One person: Starting with the Snow Drinking Blade

As soon as he finished speaking, a jet-black, thick, glue-like liquid silently seeped from the surface of the bluestone arena beneath Zhang Lingyu's feet! This black liquid seemed to possess a life of its own, rapidly meandering and spreading in all directions, emitting a faint "sizzling" sound. Wherever it passed, the arena floor quickly lost its luster, becoming dull and soft, and the temperature in the air plummeted, spreading a chilling, damp, and turbid cold that seemed to erode to the very marrow!

Yin Five Thunders - Northern Azure Pool!

In just a few breaths, half of the arena was covered by the black "water-dirty thunder," turning into a strange and dangerous muddy swamp. Zhang Lingyu stood in the center of the "swamp," surrounded by black mist. His originally aloof temperament was now tinged with a sinister and eerie aura, and his cold eyes made him look like a monarch who ruled the underworld.

"Holy crap! It's for real!" Zhang Chulan blurted out, quickly retreating to avoid the black water spreading to his feet. He had personally witnessed how troublesome this water-based lightning was when Nie Lingfeng and Zhang Lingyu sparred—it corroded his Qi, slowed his movements, and wore down his fighting spirit; it was truly insidious and domineering. "Junior Uncle, you didn't even give a warning before unleashing your ultimate attack. Isn't that a bit too unsportsmanlike? Weren't we fighting quite 'amicably' just now?"

Zhang Lingyu ignored his trash talk, raised his hands, and the black swamp seemed to come alive. Thick black water burst out like tentacles and wrapped around Zhang Chulan from different angles!

"Tsk, they change their minds faster than turning the pages of a book!" Zhang Chulan complained, but his movements didn't dare to slacken in the slightest. He unleashed the full power of his Wind God Leg, dashing left and right in the limited space, like dancing on a knife's edge, narrowly avoiding the chilling, bone-corroding black water tentacles time and time again. However, the arena space was limited, while the coverage area of ​​the Water Dirty Thunder was constantly expanding, drastically compressing his room to maneuver.

"Run? Let's see how long you can run!" Zhang Lingyu's voice was cold as she controlled the Water Dirty Thunder to surround Zhang Chulan from all directions. At the same time, she moved and stepped into the Black Swamp herself, as if walking on flat ground. Her speed increased several times. Her palm, which was intertwined with golden light and black water, passed through the gaps in the black water tentacles and went straight for Zhang Chulan's face!

Seeing that there was nowhere to retreat, a ruthless glint flashed in Zhang Chulan's eyes, knowing that he could no longer hide.

"Junior Uncle, you forced me to do this! I originally wanted to save it for the finals... cough, I mean, to show it off!"

He abruptly stopped, no longer dodging, and swiftly formed a complex and ancient hand seal in front of his chest. Within his body, the "Qi" that originated from his grandfather Zhang Huaiyi and had gradually awakened and grown stronger through years of incubation and recent special training, began to surge and roar wildly like a volcano that had been ignited!

A completely different, extremely masculine, and violently intense aura suddenly erupted from his thin body!

"Yang Five Thunders..." Zhang Chulan roared, his hair standing on end without wind, and blinding silver-white lightning suddenly blazed in his pupils, obscuring his original eye color. "Thunderbolt Mode!"

"BOOM—!!!"

Like a bolt from the blue, a dazzling white lightning bolt exploded outwards from Zhang Chulan, radiating outwards like a blast! Countless tiny electric snakes danced wildly, crackling and popping, instantly sweeping away the chilling black aura within three feet of him! He was enveloped in a blinding white light, like a thunder god descending to earth, his violent thunderous pressure sweeping across the entire arena!

Even more astonishing was his speed! The instant the lightning erupted, his figure vanished completely from his original spot!

No, it's not disappearing! It's almost gone!

"call out--!"

Only a fleeting, distorted white trail of lightning remained in the air! The next moment, Zhang Chulan's fist, enveloped in blazing white lightning, slammed down with immense force onto Zhang Lingyu's hastily raised golden arm, which was wrapped in water-dirty lightning!

"Bang--!!!"

This time, the sound was completely different! It was a thunderous explosion! Blinding white light and gloomy black water intertwined and annihilated each other wildly! The violent shockwave tore apart the black water tentacles that tried to entangle around it!

Zhang Lingyu's expression changed drastically. He felt an indescribable impact, combining extreme speed and ferocious power, slam into his defenses! His feet slid backward uncontrollably, carving two deep furrows in the black swamp, and he barely managed to regain his footing after retreating more than three zhang away! The incredibly condensed golden light on his arm fluctuated violently, and fine, spiderweb-like cracks appeared on its surface!

"This speed...this explosive power..." Zhang Lingyu's heart was filled with shock. He was not unfamiliar with Yang Wu Lei, but what Zhang Chulan was showing at this moment was definitely not the traditional Yang Wu Lei recorded in the Longhu Mountain classics, which was neutral and peaceful. Instead, it was a dangerous mode that pushed the "speed" and "violence" of thunder to the extreme, and used it to temporarily and greatly enhance himself!

