Chapter 11 The Clash of Old and New

In the old era, techniques scattered among the dusty scrolls were called old techniques, and some referred to them as scattered techniques. Now, on the New Star side, some have begun to call them outdated techniques. This clearly shows that they are indeed gradually declining. However, anyone who is devoted to studying the old techniques would find such a name quite harsh.

Under the night sky, Wang Xuan remained calm and composed. Since the other party was approaching him and possessed new techniques, he decided to step in. "What's your name?" he asked.

"Zhou Yun," replied the young man known as Brother Yun, smiling and revealing a set of snow-white teeth. In an instant, he gave off a very dangerous vibe, his sharp gaze piercing like a predator stalking its prey as he silently advanced.

"I thought your surname was Ling," Wang Xuan said, looking directly into his eyes, completely unfazed by his aggressive stance. Upon hearing this guess, Zhou Yun's eyes narrowed slightly, but a fierce light shone through, making him seem even more dangerous. Wang Xuan, being perceptive, noticed the fleeting strangeness and chose not to press further.

"Let's see if the old techniques can still display some new brilliance," Zhou Yun said with a grin, exuding a wild aura as he moved silently, not in a straight line, indicating considerable combat experience.

Qin Cheng shouted, "Why should we fight? Where are you from, what's your status, and what's your purpose?" He was worried about Wang Xuan, as it was clear that the opponent had targeted him specifically; if he wasn't confident, he likely wouldn't have taken action.

Wang Xuan waved his hand, signaling Qin Cheng not to say more. Having made up his mind to fight the person in front of him, there was no need for further discussion. Zhou Kun, Su Chan, Kong Yi, and others wanted to intervene, but Wang Xuan had already nodded in agreement to spar, which made them all look concerned.

"Let's agree that this is just a sparring session. No one should hold back too much," Zhao Qinghan said. Just as her words fell, there was a sound from the nearby helipad as two metallic robots hurried over. 

The two cold, metallic robots were equipped with lethal technological weapons, standing guard at the edge of the lawn, watching Zhou Yun and Wang Xuan closely. Zhou Yun's pupils constricted; he understood that Zhao Qinghan was issuing a silent warning, mainly aimed at him, fearing he would cause a bloodbath with his extraordinary techniques.

He nodded, "Alright, it's settled. I wanted to see if those practicing old techniques still have a way out or if they are truly obsolete." Zhou Yun was tall, with short hair and a sun-kissed complexion that made him look exceptionally strong. He assumed an aggressive stance, exuding an oppressive aura.

In that brief moment, Wang Xuan activated his inner cultivation method, exhaling a mouthful of turbid air mixed with the scent of wine; he had drunk quite a bit tonight, which was somewhat disadvantageous for him.

"Do you need a break?" Zhou Kun quickly asked. 

Qin Cheng nodded in agreement, "That's right. After drinking so much, your reaction time will definitely be off." 

"Just give me a few minutes," Wang Xuan replied.

Then, he closed his eyes, using the foundational methods inherited from the ancient tombs of the pre-Qin period, following his unique rhythm, envisioning the light of the stars and moon transforming into a rain of light that entered his body. At the same time, he visualized the turbid air continuously expelled from his pores, exchanging with the moonlight and star rain.

Such visualization wasn't rare; existing internal cultivation methods and meditations involved similar records and practices, but the unique frequency and rhythm were crucial. The origins of the pre-Qin methods were astounding, with unbelievable effects. Many felt as if Wang Xuan was enveloped in a layer of pure white light, favored by the stars and moon, giving him an ethereal, dreamlike appearance.

This peculiar sight astonished everyone; could old techniques be practiced this way? Perhaps there was still a path forward. 

Six minutes later, Wang Xuan opened his eyes and said, "I'm ready." 

He was tall, not slender, but rather strong and well-proportioned. In the night, his expression was calm and composed.

"I was just waiting for you to say that!" 

Zhou Yun charged forward, moving like a whirlwind. His speed was astonishing; many barely had time to react before they saw deep footprints on the lawn. The earth and grass beneath his feet erupted, demonstrating the immense force he possessed.

Boom! 

Wang Xuan reacted instinctively, kicking up a nearby long wooden table laden with food and sending it crashing toward the incoming figure. 

To everyone's shock, Zhou Yun was like a humanoid lion; he didn't stop and shattered the sturdy wooden table with a single palm strike. With a loud crack, the table exploded into splinters that flew in all directions, causing everyone to dodge in panic, their faces turning pale.

Zhou Yun was ferocious and wild; his attacking power was terrifying. If he struck a person, it would surely be life-threatening. Wang Xuan deftly sidestepped, evading Zhou Yun's powerful palm, allowing him to rush past by mere inches.

