The resplendent thunder energy transformed into a Worldspace Domain that enveloped the entire mountain range.

Within the thunder energy domain, an endless number of destructive bolts roared as the two individuals clashed with each other fiercely. Every collision led to a detonation of thunder energy that spread across the area, causing the lush, green mountains to turn into blackened soot mounds. The two individuals were none other than Fang Xingyun and Li Luo. Everyone's eyes were glued to their fight.

It was clear for all that Fang Xingyun had the advantage in the continued clashes with Li Luo, as the latter was sent retreating with his attacks destroyed each time.

Even so, Li Luo would quickly jump back into the fray and strike out yet again with tens of thousands of bolts of golden thunder energy. When taking into consideration the huge gap between them and the Worldspace Domain, it was obvious that Fang Xingyun had the upper hand. However, Li Luo's middle ninth-grade Heavenly Dragon resonance had strengthened his body immensely while suppressing Fang Xingyun's dual dragon resonances, which had reduced the gap. What was supposed to be a one-sided battle had turned into a bloody stalemate.

Boom!

Amidst the raging thunder energy collisions, the thunder halberd roared and the silver thunder that wreathed it let out a thunderclap, causing the void to collapse. At the same time, boundless amounts of golden thunder energy wrapped around the Dragon Elephant Thunder Blade as it hacked towards the opposing attacks. A resounding ring of metal striking against metal reverberated through the skies.

Li Luo was sent tumbling away.

Fang Xingyun gripped his Thunderlight Halberd as he strode forward like a god of thunder with a gloomy expression. This fight had worn away all of his patience.

When he lowered his head to look at his prized weapon, he could see many nicks on his middle-grade Mythic Armament, created due to the continuous exchanges with Li Luo's Dragon Elephant Thunder Blade. A look of pained distress flickered through his eyes. This Mythic Armament was something he had spent an immense amount of effort to obtain and was his strongest weapon. It was the main tool he used to contend with the other vice principals in the outer divine continents, putting him at the top. Alas, dealing with Li Luo was building up his frustration. Obviously, Li Luo's sword was a high-grade Mythic Armament.

In all honesty, Fang Xingyun was greedy, and if they had clashed in the outside world, he would have probably tried to seize Li Luo’s treasure.

"This brat's background isn't simple."

Fang Xingyun was a little speechless. Although Li Luo had spent time cultivating within the Astral Sage College, it must have been the power behind him that allowed his talent to flourish and obtain the items he had today.

He then raised his head. Li Luo was standing tall. His robes had long been disintegrated by the continuous bouts, revealing his slender body. His head of violet-gold hair was as dazzling as the stars, and eye-catching violet-gold scales covered his body. Additionally, the runes that covered his skin converged into a small halo between his eyebrows. These were the Archaic Runes that had bolstered Li Luo's physical state to an unbelievable extent. The violet-gold scales were like a suit of protective armor that had dissolved most of the energy of Fang Xingyun's heavy blows.

Most importantly, Fang Xingyun possessed a Thunder Dragon resonance and was most proficient with thunder energy. Li Luo possessed similar expertise, so Fang Xingyun’s usually unstoppable onslaught was less effective when dealing with him.

“Ptui!”

Li Luo spat out a mouthful of bloody liquid. The injuries on the surface of his body began to swiftly mend and his mouth curled into a smile. This was the mightiest state that he could enter at the moment. On top of that, he was able to wield a middle ninth-grade Heavenly Dragon resonance. The difference was enormous from when it was at the quasi ninth-grade.

If not for the supplementation of the upgraded resonance, Li Luo would have been forced into a miserable situation by now.

"Vice Principal Fang, it looks like the lower Seventh Duke Stage lacks some firepower after all." Li Luo grinned.

Fang Xingyun had said the same of him not long ago, and his words had been returned to him.

Fang Xingyun's silver eyes flickered with violent thunder energy as he tightly gripped his Thunderlight Halberd and darkly replied, "Li Luo, I am forced to admit that you are quite capable."

A second-grade Transcendent had managed to surpass five grades and go toe-to-toe with a lower seventh-grade Duke. This was unimaginable to him.

Transcendent geniuses did possess unparalleled talent, but normally speaking, they were only capable of surpassing three grades. Li Luo, however, had gone much further! This sort of battle achievement would place him at the peak, even when considering the long annals of history. ʀÂＮốВÈṩ

"However, it's about time." Fang Xingyun took in a deep breath as he looked at Li Luo indifferently, raising the Thunderlight Halberd. "Since you're such a capable opponent, then it won't be considered bullying if I try my best, right?"

