Chapter 46: Xiao Chen's Victory

"When I attacked you earlier, I was already prepared. During our close combat, I realized your strength surpassed mine. So, I anticipated that the Earth Spirit Stone Claw move wouldn't restrain you, knowing you had held back a move. Hence, I also saved a trump card!" Yutian boasted proudly.

"A trump card?" Xiao Chen was taken aback and immediately scanned his surroundings, noticing several stones the size of basketballs around him.

"Earth Spirit Art! Earth Spirit Formation!" Yutian quickly formed a seal, and with a low shout, the stones around Xiao Chen began to emit a faint blue glow and started to tremble. A powerful force emanated from the eight stones.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

"Boom!"

The eight stones began to shoot out strong blue energy, converging on Xiao Chen's location. As the powerful forces collided, a loud explosion echoed, and Xiao Chen was instantly enveloped by a pillar of blue energy shooting into the sky.

"Xiao Chen!" Mo Yan was once again panicked and couldn't help but shout.

Seeing this scene, everyone was shocked, their eyes wide as they looked at the platform. Yutian proudly said, "Xiao Chen, this Earth Spirit Formation can unleash twice the power. Even if your strength surpasses mine, the formation's power may not defeat you, but it is enough to injure you. Once you are injured, I will have a chance to defeat you!"

"That's it. Xiao Chen was hit by such a powerful force; he must be injured. Once injured, Yutian will have the chance to beat him!" an anxious cultivator said, likely having bet on Xiao Chen's victory.

Another cultivator excitedly laughed, "This Yutian is incredibly powerful! So impressive!"

"This Yutian's strength is not simple. Even I didn't notice when he set up the formation. If it were me, I would also be injured by the formation's power," Su Gutian said with a surprised expression, not expecting Yutian to have such martial skills.

"Yutian is indeed a cultivation genius. From his battles, it's clear he's adept at observing and analyzing his opponents' strengths and has unique insights. One must be very careful when facing him. It seems Xiao Chen will lose this time," Ge Tianming remarked.

Liu Feng remained silent, unsure if Xiao Chen would lose. The power of Yutian's formation was indeed strong, but he couldn't say for certain that Xiao Chen would be defeated because of it.

"Yutian is very vigilant. Even when his opponent is at a disadvantage, he leaves himself a way out. Very smart. He trapped Xiao Chen while setting up this formation. Impressive," Liu Yuntian said, satisfied with Yutian's performance.

Soon, the explosion's blue light faded, and everyone's eyes turned to Xiao Chen, eager to know his condition.

In a moment, Xiao Chen reappeared before them, smiling slightly and completely unharmed.

"Gasp!"

Seeing Xiao Chen unharmed, everyone couldn't help but gasp in shock, their eyes wide open.

"How is this possible? I used all my strength! How is Xiao Chen unscathed?" Yutian also widened his eyes in disbelief. He knew the power of the Earth Spirit Formation well; even if Xiao Chen had reached the later stage of the fasting phase, being hit by the formation should have injured him. However, Xiao Chen stood there unharmed, shocking Yutian.

"Amazing! Xiao Chen is unharmed!" Mo Yan was stunned.

"What? Xiao Chen is unscathed? Did it miss him? That's impossible!" Su Gutian couldn't believe his eyes.

"Amazing! Is this guy even human?" Ge Tianming said, staring at Xiao Chen in a daze.

"The power of this Xiao Chen... Even a full attack from a mid-fasting phase cultivator, amplified by the Earth Spirit Formation, enough to injure someone at the later stage of the fasting phase, did nothing to him," Liu Feng said, equally shocked, cold sweat appearing on his forehead.

"Oh? This young man named Xiao Chen is unscathed. Impressive strength. There are many dark horses this year, and Yutian is not weak either," Su Wanlin remarked, also stunned by Xiao Chen's unscathed state.

"Xiao Chen might become a strong rival for Gutian and Liu Feng," Ge Xiong said, everyone's eyes scanning Xiao Chen in astonishment.

On the platform, Yutian couldn't believe it and asked, "Xiao Chen, how are you unharmed? Even if your cultivation reached the later stage of the fasting phase, being hit by my formation should have injured you."

"He doesn't know you have a strong physique and have reached the Golden Core stage. With your current physical strength, any attack from the mid-fasting phase is ineffective," the ancient white tiger's voice transmitted, chuckling.

Xiao Chen looked at Yutian, smiling slightly, "Your formation is indeed impressive. It even startled me for a moment. However, its power is still a bit weak."

