Chapter 535: Gong Ying's Encounter
Chapter 535: Gong Ying's Encounter
Gong Ying Chang Xiu's body reacted instinctively, faster than his conscious thought. With lightning speed, he lifted his sword, Luoze, and blocked the blade that was almost touching his face.
But immediately, he felt an immense, powerful force rushing into his body, causing him to tremble with the impact. His entire body involuntarily retreated backward.
His pupils contracted sharply, for this force was...
The strength of this attack far surpassed the previous one, and it was accompanied by a mental shock that slammed into his mind. It wasn't extraordinarily powerful, but it was incredibly solid and real, forcing him to guard his mental fortitude.
However, the attack from his opponent was not limited to strength; the speed had also increased significantly. Before he could gather and control his own power, the second strike of the sword was already upon him.
In this situation, he could only stimulate his vital blood, forcefully summoning his strength to block the blow.
After all, he had extremely solid foundational skills, and he connected several powerful slashes, continuously utilizing the surrounding airflow to assist his movements and release strength while retreating and deflecting the onslaught of powerful attacks, preventing his stance from collapsing.
But even with his steady defense and resilience, if he couldn't suppress his opponent's offensive, he could only passively endure the onslaught, and there would eventually be a limit.
After receiving a slash from the Xue Jun sword, he felt the Luoze in his hand trembling slightly, almost unable to hold on, and his power was difficult to control and adjust.
At this moment, he caught a glimpse of the sword light approaching again, and a sense of terror filled him. His hair stood on end, and he knew that if he couldn't block this strike, he would surely be beheaded!
Just then, his heart began to race, and a blood-red color surged into his eyes. The next instant, his entire body's speed abruptly increased, and he seemed to flicker like a fleeting shadow as he leaped backward.
The Xue Jun sword slashed through the air, shattering a pair of glasses that flew into the sky, only to fall to the ground with a loud crack, the lenses shattering into pieces.
Gong Ying Chang Xiu had already retreated from his original position, and he lowered his head, with strands of fresh blood dripping down his face and onto the ground.
He slowly said, "Mr. Chen's martial prowess has left me very satisfied. Only with such a display can this battle be worthy of boasting to the outside world!"
As he spoke, he abruptly lifted his head, but unlike the gentle face from before, his current expression was intense. His veins were popping out on his face, even on his bare arms, muscles were bulging.
One could see that the sword scar on his forehead had healed in an instant, leaving only traces of blood, which looked extremely terrifying.
He took a step forward, pointing Luoze backward and upward toward the sky, facing Chen Chuan in a sideways stance, assuming the solitary battle posture of the Wind Forest Pavilion.
At the same time, a faint black aura emerged from his body, and the gravel and sand at his feet were stirred by some kind of airflow, swirling and floating around him.
His hair, which had somehow grown longer, now reaching his cheeks, and the black smoke rising from it, gradually formed a ghostly face behind him, as if it were roaring.
San Cheng Huang, witnessing this scene, had a grave expression, "Gong Ying...?"
The four disciples of the Wind Forest Pavilion, their faces revealing fear, unconsciously took a step back.
Because they knew that at this moment, Senior Brother Gong Ying had already utilized the Wind Forest Pavilion's secret Ghost Sky Power, and he was at his most terrifying state.
Chen Chuan glanced at the massive ghostly face in the sky, took a deep breath, and in an instant, white smoke began to emanate from his body, forming a swirling milky-white mist that didn't dissipate even when blown by the wind.
Simultaneously, he held his sword horizontally in front of him, the gleaming blade reflecting the calmness in his eyes. But the next moment, everything became blurry, and he disappeared from everyone's sight once more.
A faint light shone in Gong Ying Chang Xiu's eyes, and with the enhancement of the Ghost Sky Power, his reaction speed and strength had significantly increased.
In his gaze, the world seemed to slow down, and he clearly saw Chen Chuan charging straight toward him, inching closer and closer.
Gong Ying Chang Xiu slowly raised his sword, his body leaning forward, and he met the oncoming sword, blocking it with Luoze.
The next instant, the world suddenly accelerated. Two streams of airflow collided, exploding outward, and the surrounding rifts unleashed raging winds and flashing lights.
Gong Ying Chang Xiu's arms trembled as he held his sword, his expression becoming even more terrifying, with veins bulging out.
He had intended to use a secret technique to block and even counter Chen Chuan, but the result was completely unexpected. This collision felt like slamming into an unyielding barrier, and he came to a complete stop.
A grinding, twisting sound emanated from the point of contact between the two swords, and Luoze was being steadily pushed back.
Feeling something amiss, he let out a loud roar, his vital blood surging, and he forcefully swept his sword aside, deflecting the Xue Jun sword. However, Chen Chuan followed the flow of his power, smoothly retreating and recovering his strength before striking again with increased speed.
