Chapter 403: Striking First to Avoid a Protracted Fight
Chapter 403: Striking First to Avoid a Protracted Fight
A loud noise, akin to the bellow of a bull, reverberated through the air.
As the sound faded, a dark figure loomed larger in everyone's field of view.
From a distance, it resembled a carriage being pulled by some creature.
However, at the forefront was a gigantic demon beast with a body akin to a horse, complete with a pair of wings on its back and two horns adorning its head.
This demon beast pulled the flying carriage through the sky and came to a halt about thirty feet away from them.
As it drew near, all the cultivators except Chu Ning and Tang Xuan became solemn upon seeing this beast.
For this demon beast, which resembled a horse, was actually a seventh-rank demon beast comparable to the latter stages of the Golden Core realm.
Tang Xuan stood at the forefront of the flying boat, gazing at the approaching carriage, and calmly asked:
"Could it be Fellow Daoist Shentuo?"
As Tang Xuan's words fell, a figure flashed out from the flying carriage and landed on the back of the beast.
It was a tall, elderly man with black facial hair and a slightly dark complexion.
Moreover, his cultivation aura indicated that he was in the middle Nascent Soul stage.
The man's eyes, sharp as copper bells, swept over Tang Xuan, and he let out a hearty laugh.
"Fellow Daoist Tang, it's been a while. I didn't expect you to still look so vigorous.
Could it be that you've found some heavenly treasure to extend your lifespan?"
There was a hint of sarcasm in his words, but Tang Xuan remained unfazed.
He merely smiled faintly and replied, "Where's the vigor? I already have one foot in the grave. However, it seems that Fellow Daoist Shentuo's cultivation has progressed significantly."
"I've made some progress, haha." As Shentuo Ping spoke, his gaze fell upon Chu Ning.
"This must be your sect's genius cultivator, Chu Ning, the newly advanced Nascent Soul stage Fellow Daoist Chu, right?"
Chu Ning was unsure of the other party's intentions, so he merely gave a slight bow.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Shentuo."
"I've heard that Fellow Daoist Chu was able to spar with Du of the Great Luo Sect during the latter stages of your Golden Core realm."
At this moment, Shentuo Ping's eyes sparkled with interest as he regarded Chu Ning.
"Now that you've advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, your strength must far surpass others at the same stage.
I, too, enjoy sparring with others. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Chu could impart some guidance?"
Before Chu Ning could respond, Tang Xuan's expression changed as he exclaimed, "Fellow Daoist Shentuo is jesting. You're a renowned middle Nascent Soul stage cultivator.
Chu Ning has just formed his Nascent Soul, how could he possibly match you?"
"Why are you so anxious, Fellow Daoist Tang?" Shentuo Ping asked, his eyes crinkling in a smile as he looked at Chu Ning.
"Fellow Daoist Chu hasn't even spoken yet. Perhaps he has some ideas of his own."
Chu Ning maintained a calm expression as he gazed at Shentuo Ping.
"Since Fellow Daoist Shentuo is interested, I, Chu, will naturally accompany you.
Although my cultivation may not match yours, I'm confident that I can hold my own against you for a few moves, and it may take some time before a victor emerges.
If we delay any longer, we might miss the alliance's assembly."
"That's simple!" Shentuo Ping's eyes sparkled at Chu Ning's direct acceptance of his challenge.
"We can each use our ultimate moves to determine the outcome immediately."
However, Chu Ning shook his head slightly and said, "That's too troublesome!
I've heard that Fellow Daoist Shentuo of the Spirit Beast Palace is not only proficient in beast taming but also possesses an exceptionally powerful physical body and excels in close-quarters combat.
I, too, have mastered a secret body-refining technique. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Shentuo would be willing to compare body-refining techniques with me?"
"You want to compare body-refining techniques with me?"
A hint of surprise flashed across Shentuo Ping's face when he heard this, and he looked at Chu Ning as if he were looking at a fool.
After all, the body-refining technique of his Spirit Beast Valley was renowned throughout the Cloudsoar Alliance.
While Shentuo Ping might not be able to suppress other middle Nascent Soul stage cultivators solely with his magical powers, when it came to the strength of his physical body, he was undoubtedly the strongest among the middle Nascent Soul stage cultivators.
Once he got close, even other middle Nascent Soul stage cultivators wouldn't dare to engage him directly.
"Good!" Shentuo Ping stared deeply at Chu Ning and burst into loud laughter.
"A hero indeed emerges at a young age!
There are many cultivators from the two sects here. Fellow Daoist Chu, let's move to the side and exchange a few moves, shall we?"
"As you wish!" Chu Ning replied calmly once more.
Upon seeing this, Shentuo Ping immediately flew to the side.
Chu Ning was about to follow suit when Tang Xuan anxiously interjected, "Junior Brother Chu, don't!
The body-refining technique of the Spirit Beast Valley is extremely formidable. Even the sect's cultivators speak highly of it.
It's too reckless for you to engage in close-quarters combat with them."
Tang Xuan then pulled Chu Ning back and said resolutely, "Let me apologize to Shentuo Ping, and at most, I'll spar with him instead.
Junior Brother Chu, remember that it's better to bend than to break. We mustn't act impetuously."
