Abyss Sovereign 151 to 160

 

Abyss Sovereign Chapter 151

“The Feng family actually possesses half a jin of sixth-grade spirit stones!” Zhou Moyi’s heart jolted fiercely, no wonder the Feng and Chen families had been making bold moves lately, could it be because of these half a jin of sixth-grade spirit stones?

Had that old monster from the Feng family broken through to a level rivalling Empress Meng Xi’s strength?

At this thought, Zhou Moyi’s eyes flashed with shock and a chilling glint, an uneasy feeling creeping into his chest.

The crowd also stirred in surprise, sixth-grade spirit stones were treasures even Martial Venerables would fight tooth and nail for, they all understood the sheer weight of half a jin of such stones!

Seeing the shifts on Empress Meng Xi, Zhou Moyi, and the others’ faces, Feng Youyu’s brows knitted, the Feng family had indeed acquired a fair amount of sixth-grade spirit stones, greatly boosting their power, she herself had relied on some to break through a cultivation tier.

Yet she didn’t know their source, only hearing from Feng Lanyue that they were a fortunate find in the mountains.

And from Feng Lanyue’s account, it wasn’t half a jin.

Now, hearing Lin Xiao’s words and watching him charge alone into the Feng family, it seemed there might be truth to it.

Great Elder Yan Yitian of the Tianxuan Sect felt his forehead twitch, half a jin of sixth-grade spirit stones—why had he never heard of this?

“Utter nonsense!” Chen Yan’s face flared with anger, he snorted coldly, “Hmph, just an outcast from the sect, Lin Xiao, do you think spouting rubbish here will make anyone believe you?”

Beside him, Feng Lanyue’s eyes glinted with shrewd malice, she spoke icily, “A mere ant, how could you possess sixth-grade spirit stones? Even if you did, why would the two of us bother framing you, the truth of your words is plain to see!”

At that, the stunned crowd snapped back, Feng Lanyue’s logic held, how could a lowly ant like him possess treasures that moved even Martial Venerables?

And as she’d said, even if he had them, why would she and Chen Yan need to frame him—wouldn’t they just take them outright?

“Lin Xiao, I know you admire me, but though we’ve met a few times, there’s never been anything between us, to pester me like this, you’re utterly shameless,” Feng Lanyue pressed on.

She was clever, her words deftly redirecting the crowd’s focus.

Those unaware began to speculate, this sudden youth must be an obsessive admirer of Feng Lanyue, here to disrupt the wedding.

But seasoned veterans weren’t swayed by her rhetoric.

Hearing her, Chen Yan’s face flickered with cunning, he sneered, “A mere ant, still not giving up, daring to crash my wedding, Lin Xiao, you’ve got some nerve!”

A frigid, potent aura radiated from him, faintly exuding a strongman’s dignity.

“For the Feng family to make such bold moves, this matter of sixth-grade spirit stones must be clear to everyone here,” Lin Xiao remained unruffled by their words, unshaken by Chen Yan’s presence, his face calm and steady, his single sentence pulling the crowd back.

His calm retort was sharp, the Feng and Chen families’ recent actions were indeed odd, baffling many.

The only plausible explanation was this.

“As for admiring you, do you think someone who’s seen your cunning, sinister side would still admire you?” Gazing straight at Feng Lanyue, Lin Xiao gave a cold laugh.

Her eyes narrowed.

“She’s indeed sinister!” Nearby, Feng Huo muttered inwardly, at such a young age, Feng Lanyue’s deeds were chilling, within the Feng family, perhaps only she truly grasped it.

“You and I both know the truth, no one here’s a fool, right and wrong need no elaboration,” Lin Xiao locked eyes with Feng Lanyue and Chen Yan, his tone sharpening:

“Chen Yan, Feng Lanyue, you nearly killed me, now, I, Lin Xiao, formally challenge you both, one against two, a fight to the death—do you dare?”

His voice thundered across the plaza, reverberating, stirring souls.

A youth, before the Feng and Chen families, before all witnesses, called out two of Lanlan Empire’s peerless geniuses, challenging them to a dual death match, “Do you dare?”—such boldness, such grandeur!

In that instant, everyone present was stunned.

“He dares challenge Chen Yan and Feng Lanyue, one against two in a death match, has he lost his mind?” Someone snapped back, voicing disbelief, doubting Lin Xiao’s capability.

“Right, he’s so young, how strong could he be? Chen Yan’s at Heavenly Martial Fifth Tier with a Dantian anomaly, mouthing off like this is just suicide,” another chimed in.

The Feng and Chen families’ members recovered, Chen Tong from the Chen crowd bellowed at Lin Xiao, “Who do you think you are, worthy of comparing to Big Brother Chen Yan?”

“Exactly, a nobody daring to challenge our young master, you think this is a market square?” A Feng youth cursed, his tone thick with menace.

“Daring to disrupt the wedding, get out of the Feng family!”

“Courting death, I could cripple you without the young master lifting a finger!”

The families’ youths jeered, some itching to act.

“Silence!” But then, Feng Youyu’s voice rang out, her commanding presence halting all noise.

Frowning at Lin Xiao, she spoke, “Lin Xiao, I don’t care what happened between you and them, today is their wedding, leave now, and we won’t pursue this.”

The crowd blinked, puzzled—why would the Feng family head say this? Someone challenging their honour, and they’d let it slide?

Since when was the Feng family so lenient?

Chen Wendao’s brows creased, this wasn’t their usual style.

“Family Head, just let this brat go?” Feng Ziyang’s face showed disbelief, but Feng Youyu waved him off, her expression darkening, he wisely shut up.

“Should I thank you?” Lin Xiao’s tone carried mockery and scorn, ignoring Feng Youyu’s look, his sharp gaze swept to Chen Yan and Feng Lanyue.

“What, you so-called geniuses, don’t dare face me together?” His voice was icy.

Their expressions chilled, a hint of killing intent surfacing.

“Hahaha, Master Feng, Master Chen, since this lad’s so persistent, why not indulge him? It’s your nephews’ big day, let them show off a bit, display their flair!” Zhou Moyi laughed, arms crossed, relishing the chaos.

“Indeed, we can’t let folks think your nephews are outmatched, too scared to fight,” the usually taciturn Empress Meng Xi drawled, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

Both sides’ onlookers shared the glee.

Already irked by the Feng-Chen alliance, they welcomed someone stirring trouble.

“Those old foxes!” Chen Wendao’s brows furrowed, he muttered a curse, knowing they aimed to embarrass both families.

“Lin Xiao, you can’t win, this is your last chance—leave now!” Feng Youyu’s frown deepened.

“No need,” Lin Xiao shook his head, staring at the pair, “One word—dare, or not?”

Abyss Sovereign Chapter 152

“Hmph, since he won’t take the kindness offered, Family Head, let me teach this brat a lesson, show him what this place is!”

From the Feng family crowd, a youth roared, charging out, his Heavenly Martial Second Tier aura bursting forth, a ferocious punch aimed straight at Lin Xiao.

“That’s Feng Hao, Heavenly Martial Second Tier, one of the Feng family’s geniuses, this kid’s in trouble!” someone exclaimed.

“Get out of the Feng family!” With a bellow, Feng Hao’s fist smashed towards Lin Xiao.

Just as the crowd expected Lin Xiao to be blasted away, he calmly extended his right fist, meeting the blow head-on.

Bang!

A jarring clash rang out, Lin Xiao’s fist repelled Feng Hao’s, then slammed into his chest, Feng Hao spat a mouthful of blood, his body hurtling backwards.

This sudden turn left everyone stunned.

One punch—just one punch—had sent Heavenly Martial Second Tier Feng Hao flying?

Lin Xiao, meanwhile, stood rooted, unmoved.

“Heavenly Martial Fourth Tier!” Sensing the aura radiating from Lin Xiao, Feng Lanyue and Chen Yan’s gazes sharpened.

They couldn’t fathom it—a boy they’d crippled a year ago, his dantian destroyed, nearly dead, had not only rebuilt it but reached Heavenly Martial Fourth Tier in that time.

Such speed outstripped even their own.

“What, this kid’s at Heavenly Martial Fourth Tier?”

