Lu Yunxiao's talent for horror

"Why did you use Eight Poles Collapse?" Xiao Yan questioned, puzzled by this revelation. Eight Poles Collapse was his signature move, so why would Lu Yunxiao employ it?

With a single glance, Xiao Yan recognized it as Eight Poles Collapse because of its familiar An Jin.

Upon Xiao Yan's query, Teacher Ruolin and the others also turned their attention to Lu Yunxiao. How did Lu Yunxiao know Xiao Yan's fighting techniques?

"You just demonstrated it to me," Lu Yunxiao replied, hands behind his back, clothes billowing, and a gentle smile on his face.

This statement left the audience in stunned silence.

"I'm a person who never forgets fighting techniques demonstrated by others. I've seen it once, and your Eight Poles Collapse is formidable. If you master it completely, it will be extraordinary."

"It's just that you're still only grasping the basics, Xiao Yan, keep working hard, and this time, accept your defeat."

Lu Yunxiao spoke with a smile.

His martial talent was truly exceptional. Earth-level fighting techniques only required him to understand their cultivation methods once, and he could perform them perfectly. As for techniques below the Earth level, he could replicate them at seventy to eighty percent efficiency after a single viewing. His talent was indeed terrifying.

But the people in the audience had never encountered such a genius. Lu Yunxiao's words left them in shock, unable to catch their breath.

"How is this possible?" Xiao Yan muttered to himself, finding it difficult to believe that someone could possess such astounding talent.

He had worked tirelessly to learn Eight Poles Collapse, and Lu Yunxiao had mastered it after witnessing it once. It was challenging for Xiao Yan to maintain his composure.

Moreover, this was the first time he had genuinely lost to someone of his age.

Even though they were of the same level, the gap between them was as vast as an ocean, impossible to discern.

Exhausting all his strength, Xiao Yan had only managed to last for ten moves.

And observing Lu Yunxiao's serene and composed demeanor, it was clear that he hadn't exerted his full strength. If he had, wouldn't the outcome have been even swifter?

These thoughts filled Xiao Yan with a sense of regret.

"Senior Lu, you've won this time, and I, Xiao Yan, admit defeat. However, I'll defeat you fair and square one day," Xiao Yan declared with resolve, standing up and gazing intently at Lu Yunxiao. Three years of adversity had matured his temperament significantly.

He wasn't someone who couldn't accept defeat; this time, he was acknowledging his loss.

Lu Yunxiao differed from Nalan Yanran. If he had lost to Nalan Yanran, Xiao Yan might have collapsed or even gone mad.

But losing to Lu Yunxiao wasn't something he couldn't accept. There were always others who excelled more, and this time, he was content to be second best.

Nonetheless, this loss didn't imply that he would lose again in the future. He swore that he would defeat Lu Yunxiao eventually, taking this defeat as motivation to keep striving.

"The ambition is admirable, but those who follow me will never catch up. They'll only watch me pull further and further ahead until they disappear from sight completely," Lu Yunxiao responded, brimming with fighting spirit. He believed that if Xiao Yan couldn't surpass him now, he never would. This conviction made him unwavering.

"Different Fire," Xiao Yan murmured, deepening his yearning for an exceptional fire.

...

On the other side, Lu Yunxiao exited the arena, immediately surrounded by female students.

"Xiao Yunxiao, you have some explaining to do. How many talents are you hiding from us?" Xue Ni placed her hands on her hips, looking as though she expected an answer.

The other female students stared at him inquisitively.

Lu Yunxiao smiled modestly but didn't respond. He had anticipated this reaction.

Looking toward Instructor Ruolin, Lu Yunxiao addressed her loudly, "Instructor Ruolin, I've completed my tasks. Is there anything left for me to do?"

"Instructor Ruolin, now that today's enrollment is almost over, can we leave?" A soft voice chimed in, and Gu Xun'er's eyes glistened with a hint of cunning.

"Very well, everyone can return now. We'll stay in Utan City for seven days following today to continue recruiting students," Instructor Ruolin announced gently.

"Teacher, during our stay in Utan City, we'd like to stay at the Xiao residence," Xiao Yu proposed, hugging Ruolin's arm with a warm smile. "With Senior Yunxiao, you can stay with us, and we'll treat you like family."

Xiao Yu cast a glance at Lu Yunxiao, extending the invitation to him as well.

"Um, well..." Lu Yunxiao hesitated. He had just moved into the Xiao residence after defeating Xiao Yan, so another stay there felt somewhat uncomfortable.

"Senior Lu, I believe Cousin Xiao Yu's proposal is excellent. What do you think?" Gu Xun'er suddenly looked at Lu Yunxiao.

With a wry smile, Lu Yunxiao accepted. "Then I shall impose on your hospitality."

There was no choice; it was challenging to refuse when Gu Xun'er made such a request.

"Since Yunxiao agreed, Yuer, let's host them for a few days," Instructor Ruolin agreed, her initial hesitation overcome.

After all, Canaan Academy usually had little interaction with local forces. Staying with the Xiao family might not be the best choice. However, in this context, it would indeed benefit the Xiao family. Canaan Academy was a transcendent entity above Yunlanzong, so residing at the Xiao residence implied that the Xiao family had some connection to the academy, which would significantly aid their development.