Wang Xuan's palm then slashed toward the side, the force creating a gust of wind. Zhou Yun, clearly a formidable opponent, countered by elbowing backward, colliding with Wang Xuan's hand with a dull thud. Both men staggered slightly but Zhou Yun pressed on.

In an instant, Zhou Yun leapt into the air like a fierce black tiger pouncing on its prey, targeting Wang Xuan with a dangerous, wild ferocity. This time, Wang Xuan did not evade. He swiftly spun around and kicked upward in mid-air.

With a thunderous sound, it was as if a bolt of lightning had struck, sending shockwaves through the crowd. Zhou Yun flew backward, agilely landing but wobbling slightly before stabilizing himself.

"You truly have some skill," he remarked, staring at Wang Xuan, feeling genuinely surprised. 

"You're using the techniques of the old; what about your new techniques?" Wang Xuan inquired. 

Zhou Yun replied, "If I could defeat you with old techniques, wouldn't that be simpler? There's no need for me to employ my new techniques." He still exuded a dangerous aura, his body tense and ready to launch another fierce attack at any moment.

"What I'm using is merely the framework of old techniques; my power doesn't stem from breathing techniques or internal cultivation. We've progressed; long ago, we combined it with genetic advancements." Zhou Yun didn't mind revealing this information, as it was merely a boost to his physical strength and didn't reveal the source of his extraordinary techniques.

Nearby, the spectators felt a chill. The students from New Star understood what this meant. Long ago, research was being conducted on genetic optimization and editing for newborns at New Star, though most was done in secrecy to avoid public backlash.

Zhou Yun's immense physical strength was not derived from breathing techniques or internal cultivation but rather purely from genetic advancements, making it terrifyingly powerful and unmatched by ordinary people.

Wang Xuan remained silent, choosing to take the offensive. Since the other party had a strong ulterior motive against him, it was best to attack directly. 

On the lawn, both figures moved incredibly fast, their fists and feet creating gusts of wind that sent chills down the spines of many. If such force struck a person, it would either be fatal or leave them severely injured.

Bang! Bang! Bang! 

As their feet hit the ground, the lawn exploded beneath them; the force was so great that it not only left deep impressions but also cracked the surrounding grass, sending fragments flying.

Old techniques, when practiced to a certain level, indeed surpassed ordinary capabilities and possessed immense lethality in ancient times, which is why they remained prevalent for so long. However, they were difficult to master, and it was unclear if it was due to changes in the environment or the brilliance of modern technology that fewer and fewer could master old techniques effectively. Once reaching a certain height, it became increasingly difficult to advance, leaving them stagnated.

Thus, they became more and more obsolete, with fewer masters emerging. Right now, Wang Xuan's performance at this age was genuinely impressive, even suppressing Zhou Yun, who had exceptional genetic enhancements.

In the arena, Zhou Yun found himself shaken by Wang Xuan's relentless advance, feeling a tingling at the back of his head. The slender figure before him exhibited such explosive power?

Bang! 

Wang Xuan's punch sent Zhou Yun reeling, blood surging as he staggered backward, nearly spitting out blood. 

In a flash, Wang Xuan followed up with a sweeping kick. This time, Zhou Yun managed to avoid a fatal blow but still felt a sharp pain as the kick grazed his shoulder, tearing his shirt and drawing blood. If he hadn't dodged in time, his shoulder blade might have cracked.

What a monster! He thought, evaluating Wang Xuan in his mind. Even with his powerful physique from genetic optimization, he couldn't withstand Wang Xuan's strikes. He seriously doubted that if he took a punch to the head, it would explode like a watermelon.

"Ha!" he exhaled a breath of turbid air, rapidly retreating, and his entire demeanor changed, appearing somewhat ethereal. 

A layer of faint blue mist enveloped his body, giving him an air of mystery. "You wanted to experience my new techniques, right? Here I come!" Zhou Yun roared.

Everyone gasped at Zhou Yun's extraordinary state; even from a distance, it exuded an air of danger that made people instinctively step back. The students from New Star were particularly tense, fully aware that this was the new technique, touching upon supernatural powers, and that its eruption could be catastrophic.

"Wang Xuan, if something feels off, shout out immediately!" someone reminded, sweat beading on their forehead.

Wang Xuan halted, not launching an immediate attack. He sensed the unusual power in front of him and quietly observed.

Zhou Yun took the initiative to charge forward, the thin blue mist swirling around him, seemingly on the verge of becoming light. He launched a full-on assault against Wang Xuan.

"Not good!" 

