Third move, Bloodlust!
The serrated edges of the Thirst Blood Axe reflected the moonlight, cold and chilling, sending shivers down Black Hawkâs spine.
He forced himself to suppress his fear, and a glint of delight suddenly appeared in his eyes.
Bang!
Suddenly, the dense reeds on both sides of Gu Sheng exploded, and two black-clad figures wielding long blades charged at him from left and right. The billowing Qi Blood Power surrounding them was no less intimidating than Black Hawkâs. Their eyes brimmed with killing intent, and the arcs of their blades swept up dead leaves with ferocious momentum.
"Die for me!"
The tall and sturdy black-clad man, who had originally been retreating midair, abruptly halted and also lunged toward Gu Sheng. The fear in Black Hawkâs eyes dissipated, replaced by thick killing intent.
In an instant.
Gu Sheng was trapped in the middle of four killers, surrounded on all sidesâabsolute slaughter looming from every direction!
The four members of the Bai Huo Sect were no saints, and their coordinated tactics were impeccable. Whatâs more, after consuming the Blood Boiling Pills, their aura surged tenfold. Against ordinary martial artists at the Perfect Blood Refining Realm, they could easily ensure death. Only masters at the Bone Refining Realm had a chance to escape such a lethal ambush.
A mocking look appeared in Gu Shengâs eyes.
If he hadnât known about the two hidden attackers beforehand, this situation might have become tricky. He could very well have been forced into a disadvantageous position and spiraled downward. But the key wasâhe already knew about their ambush and had even deliberately baited them!
Two blades, one sword, and one claw closed in. Yet, surrounded and trapped, Gu Sheng remained calm and unshaken.
His body bent into a bizarre iron-bridge pose, testimony to the profound mastery of the Shapeshifting technique. His body became unnaturally flexible, and the massive blood-red arc of his axe felt weightless in his grip. The Thirst Blood Axe, originally aimed at Black Hawk, retracted and shifted with a swift turn.
The target switched instantlyâdirected at the two attackers who had just emerged from the reeds!
Yes, from the beginning, Gu Shengâs focus had never been on Black Hawk. His true targets were the two lurking in the shadows!
Whoosh, whoosh!
The giant axe descended with shocking abruptness. Amplified by the third move, Bloodlust, its power doubled. The axeâs fierce glint terrified the two ambushers, but it was too late.
Slash!
The sound of the axe biting into flesh was shrill and piercing. The edge was so sharp that it carried an aura of First-level Rending. There was not even the slightest resistanceâone Bai Huo Sect member on the left was instantly cleaved into two, split evenly from head to toe like a piece of firewood, with the halves spilling to either side.
The axeâs momentum didnât cease. Its serrated blades, dripping with blood and flesh, swept horizontally toward the other black-clad man.
Gu Shengâs Qi Blood Power surged mightily, far richer and more potent than others at his level, giving him explosively devastating strength.
The other black-clad man felt cold sweat cascading down his back. He wielded his long blade to meet the axe, but with a metallic *clang*, his blade shattered into two pieces on impact.
Gu Shengâs gaze turned fierce.
The axe, though somewhat blocked, still buried more than halfway into the manâs waist and abdomen. With a brutal pull, the serrated edge tore through flesh and bone with a grinding sound that made teeth ache. Blood gushed and bones shattered as the man was bisected, his wide-open eyes staring blankly at the heavens.
The turn of events was shockingly sudden.
Gu Shengâs seamless combination of the three Bloodlust Forms and sudden change in tactics was far beyond what any of them had anticipated. The combat strength displayed in that instant was even more terrifying than during their earlier skirmish. Such power was already on par with a Bone Refining Realm expert!
Black Hawk and his remaining companion were both shaken to the core.
Neither could have imagined that Gu Shengâs combat prowess was this intense. To rival the Bone Refining Realm while still in the Perfect Blood Refining Realmâsuch a martial artist would undoubtedly be a top-tier elite, even within the Bai Huo Sect.
"We cannot run. His leg techniques are refined. We must seize this opportunity to strike!"
Having survived countless bloody battles, the two quickly assessed the situation. Gu Sheng had just executed his lethal move, taking out the ambushers. His old strength had ebbed, and his new strength hadnât yet arisen. If they missed this window, once Gu Sheng regained his momentum, theyâd stand no chance at all!
With that in mind.
The tall, black-clad manâs long sword trembled like a venomous snake, its movement unpredictable as it lunged for Gu Shengâs throat. Meanwhile, Black Hawkâs arms swelled another size, his black garment tearing apart, exposing bulging veins. With his body lowered, he shaped his hands into claws, aiming to attack Gu Shengâs lower body to create an opening for his tall companion.
Gu Shengâs heart tensed slightly.
Admittedly, these two had seized their opportunity well.
However, they had neglected one crucial detailâGu Shengâs martial arts were far too versatile. Even though they had forced him into close combat where his axe was difficult to maneuver, Gu Sheng wasnât limited to the axe alone.
The Qi Blood Power within him surged anew.
Although it wasnât as overwhelming as before, it was still nothing to scoff at.
Gu Shengâs eyes narrowed slightly. Holding the axe in his left hand, his right arm flexed, cords of muscle rippling. His fist, as tough as ironstone, glowed a dense black as he struck toward the venomous, snake-like long sword.
This was the greatest threat.
With the First-level Iron Stone Fistâs explosive force, his punch erupted like roaring waves. A sharp metallic *ding* rang out as the long sword met his fist, shredding the fabric of his sleeveâbut only grazing the surface of his arm, leaving his bones untouched.
Instead, the sword recoiled violently under the impact, quivering and humming incessantly. The tall, black-clad manâs expression shifted dramatically. Such mastery of fist techniques was even more fearsome than his axe skills.
As for Black Hawkâs sneak attack, Gu Sheng dealt with it even more effortlessly.
The *Flying Thunder Leg* technique unleashed six rapid kicks in an instant, shattering Black Hawkâs arms and numbing them to the bone. Several of his ribs cracked as well.
"Who the hell is this man?!"
The two remaining men were in utter disbelief.
A martial artist barely in the Perfect Blood Refining Realm not only wielded ferocious and overbearing axe skills but also commanded fist and leg techniques no less formidable. It was simply absurd.
Gu Sheng grinned.
Having neutralized this encirclement, the battle became significantly easier.
Black Hawk and his remaining companion were both injured. Though Gu Shengâs right arm was wounded, the injury was superficial and hardly hindered him. The special-effect-level mastery of Iron Stone Fist had made the skin, flesh, and blood of his arms resilient enough to withstand such clashes.