The protective layer around Flamel is a power bestowed by the divine, involving elements such as holy, darkness, and space, which currently lie beyond Ye Ruozai's ability to harness. Seeing that his attack failed, Ye Ruozai lifted a foot and kicked Flamel, who was trying to resist, in the stomach. His figure gracefully spun in the air, once again switching his attack method.

The combat techniques of both the Foundation Plane and the Daoist Realm flowed seamlessly from Ye Ruozai's hands, mixed and interwoven. Unlike Pei Yan, who has abandoned techniques and only pursues extreme strength and speed in relentless attacks, Ye Ruozai's physical fortitude is not comparable, so the frequency of his attacks is not as high. However, each strike is aimed at a point where the enemy is compelled to defend. His seemingly chaotic techniques are, in fact, coherent and logical. He never uses more than three moves from one sect's style before immediately switching his attack method at the right moment and angle, taking Flamel by surprise, leaving him only capable of defending but not counterattacking.

"That's a technique from Celestial Sword Manor."

"Oh! That's from Heart Sword Sect, and that's a technique from Hongjun Sword Furnace. Why have I never seen this sword move before?"

"It seems to be the swordsmanship of their Foundation Plane, tut tut tut! Not only has he absorbed the techniques, but also about seventy to eighty percent of the Sword Intent, integrating it into his own moves. How does he also know the blade techniques of the Qinghe Cui Family's lineage? Good heavens! Just how many secret techniques from my Daoist Realm's sects did the Sovereign bestow upon him?"

"It's unbelievable that he could grasp so much without a mentor's guidance, and in just six months! Ye Ruozai's performance immediately drew exclamations of wonder and admiration from the spectators of the Daoist Realm."

At this moment, an elder from the Immortal Palace's Hongjun Sword Furnace, eyes fixed on the stage where Ye Ruozai stood, shook his head and chuckled bitterly, "I don't deny this child's extraordinary talent, but talent alone wouldn't have enabled him to achieve what he's done. Are talented individuals in my Daoist Realm so rare? To master so many sects' secret techniques within six months, can anyone recall achieving such a feat in their youth? Can any disciple do it?" 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Uh…" His words left the surrounding onlookers speechless.

"Exactly, apart from his talent, what's more important is that he received favor from two Spirit Lords, who aided his analysis and fusion with a large quantity of our Dao Heart Stones, leading to today's effects." With a sigh of sentiment, the elder continued, "I say this to encourage everyone not to be intimidated by his rapid progress and belittle themselves, and to remind you of one thing. From today's incident with Pei Yan and this child, it's evident the Sovereign shows much favor towards the Foundation Plane. Therefore, after this competition, our cooperation with them will comprehensively expand. Heed my advice: rid yourselves of any disdain towards the Investigation Hall, treat them with respect as you would fellow practitioners, lest we repeat the mistakes of the Celestial Secret Pavilion."

"Elder Song is right!"

"Thank you, Elder Song, for the reminder."

While the crowd outside was bustling in discussion, a turning point occurred in the fight inside. Though Flamel was pierced in the throat by Ye Ruozai's sword and spat blood, he wasn't gravely injured. It was just Ye Ruozai's sudden attack that hurt his throat, and the damage healed quickly. However, due to this momentary slip, he was caught in a flaw, causing him to appear a bit bedraggled under the fierce onslaught.

Faced with Ye Ruozai's exquisite moves and a relentless barrage stacking harm upon him, Flamel indeed found it hard to hold his ground. As a mage, though he dabbled in martial arts, he couldn't claim mastery. Since he couldn't match the opponent in swordplay, there was no need to entangle further in this aspect. He must distance himself! It's necessary to show some skills and send him on his way.

Thinking this, Flamel rapidly moved his fingers, and after dodging an incoming chop from Ye Ruozai, a rising flame issued from his fingertips. However, before this attack could take shape, the magic elements were absorbed by Ye Ruozai's longsword, while the surging elemental force was inhaled into his abdomen.

Flamel had anticipated this development, and without panic, as Ye Ruozai absorbed the flame, a faint ticking of a clock echoed in his ears. This sound, indistinct amid the clamor of battle, went unnoticed by Ye Ruozai, while Flamel inwardly rejoiced and calmly continued with his lure strategy.

Flamel shifted positions while parrying Ye Ruozai's attacks, each time his magic being adeptly absorbed and dissolved by Ye Ruozai using his longsword and self. Each resolution was accompanied by a faint tick of a clock. After Ye Ruozai consecutively absorbed five of Flamel's attacks, his momentum peaked. Flitting and dodging, he pinpointed a flaw in Flamel, unleashing a killing move. This attack, unlike previous ones, came after Ye Ruozai had already worn down ninety percent of Flamel's body defenses. This sword strike decisively pierced through, breaching the defense and penetrating the chest.

After this, fearing it might not be enough to severely damage the opponent, he swung a knife horizontally, watching Flamel being cleaved at the waist into two segments, hot blood splattering on his face. Ye Ruozai felt not the joy of victory but a sense of dread. He immediately fortified his entire body and leaped away from Flamel's attack range.

There's a chance this move heavily wounded Flamel, but it's unlikely to have killed him so easily; when things are too abnormal, there's surely something amiss!

Ye Ruozai's suspicion was correct. Just as his body was airborne, a force anchored him in place. He'd experienced this sensation before, where his body was immobilized, forcing him to endure his own attacks, the state the same as now.

Meanwhile, the previously bisected Flamel, under Ye Ruozai's gaze, reconstituted after a blur of light and shadow. His body, not only unharmed but also with the divine protective blessing that Ye Ruozai had worn away now restored to its original state—only the bloodshed around testified that the attack indeed occurred and existed, rather than being mere illusion.

Fully restored, Flamel confidently stretched his palm toward Ye Ruozai, who was suspended mid-air, his expression fierce as he spat out three words: "Die now."

As the words fell, his palm clenched into a fist. Simultaneously, the five curse attacks previously absorbed by Ye Ruozai emerged consecutively from the points of absorption. It was then Ye Ruozai realized he was at the very center of the five-attacks' range. Every step Flamel had taken to evade was a setup, all leading to the final entrapment that would deal a deadly blow.

"What a brilliant scheme!" Ye Ruozai glanced sidelong at the smug Flamel below, ready to send him off, and sneered.