Fang Xuan suddenly understood why Cheng Gong had lost—mental interference. He’d only caught a glimpse of flame, nothing clear.

“Tang Yan didn’t lose!” Seeing him still standing, the crowd erupted in shock.

“What was that thing just now?” Qing City’s lord asked, intrigued.

“Looked like spirit fire. But how’d he unleash it?” Mo Bin mused, puzzled.

“Spirit fire!” Lin Xiao’s heart jolted. *Tang Yan’s kept that hidden deep—I’ve known him this long and had no clue!*

“Not bad!” Fang Xuan eyed Tang Yan warily. “That white flame messes with the mind, but it must drain your true energy hard. How long can you keep it up?”

With that, he darted forward again.

Tang Yan sighed inwardly. His strength was too low, his Fire Control Art too weak to tap the Soul-Refining Flame’s full might. Fang Xuan could brute-force past its effects with fifth-rank power.

Against raw strength, even the Heart of Combat and spirit fire weren’t enough.

*Try this then…* Tang Yan steeled himself. A threadlike, tangible momentum swept toward Fang Xuan.

Under Tang Yan’s fearless aura, Fang Xuan’s fighting spirit dipped for a split second.

“What’s this?” Feeling bound by invisible strings, Fang Xuan’s heart lurched.

“You’ll figure it out later!” Tang Yan chuckled. Unleashing his fearless momentum sharpened his grasp of Fang Xuan’s attack patterns.

*Boom! Boom! Boom…* Despite Fang Xuan’s fifth-rank might, Tang Yan held his own.

The other city lords frowned, puzzled—Tang Yan’s combat edge seemed to tick up again?

Unlike their confusion, Mo Bin—seasoned beyond measure—felt waves of shock crash within.

At such a young age, with just third-rank strength, Tang Yan had grasped the coveted “Momentum” of martial artists!

Mastering Momentum before Heavenly Stage could shatter limits, boosting chances to reach that realm and beyond. *Doesn’t this mean Tang Yan’s future is limitless?*

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Suppressing his thrill, Mo Bin stayed composed, though his eyes gleamed.

He’d thought this Eastern Domain trip was a formality. Now, with so many talents emerging, those old coots back home would be green with envy. *Ha!*

Tang Yan’s latest trump card left Fang Xuan reeling. This kid was like sticky candy—every time victory seemed certain, he pulled out another ace.

*But third-rank versus fifth-rank—your energy’s got to give out eventually. I’ll just wear you down!*

Their back-and-forth dazzled the crowd.

Tang Yan’s moves opened eyes—bridging a two-rank gap to match Fang Xuan blow for blow.

Win or lose, this fight cemented his reputation.

As time dragged on, Fang Xuan’s plan flopped. Half an hour passed, and Tang Yan still brimmed with vigor, showing no cracks.

“Tang Yan, one strike to settle it!” Fang Xuan retreated a few steps, voice cold.

Spiritual energy surged toward him, a faint red glow cloaking his form.

A low rumble built, forging a terrifying aura.

“It’s over!” Fang Xuan declared. “Great Crimson Wave Palm!”

Tang Yan’s heart clenched at the technique’s pressure.

*High-tier Mysterious Stage!*

Below, Lin Dongxue’s fists tightened, silently cheering. Then her bet with Tang Yan flashed to mind, and her face froze. *If he wins, am I really letting him cash in?*

“You said that already,” Tang Yan taunted, hands weaving seals.

Intricate patterns danced in his grip. The air compressed, then compressed again. A crimson glow coalesced before him.

As his hands shifted, the glow shaped into a red orb.

“Flame Burst Palm!”

Tang Yan charged head-on!

“He’s still meeting it?!” His reckless move yanked nearly everyone to their feet, eyes glued to the stage. This had to be the end.

Both techniques roared with ferocity, auras clashing.

Though surprised by Tang Yan’s power, Fang Xuan was certain of victory.

A bone-white flame flared in Tang Yan’s palm.

Fang Xuan, anticipating it, felt only a slight mental ripple—nothing major. “Knew you’d pull that—child’s play!” he scoffed.

Tang Yan’s face stayed calm.

As their strikes neared collision, Fang Xuan caught a smirk tugging at Tang Yan’s lips.

*Bluffing!* Fang Xuan sneered inwardly.

Their attacks met—and his heart lurched. A terrifying surge erupted from the white flame.

A faint blue streak darted from it, amplifying the dread. An overwhelming sense of danger gripped him.

The air twisted faintly.

*Boom!*

A deafening blast shook the stage, cracks spiderwebbing across its sturdy surface.

Shattered stone flew, dust clouding the scene.

“Is Tang Yan alive?” The crowd gawked at the devastation.

“You’ve lost!” A calm voice cut through, stunning them.

As the haze cleared, a lean figure stood tall.

“Tang Yan!” Lin Dongxue cried out in delight.

The crowd blinked, dazed.

Fang Xuan, expected to win, propped himself on an arm. His insides churned, blood and qi in chaos—he couldn’t stand.

Struggling to sit up, he gave Tang Yan a wry smile. “Impressive. But can you let me lose with some clarity? That blue streak—what was it?”

“Spirit fire,” Tang Yan replied, clasping his hands.

“Spirit fire…” Awe flickered in Fang Xuan’s eyes. *What kind of trickery did Tang Yan use to wield that?*

The red-robed elder hadn’t foreseen this outcome either. After a stunned pause, he roared, “Cloud City’s Tang Yan wins!”