Chapter 484: Shattering the Void with Bare Hands!

Chapter 484: Shattering the Void with Bare Hands!

Buzz!

At the apex of Kunlun Mountain, two blades of light clashed in mid-air, creating a brief stalemate before shattering the heavens and earth in an instant. A pitch-black rift tore through the void, stretching over a dozen zhang, spanning the entire sky!

The sheer size of the void rift was enough to make even the most seasoned Blood Transformation Masters pale in fear. If they had been nearby, they would have been annihilated by the mere aftermath of the collision between the two blades, let alone facing them head-on.

In the void, one could see the boundless and limitless essence of Primordial Chaos, while the other displayed the Eight Trigrams of the Universe, a harmonious fusion of the principles of Heaven and Earth.

As the two blades of light collided in mid-air, Chen Mu carefully sensed Gongyang Yu's Primordial Chaos Blade Intent. Having cultivated the Path of Heaven and Earth, encompassing all Martial Arts under the heavens, Chen Mu had a profound understanding of all but the Primordial Chaos Path. At this moment, as he experienced Gongyang Yu's pinnacle strike, countless insights into the mysteries of Primordial Chaos flooded his mind.

For Chen Mu, having mastered the Path of Heaven and Earth to its utmost, he could already break free from the constraints of heaven and earth, embarking on the path to divinity. He didn't need to delve further into the Primordial Chaos Path, but by experiencing it, he gained a deeper understanding of the mysteries of the universe and the essence of the Primordial Chaos Path.

However, these insights were only fleeting moments of enlightenment.

Boom!

The stalemate between the two blades of light didn't last long. The void rift above Kunlun Mountain gradually expanded, growing from over ten zhang to nearly twenty zhang. Finally, the center collapsed, creating a void cavity. With a resounding explosion, both blade intents vanished simultaneously.

On the central peak of Kunlun Mountain, many Marrow Washing Sages who had stopped there also clearly felt the two pervasive blade intents. They knew that these intents belonged to none other than Martial Saint Chen Mu and Heavensword Gongyang Yu, a clash of the most supreme blade paths in history.

"Who won?"

They looked up at the peak of Kunlun Mountain, sensing the fading of the two blade intents. This question arose in the minds of all the Marrow Washing Sages.

Although they stood on the central peak and couldn't see what was happening at the summit, most of them already had a good idea of who had emerged victorious from that strike.

At the summit of Kunlun Mountain, Gongyang Yu stood with his Heavensword in hand, his face turning pale. He staggered backward in the void, retreating over a dozen zhang before finally coming to a stop. A trickle of blood escaped from the corner of his mouth, and his internal energy was in complete disarray.

On the other side, Chen Mu remained composed, slowly sheathing his blade, paying no heed to the nearly shattered void rift before him.

The entire summit of Kunlun Mountain fell silent. Whether it was the numerous Heaven Persons or the Blood Transformation experts, all were immersed in the aftermath of the clash between the two blades.

"Cough..."

Gongyang Yu's face regained its color, and he lowered his Heavensword, expressing his admiration to Chen Mu, "The Path of Heaven and Earth encompasses all under the heavens, reaching the pinnacle of perfection. It is unmatched in the world, and I am no match for it..."

Even as he spoke, he couldn't suppress a cough, indicating that the impact from the clash had slightly injured his internal organs, which would take some time to heal.

Gongyang Yu was well aware that Chen Mu had shown mercy. The clash between them was a mid-air exchange, and Chen Mu hadn't exerted much of his physical strength. If Chen Mu had used his full power, Gongyang Yu wouldn't have stood a chance.

In the void, the shattered cavity began to mend, and the rift gradually disappeared.

Chen Mu's gaze, which had been fixed on the fading void rift, now shifted to Gongyang Yu's muscular torso and the intricate tattoos of the Primordial Chaos Body. Chen Mu, holding his blade, spoke to the Heavensword, who had dominated the world for over a hundred years, "Elder Gongyang's blade path has reached the pinnacle of Martial Arts, capable of shaking the very foundations of heaven and earth. In terms of blade techniques alone, no Martial Art under the heavens can surpass it."

