The icy voice was like a cold wind sweeping across the land, and the atmosphere instantly became cold and solemn.
"Interesting." Looking at Lin Yuan, who was surrounded by swirling green flames, a hint of amusement appeared on Gu Yao's usually indifferent face. "The matter between me and Jia Nan Academy? Heh, what do you want to discuss? And how do you intend to discuss it?"
Lin Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly. His profound soul force mixed with his astonishing killing intent, condensing into an intimidating and fierce aura.
"What do you think, Gu Yao?"
"Although you are a member of the Gu Clan, this world ultimately speaks through strength. You treated the rules of Jia Nan Academy as nothing, casually tried to kill one of our academy's students within the Inner Academy, and you don't think you can simply leave without paying any price, do you?"
As his voice fell, the fierce aura surged toward Gu Yao like a collapsing mountain, while also sweeping toward Ling Quan behind him.
The instant Ling Quan was enveloped by this killing aura, his body stiffened, and he looked at Lin Yuan in shock.
How terrifying was this killing aura? Just how many people had this man killed?
As the fierce aura surged toward him, Gu Yao actually felt an unprecedented sense of danger from Lin Yuan, a man from this frontier region whose cultivation was still one star lower than his own.
"This guy isn't an ordinary alchemist."
Having realized this, the amused smile disappeared from Gu Yao's face. He looked at Lin Yuan solemnly, and his body instinctively assumed a defensive stance.
"It seems you want to fight me."
"A fight?" Lin Yuan casually shook his head and said indifferently, "That isn't quite the right way to put it. It would be more accurate to say that I want to teach you a small lesson."
"Arrogant!"
A cold shout rang out.
An extremely frigid aura surged from Gu Yao's body. His killing intent was intense as he said, "I am a prodigy of the Gu Clan, possessing Dou God bloodline and inheriting the true legacy of the Gu Clan. You are merely someone from a remote frontier region, yet you dare look down on me?"
As he spoke, frost and cold energy circulated around Gu Yao's body. Within several kilometers centered around him, the entire area was instantly covered in a layer of frost.
"It is better to settle disputes through the clash of swords than through words. Between the two of us, strength should do the talking."
Lin Yuan chuckled softly.
The scorching aura of the Green Lotus Core Flame spread outward, precisely melting the surrounding frozen landscape without damaging even a single blade of grass. With this casual display, his terrifying control over Dou Qi was revealed without reservation.
A trace of surprise flashed through Gu Yao's eyes, but he did not take it too seriously.
Trivial tricks were nothing before absolute power.
Lin Yuan lightly tapped his forehead, appearing to be deep in thought, while a sly glint flashed through his profound eyes.
"However, a simple battle is ultimately somewhat boring. We cultivate to reach the pinnacle. Even a necessary battle should become a stepping stone toward that goal. This battle is no exception. It should also become nourishment for the progress of both you and me."
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
Gu Yao coldly looked at Lin Yuan.
"Nothing much. I merely want to add some stakes to this battle."
Lin Yuan flipped his palm, and a jade bottle containing the Venerable Beginning Pill appeared in his hand.
"The loser should naturally become the winner's stepping stone."
"I happened to refine this Venerable Beginning Pill today. I am willing to use it as the stake for our battle. Do you dare accept this challenge? Or, as a heaven's favored son of the Gu Clan, do you have something in your possession that can rival this pill?"
It was a simple provocation, but against someone as proud as Gu Yao, it was extremely effective.
Hearing this, Gu Yao smiled proudly.
"Since you want to offer me this pill, I will gladly accept it. I agree to this bet."
"The foundation of my Gu Clan is far beyond what you can imagine."
Gu Yao flicked his finger, and a black scroll landed in his hand.
"A Venerable Beginning Pill? I have plenty of things worth no less than it. This is a High Grade Earth Class Movement Dou Technique, Void Traversal. It is more than enough to rival the Venerable Beginning Pill."
"Gu Yao is still keeping his wits about him. He hasn't lost his head."
Gu Zhen secretly curled his lips.
Within the Gu Clan, alchemists were far rarer than Dou Qi experts. Therefore, compared with high-level Dou Techniques, high-level medicinal pills were even more scarce.
At its root, this was due to the Gu Clan's tradition of placing great importance on bloodline purity.
