The sword shot out like the wind, swift and unreserved, yet in the instant of its flight, it seemed to slam into an invisible steel wall. Clang! Boom! Without any warning, Nian and Lanqi were both bizarrely sent flying backward. "Ah! What a powerful aura!"

Others might not have understood what had just happened, but Xingchen knew clearly that Silver Fox hadn't even swung his sword. The moment Nian and Lanqi pressed into the inner circle, he had abruptly unleashed the Dou Qi within his body, creating a massive explosive field of energy.

It was an extremely brief process, so fast that even biological radar couldn't capture it. Nian and Lanqi hadn't grasped what had occurred before they were blasted away!

Although there were no precise figures, Xingchen instinctively judged that the force field eruption in that instant registered at least 400,000 in intensity. What a terrifying number that was, also proving that Silver Fox possessed Dou Qi control capabilities far beyond what ordinary people could imagine. He had instantaneously elevated his Dou Qi energy to 400,000 out of thin air, only to immediately withdraw it.

Nian and Lanqi, having been thrown back, reacted with astonishing agility, executing a clean backflip almost simultaneously with their takeoff, landing gracefully on the ground. Though unharmed, their expressions were grim. To be repelled in a single exchange, without even witnessing how the opponent moved—it was utterly incomprehensible!

"So strong," Nian whispered, his face pale, his sword hand trembling slightly. He hadn't expected that even after equipping the Mad Thunder Set, the gap in strength would be this immense. Lanqi took a deep breath as well.

Nilo, standing beside Xingchen, also had a dark look on his face; even with his keen eyesight, he hadn't discerned how Silver Fox had struck! What manner of terrifying power was this? It was no wonder Silver Fox was hailed as one of the two strongest Phoenix Knights of Fengtian.

"Let me handle this now," Xingchen's voice was calm, yet it carried a strange, reassuring magic that settled the nerves. Though they had no concrete proof, Nian and Lanqi clearly felt the intense, unshakeable confidence radiating from Xingchen. They instinctively retreated behind him.

The center of the passage was cleared, leaving only Xingchen and Silver Fox standing opposite each other. Silver Fox’s slow, approaching footsteps finally halted; he had to stop. Before him stood a figure, a presence as immovable as a mountain.

Perhaps he wasn't physically imposing, but the steady aura he projected created immense pressure, an overwhelming sense of overshadowing darkness. It felt as if everyone else was diminished before him, enveloped by that heavy shadow. Even breathing became somewhat labored.

"Xingchen," Silver Fox said slowly, with a tone that seemed both wistful and resigned. "I never thought I'd see the day you finally donned the Mad Thunder Set."

Xingchen merely smiled dismissively, the corner of his mouth curving upward, projecting an air of detached confidence, as if he controlled the elements: "My luck has always been good."

"Very well, then I shall take it upon myself to experience just how powerful the strongest martial artist of Mafa Continent becomes once clad in the Mad Thunder," Silver Fox's calm eyes suddenly flared with intense fighting spirit—the look of someone delighted to find a worthy opponent, eager for the contest.

"As you wish." Xingchen drew a deep breath, and the previously overwhelming, tide-like surge of his momentum vanished instantly. Though they had never fought before, Nilo had previously provided Xingchen with detailed dossiers on the Seven Great Phoenix Knights and the Twelve Golden Warriors of the Xiangtian Clan. Silver Fox was the second most powerful among the Seven Phoenix Knights, considered one of the most difficult to counter.

Silver Fox’s might stemmed primarily from the silver Mad Thunder Set he wore. The standard Mad Thunder Set had a base power level of 100,000 points! When activating the highest level, the sixth-stage Burning System, the maximum Dou Qi intensity could reach around 700,000 points. This was the absolute peak combat power usable by a typical Mad Thunder warrior.

But the Silver Mad Thunder was different! It was the pinnacle of Xiangtian Clan's advanced technology. Its base power was double that of the standard Gold Mad Thunder, amounting to 200,000 points. Therefore, theoretically, Silver Fox’s individual maximum combat strength should be: 200,000 (Base Power) + 200,000 x 6 (Six-Stage Burning System) = 1,400,000!