Chen Mu had once experienced the mysteries of the Heavensword when he sparred with the Heaven Sword Sect's true disciple, Zuo Qianqiu. Even if the Heavensword Path reached its peak, in Chen Mu's eyes, it still fell short compared to the Path of Heaven and Earth.

But Gongyang Yu's strike, having reached the pinnacle and transcended the principles of Heaven and Earth, returning to Primordial Chaos, had truly attained the ultimate realm of Martial Arts. It was no less impressive than the Path of Heaven and Earth and could even rival it.

This included Chen Mu's own Path of Heaven and Earth, which was on par with Gongyang Yu's strike.

However, when it came to foundation, physical body, and heart, Gongyang Yu was far superior to Chen Mu. These were insurmountable gaps, yet Gongyang Yu's blade path was still worthy of the title 'Blade Saint'. With this strike, the future of blade paths had advanced by tens of thousands of years, and Gongyang Yu's name would undoubtedly be etched in the annals of Martial Arts history.

"Donglin Jianzun Gu Xiaochen stood tall on one side of the mountain peak, his gaze now turning towards Gongyang Yu, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

The development of martial arts is accumulated step by step in this manner.

No one can deduce an entire martial path in one go, just as the Heaven and Earth Path in the past, which, after countless years of martial arts' birth, finally came into being under the derivation of the world's top Celestial Beings.

And now, Gongyang Yu has taken a solid step forward for the Sword Path.

Perhaps Gongyang Yu will stop here in this life, but in the future, there will surely come a day when a successor, based on this sword, will further develop a complete Primordial Chaos Body, verifying it with the Sword Path, and forge a path rivaling that of Heaven and Earth!"

"Congratulations," exclaimed the Six Paths Alliance Master, the Heavenly Lake Island Master, and Xuan Tian Daizhu, among others, all speaking up in Gongyang Yu's direction.

The numerous Blood Transformation Realm experts gazing up at the mountain peak were filled with emotions of awe, sighs, and reverence as they looked upon Gongyang Yu atop the peak. Yin Heng, in particular, felt a surge of emotion: "To open a path for the world's sword practitioners, this life is not in vain."

Under the gaze of countless onlookers, Gongyang Yu bowed to Xuan Tian Daizhu and the others, then retreated.

Soon, everyone's attention returned to Chen Mu.

In previous Kunlun Debates, Gongyang Yu's single sword strike would have been enough to become the core of the discussion, a critical juncture in martial arts development over thousands of years, to be recorded in history and passed down for eternity.

However, in this Kunlun Debate, Gongyang Yu's sword strike was not enough to dominate the main topic. Almost everyone had a strong premonition that this Kunlun Debate would become the most important turning point in thousands, or even tens of thousands, of years, a massive milestone in the development of martial arts in the world, possibly even rivaling the Absolute Peak Debate tens of thousands of years ago, comparable to the birth and opening of the Heaven and Earth Path!

"Who else wishes to instruct me?" Chen Mu's gaze fell upon Donglin Jianzun and the Heavenly Lake Island Master.

Gongyang Yu's sword strike had given him a small surprise. Although its effect was limited, it did have some use, allowing him to vaguely comprehend the profundity of void opening from the ultimate truth of heaven and earth's creation. With this beginning, he also had some expectations for the methods of the other four top Celestial Beings of this era.

Kunlun Mountain Apex.

After a brief silence, Donglin Jianzun stepped forward, his expression calm as he said, "I have a sword that I have not yet perfected, but today, with Brother Gongyang opening the ultimate realm of the Sword Path, I shall also show my inadequacies. Please, Saint Chen, give me guidance."

"Please," Chen Mu said, extending his hand in invitation.

Everyone's gaze turned to Donglin Jianzun.

