The people present, upon seeing Yan Chengyun swallow the elixir Mu Jinyu gave him without hesitation, couldn't help but feel a bit worried, fearing Yan Chengyun might suddenly die from the elixir, to perish unexpectedly!
However, their worries were clearly unfounded.
After Yan Chengyun consumed the elixir, not only did he show no signs of being tricked, but his aura was even more imposing, stronger than when Zhao Daoji initially provoked him!
In this regard, those standing nearby Yan Chengyun, such as Xiao Wudao, Yeqing City, and Suxiao, could feel it most acutely.
"This..."
Xiao Wudao felt the change in Yan Chengyun's aura, his face calm, but internally he was astounded.
He and Yan Chengyun were the top two on the National Guard List, both longtime friends and rivals in the Yan Kingdom.
He constantly dreamed of defeating Yan Chengyun someday to claim the top position on the National Guard List.
Unfortunately, there was always a gap between him and Yan Chengyun.
Even that small gap seemed like an insurmountable chasm.
Thus, if anyone were most familiar with Yan Chengyun, apart from Xiao Wudao, there was no one else, not even Zhao Daoji.
After all, even though Zhao Daoji constantly observed Yan Chengyun, he was not of the Yan Kingdom, so how could he constantly observe Yan Chengyun's every change?
Therefore, Xiao Wudao knew very well that although Yan Chengyun was powerful, he had numerous hidden injuries and ailments within him. Zhao Daoji's previous schemes specifically targeted Yan Chengyun's various hidden wounds.
Which had left him significantly injured.
But now, after Yan Chengyun consumed the elixir Mu Jinyu gave him, not only were his new injuries from Zhao Daoji healed, but even those hard-to-eradicate hidden injuries were completely gone.
He had reached the pinnacle state of his life!
"Hah!"
Yan Chengyun suspended in the air, erupted with a dark light, his aura continuously surging, letting out a clear and joyful cry!
The cry was full of delight and satisfaction!
Soon, the cry subsided.
Yan Chengyun also restrained his terrifying aura.
Afterward, he looked down complexly and gratefully at Mu Jinyu below, giving him a profound bow.
"Thank you, Mu Country Knight, for your assistance."
In this moment, Yan Chengyun felt very conflicted, having both resentment toward Mu Jinyu for killing his disciple, and gratitude for Mu Jinyu healing his hidden ailments, allowing him an excellent state with the opportunity to reach higher cultivation levels!
The feelings of gratitude even temporarily outweighed his hostility and hatred toward Mu Jinyu, making him consider abandoning the duel with Mu Jinyu.
Mu Jinyu, standing below, perceived the hesitation and dilemma in Yan Chengyun's eyes, knowing he was somewhat intending to back away from their duel upon his recovery.
How could this be?
Mu Jinyu's intent in giving him the elixir was for him to use it to fight at full strength, not to move him to dismiss the battle!
Mu Jinyu immediately said, "No need for that, I gave you the elixir for healing only to avoid taking advantage of your weakness, and I wanted to see your strength at your peak!"
"Now that you've healed, they should have no objections. Our battle can commence, right?"
With these words, the crowd previously urging Yan Chengyun to temporarily abandon the duel with Mu Jinyu, to recover first, felt a wave of shame.
Originally, Yan Chengyun had a significant advantage in the duel against Mu Jinyu, as Mu Jinyu was only at the peak Third Layer of the Fanxu Realm, while Yan Chengyun stood at the Sixth Layer peak.
A difference of three minor realms!
Even though Yan Chengyun was recently injured by Zhao Daoji, in a real fight, he still held the upper hand.
Yet, Mu Jinyu didn't desire to capitalize on this advantage, directly offering top-grade healing pills, helping Yan Chengyun fully recover his peak combat strength!
This degree of confidence and grace truly made them feel ashamed and lacking in self-worth!
"Alright!" Yan Chengyun, upon hearing Mu Jinyu's words and seeing the confidence in his eyes, felt moved internally.
His hesitation, confusion, and conflicted feelings instantly vanished!
He realized, to repay Mu Jinyu for his generous offering of the elixir, was not to laugh off grudges and abandon avenging He Jingfeng's death, but to fight him wholeheartedly!
"Come on!"
Yan Chengyun, now clear-minded, with a light cry, straightened up and flew towards the top of the Jade Emperor Hall!
Mu Jinyu saw this, turned to give Wen Rou and Jian Ruyan a reassuring glance, then also rose, heading for the top of the hundred-zhang high Jade Emperor Hall!
As for leaving Wen Rou and Jian Ruyan below, and heading to battle Yan Chengyun alone, would this leave them in danger?
After all, Yan Hua and the others might not possess Yan Chengyun's magnanimity and might take risky actions, attempting to use them as leverage if Yan Chengyun found himself in a losing position.
But Mu Jinyu was not worried because when he arrived, he had already given them several Spiritual Treasures from the Liuyun Sect's demise for refining.
Though they only possessed the Fourth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, they could activate defensive Spiritual Treasures to prevent others from capturing them briefly.
By then, he would sense it and preemptively halt the duel with Yan Chengyun, coming down to slaughter all those who dared to act!
Seeing Mu Jinyu and Yan Chengyun heading to the top of the Jade Emperor Hall, Xiao Wudao, Yeqing City, and other National Scholars exchanged glances and burst into the sky, heading upwards!
While the Heaven's Pride from other countries, though intimidated by Mu Jinyu's strength, were more trusting in Yan Chengyun's foundation, certain Mu Jinyu would ultimately die at Yan Chengyun's hand.
How could they miss this battle?
One by one, they followed, charging upwards!
Finally, they stood on the adjoining void of the Jade Emperor Hall, quietly watching Mu Jinyu and Yan Chengyun's peak duel!
As for those below like Yan Hua, Yan Ran, and the Imperial Family, their strength was evidently much weaker, preventing them from levitating high and far on their cultivation alone.
Yet, they found a way, for while the Jade Emperor Hall was the tallest building of the Jade Emperor Palace, there were still nearby structures short by comparison!
Eventually, they arrived at a large hall nearly eighty zhang high, looking up to watch Mu Jinyu and Yan Chengyun standing on the Jade Emperor Hall!
Wen Rou and Jian Ruyan naturally followed Yan Ran, coming here to watch the battle.
The top of the Jade Emperor Hall.
Mu Jinyu stood atop, gazing at Yan Chengyun standing opposite him, softly saying, "Make your move."
"Hah!"
"Yan's Return Strike!"
Yan Chengyun had intended for Mu Jinyu to make the first move, but since Mu Jinyu requested him to strike first, he didn't bother delaying, vocally unleashing the move "Yan's Return Strike," which he previously used to hunt down Zhao Daoji!
"Caw!"
A sharp bird cry resounded, instantly a jet-black swallow emerged from Yan Chengyun's hand, like a black lightning bolt, ferociously charging at Mu Jinyu!
Witnessing Yan Chengyun's attack, Xiao Wudao and the others could clearly feel the power of "Yan's Return Strike," even greater than when he repelled Zhao Daoji!
"How will he face it?"
Everyone curiously looked at Mu Jinyu, eager to see whether he would dodge or block!
Yet strangely enough...
Mu Jinyu faced Yan Chengyun's fierce attack, neither dodging nor avoiding, then extended his hand directly to meet the "Yan's Return Strike!"
He actually chose to challenge the attack barehanded!