Chapter 538: The Breach
Chapter 538: The Breach
Chen Chuan's focus intensified as he lifted his double-handed sword upwards, clashing with Chang Kuanghai's axe once more. The impact of their colliding forces caused both their bodies to tremble, and a dense flurry of snow and dust scattered around them.
Chang Kuanghai seemed even more exhilarated, using the momentum of the clash to raise his long axe high again. Holding the handle with one hand and the rear section with the other, he appeared to be exerting all his strength to lift the axe upwards. After a brief pause, he exerted force with both hands, and with a mighty 'Hong,' he brought the axe down in a powerful chop!
Chen Chuan's gaze deepened, as he had witnessed a similar move from Wei Wusheng, except one used a hammer while the other wielded an axe.
Showing no intention of evading, Chen Chuan's transformed body mobilized, and with a slight accumulation of power, he spun and swung his sword. The two beams of light collided, and with a loud 'Hong,' a cloud of dust and smoke erupted around them, billowing outwards.
In the Central City Command Center, most eyes were fixed on this intense battle, as this Split Body was currently the most crucial target. In a sense, this confrontation was even more significant than the standoff outside the city.
The powerful, heavy clashes and head-on confrontations between the two left the onlookers both terrified and thrilled.
Especially after witnessing Chang Kuanghai's formidable display of swinging his long axe, sweeping away an entire armored vehicle full of people, and Chen Chuan's unyielding defense, they were now astonished to see the two seemingly evenly matched!
After blocking three attacks, Chen Chuan felt that this individual's strength was almost on par with his own original body. With the added advantage of his weapon, the gap between them was negligible. Moreover, the opponent's mental fortitude was equally robust and unwavering, unmoved by the impact.
This was the first time Chen Chuan had encountered such an opponent.
Without hesitation, he further released the constraints on his transformed body, gaining a slight edge in strength.
Chang Kuanghai's fighting style seemed to favor aggression. Seeing his axe blocked again, he pulled back his waist, twisted his body, and, holding the axe, executed a diagonal slash towards Chen Chuan.
Chen Chuan maintained his previous fighting style, horizontally blocking the axe with his sword. However, this time, instead of meeting force with force, he suddenly retreated, drawing the force of the axe to the side, attempting to deflect the axe head.
Although he initially lacked finesse, his extensive training at the academy, which focused on spiritual power in the later stages and daily sparring with Hong Fu in the earlier stages, had made him adept in combat. This move, executed without any prior indication, caught his opponent off guard.
However, Chang Kuanghai, sensing Chen Chuan's change in force, immediately adjusted his own, demonstrating exceptional control over his body's power.
But he was a fraction too slow, and Chen Chuan seized the opportunity. With a twist of his sword, he deflected the axe outwards, forcing it to deviate from its path, even if it didn't make Chang Kuanghai lose his grip.
Unwilling to yield, Chang Kuanghai pulled back, and with a twist and a shift, the axe and sword clashed again. However, Chen Chuan's burst of power this time was even stronger than before, causing the axe to deviate slightly. Chang Kuanghai hurriedly tried to stabilize it.
Chen Chuan stepped forward, and with a flick of his sword tip, he attempted to pry open the axe head. If successful, he could then exploit the opening and enter the inner circle.
Chang Kuanghai seemed to anticipate Chen Chuan's intention and let out a deep shout. With a forceful twist of his arms, he pressed the axe downwards, aiming to pin down the long sword and block the central gate. Given Chen Chuan's demonstrated strength, Chang Kuanghai's muscles instantly bulged, and his power surged.
Chen Chuan's eyes flashed, and with a twist of his wrists, the sword that was supposed to go upwards suddenly retracted and circled, adhering to the back of the axe. Following the momentum, he pressed downwards!
With their combined forces, a large pit was created in the ground, and half of the axe head was embedded in the earth.
Chen Chuan immediately stepped forward, his sword close to the axe handle, and in an instant, he was right in front of Chang Kuanghai. He raised his sword and struck!
Although Chen Chuan had released the constraints on his transformed body, gaining increased strength, he didn't opt for a direct confrontation. Instead, he chose to yield initially, embodying the principle, "Use strength with flexibility, and approach directly with a detour."
