Chapter 21: Pushing Iron Sand Palm to the Limit, Drawing Blades to Kill

Chapter 21: Pushing Iron Sand Palm to the Limit, Drawing Blades to Kill

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The alley echoed with fierce impacts as two figures darted back and forth in a blur.

The Yellow-Robed Man moved with feline agility, his swordplay honed to an extraordinary level of martial cultivation. Every motion radiated razor-sharp precision, his blade flashing like lightning.

Yet despite his skill, Zhao Kuo remained unscathed.

Zhao Kuo’s footwork lagged behind his opponent’s, but his forearms were protected by sturdy armor. Relying on its unyielding defense, he effortlessly parried the Yellow-Robed Man’s relentless strikes.

The two clashed violently in the cramped alley, their collision sending shockwaves through the narrow space before both leapt backward.

The Yellow-Robed Man glared at Zhao Kuo, his grip on his sword trembling slightly.

Zhao Kuo snorted, shaking his arms to dissipate the lingering force before smirking. “Countless others have tried to kill me. What makes you think you’ll succeed?”

“Because I will.”

The Yellow-Robed Man inhaled sharply, his figure blurring like a phantom as he lunged again.

Zhao Kuo’s expression hardened. Instead of retreating, he advanced, meeting the onslaught head-on.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The clash of steel and armor rang shrilly through the alley.

The Yellow-Robed Man’s blade danced like a serpent, weaving through the air with uncanny dexterity. But as Zhao Kuo deflected another strike, his eyes narrowed. Seizing the opening, he yanked his sword free and thrust it toward Zhao Kuo’s chest.

He expected at least a wound—

But resistance halted his blade mid-strike.

Soft armor?

Zhao Kuo’s booming laughter followed. “Hah! You think that’s enough to stop me?”

With a guttural roar, he flexed his arms, the sheer force snapping the sword in two with a crisp crack.

The broken blade clattered to the ground.

The Yellow-Robed Man’s face paled. Retreating rapidly, he turned to flee.

Zhao Kuo gave chase, his gaze gleaming with mockery. His fists swung with thunderous power, forcing his opponent to dodge frantically. But defense couldn’t last forever.

A single opening emerged.

Zhao Kuo’s palm slammed into the Yellow-Robed Man’s chest, sending him staggering backward, blood spilling from his lips.

“You’re a man?”

Zhao Kuo recoiled slightly, his trained instincts detecting the absence of feminine curves.

The Yellow-Robed Man said nothing, his glare burning with fury as he pivoted to escape.

“Run? Not so fast!” Zhao Kuo lunged, his hand outstretched—

The Yellow-Robed Man whirled, hurling his shattered blade like a dagger.

Zhao Kuo barely dodged, the distraction giving his opponent the chance to vanish.

Zhao Kuo halted, his expression darkening. Chasing was pointless; the man’s speed was unmatched.

He picked up the broken blade, inspecting it idly. “A swordsman… Could it be him?”

Suddenly, a chilling gust of wind howled behind him.

Zhao Kuo spun, only to see a pitch-black Iron Palm streaking toward him like a meteor.

He threw a punch in response.

The collision unleashed a shockwave, whipping their hair and clothes as Su Chen’s sleeve fluttered violently.

Zhao Kuo’s arm numbed from the impact. He staggered backward, his breath ragged, muscles trembling.

“Who the hell are you?!”

Su Chen’s eyes flickered with surprise. His Iron Sand Palm, enhanced to its absolute limit through three days of grueling refinement, could pulverize stones the size of a palm into dust. Yet Zhao Kuo stood bruised but unbroken, his face flushed from exertion.

Without answering, Su Chen attacked again, his expression sharpening.

Zhao Kuo was no ordinary Body Tempering Stage cultivator—his strength rivaled seasoned Lianli Perfection adepts. Liu Tong wouldn’t last ten moves against him.

Su Chen’s pulse quickened. This was his greatest challenge yet, a perfect test of his limits.

Zhao Kuo snarled, “Dying won’t suit you!” before charging.

The two clashed.

“Brutal Iron Palm!”

“Unbelievable defense!”

After a brief exchange, both men sized up their opponent.

Zhao Kuo dodged Su Chen’s palm strikes, the force searing like fire. Su Chen, in turn, felt his hand tingle as his blows rebounded off Zhao Kuo’s armored frame like iron meeting steel.

“No matter who you are—you’re not leaving alive!”

Zhao Kuo roared, his body swelling as his clothes tore apart with a snap. His skin darkened, revealing a thin layer of Black Armor fused to his flesh.

Su Chen stiffened. This wasn’t natural flesh—it was a terrifying martial art.

Zhao Kuo vanished, reappearing in a flash to strike.

Su Chen’s palm slammed into the armor, ringing like metal. No damage. His hand throbbed.

Zhao Kuo laughed mockingly, reaching to snap Su Chen’s neck.

Su Chen dodged, retreating cautiously.

The armor covers his body and limbs… but not his head.

Decision made, Su Chen lunged, aiming a punch at Zhao Kuo’s skull.

“Perfect!” Zhao Kuo grinned, stepping forward to absorb the blow.

A sickening thud—Zhao Kuo’s arm coiled around Su Chen’s, locking it in place.

“Your end comes now!” Zhao Kuo’s fist hurtled toward Su Chen’s face—

A sudden tear split the air.

Zhao Kuo froze.

From Su Chen’s sleeve, a hidden arm emerged, its fist blazing with cold, lethal light.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end