Chapter 8

"The Star Platform is a place where disciples of the Heavenly Dawn Valley cultivate. Each disciple has their own territory, and outsiders are not allowed to enter easily. Once they enter, they will disturb the cultivators, naturally leading to conflicts. Of course, if your strength is enough to overwhelm the cultivators, no one will dare to say anything. The Star Platform is also one of the most important structures in the Heavenly Dawn Valley," Xiong Yuan introduced to Xiao Yan.

The Star Platform is divided into twelve levels. Even the Bright Emperor dares not stay long in the center; usually, he can only stay for an hour at most, which shows how terrifying the energy in the innermost layer is. Xiao Yan and the others were in the outermost layer, so they were not affected.

"Senior Brother Xiong Yuan, could you give me some guidance? I don't quite understand this combat technique." As Xiao Yan was following Xiong Yuan and looking at the surroundings, a young man with a helpless look walked up to the two of them.

Given Xiong Yuan's personality, he naturally did not refuse. In the Heavenly Dawn Valley, anyone who was not in conflict with Xiong Yuan liked to seek his help. Since Xiong Yuan advanced to the Two-Star Sovereign, those who were previously dissatisfied with him have become more respectful.

Xiong Yuan smiled and took the scroll from the young man, glanced at it without hesitation, and then demonstrated it for him, explaining the key points very patiently.

Xiao Yan watched Xiong Yuan and couldn't help but smile. He really liked Xiong Yuan's personality. While Xiong Yuan was giving guidance, Xiao Yan walked around to enjoy the scenery of the Star Platform.

"Hey, kid, this is my territory. Get out, or I'll break your legs if you take another step closer." Xiao Yan didn't notice where he was standing. A young man with a fierce look saw Xiao Yan wandering into his cultivation area and angrily shouted. This young man was named Wu Yong, known for his domineering nature and considerable strength, already at the mid-stage of One-Star Sovereign. He estimated that he would advance to Two-Star Sovereign in a few hundred years, a position of significant status in the clan.

Xiao Yan didn't react to the insults, as if he hadn't heard them. He knew he had entered someone else's cultivation territory and, recalling Xiong Yuan's introduction, turned to leave.

Just as Xiao Yan was about to leave, the young man sitting in the distance suddenly stood up, a murderous look crossing his face. He looked at Xiao Yan's back and said coldly, "Didn't you hear me?"

Hearing the young man's words, Xiao Yan slowly turned around. The young man's aura couldn't escape the detection of Xiao Yan's Sovereign-level soul power. According to the information passed down by the Bright Emperor, this young man should be at the mid-stage of One-Star Sovereign, Xiao Yan guessed.

"Why should I listen to you?" Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow and said calmly.

The young man was taken aback by Xiao Yan's calm expression. In the Heavenly Dawn Valley, who would remain so composed when called out by him? A strange smile appeared on the young man's lips; he wanted to see what kind of strength this black-clothed young man had to speak to him with such confidence.

"You're quite bold, aren't you? You must be new here. You dare to be so defiant in my territory, you must be quite strong. Arrogant kid, do you have the guts to spar with me?" The young man pointed to the sky, speaking with great arrogance. To him, Xiao Yan was just a common One-Star Sovereign at the initial stage, like a harmless ant.

Hearing the young man's words, a hint of displeasure flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes, but he showed no fear. Looking at the arrogant young man, the blood in his body began to boil. It had been a long time since he had a proper battle. Xiao Yan wanted to test the level of his cultivation over the decades on the Continent of Martial Arts, and what the strength of a mid-stage One-Star Sovereign was like. His desire for battle ignited instantly, and a strange smile appeared on his lips as he nodded.

The young man laughed, "Ha, what an arrogant kid. You dare to be so bold at the initial stage of One-Star Sovereign. I'll show you what the strength of a mid-stage One-Star Sovereign is like."

Xiao Yan smiled, shrugged, and spread his hands, asking, "But, doesn't that stone tablet say that this place is off-limits for battles?"

"If not here, then where? The sparring arena?" The young man glanced at Xiao Yan, "If you have the guts, follow me." He then darted away. Xiao Yan naturally didn't want to fall behind and followed at an extremely fast speed.

Xiao Yan's body of异火 (異火, yihuo, meaning 'Strange Fire') was far superior to that of an ordinary Sovereign. In an instant, Xiao Yan caught up with the young man, who was immediately taken aback, his face turning cold as he sped away.

Xiao Yan had to follow closely behind, as he didn't know the way to the sparring arena. Seeing Xiao Yan at a disadvantage, a hint of satisfaction appeared on the young man's face. If he knew that Xiao Yan wasn't using his full strength, he wouldn't be so smug.

A large sparring arena appeared before Xiao Yan. They landed and registered, then moved to the center of the arena, ready to begin the battle.

"Whoosh—"