Wu Li's Breakthrough

Wu Li's fury was palpable, "How dare you look down on me like that!"

"Hmph, I want to see what trick you have on your sleeve," he said arrogantly.

Yang Chen sneered, "Didn't you see that I have yet to use my two Dao Marks when channeling my techniques?"

"So what?" Wu Li scoffed. "Even if you use them while you're channeling your Silver Crescent Sword Style, you're still not my match."

While Wu Li was correct in believing that Yang Chen's two Dao Marks, the Golden Refining and Silver Quickness Dao Marks, were not top-tier, it was also true that with the use of these Dao Marks, Yang Chen's combat ability could be significantly enhanced.

Yang Chen sneered at Wu Li, "I'll admit that you are strong, but that's only because of your sword. You're still going to lose. My mastery of the Silvermoon Metal Slash technique has recently reached the Greater Success stage."

He continued with confidence, "Don't underestimate its power just because it's a lesser Earth Grade technique. It can match up to greater Earth Grade techniques!"

"If you can withstand my nine strikes, then you can consider yourself the winner!"

The crowd burst into an uproar as Yang Chen announced his mastery of the Silvermoon Metal Slash technique. Gasps and whispers spread like wildfire throughout the spectators.

The technique was renowned within the sect for its difficulty, and very few could claim to have mastered it. But Yang Chen had taken it to the Greater Success stage, a feat that was nothing short of impressive.

Someone from the crowd said, "The Silvermoon Metal Slash is no joke. Each subsequent strike summons a moon that grows larger and larger, reaching up to ten thousand meters with the ninth strike! The ninth strike is equivalent to having a ten thousand meters moon smash into you."

"How did Young Master Yang Chen master such a technique to the Greater Success stage? I barely grasped the Rudimentary Understanding stage of it. The difference between people can be like the difference between heaven and earth," A voice from the crowd lamented.

Another keen spectator chimed in, "I reckon Yang Chen thought that he could kill Wu Li using his Silver Crescent Sword Style. Wu Li's strength has far surpassed his expectations, and he realized that he needed to use his full strength."

"Afterwards, Yang Chen was playing a strategic waiting game, restraining from using his two Dao Marks until Wu Li had used most of his Qi. It was a clever tactic to finish him off swiftly."

Lin Dong's blood boiled as he watched Yang Chen prepare to unleash the Silvermoon Metal Slash technique.

Wu Li's eyes glinted with a strange light as he realized his Qi reserves were running low after the intense battle. His initial amount of Qi had been immense, but Yang Chen's cultivation level gave him a slight edge.

Despite knowing the unique power of the Silvermoon Metal Slash technique, Wu Li's excitement grew rather. "Hmph, let's see what you've got! This is also good, compared to me easily beating you until your nose is bruised and your face is swollen, it can add some more fun." he exclaimed, eager for the challenge.

Yang Chen's eyes glowed with an intense focus as he prepared to channel the Silvermoon Metal Slash technique. As he began to concentrate, a faint aura of Metal Qi began to emanate from his body, which quickly intensified into a bright and blinding light. The Ninefold Metal Annihilator Blade in his hand began to vibrate at an alarming rate, and a massive moon-shaped aura measuring a hundred meters in diameter emerged behind him.

The moon was a spectacle to behold, its surface was smooth, with a bright silver sheen that seemed to reflect the light of the sun. The sheer size and power of the moon-shaped aura was overwhelming, and everyone in the audience could feel its energy emanating from Yang Chen's body.

As he continued to channel his Qi, Yang Chen used his two Dao Marks, the Golden Refining and Silver Quickness Dao Marks, to enhance his technique further. The Golden Refining Dao Mark made the moon even harder, giving it an impenetrable surface, while the Silver Quickness Dao Mark made the moon appear even faster as it trailed behind Yang Chen.

All of this happened in a single breath, and the crowd was left in awe at the sheer power of the technique.

Yang Chen roared, "Silvermoon Metal Slash, First Severance!" and raised his Ninefold Metal Annihilator Blade.

Wu Li braced himself to clash with the attack using his Primordial Abyss Sword. The moon met Wu Li's blade in a fierce collision, sending a jolt of force through his arm. He tightened his grip and narrowed his eyes, refusing to yield.

"Master," he asked urgently, "what should I do? The power of the Silvermoon Metal Slash will soon surpass that of my Extreme Lightning Strike technique and I won't be able to block it."

Liang Xia shared Wu Li's concern and scowled. Wu Li was in a precarious situation. He had exhausted too much Qi, and using movement techniques is impossible.

He couldn't use the Imperial Firmament Strike technique, this greater Earth Grade technique, effectively as he was in a coma for a few years, and he didn't have time to further improve his comprehension of the technique.

The Imperial Firmament Strike technique was also too complex since it was related to both the Dao of Lightning and the Dao of Destruction.

Liang Xia realized that Wu Li had been too overconfident and had used Yang Chen as a whetstone, but he also knew that only the threat of death could spur a cultivator to make significant improvements. If Wu Li managed to survive this fight, he would gain significant advancement in his cultivation.

"Your only hope of winning this fight is to condense the Infernal Thunder Dao Mark," Liang Xia advised, "though it won't replenish your Qi, it may upgrade your Extreme Lightning Strike technique by adding the power of the Fire Dao from the Infernal Dao Mark."

The old man went on to say, "You already know that the Five Elements have a Destructing Cycle, where each element can overcome another. In this cycle, Fire is the element that dominates Metal."

