Chapter 568 - 239: Competition
In the area where the disciples of Xu Wang Mountain had gathered, Wu Anren, Luo Qianjue, and the other top-ranking disciples had all arrived. Only He Shuang was nowhere to be seen.
Wu Anren stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the distant Seven-Star Platform, a complex feeling stirring within his heart.
’When I first leaked the news about the Shen Family to Chen Qing, my only intention was to cause some trouble for Han Xiong, who was on a roll, and disrupt his smooth progress.’
’I never expected it would ultimately escalate into a public duel like this; it’s far beyond what I initially envisioned.’
’But on second thought, now that it’s come to this, this strange twist of fate has provided the perfect opportunity for me to gauge Han Xiong’s true strength.’
Luo Qianjue, standing beside him, had far simpler thoughts.
As a newly promoted True Successor Candidate from Xu Wang Mountain, his current goal was to establish a firm foothold in the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect. He had come today to see for himself just what kind of strength these long-famous True Successor Candidates from the Inner Sect truly possessed.
Just then, a commotion stirred the crowd.
"They’re here!"
"Brother Han is here!"
"Brother Chen has arrived too!"
Han Xiong strode forward with a powerful, confident gait, the first to ascend the Seven-Star Platform.
He had changed into a set of dark red Martial Attire, accentuating his tall, straight figure and his scorching, oppressive aura. In each hand, he held a menacing, octagonal Primordial Hammer, its head glowing with a faint, dark red luster.
His gaze swept across the crowd below the platform, finally settling on Chen Qing, who was slowly walking toward him.
Chen Qing was still dressed in his inconspicuous black robes, his posture as straight as a pine tree, his expression as calm as still water.
Holding his Diancang Spear, he stepped onto the platform with a steady gait to stand opposite Han Xiong.
Han Xiong’s gaze was like a torch, locked firmly on Chen Qing as he slowly ascended the platform. He forced a gentle smile.
"Junior Brother Chen, the Elixir... have you prepared it?"
Though he smiled, his heart was filled with chilling killing intent.
From the matter of the Shen Family to the dispute over the Elixir at Danxia Peak, an irreconcilable grudge had long since formed between him and Chen Qing.
’Today, on this Seven-Star Platform, I won’t just take that Pure Yang Yuan Astral Pill. I’ll use this chance to completely crush this kid’s arrogance in front of everyone.’ A vicious glint flashed deep in his eyes. ’Fists and feet have no eyes. If I can damage his foundation in the process, all the better.’
Chen Qing met his gaze, his expression as serene as ever.
"The Elixir is ready, of course. As for you, Brother Han, are those thirty thousand Contribution Points... all in order?"
’Those thirty thousand Contribution Points from Han Xiong are as good as mine!’
The corner of Han Xiong’s eye twitched imperceptibly, and he sneered inwardly.
’Thirty thousand Contribution Points? Of course I don’t have them ready. Even for me, such a huge sum is no small amount.’
’I’ve never once considered the possibility of losing. How could a mere Mid-stage Astral Force cultivator possibly defeat a veteran candidate like me, who is at the Realm of Perfection?’
’If I win, the Elixir is mine. What need would I have for Contribution Points?’
’Lose? I simply won’t allow that to happen.’
"Heh heh, of course they’re ready."
Han Xiong laughed heartily. With a flex of his arms, he smashed his two octagonal Primordial Hammers together. They let out a deep, resounding CLANG, like a clap of Thunder Shock.
An invisible Sound Wave, mixed with scorching Fiery Sun True Gang, radiated outward, causing the eardrums of the disciples closest to the platform to ring and their faces to turn pale.
Steward Wu glanced at the two combatants. "Do you two wish to verify the stakes?"
Chen Qing replied calmly, "No need. I trust Brother Han’s character."
Han Xiong nodded in agreement. "I trust Junior Brother Chen’s character as well. Today’s match is the perfect opportunity to clear up some past misunderstandings for good."
"Fists and feet have no eyes, and weapons have no mercy. Junior Brother Chen, you’d best be careful!"
A hush fell over the crowd.
Qu River’s brow furrowed slightly, while the smile on Luo Chengxuan’s lips widened.
Faced with this overwhelming pressure, Chen Qing remained as placid as the water in a deep, ancient well.
He slowly raised his Diancang Spear, the tip angled toward the ground.
"Please."
A single word, crisp and decisive.
In an instant, the area around the Seven-Star Platform fell deathly silent. All eyes were fixed on the two figures on the stage, the atmosphere stretched to its breaking point.
The very air above the platform seemed to freeze, leaving only two gazes to clash violently, sending invisible sparks flying.
The echo from the clash of Han Xiong’s Double Hammers still trembled in the air as he launched the first attack!
His body shot forward like a crimson arrow loosed from a bow, trailing a scorching heatwave as he instantly closed the distance between them.
His Double Hammers swung one after the other, not in a straight path, but carving two arcs through the air. They flew like giant boulders, carrying immense Momentum—one smashing toward Chen Qing’s head, the other blasting toward the vitals of his torso!
Heaven-Burning Eight Desolations Hammer! Stone Falling into the Wilderness!
Before the wind from the hammers arrived, their tyrannical Molten Rock Momentum surged forward, and the compressed air whined as if on the verge of collapse.
Chen Qing’s eyes focused. The Cyan Wood True Gang in his body surged through his meridians.
His feet remained planted as Power erupted from his waist and hips. The Diancang Spear in his hand shot forward like a living thing!
The spear tip didn’t meet the hammer head-on. Instead, at the exact moment of contact with the first Primordial Hammer, Chen Qing’s wrist gave a nearly imperceptible flick and twist, causing the shaft of the spear to trace a small, exquisite circle.
A stream of dense yet pliable Power was released, deflecting a portion of the hammer’s tyrannical, surging force.
HISS!
Using the redirected momentum, the spear tip swung around and struck with unerring precision at a weak point on the side of the second hammer, where its force was thinnest!
This was a force-redirecting technique adapted from the Mountain Prison-Suppression Spear, integrated with his own understanding of the Spear Technique.
CLANG—!
The cyan and red True Astrals clashed violently. The dissipating Qi Force spread out like ripples, making their robes whip about in the wind. From the Cyan Gang Rock floor, which was harder than Fine Steel, fine dust was swept up by the Astral Wind.
Chen Qing’s figure swayed. He felt a powerful residual force travel up the spear’s shaft, making his arm go slightly numb. He took half a step back before he could completely neutralize the immense power.