Because they needed to ensure the purity of their Dou God bloodline, the Gu Clan rarely married into outside clans. Naturally, it was extremely difficult for them to recruit high-grade alchemists from outside.
After all, if the Gu Clan wanted to marry into a high-grade alchemist's family, they would naturally need to offer a woman of equally outstanding talent. Yet such women generally possessed highly concentrated Dou God bloodlines themselves and were already scarce resources within the clan. How could they be sent outside for marriage?
Therefore, the Gu Clan's available alchemists mainly depended on internal cultivation.
However, the conditions required for an alchemist to emerge were naturally extremely demanding.
Possessing both Fire and Wood Attributes along with outstanding soul talent was already a one-in-ten-thousand aptitude among the ancient clans other than the Yao Clan.
Even though the Gu Clan had tens of millions of descendants, those with the potential to grow into high-level alchemists were still extremely rare.
After all, an alchemist's growth could not rely on Dou God bloodline. It depended heavily on talent and consumed enormous amounts of resources.
Even for the Gu Clan, one of the strongest forces on the continent, high-grade alchemists were extremely scarce.
As for experts, once the concentration of their Dou God bloodline reached a certain level, their cultivation basically did not present much of a problem.
After accumulating over a long period, the Gu Clan was simply not lacking in Dou Venerable experts. High Grade Earth Class cultivation techniques and Dou Techniques were standard equipment for Dou Venerables, so naturally, the Gu Clan was not lacking in those either.
Not to mention that cultivation techniques and Dou Techniques could be reused.
Overall, within the Gu Clan, the ratio of high-level alchemists to high-level experts was far lower than in the outside world. This imbalance between supply and demand naturally meant that within the Gu Clan, high-grade medicinal pills were much scarcer than high-level cultivation techniques and Dou Techniques.
Gu Yao might look cold and aloof, but when it came to actually handling matters, he was not foolish. He had not lost his head.
And then there was another person.
Gu Zhen looked at Lin Yuan with a meaningful expression, and a hint of appreciation appeared in his eyes.
"Turning something that could potentially escalate into a conflict into a contest of interests between two young people?"
"This Lin Yuan is not only outstanding in cultivation and alchemy, but his way of handling delicate situations is also quite impressive."
"Seventh-grade Alchemist Lin Yuan, Five-Star Dou Ancestor Xiao Yixian."
"There are quite a few outstanding young people on this continent outside our ancient Imperial clans. It seems I was somewhat narrow-minded in the past."
As his thoughts shifted, the amusement in Gu Zhen's gaze toward Lin Yuan grew stronger.
"However, if he loses, he'll end up suffering a loss after all this effort. Lin Yuan, do you really have the ability to defeat Gu Yao? Gu Yao may not be particularly clever, but his strength is beyond question."
Hearing Gu Yao's stake, a satisfied glint flashed through Lin Yuan's eyes.
"A High Grade Earth Class Movement Dou Technique? Perfect. I can make use of it."
At present, the main movement technique Lin Yuan used, Three Thousand Lightning Movement, was only a Low Grade Earth Class Movement Technique.
Although Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Bodies was an advanced movement technique derived from Three Thousand Lightning Movement, not to mention that Lin Yuan had yet to obtain it, even after obtaining it, its primary purpose was to condense clones. In terms of actual movement speed and technique, it was not much stronger than Three Thousand Lightning Movement.
Now that Gu Yao was offering a High Grade Earth Class Movement Dou Technique, it would undoubtedly help Lin Yuan make a significant breakthrough in his movement technique.
As for the outcome of his battle with Gu Yao, Lin Yuan had absolute confidence.
The thing Lin Yuan was best at was not cultivation or alchemy.
It was combat, along with his mastery and application of Dou Techniques and battle tactics.
"In that case, let Junior Sister Xun'er serve as the witness for this battle!"
Lin Yuan smiled lightly and tossed the Venerable Beginning Pill toward Gu Xun'er.
"Junior Sister Xun'er, I'll trouble you to keep our stakes safe."
She was both the young lady of the Gu Clan and a student of Jia Nan Academy. There could be no more suitable witness than her.
"Xun'er as the witness? That is indeed a good idea."
Gu Yao nodded and tossed the scroll over.