After hearing this, Chu Ning patted Tang Xuan's arm and said, "Senior Brother, don't worry. I know what I'm doing."
As he spoke, a gleam appeared in Chu Ning's eyes.
"As the saying goes, it's better to strike first and avoid a protracted fight. As a newly advanced Nascent Soul cultivator, I'm probably on the minds of many, whether they're from our alliance or others.
Since that's the case, why not give them a chance to get to know me better?"
With that, Chu Ning flew straight toward Shentuo Ping, not heeding Tang Xuan's concerns.
Chu Ning was well aware that his previous reputation as the number one Golden Core cultivator would have drawn the attention of countless people.
Shentuo Ping was, after all, a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Although Chu Ning had cultivated numerous divine abilities, it would be challenging to quickly showcase his strength and make Shentuo Ping wary without resorting to ancient treasures.
Doing so might even expose his other means.
However, body-refining techniques were different. Even though Shentuo Ping was a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator renowned for his body-refining skills, he certainly couldn't compare to Chu Ning in that regard.
After all, Chu Ning had cultivated the Nine Transformations Body Refining Technique to the seventh variation of the second volume.
When he condensed his Nascent Soul, his physical body had also undergone a comprehensive enhancement.
With the various secret techniques of the Nine Transformations Body Refining Technique, he only needed to display them slightly to shake his opponent.
The two men stopped a thousand feet apart, standing ten feet opposite each other.
Shentuo Ping looked at Chu Ning, a relaxed smile on his face.
"Fellow Daoist Chu, make your move. Let me witness your body-refining secrets."
Upon hearing these words, Chu Ning remained silent. His eyes narrowed slightly, and his figure flashed as he charged directly at Shentuo Ping.
However, instead of using the Void Escape technique, he employed the Thunderstep.
"So fast!"
Shentuo Ping watched as Chu Ning appeared before him in the blink of an eye, a gleam in his eyes.
He saw Chu Ning's fist coming at him.
But instead of dodging, he swung his right fist, stirring the heavenly and earthly spiritual energy in the air.
He chose to meet Chu Ning's fist with his own.
"Bang!"
The two iron fists collided in mid-air, emitting a dull sound.
"Master Chu, what is he..."
Witnessing this direct clash, Gong Yuyuan's expression changed slightly, and he voiced his concern.
Tang Xuan's gaze was fixed on the two figures locked in combat, a hint of worry in his eyes as he sighed inwardly.
"Junior Brother Chu is too young and impetuous. Even if he wants to fight Shentuo Ping, there's no need to engage in such a direct confrontation right off the bat.
He could have taken the time to assess his opponent first."
Tang Xuan had great confidence in Chu Ning's abilities and artifacts, having experienced them himself.
However, seeing Chu Ning resort to a direct comparison of physical strength and body-refining techniques with Shentuo Ping, he felt utterly uncertain about the outcome.
In the midst of their clash, both combatants felt a powerful force impacting their bodies.
At their level of body refinement, even though their fists seemed devoid of any fluctuations in power, the attacks were not solely reliant on physical strength.
They had also gathered heavenly and earthly spiritual energy, transforming it into astonishing destructive force.
However, both men sensed that the other wasn't utilizing any other techniques.
"Indeed, there's something to it!"
Chu Ning's heart stirred as he felt a powerful force drilling into his body.
He hadn't encountered many cultivators specializing in body refinement, but he had met a few.
Among them, Shentuo Ping was the first to be able to launch such an attack with his body-refining technique.
However, this level of destruction was insufficient to faze Chu Ning.
Without even employing the Nine Transformations Body Refining Technique, relying solely on his physical strength, he withstood the attack.
While Chu Ning remained calm, Shentuo Ping's expression grew solemn.
Integrating the Thunderstep, the Sky-splitting Fist, the Yuan-condensing Chop, and the Soul-shattering Strike, along with the second layer of the second volume of the Nine Transformations Body Refining Technique, Chu Ning's fist unleashed a formidable force that easily broke through Shentuo Ping's physical defenses.
Shentuo Ping felt a powerful force penetrating his body, causing his muscles and bones to tremble. This force didn't just impact his organs; it even affected his Nascent Soul and the spiritual sense in his sea of consciousness.
"How is this possible?"
Shentuo Ping was astonished as he felt the overwhelmingly destructive force.
"A single punch made my Nascent Soul tremble as if it wanted to leave my body. What kind of destructive power is this?"
Such a powerful close-quarters attack technique far exceeded his imagination.
What shocked Shentuo Ping even more was that the force transmitted from the punch didn't seem to have reached its peak yet.
"If I withstand it with my physical body, I'll definitely be injured. Unless..."
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Shentuo Ping's face. Ultimately, he decided that it wasn't worth sustaining injuries, so he quietly began to use his spiritual sense and spiritual power to resist.
Just then, Chu Ning withdrew his fist.
Shentuo Ping felt the destructive force gradually weaken under the defense of his spiritual power and spiritual sense.
He raised his head to look at Chu Ning, his expression a mix of astonishment and gravity.
In this head-on confrontation, Shentuo Ping, renowned for his body-refining techniques throughout the Cloudsoar Alliance, had been forced to use his spiritual power and spiritual sense. He had lost!
(End of Chapter)
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