“Sixteen or seventeen, Heavenly Martial Fourth Tier, that’s terrifying!”

“No wonder he’s so arrogant, reaching this level at his age puts him among the Lanlan Empire’s elite geniuses, on par with Feng Lanyue, Chen Yan, and even Heimu from the Alchemy Contest!”

The crowd’s astonished voices rose and fell, they couldn’t imagine this youth hitting Heavenly Martial Fourth Tier, a talent seen once in a century in the empire’s history.

Now, a random boy boasted such gifts—when had geniuses become so common?

Yan Yitian, Feng Ziyang, Chen Wendao, and others’ expressions darkened, Lin Xiao’s strength clearly exceeded their expectations.

“Heavenly Martial Fourth Tier?” Feng Youyu stared at Lin Xiao, his aura no longer concealed, momentarily dazed.

A year ago, she’d seen him at the Elemental Martial Realm, to leap to Heavenly Martial Fourth Tier in a year—what had he endured?

“Haha, now this is interesting!” Zhou Moyi let out a hearty laugh.

“Very interesting indeed,” Empress Meng Xi’s lips twitched, a smile forming.

“This one’s not simple!” On the sidelines, Ye Fenghua observed the boy who’d effortlessly felled Feng Hao, pondering briefly before sighing.

“Oh? Another genius in the Lanlan Empire?” Ye Yu beside him raised an eyebrow, his earlier arrogance tempered, he knew his uncle’s praise was rare.

Few in the empire earned such words from him, like his earlier nod to Heimu—whom Ye Yu had lost to.

“Hmph, Lin Xiao, you dare injure a Feng family member, challenging our honour like this, do you think I won’t kill you?” Feng Ziyang erupted in humiliated fury, a powerful Martial King’s pressure radiating, enveloping Lin Xiao.

“Honour is earned!” Lin Xiao stood unfazed by the pressure, his tone sharp, “In front of all the empire’s factions, you, an elder, would strike a junior, and still speak of honour?”

“You!” Feng Ziyang’s eyes blazed red with rage, yet he held back.

Lin Xiao was right—if he acted now, with every faction watching, the Feng family’s reputation would crumble, whispers of their weakness spreading across the empire.

Unable to strike or retort, Feng Ziyang floundered in embarrassment, a first for him at a junior’s hands.

Ignoring him, Lin Xiao glanced at the fallen Feng Hao, then turned to Chen Yan and Feng Lanyue, his voice cold, “Feng Lanyue, Chen Yan, one way or another, our grudge ends today, if you’re so feeble, let your elders step in first.”

“Hmph, Lin Xiao, you think beating Feng Hao qualifies you to face me?” Chen Yan growled, his Heavenly Martial Fifth Tier aura flaring.

“It’s my wedding, I didn’t want bloodshed, but since you’re begging to die, I’ll oblige!” Thick killing intent poured from him, chilling the air, those nearby feeling its icy edge.

“Chen Yan’s riled up, this kid’s done for.”

“Got to hand it to Lin Xiao, he’s got guts and talent, if he’d bided his time a few years, he might’ve surpassed Chen Yan, but now, in cultivation and strength, he’s leagues behind, charging in like this is a daft move!”

“Probably doesn’t expect to survive, wonder what splash he’ll make, hope he doesn’t fall in one strike.”

The crowd buzzed with chatter, many uninvolved onlookers showing anticipation—Chen Yan was finally forced to act.

They stepped back, clearing a space.

The Feng and Chen youths glared with anger and hope, Chen Yan’s move would surely crush Lin Xiao’s bravado.

Chen Wendao, Feng Youyu, and Feng Ziyang, the families’ elders, stayed silent, tacitly approving Chen Yan’s response.

Unfazed by the crowd, Lin Xiao faced the pair, drawing the black xuan iron staff from his back, a faint hum trembling through it.

He levelled it at them, voice even, “Both of you, come at me!”

“Arrogant enough!” onlookers muttered inwardly.

“Hmph, against you, I, Chen Yan, am enough!”

Chen Yan touched his storage ring, pulling out a gleaming white sword, a sharp sword cry ringing out.

“On my wedding day, I’ll consecrate it with your blood!” With that, he surged forward, a gale swirling around him, his Heavenly Martial Fifth Tier aura roaring, his form a blur, the sword slashing fiercely at Lin Xiao.

The sword’s cry and a piercing whoosh sounded together, its unstoppable qi surging—what power this strike held.

Facing such a ferocious blow, Lin Xiao didn’t dodge, his Heavenly Martial Fourth Tier elemental force churned, he swung the black xuan iron staff, smashing it head-on.

“Clang!”

A shrill metallic clash erupted, staff and sword colliding, a fearsome shockwave rippling from the impact, toppling nearby tables and chairs.

Both trembled faintly, yet neither yielded an inch.

Abyss Sovereign Chapter 153

“He blocked it, he’s actually holding his own against Chen Yan!”

“Heavenly Martial Fourth Tier standing up to Fifth Tier, this Lin Xiao’s strength is incredible!”

The onlookers let out waves of astonished cries, clearly caught off guard by Lin Xiao matching Chen Yan’s strike.

The Feng and Chen family members’ faces darkened, Chen Yan’s attack hadn’t reclaimed any honour for them.

“No less from Heavenly Martial Fifth Tier!” Lin Xiao’s heart tightened slightly, his hands buzzing with numbness, Chen Yan’s power was indeed formidable.

Chen Yan’s brows furrowed too, evidently surprised, Lin Xiao’s raw strength exceeded his expectations.

After a brief pause, he swung his sword again.

“Let’s see how many strikes you can take!” With a shout, Chen Yan spun and slashed at Lin Xiao once more.

“Clang!” “Clang!” “Clang!”

Sword met staff, deafening clashes rang out, powerful shockwaves rippled between them, the fierce impacts seeming to shake the very air.

Their brutal, head-on clash captivated the crowd, it was chaotic, a pure contest of strength.

This left the onlookers increasingly stunned, especially the Chen family youths, they knew Chen Yan’s raw power well—among their generation, few could endure it this long, yet Lin Xiao held firm, a testament to his might.

After dozens of exchanges, Chen Yan felt his hands tingling, Lin Xiao’s ferocity catching him off guard.

“Hmph, what use is brute strength? Against martial techniques, it’s futile!” Chen Yan roared, raising his sword, terrifying sword qi surged, a dazzling, brilliant arc flared, waves of fearsome energy rolling out.

“Blazing Flame Sword Art, Shatter!”

Golden light blazed, a massive sword arc cleaved down, brimming with unstoppable force, as if slicing through space itself.

“That’s a Mysterious Tier High-Level technique, Chen Yan’s unleashing his killer move!” The crowd’s hearts jolted.

Facing the descending arc, Lin Xiao’s brows creased, he shifted sideways, dodging the strike.

“Boom!”

A thunderous crash, the fiery red arc struck the ground, dirt and stone exploded, dust billowed, a long gash scarred the earth, shockwaves radiating outward.

“Let’s see how many you can dodge!” Chen Yan sneered, swinging again, another four-to-five-zhang arc shot forth, its dazzling edge faster and fiercer, slashing towards Lin Xiao’s retreat.

“Swish!” Lin Xiao’s dantian churned, vast elemental force poured into the black xuan iron staff, a qi arc formed, he swung upward, the staff’s bright glow colliding with the sword arc.

“Rumble!”

A massive clash erupted, a blinding burst flared, staff and sword arcs shattered together, unleashing a surging blast that roared in all directions, the terrifying shockwave driving onlookers further back, toppling scores of banquet tables and chairs.

This strike—a deadlock!

“Heh, looks like Chen Yan’s not getting the upper hand on Lin Xiao!” Empress Meng Xi chuckled dryly, eyeing the two figures in the plaza.

“This wedding’s getting more entertaining by the minute!” Zhou Moyi grinned, delighting in the chaos, the wrecked tables already denting the Feng and Chen families’ pride.

“Swish!” “Swish!” “Swish!” …

Before Chen Yan could strike again, Lin Xiao’s aura flared, he swung the staff, arcs of qi lashing out, hammering towards Chen Yan.

