Chapter 569 - 239: The Match
Truly, a master at Astral Force Perfection. His True Astral was profound, his strength fierce.
Han Xiong, for his part, faltered. His forward momentum was halted, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
’The force of my Double Hammers is enough to shatter monuments and split stone,’ he thought. ’An ordinary Late-stage Astral Force cultivator would be in a world of hurt after taking that head-on, yet he only took half a step back?’
’Moreover, the Power within that Spear Technique is unusually refined, and its Penetration Power is so strong it sent a tremor through the shafts of my hammers.’
’So he does have a few tricks up his sleeve. No wonder he accepted the challenge! But it’s a pity. A gap in Cultivation isn’t something a little finesse can make up for!’
Han Xiong sneered inwardly and renewed his assault!
He pressed his advantage relentlessly, his Double Hammers a blur as his moves suddenly became even more ferocious and violent!
The sky filled with the afterimages of his hammers, as if he had transformed into a Lava Giant. Every swing carried the ferocious will of a volcanic eruption, threatening to smash everything before him into dust!
Heaven-Burning Eight Desolations Hammer! Molten Rock Sky!
The scorching Fiery Sun True Gang almost solidified, twisting the air with its heat. The Molten Rock Momentum crashed down on Chen Qing like furious waves, one after another, eroding his Body-Protecting True Astral.
"Brother Han is still a cut above!"
Below the stage, the crowd could clearly see that Han Xiong had completely seized the initiative. His attacks were like a tidal wave, suppressing Chen Qing to the point where he could only parry.
Although Han Xiong practiced a Superior Heart Method, his foundation was solid. To have brought his Cultivation of the Heaven-Burning Eight Desolations Hammer to such a level, with his Molten Rock Momentum surging so powerfully, truly made him one of the best among the True Successor Candidates.
Faced with this even more savage assault, the Diancang Spear in Chen Qing’s hand suddenly let out a clear, sonorous hum!
He was no longer simply defending and deflecting; his Spear Technique abruptly changed!
The Cyan Wood True Gang within him surged in an unprecedented way. As the spear tip trembled, a Momentum—as heavy as a mountain crashing down, as explosive as a clap of thunder—erupted with a ROAR!
It was no longer the singular Mountainous Momentum, Thunderous Momentum, or Rain Momentum, but a seamless fusion of all three!
He thrust his spear. It seemed slow, yet in an instant, it pierced through the layers of hammer afterimages, aiming straight for a minute opening as Han Xiong transitioned between moves!
The cyan light on the spear tip was highly condensed, as if it carried the weight of a thunderous, rain-soaked mountain on the verge of erupting!
"What?!"
Han Xiong’s expression changed drastically. He felt the air around him instantly turn viscous and heavy, his movements becoming sluggish. Moreover, an invisible Penetration Power and explosive force had locked onto him.
He let out a low roar and desperately brought his Double Hammers back to defend, crossing them before his chest. Pushing his Fiery Sun True Gang to its absolute limit, he formed a thick, protective shield.
BOOM!!!
The spear tip struck the very center of the Light Shield!
There was no colossal explosion as expected, only a strange, muffled thud!
The crimson Light Shield distorted violently. It held for only a single instant before shattering with a bang!
Han Xiong felt an indescribably tyrannical force slam into him, a mixture of three completely distinct types of Power: heavy, explosive, and penetrating.
He grunted, stumbling back an uncontrollable seven or eight steps. Each step left a deep footprint in the stage. His face instantly flushed red, and the blood and qi within him churned as if boiling!
Silence!
A deathly silence!
Below the stage, every single spectating disciple, whether from the Inner Sect or Xu Wang Mountain, stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what they were seeing!
"Three Stances Fusion?! His last spear strike contained three types of Momentum!"
A knowledgeable Steward said in a solemn voice, "So young, and yet he can fuse and apply three types of Momentum?! A genius of the Spear Path! This is a true genius of the Spear Path!"
"My heavens! Brother Chen... he actually forced Brother Han back?!"
"Three Momenta! He’s actually comprehended three types of Momentum, and even fused them?! How is that possible!"
Gasps of shock spread like a tidal wave.
Wu Anren’s pupils contracted sharply. He had been diligently trying to comprehend his third Sword Momentum and knew intimately how difficult it was. He never would have imagined that Chen Qing, who usually kept such a low profile, had already reached this stage in secret.
Shen Xinrou’s perpetually calm expression finally changed. She stared intently at Chen Qing, who stood on the stage holding his spear, and thought, ’Three Stances Fusion... This man’s talent is truly terrifying! No wonder Third Uncle thought so highly of him back then.’
Shen Xinyue held her breath, her gaze fixed on the duel.
Her Cultivation wasn’t high enough to see their movements clearly, but she could tell from the fluctuations of power that both fighters were extraordinary.
The relaxed expressions on the faces of Wan Shangyi, Liu Yun, Qian Baole, and the other True Successor Candidates vanished instantly, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity.
The Realm of the Spear Path that Chen Qing had just displayed was far beyond their expectations. This was a formidable opponent who posed a threat to every single one of them!
Meng Qianxue’s furrowed brow relaxed slightly, but the worry in her eyes did not diminish.
In that flash of lightning, how could Chen Qing possibly let such a golden opportunity slip by?
His figure shot out like a phantom. He pushed his Startled Swan Escape Shadow Technique to the peak of the Eternal Realm, and the Diancang Spear in his hand became a streak of cyan light, stabbing straight toward Han Xiong’s wide-open chest!
His Spear Momentum still contained the fusion of three Momenta, but now it carried an added, decisive killing intent!
Though startled, Han Xiong did not panic; he was, after all, a veteran at Astral Force Perfection.
Facing this lethal spear, he let out a furious roar. The Fiery Sun True Gang inside him circulated with unprecedented, frantic speed, and a crimson light burst from his body like a raging fire!
BOOM!
The immense True Astral erupted violently, creating a powerful shockwave that forcibly knocked Chen Qing’s incredibly swift spear slightly off course!
SHHHLICK!
The spear tip grazed past Han Xiong’s ribs, tearing his robes and drawing a spray of blood, but it failed to inflict a serious wound.
"Good! Very good!"
Han Xiong stabilized himself and wiped a trace of blood from the corner of his mouth. His eyes turned ice-cold as he thought, ’Three Stances Fusion! Just as I thought. The kid wouldn’t have dared to accept the challenge if he didn’t have something to rely on!’