Though it was nothing more than a mutual test of strength, the collision of their spirit power shook the arena floor, spreading numerous fissures.
Watching the two clashing non-stop, a Yuqing Sect disciple had a face full of bitterness. âTheyâre so strong yet they are just newly enrolled disciples?â
Another muttered to himself, âIâve seen Spirit Profound senior brothers clash before, and even they fall a bit short of these two!â
A seemingly knowledgeable person remarked with a hint of contempt, âA
bit
short? Say that again after they unleash their power!â
The crowd was shocked.
What?! These two still havenât gone all out?!
Just then, another loud explosion thundered as the two separated.
Gu Han held his sword horizontally, his brow deeply furrowed. âBoring. If you keep hiding your strength, you will really die.â
Chu Kuang laughed. â
Oh?
Arenât you doing the same?â
Gu Han remained impassive. âShow some real skill! I wonât let a hundred million essence crystals go down the drain.â
Chu Kuang sighed. âFine. I originally wanted to battle you at the same realm, but it seems you donât appreciate it. Well then, Iâll grant your wish!â
Following that, his cultivation level instantly rose to the Spirit Profound realm. The aura emanating from him surged by a whole level.
Gu Han wasnât surprised. âSpirit Profound realm?"
His sharp spirit perception had long since determined Chu Kuangâs true cultivation level.
âItâs still not enough!â
Chu Kuang let out a peculiar laugh. âDonât decide so quickly!â
Before his words faded, a faint, almost imperceptible glimmer flickered over him, and his demeanor shifted. Previously calm and unhurried, as if everything were under his control, he now radiated overwhelming battle intent from head to toe.
Some nearby disciples felt their hearts and battle intent surging. Were it not for their last shred of rationality, they wouldâve rushed the arena to fight the two immediately.
***
Watching the fight unfold, Murong Yuan narrowed his eyes. "Is that the Barbaric War Physique?"
Murong Yan was confused. âWar physique? What does that mean?â
âIâve only read about such physiques in ancient texts. Born for battle, the Barbaric War Physique is most suited for combat. As long as they are in a fight, their combat power can receive immense amplification based on their battle intent.â Murong Yuan sighed. âEven a matured war physique can influence the people around them, allowing them to exhibit combat power far exceeding their own strength! Itâs a precious physique, far more formidable than any physique!â
Shen Xuan frowned slightly. âMoreover, Chu Kuang also has a Supreme Stage! But Brother Guââ
Murong Yan glared at him. âStop panicking! You make it sound like Brother Gu doesnât have one himself! Besides, itâs just a special physique, right? Doesnât Brother Gu have one too?â
Shen Xuan fell silent.
However, Murong Yuan became curious â
Oh?
He also has a special physique?â
He had seen Gu Han make his move, and was certain it was just an ordinary physique.
Murong Yan said with a serious face, âPoison Immunity! Ancestor, have you heard of it?â
The corner of Murong Yuanâs mouth twitched.
What kind of special physique is that?
Yang Ying knew Gu Han, and also had a strange, inexplicable confidence in him. âDonât worry. He wonât lose.â
***
Surging with overwhelming battle intent, even Chu Kuangâs tone changed dramatically. âBe careful, donât die now!â
With a light sway, he was already rapidly closing in on Gu Han.
At that very moment, Gu Hanâs sword swept down. Eighteen strands of Great Evolution Sword Qi transformed into light, shooting towards Chu Kuangâs vital points.
Chu Kuang instantly retreated. âGood!â
He weaved and twisted through the oncoming sword qi, avoiding each strike. And yet, the more he retreated, the more intense the battle intent became. Before he knew it, he had retreated to the edge of the arena. By the time he dodged the last sword qi, the battle intent was thick enough to be cut with a knife.
Gently wiping away a blood trace from his cheek, Chu Kuangâs laughter broke. âAs expected, you didnât disappoint me.â
Gu Han also laughed. âIs that so?! Well, Iâve got more surprises for you. Want to see it?â
Chu Kuang simply put his hands behind his back. âGood! Iâm looking forward to your real ability.â
In the distance, someone behind Yuan Gang frowned deeply. âWhy would Junior Brother Chu give him a chance? Wouldnât it be better to press the advantage and capture him now?â
Yuan Gang glanced at him. âFoolish. Since we want to subdue him, we must defeat him at his strongest. Only then can we make him submit wholeheartedly. Also, isnât it obvious? Chu Kuang is having great fun!â
That person was stunned.
They are already fighting to this extent, and heâs just having fun?
Before he could ponder further, an absolutely domineering aura erupted instantly.
Gu Han didnât want to hold back anymore. Setting aside cultivation realms, Chu Kuang was the strongest opponent he had ever encountered in every respect. Hence, it made him the most suitable opponent to test Gu Hanâs cultivation against.