Known as the Sword Zun, one of the Five Absolutes, his status was once on par with Huanbei Heavensword Gongyang Yu. He was the contemporary master of the Sword Path, having cultivated it to an out-of-this-world level, rumored to have surpassed the Heavenly Sword Sect's Heavenly Sword Ancestor.

Now, with Gongyang Yu opening the Sword Path, the various practitioners of the Sword Path looked at Donglin Jianzun with a glimmer of light in their eyes, hoping to see the future of the Sword Path from Gu Xiaochen!

Gu Xiaochen stepped forward, coming to a stop in front of Chen Mu, his expression calm as he said, "I have devoted my life to the Sword Path. With this sword, I can subdue demons, suppress evil, split mountains, sever rivers, move cities, tear the earth, and reach the heavens... known as the Seven Absolute Swords."

"These Seven Absolute Swords reached perfection sixty years ago, and I could find no further path. I've contemplated the Sword Path for sixty years, seeking to comprehend the 'Eighth Absolute.' Alas, until now, I have not succeeded, only grasping its form. I had planned to perfect this sword at the next Kunlun Debate, opening a new path for the Sword Path. But now, with Brother Gongyang leading the way, I shall also discuss this sword."

As he finished speaking, Gu Xiaochen lightly raised his right hand, and the longsword behind him hummed, instantly falling into his grasp. Simultaneously, a vast sword intent that connected heaven and earth surged forth, charging towards the clouds. In an instant, even the void above him shattered, creating a white rift!

This was just the beginning move, and the overflowing sword intent had already caused the void to tremble!

The numerous Blood Transformation Realm experts were left speechless, and the Celestial Beings present all focused intently, even Gongyang Yu, who had retreated to the back, had a gleam in his eyes, and Xuan Tian Daizhu's gaze deepened.

Gu Xiaochen stood in the center of the arena, his eyes meeting Chen Mu's as he said, "In the world of martial arts, the heavens and earth are the ultimate. After tearing the earth and reaching the heavens, there is this Eighth Absolute Sword, which will shatter the void. I call it... Void Shattering!"

"Saint Chen, be careful!"

As his words fell, Gu Xiaochen's sword suddenly rose, stabbing towards Chen Mu in mid-air! The seven different Sword Path insights appeared one by one, finally merging into one, transforming within the mist to create the ultimate Eighth Absolute Sword - Void Shattering!

As this sword descended, the trembling void momentarily ceased its shaking, and there was no sign of shattering. Only a sword light slashed through the sky, leaving a clear white line in the void!

When Chen Mu saw this sword, his eyes shone brightly.

Chen Mu was aware of the Five Absolutes of the world, including Donglin Jianzun, who stood at the pinnacle of the Martial Way. These five Heaven and Man Masters, each with their unique strengths, had made their mark in various fields. For example, the Heavenly Lake Island Master had made breakthroughs in Body Tempering Martial Arts, while Gongyang Yu had used his blade to prove the Primordial Chaos. As for Donglin Jianzun's cultivation of the Sword Dao, it was the epitome of the sword—pure and absolute. With this sword, he sought to create the heavens and split the void!

Chen Mu indeed felt a hint of the Void Path's profundity from this sword. He even vaguely sensed that at this moment, the power of the void no longer hindered Donglin Jianzun's sword. It no longer resisted, perfectly merging with the void, traversing through it, and concentrating all its might at a single point!

"A magnificent Eight Absolutes Sword!"

Chen Mu's eyes flashed with brilliance, and he suddenly swung the Heaven and Earth Blade in his hand.

As he swung the blade, the entire void in front of him was shattered, creating a dense network of pitch-black cracks that spanned twenty zhang. The terrifying might caused all the Heaven and Man Masters present to change their expressions.

Despite not knowing how much of the void's profundity Donglin Jianzun had infused into this sword or if he had truly grasped the essence of the Origin Path, Chen Mu also swung his blade with at least eight-tenths of his strength. This was his respect for the power of the Origin Path!

