Chapter 385: Mystical Snake
Chapter 385: Mystical Snake
The convoy's lead members gazed ahead, their attention drawn by the crisp crackle of footsteps crushing fallen leaves on the ground. After a while, a figure emerged from the thick fog, clad in a black hooded robe, a mask concealing their face, and wielding a long blade.
What was chilling was the crimson stripe across the figure's mask, and they were dragging Laohan's corpse by one hand. The head was split open, revealing charred tissue within. The convoy members instinctively retreated, aiming their guns tensely at the figure, but not one dared to pull the trigger.
Chen Chuan, after approaching, tossed Laohan's body forward, ignoring the guns aimed at him. Instead, he fixed his gaze on one of the vehicles in the convoy.
Xu Xianwen, peering through the car window, witnessed this scene. He stared intently at Chen Chuan's silhouette, and after a while, he reached out, turned the door handle, and stepped out.
Twirling his cane, he tightened the cloak around his body and strode forward, his movements casual, as if he didn't care about Laohan's death.
Observing Xu Xianwen, Chen Chuan realized this must be Xu Xian Wen, the leader of the Viper Team. This man rarely engaged in combat outside, and almost no video footage of him could be found. However, he had indeed defeated numerous renowned fighters, including acknowledged powerhouses, which explained the Handling Bureau's cautious approach.
Xu Xianwen didn't seem eager to initiate combat. He approached Chen Chuan, stopping about ten meters away. Resting his cane on the ground, he placed both hands on it and spoke to Chen Chuan, whose face was covered by a mask:
"I know you. It's said that a long time ago, before you achieved the Third Limit, you defeated Tan Wang from the Venom Sect. Even though that path is somewhat deviant, it's still commendable.
I've been keeping an eye on you. How about it? Are you interested in joining us?
What can your employer offer you? My employer is very generous. As long as you're willing to work, all kinds of cultivation resources will be provided. I'm not stingy with my subordinates. If you're willing to switch sides, I'll introduce you, and we can split whatever we get fifty-fifty."
Chen Chuan looked at him and replied calmly, "Have you considered that perhaps your share might also be mine?"
Xu Xianwen paused, his lips still curved in a polite smile, but his eyes became sharp.
Adjusting the smooth surface of his cane, he said, "It seems we won't be able to reach an agreement."
Chen Chuan slowly raised his blade, pointing it forward, his action conveying his response. Simultaneously, his biofield domain expanded, revealing a dark and profound field, akin to a resilient giant snake in constant motion.
Xu Xianwen narrowed his eyes, sensing that Chen Chuan's biofield domain was ordinary, far less impressive than what he had displayed externally.
However, Xu Xianwen quickly discerned that it had been transformed, the transition so seamless that it was almost flawless, indicating that Chen Chuan had dedicated effort to mastering biofield domains.
Xu Xianwen casually lifted his cane, appearing composed. Twirling his wrist, he raised his head to look at Chen Chuan and smiled at him. The Viper Team members behind him saw a blur, and suddenly, Xu Xianwen's figure vanished from their sight.
In Chen Chuan's eyes, Xu Xianwen merely took a half-step forward, as if making a simple adjustment. Yet, his entire body shifted from stillness to motion, charging towards Chen Chuan with astonishing speed.
The speed was astonishing, and in an instant, he was upon Chen Chuan. The cane, held by both hands at the tail end, had its front end aimed directly at Chen Chuan's throat, and his previously peaceful expression transformed into a ferocious snarl.
Chen Chuan was about to use the length of his blade to block the attack, but he sensed something and shifted his weight back, retreating a step.
Just as Xu Xianwen was about to collide with the blade Chen Chuan was pointing forward, a sword blade suddenly shot out from the cane's front end, stabbing at Chen Chuan's face. This attack was like a venomous snake's strike, sudden and swift. If Chen Chuan hadn't retreated, he might have been impaled.
Chen Chuan swiftly rotated his wrist, blocking the cane with his blade. The instant the long sword and cane made contact, he felt an immense force being transmitted from the cane.
Chen Chuan's eyes flickered, recognizing this force as the most formidable he had encountered among his foes. If he had faced it just after achieving the Third Limit, he might not have withstood it. However, at this moment, he firmly endured the force, his arm steady, and the altered tissue within his body calmly dissipated the incoming power.
After extending the sword blade, Xu Xianwen's cane-sword matched the length of the Snow Empress Blade. Seizing the initiative, he vigorously swung the cane-sword, stirring the blade, and lunged forward with both hands.
Chen Chuan sank his wrist, pushing the blade to block the attack. The sword tip struck the blade, and a tremendous force was transmitted, pushing Chen Chuan backward several meters.
Xu Xianwen leaped forward again, his face grim as he pursued Chen Chuan. The cane-sword in his hand alternated between thrusts and slashes, swift as a storm.
Facing such an opponent, Chen Chuan didn't rush to counterattack. Instead, he focused on maintaining his defense. The force transmitted and collided between them caused the ground to crack wherever they moved, creating fissures.