While this was merely a theoretical maximum, few battles escalate to an all-out clash at peak Dou Qi intensity. However, beyond the terrifying 1.4 million combat strength, Silver Fox possessed another frightening ability: extremely potent instantaneous burst power. Most individuals require a five-second buffer to initiate the Burning System, but Silver Fox needed only two seconds. This allowed him to maintain absolute initiative in combat. His opponents were often overwhelmed before they could even fully engage, which is why only the four Golden Warriors of the Duoluo Tribe, masters of coordinated attacks, could truly contend with him. Even they gained no significant advantage when facing Silver Fox.

However, now equipped with the Mad Thunder Set, Xingchen was confident he could contend with, or even defeat, him. This wasn't blind bravado; it was based on concrete facts. For reasons unknown, the Mad Thunder Set on Xingchen's body had fused perfectly with him. There were absolutely no defects in Dou Qi integration, meaning Xingchen could utilize every ounce of the equipment’s power at will, one hundred percent.

Nilo was utterly baffled by this anomaly. But in Xingchen’s view, it must be related to the Nine Dragon Body Protection technique he practiced. The Nine Dragon Body Protection was designed precisely to increase physical fortitude, allowing the body to withstand greater Dou Qi consumption and resist stronger impacts, while also automatically repairing damaged tissues post-injury. The effects of this technique were even more phenomenal than the physical enhancements of the Crouching Dragon World.

Although the replica Mad Thunder Set had various inherent flaws, the powerful backlash energy was insufficient to harm Xingchen, whose body was protected by a divine technique. Thus, he could effortlessly control the power of the Mad Thunder Set on his person. It was much like being a carrier for the Hepatitis B virus: if one's physical constitution is robust enough, the virus cannot inflict harm upon the body.

Of course, Xingchen understood these principles, but others did not, nor did he wish them to—this was his ultimate hidden advantage. By Xingchen’s own estimation, after equipping the Mad Thunder Set, his base combat strength was 100,000 points. Although the biological computer in Xingchen’s mind, Lan Ye, was not loaded with the most powerful combat system, the Burning System, preventing him from activating the Mad Thunder Set's maximum energy state. However, the power amplification granted by Xingchen’s mastery of the Kai-Oh Fist and the Nine Heavens Star River was absolutely comparable to the Burning System, and perhaps even faster in activation speed.

Speaking of the Burning System, Xingchen was keen to try it, but after consulting Lan Ye, he learned that the Burning System might conflict with his Kai-Oh Fist, Nine Heavens Star River, and Nine Dragon Body Protection, forcing him to abandon the idea of installing it. According to Lan Ye’s tactical computer analysis, Xingchen’s ultimate combat potential should be: 100,000 (Base Power) x 2 (Kai-Oh Fist Double) x 6 (Star River Sword Technique Six-fold Double) = 1,200,000.

In terms of sheer theoretical limit, Xingchen was weaker than Silver Fox (Silver Fox at 1.4 million, Xingchen at 1.2 million). But these were just theoretical figures. In actual combat, having higher numbers doesn't guarantee victory; it depends on the individual's application and grasp of power. In this regard, Xingchen was an absolute master; both the Nine Heavens Star River Lightning Sword Technique and the Dragon Shadow Sword Technique were devastating moves perfectly suited for real combat. Therefore, Xingchen was fully confident in this upcoming battle.

The moment he stepped forward, Xingchen instinctively channeled the Kai-Oh Fist! And the first form of the Nine Heavens Star River Sword Technique: Starfall Nine Heavens! Having survived countless brutal fights, Xingchen’s application of the Star River Sword Technique had reached a state of perfection. Even without taking flight, Xingchen could still execute the Starfall Nine Heavens killing move. He cleverly adapted the original downward-striking aerial maneuver into a ground-based duel.

