Chapter 418: Yang Xuan

Within the core zone of the Flaming Marrow Vein, on a vast crimson plain, seven figures had gathered. Leading them were Bai Li and Qin Hai, both staring intently into the distance with extremely solemn expressions. Behind them, several other figures stood fully on guard. At the very back, two figures sat cross-legged on the ground, their faces pale and clearly severely wounded. These were Lu Liang and Xu Bin from the team, who had previously been defeated by Yang Xuan while guarding their assigned territory.

"Xu Bin and Lu Liang are both at the seventh level of the Grand Primordium Realm. Even for either of us to defeat them would require considerable effort. I can't believe Yang Xuan is so strong!" Qin Hai said, his expression grave, as he glanced at the two men behind him.

"It seems he was hiding his true strength," Bai Li nodded. Her long hair, tied in a ponytail, gave her a valiant appearance, but at this moment, her brows were tightly furrowed. "If that's the case, then Yang Xuan's power has likely reached the late seventh level, making him slightly stronger than either of us." They exchanged glances, both seeing apprehension in the other's eyes. If Yang Xuan truly was that powerful, their current challenge would be significant.

"They're here!" Bai Li suddenly exclaimed, her eyes flashing as she stared into the distance, her voice low. The other disciples behind her tensed, their elemental energy surging around them. All eyes were fixed on the horizon, where the sound of rushing wind could be heard. Several figures, propelled by elemental energy, appeared through the air and landed in front of Bai Li and her group. They were clearly disciples of the Sacred Palace. At the head of the group stood a distinguished young man in white, his hands clasped behind his back. A smile played on his face, but his eyes held no discernible emotion. It was Yang Xuan!

Meanwhile, outside the Flaming Marrow Vein volcano, on a hilltop, Elder Wu sat cross-legged. Before him, elemental energy formed a light mirror, projecting the scene of Bai Li and her group confronting Yang Xuan and his allies. Elder Wu's aged face showed a mixture of shock and anger as he gazed at the elemental energy mirror. Finally, he looked up, his eyes icy as he stared at the Sacred Palace Elder not far away. "The way your Sacred Palace conducts itself is simply too overbearing!" he said coldly.

The Sacred Palace Elder scoffed with a smile. "In a battle for resources, the victor reigns supreme. Ultimately, it's your Profound Azure Sect that has too big an appetite. If you had been more humble, like the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace and the North Sea Dragon Subduing Hall, content with just a share, then fine. But who would have thought you'd insist on competing with my Sacred Palace for the most lucrative portion?" He added, "Do you truly think the Profound Azure Sect is still what it once was?" This time, both the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace and the North Sea Dragon Subduing Hall had only sent one Holy Son each, clearly not aiming for the largest share. However, the Sacred Palace and the Profound Azure Sect were both unwilling to yield, ready for a fierce confrontation, which naturally led to conflict.

Elder Wu said darkly, "It's not certain who will win or lose yet!"

"Then let's wait and see," the Sacred Palace Elder retorted with a laugh, a hint of disdain appearing on his face.

"Heh heh, it's great that everyone is gathered here. It saves me the trouble of looking for you one by one," Yang Xuan said with a smile, his fingers interlaced, as he looked at Bai Li, Qin Hai, and the others before him. He appeared amiable, as if he wasn't there to provoke, but merely to pay a casual visit. "Actually, I just came to discuss something with you..." he began. "In this Flaming Marrow Vein competition, besides the territories currently occupied by your two Holy Sons, you may take another hundred li... which is this area you're standing on right now." He continued with a faint smile, "Of course... once you have these three areas, we hope you won't try to claim any other places. Because all other areas will belong to our Sacred Palace." Although he called it a discussion, his tone held no hint of negotiation; rather, it sounded like an ultimatum.

Bai Li and Qin Hai's expressions darkened. Their Profound Azure Sect had originally intended to seize at least six core zone territories, which amounted to six hundred li of rich ore—a considerable value. However, with Yang Xuan's single statement, half of that was stripped away. If they were left with only three hundred li, their performance on this mission would be considered unsatisfactory.

"What arrogance! You think you're worthy of taking half our territory?" Qin Hai scoffed angrily.

Hearing this, Yang Xuan shook his head and sighed. "It seems you disagree..." He smiled, but his smile gradually turned grim. "Since you refuse a toast and prefer a penalty, don't blame me for not showing the Profound Azure Sect any respect today." He extended his hand and gave a light wave. "Break their legs and throw them out of here. As for Bai Li and Qin Hai, leave them to me." Behind him, several Sacred Palace disciples fixed their malicious gazes on Bai Li, Qin Hai, and the Profound Azure Sect disciples behind them.

Elemental energy surged beneath Yang Xuan's feet, lifting him slowly into the air. His gaze fixed directly on Bai Li and Qin Hai. "You two had best come at me together," he stated, "otherwise, you might not have much of a chance." Bai Li and Qin Hai exchanged a look, then turned to the others. "You all hold off the rest," they instructed. With that, both of them ascended into the air on surging elemental energy, confronting Yang Xuan. From the information they had, Yang Xuan's strength was indeed formidable. If either of them were to fight him alone, they might not necessarily win. Therefore, since their opponent was being overconfident, they decided to seize this opportunity.

Mid-air, Yang Xuan looked at Bai Li and Qin Hai, whose eyes flickered slightly, and suddenly smiled. "Although working together might give you a sliver more of a chance, your odds of victory are practically negligible."

"Then we'll have to try!" Bai Li retorted with a cold laugh. Qin Hai also let out a cold snort, as potent elemental energy slowly emanated from his body, incomparably sharp. Within the energy, a surging sword intent seemed to flow. A jade-like glow appeared on Bai Li's skin, her small hands clenched. Within her seemingly delicate frame, a terrifying power was gathering. She hailed from Hongya Peak, following the path of external refinement, specializing in nurturing her physical body with elemental energy, her entire combat prowess stemming from her physical form.

Yang Xuan looked at the two figures standing ready for battle, tilted his head, and smiled faintly. "I've been in the Sacred Palace for four years. When I first joined, I was a well-known prodigy. But in the years that followed, fewer and fewer people seemed to remember me..." He continued, "In their eyes, in just a few years, I merely progressed from the first level to the fifth level of the Grand Primordium Realm. Such cultivation speed was truly unimpressive. Do you know why?" Both Bai Li and Qin Hai frowned. The Yang Xuan before them certainly didn't seem to be merely at the fifth level; he appeared to be in the late seventh level.

"That's because I sealed my own elemental energy." Yang Xuan gave them a strange smile. He slowly raised his arm, his sleeve sliding down to reveal a dazzling blood-red tattoo on his forearm, which slowly began to crack. It was at this moment that Bai Li and Qin Hai were shocked to sense the elemental energy within Yang Xuan's body surge violently once more. It had clearly reached the pinnacle of the seventh level, just half a step away from the eighth level! Violent elemental energy, like a storm, raged forth from Yang Xuan's body, bringing with it immense pressure.

Yang Xuan watched Bai Li and Qin Hai, whose expressions had drastically changed, and tilted his head. The smile at the corner of his mouth gradually turned sinister. "Now, shall we have some fun?"