As the two combatants' speed and power intensified, their range of motion expanded, and each move covered tens or even hundreds of meters.
As the Viper Team members listened intently, the dense fog around them carried the sound of blades and staves clashing, making it impossible to pinpoint anyone's location. Occasionally, the ground would suddenly shatter, sending stones and debris flying, while a large swath of shredded crimson maple leaves would swirl around, resembling dancing blood spatters.
Amidst the continuous combat, Chen Chuan noticed that Xu Xianwen's speed was astonishingly fast, and his force was exceptionally subtle and concealed. With just a slight sway of his body, he could deliver a powerful strike, making each block against his opponent's staff-sword feel like withstanding a hammer.
It wasn't just his blade technique; his profound field domain was also attempting to oppress and influence Chen Chuan mentally, making him an all-around formidable opponent. The pressure Chen Chuan felt from this adversary far surpassed that of any previous foe.
However, even so, it didn't exceed Chen Chuan's ability to respond. With the Furnace Breathing Technique supporting him, he showed no flaws in his defense. After over a minute of continuous parrying, he gradually adapted to his opponent's combat rhythm and began to sense his breathing, seeking an opportunity to counterattack.
Moreover, Chen Chuan could feel that perhaps due to the intense battle with this formidable fighter, the altered tissue on his body was becoming increasingly active and excited, subtly enhancing his strength and speed.
This was because, despite his diligent cultivation in recent days, he hadn't fully transformed his familiarity and adaptation into actual combat power. But now, he was gradually being spurred into action.
Xu Xianwen, while attacking, had been carefully observing his opponent, seemingly sensing the changes in Chen Chuan. He was slightly suspicious; after such a prolonged assault, Chen Chuan's defense remained flawless, showing no signs of being overwhelmed. Now, it seemed that the longer they fought, the stronger Chen Chuan became, and if left unchecked, the tide of battle might turn against him.
So...
Xu Xianwen's eyes deepened, and he suddenly lunged forward with a swift and fierce thrust, abandoning all defense and follow-up moves, as if staking everything on this one attack.
Chen Chuan's gaze fixed on his opponent, knowing that backing down now would lead to passivity again. Without hesitating, he thrust his sword forward as well.
As their blades crossed, both men simultaneously struck each other. Chen Chuan felt like he had stabbed his opponent, but it was as if he had sunk into a quagmire, and his strength was instantly swallowed up.
Xu Xianwen's strike also failed to penetrate Chen Chuan's body, thanks to the latter's Second Self and the altered tissue reinforced by essence blood, which provided some sort of cross-training effect.
Their gazes met in mid-air, and both pushed outward with all their might, causing them to retreat several steps and create some distance between them.
Chen Chuan's other hand slowly came over and rested on the hilt of his sword, his eyes fixed on his opponent. From that last strike and the previous combat, he had guessed the type of force technique Xu Xianwen was using.
It was one of the highest secret force techniques of the Venom Sect—the Mystical Snake Technique!
Practitioners of this technique could unleash their full power from any part of their body, and most attacks could be diffused and spread across their entire body, allowing the whole body to bear the impact.
This meant that even if Chen Chuan managed to land a blow after careful targeting, it would be challenging to severely injure Xu Xianwen.
But...
Just then, the sound of an approaching vehicle broke the silence, and soon, the area was filled with the rapid gunfire. Several bullets struck Xu Xianwen's body.
Moments earlier, Wu Bei had used his field-enhanced communication to reach the Handling Bureau, which immediately notified the Ink Mountain security system. As a result, the nearest patrol convoy had arrived.
Upon arrival, the convoy identified and fired upon the individuals present. Chen Chuan, bearing the title of the Handling Bureau, was spared, but Xu Xianwen had a string of wanted notices, causing the security guards to unleash a barrage of bullets at him and his men.
Xu Xianwen glared coldly at them, then suddenly disappeared from his original spot. In the next instant, an armored vehicle was overturned, and the security guards were flung into the air. Simultaneously, a dent appeared on another armored patrol vehicle, and a person seemed to flip from it, rolling to the side.
The security guards also tumbled out, and as one of them punched towards a fallen comrade, his wrist was grabbed by a hand, stopping the punch a hair's breadth from the guard's forehead. The guard's face contorted, and a crack even appeared on his goggles from the force of the punch.
Xu Xianwen turned to Chen Chuan, who had grabbed his arm, and said, "You can't stop me."
At that moment, he tilted his head back, and a gunshot rang out from a nearby location. The guard had fired at Xu Xianwen without hesitation.
Xu Xianwen's head slowly straightened, and the bullet lodged in his forehead was pushed out, falling to the ground with a ding. The wound on his forehead wriggled and healed rapidly, and he sneered, "I told you, you can't stop me."
Before he finished speaking, a fist appeared in front of Chen Chuan's eyes, swiftly growing larger, and then it smashed into Xu Xianwen's face, sending him flying over ten meters away.
Chen Chuan pulled his sword out of the ground and approached Xu Xianwen, saying, "Is that so?"
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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