The battle began. The Giant Axe in the Third Commander’s hand emanated a surging, bloody aura. Judging from this aura alone, one could tell that if not ten thousand, then at least eight thousand people had perished beneath this axe.

"Watch yourself," the Third Commander shouted lowly as he launched his attack. The massive Giant Axe swung with wide, powerful arcs in his hands. The Martial Skill he cultivated was one of the Supreme Yang attribute.

Facing the Third Commander, Lin Yun could no longer afford to be arrogant. The Bone Spear appeared in his hand. He didn’t believe he could defeat the Third Commander bare-handed.

"A fine weapon." The look in the Third Commander’s eyes shifted the moment the Bone Spear appeared. ’This Bone Spear is definitely a formidable weapon.’

"Red Flame Spear Technique." Unleashing his Red Flame Spear Technique, Lin Yun was soon locked in combat with the Third Commander. The Bone Spear and the Giant Axe collided repeatedly, sending a series of dull thuds echoing across the Martial Arts Arena.

"Kid, your strength is truly surprising. I never thought you’d have comprehended the True Intent of a complete Profound Level Martial Skill." In the midst of their battle, the Third Commander grew increasingly pleased with Lin Yun. ’This young man is truly talented.’

The Third Commander’s cultivation was also at the Ninth Layer of Qi Sea Realm, but his Combat Power was far greater than anyone Lin Yun had previously fought. None of those earlier opponents could have lasted a single move against him.

This was the difference between a genius and an ordinary person. Even at the same Realm, the gap between them was a world of difference.

This was the first time Lin Yun had felt pressure since breaking through to the Qi Sea Realm. Even though he was still holding back, his body and Elemental Power were far stronger than an ordinary person’s, as he had endured the Celestial Punishment.

The Bone Spear, wreathed in roaring Flame, moved like an extension of Lin Yun’s arm. After dozens of exchanges, Lin Yun found an opening. A flick of his spear forced the Third Commander to retreat.

Seizing the opportunity, Lin Yun instantly changed his attack, the tip of his spear rapidly thrusting toward the retreating Third Commander.

This move immediately put the Third Commander on the defensive. Facing the sharp spear tip, he swung his Giant Axe horizontally to protect his chest.

The spear tip slammed viciously into the Giant Axe. With his right hand gripping the Bone Spear, Lin Yun punched the end of the shaft with his left. The immense force caused the spear to surge forward with renewed power.

The powerful burst sent the Third Commander flying. Fortunately, the Giant Axe had protected him; otherwise, that single spear thrust might have claimed his life.

He had successfully blocked Lin Yun’s killing blow, but now, a small hole had been pierced through the center of his Giant Axe by the Bone Spear.

The Giant Axe was a Top Grade Earth Spirit Soldier gifted to the Third Commander by the Royal Family. That it could still be pierced by the Bone Spear’s attack was a testament to the spear’s incredible sharpness.

"Impressive, kid." Despite nearly dying at Lin Yun’s hands, the Third Commander wasn’t angry at all. Instead, a smile touched his lips, and his Battle Intent flared even higher.

Seeing this sudden reversal on the stage—Lin Yun actually gaining the upper hand against the Third Commander—stunned everyone, including the Fifth Prince.

"Could it be that he really has the strength of a Yanhuang List candidate?" someone exclaimed in amazement.

Having gained the advantage in a single strike, Lin Yun did not press his attack. Anyone else would have already died by his Bone Spear, but the Third Commander had blocked it, which was a testament to his strength.

"Not bad. Your strength is greater than I imagined," the Third Commander said. "But it’s still not enough to challenge for the Yanhuang List."

"Barbarian Elephant Axe Blade..." With a thunderous roar, the Giant Axe in the Third Commander’s hand began to glow with a dense, bloody light, which gradually converged upon the axe’s edge.

"Now, this is the kind of power a Yanhuang List candidate should possess." As he spoke, the Third Commander’s aura began to surge. Even from a great distance, some of the weaker young masters from the noble families could feel the immense pressure.

Watching the Third Commander unleash his full power, the Fifth Prince chuckled softly. ’Not bad. If I find out you’re going easy on him, you can forget about your position as Third Commander. But I can tell he’s fighting with all his strength now, not just putting on a show for me.’

The Barbarian Elephant Axe Blade was a renowned Martial Skill within the Forbidden Guard Army, a technique of the Profound Level Upper Tier. A single swing was like a barbarian elephant stomping the earth, powerful enough to obliterate anything in its path.

Gazing at the Third Commander, who was now going all out, Lin Yun also focused his full attention. His two major Cultivation Techniques circulated at their absolute peak, and he gripped the Bone Spear tightly. This was the first time—the first time since the Celestial Punishment—that Lin Yun had felt a thrill of excitement.

The Third Commander’s Combat Power had exceeded his expectations. ’I didn’t think he would be this strong. The Yanhuang List is truly full of hidden masters.’

"Only by defeating me will you earn the right to challenge for a position as a Yanhuang List candidate," the Third Commander declared. With that, he charged toward Lin Yun.

’Interesting. Let’s test the limits of my physical body.’ Instead of evading, Lin Yun decided to defeat the Third Commander head-on.

’If I were to truly unleash my full power, I could definitely defeat him. After all, the quality and quantity of my Elemental Power far exceed the norm.’

’However, this is just the first round. I don’t want to reveal all my trump cards so soon.’

He kept his Elemental Power at a normal level but unleashed the full might of his Physical Strength.

His body, at the First Layer Peak of the Flawless Flesh Body, began to emit a faint glow as he pushed it to its limit. At the same time, the aura of a Demon Beast, a result of refining his body with Demon Beast Essence Blood, radiated outwards.

Neither man underestimated the other. The Third Commander brandished his Giant Axe and brought it down fiercely upon Lin Yun. Lin Yun held his Bone Spear horizontally, intending to block the blow head-on.

’He wants to block the Barbarian Elephant Axe Blade head-on? He’s courting death.’ Seeing this, a smile spread across the Fifth Prince’s face.

BOOM! The Giant Axe slammed viciously onto the Bone Spear. At the moment of impact, the ground where Lin Yun stood instantly shattered. Even the sturdy Martial Arts Arena couldn’t withstand the Third Commander’s single strike, a testament to its immense power.

"What happened? Don’t tell me the kid’s dead, is he?"

"Such terrifying power. It feels like the Third Commander has gotten even stronger," many of the young masters from wealthy families discussed.

But only a few breaths later, when they saw Lin Yun emerge from the strike completely unscathed, their voices died abruptly.

"Such a powerful body..." His strongest attack had failed to defeat Lin Yun. The Third Commander now truly understood the terror of a Body Refining Martial Artist.

’As expected of someone who is said to be invincible in their Realm.’ During that clash, the Third Commander had clearly sensed that Lin Yun’s Elemental Power was far weaker than his own, yet his physical body was terrifyingly strong.

’That kid... he actually blocked the Barbarian Elephant Axe Blade?’ The Fifth Prince stared at Lin Yun in disbelief. Someone with a cultivation at the First Layer of Qi Sea Realm had actually blocked the Third Commander’s Barbarian Elephant Axe Blade.

But in just a moment, the Fifth Prince calmed down, and a cold sneer returned to his face. ’You only blocked one strike. I’d like to see how many more you can take. The Barbarian Elephant Axe Blade is no ordinary Profound Level Upper Tier Martial Skill.’