Chapter 388: Breaking the Force, Severing Life
Chapter 388: Breaking the Force, Severing Life
As Chen Chuan slashed down with his blade, he felt as if he had struck a highly resilient and solid object.
Gazing at the scales on his opponent's body, his eyes narrowed slightly.
He had read the Viper Sect's documentation on force techniques, which mentioned that when the Mystical Snake Technique was mastered to an extreme level, the fighter could cause transformed organs to surface, forming sturdy scales that made it difficult for even sharp blades to inflict damage.
Clearly, Xu Xianwen had not reached such a level, as evidenced by the wound Chen Chuan had inflicted earlier. However, it seemed that he had somehow managed to enter this state through some method.
His suspicion was confirmed; Xu Xianwen had released the accumulated medicinal power within his body all at once, triggering a prepared ritual. This temporarily enhanced his force abilities, granting him impenetrable scales during this period.
At this moment, Xu Xianwen blocked the blade, deflected the incoming force, and then twisted his arms, attempting to grasp the sword.
Even though he could withstand the slashing, the length of the weapon still dictated that only Chen Chuan could strike him, while he couldn't reach Chen Chuan. Feeling disadvantaged, Xu Xianwen's first instinct was to grapple.
Chen Chuan didn't give him the chance, swiftly retracting and slashing again.
Xu Xianwen didn't back down; his expression turned fierce as he aggressively advanced into the path of the blade. Each time he parried the sword, his muscles trembled, forcing the blade away.
Chen Chuan sensed a difference in his opponent's force compared to before. Every time he slashed at Xu Xianwen's body or arms, it felt like there was a slippery force that made it challenging to absorb the full power of the blow.
Moreover, a trembling force seemed to transmit back towards him. If he didn't use his second self to withstand it, his sword technique would become less fluid, requiring adjustments after each move.
Xu Xianwen kept searching for an opportunity to press inward, his arms moving like snakes, probing and seeking to engage in close-quarters combat.
After a few exchanges, Chen Chuan felt that the enhanced force indeed made Xu Xianwen a more formidable opponent. However, without a weapon, Xu Xianwen had to get close to pose a real threat. Chen Chuan immediately adjusted his strategy accordingly.
He consciously increased his speed and expanded his movement range. After creating some distance, he harnessed his momentum to power his slashes.
This maneuver immediately put Xu Xianwen on the back foot.
The force enhancement hadn't made Xu Xianwen faster than Chen Chuan. So, while he had desperately tried to enter the inner circle earlier, he now found himself in an awkward situation, unable to catch up.
Each of Chen Chuan's rapid slashes, propelled by his swift movements, carried immense force. Though Xu Xianwen could withstand them, each blow forced him to retreat backward or sideways.
Under the relentless, impactful attacks, Xu Xianwen struggled to mount an effective offense. He had no choice but to temporarily abandon his plan of getting close to Chen Chuan, focusing instead on quick movements and evasive maneuvers while seeking opportunities.
The two combatants chased and clashed around the lakeside, like two magnets attracting each other. They would separate only to swiftly reunite, each collision creating a loud commotion, startling nearby birds into flight. The area where they fought was marked by a series of craters from the force of their footsteps.
After about five or six minutes of intense combat, Xu Xianwen began to feel overwhelmed.
While his scales could block regular slashes, engaging in unarmed combat was a significant disadvantage. Each time, he had to expend more energy and force to counter the power of Chen Chuan's blade.
After a while, the emotional surge caused by the rapid growth of transformed organs began to subside, and his mind gradually regained its composure.
Xu Xianwen realized that even with his heightened force abilities, he couldn't compensate for the loss of his weapon. Moreover, the terrain didn't favor his style, instead facilitating Chen Chuan's swordplay.
After blocking another slash, Xu Xianwen used the opportunity to retreat, turning and running towards the lake.
Chen Chuan wasn't about to let him escape so easily. With a swift motion, he sheathed his long sword and gave chase.
The two were already close to the lake, so after a few breaths, they reached the water's edge. Without hesitation, they continued running forward, as if the lake's surface were solid ground beneath their feet. Only a pair of expanding ripples trailed behind them.
After running for over ten li, Xu Xianwen's gaze shifted, as if he had found something—a hidden path he had prepared earlier. It was one of the underground rivers beneath Lu Lan Lake, leading to a safe haven where no one could trace him.
Xu Xianwen turned his head, grinning at the pursuing Chen Chuan. Then, with a leap, he dove into the water, disappearing in an instant.
Chen Chuan wasn't about to let him get away so easily. He quickly removed his wet outer garment and dove into the water, effortlessly adjusting his breathing. With a gentle push of his hands and feet, he created a trail of bubbles, following the path Xu Xianwen had taken.