Chen Yan’s face twisted, he snorted, his sword danced swiftly, arcs of sword qi met the assault head-on, unyielding, explosions thundering as mighty blasts swept the plaza.

After more fierce exchanges, Chen Yan’s expression grew uglier, he, at Heavenly Martial Fifth Tier, couldn’t gain an edge over Lin Xiao.

“Some skill, but it ends here!” His face darkened like still water, gripping his sword with both hands, immense elemental force poured in, faint, terrifying ripples pulsing around it, the nearby air seeming to tremble.

Then, a dazzling, brilliant sword arc soared skyward, its radiant glow illuminating all directions, an oppressive pressure blanketing the area, the outer crowd feeling palpitations.

“So strong!”

“Chen Yan’s using an Earth Tier Low-Level technique!”

“Earth Tier and Mysterious Tier aren’t even in the same league, can Lin Xiao withstand this?”

Gasps of shock rose, at the plaza’s centre, Lin Xiao stood firm, the Mountain-Collapsing Staff Technique’s mightiest strike brewing, a towering black arc flared from the staff, a soul-shaking force swelling, as if ready to split mountains.

“Mysterious Flame Nine Heavens, Fierce Slaughter!” Chen Yan’s booming shout rang out, the giant sword arc crashed down towards Lin Xiao.

“One Staff Collapses Mountains!” Lin Xiao roared, a ferocious swing unleashed, the staff’s towering arc screamed upward.

“Boom!” “Boom!” “Boom!” …

A cascade of shattering blasts erupted, the two arcs collided head-on from above, though slender, they struck like toppling mountains, unleashing waves of terrifying force, the nearby space trembling, rolling blasts surging outward.

Dozens, then hundreds of tables and chairs shattered, the Feng and Chen families’ experts forced to conjure barriers against the spreading shockwaves, lest every banquet furnishing be overturned.

Their faces grew grimmer, Lin Xiao had smashed their dignity hard.

They hadn’t expected him to counter Chen Yan’s Earth Tier Low-Level technique with such force.

In the crowd’s view, both stood seven or eight zhang apart, elemental qi boiling, hair whipping in the shockwaves.

“An Earth Tier Low-Level technique, looks like you came well-prepared!” Chen Yan’s eyes grew colder, like eternal ice, staring at Lin Xiao.

He’d aimed for a quick win with a Chen family Earth Tier move, yet couldn’t fell Lin Xiao.

“Unleash your dantian anomaly, these tricks won’t beat me!” Lin Xiao said evenly, a chill of killing intent flashing in his eyes.

“To kill you, I don’t need my dantian anomaly!”

Chen Yan barked, sword pointing skyward, a dazzling golden arc formed again, an even mightier aura pulsing from it.

Beyond the radiant arc, a barrier coalesced, icy tendrils spreading from it.

Abyss Sovereign Chapter 154

“Frigid Sword Intent, Chen Yan’s actually comprehended sword intent!” Someone gasped, sword intent was a martial will of swordsmanship, vastly amplifying one’s inherent power, a feat only monstrous talents could achieve.

“He’s using the Chen family’s core Earth Tier Low-Level technique, Heaven-Scorching Blaze, this move carries a burning-like attribute, paired with the frigid sword intent, ice and fire converging, this strike’s absolutely terrifying.”

“Lin Xiao’s in danger now!”

The crowd’s hearts raced, Chen Yan’s technique was visibly stronger than before.

With its attribute-like power and his frigid sword intent stacking together, its might surged far beyond a mere increment.

“Then let’s see whose martial intent prevails!” Opposite Chen Yan, Lin Xiao’s hair whipped in the gust of his opponent’s aura, he gripped the staff with both hands, pointing it skyward, a long black arc streaked upward as if to tear the void, spreading high, a transparent barrier formed around it, an uncontrollably wild aura roaring outward.

“That’s… Berserk Martial Intent!” Zhou Moyi exclaimed, even he hadn’t grasped martial intent.

Among the empire’s powerhouses, few elders had mastered it, yet two youths now wielded it—since when had martial intent become so attainable?

“What, Lin Xiao’s comprehended martial intent too?” The crowd reeled again.

Just then, Chen Yan’s sword arc swung into motion.

“Die, Heaven-Scorching Blaze, Nothing Unburned!” With a thunderous shout, the towering sword arc slashed down, like a collapsing mountain, icy and fiery auras flooding the scene, chilling hearts.

“Mountain-Collapsing Staff Record, Earth Splitter!”

A booming cry erupted from Lin Xiao, this strike was a stronger move he’d gleaned from the Mountain-Collapsing Staff Record, though ranked Earth Tier Low-Level, this second blow exceeded that grade, infused with berserk martial intent, making it even more fearsome.

The black staff arc solidified, its unstoppable force crashed down, the void trembling, the earth seeming to fracture, the terrifying blow met its match head-on.

“Rumble!”

A earth-shaking blast resounded, the plaza quaked, the fearsome sword and staff arcs clashed, unleashing a sea-like surge of energy, the devastating shockwaves roared outward, forcing nearby experts to muster strength again to block the fallout.

Boom!

In the final clash of the long arcs, Lin Xiao’s staff arc prevailed, its force collapsing towards Chen Yan, a wild blast slamming into him.

“Pfft!” His boiling elemental qi couldn’t withstand it, Chen Yan spat blood, flying back like a snapped kite.

Lin Xiao stood firm, hair wild, unmoved.

“What, Chen Yan lost?”

The crowd gaped, stunned—Chen Yan, near the top of the imperial capital’s four young prodigies, wielding martial intent and a core Chen family technique, defeated by a sudden youth?

At his own wedding, no less!

The shock left them reeling.

The Feng and Chen families’ eyes reddened, Feng Lanyue summoned elemental qi to shield against the aftermath, her delicate frame trembling violently.

She couldn’t fathom that the boy she’d once dismissed had grown to this level.

“He actually beat Chen Yan?” Feng Youyu’s face showed disbelief, her emotions a tangled mess.

“Swish!” As the blast faded and Chen Yan neared the ground, Lin Xiao touched his storage ring, stowing the black staff, his body blurred, leaving an afterimage, charging at Chen Yan.

“Courting death!” Chen Wendao’s brows furrowed, icy killing intent surging.

But Lin Xiao, staff stowed, moved too fast, reaching Chen Yan, his fist hammering down.

“Roar!” At the critical moment, a beastly bellow erupted, a faint mysterious light flared from Chen Yan’s dantian, an icy giant bird anomaly materialised behind him, a peerless chill spreading.

Everyone knew Chen Yan, cornered, had unleashed his Mysterious Tier Low-Level anomaly—his true peak power.

Rushed and swordless, he couldn’t pair it with his strongest technique, forced to fist-fight, its might paling compared to a full anomaly-enhanced strike.

“Chaos Reversal, Berserk Force!” Facing Chen Yan’s anomaly-powered fist, Lin Xiao muttered inwardly, his fist imbued with berserk martial intent, a terrifying blow smashing against Chen Yan’s.

The Chaos Reversal Three Forms, a Heaven Tier technique, fused with berserk intent, unleashed at Lin Xiao’s full strength, its power was staggering.

Bang!

A resounding clash, Lin Xiao’s fist shattered Chen Yan’s, slamming into his chest.

“Pfft!” Blood sprayed wildly, Chen Yan’s body flew back again, landing before Feng Lanyue.

The crowd gasped anew—Chen Yan was utterly defeated.

“You beast, you’re dead!” Chen Wendao roared in fury, about to strike, when Lin Xiao’s booming shout cut through, “What, the young fail, so the old step in?”

“Family Head, no need for you!” A furious voice rose from Chen Yan, he staggered up, wiping blood from his mouth, his aura surging again.

“He can still recover?” Lin Xiao blinked, stunned, after two such blows, Chen Yan was clearly badly hurt, yet he regained strength this fast—his recovery was uncanny.

“Some skill indeed!” Lin Xiao grew wary, elemental force stirring within.

“Yan’er, don’t use that secret art!” Chen Wendao’s brows creased, he warned sharply.

“Hmph, if I don’t kill him myself, this grudge festers!” Chen Yan gritted his teeth, glaring at Lin Xiao, “You forced me to this!”

