Chapter 648 - 216: Contest of Comprehension, All-Out Exchange

Ouyang Jingxuan nodded slightly, his tone calm as he said, "Good. You both performed well. You have both grasped the core essence of the Cyan Mountain Fist."

He did not immediately inform the two of the results of the comprehension test, simply noting his judgment in his heart. In this contest of comprehension, Chu Yunhai had ultimately come out on top.

Ouyang Jingxuan looked at Yang Jing and Chu Yunhai with a steady gaze and slowly began, "Next is the final assessment—practical combat.

"You two need not hold back. You may use your full strength. This battle is very important. I want to see your true strength, combat awareness, and hidden potential."

As he spoke, his gaze slowly swept over the two, his own calculations running through his mind.

Having the two of them fight was never just about determining a simple winner and loser.

After all, in the finals of the Fushan Grand Tournament just a few days ago, the two had been evenly matched and fought to a draw.

In just a few short days, the gap in their strength wouldn’t have widened. Completely defeating the other would be extremely difficult.

His true goal was to use this high-intensity combat to probe whether the two were hiding any unawakened talents, special constitutions, or unique Secret Techniques.

These kinds of latent gifts often only reveal themselves in life-or-death battles. Ordinarily, even the Martial Artist themselves might not be aware of them.

Just like Chu Yunhai’s War Body, which had only erupted when he was pushed to his limit during the final battle with Yang Jing.

If not for that battle, the sect would still have no idea that he had quietly awakened a top-tier War Body.

In Ouyang Jingxuan’s view, the possibility was even greater for Yang Jing. With a Seventh-Grade Lower-Grade Root Bone, it was absolutely impossible for him to have broken through to the Qi Eating Realm with all Three True Skills in such a short period, even with his exceptional comprehension.

Yang Jing must have an undiscovered special talent that was either yet to awaken or was being deliberately hidden.

Now was a critical moment, as the sect was selecting its number one potential prodigy. The exclusive access to Grade-A Training Rooms, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, top-grade Elixirs, and other core resources would allow the chosen one’s cultivation path to leave all others in the dust.

At a time like this, no hidden strength should be held back. Only an all-out battle would allow the sect to make the fairest judgment.

Hearing this, Yang Jing and Chu Yunhai bowed in unison and replied, "Yes, Elder!"

The two straightened up, their gazes clashing in mid-air, a blazing fighting spirit igniting in their eyes.

The final battle of the Fushan Grand Tournament had been their most satisfying fight in recent memory. They each saw the other as their most fitting opponent.

Facing each other again, they felt no tension, only anticipation.

The two immediately walked to the center of the small plaza, facing each other from a distance of three zhang. The auras around them slowly rose, and the air itself seemed to stir from the collision of their two powerful presences.

Ouyang Jingxuan retreated to the edge of the plaza, his hands clasped behind his back. He focused his attention on the impending battle and announced in a clear voice, "Begin."

The moment his voice fell, both of them moved at the same time.

Yang Jing’s thoughts raced. Within his Dantian, the three streams of Inner Qi refined from the Three True Skills—the Mountain-Breaking Seal, the Indestructible True Skill, and the River-Crossing Step—instantly converged as one. They transformed into a purer, more substantial Mixed Yuan Inner Qi that surged through the meridians of his body.

He immediately activated the Heart Method of the Mountain-Breaking Seal, pouring all of this formidable Inner Qi into his right fist.

At the same time, he executed the River-Crossing Step Body Technique. His figure moved like a startled swan skimming across water, so fast he left behind an afterimage as he shot toward Chu Yunhai.

The edge of his fist carried a fierce Qi Force capable of splitting mountains and breaking peaks, letting out a piercing shriek as it tore through the air. Among Qi Eating Realm Martial Artists, such offensive power and speed was rarely matched.

The likes of Bai Ziyu and Lu Shaohua, whom he had faced in the Fushan Grand Tournament, were already considered top experts in the Qi Eating Realm.

Even Ma Guoliang and Yan Chenglong would be able to sweep through the vast majority of Qi Eating Realm opponents in the outside world.

As for prodigies like Yang Jing and Chu Yunhai, as long as they didn’t run into some old monster who had been accumulating power in the Qi Eating Realm for decades or even a century, they could basically sweep through anyone else at their level.

Across from him, Chu Yunhai didn’t dare to be the least bit careless. He instantly activated his War Body, and a faint golden light washed over his skin.

His aura instantly skyrocketed. His strength, speed, and defense all increased out of nowhere, making him look like a Profound Armor War God.

He activated the top-grade defensive True Skill, Infinite Body, and an invisible layer of Qi Gang enveloped him. With his right hand, he executed the top-grade True Skill, Refining Gang Palm. The wind from his palm was as solid as iron, carrying a ferocious gang qi as he met Yang Jing’s Heavy Fist head-on.

"BANG!"

Fist and palm crashed together with a thunderous boom. A powerful shockwave erupted from the point of impact, spreading outwards. The green flagstones of the plaza trembled slightly, and dust flew into the air.

Yang Jing used the agile movements of the River-Crossing Step to spin away and evade the recoil. His second punch followed immediately after, an unending barrage of Mountain-Breaking Seal fist shadows pressing down on Chu Yunhai with overwhelming and ferocious power.

Chu Yunhai, however, used Infinite Body to weather the impacts. Each move of his Refining Gang Palm was vicious, the Palm Gang tearing through the fist shadows. The power granted by his War Body was utterly tyrannical.

The two figures crisscrossed the plaza at high speed, the thunderous booms of their fists and palms colliding echoing ceaselessly.

Qi Force crisscrossed the area, and afterimages flew everywhere.

Relying on the nimble footwork of the River-Crossing Step, Yang Jing maintained the advantage in speed, his punches tricky and swift.

Meanwhile, Chu Yunhai depended on his War Body and the defense of his Infinite Body. He fought steadily, overpowering Yang Jing in terms of raw strength. His palm techniques were wide and sweeping, forcing Yang Jing to keep his distance.

The two exchanged blows, and dozens of rounds passed in the blink of an eye. They were still evenly matched; neither could completely suppress the other.

Yang Jing was as fast as a gale, his attacks like a sudden storm.

Chu Yunhai’s strength was like a mountain, his palm techniques ferocious and powerful.

Watching from the side, Ouyang Jingxuan’s brows shot up, a flash of surprise in his eyes.

He could clearly sense that in just a few short days, both of them had made tangible improvements to their strength.

The fusion of Yang Jing’s Inner Qi from his Three True Skills was becoming more harmonious and substantial. His River-Crossing Step Body Technique was more agile, and the intent behind his Mountain-Breaking Seal was more condensed.

Chu Yunhai’s control over his War Body was growing more skilled, and the coordination between his Refining Gang Palm and Infinite Body was becoming more seamless.

If either one of them was still at the same level as the Fushan Grand Tournament finals, they would have certainly been suppressed and put at a disadvantage. But as it was, both had improved in sync, once again fighting to a stalemate.