before, right? How did his combat power soar again as soon as he met Han Xuanji?"
"Could it be that he was hiding his strength all along? Just for this final battle?"
"This is too terrifying... If it were me up there, I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to take his first strike."
On the high platform, Ling Cang's gaze fell quietly onto the largest light screen. His expression was calm, but deep within his eyes, something was quietly shattering.
He had originally thought that even if he lost to Han Xuanji in this Law Conference, he would at least still be second.
But now, seeing Xiao Yan's continuous sword lights, fighting on equal footing with Han Xuanji, he knew this was not a case of holding back.
In other words.
Even without Han Xuanji, he could not have won the championship. Ling Xuan glanced cautiously at his elder brother, wanting to say something, but could not find the right words.
He could feel that this was the first time Ling Cang had shown signs of defeat; it was the first time in his life he had displayed such an attitude.
He hadn't been like this after losing to Han Xuanji, so it seemed the blow brought by Xiao Yan was even greater.
That was true.
After all, although Ling Cang had lost before, many people, including himself, felt that Ling Cang had the strength to be second, but now it seemed that was not the case.
On the high platform, many experts also sat quietly in their seats, their gazes never leaving the light screen.
They saw deeper than the ordinary audience.
Xiao Yan was certainly formidable, but Han Xuanji's reaction was even more terrifying.
That unhurried composure had appeared once again.
Xiao Yan's storm-like attacks still hadn't forced out the other party's true stance.
Wang Chong silently cheered for Xiao Yan in his heart, yet he still didn't feel that Xiao Yan would lose.
As long as Xiao Yan used the power of the Sage King bloodline, victory would belong to him.
This was beyond doubt.
It just depended on whether Xiao Yan could break through the shackles in his own heart. If he felt that winning with this power was dishonorable, perhaps he wouldn't use it.
But Wang Chong felt that this was too pretentious. He had asked Xiao Yan to give up his status as a Son of God, but he hadn't asked Xiao Yan to give up this power that rightfully belonged to him.
He hadn't explained all of this thoroughly; he wanted Xiao Yan to realize it himself, only then would he truly awaken.
On the island, after Xiao Yan's sword momentum reached its peak, it finally showed a trace of exhaustion.
His breathing became a bit hurried, and his hand gripping the sword tightened slightly, but the Battle Intent in his eyes remained scorching.
He realized he had used all his strength, yet he still couldn't break through Han Xuanji's defense.
"Brother Han,"
Xiao Yan retreated several zhang to create distance, then looked deeply at Han Xuanji, his voice somewhat hoarse:
"How much strength do you have left?"
Using the Sage's secret technique also put a lot of pressure on him; he couldn't maintain this state forever.
Han Xuanji looked at him, was silent for a moment, and then gently spat out two words:
"A lot."
Xiao Yan was silent for a moment, somewhat conflicted.
"Do not hold back; do everything you can."
Han Xuanji said indifferently.
He never cared about external forces versus his own power; the power that could get him to the end was good power.
He also saw that Xiao Yan seemed to be a bit fixated.
Hearing Han Xuanji's words.
Xiao Yan suddenly smiled, with a sense of composure. He loosened his grip on the sword, letting it hover at his side. Then he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, there was an unusual gleam in his eyes—a sign of something Awakening deep within his bloodline.
"That's perfect, I still have one card left to play."
He said softly, and the air around him suddenly became heavy.
Xiao Yan gripped the long sword in his hand, the sword body trembling slightly, emitting a clear, resonant sword hum.
His aura began to climb, and his spiritual energy and Bloodline Power surged within his body simultaneously, like a sleeping behemoth slowly Awakening.