Chapter 52: True Strength

"Zhou Yuan, you're looking for death!"

When that low growl escaped Qi Yue's lips, a sharp killing intent erupted from within him. His eyes became bloodshot, making him look exceptionally ferocious.

He had initially believed this battle would be an easy win for him. After all, with his seven-vein cultivation, he could easily overwhelm any student in the Great Zhou Prefecture. But who would have thought that facing Zhou Yuan, who had only opened five veins, he wouldn't just fail to secure a swift victory, but was now being forced back step by step? This was undoubtedly a complete loss of face for him!

"'It's not certain who will die yet!' Zhou Yuan's voice was calm, but a strong killing intent also burned in his eyes.

Qi Yue's bloodshot eyes stared at Zhou Yuan. A moment later, the ferocious expression on his face slowly subsided. However, his voice grew colder: 'Zhou Yuan, to reach this point, I must admit, you've truly exceeded my expectations. But do you really think this is enough to defeat me today?'"

Seeing Qi Yue's sinister expression, Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly, and his demeanor became more serious. He knew that Qi Yue would undoubtedly have prepared for this prefecture examination.

Qi Yue took a deep breath, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes. The next instant, his body trembled violently, and a low sound emanated from him.

"Vein-Breaking Art!"

As the words echoed, Origin Qi surged from the surroundings, continuously pouring into Qi Yue's body. Immediately, everyone felt Qi Yue's aura steadily rising.

Zhou Yuan's expression finally changed. He slowly said, "'It's the Vein-Breaking Art. You're truly ruthless.'"

The Vein-Breaking Art was a type of Origin Art. This art allowed one to forcibly break through another vein in a short period. Qi Yue had already opened seven veins; if he broke through one more, he would reach the eight-vein level. However, this method was forced, so once used, it would cause self-inflicted damage and significantly delay the time it would truly take to open the eighth vein later.

Streams of Origin Qi light flowed around Qi Yue's body. His robes billowed and fluttered. He felt the powerful energy within him, clenching his fists until they audibly creaked.

"'To obtain control of the Great Zhou Prefecture, this small price is nothing,' Qi Yue said indifferently. 'Moreover, our Prince Qi's Manor has long prepared heavenly treasures and earthly materials; I will recover quickly. But before that, I believe you'll be the one to pay the price!'"

The moment Qi Yue's voice faded, his figure shot out abruptly.

"'So fast!' Zhou Yuan exclaimed, slightly startled. After forcibly breaking through to eight veins, Qi Yue's overall strength had indeed climbed another level.

"Dragon Steps!"

Zhou Yuan immediately executed the Dragon Steps, his body moving diagonally. A fist, wreathed in streams of Origin Qi light, slammed fiercely from behind, narrowly missing Zhou Yuan's chest. However, the instant the attack missed, Qi Yue suddenly changed his fist to a palm, sweeping it horizontally downwards. The Origin Qi struck the air, and the powerful force created a piercing air cannon that slammed into Zhou Yuan's chest.

Thud! Thud!

Zhou Yuan reeled back, a dull ache spreading across his chest. Even though the previous blow was just an air cannon generated by Qi Yue's fist wind, it was still incredibly powerful. Evidently, after breaking through to eight veins, Qi Yue's strength had grown even greater.

"'Let's see how long you can dodge!?' Qi Yue's eyes gleamed with a cold light as he shot out again. His attacks were as fierce as lightning, enveloping Zhou Yuan in wave after wave.

Faced with the now overwhelming Qi Yue, Zhou Yuan was forced to retreat rapidly, step by step. The tide of the battle instantly turned against him.

In the square, countless spectators gasped at the sudden shift in the situation. Everyone could see that Qi Yue had gained a complete upper hand. If Zhou Yuan had no other trump cards, he would likely fall completely under Qi Yue's control.

On the Alpha Academy side, all the students looked grim and worried. Su Youwei tightly gripped her delicate hands, a hint of anxiety on her pretty face, for Qi Yue was simply too powerful at that moment.

On the high platform, Zhou Qing's expression was also grave, while Prince Qi Yuan wore a triumphant smile.

Boom! Boom!

On the stone platform, the two figures pursued each other relentlessly. Qi Yue's attacks were ferocious, coming in wave after wave, while Zhou Yuan continuously dodged, avoiding Qi Yue's sharp edge. However, under Qi Yue's suppression, Zhou Yuan's dodging space grew smaller and smaller.

Eventually, his steps brought him to the edge of the stone platform. At that moment, Qi Yue grinned ferociously, and a fierce palm wind suddenly swept down horizontally, cracking the very floor beneath it. This single palm strike was enough to knock Zhou Yuan off the platform and decide the outcome of the match.

Consequently, gasps of alarm rose in succession throughout the square.

"'Get lost! Do you really think you can change anything!?' Qi Yue's sinister laugh rang out.