"It's not over yet, Junior Uncle! Try this!" Zhang Chulan pressed his advantage relentlessly. Although maintaining "Thunderbolt Mode" consumed a terrifying amount of Qi, his fighting spirit was high at the moment. He slammed his hands together in front of his chest, palms facing each other, and lightning was frantically compressed and condensed!

"Yang Wu Lei - Little White Snake!"

"Sizzle—!"

A white lightning bolt, no thicker than a chopstick yet incredibly condensed and blindingly bright, shot out from between his palms as if it possessed a life of its own! This lightning bolt was faster than any of Zhang Chulan's previous attacks, almost instantly approaching Zhang Lingyu's face the moment it left his palms! Even more bizarrely, it could twist and change direction at will in mid-air, tracing unnatural arcs with unbelievable agility, specifically targeting gaps in Zhang Lingyu's protective golden light and blind spots untouched by the water-based lightning!

Zhang Lingyu's heart tightened, and he dodged swiftly, simultaneously manipulating the water-dirty lightning to create a barrier in an attempt to block it. However, the "little white worm" was far too agile and swift, always managing to penetrate the gaps in the black water or bypass the golden light at the last second, clinging to him like a persistent leech.

"Annoying!" Zhang Lingyu was somewhat overwhelmed by the cunning electric snake. He tried several times to slap it away, but it always dodged him by the slightest margin, instead expending a lot of his mental and physical energy. Finally, in a rapid change of direction, the electric snake found a tiny opening and, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, grazed past the outside of Zhang Lingyu's right arm, which was slightly slower to parry!

"laugh--!"

Although it was just a glancing blow, the violent power of Yang Lightning erupted instantly! Zhang Lingyu's right sleeve was charred and torn, and the protective golden light was ripped open, causing numbness and burning pain to spread through his skin! Although the golden light immediately surged to repair it, this momentary opening was enough to tip the balance of the battle!

"Now!" Zhang Chulan's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He endured the swelling and pain in his meridians caused by excessive stimulation and pushed the "Thunderbolt Mode" to the limit he could bear!

"call out--!"

He transformed into a white lightning bolt that tore through the sky, moving at a terrifying speed three times faster than before. Ignoring the water-dirty lightning spreading beneath his feet and trying to slow him down, he forcefully blasted a path through the lightning power, instantly traversing several meters and reappearing in front of Zhang Lingyu!

His right fist, enveloped in blazing lightning, was devoid of any fancy moves, but it concentrated all the power he could muster at the moment, and with an unstoppable momentum, it slammed into Zhang Lingyu's chest!

In the rush, Zhang Lingyu only had time to cross his arms in front of his chest. The golden light and the water-dirty lightning converged at the same time, forming a solid defense.

"boom--!!!"

Where fists and arms collided, a roar more dazzling and louder than ever before erupted! Blinding white light and deep black water clashed, annihilated, and exploded wildly! A terrifying shockwave exploded out in a ring, blowing away the rubble, dust, and even the remaining water mines from the arena surface!

As the light faded, the two figures became visible.

Zhang Lingyu groaned, staggered, and took five steps back, each step leaving a deep footprint on the arena. His face turned slightly pale, the golden light on his crossed arms dimmed, and his sleeves were charred and torn, with faint flashes of lightning.

Zhang Chulan, on the other hand, was sent flying backward by the recoil. After landing, he staggered back seven steps before barely managing to steady himself in a half-kneeling position. His face was flushed, his chest heaved violently, and he was panting heavily. The lightning around him quickly dimmed and dissipated, revealing his pale and tired face. Clearly, this attack had exhausted most of his Qi, and he could no longer maintain "Thunderbolt Mode".

However, the outcome of the battle was already clearly revealed in this single strike.

Zhang Lingyu slowly lowered her arm, looked down at the scorch marks on her sleeve and the lingering numbness in her arm, then looked up at Zhang Chulan in the distance, who was panting but had bright eyes, filled with stubbornness and a hint of pride, and remained silent for a few breaths.

Finally, he gently exhaled a breath of stale air, which seemed to carry a faint trace of lightning.

"...I lost."

The sound was clear and calm, echoing across the suddenly deathly silent training ground.

After a brief silence, a deafening roar erupted!

"Wh...what?! Zhang Chulan won?!"

"That 'Shameless' one... really won against Master Lingyu?!"

"That move just now... that white lightning! Was that Yang Five Thunder?! Yang Five Thunder can be used like that?!"

"That was too fast! I didn't even see the last punch!"

"A comeback! This is a true comeback! From 'shameless' to defeating the top martial arts master of Longhu Mountain..."

The referee seemed stunned for several seconds before reacting, and hurriedly announced loudly, his voice trembling slightly: "The winner... the winner is Zhang Chulan!"

"Huff...huff..." Upon hearing this, Zhang Chulan's tense nerves finally relaxed, and he slumped onto the arena, barely having the strength to lift his arms. Maintaining "Thunderbolt Mode" and controlling "Little White Serpent" had placed a far greater strain on his mind and body than he had imagined.