"Xun'er, today is the first time you and I have met. Let this victory be my meeting gift to you…"
Gu Xun'er calmly caught the medicinal pill and the scroll and said solemnly, "I will witness this battle as the young lady of the Gu Clan. The victor will receive the spoils in my possession."
This was a good opportunity.
Both Lin Yuan and Gu Yao would become opponents Xiao Yan would have to challenge in the future. This battle would allow her to see through the depths of both their abilities.
"Come. Follow me to the rear mountain for our battle!"
After saying this, Lin Yuan sent a message to Great Elder Su Qian. He then transformed into a streak of green light and shot toward the rear mountain of Jia Nan Academy.
Before long, several streaks of light also flew toward the rear mountain.
Inner Academy, Rear Mountain
"Big Brother, how about letting me fight this battle?" Zi Yan patted her fairly flat chest and said confidently, "I've become much stronger recently. I can take care of that cold-faced guy in just a few punches."
She certainly had not spent the past few months of Lin Yuan's seclusion doing nothing.
With a sufficient supply of high-grade medicinal ingredients, although Zi Yan had yet to break through to the seventh tier, her strength had still improved considerably. The power of her supreme Ancient Dragon bloodline was being gradually unearthed.
"Next time, definitely!"
Lin Yuan placed his right hand on Zi Yan's head and gently rubbed it, then smiled.
"This time, let me handle it. I want to get a feel for the standards of the Central Plains."
Ever since Lin Yuan learned that Gu Yao had arrived and sensed that he was a Three-Star Dou Ancestor, he had already intended to find an excuse to fight him and thoroughly gauge his strength, allowing him to determine where exactly his own strength stood on the continent.
After all, as a genius among the younger generation of the Gu Clan, Gu Yao was quite representative of the level of the younger generation.
His attack on Xiao Yan had happened to give Lin Yuan the perfect excuse.
"Fine!"
Since Lin Yuan had already made up his mind, Zi Yan could only accept it. She pouted and said, "But you promised. Next time, you have to leave the opponent to me…"
Xiao Yixian straightened Lin Yuan's collar and softly said, "That Gu Yao is quite strong. Be careful!"
Lin Yuan's fingertip brushed through Xiao Yixian's three-thousand strands of snowy hair as he chuckled.
"Don't worry. Don't you know my strength? Besides, Great Elder has already made preparations…"
"Don't worry. I've made the necessary arrangements. There's no danger in this battle."
Su Qian stroked his beard and glanced toward a certain point in the distant void.
Hearing this, Lin Yuan nodded lightly.
"Thank you for your trouble, Great Elder!"
Immediately afterward, he took a step forward.
Silver light flashed, and his figure appeared in midair as if he had teleported, directly opposite Gu Yao.
Looking at Lin Yuan standing not far ahead, a cold smile appeared on Gu Yao's face.
"No matter how strong you are, the courage to take the initiative to challenge me is certainly commendable. But courage without strength is merely foolishness."
Lin Yuan raised his eyebrows slightly before looking directly at Gu Yao.
"You're very confident. But confidence needs strength to support it. Do you have that strength?"
When it came to verbal sparring, Lin Yuan had never been inferior to anyone.
"I admire that attitude. Let strength decide everything."
Gu Yao nodded slightly and said softly, "As for whether I have the strength, you'll experience it personally…"
As the final word left his mouth, an extremely frigid aura surged from Gu Yao's body, and the entire sky suddenly became icy cold.
At the same time, a ring of spatial ripples spread from beneath Gu Yao's toes. His figure abruptly disappeared like a ghost, leaving behind only an afterimage.
"Slowing the opponent, concealment, and surprise attacks. Truly the classic fighting style of an Ice-attribute cultivator."
The instant Gu Yao disappeared, a serious expression slowly appeared on Lin Yuan's face.
He raised his eyebrows slightly, and his vast soul force surged from between his brows, carefully capturing every subtle movement within the surrounding space.
"However, to me, that is nothing more than… a useless move!"
"Spiral!"
As he sensed a subtle disturbance in space, Lin Yuan raised his hand.
Green flames and fierce energy spiraled upward, condensing into a tremendous force in his palm.
Immediately afterward, he flipped his hand and struck toward an empty area of space.
In the next instant, a slender hand suddenly thrust out from that seemingly empty space, carrying an icy and bone-chilling gust of force.