A fearsome aura erupted from him, climbing steadily.

Lin Xiao and the crowd flinched—Chen Yan still had fight left, and a stronger trump card?

But then, Feng Lanyue patted his shoulder, “Brother Chen Yan, let me handle him, no need to go that far!”

Glancing at her, reluctance flashed across his face, but he nodded, teeth clenched, “Fine!”

Abyss Sovereign Chapter 155

“You disrupted my wedding, harmed my betrothed, Lin Xiao, today, you will die!” Feng Lanyue stepped forward two paces, her voice icy as she addressed Lin Xiao.

No matter what, Lin Xiao couldn’t escape the two great families today—his death was certain.

But she cared more about how to kill him, doing it herself would outshine an elder’s intervention.

It would not only salvage the family’s honour but elevate her own standing.

Otherwise, today’s events would make her a laughingstock across the empire, and besides, she craved to end Lin Xiao personally.

The crowd buzzed with shock, they’d only heard Feng Lanyue had reached the Heavenly Martial Realm within a year, aged around fifteen, and carried a mysterious item that masked her true cultivation.

Yet to all, her level likely lagged behind Chen Yan’s, but hearing her step up to fight, could her strength surpass even his?

“I was worried you wouldn’t dare,” Lin Xiao said, halting his assault on Chen Yan as Feng Lanyue advanced, a mocking smile flickering before his expression hardened, “But if you want my life, show your real skill, let me see just how capable this mysterious genius is!”

“Swish!” As his words landed, Feng Lanyue’s Heavenly Martial First Tier aura erupted, surging outward.

Her momentum climbed rapidly, from First Tier to Second, then Third, Fourth, until it peaked at Heavenly Martial Sixth Tier.

Her final aura dwarfed Chen Yan’s by far, an oppressive pressure bearing down on Lin Xiao.

“Heavenly Martial Sixth Tier, heavens, Feng Lanyue’s at Sixth Tier!”

“Fifteen or sixteen, Sixth Tier cultivation, that’s beyond terrifying!”

“She’s the true top genius of the Lanlan Empire’s youth!”

“She hid it so well, we were all fooled!” …

Gasps of astonishment rippled through, Feng Lanyue’s true cultivation stunned everyone, reaching Sixth Tier at her age was unthinkable.

Even Lin Xiao’s expression grew grave, sensing a fearsome presence from her.

“The Feng family concealed her well!”

Zhou Moyi’s gaze narrowed, his face tightening, he’d assumed her cultivation hovered around First or Second Tier.

Sixth Tier at her age left the Zhou family and even the imperial clan in the dust, give her a decade or two, and the Feng family might birth another Martial Venerable.

Then, the two great families would be left far behind.

“This lass is something else!” Empress Meng Xi’s brows creased, her face turning solemn.

“Her aura outstrips a typical Sixth Tier martial artist, her strength might be even more fearsome, I wonder if Lin Xiao can hold up,” Ye Fenghua mused.

Surprise flickered across Ye Fenghua’s face, Ye Yu gaped too—whether Heimu, Yunfeng, Lin Xiao, or now Feng Lanyue’s reveal, it proved he, Ye Yu, was neither past nor present’s top genius in the Lanlan Empire.

He’d once prided himself as number one, now it seemed laughable, a self-mocking twist curved his lips.

“Truly a great family’s genius, Wu Sha’s leagues behind them!” Wu Meng sighed, eyeing Feng Lanyue and Lin Xiao, then glancing at Wu Sha beside him.

“She’s just leaning on sixth-grade spirit stones, if Wu Sha had them, she’d have outstripped them long ago!” Xuanxuan muttered nearby, unconvinced.

“Shh, don’t talk nonsense!” Pang Po chided sternly, silencing Xuanxuan’s pout, though her displeasure lingered.

Wu Sha said nothing, her gaze fixed on Lin Xiao, his presence too reminiscent of someone.

“Disciple, we were too set in our ways before, this empire’s geniuses exceed our wildest guesses!” Among the Spirit Controller Alliance crowd, Fan Renlou sighed with self-deprecation.

They’d thought Wu Gong, a Third-Grade Low-Level Spirit Controller, could win the Alchemy Contest, yet he didn’t crack the top three, and in elemental force, even greater talents shone.

They’d been blindly arrogant.

Wu Gong’s fists clenched, he stayed silent.

The calmest faces likely belonged to Feng Youyu, Feng Ziyang, Chen Yan, and Chen Wendao—they clearly knew Feng Lanyue’s true level.

Feng Youyu’s expression remained tangled, at this point, she couldn’t stop it, only pondering how to handle the outcome.

“Lin Xiao, I must admit, your talent and strength are impressive! But before me, you’ll still die!” Feng Lanyue pointed at him, thick killing intent surging.

Her words fell, and she moved, her lithe form darting like lightning, faster than Lin Xiao’s earlier charge at Chen Yan.

In a blink, she was upon him, a palm striking out.

“So fast!” Lin Xiao flinched, hastily summoning the Heaven Tier Chaos Reversal First Form, laced with berserk martial intent, his fist slamming against her palm.

Boom!

A jarring clash, Feng Lanyue’s delicate hand unleashed terrifying force, Lin Xiao staggered back five or six steps, while she stood rooted, unmoved.

The sudden scene shocked the crowd, her speed was blinding, and her attack proved not just her aura, but her combat power was formidable.

Even the fist that felled Chen Yan was forced back by her.

“That’s the Feng family’s movement art, Light Breeze Cloud Secret!”

“Such speed!”

“Her strength’s immense too, Lin Xiao’s technique couldn’t match her raw power!”

The crowd’s astonished cries reached Lin Xiao’s ears.

“Truly powerful!” He marvelled inwardly, her palm outmatched his Chaos Reversal with berserk intent by a hair.

“Lin Xiao, now do you see your arrogance?” Feng Lanyue paused, gazing at him haughtily.

That palm was mere warm-up, a show of dominance.

“Is that so?” Lin Xiao’s eyes chilled.

“I said today you’ll die, use your strongest move, or you’ll have no chance!” A fearsome ripple pulsed from her palm, a gleam flashing within.

“Hmph, Lanyue’s bringing out Wind Mysterious Extinction, Lin Xiao’s finished!” Behind, Chen Yan glared at Lin Xiao, his face twisted with malice.

“Not necessarily,” nearby, Chen Qing’er frowned, anxiety etched on her features.

“How do you know this strike won’t beat him? What did your Heavenly Clarity Eyes see?” Chen Wendao snapped, anger flaring at her reaction.

Abyss Sovereign Chapter 156

“Because he is…” Chen Qing’er paused, leaving the rest unsaid.

At that moment, Lin Xiao spoke up from the front.

“Is that so?” Gazing at the haughty Feng Lanyue, Lin Xiao let out a cold laugh, his voice icy, “I don’t think so!”

With that, a formidable third-grade intermediate spiritual power surged from his mind, stirring the air into ripples that spread outward in all directions. The overwhelming spiritual pressure washed over Feng Lanyue and the nearby onlookers, enveloping them in a powerful mental force.

“Third-grade intermediate spiritual power!” The crowd gasped in unison, especially those from the Spirit Controller Alliance. Ye Fenghua, sensing the familiar energy, cried out in shock.

“What, third-grade spiritual power? Heavens, he’s a third-grade intermediate spirit controller?” No one doubted Ye Fenghua’s judgment, and the crowd erupted in exclamations.

“At sixteen or seventeen, with vitality at Heavenly Martial Fourth Layer—how could he also reach third-grade intermediate spiritual power?”

“Wait, at the Spirit Controller Competition, there was a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old youth. Could he be…”

“You’re Heimu!” Feng Lanyue’s body trembled violently, her voice incredulous.

“That’s right. My real name is Lin Xiao. Heimu was just an alias,” Lin Xiao said, locking eyes with Feng Lanyue, his presence unyielding and confrontational.

“What? He’s Heimu, the champion of the Refining Competition? This…” The crowd was dumbfounded, jaws dropping at the revelation.

A month ago, Heimu had caused a massive stir, becoming the focal point of the entire Lanlan Empire.

