The arena fell silent. Lin Xuan could feel the energy pulsing within him, but this time, it was different. It wasn’t just raw power—it was something deeper, something that resonated with the very essence of his being.

Qin Yue stood across from him, his mid-stage Foundation Establishment aura surging like a tidal wave. His expression was calm but focused, as if he had already foreseen victory.

"You have talent," Qin Yue said, tightening his grip on his sword. "But talent alone isn’t enough. Show me what you're truly capable of!"

With a single step, he vanished.

Lin Xuan barely had time to react before Qin Yue's sword was upon him, a flash of silver cutting through the air.

Clang!

Lin Xuan blocked the attack, but the force sent tremors through his arms. Qin Yue's control over his qi was terrifyingly precise—every movement carried both offense and defense in perfect harmony.

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Lin Xuan’s golden energy surged, responding to the crisis. He had unlocked a new depth to the inheritance's power—not just an external force, but something that could merge seamlessly with his techniques.

With newfound clarity, Lin Xuan adjusted his stance.

Boom!

The next moment, his palm struck forward—not a simple attack, but one infused with the Golden Runes of the Ancient Path. The runes materialized in mid-air, colliding with Qin Yue’s sword and sending shockwaves rippling across the arena.

Gasps erupted from the crowd.

Even the sect elders, who had been watching silently, leaned forward.

"This…" one of them murmured. "He’s awakening the true essence of the inheritance!"

Qin Yue staggered back, his sword trembling in his grip. He exhaled sharply, wiping a thin trail of blood from his lips. His eyes, however, were alight with excitement.

"Incredible," he said. "Looks like I need to stop holding back!"

A fierce blue light exploded from his body. His sword hummed, glowing with ancient inscriptions. Lin Xuan instantly recognized it—the Azure Void Blade Technique, a high-tier martial art only given to the most promising disciples.

Lin Xuan’s heart pounded. He could feel the inheritance responding once more, whispering a technique he had never used before.

This is your power. Use it wisely.

Lin Xuan took a deep breath and stepped forward.

The battle had only just begun.