This was the revised Starfall Nine Heavens. It was a necessary adjustment. The height of the tunnel was less than ten meters, entirely unsuitable for executing the wide-ranging aerial leaps intrinsic to the genuine Nine Heavens Star River Sword Technique, so it had to be converted into ground-based footwork techniques! For someone as experienced as Xingchen, this presented no real obstacle.

Activating both the Starfall Nine Heavens and the Kai-Oh Fist simultaneously, Xingchen's Dou Qi intensity exploded instantly to 400,000 points! In the past, whenever Starfall Nine Heavens was used, it was invariably a downward aerial strike, meaning there was no pause or buffer time; typically, the moment the Star River Sword Qi erupted, the attack was launched with supreme swiftness! With the revised ground combat iteration, however, Xingchen had to make an adjustment! The Star River Sword Qi, at an intensity of 400,000, was held back, not immediately unleashed, slowly swirling around Xingchen. It manifested as a blurred, distorted mist of light—an aura of supremely concentrated energy, as if all the energy and vitality between heaven and earth were being drawn in and compressed into the limited space within a ten-meter radius around him, forming a bizarre, hazy nebula of light. Within that mist, nine distinct points of strange luminosity appeared, like nine brilliant stars in a vast galaxy!

What was this technique? Let alone Nilo and Silver Fox, even Xingchen was stunned by this strange nebular mist. The potent Dou Qi energy surged violently, resembling countless tiny fragments of suns, transforming the entire tunnel floor into a strangely brilliant world of light. Yet, within this dazzling beauty lay a terrifying killing intent capable of shattering the world. The entire space seemed to be twisted into a sinister hellscape by this overwhelming murderous energy! "So strong—the very first move is this powerful!" Xingchen fiercely suppressed the surge of ecstasy in his heart and swung his sword! This astonishingly intense Star River Sword Qi swept outward! It was like the placid Yangtze River suddenly exploding into a frenzied torrent—the drastic contrast between the previous state and this one was almost too much to process! Whoosh! Nine brilliant waves of Star River Sword Qi shot forward like crests on a massive wave!

Silver Fox’s grim eyes grew even heavier with caution. This was beyond belief—what technique was this now? The biological computers in the minds of everyone present spat out figures that sent their hearts racing. Life Field: 400,000. Dou Qi Intensity: 400,000.

"How is that possible? He boosted his Dou Qi intensity to 400,000 in an instant!" Iron Eagle's face changed drastically! "The time differential was less than two seconds!" Nilo, Nian, and Lanqi were all incredulous.

Silver Fox’s heart sank instantly. His opponent’s strength surpassed imagination. His own superior Dou Qi control was due to the advantage of his equipment, yet even he required two full seconds to reach that level. But his opponent achieved such formidable Dou Qi energy the very moment he stepped forward. A difference of less than two seconds meant his Dou Qi activation speed was on par with Silver Fox's own. What kind of Dou Qi control skill was this? It was unbelievable!

Despite his shock, Silver Fox dared not be careless. He had already activated the Burning System, initiating the first level, bringing his Dou Qi energy up to 400,000 points! Consequently, though astonished by Xingchen’s sword energy attack, he was not panicked. Dou Qi energy reaching an intensity of 400,000 was instantly poured into the sword’s edge, sweeping outward! Swish! A colossal, indescribable golden crescent appeared out of nowhere, almost completely filling the narrow passage. It then shot forward like a cannonball fired from its chamber, colliding head-on with the incoming Star River Sword Qi! Clang! Boom! The wildly surging Star River Sword Qi finally met the golden crescent swept out by Silver Fox head-on! But what sort of phenomenal explosion was triggered by the collision of two Dou Qi forces, both registering 400,000 in intensity?

Coupled with the fact that they were in a relatively sealed underground passage, the resulting shockwave had nowhere to dissipate but rushed outward toward both ends of the tunnel. Everyone present was violently thrown backward by the terrifying, mountain-toppling wave of air, sent soaring toward opposite ends of the passage like dead leaves caught in a gale!