Battle Through the Heavens - chapter-42

With the announcement, everyone’s gaze turned to the two youths on the
platform in interest. Everyone was curious about this youth who had
created yet another miracle after 3 years. Did he have in Dou techniques
the same talent he had in Dou Qi cultivation? Did he have that same
terrifying speed of learning?

On the Guest Platform, Xiao Zhan furrowed his brows as he looked at Xiao
Yan on stage with a slightly uneasy expression on his face. Although Xiao
Yan’s Dou Qi had progressed beyond Xiao Zhan’s expectations, he had
never seen Xiao Yan go to the Dou Technique Hall and look for a Dou
Technique, nor did he ever see him train in Dou Techniques at all.

One should note that Dou Technique training differed from Dou Qi
training. If one were to learn a low Huang level Dou Technique, all that
was required was one’s own hard work – grasped simply through trial
and error. A mid or even high level technique, however, would require
much more: it needed personal instruction from a Clan Technique
Instructor. Over the past years, Xiao Zhan had never heard of Xiao Yan
approaching any of the clan’s instructors to learn Dou Techniques. On
the other hand, Xiao Ning regularly patronized them to learn the
techniques.

To Xiao Zhan’s understanding, the 8 Duan Xiao Ning had already mastered
three mid and one high Huang level Dou Technique. Any one of those
techniques would place him one step ahead of any combatant in the same
tier. It seemed to him that Xiao Yan would be at a disadvantage in this
battle.

“Haha. Xiao Clan Leader, what would you say? Is victory possible for
the young master, Xiao Yan?” Next to Xiao Zhan, Ya Fei, whose eyes were
firmly fixed on the stands, asked with a soft smile.

Xiao Zhan calmed his anger towards Xiao Ning and calmly said: “Yan-er
isn’t very proficient with Dou Techniques at the moment. Furthermore he
has just reached 8 Duan, while Xiao Ning has reached that stage for over
a year. It is unfortunate but I am afraid that the likelihood of my son
winning will not be very high. ”

“Oh, really?” Ya Fei slowly batted her long eyelashes, her alluring
eyes sweeping about as she gazed lazily at the calm, black clothed youth
on the stage. Her lips curved up in a small smile, giving her countenance
a mature beauty, as she said: “I don’t know why but I’m very
confident in young master Xiao Yan. I think he can claim victory in this
fight.”

Xiao Zhan was taken aback, rather, surprised at her confidence. He paused
for a moment before smiling and shaking his head: “Let’s hope Miss Ya
Fei’s words come true.”

……

Facing the still standing Xiao Yan, Xiao Ning sneered and clenched his
two fists as he took an aggressive stance. His faint Dou Qi coursed
through him as he dashed forward, giving him an even more menacing look.

Not a word more was uttered; Xiao Ning’s foot burst off from the ground
bringing himself close to Xiao Yan. And, without a moment’s hesitation,
Xiao Ning brought his 2 fists together: each of his fingernails gleamed
like metal

Standing there, less than half a meter away from Xiao Yan, Xiao Ning
paused. His right hand took the shape of a claw and swerved towards Xiao
Yan neck. “Middle Huang Level Dou Technique: Rending Claws!”

Xiao Yan looked at the nearing the claws with indifference. He slowly
brought up a single palm curved inwards and suddenly straightened it,
causing a huge pushing force…

Feeling the tremendous pressure of Dou Qi, Xiao Ning’s face dropped as
if he had been physically beaten. He then staggered back 10 steps before
stopping himself.

There, watching from the terrace above, Xiao Zhan gazed down with
astonishment. By his side, Ya Fei smiled sweetly. She watched intently,
her red lips were softly pressed against her white jade teacup, slowly
sipping tea.

“This boy… he’s really a hidden treasure..” Ya Fei mused, her
charming lips sipping from her cup once more.

“What… what Dou Technique is this?” Xiao Ning said while rubbing
the sore spot on his chest, his face paling as he asked.

Xiao Yan glanced at him coolly before lowering his head. The name of
“Fire Palm” was quite tasteless but the technique could unleash quite
a powerful force, which pleased Xiao Yan.

Xiao Ning’s face trembled in rage seeing Xiao Yan ignore him; his jaws
clamped shut as he charged once more towards Xiao Yan.

With palms stretched outwards, Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes at the
encroaching Xiao Ning and let his mouth twist into a cruel smirk.

His right hand uncoiled slowly then closed abruptly. A violent force of
attraction came forth from his palm. Xuan Level Dou Technique: Vacuum
Hands!

Seeing Xiao Yan’s hand close, Xiao Ning subconsciously planted his feet
more firmly into the ground. However, the strength used was insufficient.
He felt himself drawn in and was sent towards the fist.

Xiao Ning’s body flew in an arc towards Xiao Yan who had a strange smile
engraved on his face.

Although Xiao Ning’s body was being pulled, he couldn’t help but smirk
as he drew closer and closer. He gave a foreboding laugh as Dou Qi began
to condense in his fists.

“Iron Fists!” Xiao Ning cried out with fists clenched tight. A sharp
burst of Qi escaped outwards creating a deep echo that resonated in
midair. If he could hit Xiao Yan’s shoulder, he would do terrifying
damage to his arm. It seemed to Xiao ning that Xiao Yan did not take the
possibility of counter-attack into account.

Iron Fists: a High Huang level Dou Technique with a decent amount of
power. It required a Dou Qi of at least 7 Duan to be able to learn and
practice.

Squinting slightly after feeling the sharp Qi in the air, Xiao Yan let
out a breath of air slowly. Channeling the Dou Qi throughout his body, he
exclaimed inwardly, “Xun Level Dou Technique: Fire Palm!”

Thinking loudly with conviction, Xiao Yan blasted out a wave of Qi from
his palm.

“Bang!” The atmosphere grew heavy as an unseen force ruthlessly pushed
back the flying figure of Xiao Ning. The attractive and repulsive force
on Xiao Ning immediately turned his face ashen white.

“Pu-chi.”

The two forces battled against each other, bringing about a brief
stalemate. In the end, Xiao Ning was ultimately sent flying back, falling
onto the ground 10 meters away. His body shook on the ground as he slowly
spat out blood from his mouth with a pitiful groan from him following.

Looking at Xiao Ning who had become completely paralyzed and then calmly
glancing around, Xiao Yan slowly put his hand down and quietly spoke:
“You lost… “

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