Li Luo's gaze turned abstruse upon hearing his words. He could then see that mighty silver thunder was condensing before the Thunderlight Halberd, transforming into a mysterious and violent rune that was engraved onto the tip of the weapon.

A thousand-feet-wide silver radiance was emitted.

The silver radiance created from thunder energy gave one a sense of doom. From afar, it looked like a gargantuan, silver dragon had wrapped itself around the point of the weapon, its claws stretched out and ready to reap death and destruction. This caused Li Luo to feel an extreme sense of crisis.

“Could this be... a Destiny-grade Duke Art?”

"This is the Silver Thunder True Tribulation Spirit, a lower Destiny-grade Duke Art. It is something that the Thunder Tribulation Sage College earned from the Academic Federation with our contributions. I've cultivated it for many years and it has become my ultimate trump card. It requires one to accumulate thunder energy through battle and thus, the longer the battle drags on, the more powerful it will become. Li Luo, did you truly think that I have been exchanging blows with you... for nothing? Let me, a seventh-grade Duke, demonstrate to you the true power of a Destiny-grade Duke Art! Even if you lose to this strike, you have already achieved much glory for yourself."

Fang Xingyun tightened his grip on his weapon to the point that his veins started bulging, as though his halberd had become incomparably weighty. His gaze was locked onto Li Luo and the rumbling of thunder could be heard.

Li Luo frowned and the violet-gold halo on his forehead began to glow even more brightly. He had not expected that Fang Xingyun had been secretly building up towards this during their countless exchanges.

He could sense that the silver thunder dragon manifestation on the tip of the Thunderlight Halberd was emitting terrifying energy undulations. If he were to be struck by it, his enhanced physical state would likely be unable to withstand its sheer might.

It turned out that no seventh-grade Duke was to be underestimated.

It would be extremely difficult to overcome the gap of five grades and win.

"Li Luo, if you choose to admit defeat now, it will save you some suffering," Fang Xingyun declared coldly.

Li Luo smiled and shook his head. "Vice Principal Fang, you're not the only one who has been preparing a final move."

At this point, Li Luo stretched his hand out, and a dark-red light surged from his palm, transforming into a palm-sized doll. Its features greatly resembled those of Fang Xingyun. This was naturally the human doll created by the Dragon Blood Affliction Art. It turned out that during their previous frenetic battles, Li Luo had secretly collected some of Fang Xingyun's blood essence and used the Dragon Blood Affliction Art from the Dragon's Blood Lineage to refine this human doll.

Fang Xingyun was shocked when he laid eyes on the doll. He could sense that it had an indescribable connection with him.

"Is this... some sort of curse art?" Fang Xingyun quickly came to this conclusion, but he wasn't worried in the slightest, instead coldly smiling. "Do you think you can threaten me with this sort of curse? You're too naive. The gap between our cultivation levels is very large, and if you dare to use this art wantonly, you'll definitely face a backlash!"

He had never heard of anyone daring to use an art like this against a much stronger opponent.

Li Luo smiled. The Dragon Blood Affliction Art was used by the Bloodline of Heavenly Emperor Li for internal battles, and it barely had any effect on outsiders. It was as Fang Xingyun had said—if the gap between the two was too large, the art would end up harming the user instead.

However... a trace of amusement appeared on Li Luo's face and his lips curled up. "What if I told you I wanted to suffer a backlash?"

Fang Xingyun paused, as though he had suddenly understood something, and his eyes narrowed. For a curse like this to work against a stronger opponent, the user would have to pay a much heavier price!

But even so, Li Luo clearly wanted to use the advantages of his resilient body due to the middle ninth-grade Heavenly Dragon resonance to take on the brunt of the backlash! Even though he would suffer an injury, Fang Xingyun would similarly be weakened! Li Luo was willing to pay any price to weaken his opponent.

In a situation where both parties were injured, Li Luo, with the more robust body, would recover quicker and it would be easy to see at a glance who would be in a better situation. After all, no matter how severe the backlash was, it would still pale in comparison to getting hit by the Silver Thunder True Tribulation Spirit.

"How vicious!" Fang Xingyun griped, but a sense of fear began to grow within his heart. He then shot forward, and the Thunderlight Halberd that was augmented by the thunder dragon manifestation swung towards Li Luo with the intention to kill.

Meanwhile, Li Luo remained nonplussed. A thin, blood-red blade appeared between his fingers and he slashed at the doll in his hand without any hesitation.