Various factions had offered staggering prices to recruit him, with Feng Lanyue herself putting forth a sixth-grade spirit stone worth a full jia.

Yet, Heimu turned out to be her mortal enemy, storming their wedding day. The absurdity was almost laughable.

Even more ironic, that sixth-grade spirit stone might have been stolen from Heimu himself.

“It really is him!” Wu Sha’s body quivered slightly. Her woman’s intuition had been spot on—she’d sensed a striking similarity between the two from the start.

“My heavens! This kid…” Ye Fenghua’s mouth fell open, too stunned to speak. Recalling what Heimu had told him before, and his absence this morning, it all clicked.

No wonder Heimu had traded a steep price for Ye Fenghua’s aid in a crisis—this was why.

Offending the Feng and Chen families was no small cost.

He couldn’t help but marvel at Heimu’s audacity—crashing the wedding of two great families was a move of staggering boldness.

“Heimu!” Wen Renliang, Wu Sha, and Pang Po widened their eyes, frozen in place.

Xuanxuan’s small mouth rounded in a stunned gape.

Fan Renlou and Wu Gong were struck dumb again. In talent or courage, how could they compare to Lin Xiao?

The Spirit Controller Alliance members were equally dazed.

Heimu was practically one of them now—if this escalated, it would be a massive affair.

“Heimu is Lin Xiao, Lin Xiao is Heimu—this…” Zhou Moyi’s stunned expression turned animated. The drama was only getting better.

Zhou Xiong and Zhou Ruoyi were floored. Heimu alone had shaken them to their cores, and now Lin Xiao stormed the two families—and they were the same person.

The Zhou family was collectively shocked.

“It’s really him. This kid is truly astounding!” Meng Xi couldn’t help but exclaim. Lin Xiao’s bold entrance had reminded her of Heimu, though his vitality and strength had grown since she’d last seen him as Heimu, leaving her uncertain.

Now, with his spiritual power unleashed, his identity was clear.

The real Lin Xiao was even younger than the disguised Heimu.

What shocked her more was that such a prodigy dared to take on two great families.

At that moment, Meng Xi began calculating in her mind.

Nearby, Meng Ying, after a brief moment of shock, started strategizing. As a royal, she quickly grasped the broader implications—Lin Xiao’s actions rippled far beyond the immediate.

Meng Sheng and Meng Ren, standing closer to the pair, lacked their foresight, rooted in place by sheer astonishment.

Yan Yitian and the Tianxuan Sect were equally staggered. They knew Heimu well—a figure Yan Yitian had been willing to trade ancestral graves to recruit.

In the sect, even the younger generation revered him. Yet now, they learned Heimu was the one whose dantian they’d ruined and expelled…

The disciples who’d ousted Lin Xiao were petrified, as were the elders who’d aided Chen Yan in his expulsion.

Yan Yitian even wondered what might have been if Lin Xiao hadn’t been cast out of the Tianxuan Sect.

But he knew it was too late—Lin Xiao now stood firmly against them.

Ye Yu’s face was blank, each encounter with Lin Xiao hitting harder than the last.

Chen Wendao and Chen Yan were dumbfounded. They’d never imagined linking Lin Xiao to Heimu—dual cultivation of vitality and spirit to this degree was simply too terrifying…

Other factions, big and small, were equally floored. Heimu’s name was legendary, and today opened their eyes wide.

“I never thought you’d be Heimu!” Feng Lanyue’s expression grew grave. Heimu didn’t just mean terrifying spiritual power—he wielded spiritual energy, a fearsome cosmic force.

His status among factions was immense—who knew who might seize the chance to recruit him?

Most critically, Heimu had at least one Martial Venerable behind him, maybe two. She’d seen two intervene that day.

This meant today’s events wouldn’t end easily.

She even faintly regretted—if she’d chosen Lin Xiao over Chen Yan, what might have been?

But the thought flickered and vanished. She didn’t dare dwell on it.

The irony of offering spirit stones to recruit Lin Xiao stung even more.

“I’d heard Heimu possessed the Azure Fire spiritual energy—it’s indeed you!” Feng Youyu said, suppressing her shock to keep her tone steady.

The Azure Fire spiritual energy had struck her during her fight with the Azure Bird, entering her body before Lin Xiao extracted and refined it.

Hearing Heimu wielded energy that could manifest azure flames, she’d suspected but couldn’t confirm without seeing him. Now, all was revealed.

Heimu was Lin Xiao, Lin Xiao was Heimu. With such talent, he was worthy of her…

Gazing at the resolute少年 radiating killing intent in the center, Feng Youyu spoke calmly, even with a hint of longing, “Heimu, for the sake of your exceptional talent, let today’s matter end here—how about it?”

Abyss Sovereign Chapter 157

“Heh, there’s no possibility of reconciliation between me and those two—it’s a fight to the death!” Lin Xiao shook his head with a self-mocking smile. How could he not wish for a resolution with Feng Youyu? But this vendetta, no matter what, could never be settled.

His icy gaze then fixed on Feng Lanyue and Chen Yan, his tone cold and resolute, “Today, it’s either me or them—there’s no room for both!”

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an intimidating force.

Once spoken, his words were unquestionable, unchangeable.

“Hmph, Heimu, no matter how great your talent, you’re just one person. You dare cause trouble at my Feng family? Watch me crush you first!” Feng Ziyang roared, unleashing a terrifying Martial King aura, his thick killing intent blanketing the scene.

Initially, he’d held back for the sake of appearances, but now, things had spiraled beyond expectation.

With Heimu’s reputation, even their direct intervention wouldn’t cost the family too much face.

“What, scared out of your wits? He’s not alone! Hahaha!” At that moment, an old man’s hearty laughter echoed from afar.

A figure with wings of condensed vitality soared toward the plaza.

This elder had jet-black hair, a few wrinkles creasing his face, and wore a dark robe. His sturdy frame radiated vigor despite his age.

Most strikingly, as he hovered above the plaza, the vitality wings beneath his feet vanished, leaving him standing midair.

“Martial Venerable!” The younger crowd gasped. Only a Martial Venerable could form vitality wings or briefly linger in the air.

The older generation was even more shocked.

“Yi Xuanfeng, you’re not dead!” Feng Ziyang blurted out, stunned.

Feng Youyu, Chen Wendao, and the other Martial Venerables present shared his astonishment.

Yi Xuanfeng, the Tianxuan Sect Master, represented the pinnacle of power in the Lanlan Empire—no one dared underestimate him.

He’d vanished for over a decade, yet here he was, reappearing today—a monumental event for the empire.

“Sect Master!” Yan Yitian’s mouth fell open in disbelief. After a pause, a cold glint flashed in his eyes as he thought, *Didn’t he succumb to the incinerating poison I planted? How has he recovered?*

“So this is the Sect Master missing for over ten years?” The Tianxuan Sect youths were equally stunned, a surge of unexpected joy rising within them.

With a Martial Venerable at the helm, the sect’s strength would soar.

“Sect Master, you’ve finally returned!” Elder Sun’s face lit with genuine excitement as he exclaimed.

“Welcome back, Sect Master!” an elder called out loudly.

The Tianxuan Sect members echoed in unison, “Welcome back, Sect Master!”

Their voices rolled across the Feng family grounds.

“Hahaha!” Yi Xuanfeng laughed heartily, declaring, “From this day, I reclaim control of the Tianxuan Sect!”

“Sect Master’s might is divine!” The disciples cheered, many visibly thrilled, though Yan Yitian and two inner elders darkened with displeasure.

They’d ruled the sect for over a decade—could it be taken back with a single word?

“Grand Elder, these years without me, I owe much to your stewardship of the sect,” Yi Xuanfeng said, his tone laden with meaning as he looked at the silent Yan Yitian.

“Sect Master, it’s my duty!” Yan Yitian cupped his hands, forcing calm into his voice.

Yi Xuanfeng let out two cold chuckles but said no more.

“Little Yi, long time no see!” Meng Xi’s voice rang out.

Yi Xuanfeng’s mouth twitched. It’d been ages since anyone dared call him that, but seeing who spoke, he softened, smiling, “Heh, Empress Dowager Meng, you’re well, I trust!”