Gong Ying Chang Xiu could only channel his power downward, but this led to another collision, causing his body to tremble, and the ghostly face behind him also shook, showing signs of instability.
He knew that Chen Chuan had seized the initiative, exploiting his advantage and forcing him into a battle of strength.
In a duel, one could calmly parry each strike, moving with grace and foresight. But now, having lost the upper hand, he could only follow Chen Chuan's lead.
It wasn't a matter of skill but a miscalculation that caused him to miss his first move. Chen Chuan didn't give him a chance to regain his footing; before he could counter the previous attack, another slash was already upon him.
Snow Lady Saber, with her blade as fluid as a flowing cut, seemed to want to push him away. Gong Ying Chang Xiu immediately tried to stabilize the situation, but the force of the clash almost threw him off balance. Snow Lady Saber then slid along the spine of his blade, using the momentum to reach his position.
Gong Ying Chang Xiu's face turned pale, and his veins popped out. It was too late to block with his sword, so he twisted his hips, drawing a hidden short blade from his waist with a 'dang' sound, blocking Snow Lady Saber.
This move was called "Yin Lock and Hide," where the short blade crossed with the flowing cut, not only blocking the incoming attack but also entangling the opponent's weapon.
However, the force on the blade made it difficult to hold, let alone execute any follow-up moves.
Chen Chuan's eyes locked onto him, and his altered tissue layers began to activate, pushing outward with a burst of strength that extended to the sword.
Gong Ying Chang Xiu couldn't withstand the force, and his two blades were instantly shaken loose. His body leaned back, but at that moment, he lifted his foot, aiming a kick at the side of Chen Chuan's knee.
This was the Foot Saber Technique, a kick with enough force to break bones.
As the kick landed squarely on Chen Chuan's leg, it should have been effective, but the altered tissue layers there immediately neutralized the force.
Just then, Chen Chuan's sword pushed forward, but Gong Ying Chang Xiu's foot transformed into a hook, connecting with Chen Chuan's calf. Part of his altered tissue activated, and his body spun half a turn on the ground, dodging the downward slash of Snow Lady Saber. With his short blade, he stabbed upward from below, aiming for Chen Chuan's neck.
This was the "Life and Death Turn," a combination of the Foot Saber Technique, a move to reverse the situation by finding life in death. It required precise coordination of one's spirit and speed, ensuring accuracy and swiftness.
But before the stab could reach Chen Chuan, a hand appeared out of thin air, grabbing the blade and snapping it with a 'bang,' causing it to shatter inch by inch under the fingers. The space in front of them emptied.
In the version of the book, there was not a single mistake.
With his strength expended, he momentarily froze. Chen Chuan charged forward, colliding with him in a burst of power. A loud 'hong' echoed as an explosive force entered his body, and he felt his body shatter and float.
Before he could escape, another hand grabbed and pulled him back, while a chilling coldness touched his neck. He struggled to lift his eyes, gazing upward.
Chen Chuan's gaze fell upon him, and he apologized, "Sorry, I'm in a hurry." With a backward swipe of Snow Lady Saber, a 'chong' sound echoed as Gong Ying Chang Xiu's head flew off his body.
Above, the ghostly face of smoke paused for a moment before a gust of wind carried it away, dissipating it.
Just then, a gunshot rang out in the distance.
Chen Chuan, as if expecting it, reached out and swatted the bullet to the ground before it could reach him. He looked in the direction of the shot, and as another gunshot sounded in his ear, he saw a blood flower bloom in the sniper's goggles on their side. Qin Qingque, the sniper, held her gun steadily, the echo of the shot still lingering.
She had reacted instantly when the sniper fired at Chen Chuan, swiftly taking him down.
Chen Chuan glanced at her, feeling something amiss. He looked down and saw a rift nearby, from which a tentacle-like appendage emerged, grabbing Gong Ying Chang Xiu's corpse and head, and with a pull, dragged it away.
His eyes flashed, and he stepped on Gong Ying Chang Xiu's flowing cut blade, preventing it from being taken as well.
The tentacle quickly withdrew with Gong Ying Chang Xiu's body, and the rift soon disappeared.
He looked on, deep in thought. That feeling from before seemed...
Never mind.
Whatever it was, there was no need to dwell on it now.
He tried to sense it, and after defeating Gong Ying Chang Xiu, under the guidance of the continuously operating Spirit Clarification, his spirit soared higher, capturing more refined essence than before.
The duel had indeed been beneficial.
And the stronger the opponent, the more it pushed his spirit to greater heights, even advancing his Second Self in such battles.
But it wasn't enough.
He needed stronger adversaries to help him continue his ascent.
Just then, footsteps approached from outside. He glanced out and saw four martial artists from the Wind Forest Pavilion, undeterred by Gong Ying Chang Xiu's death. With determined expressions, they drew their swords and approached.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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