Wang Xuan retreated. Zhou Yun's storm-like attacks were merely a distraction; the real threat lay in the gradually intensifying blue mist. The thin blue light flared, warping the space around it.

In an instant, a chill ran through Wang Xuan's heart. But he quickly came to a realization: it couldn't be warping space; Zhou Yun lacked that kind of power. Instead, it was distorting his perception.

Wang Xuan activated the ancient techniques passed down from the pre-Qin period, revitalizing his spirit to pierce through the mist. He was genuinely shocked to discover that Zhou Yun's supernatural technique, that blue light, could influence one's mind. 

If he had let his guard down for even a moment, he would have been defeated.

Wang Xuan swung his right palm with incredible force; if a normal person were hit, they would certainly be sent flying, bones broken. Zhou Yun did not retreat this time. His right fist, glimmering with a faint blue light, collided with Wang Xuan's palm, both releasing muffled groans.

Zhou Yun felt a tremendous force crashing against him, making his hand feel as if it would shatter. Blood oozed from the gaps between his fingernails, sending a shiver down his spine—this opponent could actually hurt him!

Fortunately, he had utilized his supernatural technique; otherwise, his finger bones might have cracked.

After the collision, Wang Xuan sensed something unusual and retreated rapidly, yet a mysterious force invaded his body—the thin blue light. In that moment, his arm tingled, and even his internal organs felt uncomfortable, forcing him to retreat quickly.

"Ha! Realized how powerful it is now? Supernatural techniques are beyond your imagination; old techniques are truly outdated!" Zhou Yun taunted, undeterred, his figure moving rapidly like a gust of wind, his body enveloped in an eerie blue glow.

He had no intention of giving Wang Xuan a breather, aiming to end the battle quickly.

"What is that? Old Wang, if you can't hold on, shout out!" Qin Cheng yelled, looking around anxiously, grabbing a nearby table, ready to rush in at any moment.

"That's the new technique, a preliminary touch on supernatural power!" Zhou Kun whispered, explaining the true situation and adding, "In the West, this kind of energy is called the God Particle; here, it's referred to as supernatural elements."

In the arena, Wang Xuan found himself in a dire situation, facing supernatural powers for the first time. He was completely unfamiliar with them, not only facing mental interference but also physical erosion.

Boom! 

Suddenly, a faint thunderous sound emanated from his body. He activated the foundational techniques of the practitioner, shaking his internal organs, unleashing a special body technique.

"Five Organs Thunder Technique!" someone exclaimed. 

After all, they were all students experimenting with old techniques and recognized Wang Xuan's method immediately.

This body technique was extremely esoteric, impossible to learn through normal means; at least, none of them had succeeded, so they were astonished that Wang Xuan could utilize it.

In an instant, Wang Xuan's five organs vibrated at a unique frequency, significantly boosting his metabolism and continuously expelling wisps of blue light from his skin pores.

Zhao Qinghan's eyes sparkled as she commanded the robots, "Quick, record this! He can actually counteract the supernatural technique this way. Despite Zhou Yun's initial touch on supernatural powers, he was surprisingly resolved by the old techniques. That's incredible."

Wang Xuan's body returned to normal as he unleashed his strongest technique. The thunderous sounds resonated within him as both hands, like lightning, struck forward.

Bang! Bang! Bang! 

With violent crashes, the thin blue light surrounding Zhou Yun was shattered by Wang Xuan, sending him flying, blood spilling from his mouth.

The fact that Zhou Yun, who had mastered the supernatural technique, was defeated left everyone astounded; Wang Xuan had strongly triumphed using old techniques.

Wang Xuan approached, intent on further examining the dissipating blue light on Zhou Yun's body.

Bang! 

Zhou Yun couldn't restrain himself and quickly got up, launching another attack.

Wang Xuan seized his arm, the thunderous vibrations within him dispersing the blue light, then delivered a punch to Zhou Yun's abdomen, causing him to bend over in pain like a shrimp.

"Still trying to attack after being defeated?" Wang Xuan lightly patted his spine, inflicting further agony on Zhou Yun, rendering him rigid and immobile.

Wang Xuan was drenched in sweat; activating the Five Organs Thunder Technique had drastically increased his metabolism, leading to excessive perspiration. The effort was exhausting, and he directly sat on Zhou Yun, warning him not to move or face severe consequences.

"Now tell me, who are you?" Wang Xuan demanded.

At that moment, a small aircraft descended, and a middle-aged man stepped out, followed by a young woman in her twenties who walked silently, looking displeased with her head down.

"Huh?!" The middle-aged man's expression changed when he saw Zhou Yun pinned beneath Wang Xuan.