“Congratulations, Brother Yi, on your safe return!” Zhou Moyi offered a greeting.

“Your strength keeps advancing, Brother Zhou,” Yi Xuanfeng nodded with a smile.

“Senior Yi, your power remains as formidable as ever—truly one of the empire’s top figures,” Feng Youyu said with a faint smile.

“The Feng family is indeed a cradle of talent—impressive youth! To reach Martial Venerable at such an age, Family Head Feng!” Yi Xuanfeng replied, his smile not reaching his eyes.

“Just luck,” Feng Youyu returned with a cold laugh.

“Heh, Sect Master Yi’s return is a grand event for the empire, but this matter hardly concerns you, does it?” Chen Wendao sneered.

“How could it not? Lin Xiao is my friend. You old relics want to bully the young—I can’t just stand by!” Yi Xuanfeng’s face hardened as he snapped back.

The crowd’s hearts stirred—when had Lin Xiao connected with Yi Xuanfeng?

“Hmph, Lin Xiao disrupts our families’ wedding—he deserves death. Yi Xuanfeng, meddling here might be unwise,” Chen Wendao’s voice deepened, unafraid of Yi Xuanfeng.

“Exactly. Ruining our wedding, this brat must die. You’ve just returned—do you intend to drag the Tianxuan Sect into bearing the sins of an expelled disciple who hates it? Some Sect Master you are!” Feng Ziyang shot back pointedly, causing the Tianxuan Sect members to frown.

“Hmph, without Brother Lin Xiao, I wouldn’t be standing here today. Say what you will—I’m in this!” Yi Xuanfeng retorted sharply, his stance unyielding.

Feng Ziyang’s face flushed with anger, “Yi Xuanfeng, aren’t you going too far?”

“Indeed, Yi Xuanfeng. Whether the Tianxuan Sect still obeys you aside, even if you alone—or the whole sect—join in, no one can save him!” Chen Wendao’s expression chilled as he roared.

“And what if the Spirit Controller Alliance joins?” At that moment, a middle-aged voice cut in. A refined man in white, exuding unmatched elegance, stepped forward.

It was Ye Fenghua, the Spirit Controller Alliance Leader—a titan of the spirit controller world.

“Ye Fenghua!” Chen Wendao and the families’ experts narrowed their eyes. The Spirit Controller Alliance was backing Lin Xiao?

“Leader Ye, Lin Xiao’s just a guest elder. Isn’t it improper for the alliance to intervene?” Feng Ziyang faltered. Wasn’t Ye Fenghua smitten with their family head? Why side with Lin Xiao now?

Feng Youyu hesitated, unsure if Ye Fenghua’s involvement was a boon or bane, her emotions tangled.

“He’s still part of our alliance. If it’s a fight between juniors and he’s killed, I’d have no complaints. But if elders step in, I, Ye Fenghua, won’t stand for it,” Ye Fenghua said gravely.

“You!” Chen Wendao’s brows shot up in fury. The alliance’s involvement was no small matter—spirit controllers were notoriously tricky in battle, and a full rift would cost them dearly.

But Lin Xiao’s talent was too threatening. Today, they couldn’t let him live, no matter what.

“Hmph, Leader Ye, this kid’s ties to you aren’t that deep, are they? Risking a break with our families over a guest junior—isn’t that a poor trade?” Chen Wendao threatened outright.

His meaning was clear: anyone shielding Lin Xiao was an enemy of the Feng and Chen families.

The alliance members frowned too—the consequences of a rift would be severe.

Abyss Sovereign Chapter 158

“Indeed, this brat must die today. Even with the Tianxuan Sect and the Spirit Controller Alliance stepping in, I fear it won’t change a thing. I urge Leader Ye to reconsider, or don’t blame us for disregarding old ties,” Feng Ziyang’s voice turned cold as he chimed in.

His stance aligned with the Chen family—Lin Xiao could not be spared.

“Chi!” At that moment, Ye Fenghua stepped forward. A vast wave of spiritual power surged from his mind, unleashing a transparent ripple through the air that spread in all directions. The terrifying mental pressure made everyone feel as though they were suffocating.

“Fifth-grade elementary spiritual power!” Le Zheng Hongmao was the first to exclaim, his face alight with shock. Among those present, he and Situ Guang were the most attuned to spiritual energy.

“What? Fifth-grade elementary spiritual power? You’ve broken through to fifth-grade?” Chen Wendao gasped. No one in the Lanlan Empire had reached fifth-grade elementary spiritual power. Ye Fenghua had hovered on the cusp for years, unable to take that step—how had he done it today?

Spirit controllers were unpredictable and fearsome in battle. Chen Wendao knew full well he’d gain no advantage against a fifth-grade spirit controller in a fight.

At that moment, everyone present—Chen Wendao included—was stunned.

The emergence of a fifth-grade spirit controller was a monumental event for the empire. In the long run, it would elevate the empire’s overall strength.

Even Lin Xiao showed a flicker of surprise. He’d only given Ye Fenghua the elixir recipe—gathering the rare ingredients was no small feat, and even then, success wasn’t guaranteed.

Yet Ye Fenghua had achieved it in such a short time.

It spoke volumes of his deep foundation.

The Spirit Controller Alliance members, shocked as they were, soon brimmed with excitement. They now understood why the alliance had mobilized its full resources to hunt for herbs—it was to craft an elixir to push for fifth-grade status.

With a fifth-grade spirit controller, others in the alliance could potentially advance their own spiritual power through Ye Fenghua’s elixirs—a boon for the entire group.

“It’s because of Brother Lin Xiao that I stepped into fifth-grade spirit controller!” Ye Fenghua declared openly, his stance resolute. But as his gaze drifted to Feng Youyu, a complex emotion flickered across his face, and he couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

His words sent another shockwave through the crowd. Ye Fenghua’s breakthrough to fifth-grade was thanks to Lin Xiao? Lin Xiao had a method to elevate a fourth-grade advanced spirit controller to fifth-grade?

The fourth-grade spirit controllers present felt their eyes blaze with fervor, even those not yet at the advanced level.

A method to push a fourth-grade advanced spirit controller to fifth-grade offered them a clear glimmer of hope.

Without it, even a talent like Ye Fenghua had struggled to break through on his own—leaving their odds impossibly slim.

“The Spirit Controller Alliance stands with our leader!” Le Zheng Hongmao and Situ Guang stepped forward in unison, followed by the two fourth-grade elementary spirit controllers.

The alliance’s elder powerhouses joined them, trailed by Wu Meng, Pang Po, and the rest. Soon, every alliance member present aligned with Ye Fenghua.

Clearly, they were ready to fight alongside their leader.

Though the alliance typically avoided conflicts, when pushed, they feared no faction.

Their combat strength was formidable.

“We too stand with our Sect Master!” From the Tianxuan Sect, an elder spoke up, followed by Elder Sun and other loyalists—diehard supporters of Yi Xuanfeng.

Some disciples stepped forward decisively, while others did so reluctantly.

Yet two inner elders, several newer outer elders, and half the disciples stayed with the Grand Elder. Many preferred avoiding the fray altogether.

Plenty among them were aligned with Chen Yan, Feng Lanyue, and the two families—they’d never switch sides.

Even with these incomplete forces from the Spirit Controller Alliance and Tianxuan Sect, the Chen and Feng families felt immense pressure.

A full-scale battle, even if winnable, would exact a devastating toll.

“Grand Elder, Uncle Chen, no need for you to deal with Lin Xiao—I’ll handle it,” Feng Lanyue stepped forward, breaking the deadlock as Feng Ziyang and Chen Wendao wavered.

“Oh?” Both men started, exchanging a glance before studying Feng Lanyue. Her confident demeanor gave them pause.

Knowing Lin Xiao’s identity yet radiating such assurance, she must have a trump card.

Still, Lin Xiao’s strength was too unpredictable—they hesitated to let her and Chen Yan take the risk.

“Heh, we’re all top powers in the Lanlan Empire—why escalate this so far?” Meng Xi, silent until now, spoke up, her aged voice slow and deliberate. “Let the younger generation settle their own affairs.”