Chang Kuanghai, realizing he couldn't pull the axe back in time, made a swift decision. He let go of the axe and crossed his arms to block the sword. The blade struck his arms, causing the muscles to slightly sink, but it couldn't penetrate.
Although the sword couldn't pierce his arms, the force was transmitted inwards. A powerful surge of energy rushed into Chang Kuanghai's body. However, his arm muscles rippled, dissipating the incoming force and minimizing the impact on his body.
Chen Chuan had anticipated this, and seizing the initiative, he swiftly delivered three consecutive slashes towards his opponent, each with varying force and seamlessly connected.
Chang Kuanghai blocked three sword strikes with his arms, cleanly dissipating the incoming force with each block. His legs remained firmly rooted, not budging an inch.
Suddenly, a flash of light emanated from the rift beside them, followed by the sound of countless flapping wings. Hundreds and thousands of steel-beaked birds surged out.
These birds had sharp beaks and teeth, with bloodshot eyes and sharp claws. As soon as they emerged, they frantically rushed forward, and the two men happened to be blocking their path.
However, neither man seemed affected, continuing their intense exchange. The overflowing streams of air and force further shook the birds, causing them to fall like raindrops.
Chang Kuanghai suddenly clapped his hands, and the birds nearby exploded in mid-air, showering blood towards Chen Chuan.
Chen Chuan remained unmoved, and the blood that reached his skin was instantly shaken off. Seizing the moment, he lifted his sword and thrust it directly at the other's clavicle, piercing it.
Using a penetrating force with this strike, even if the opponent practiced cross-training, it was highly likely to penetrate. But after the sword entered, he encountered a resilient obstacle, making it increasingly difficult to push through. Sensing the opponent's cross-training might have hidden depths, he decisively withdrew his sword.
Chang Kuanghai, seeing his retreat, suddenly clenched his fists. Waves of ripples rose from beneath his feet, gathering at the front of his fist. Then, with a mighty punch, he struck forward.
After taking two steps back, Chen Chuan's breath became scorching hot. He thrust his sword forward again, blocking the punch. Their bodies shook once more, and they retreated, dissipating the force transmitted from each other.
Chang Kuanghai examined his fist, where a deep gash had been torn open. Underneath the curling flesh, one could see finger bones as hard as jade. But in that instant, the flesh closed and healed, and by the time he lowered his hand, it was completely restored.
These exchanges appeared complex, but the offense and defense were incredibly swift, all occurring within seconds. The realm transmissions in the command center were blurry, barely discerning that neither had gained an absolute advantage in this round.
Chen Chuan, holding his longsword, stared at Chang Kuanghai. It was evident that he possessed neither flashy techniques nor extraordinary strength, speed, and an indestructible body, embodying purity to the extreme.
Mentally, he was also restrained, his spiritual power unyielding and unwavering, akin to his cross-training. During the previous attacks, each strike carried the impact of the Divine Shock Hammer, yet he withstood them without the slightest waver.
This fighting style was particularly challenging for ordinary fighters. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't overcome it.
However, it wasn't entirely impenetrable.
Chen Chuan had noticed that while Chang Kuanghai blocked his sword with his bare hands, he was still cautious about protecting his face and avoiding direct contact between his joints and the sword.
After all, these areas might withstand ordinary attacks, but against someone with similar strength, protection was necessary. These were exploitable weaknesses.
As they stared at each other, the distant rift exhibited more anomalies. Another wave of flying creatures emerged, but with a loud boom, the rift expanded by about twice its size, allowing larger beings to pass through.
Both men didn't look in that direction, but they were on guard. Moments later, their expressions shifted as they sensed their spirits becoming more active than before. Chen Chuan, in particular, felt it more intensely under the guidance of the Spirit Illumination Technique, absorbing essence faster and in greater quantities.
Realization dawned on him.
The rift was gradually stabilizing, naturally becoming the primary exchange point for matter and spirit between the two worlds. As essence was a part of the other world, it would naturally flow through in large quantities.
Being so close to the rift, they were the first to benefit.
Although there were still many rifts in the Riverbank District, most led to the convergence zone, serving as a junction between the two worlds rather than a direct path to another world. Thus, they were the closest at this moment.
This was undoubtedly advantageous, but both men knew that it was better for one person to enjoy the benefits than to share them.
Slowly, they raised their eyes and looked at each other.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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