Staring at Xiao Ning's decisive collapse on the field, the audience, after a brief silence, quickly grew restless. The initial shock, which had not yet fully subsided, began to stir once more within each observer. Among the younger generation of the Xiao family, everyone was speechless, gazing at Xiao Ning, who had now gasped and collapsed to the ground. As peers, they all knew Xiao Ning's formidable combat prowess—besides Xun'er, he was widely considered the strongest among the young. Yet now, in just two encounters against Xiao Yin, he had been thoroughly defeated. This sudden turn of events left everyone utterly stunned. Could it be that, while diligently cultivating his battle energy, he still found time to refine his battle techniques? "...Heh, Xiao Yan, the young lord, not only possesses an exceptionally strong battle energy, but also masters his battle techniques with such refined skill—it must have taken Master Xiao quite a bit of effort," remarked the lady at the guest seat, though she had anticipated this, still momentarily stunned by Xiao Yan's accomplishments. Her eyes, now sparkling with admiration, gently smiled at Xiao Zhan beside her. To learn advanced battle techniques, one must have a personal instructor who can impart the specific techniques—clearly, Lady Ya considered Xiao Zhan to be the special mentor for Xiao Yan. Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan remained silent, shaking his head with a faint smile. Not only had he never personally taught Xiao Yan any battle techniques, but even if he had wished to, he simply could not have taught the unusual techniques Xiao Yan had previously demonstrated. Based on his knowledge of the family's battle techniques, he had never heard of such a technique before. Since they had never seen it before, there could only be one reason: the combat technique used by Xiao Yan was not one of the Xiao family's own! "Not a technique from the Xiao family—then where did Yan learn it?" With a touch of curiosity, Xiao Zhan shifted his gaze toward the senior family members, only to find that they were now casting upon him rather odd, puzzled glances. Staring at their expressions, Xiao Zhan was momentarily taken aback, then astonished—had they also thought he was giving Yan special treatment? With a resigned sigh, he decided not to explain further and once again turned his attention to the black-robed youth on the field, murmuring to himself, "This young man truly has quite a few secrets." Exhaling a long, slow breath, the second elder raised his dry palm high, about to loudly declare the match over—when suddenly, his face tightened. The sudden shift on the field sent shockwaves through the entire arena, and the guests at the VIP section, especially Xiao Zhan and the others, saw their faces pale. They could clearly feel that Xiao Ning now possessed the strength of a true combatant! "Xiao Ning has taken the 'Qi-Enhancing Powder!'" murmured the experienced Lady Ya, her expression shifting as she watched Xiao Ning's sudden surge in power. "Damn it!" Xiao Zhan's face darkened further. With a powerful punch, he slammed his fist into the table, sending a network of cracks spreading across it. Turning to face the elderly senior elder, whose expression had also changed, he glared fiercely, "Old man, if anything happens to my son, even if your grandson pays his life, it won't be enough!" The potential now displayed by Xiao Yan far surpassed that of Xiao Ning alone. Should Xiao Yan suffer irreparable injuries during the match due to Xiao Ning's violation of the rules, even with the senior elder's powerful backing, the family would not easily let him off. Stared at by Xiao Zhan like a fierce wolf, even the dry skin of the Senior Elder trembled slightly, his mouth tasting faintly bitter. If Xiao Yan had been the young man he used to be, then this severe injury would have simply been a severe one. But now… even if the clan were to abandon this Senior Elder, they could not possibly let go of this young man who might one day become a Duke-level cultivator! The Senior Elder’s roar fell completely on deaf ears. Close at hand, Xiao Ning swiftly rushed to Xiao Yan’s side, rapidly condensing the Qi in both fists, and roared fiercely, "Iron Mountain Fist!" The surge of his strength brought a powerful pressure, creating a strong gust of wind. The wind lifted the strands of hair at Xiao Yan’s temples, revealing his cool, dark eyes. Faced with Xiao Ning’s powerful strike, Xiao Yan unexpectedly did not retreat. He clenched his right fist, slightly bent his body, resembling a lion poised and ready to charge. In that moment of stillness, his body surged forward like an arrow released from its bow. Staring at Xiao Ning, who had chosen to meet him head-on at this very moment, the second elder couldn't help but grow furious, "You fool!" With a deep, resonant command echoing in his mind, Xiao Ning's fist crashed squarely into Xiao Ning's, meeting resistance in the elder's startled gaze. "Thud!" The two fists collided in midair, the moment momentarily still. Xiao Ning's fierce expression instantly turned pale, blood seeping continuously from his lips. Calm and composed, the elder's arm snapped sharply, his sleeves rustling with a crisp, crackling sound. As he pushed forward with his fist, Xiao Ning's body, like a leaf caught in a strong wind, fell straight off the platform, landing amidst a sea of astonished onlookers. Watching this unfold, the second elder's eyes widened, drawing a long, steady breath. At the same time, the silhouette of the black-robed youth in the distance seemed to grow more enigmatic.