Wu Li nodded, understanding that fire had dominance over metal, and focused on condensing his Infernal Thunder Dao Mark with the hope that he would be able to defeat Yang Chen.

He struck the Primordial Abyss Sword towards Yang Chen, disrupting his concentration and making it harder for him to channel the Silvermoon Metal Slash technique.

But after a few breaths, Yang Chen sneered as the moon behind him grew even bigger, its diameter now an astonishing one thousand meters. The beautiful moon emitted a cold, silver light that sent a shiver through the spectators' bones

"Silvermoon Metal Slash, Second Severance!" Yang Chen yelled, the power of his technique increasing with each slash. As Wu Li's Primordial Abyss Sword collided with Yang Chen's technique, shockwaves were sent to Wu Li's arms. However, he still has the ability to confront Yang Chen's strike head-on.

As Wu Li focused on comprehending the Infernal Thunder Dao Mark, he couldn't help but notice how quickly he was improving due to fighting against someone who cultivated the Metal Dao.

After around fifty more exchanges, Yang Chen was able to unleash two more strikes, reaching the fifth strike.

Facing the two strikes head on, Wu Li felt the pressure increase even more, and he retreated a few steps.

The moon that appeared behind Yang Chen was now an impressive four thousand meters in diameter, and Wu Li couldn't help but feel a sense of dread at the sheer size of it. But it wasn't just the moon's size that had changed; it had become even harder, and the killing intent emanating from it was almost suffocating.

"Silvermoon Metal Slash, Fifth Severance!" Yang Chen laughed and unleashed his technique.

Wu Li realized that facing Yang Chen's powerful technique head-on would be too risky, so he quickly decided to channel his own technique, the Extreme Lightning Strike. He knew that he only had enough Qi to use this technique five more times, and so he focused on using it to parry Yang Chen's next strikes.

With lightning crackling around him, Wu Li deftly parried Yang Chen's strike, using the power of his Extreme Lightning Strike to clash with the enormous moon. The clash sent sparks flying in all directions, and Wu Li struggled to keep up with the incredible power of his opponent. Nevertheless, with skill and determination, he managed to barely deflect Yang Chen's strike.

"What a fearsome technique! Yang Chen's Silvermoon Metal Slash matches Wu Li's ultimate move at the fifth severance. How terrifying would the ninth severance be?" a spectator exclaimed.

The others nodded in awe. They were amazed by the strength of the technique.

As time passed, the pressure on Wu Li mounted with each strike from Yang Chen's Silvermoon Metal Slash technique. The force of the sixth severance pushed him back a few steps, the seventh caused him to stagger a dozen steps, and now he braced himself for the eighth.

The moon behind Yang Chen grew even more massive, expanding to an incredible eight thousand meters in diameter. Wu Li knew that surviving this strike was only half the battle, as the next strike would be even more daunting. The moon would become even more imposing, expanding to a staggering ten thousand meters in diameter.

Yang Chen said with a domineering air, "Wu Li! You are like a mantis trying to stop a carriage. Truly, the arrogant are fearless!"

Wu Li sneered in response, his attention fully focused on condensing the Infernal Thunder Dao Mark. As he faced the descending moon created by Yang Chen, a sudden realization dawned upon him.

With a burst of lightning, Wu Li clashed his sword against the moon, a shower of sparks illuminating the air. Despite his defense, he was left badly injured by the eighth strike, blood trickling down his lips.

Despite the injury, Wu Li remained confident, sensing a glimmer of hope for victory in the midst of the battle.

He focused his mind and circulated his Qi, feeling the fire element in the air. He tried to merge his will with the fire, to sense its nature and its laws. He felt a sudden surge of inspiration, as if he had grasped something profound.

Wu Li muttered to himself as he thought about the Fire Dao. "The Fire Dao is life's spark, joy's source, and change's force. It creates and destroys, it lives and dies, it transforms and transcends."

He paused and continued. "The Fire Dao is a candle in the dark. It warms and lights, but it also melts and fades. It relies on the Wood Dao, but it feeds the Earth Dao. It is generous and radiant, but also limited and mortal."

He took a deep breath and concluded. "The Fire Dao is adventure's spirit, action's courage, and innovation's enthusiasm. It challenges and overcomes, but it also risks and fears. It beats the Metal Dao, but it dreads the Water Dao. It seeks new horizons, but it respects nature's harmony."

Wu Li's eyes widened as he felt the energy coalescing within him. With a swift hand gesture, he directed his Qi into his palm, and a distinct mark emerged on his hand. It had a bright red upper part and a deep blue lower part, creating a flame-like symbol - the Infernal Thunder Dao Mark.

Wu Li knew that if he could successfully condense the remaining four Dao Marks, he would finally be able to form the Five Elements Chaotic Lightning Essence Foundation.

[A/N: I know that the fight scene might be a bit too long, but don't worry. I wanted to explain the power system, and not info dump everyone. Most fights from now on will be at most 1 chapter long(is it too long for some? if so, tell).]

[A/N: From now on, I will place more emphasis on Wu Yang since there will be an incoming arc where he is going to pave a way for his future reincarnations. I also added the tags #no-harem and #villain. You can already see that the Wu Yang isn't interested in romantic relationships, and also, he will become evil in the future, not to the point where he kills without reason, but if it benefits him, he was willing to do whatever it takes to get stronger.]