However, an unexpected scene unfolded.

Guxiaochen, the holder of the Absolute Sword, seemed to have transformed into a white glow, merging completely with the sword, achieving the ultimate state of unity between man and sword.

The sword, spanning the void, somehow pierced through the shattered void, passing through without regard for the tearing and killing force of the void. A ray of sword light struck towards Chen Mu's body!

"Oh no."

Qin Mengjun, gazing upon the Kunlun Mountain Apex, couldn't help but change her expression.

When Chen Mu and Gongyang Yu clashed, it was a battle between the Heaven and Earth and Primordial Chaos. Although the void itself remained intact, Chen Mu's slash had torn the void, enveloping the entire area in front of him, delivering an all-encompassing strike. Yet, this slash did not collide with Guxiaochen's sword light!

Guxiaochen's sword, seemingly enveloped by Chen Mu's Heaven and Earth Blade, somehow bypassed the power of Heaven and Earth through some mysterious means. It seemed to have come from beyond, cutting through the heavens and earth, transcending the void!

This sword directly broke through Chen Mu's blade technique!

Danger!

Yin Heng, witnessing this scene, felt his heart skip a beat.

Almost everyone present, including the Heaven and Man Masters, felt the terror of this sword. It seemed to exist beyond the heavens and earth, defying all techniques, unstoppable and unblockable.

"Void Shattering, Eight Absolutes Sword..."

"This sword contains the profundity of the void, and he has even integrated it into his sword!"

Qingyun Supreme Elder Siku Rui's face revealed a hint of shock.

If Gongyang Yu's Primordial Chaos Blade still followed a discernible path, then Guxiaochen's sword seemed to leave all the Heaven and Man Masters present with a feeling of inevitability—unavoidable, unstoppable, and unblockable.

As a Heaven and Man existence, he had also grasped the profundity of the void, believing it to be a higher-level path, one that could even be controlled. Yet, after decades of comprehension, he had never truly grasped the essence of the void, always feeling like he was groping in the dark, seeing without truly understanding.

But Guxiaochen had truly manifested it!

This was undoubtedly a technique beyond the heavens and earth, a sword that transcended the universe!

Was Chen Mu about to lose?

Some even had this thought floating in their minds.

But just as this thought appeared, Chen Mu, facing the sword light that traversed the void, unaffected by the surrounding environment, showed no panic. Instead, his eyes shone brightly, and he suddenly abandoned the Heaven and Earth Blade, clenching his hands in front of him, and forcefully trapping the sword light within his palms!

This palm strike, seemingly ordinary, caused the void within a ten-zhang radius to be pulled like a curtain, creating a wondrous sight for all to see. It was as if Chen Mu's area had been abruptly torn apart, the entire space distorted.

Blocking the sword with bare hands!

The sword that Guxiaochen had swung was seized by Chen Mu, who, with his bare hands, tore through the void, forcibly pulling it from nothingness, halting its advance!

Crackle, crackle!

The sword light in Chen Mu's palm erupted with a buzzing sound, constantly sizzling. It even seemed to cut through Chen Mu's palms, leaving behind a trail of wounds that revealed dazzling golden blood.

But these wounds disappeared without a trace in an instant, resisting all the struggles of the sword light.

Finally,

As Chen Mu vigorously rubbed his plain hands together, the flickering sword light finally vanished!

Behind the sword light, Donglin Jianzun's figure appeared. He had been forcefully shaken out of his unity with the sword, his face turning pale, blood spilling from the corners of his mouth, and his aura becoming chaotic and uncontrollable.

Behind him, the torn Void spread out, ready to swallow him whole in an instant.

Just then, Chen Mu withdrew his right hand and lightly flicked his left, sending the restored Eighth Absolute Sword flying. Simultaneously, he reached out with his right hand, grabbing Gu Xiaochen in mid-air and pulling him back ten zhang, escaping the range of the collapsing Void.

Buzz!