Dual Supreme Stages, completely unleashed. His spirit pool churned as if boiling, continuously transforming into his combat power. Within moments, the density of his spirit power had surpassed Chu Kuangâs by a notch.
Chu Kuangâs eyes suddenly became unprecedentedly bright. âWhat? You also have Dual Supreme Stages?â
The entire place fell silent. Even minor disciples of major sects had heard of the Supreme Stage. Of course, hearing was different from understanding. They had no clue what exactly Dual Supreme Stages entailed, besides the fact that it sounded a lot more formidable than a single Supreme Stage. However, some did have a clue about it.
Not far away, Yang Lin and Meng Xing exchanged a murderous look.
These two cannot be allowed to live!
Murong Yuan was full of emotion. âDual Supreme Stages! To think that in the Northern Domain, two Heavenly Prides have appeared!â
Murong Yan glanced at him. âAncestor, youâre old. Tone it down! Donât let the juniors laugh at you!â
Murong Yuanâs aura trembled as he almost lost his temper on the spot.
In fact, having been with Gu Han for a long time, Murong Yan and the others already had an idea about the Dual Supreme Stages. They simply didnât bring it up because it involved Gu Hanâs secret.
Meanwhile, Chu Kuang was getting riled up. âHow thrilling!â
Under the empowerment of his battle intent, he had long forgotten the original purpose of his match with Gu Han. He only wanted to have a hearty, satisfying fight.
Gu Han failed to dodge in time and was swept by Chu Kuangâs offensive move, retreating several steps. His qi and blood were churning violently.
Under the relentless onslaught of Great Evolution Sword Qi, several new wounds opened on Chu Kuang. Blood seeped out, dyeing his white robes quite vividly.
As if oblivious to it all, he charged at Gu Han again. âTell me! How many zhang is your spirit pool exactly?!â
Gu Han held his sword horizontally, blocking his blow.
He was also extremely excited. âYou want to know? Defeat me first.â
âNice!â
The light around Chu Kuang intensified several times over. Huge amounts of spirit power gathered on his two hands, continuously lashing out toward Gu Han.
In the next moment, he flashed strangely again, appearing just three chi in front of Gu Han. âI have underestimated you! You are worthy to be my opponent!â
Two more overwhelmingly powerful attacks descended.
Gu Hanâs eyes shone brightly. âCome on then!â
He neither dodged nor evaded. Instead, his spirit power surged like a tide, transforming into eighteen strands of Great Evolution Sword Qi. They all shot toward Chu Kuangâs head.
In the blink of an eye, Gu Han shot back over ten zhang. A few more sword marks appeared on Chu Kuangâs face.
Murong Yuan frowned deeply. âThis is bad! Something badâs going to happen!â
Murong Yan complained loudly, âAncestor, whatâs wrong?! Brother Gu isnât at a disadvantage!â
Beside her, Yang Ying scoffed. âThose two can no longer hold back!â
Shen Xuan nodded. âYouâre right. In this situation, whoever hesitates will immediately be defeated. Judging by their personalities, they probably wonât accept such an outcome.â
As if to confirm their words, Chu Kuang wiped the blood from his face. âStill boring!â
Gu Han also took a deep breath. âIndeed. We wonât be able to decide the victor in one hour by fighting like this.â
Chu Kuang stared fixedly at Gu Han. âI think youâre still hiding something.â
Gu Han also stared at him. âSays you! What about your dao artifact, cultivation techniques, and divine powers?â
Chu Kuang nodded. âI do. However, after you witness them, you might die. Itâs not too late to admit defeat now.â
Gu Han flicked his sword, and a three-cun sword light instantly spat from the tip. âI am tough, so the one who dies today will likely be you!â
Within his heart, the killing intent gradually climbed, firmly locking onto Chu Kuangâs aura. For the first time, Chu Kuangâs expression changedâhis former calm confidence and unbridled arrogance giving way to a trace of gravity.
He could feel the increasing killing intent emanating from Gu Han. He could even feel that if he wasnât careful, he would really die under Gu Hanâs sword.
Silently, his aura underwent another change. Empowered by battle intent, the dazzling light surrounding him gained a somewhat dark, ominous feel. An inexplicable, seemingly all-devouring aura quietly spread across the space.
Feeling as if their very flesh and souls were about to be sucked away, nearby onlookers instinctively took a few steps back.
At that very moment, Gu Hanâs killing intent had swelled to its peak.
With a loud roar, he flashed, thrusting his sword toward Chu Kuang. âKill!â
His speed was twice as fast as before. Along the way, countless people sensed the ice-cold killing intent. They felt a chill run straight from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads.
The weight in Chu Kuangâs gaze grew heavier and heavier. Without the slightest hesitation, he formed a strange hand seal. âPrimordial Savage Devours the Heavens!â
Behind him, a faint, barely visible vortex actually seemed to appear.
At this moment, a faint understanding dawned in everyoneâs hearts. After this strike, one of the two would likely die. The only question was: who?