"Bang!"
The two palms collided.
Cold and hot energies intertwined, and fierce waves of energy instantly erupted outward.
Within the void, Gu Yao's figure slowly emerged.
As he circulated his Dou Qi, the strength in his hand gradually increased, pressing toward Lin Yuan.
However, Lin Yuan's arm remained completely unmoved, like a long wall forged from steel.
A trace of astonishment flashed through Gu Yao's cold eyes.
"Your strength is quite impressive. You do have some ability!"
"Is that so?"
Lin Yuan smiled playfully and leisurely commented, "Your speed is pretty good, but your strength is lacking. Your hand-to-hand combat skills are also not solid enough. In that case, you shouldn't casually get close to someone. Otherwise."
"you're simply courting death!"
As he spoke with a smile, tremendous force suddenly erupted from Lin Yuan's hand.
Lin Yuan gently rotated his palm, skillfully deflecting the force transmitted from Gu Yao's palm. His hand then transformed into a claw, tightly locking around Gu Yao's wrist.
His other hand, wrapped in flames and powerful energy, shot straight toward Gu Yao's head.
Gu Yao reacted quickly. He immediately circulated his Dou Qi and raised his palm to block the attack.
However, this was precisely what Lin Yuan had intended.
His fist transformed into a claw, firmly controlling Gu Yao's other hand as well.
Gu Yao hurriedly tried to break free, only to discover that Lin Yuan's hands were like the claws of a magical beast, making it extremely difficult to escape.
"Damn it. Is this guy actually a seventh-tier magical beast in human form, or has he cultivated some high-level Body-Refining Dou Technique?"
Realizing that his opponent's strength far surpassed his own, Gu Yao immediately sensed that something was wrong.
However, it was already too late.
Lin Yuan gave Gu Yao no time to react. One continuous attack after another followed relentlessly.
He wielded his Pill Flame techniques at will, and as energy and flame transformed between one another, a vast sea of green flames appeared and spread across the surroundings.
With a thought, the sea of green flames rolled back toward the two locked figures.
In an instant, a flaming green lotus enveloped them both.
"Five Wheels Separation Flame · Modified · Green Lotus Separation Flame Formation!"
A low shout sounded in Lin Yuan's heart.
The green-flame lotus rapidly rotated, releasing an immense heat capable of burning the heavens and boiling the seas, enveloping the two figures locked in combat.
Under the refining effect of this terrifying heat, the two people enveloped by the green-flame lotus experienced completely different effects.
As the master of the Green Lotus Core Flame, the green flame Dou Qi within Lin Yuan's body became increasingly active, and its power grew even stronger.
Gu Yao's icy Dou Qi, meanwhile, was firmly suppressed and rapidly consumed.
Gu Yao desperately circulated the icy Dou Qi within his body, attempting to resist the erosion of the Heavenly Flame Formation.
However, Heavenly Flames were among the most destructive forces between heaven and earth.
Even though the Green Lotus Core Flame ranked only nineteenth, with the support of Lin Yuan's soul force and his mastery of flame control, it was already far beyond what the icy Dou Qi of a mere Dou Ancestor could resist.
Very soon, Lin Yuan's Green Lotus Core Flame suppressed Gu Yao's extremely cold Dou Qi, forcing it back step by step.
Gu Yao intended to use a Dou Technique to break the formation, but both his hands were firmly controlled by Lin Yuan.
Gu Yao attempted to absorb the surrounding energy to replenish his Dou Qi, only to discover that his surroundings were filled with pure Fire-attribute energy.
Once he absorbed it into his body, not only would it fail to restore his strength, it would instead clash with the extremely cold energy within him, triggering an intense energy conflict inside his body.
This was inspiration Lin Yuan had specifically drawn from Xiao Yixian's Heavenly Poison Prison Realm when deducing the Separation Flame Formation.
"Damn it."
Gu Yao looked at Lin Yuan as his thoughts raced.
"Are powerful alchemists really this difficult to deal with?"
Just one mistake in his tactical choice had already pushed Gu Yao dangerously close to defeat.
As time passed, Lin Yuan's aura grew increasingly powerful, while Gu Yao's aura rapidly weakened.
The balance of victory and defeat began to tilt rapidly.
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