As the palm wind rushed towards him, Zhou Yuan suddenly lifted his head. To everyone's surprise, there was no panic on his face; instead, a chilling smile spread across it.

"'I told you, getting carried away isn't a good thing!'"

A strange sound suddenly echoed from within Zhou Yuan's body. Immediately, the Origin Qi in the surroundings surged into him, causing the Origin Qi fluctuations within his body to dramatically intensify.

Zhou Yuan's sudden transformation naturally drew the immediate attention of countless people. Incredulous exclamations instantly rang out: "'Has His Highness Zhou Yuan also opened his sixth vein?! Did he use the Vein-Breaking Art too?'

'No, it's not the Vein-Breaking Art. His Highness Zhou Yuan's Origin Qi is still robust, with no signs of disorder. This indicates skilled control, meaning it wasn't a sudden breakthrough. This is the manifestation of truly opening the sixth vein. In other words, His Highness Zhou Yuan had already opened his sixth vein long ago, but he's been hiding his true strength! What a cunning mind! With such strength, he deliberately retreated and feigned weakness, making Qi Yue overconfident and believe victory was assured!'"

Countless voices rose, as everyone was stunned by Zhou Yuan's sudden burst of power.

"'How is this possible?!' Qi Yue's pupils constricted sharply at that moment. He had initially thought Zhou Yuan was a cornered rabbit, but who would have imagined that the next moment, this 'rabbit' would bare ferocious fangs?

'Did you really think I only opened my fifth vein during my more than two months in the Blackwood Mountains?!' Zhou Yuan smiled chillingly. In the Blackwood Mountains, he had fought Origin Beasts day and night, and Yaoyao had even inscribed the 'Thirty-Six Beast Vein-Opening Runes' for him. He had truly endured immense hardship. Thus, five days before leaving the Blackwood Mountains, he naturally broke through to his sixth vein. However, he had kept this advancement hidden, only displaying the strength of a five-vein practitioner.

"Dragon Tablet Hand, Earth Split!"

Zhou Yuan's counterattack was swift and exceptionally fierce. He swept his palm horizontally, and Origin Qi surged forth, causing the air to repeatedly burst and crackle. The forceful wind was overwhelming, incredibly ferocious.

Zhou Yuan's counterattack immediately sent shivers down Qi Yue's spine. A dangerous aura enveloped him, giving him no time to think, only allowing him to desperately channel his Origin Qi.

"Thunder Rush Fist!"

In his haste, Qi Yue launched a punch. The next moment, it collided head-on with Zhou Yuan's fierce counter-attacking palm wind. A low rumble echoed, and the stone slabs beneath their feet completely cracked, then were swept away by the raging wind. Amidst the flying debris, everyone saw Qi Yue's body tremble. He was sent flying backward, feet scraping the ground, and when he finally managed to stabilize himself, a muffled groan escaped him, and a trace of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth. In contrast, Zhou Yuan only retreated half a step due to his ferocious counterattack.

The entire square erupted in an uproar once more. Countless people secretly applauded; Zhou Yuan's tactic of feigning weakness had undoubtedly achieved an excellent effect.

"'How formidable, what seasoned combat awareness!'" Many with discerning eyes secretly nodded. Although Qi Yue's strength appeared greater, his combat awareness was a step below Zhou Yuan's. Moreover, Zhou Yuan's moves were always experienced and ruthless; every burst of power yielded results.

On the stone platform, Qi Yue slowly wiped away the blood from the corner of his mouth. His face twitched slightly. Finally, he took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the raging fury that threatened to overwhelm his reason.

"'I never expected you had already opened your sixth vein!' Qi Yue said coldly.

Zhou Yuan gave a faint smile and replied, 'One always needs to keep some tricks up their sleeve, don't they?'"

If he had revealed all his trump cards from the start, he wouldn't have achieved this element of surprise. At least now, Qi Yue, due to his carelessness, had already been injured by him.

Qi Yue stared coldly at Zhou Yuan and slowly said, "'Indeed, you've taught me a lesson.'" He closed his eyes, nodded, and said indifferently, "'So, to thank you, I will defeat you with my strongest power. I will rip apart your arrogant trump cards one by one, making you experience true despair.'"

As his voice faded, he slowly raised his palm. Everyone then saw a faint green light appear on his palm. The light flickered erratically, subtly emitting a terrifying sharpness that made faces change. The air itself seemed to be torn by the green glow.

Gazing at the green glow, some skilled experts present changed their expressions. Shocked voices rang out: "'Is that... the Profound Glow Art, one of Prince Qi's Manor's top Origin Arts?! Qi Yue has actually mastered the Profound Glow Art?! This is going to be difficult. His Highness Zhou Yuan is in danger. Although the Profound Glow Art is only a low-grade Profound Origin Art, its power surpasses even some mid-grade Profound Origin Arts! If Qi Yue has mastered this art, he's probably invincible among those in the Qi Nurturing Realm!'"