In that fleeting moment, the spot where Chen Mu had been standing, where he had directly blocked the Shattered Void Sword, the entire Void shattered and collapsed, forming a pitch-black void that swiftly devoured everything nearby!

Over ten zhang away, Chen Mu and Gu Xiaochen landed. Gu Xiaochen's face was pale, his breath chaotic, and he glanced back at the collapsed void behind him, taking a deep breath. His eyes revealed a hint of shock.

He hadn't expected Chen Mu to receive his Shattered Void Sword in such a way, nor had he anticipated the terrifying power unleashed by Chen Mu's brute force, which shattered the Void. After his sword light was crushed, he lacked the strength to resist the Void's pull. If not for Chen Mu pulling him, he might have been buried in the Void."

"Thank you."

Gu Xiaochen turned back and looked at Chen Mu, deeply impressed. "My sword is not yet perfected, and it's hard to control. Chen Mu's martial arts are indeed profound, and even my Eighth Absolute Sword, which uses force to overcome skill, can be countered by his Body Tempering method. Is Body Tempering the true path?"

Chen Mu shook his head slightly and said, "The Void Path is extraordinarily profound, transcending martial arts and reaching the Origin Path. It's the path to the Divine Realm. If my physique weren't slightly stronger, I might not have been able to withstand your sword. If your sword could advance further, not only would it exist outside the universe, but it might also harness the power of the Void, entering the Heaven-Crossing Path. With my current abilities, I might not be able to withstand it."

He spoke with utmost sincerity.

Gu Xiaochen's sword, despite incorporating some of the Void's mysteries, was still far from a true grasp of the Origin Path, let alone a complete form. When he struck out with the sword, it merely existed outside the universe and within the Void, unhindered but unable to draw power from the Void.

If one could truly harness the power of the Void and control it, mastering the initial form of the Void Path, then they would have the power to rival Gu Xiaochen, and the outcome would be unpredictable. After all, if one could comprehend the initial form of the Origin Path, it would be comparable to cultivating the Immortal Body and Immortal Heart, qualifying them to step into the Lower Five Stages of Divinity.

However, Gu Xiaochen's physique was too weak; he hadn't even reached the Blood Transformation Realm, and his soul core strength was far from sufficient. Even if he did master the initial form of the Void Path, he might not be able to unleash its full power, and he might not withstand the backlash. Therefore, whether he could reach the Lower Five Stages of Divinity was still debatable.

Nevertheless, receiving Gu Xiaochen's sword had brought Chen Mu tremendous insights, and even now, he couldn't help but recall the mysteries of that sword.

At this moment, not only Chen Mu stood in place, recalling Gu Xiaochen's sword, but almost all the Celestial Mortal experts present had also fallen into silence, their minds filled with the image of Gu Xiaochen's Shattered Void Sword.

Gu Xiaochen himself looked at his torn sleeve, damaged in the previous attack by the Void, making him appear disheveled. He shook his head slightly, waved his hand, and retrieved his sword, which had been sent flying. Then, he turned to Chen Mu, carefully recalling the terrifying power of Chen Mu's physique that he had felt up close. His heart was filled with mixed emotions.

It turned out that a strong enough physique could also shake the Void with bare hands, using force to overcome skill.

Gu Xiaochen had thought that if he could perfect this sword, he would have no rivals under the heavens and stand above all martial arts. But now, he realized he had been blinded by a single leaf.

Martial arts, martial arts, both martial and Dao. Any path cultivated to its peak is no less extraordinary than others. Understanding the mysteries of the Void, transcending the heavens, is indeed remarkable. But cultivating an ultimate martial body, like Chen Mu's, can also prove the Dao through martial arts and connect to the divine!

The clash with Chen Mu also made Gu Xiaochen aware of his own shortcomings. This unperfected sword, when colliding with Chen Mu, had already created a backlash from the collapsing Void that he couldn't withstand. If he truly perfected this sword, could he truly control its power with his current physique and strength?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end