Initially unconcerned, Xu Xianwen, as a member of the Viper Sect, was an excellent swimmer. However, to his surprise, he found that Chen Chuan was gaining on him, just as he had on land.
Chen Chuan's eyes flashed with a fierce glint as he quickly spun around in his rapid movement, circling to the left of Chen Chuan. Then, harnessing the momentum, he unleashed a powerful punch.
At this moment, not only did he possess the ability to act underwater for an extended period, but his Zhouyuan Force was even more potent underwater.
Chen Chuan didn't dodge; instead, he crossed his knife with his left hand, clenching his five fingers and, following the initial momentum, sidestepped and countered with a punch!
In an instant, their fists collided!
This was similar to the clash between the two from the Wilderness and Implantation Sects in the water, where both parties bore the brunt of the immense destructive force.
Xu Xianwen's muscles and scales writhed, causing the surrounding water to ripple outward in circles, while Chen Chuan's Second Self manifested a fleeting illusion. The point of impact between their fists erupted with a burst of shockwaves.
Both were pushed back by the force, but simultaneously, they dug their legs into the water and spun rapidly in the vortex, quickly closing the distance again, colliding with tremendous force once more!
This time, the collision was even louder, and the resulting vibrations killed some small aquatic creatures nearby.
However, neither stopped; instead, they continued to clash, repeatedly summoning all their Zhouyuan Force and unleashing it upon their opponent.
Inevitably, the battle entered a stage of attrition, testing their endurance and willpower.
This was unavoidable because Chen Chuan's superior speed ensured that Xu Xianwen would always be caught. To escape unharmed, he had to defeat Chen Chuan first.
Xu Xianwen was already pushing his underwater abilities to the limit, and he had to endure.
Chen Chuan, on the other hand, had no reason to back down. With his Second Self's ability to redirect damage, he was unafraid of injury or prolonged battles, and he could keep up this contest indefinitely.
After clashing with Chen Chuan ten more times, Xu Xianwen felt his altered organs grow weary, and his body struggled to muster the same force. This all-out offensive style was incredibly draining.
In the 1619th book, there was not a single error!
Moreover, the force awakened by the ritual was fading from his body. However, with the battle rhythm established, he couldn't stop.
Crucially, he couldn't think of a better strategy and could only grit his teeth and persevere, hoping Chen Chuan would succumb first.
He continuously summoned essence blood from his heart to replenish his stamina and sustain the high-energy consumption of his Zhouyuan Force.
After countless clashes, they rushed towards each other again. This time, as Xu Xianwen summoned his force, he felt a sense of emptiness, and when their fists collided once more, his bones cracked audibly, the fracture traveling from his arms to his torso, causing his flesh and scales to burst open, spraying blood everywhere.
He didn't retreat but instead endured the massive impact, his face contorted with ferocity as he closed in on Chen Chuan.
As long as he got close, he had a chance to turn the tide with his Mystical Snake Technique.
Chen Chuan, sensing his approach, flashed his eyes and stood his ground. Harnessing the impact, he spun in place, whipping out the Snow Empress Blade like a lash!
Due to his concentrated Zhouyuan Force, a shockwave even rippled along the cutting edge!
Xu Xianwen was startled and hastily dodged, but he was still grazed, and a gush of blood sprayed out, carried away by the current. The gash extended to his chest, nearly severing his shoulder from his body.
This strike also eliminated any chance of a counterattack.
However, knowing escape was futile, he didn't retreat but instead seized the opportunity as the blade passed to move forward, grasping at the slim chance. But as he moved, a punch struck his face, knocking him into a daze, and his body went limp.
In his hazy consciousness, he suddenly felt a hand reaching for his head, and he realized something was wrong. He immediately exerted his force to push the hand away.
Chen Chuan, seeing this, sheathed the Snow Empress Blade at his waist and grabbed Xu Xianwen's hair with one hand, drawing a short sword with the other. He thrust it into Xu Xianwen's throat, piercing it!
Xu Xianwen's eyes widened in shock, and he mustered a final surge of strength, grabbing Chen Chuan's arm in a desperate struggle.
However, although Chen Chuan had removed his protective cloak, the ritual armor beneath continued to absorb Xu Xianwen's life force and blood.
In just a moment, Xu Xianwen's hand went limp.
Chen Chuan casually waved his hand, pushing Xu Xianwen's hand away. He then grabbed Xu Xianwen's hair, withdrew the short sword, and with a swift motion, beheaded him. The headless body finally ceased its struggles, floating limply in the water.
...
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(End of Chapter)
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