A pair of clean white cloud-patterned shoes appeared in his lowered gaze. Zhang Chulan looked up and saw that Zhang Lingyu had walked up to him at some point and was extending a slender, fair hand to him.

Zhang Chulan was stunned for a moment, then grinned, reached out and grabbed it, using it to help him stand up.

"Well done." Zhang Lingyu looked into his eyes, her tone more serious and honest than ever before, without a trace of false politeness. "Your lightning technique... is unique, bringing the 'speed' and 'fierceness' of Yang lightning to a new level. I... underestimated you."

"Hehe, it was just a lucky guess, a wild guess." Zhang Chulan scratched his head, looking unusually embarrassed.

"It's not just wild speculation." Zhang Lingyu shook his head, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions—approval, reflection, and a barely perceptible sense of relief. "Being able to innovate upon the ancestral thunder technique and give it a completely new combat form is itself proof of talent and perseverance. Before... I was fixated on the form and stuck in my ways."

"Junior Uncle, you flatter me." Zhang Chulan also put away his smile and said seriously, "Your skill is profound and your lightning techniques are pure. If I hadn't used tricks and taken advantage of your unfamiliarity with my fighting style, I would have had no chance of winning."

"Victory is victory, and defeat is defeat." Zhang Lingyu's tone was calm yet firm. "There are no excuses on the stage. If you win, you become stronger. The finals... fight well."

He paused, then turned his gaze to the contestants' area: "Whether the opponent is Brother Nie or Daoist Wang Ye... they are by no means easy to deal with."

"Yes, I understand." Zhang Chulan nodded emphatically, following Zhang Lingyu's gaze to look at the contestants' area. There, Nie Lingfeng met his gaze, a faint smile on his face, and gave him a thumbs up.

Zhang Chulan felt a warmth in his heart, and he grinned, revealing a tired but spirited smile, and gave a thumbs up.

On the high platform, the old Celestial Master Zhang Zhiwei smiled so broadly that his eyes disappeared, and his long, snow-white beard trembled slightly.

"Good, good, good! This child, Chu Lan... hasn't disgraced his grandfather, Zhang Huaiyi! Very good!"

Tian Jinzhong was also greatly pleased, nodding repeatedly: "The Yang Five Thunder can actually generate such wonderful applications... swift as lightning, violent as fire. This child is quick-witted, bold yet meticulous; he's a promising talent!"

Lu Jin leaned closer, his eyes gleaming with excitement: "Old Zhang, your grand-disciple has really given everyone a big surprise! So, now that it's the finals, would you rather see him face off against that kid Nie, or against that little Wang Ye from Wudang?"

The old master did not answer immediately. He stroked his long beard and gazed into the distance in two other directions in the contestants' area.

There, Nie Lingfeng had already stood up and was calmly moving his wrists and ankles, his eyes as calm as a deep pool.

On the other side, Master Wang Ye still looked sleepy and languid, leaning back in his chair as if the fierce battle just now had nothing to do with him.

"No matter who we face..." the old master began slowly, his eyes gleaming with anticipation, "it will surely be a... spectacular show."

Amidst cheers, gasps, and the still-repeated jeers of "Shameless!", Zhang Chulan staggered off the stage. His legs were still trembling slightly, a sign of exhaustion from overexertion.

Xu Si rushed forward, grabbed his shoulder, and shook him vigorously, laughing even more heartily than if he had won himself: "Good lad! You really made your fourth brother proud! You kept it a secret! When did you figure out that 'White Flash' move? You even kept it from us!"

"No, no, I really can't beat you guys, so I had to work hard in secret..." Zhang Chulan was dizzy from being shaken and weakly explained.

"Winning is better than anything else." Xu San also came over, unusually refraining from lecturing, and with a relieved smile on his face, gently patted Zhang Chulan on the back.

Feng Baobao silently handed him a bottle of mineral water with the cap unscrewed, staring at him intently: "Drink. Tired."

Zhang Chulan took the bottle, gave her a grateful look, tilted his head back and gulped down most of it. The cool water slid down his throat, and he felt the burning fatigue ease a little.

"Brother Feng," he caught his breath and looked at Nie Lingfeng, who was already preparing to walk onto the stage, his eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of nervousness, "In the next match... between you and Daoist Wang, who do you think will win?"

Upon hearing this, Nie Lingfeng stopped his warm-up exercises and turned his head. His gaze calmly swept over Wang Ye, who was still lounging not far away. Wang Ye seemed to sense his gaze and slowly opened his eyes, which were always half-closed, and looked over.

Their gazes met silently in the air, as if invisible arcs of electricity were crackling, and the air seemed to grow heavier.

"I don't know." Nie Lingfeng withdrew his gaze, looked at Zhang Chulan, and said in a calm tone that contained a strong sense of confidence, "But I will win."

After saying that, he turned around and walked with steady steps toward the arena where a fierce battle had just ended and where a new protagonist was waiting.

In the second semi-final match, Nie Lingfeng faced off against Wang Ye.