"Weak?" Hearing this, Yutian's face grew solemn. Xiao Chen's strength exceeded his expectations once again.

"Come on, let's continue our battle. The match isn't over yet. But I'll tell you this, the same move won't work on me again," Xiao Chen said, lively and energetic, intimidating the cultivators below the platform.

"Is this guy a monster? Hit by such a powerful force and still lively?"

"This young man named Xiao Chen is very strong. We underestimated him before."

The shocked crowd started buzzing again, all amazed by Xiao Chen's strength. The cultivators who bet on Xiao Chen's victory cheered non-stop.

In a pavilion, Ling Zhan, who had been watching Xiao Chen's battle, muttered to himself, "If my guess is correct, this young man named Xiao Chen has also reached the Golden Core stage. He hasn't used his true energy yet, conserving his strength. Being unscathed by a full mid-fasting phase attack, even doubled in power, indicates he's at the Golden Core stage. However, he seems not to have mastered flying skills."

After a pause, Ling Zhan muttered, "Moreover, he has a strong physique. Otherwise, he couldn't withstand a mid-fasting phase attack with just his body. And the sword on his back seems unusual, but he hasn't used it. If he doesn't know sword techniques, why carry it? This shows he's conserving his strength. He's not simple. Who is he? Such a genius in a remote place like Tianyue Continent."

On the platform, seeing Xiao Chen still energetic, Yutian was left speechless. He had used many martial skills in the fight, consuming a lot of true energy, while Xiao Chen had never used his true energy. The match was no longer comparable.

"What's wrong?" Seeing Yutian's expression, Xiao Chen asked.

Yutian looked at Xiao Chen, smiling bitterly, "Fighting you is exhausting. I can't gauge your strength at all. I've used all my strength but haven't injured you a bit. Should this fight continue? Honestly, you're the first person I can't figure out."

"Yutian has given up. You've advanced smoothly again," the ancient white tiger's voice transmitted, laughing.

"Haha, thanks for the compliment! Honestly, you're the first to praise me like this," Xiao Chen said happily.

Yutian walked slowly to Xiao Chen and said, "Xiao Chen, honestly, I've been closely observing Liu Feng's battles. Although he didn't use his full strength, I guessed his cultivation should be at the initial Golden Core stage. He's strong, but compared to Ling Zhan, he has no chance. I think the only one who can contend with Ling Zhan might be you. Good luck, and don't let that arrogant guy underestimate us."

"Your observational skills are impressive. I admire that," Xiao Chen said, once again amazed by Yutian's keen observation.

Yutian looked at Xiao Chen seriously and asked, "Xiao Chen, I know you didn't use your full strength just now. Can you tell me how much strength you used in our fight?"

Seeing Yutian's serious expression and expectant eyes, Xiao Chen smiled and asked, "Do you really want to know?"

"Yes!"

"Less than fifty percent!"

Those four words 'less than fifty percent' left Yutian immensely shocked, causing him to tremble. After a moment of shock, Yutian shook his head and smiled bitterly, "Indeed, you're terrifying."

With that, Yutian left the platform helplessly. Although no one knew what Yutian and Xiao Chen said, it was clear to everyone that Yutian had given up.

Seeing Yutian leave the platform, the referee loudly announced, "Xiao Chen wins!"

"Great! Xiao Chen won again!" Mo Yan, waiting for the referee's words, jumped up excitedly.

"Xiao Chen really won! So powerful! Yutian used all his strength but couldn't handle Xiao Chen. Amazing!"

"So impressive! Truly a dark horse! No matter how strong the opponent, he can defeat them. And it seems he hasn't even used his full strength!"

The crowd below the platform cheered again for Xiao Chen's victory, clapping excitedly for him.

The upcoming third and fourth matches of the fourth round featured Su Gutian and Ling Zhan. Both displayed overwhelming strength, easily defeating their opponents. Ling Zhan arrogantly sent his opponent flying off the platform with a single palm strike.

The fifth match of the fourth round was between Zhang Feng and Lei Fei. Although Zhang Feng had relied on speed to win his previous battles against opponents of similar strength, he was outmatched this time. Facing the mid-fasting phase Lei Fei, the difference in strength was too great, and Zhang Feng was ultimately eliminated.

The

 sixth match was equally exciting, with Gao Feng and He Changqing battling. Both were in the mid-fasting phase, but Gao Feng proved to be slightly stronger, securing the qualification for the next round.

Next was the fifth round of matches, with six people advancing: Ling Zhan, Liu Feng, Su Gutian, Xiao Chen, Lei Fei, and Gao Feng. The competition for the finals was about to begin.