Chapter 34: Fleeting Arm Strike, Broken Blade, Severing Strike

Chapter 34: Fleeting Arm Strike, Broken Blade, Severing Strike

Both factions halted their fighting at this moment, their gazes converging on Su Chen and Third Chief, who were locked in battle ahead.

Their movements were lightning-fast; often, one couldn’t even fully register the previous strike before the next clash had already begun. Among the onlookers, only Yan Que could still follow the fight clearly; everyone else merely heard a cacophony of sounds.

Yan Que watched, growing increasingly alarmed. A thought flickered through his mind: Could this Black-Cloaked Man also be a Vital Force Cultivator? Earlier, he had fought against Third Chief and understood firsthand the terror of Vital Force Cultivators. This cloaked figure had held his own against Third Chief for so long without faltering—no wonder Yan Que had drawn such a conclusion.

Third Chief himself shared this suspicion. As the duel progressed, he grew more unnerved. Su Chen clearly wasn’t using Vital Force, yet his iron fists and Iron Palm strikes sent sharp pains rippling through Third Chief’s body upon contact.

If not for his Vital Force cultivation, which allowed him to diffuse Su Chen’s relentless attacks, Third Chief would have long since been overwhelmed.

As the exchanges intensified, Third Chief’s shock mingled with confusion. Why isn’t he using Vital Force? he wondered. Then, abruptly, realization struck: Could it be—he’s not a Vital Force Cultivator at all?!

The thought refused to subside. He suddenly fixed Su Chen with a gaze laced with disbelief. Not a Vital Force Cultivator, yet matching me blow for blow… what kind of monster is this?

“No, that’s impossible!”

His disbelief fueled his attacks, and Su Chen immediately felt the shift—Third Chief’s strikes turned ferocious.

What—?

Su Chen’s movements faltered slightly, his expression shifting. At the moment of contact, he sensed a strange energy seeping into his body. Though faint, it carried devastating power, rampaging through his organs like a wild beast.

Is this… Vital Force?

A sharp pain coursed through him. Su Chen’s eyes darkened as he grasped the terrifying potency of Vital Force. It sent a chill down his spine. If even a fraction more had entered him, his internal organs would have been shattered.

“You’re not a Vital Force Cultivator after all!” Third Chief’s voice rang out, sharp with certainty.

Su Chen blinked in mild surprise. When did I ever claim to be one?

Third Chief ignored his reaction, his lips curling into a grin that exposed yellowed teeth. “You dare challenge me without even mastering Vital Force? Die!”

Confident in his advantage, Third Chief’s aura surged, his strikes growing even more savage.

Su Chen stared, bewildered. What did I do to provoke this? The thought vanished as he dodged, but Third Chief pressed relentlessly.

“You can’t escape!”

Suddenly, Third Chief’s face twisted into a sinister smile. In an instant, a terrifying force slammed into Su Chen’s arm, sending his body lurching forward.

Third Chief seized Su Chen’s arm, his expression darkening with cruel satisfaction. With his free hand, he raised his elbow and palm, striking like a thunderclap toward Su Chen’s chest.

As victory seemed imminent, Su Chen’s face curled into a mocking smirk.

Shshhh!

A sudden, sharp tearing sound pierced the air, reaching Third Chief’s ears.

He froze. What was that?

Yet instinctively, a chill of dread crept up his spine—as if hunted by a ferocious beast.

From the corner of his eye, he glimpsed Su Chen’s sleeve bulging outward as a second arm emerged.

He’s… he’s not lone-armed?!

Third Chief’s face contorted in shock, panic flashing across his features. His hands hesitated.

Su Chen seized the opening—blade drawn in a single fluid motion.

To his astonishment, Third Chief reacted even in that split second, his hand snapping forward like lightning to grasp the blade’s hilt.

Snarling, Su Chen roared, his Iron Shirt, Ape’s Might, and Raging Waves Blade Technique surging in tandem. His sleeve seemed ready to burst as power and speed doubled.

A flash of cold light streaked like lightning. Thsh! The sound of a blade cleaving through flesh echoed—Shattered Steel Saber, driven forward by Su Chen’s might, pierced Third Chief’s palm and plunged into his body with brutal force.

Blood dripped, then erupted, splattering the ground.

“Agh!”

Third Chief screamed, his body kicked backward, blood gushing uncontrollably, drenching his clothes and the earth.

“I’ll kill you!”

Even grievously wounded, Third Chief’s fury remained undiminished. He charged forward with staggering steps, his speed startlingly fierce.

Su Chen frowned. How is he still alive? He dodged repeatedly as Third Chief lashed out in a dying frenzy.

Something’s off. He should’ve bled out by now. Could it be his Internal Qi?

After a brief exchange, Su Chen noted Third Chief’s pallor and faltering strikes, his movements slowing.

Enough. He stepped forward, delivering a final Severing Strike.

“Third Chief!”

“He’s dead!”

“Third Chief’s been killed!”

A stunned silence shattered like a stone cast into still water, erupting into chaos. The bandits, staring at their leader’s severed head, paled and scattered in panic.

“Capture them all!” Yan Que barked, snapping back to command.

Fang Clan warriors swiftly surrounded the bandits, who surrendered without resistance.

Yan Que exhaled, relieved. As his gaze settled on Su Chen, it lingered—on the arm that had “grown” from his sleeve. His expression turned increasingly odd, deepening as Su Chen rummaged through Third Chief’s corpse.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end