“Exactly, exactly! A clash between Heimu and Feng Lanyue would be a pinnacle showdown for their age group. Once it’s decided, then resolve the dispute—no rush!” Zhou Moyi chimed in gleefully, reveling in the chaos.

“Those old bastards!” Feng Ziyang cursed inwardly. Why hadn’t they spoken up during the standoff? Now that Feng Lanyue had stepped forward, they jumped in.

He kept his grumbling silent—those two opportunistic factions added another layer of caution for him and Chen Wendao.

The pair exchanged a look, noting Feng Youyu’s silence, then nodded to each other.

Feng Ziyang glanced at Yi Xuanfeng and Ye Fenghua before addressing Lin Xiao, “We’ll let you settle it yourselves, but during the fight, you’re forbidden from using that explosive elixir. Otherwise, even if it takes our entire clans’ strength, we’ll kill you!”

The crowd stirred. An explosive elixir was part of a spirit controller’s arsenal—banning it was unexpected.

Yet it made sense. Lin Xiao’s fourth-grade elementary explosive elixir could obliterate any Heavenly Martial realm fighter—rendering the duel meaningless.

Forbidding a spirit controller’s elixir, though, felt shameless.

“To kill them, I don’t need an explosive elixir!” Lin Xiao replied coolly.

He looked at Ye Fenghua and the alliance members behind him, then at Yi Xuanfeng, cupping his hands, “Thank you, Leader Ye, Sect Master Yi, and everyone.”

“Lin Xiao, no need for thanks. You’re part of the Spirit Controller Alliance, and you’ve helped me. I won’t sit by when you’re in trouble. Rest assured—if any elder intervenes, I’ll protect you myself,” Ye Fenghua said solemnly.

Lin Xiao had shared not just the explosive elixir recipe but also the formula to break into fifth-grade spirit controller status—a debt Ye Fenghua wouldn’t forget.

“No need to mention me, haha!” Yi Xuanfeng laughed heartily. He’d promised Lin Xiao his aid—what he said now was just for show.

Nodding, Lin Xiao’s gaze locked onto Feng Lanyue. Pointing at her, he declared, “Our grudge ends today—let’s fight!”

Abyss Sovereign Chapter 159

“Hmph, Lin Xiao, your third-grade intermediate spiritual power does intimidate me—but only that much. Even with it, I can still kill you!”

Feng Lanyue’s Heavenly Martial Sixth Layer aura surged forth, an overwhelming pressure radiating once more. A ripple pulsed from her palm, and a sharp, radiant light flowed from her hand.

Lin Xiao’s gaze sharpened as a wave of spiritual power surged from his mind.

“Hah!” With a light shout, Feng Lanyue thrust her palm forward. A piercing beam of palm light shot out like lightning, blazing toward Lin Xiao with incredible speed.

“Shiu!” Lin Xiao manipulated his spiritual power to shift his body, sliding several zhang across the ground to evade.

Boom!

A loud crash echoed as the fierce palm light struck the earth, carving a deep crater. Cracks spiderwebbed outward, dust erupted, and a terrifying shockwave blasted the soil apart.

The sheer destructive force of that casual strike was staggering.

“Hmph, let’s see how long you can dodge!” Feng Lanyue drew a sleek short sword, her feet executing the Light Breeze Spirit Cloud Technique. Leaving an afterimage, she slashed straight at Lin Xiao.

As she charged, Lin Xiao directed his spiritual power onto her hand, subtly twisting her sword’s trajectory off course.

Simultaneously, his right fist rocketed toward her body without mercy.

“Chi!” Feng Lanyue’s arm pulsed with vitality, repelling Lin Xiao’s spiritual force. She sidestepped his punch with a swift movement.

Then, with fluid precision, she slashed at him again.

Lin Xiao controlled his body to shift sideways, dodging once more, leaving her strike to hit empty air.

Confident in her speed and close-range prowess, Feng Lanyue lunged at him again.

Lin Xiao unleashed his spiritual power onto her, flinging her entire body sideways. She skidded across the ground for a distance.

But she countered instantly, slashing a three-to-four-zhang-long sword beam at him. Lin Xiao leapt, cleaving through the attack.

Feng Lanyue pressed her advantage, closing in swiftly for another strike.

Lin Xiao reached into his storage ring, pulling out the black iron staff. With a fierce swing, he smashed it against her short sword.

“Clang!” The impact rang out, numbing Lin Xiao’s hands as he slid back three steps.

Feng Lanyue recoiled three steps too, but leveraging her Light Breeze Spirit Cloud Technique, she moved like a nimble swallow. Tipping off the ground with her right toe, she darted forward again.

Her body flared with protective vitality, shielding her from Lin Xiao’s control. Wielding her short sword, she hacked at him.

Lin Xiao abandoned controlling her, instead channeling spiritual power into his arm. He swung the iron staff at her with brutal force.

Clang!

A deafening metallic clash resounded as the staff met her sword. Feng Lanyue staggered back several zhang under the combined might of Lin Xiao’s Heavenly Martial Fourth Layer vitality and third-grade intermediate spiritual power, while Lin Xiao stood unmoved.

Though only a few exchanges had passed, they unfolded in mere moments. Their probing strikes left the crowd breathless with tension.

One wielded lightning-fast footwork, the other controlled with spiritual precision—their speeds were evenly matched.

Yet that final blow tipped the scales in Lin Xiao’s favor.

“Lin Xiao’s strength is incredible!”

“It’s Heavenly Martial Fourth Layer plus third-grade intermediate spiritual power—of course it’s strong!”

The crowd buzzed with astonished chatter.

Seizing the moment, Lin Xiao didn’t relent. He used his spiritual power to propel himself forward in pursuit, swinging the staff down with ferocious intent.

“Sword Aura Strangle!”

Before he could close in, Feng Lanyue acted. With a flick of her wrist, her short sword unleashed a flurry of sword auras—countless strands twisting chaotically toward Lin Xiao.

Each strand thrummed with immense force.

Lin Xiao’s brows furrowed. This sudden barrage of strangling sword auras was impossible to block or dodge.

If it struck, his body would be riddled with holes.

This, no doubt, was Feng Lanyue’s true close-range killing move.

“Spiritual energy!” Sensing the lethal danger, Lin Xiao halted his body’s spiritual control and urgently summoned his dual-fused spiritual energy.

A mass of black flame rimmed with azure erupted from his brow, writhing like a humanoid fiend. Its terrifying devouring power expanded instantly, the outer azure flames blazing with fearsome incinerating might. It clashed with the strangling sword auras, consuming and burning them.

“Chi! Chi!” In mere moments, the sword auras were devoured clean, though the spiritual energy dissipated too—testament to the attack’s potency.

“He’s using spiritual energy!” The onlookers’ gazes sharpened. This was Lin Xiao’s true ace.

With spiritual energy unleashed, their battle had reached a fever pitch.

“What terrifying energy!” Feng Lanyue’s forehead veins pulsed, her expression darkening. The ease with which it swallowed her sword auras filled her with deep unease—this cosmic force was formidable.

“Chi!” Without pause, Lin Xiao summoned another mass of black-azure spiritual energy, clawing toward her with devouring and burning ferocity.

Facing the oncoming energy, Feng Lanyue didn’t hesitate. She unleashed another strangling sword aura, clashing with the black-azure mass. “Chi! Chi!” sounded as both attacks annihilated each other.

“Summoning spiritual energy costs little—it’s disadvantageous to drag this out!” Feng Lanyue’s brows knit tightly, a glint of killing intent flashing in her eyes. Gripping her sword with both hands, she poured her vast vitality into it.

Black sword auras coalesced around the blade, exuding an evil pressure as if from the depths of the Nine Nether Hells.

Countless black aura strands formed into curved, tangible black swords, orbiting her short sword. A terrifying ripple emanated from the spinning blades.

“Nine Nether Wind Spiral—Annihilate!”

With a sharp cry, Feng Lanyue spun gracefully, slashing horizontally. A one-zhang-wide, several-zhang-high vortex of spinning sword aura, cloaked in black mist, surged forward like an abyss. Wherever it passed, the surrounding space seemed to twist.

“That’s the Feng family’s core technique—an Earth-tier elementary martial skill!”

“Such terrifying power—if it hits, it’ll shred flesh to nothing!”

The crowd’s gasps rang in Lin Xiao’s ears. Facing the oncoming black vortex, he felt a twinge of unease. He hadn’t expected the Feng family’s core skill to harbor such eerie, even malevolent power.

This strike’s range was narrow, but its lethality was horrifying—a true harbinger of death.

Yet when it came to martial skills, Lin Xiao feared nothing. Within his dantian, a torrential force churned, coursing through his meridians and gathering in his right fist.

A Heaven-tier martial skill brewed, the air around his fist boiling and twisting in chaos.

Simultaneously, his mind summoned the dual-fused spiritual power again. The black-azure shadow, like a humanoid beast, radiated dread as it lunged forward with devouring flames.

“Comparing chaotic forces? Let’s see if you can withstand my dual assault—Reverse Chaos Second Form: Vitality Reversal!”

Lin Xiao’s fist shot out. Tiny bursts of vitality fist energy erupted from it, streaming forth like a long, raging torrent. Countless strands of vitality spun chaotically, piercing toward the front.

Abyss Sovereign Chapter 160

“Chi! Boom!”

As the black-azure spiritual energy surged and consumed Feng Lanyue’s black sword aura, the chaotic vitality beam crashed into it. A sharp, searing sound erupted, and rolling waves of black energy exploded from the collision, sending terrifying shockwaves in all directions.

Then, the chaotic vitality pierced through the spinning black sword aura, streaking toward Feng Lanyue like lightning.

“Not good!” Feng Lanyue’s face paled. She hastily summoned her protective vitality, swinging her sword horizontally to block.

“Bang!” The beam of chaotic vitality slammed into her short sword. Her protective vitality and the chaotic energy shattered simultaneously at her chest, unleashing a powerful force that sent her reeling backward.

“Pfft!” A mouthful of blood sprayed from Feng Lanyue’s lips.

“What? Feng Lanyue lost?”

The crowd gaped in disbelief. Feng Lanyue, at Heavenly Martial Sixth Layer and wielding the Feng family’s Earth-tier skill, had still fallen to Lin Xiao?

The youths of the Feng and Chen families wore expressions of shock. It was hard to fathom that the goddess-like Feng Lanyue they’d revered moments ago had been defeated by Lin Xiao.

The elders’ faces darkened like still water. Feng Lanyue and Chen Yan losing to Lin Xiao at their own wedding—what a blow to the two families’ prestige.

Killing intent glinted in their eyes.

Only Feng Youyu seemed lost in thought.

“He won! That guy Heimu won!” On the other side, Xuanxuan cheered excitedly, while Wu Sha beside her let out a long sigh of relief.

“Truly a dragon among men!” Ye Fenghua nodded in approval.

“No less from a third-grade intermediate spirit controller!” Wu Gong, amidst the Spirit Controller Alliance, couldn’t help but exclaim.

“It was a vitality strike that ultimately beat Feng Lanyue!” Fan Renlou reminded him, snapping Wu Gong back to reality with renewed awe.

Indeed, Lin Xiao wasn’t just formidable in spiritual power—his vitality was terrifying too. In every aspect, Wu Gong couldn’t compare.

“This kid’s gotten stronger again in just two months!” Yi Xuanfeng muttered, gazing at the defiant少年 in the arena with a low sigh.

“Haha, let’s see how the two families handle this now!” The Zhou family was the most thrilled, with Zhou Moyi stroking his black beard and chuckling.

“Not necessarily. That girl’s not so simple,” Meng Xi countered, shaking her head with narrowed eyes.

Meng Ying looked surprised.

“Well done!” Feng Lanyue steadied herself with her back foot, wiping the blood from her mouth. Her eyes turned crimson as her aura shifted and surged again, now laced with a burning essence.

“Feng Lanyue has more up her sleeve?” The crowd gasped.

“This just keeps getting better!” someone remarked.

The Feng and Chen families clenched their fists in secret anticipation, while the onlookers watched with eager curiosity—unconcerned with the outcome, just enjoying the spectacle.

Facing Feng Lanyue’s rising aura, Lin Xiao remained calm. He stepped forward slowly, unhurried.

He’d long suspected she wouldn’t fall so easily—she had to have a trump card.

But even with a hidden move, what did he have to fear?

As Lin Xiao advanced toward Feng Lanyue, the crowd’s attention sharpened.

When he was five or six zhang away, an enraged voice broke the tension—Chen Yan’s.

“Courting death!” Chen Yan sprang forward, charging first.

Sword in hand, his aura exploded, reaching Heavenly Martial Sixth Layer. His bloodshot eyes burned with fury, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner—some secret technique had clearly boosted his strength.

“Hmph!” Lin Xiao snorted, pulling a skeletal hand from his storage ring. With a surge of spiritual power, the skeletal fist shot toward Chen Yan from the side.

The fist exuded an eerie, chilling aura, driven by potent spiritual power that stirred a twisted gust.

Clang!

Chen Yan’s sword clashed with the skeletal hand, halting his advance. The fist recoiled but, under Lin Xiao’s control, struck again. A rapid “ding-ding-dang-dang!” rang out.

The skeletal fist kept Chen Yan pinned, while Lin Xiao’s eyes locked onto Feng Lanyue, continuing his advance.

“Ga!”

A clear cry rang from within Feng Lanyue. A deep, mysterious light burst from her dantian, its brilliance illuminating the surroundings. A formidable wave of power rippled outward.

Above and behind her, a fiery phoenix phantom emerged. Ancient and majestic, it flapped its wings as if gazing down on all creation. An archaic aura radiated, its overwhelming pressure shaking the eight directions, stirring an urge to kneel in reverence.

“That’s a Mysterious-tier advanced anomaly—Phoenix Anomaly!” someone shouted in shock.

“Heavens, a phoenix—an ancient divine beast! Feng Lanyue has condensed a divine beast anomaly!”

“A divine beast anomaly—her talent and strength must be unimaginable!”

“Just the anomaly’s rank—Mysterious-tier advanced—is something the empire hasn’t seen in centuries. She’s terrifying!”

“No wonder her cultivation soared so fast—with talent like this!”

“The Phoenix Anomaly, kept hidden all this time—the Feng family plays deep!”

The crowd buzzed with discussion. Those with dantian anomalies far outstripped ordinary martial artists in combat and cultivation speed.

A dantian anomaly symbolized cultivation talent—the higher the rank, the greater the future potential.

Even a Yellow-tier elementary anomaly guaranteed at least Heavenly Martial prowess.

A Mysterious-tier advanced anomaly, barring accidents, assured a breakthrough to Martial Venerable, perhaps even Martial Lord.

Such talent was a rarity in the Lanlan Empire’s history.

The anomaly’s type determined its inherent power. A divine beast—near-mythical in ancient lore—was incomparably mighty. Possessing such an anomaly spoke to its sheer dominance.

The phoenix—ruler of birds, divine among fowl.

The Phoenix Anomaly was awe-inspiring!

Even powerhouses like Ye Fenghua and Meng Xi were moved.

“Lin Xiao, this is the first time anyone’s pushed me this far!”

Feng Lanyue stared coldly at him, her crimson eyes blazing. Behind her, the anomaly surged, her palms glowing with radiant fire, a scorching aura spreading outward.

“Lin Xiao’s in danger!” the crowd thought.

Lin Xiao was startled too. Feng Lanyue was far more than she seemed. The Phoenix Anomaly was a talent that shone through the ages in the Lanlan Empire.

But when it came to anomaly ranks, he had no fear!

“We’ll see about that!”

Facing her lethal intent, Lin Xiao spat coldly. He stepped forward, vitality surging as his blood boiled. A vast, ocean-like power roared within his dantian.

A faint earthen light bloomed from his dantian, its brilliance dazzling and outshining Feng Lanyue’s deep mysterious glow.

“Roar!” A resonant dragon cry erupted from within him. A blood-red dragon phantom materialized behind him, its ancient aura from the primordial wilds raging outward. A terrifying, boundless pressure swept the eight directions.

The blood dragon’s indistinct face gazed down imperiously, its aura earth-shaking. Its fearsome presence rattled every heart, urging submission.